PvP Lasers and PVP

[npcole]

Is there any way lasers can be made relevant again for PVP? For PVE the trade offs of multicannons vs lasers is very clear, and laser focused builds do very well. But the engineering options for multis leave all of the advantages (low power, good against Hull) and remove all of the disadvantages. Pip management becomes much easier and the damage output is enormous.

(There’s this older thread here https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/385449-Lasers-in-pvp)

I don’t like playing the game with a spreadsheet, but even an engineered laser build just doesn’t seem competitive for PVP. A build with a mix of lasers and other weapons is simply going to lose to an all multicannon build. That seems to be the conclusion of every experienced PvP player I’ve met.

Is there anything that could be done to make lasers relevant again?

 

[znôrt]

But the engineering options for multis leave all of the advantages (low power, good against Hull) and remove all of the disadvantages.

what disadvantages are removed?

I don’t like playing the game with a spreadsheet

then don't.

Is there anything that could be done to make lasers relevant again?

dunno, but i would vote for removing engineers altogether.

 

[npcole]

Engineered multicannons can rip through shields — and have all kinds of other interesting damage effects. I just don’t see how lasers can compete.

 

[znôrt]

Engineered multicannons can rip through shields

you mean incendiary rounds. yep, but those have been around for a while now, and i assume the compromise is less damage against (thermal resistant) hull. i get your point, just wondered if i missed something.

 

[npcole]

I suppose if you take a ship like the FDL and put all multicannons on with a mix of effects, your DPS against both shield and hull is going to be higher than any other build, isn’t it?

 

[npcole]

I’m just saying that whereas most weapons have pros and cons, engineered multis against engineered shields seems to be always the right call doesn’t it? Or am I missing something.

In PVE some beam lasers against shields with some other weapons to punch systems and hull works well. In PVP that just doesn’t seem like a viable build.

Again, it’s not really my observation so much as the advice of every PVP player I’ve met.

 

[Powderpanic]

3 Simple moves to make Lasers relevant again.

Remove resistances for both shields and armour

Remove thermal from any kinetic weapons

- This way lasers regain their place as shield strippers but weaker on hull. Unless you choose a mirror hull but then you are open to kinetic, like it used to be

Increase the drop off range, making other engineering effects viable.

Simple changes, big effects

Powderpanic
The Voice of Griefing

 

[Krash]

This is an interesting topic to me as I'm new to PvP. My experience is to react to rude PvPers as i'm going about my business in open. So what I see is small shield-less ships which makes my lasers very relevant. Emissive and Scramble.

 

[Redomus]

Tried out a new set of pulses today, lasers seem fine. Phasing effect is the bees knees.

 

[Truesilver]

Tried out a new set of pulses today, lasers seem fine. Phasing effect is the bees knees.

Yeah, for this PvP guide I went 20-0 up with pulses (3 phasing, 1 scramble, 1 emissive). They work but my word, can make for some slow duels:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/341107-Truesilver-s-Top-Tips-No-3-Gimballed-Duelling

However, I would emphasise that with buffed 3.0 mods and easy-access Premium (via Mats Trader) it's strongly arguable, as others have said, that the balance has shifted even more in favour of stacked kinetic now.

This is an interesting topic to me as I'm new to PvP. My experience is to react to rude PvPers as i'm going about my business in open. So what I see is small shield-less ships which makes my lasers very relevant. Emissive and Scramble.

For even more reverse-trolling power add corrosive. Don't add stacked missiles/packhounds as the poor little things won't interdict you in the first place. However, if you have a good aim, emissive plus 3 x super penetrator rails provides instant karma.

 

[Krash]

For even more reverse-trolling power add corrosive. Don't add stacked missiles/packhounds as the poor little things won't interdict you in the first place. However, if you have a good aim, emissive plus 3 x super penetrator rails provides instant karma.

My aim stinks; need more practice with fixed. Interestingly, they don't mess with me in the chieftain/FGS/courier, its always when i'm in one of the big 3.