Ships PvE Multi build help please

[Tolero317]

I just recently purchased a cutter and I've been trying to find some recommendations for builds. I am by no means an expert on anything and I know the forums are full of people more knowledgeable than me. That being said here is my current load out. I was hoping people would be willing to give suggestions or post builds that they have used and been succesful with. I'm also looking for engineering advice as well as I have not used the betas and am not sure which modifications are necessarily the best. Thank you in advance. Tolero

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/imp...EweloBhA2AWECMcQFMCGBzANikiIFA==&bn=My cutter

 

[deyot]

It looks like a sensible build. It's quite similar to mine actually. In a way.

Few observations though:

1. I'm not sure if 7A PD will suffice to drive 4 medium beams, even if you go efficient. I have efficient pulses.
2. I don't know about point defence. One seems like not enough for coverage. I have two but I see you plan to use SCB, so you will need those heat sink launchers. So, maybe remove point defence from your build. You could also go for stronger shield and give up on SCBs.
3. You forgot fuel scoop. Class 5 should be sufficient. It is for me.
4. I would add discovery scanner. Those 8 tons of cargo won't make a big difference. It's nice to be able to check your surroundings if you land in an unmapped system.

As for engineering:
1. Thermal resistant shield and at least 3 resistance augmented shield boosters. You'll want to drive up the resistances to around 50% each.
2. Efficient lasers because class 7 PD.
3. Overcharged multis. No brainer there.
4. Of course dirty drive tunning for thrusters and increased range for FSD.

 

[Hooplah]

Here is one version of a trader Cutter. There are so many ways to go but looking at your build it seems you are more into SCBs and heat sinks per a combat play style. If it is about trading one doesn't need any of this. If one is going in another direction trying to do everything at once then the player will be disappointed. The Cutter can be an awesome combat ship or a trader. It cannot do both especially since the engineers showed up. You decide.

 

[deyot]

The Cutter can be an awesome combat ship or a trader. It cannot do both especially since the engineers showed up. You decide.

I dare to disagree. Especially since engineers showed up.

This is my build. https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/imperial_cutter?code=A2pptuFplxdusCf67o7l7l1c1c1c1c04040404030402030707p10505fr38m92d6o2f.Iw18ZFA%3D.CwBgjCBM0gzP1GLNCVTFCUQ%3D.H4sIAAAAAAAAA12Sz0tUURTHz%2Bi814zvzTzf9TlepRp%2FPAVnIQUuDMIoinYWNIRIKxcSEgWtIlpJC%2BkvcBUhEhHSIoKihdQmWhS4iHCbmwyiqAzL9H77nuBNw2y%2B3HfP53zPj3fF%2BSKy71GCCWppeh%2BIt9tF0kWK2f0MIOdOKJSjVEYOiEQre0BhlXG0uUqW3%2F04ZMjtAMkLBwxtWhF7lRG0u74Mss9Yz0zFJN%2BQzNVpmrxOCOXdUYVoKub0JyC6%2FJ2lPXcsS42ukx1e%2BwOM1EoixTyb6NDTgN4N6gkFN53he%2BrkuU7W7KORP8l4%2FsgvQFRQbCJDbexBG%2FEnkYj%2Fbpvd90%2BJHAo5x78cdLTg3rIheYP40OGTGRn%2BJhm4Cw1Sd%2BNdYiP%2B8lfA6Mbs7A%2B6P9oCem5xHoRNeKyzX6RHNEk7qwvwbmv2w2%2FMucOloNSC2xmGvBV%2B%2Bxs%2FCS18pPEpgii39GGW6Bn5eeYc15w5NR7XUd9vaUl3trHoGuewg9xc%2FJTf6T1KoILO%2F5BJlLyp5FiZ5A6NU5VABbE70yBXr5DUfBsWRKr364ybpnj9GuMLPFbXuMpAS9j5IqEuk2yys3UdPDFj9I3u8mfY51rwrRZUCay21u2Gs%2Bcji10iB7%2F003qODxcVN96oNfGBhq%2FUsDfaoI2%2Fru%2F93C6Qpj30ekkIVVfLEsozvbwd5TFWSVXMef524C9O%2BpmQOwMAAA%3D%3D.EweloBhA2AWHZQKYEMDmAbJIQEYIFA%3D%3D&bn=Bottle%20Rocket

I'm currently at Winter's space hunting Federal Couriers for merits. When I'm returning to my home station I'll take come cargo with me to make some profit. Few days ago I made a short exploration trip to Orion Nebula. Usually I just swap modules in both class 6 compartments to whatever fancy me at any particular moment (SRV bays, passenger cabins, cargo racks, surface scanner). I can deal easily with any NPC. I can make to top 25% of any trading CG in 3 - 4 runs. Jump range is fine. Because I play almost exclusively in Open and I like to participate in CGs my build must be able to survive gank attempts. And she did multiple times.

I think Cutter makes a nice multipurpose. Sure Annie or Python are better but I really like my Cutter and she can do anything. Cutter can be a very viable combat trader.

 

[Tolero317]

I'm looking to make an all-rounder as best as I can. I have an anaconda currently that seems like it can do it all. I was hoping to be able to make my Cutter the same way. I know they are dissimilar ships, but I've been searching Google and the forums and had a hard time finding any builds. I was curious what others were using. I play in solo and in private with two friends from time to time. I appreciate the feedback. Does anyone have anything to add in? Tolero

 

[Connolly91]

4 beams and 7A distributor just about work. If you get good rolls on the efficient beams, use multicannons in the other slots, and have a weapon focussed or charge enhanced distributor.

4 beams can fire forever with 4 pips to weapons, but as soon as you start firing your muticannons, the PD will empty pretty fast. I would recommend going for bursts instead.

 

[CMDR Texas Stu]

I'm looking to make an all-rounder as best as I can. I have an anaconda currently that seems like it can do it all. I was hoping to be able to make my Cutter the same way. I know they are dissimilar ships, but I've been searching Google and the forums and had a hard time finding any builds. I was curious what others were using. I play in solo and in private with two friends from time to time. I appreciate the feedback. Does anyone have anything to add in? Tolero

You seem receptive to opinions so I'll offer mine:

Federation Corvette (large ship combat for BH, CZ, etc.)
Python (medium ship for all missions - able to land at platforms)
Imperial Cutter (Mining and all things trading/transport)
Anaconda (day-use miner, long range explorer)

These are a few of my favorite roles.
Enjoy!

 

[Doktor Molotov]

This is what I run as a combat ship in CZs. It can take a beating from gank squads and keep on ticking. It's yet to fall to anyone in PS4 open.

With a few quick modifications, I can transfer it over to a trade cutter if I need to. Swap out the 8C for a lower class biweave with a thermal resistance, ditch the shield cell bank, put in cargo racks, etc.

https://eddp.co/u/LE1Ecjug

The time to kill all those lasers is a little long, but it does the job. You can swap out the huge for a multicannon. I only picked them because I hate ammo considerations. The idea on the turrets is that I decided to have them all along the top of the ship, as often you'll be pitching up to get the enemies in view and it also deters attackers. The bottom is all gimballs, so I pitch up to get them all firing. In CZs, I really only fly Flight Assist Off.

 

[StiTch]

Okay so props given for a nearly sensible build. I usually give up in advance when I see 8 shield boosters on a planned build.

Some feedback from a long-standing iCutter pilot:

• Unless massively, massively engineered I can't recommend C6 bi-weaves for it ever. Use C8 bi-weaves, or if you want to leave C8 slots open, a C6 prismatic. C6 bi-weave will drop fast, followed by your ship even faster, when the attacker only has to get through 720 hull HP to finish you.
• On that note, please pay for some new bulkheads.
• Can't recommend quad beams. iCutter just loves MCs, but if you want to avoid the whitewash of an all-MC build, I could recommend trying two C3 beams and using the two C2 slots up top for missile racks.
• You have nearly 650T cargo on that. Just...forsake that C3 cargo rack and use it for a little hull or module protection.
• If you're desperate to use turrets, though the iCutter doesn't need them, put them up top only. Turrets on its lower C2 points is just naff, and should only be employed by pilots that literally won't go as far as moving their stick to the side to keep an opponent in firing range
• Kudos for PD and heat sinks! In all honesty though, a single PD is not adequate missile coverage. Either drop another booster, engineer your boosters/shields to get the most outta them, and equip 2 PDs...or just make sure the PD is located near the back, so you have thruster protection when running.
• You're gonna need to get used to pip management in such a fragile build. Git gud at setting 4 pips to SYS when under fire, but moving the pips elsewhere to refill other parts of the capacitor when not under pressure.

 

[Reodan]

That's my current MP build.

https://eddp.co/u/RRA5YVvx

- shields will be replaced with prismatics as soons as I get those -- nevertheless due to the shield boosters and the thermal resistance of 36.7% - it currently it is hard for any PvE opponent to cut through it (only if you try to dance with 3 elite gunships...)
- fighter hangar will be replaced by a cargo rack and downgraded to 5 -- just used it for multi-seating
- i'm not using military alloys or any other armour as it's only additional weight -- there's enough integrity to high wake, if shields are down .... if
- with the grade 5 fighter hangar you'll get 664 tons of imperial slaves to deliver to their new homes
- overcharged Pulse lasers will be modified with rapid fire mod as it does more DPS with lesser power draw

- never needed heatsinks
- chaff is just rubbish for this sitting duck
- PDs are just rubbish .. don't care about g missiles .. they won't even scratch my shields .. and if shields are down I'm up and away

- haz res farming is no issue with it -- except you like to dance with 3 elite gunships
- if a pirate dares to interdict you ... it's the end for his annie .. normally it doesn't scratch a line of my shields