Python 2 versus Titan: Solo 100% Core damage!

[Aleks Zuno]

Video!

This will be far from a new idea and something I am unlikely to do in practice, but I imagined it possible since T. Indra, and am quite pleased with myself for getting around to trying it successfully. Completing the Heat vent circuit quickly enough seems to require boosting with verticals and laterals, and the Shard cannons require premium ammunition for the maximum six volleys to deal enough damage.

My usual loadout I think I will continue to use in practice is this, and it leaves the Core at 32% reliably. That full Core damage loadout was this, which changes a Hull reinforcement and Beam laser for Stabiliser and fifth Shard cannon. Either way, with the Python 2 and various engineering materials¹ now widely available, I hope to see and inspire many more high-damage pilots attacking T. Thor next week!

Improvement ideas always welcome!

1. Anti-Guardian Zone Resistance still will require special materials taken from Banshees, from an inner caustic Maelstrom region, and from a Titan surface.

 

[Nowski]

This looks a lot more practical than the only other solo 100% core damage run I've seen:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5CqLxrD0NY


Though that was before the recent changes which allowed effective Guardian weapon use but also I think changed the timing to the detriment of slower ships, like the T-10 used in that run.

I do wonder though how sustainable the build would be as the rings go down and the Titan zone gets more aggro?

 

[SergMx]

I do wonder though how sustainable the build would be as the rings go down and the Titan zone gets more aggro?

As far as I understand it's a single-player build, there's no aggression boost for enemies.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

This looks a lot more practical than the only other solo 100% core damage run I've seen

Definitely more practical, in a few ways—although I love the Type-10 idea! In terms of practicality:

• Reaching the Titan with a Type-10 must be a slow process; there is an argument for reduced restocking due to forcing the use of premium Missile ammunition to do any damage at all, but otherwise the restock-and-return time is a major practical part of a sustained Titan attack, and does not demand dealing 100% to one Core.
• The Shards approach deals consistently high damage without needing synthesis, generally 68% with Thermal vent or 80% with the extra Shard—the only Missile equivalent is to use Enhanced or Sirius, at which point it would be as well to use a Python 2 for missiles rather than a Type-10.
• That Type-10 spends a lot of Heat sinks to maintain Silent Running; given the lack of speed to escape to the asteroids, I hope the silence is enough to prevent it from becoming Glaive-food occasionally!

I do wonder though how sustainable the build would be as the rings go down and the Titan zone gets more aggro?

Any high-damage Python 2 build will lack some luxuries due to limited power and modules, yet throughout the T. Indra attacks I was able to deplete all Shard ammunition into the Core without requiring in-flight repairs. I think a faster, eight-vents circuit also means Thargoids are much less able to follow, especially after diving between the Titan arms and across to the Core. By the time a Cyclops has caught up with that, generally the attack will be done and the Python 2 disappearing into the asteroids!

Increased patrols will challenge any vessel of course; having used only Python 2 loadouts for Titans since it became available, I can say that the typical cost of escaping the more hostile moments usually is just to hide farther back in the asteroids for one Vent cycle, allowing time for things to calm and a good full Shield recharge without worrying about the heat caused by that.

 

[Nowski]

Any high-damage Python 2 build will lack some luxuries due to limited power and modules, yet throughout the T. Indra attacks I was able to deplete all Shard ammunition into the Core without requiring in-flight repairs.

Impressive, though maybe the more so to me because I'm used to doing runs in a cutter which is way less agile. (But able to carry along enough resources for the extensive repairs needed by low-skill pilots like myself)

hide farther back in the asteroids for one Vent cycle, allowing time for things to calm and a good full Shield recharge without worrying about the heat caused by that.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised to see the shield / booster choices - I guess forced by power management and inability to carry afmu / repair resources? - which goes against what I've been told is the prevailing wisdom of no-shield builds for this use case.

 

[vlazet]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised to see the shield / booster choices - I guess forced by power management and inability to carry afmu / repair resources? - which goes against what I've been told is the prevailing wisdom of no-shield builds for this use case.

works pretty well for p2, actually. I did 4 titans in krait and spent a lot of time repairing hull between runs. With shielded p2, I just need to wait a little for the shield to recharge and I don't suffer almost any hull damage. Admittedly, most of the damage incurs simply because I tend to ram the titan itself here and there P2 does require a more nuanced power management strategy though than krait does because of the shields and smaller pp/distro. Still, p2 is surprisingly cool running with shields, even if it's more finicky to maintain the temperature envelope.