Ship Builds & Load Outs Question regarding weapon sizes

LordDerp

L
I was wondering, it it better to get larger-class laser weapons for the shields, and smaller-class weapons for the kinetic weapons (vs the hull), of the other way around?
So say, let's take my Viper MK IV; is it better to have 2 medium beam lasers and 2 small multi cannons, or 2 medium multi cannons and 2 small beam lasers?

And a question regarding the Python, related to the question above: 2 medium kinetic guns and 3 large lasers, or 2 medium lasers and 3 large kinetic guns?
 

Ceekay

Ceekay
I believe that large weapons are more effective against larger ships (more than the DPS would suggest that is), as to which set up is better on a Viper 4 it depends what the target is e.g an Imp Courier has huge shields but a light hull so medium beams and small m-cannons but a DBS has light shields and a decent hull......... you can't cover all the bases so i just use pulse lasers on all my ships keeps it simple ;)

Check the link for some actual weapon test and analysis, re the Python as there's currently no class 3 m-cannons and cannons are difficult to hit with I'd put m-cannons in the class 2 slot and lasers in the class 3 hardpoints, you can run into heat issues with large energy weapons on the Python so perhaps a few heatsink launchers might be in order.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=140240&highlight=weapon+shield+dpe
 

Rocky-451

Rocky-451
I prefer 2 medium lasers and 2 small multi-cannons. Use just the powerful lasers against shields and the two weapons together against hulls - this kills quickly while conserving ammo.
 

Kaybe

Kaybe
It's my understanding that ships have natural resistance to hull damage from weapons smaller sized than it. So while a small weapon only does something like 33% less damage than a medium weapon for half it's cost and power plant usage, when hitting the hull of a Python, it'll do half if not less damage the a medium.

So it's best to slot your energy drainers on the small hardpoints, and your hull shredders on the medium ones. In my case, my typical loadout on the 2-2 ships is 2 small gimballed beam lasers, and two medium gimballed multicannons.
 

MegaHurts

M
It's true that you aren't penalised against shields using smaller weapons, but smaller weapons are also less powerful. e.g. 2 small beams only do 18MJ damage whereas 1 small and 1 medium would do 23. So it's often a compromise between taking longer to take down shields with small weapons or taking the hull size punishment against larger ships with small weapons once the shields are down.

Hence the asymetrical loadout
 

Flea King

Flea King
Also, remember that rails have been described, according to the Devs, as 'punching above their weight'. This suggests that a each size of such weapon does more damage or perhaps is penalized less versus larger hulls than their contemparies, such as AC Cannons, frags and missiles.
 

thirstyfish

thirstyfish
on my viper mkiv, i have beam lasers on small and multicannons on the mediums, regular cannons are worth looking into (just make sure to target a subsystem, they have great penetration), or medium rail guns if you can aim well.
 
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