Engineers Some equipment advice for battling NPCs.

[kaloonzu]

I'm going to get right to it. I spent last night tinkering with my Python and Asp, to bring them up to spec for the refreshed combat. I spent the night before getting creamed by NPCs, left and right. You can all adapt your tactics as you see fit, but here's some recommendations for equipment.

Small ships: go for Chaff and ECM for your utility points. Why: because small combat ships have a profile small enough for dumbfire missiles to be less of a problem, but you still need to worry about gimbaled weapons and seeker missiles, now that those lovelies have been buffed (which I think was necessary).

Medium vessels: Chaff and Point Defense, NOT ECM. Why: nearly all of this category of ships have a much bigger surface area to hit, if not a bigger vertical profile. Commanders of these vessels have to worry about dumbfire and seekers, and only Point Defense turrets will handle both of those. However, most medium ships don't have enough Utility mounts for both ECM and Point Defense, unless you are willing to sacrifice your KWS and Shield Boosters, and still have a Chaff Launcher.

Large vessels: Based on testimony (I don't fly large ships in combat), all three (Chaff, ECM, and Point Defense), AND learn to like turreted weapons. Why: because you have the room for it, and you are a big, BIG target. Also, while NPCs are spewing chaff, turrets are still a better option than they were before, because NPC maneuverability has also increased, so bringing gimbaled and fixed weaponry to bear can be nigh impossible.

Finally: Every commander should be getting very accustomed with adjusting power levels on the fly, much more so than in the past. "Sweet Spots" for power levels just aren't a viable option anymore, for those of us (myself included), who took that approach.

I hope this helps any Commanders still struggling to find their groove with the refreshed AI and better-equipped NPC ships.

 

[Ashnak]

Thank you. As far as I can verify it (I only have one medium ship), you're right. Especially with this one

Every commander should be getting very accustomed with adjusting power levels on the fly, much more so than in the past.

My problem with this is that I'm too slow for that. Presets could help here, e.g. (since I'm currently using an XBone controller and keyboard) having power distribution presets mapped to the numerical keys.

So far, though (knock on wood...) against single enemies, I was able to survive (well, I'm not saying in which state...) with setting full power to shields, rest to guns, and let the NPC do the fancy flying. They're getting really good at that. I'm afraid I'll have to pick up some FA off skills.

 

[Dr. Smith]

I concur. I spent yesterday experimenting with my A-rated Python to try to reclaim some semblance of dignity, and concluded several of the same things.

Turrets: Yes. This was a big deal. I avoided them up until now because they were too weak compared to Gimbal or Fix, and I didn't need them. They help tremendously now (use Target Only mode on right-hand panel).

PIPS: I used to do fine with adjusting all PIPS away from shields as long as the cap was charged --this seems to have changed behavior and now requires some PIPS to avoid damage. (not sure)

BiWeave Shields: I favored these and had no problems beating NPCs before, but ditching these for real Class A shields helped a lot. They are much harder to take down (but unfortunately slow to recharge).

Flight Assist Off: I really didn't need to use this much against NPC, prior to the update. But it improved my success tremendously, even with the few awkward moves I have learned.

I notice now that I end up in what seems to be a "jousting" session with the NPCs where we are coming at each other face-to-face and firing at each other. This didn't happen much before, not sure why.

The above has earned me admission to High RES (started at NAV -> RES -> High RES) without getting annhilated. But the presence of System Security helps (these guys seem tougher too!). The Haz RES is still untouchable now.

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

Thank you. As far as I can verify it (I only have one medium ship), you're right. Especially with this one




My problem with this is that I'm too slow for that. Presets could help here, e.g. (since I'm currently using an XBone controller and keyboard) having power distribution presets mapped to the numerical keys.

So far, though (knock on wood...) against single enemies, I was able to survive (well, I'm not saying in which state...) with setting full power to shields, rest to guns, and let the NPC do the fancy flying. They're getting really good at that. I'm afraid I'll have to pick up some FA off skills.

Get Voice Attack. Inexpensive and works very well. There is a video of someone using number commands e.g. "1-2" to prioritise Systems over engine etc according to preferences.
Useful for lots of other macros as well - I have a "run" command set up which retracts hardpoints, puts all available power to shields and engines, boosts, fires chaff every 10 seconds and charges Supercruise. Saved me lots.

 

[KG_Jedi]

As a pilot of large ship i agree. But not quite agree with having ECM. It makes seeker missiles loose lock and fly forward, and they still can hit you.