Ships Stealth Clipper Setup

[Alex Brentnall]

Done some testing with the 1.2 NPC's. was 7km out, into SR mode in Python. Boost + FA off and the enemy turns directly towards me at 4km away and moves in for a scan.
I was moving too fast to stop, collision, dead enemy and I have 100,000 in repair costs. Praise be to the hull reinforcement packages.

I do not advise SR combat against NPCs as It does not look like it matters for them.

 

[Aussiedroid]

Done some testing with the 1.2 NPC's. was 7km out, into SR mode in Python. Boost + FA off and the enemy turns directly towards me at 4km away and moves in for a scan.
I was moving too fast to stop, collision, dead enemy and I have 100,000 in repair costs. Praise be to the hull reinforcement packages.

I do not advise SR combat against NPCs as It does not look like it matters for them.

Good to know! Thanks Alex.

If SR is ignored by NPCs then it might limit things somewhat. Ofc if you go for a build like that you want it to work for PvP & PvE if possible.

Still haven't had a chance to test something out myself since I am low on funds, but might even test something out on a smaller ship with similar build and see how it performs.

Still would be good to know how long a Clipper could stay in SR for with the sort of spec I detailed in my OP.

Cheers!

 

[Ben Ryder]

My CMDR Solaris is a happy man this week finally getting to Baron and getting his shiny new Imperial Clipper. Gone a more multi-role 'cheap' build for now but playing around with the config possibilities got me thinking of trying something different, a Stealth version.

I came up with this build:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=603,5TP5TP7u57u501Q0Wg0Wg3wA,319Y9Y7_7_9Y7_6k,0Bk16y15O4_w13q13q9qI2UI

Figured shields would be futile to fit, if I am able to keep Silent Running going most of the time, so concentrated on an armored hull with this build having +480 armor. Obviously, that still puts at risk the sub-modules, but hoping silent running will help negate taking those out as easily. Class 7 internal slot could be changed to a shield still as there is enough power, or leave the cargo bay for some smuggling on the side. A-spec for the most, with lower heat selections for the weapons.

The only other thing would be a shiny black paint job (hope we get one soon!)

I've never tried something like this before. Has anyone else tried a Silent Running Combat build on a Clipper before? Any tips or improvements you can suggest?

Might still not be as tough as a Shield spec build, but could make for some fun combat!

Wnhat is this.? Stealth Comabyt Clipper? I just dont know. im old and I find this talk confusing. Please help

 

[goemon]

was researching on silent running, and there was a post on stealth fight... but done on a smaller ship, i'd think cobra with cannons.

afaik "stealth" vs. autodetection is relative to quality of scanners of enemys, and being close. whether shipsize matters i don't know, but would make sense.

crazy how many people here freak out, if somebody wants to try sonething unusual :-D ... i'll be happy to read up your experience

 

[Pyjamarama]

I can confirm that stacking hull modules on the clipper is a good move and can give you enough safety margin for engagements. With military armour and a fully A loadout I had no worry starting a fight with a NPC Anaconda even when my shields were down, took a few % hull damage from those pesky multicannons but a quick kill and having the ability to run meant I had little fear. Players on the other hand seem to have either have no weapons at all or top top combat builds that I wouldn't like to come across.
I used to swap to SR after loosing shields in PVP, used to do a head on run at them and use flight assist off + no thrust to "float away". Recently my thrusters seem to die before I get the chance to hide though but thats probably because im in a trading Anaconda not a combat Python now..

You planning on RES combat, interdiction or Combat zone?

I really like the idea of this (the systems pips bit won me over) and will probably run some tests when I get the chance although my ship of choice will be the FDL, easy to make high alpha damage with kinetic weapons and low heat.
You can't really fight in silent running unless you use only projectile weapons since the heat build up means your either chain smoking heat sinks or taking heat damage.

When I get the cash I'll loadout an FDL with something like this: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60O,7RL7dg7dg7dg7dg01Q01Q0Wg0Wg0mI0mI,317_7_6Q6Q9Y6Q5A,0Nm9tQ15O12G10i
and run some tests. FYI that will be a minimum of two weeks since I have Masters exams and then have to explore powerplay

Edit: On the build I used frag cannons + the one heavy cannon since the frags should take shields out before cell banks can take effect with their high rate of fire and amazing closeup damage. All that remains is a well placed snipe shot from the C4 cannon to the opponents powerplant after that.

Does the Auto field maintenance unit work during combat ?

@Aussiedroid : A 300MJ of shield and 750+ armor is nothing to be laughed about, have you tried it ? How good is it ?

 

[Alex Brentnall]

Does the Auto field maintenance unit work during combat ?

@Aussiedroid : A 300MJ of shield and 750+ armor is nothing to be laughed about, have you tried it ? How good is it ?

They do but quite slowly and they do not repair hull, powerplant or canopy damage. To be honest I can't see them being too useful unless you are fighting far away from a repair station.

 

[PhoenicianSon]

The only other thing would be a shiny black paint job (hope we get one soon!)

I was using the Clipper for multi-role, particularly for cargo runs in PP and PP Interdiction runs in enemy Controlled space. However, to answer your "prayer" so to speak, I downloaded one of the color packs for the Clipper. The Tactical Paint Pack has a color called, "Graphite", which actually comes out as a "flat-black" on the ship. I have since gone on to the Python for a little more brute power, weapons and better shields, and another 50 cargo, but before the change I was using the graphite color for the ship. It is very cool looking, and definitely maintains that ambience you are looking for your "stealth" setup. It is especially cool looking with the Clipper's exterior ambient blue lighting.

Click link to store page here and it will take you directly to the store page for the Tactical Paint Pack, 5 Euros, which comes out to a little over $7.00 - if I recall from my purchases for the Clipper and Python. Enjoy!

 

[deathmagnet]

I didn't know the size of the ship mattered, thought it was only the heat signature that shows on the radar?

So are all big ships bad for Silent Running?

Size matters in 2 ways.....the larger ships are more likely to get scanned even when silent running and if you are using them to attack they are just large and easy to visually target

 

[Pyjamarama]

Hey, take a look, you're not the only one.

My CMDR Solaris is a happy man this week finally getting to Baron and getting his shiny new Imperial Clipper. Gone a more multi-role 'cheap' build for now but playing around with the config possibilities got me thinking of trying something different, a Stealth version.

I came up with this build:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=603,5TP5TP7u57u501Q0Wg0Wg3wA,319Y9Y7_7_9Y7_6k,0Bk16y15O4_w13q13q9qI2UI

Figured shields would be futile to fit, if I am able to keep Silent Running going most of the time, so concentrated on an armored hull with this build having +480 armor. Obviously, that still puts at risk the sub-modules, but hoping silent running will help negate taking those out as easily. Class 7 internal slot could be changed to a shield still as there is enough power, or leave the cargo bay for some smuggling on the side. A-spec for the most, with lower heat selections for the weapons.

The only other thing would be a shiny black paint job (hope we get one soon!)

I've never tried something like this before. Has anyone else tried a Silent Running Combat build on a Clipper before? Any tips or improvements you can suggest?

Might still not be as tough as a Shield spec build, but could make for some fun combat!

You might want to take a look at this video :
Elite: Dangerous - 1.3 - Morbad Stealth Clipper Mk IIIb - Impromptu Combat Trial

Cheers

 

[Morbad]

You might want to take a look at this video :
Elite: Dangerous - 1.3 - Morbad Stealth Clipper Mk IIIb - Impromptu Combat Trial

Cheers

I just found this thread as was going to post that very video (which was recorded by me), but it looks as though I was beaten to it.

But yeah, Stealth Clippers can work, and can be devastating as SYS hogging all your pips to keep you shields from collapse doesn't happen; leaves so much more power to move and shoot. Silent running, as other have speculated, does make it nearly impossible for anyone to deliberately target your subsystems, and also makes one very resistance to setups dependent on auto tracking weapons.

Downsides are a relatively high repair bill, and a severe endurance limit due to the need to jettison heatsink frequently once someone with a dangerous weapon loadout gets the bead on you. Then again, SCB dependent setups aren't much better off.

Also, some sort of dark paint is very useful. The default Clipper is silver and can be seen from roughly 20km away at higher graphics settings on a large display. I was using tactical graphite, which is virtually invisible in open space.

 

[trader4u]

Which is also white with shiny neon lights.


You don't need stealth in the Clipper, just make it as light as possible, equip a decent shield, and enter the station at 350m/s. your main asset is speed, you are not giving anyone time to scan you. You can use chaff to delay scans for extra safety, but I've never needed it myself.

Thats how you smuggle with a Clipper.

Sure you can use stealth, and size dont matter, its all about your heat signature, when lined up on approach of your station, or even way before that, switch off all but non essential modules, yes even life support...then when you get permission to dock, deactivate your sensors, and when you think you got enough time left, activate silent running...when you passed the docking entrance you can deactivate silent running and land your ship...all in one smooth glide, just dont hang around outside the docking entrance too long when on approach...
the only things that are active on entering the station are my cargo hatch, and ships thrusters...

i have delivered a couple of thousand tonnes of narcotics, with the latest community goal that way, hauling 240 tonnes in one run everytime, and there where plenty of cops around there, so its safe to say that stealh approach works, with clipper sized vessels.
and b.t.w. i done lots of smuggeling missions using the same procedure as well.