Newcomer / Intro Targeted by Multiple AI

[mydartswinger]

As soon as I go to a "low intensity" combat zone and select a faction (playing in solo mode), I get targeted by 3+ enemy ships. Sometimes it's as bad as an Anaconda and 2 Pythons targeting me. This happens regardless of how many friendlies are nearby me. Granted, this doesn't happen every time I go into combat, but often enough to frustrate me to no end. I jump in, select a faction, get targeted, get off a few shots on a smaller ship, then have to jump back out because I'm losing my shields within a matter of seconds (D rated Class 4 Shield Generator aided by an A rated Shield Booster).

I'm flying a mixed spec Cobra that does well against Vipers, Asps, other Cobras, Federal Drop Ships, and Eagles. Occasionally, if I'm in the right situation, I can take down a Python or an Anaconda with some Assistance.

My Cobra has:
2x Gimbaled Burst Lasers (Class 2)
2x Gimbaled Cannons (Class 1)
1x Shield Booster (A rated)
1x Power Plant (C rated Class 4)
1x Thrusters (C rated Class 4)
1x Power Distributor (B rated Class 3)
1x Shield Generator (D rated Class 4)

My combat rating is "Normal", and I've claimed 91 Combat Bonds. I'm also a Cadet with the Federal Navy. I do almost all of my fighting just outside of England Terminal in LTT 7453 in the civil war with Social LTT 7453 Free (Federation) and LTT 7453 General Group (Independent). I choose the Social LTT 7453 Free faction to side with since I lean Federation so far.

I'm working on building up a Viper for combat, while keeping the Cobra for trade. The Viper currently has:
2x Fixed Pulse Lasers (stock guns, haven't gotten around to upgrading the guns yet)
1x Military Composite Bulkheads
1x Power Plant (C rated Class 3)
1x Thrusters (C rated Class 3)
1x Hull Reinforcement Package (D rated Class 3)
1x Shield Generator ( B rated Class 3)

Now with the background info out of the way, on to my questions. Is this happening because of something with me (Navy ranking, combat ranking, etc...) or is this something that's normal? Is there anything I can do to reduce the chances of this happening without avoiding combat all together?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wavey]

Dont attack large ships that are in wings as the whole wing will attack you,it will say if they are in a wing or not when you target them .

 

[sabrex449]

i never choose faction until i have boosted a Little way from all the fighting - so dont drop in and immediately goto faction choice.

 

[Jaiotu]

One option for targeting enemies is to "target highest threat" you can assign a hot key to this. Unfortunately... the NPCs in the game have this option as well. You are basically dropping into the war zone and being identified as the highest threat target in theatre by numerous bogies. Your options are:
A. Prepare for this eventuality by not choosing your faction immediately. Wait until you are outside the action cloud of the heaviest fighting.
B. Fly a less capable ship. This is counter intuitive but you'll attract less attention if you aren't the most heavily armed and equipt vessel in the area.

 

[Dommarraa]

As above, stay away from the central ball of fury. Stay on the outside, and go for the stragglers. Even they are in a wing, their wing is likely to be otherwise engaged

 

[the100thmonkey]

The Cobra has weak shields - power output is not the only factor in shield strength; hull mass is too. The Cobra is fast and has a very slim profile that makes it hard to hit head on, but it's as wide as a barn door from the top/bottom.

The D4 shield is a bad idea in a conflict zone, even with a booster. An A4 shield should be a priority for you if you plan to use the Cobra in one.

 

[mydartswinger]

Thank you for the advice.

Sounds like the Target Highest Threat is what's happening to me. I have been choosing faction right away, then being quick on the draw to jump into the fighting. I'll fly out a bit before choosing faction next time and see how that works out for me.

With the wings, I usually don't have much of an issue with them unless they have a larger ship like a Python or an Anaconda mixed in. Most of the time, the wings I run into are made of Cobras and Eagles. The Cobra wings are a bit tricky, but manageable with hit and run tactics. The Eagle wings are usually pretty easy. Since their firepower is pretty weak as well as their shields and hull, I can take care of 1 Eagle while ignoring the other until the first is destroyed. Then I can turn on the one that's been peppering me from behind.

As for ship selection, I'm only using the Cobra until I get the Viper up to snuff. I really don't want to put any more into the Cobra until I'm comfortable with taking the Viper to a fight. Maybe pull some of the equipment off of the Cobra and put it on the Viper? Alternatively, maybe put the Cobra's guns on the Viper and take the Viper next time?

 

[Ism]

Dart, you can stop an attacking wing by killing it's leader (usually the ship in the center). That advice may not work in a combat zone, but does work in NAV and RES.
Aside from that note, the other CMDR's advice that was offered is sound.

 

[Universal Evil]

To OP
My experience in WZ is that those Pythons and anacondas does shoot at you at first, but I don't think they actually are targeting you. it's just because they use there turrets at the setting (Fire at will) and if you are within range(aprox 2-3 km) some of their fire will go your way, but the don't chase you per say...
So if you survive the initial shooting you should be fine just don't attach them until others have softening them up first....

But the best advice is to save up for a vulture with upgrades(ca 14-20 mio cr.) that way you would wish, that there were more 'condas and pythons in WZ