While commanders may not be able to significantly damage the thargoids, there are still things that can be done. Here are a few things I learned about the thargoids from experimenting.
1) By firing a research limpet at a thargoid, it will attach to the thargoid and collect a small sample. You will have to dodge the thargoid and wait for the limpet to collect the sample. Pick the limpet up and you will have a small sample of the thargoid ship. This sample is radioactive, so be careful to use a reinforced cargo bay or use an AMFU. Aside from selling it on a black market, I do not know what this sample can be used for yet. Maybe take it to Palin.
2)Thargoids like meta alloys. Drop a meta-alloy from your cargo hatch and the thargoid will pick it up. I do not know if this causes the thargoid to pick it up and leave. I haven't tested to see if dropping a meta alloy makes the thargoid stop attacking, but it seems like a diplomatic gesture.
3) Thargoids have been spotted at non-human signal sources scanning wrecked ships.
1) By firing a research limpet at a thargoid, it will attach to the thargoid and collect a small sample. You will have to dodge the thargoid and wait for the limpet to collect the sample. Pick the limpet up and you will have a small sample of the thargoid ship. This sample is radioactive, so be careful to use a reinforced cargo bay or use an AMFU. Aside from selling it on a black market, I do not know what this sample can be used for yet. Maybe take it to Palin.
2)Thargoids like meta alloys. Drop a meta-alloy from your cargo hatch and the thargoid will pick it up. I do not know if this causes the thargoid to pick it up and leave. I haven't tested to see if dropping a meta alloy makes the thargoid stop attacking, but it seems like a diplomatic gesture.
3) Thargoids have been spotted at non-human signal sources scanning wrecked ships.