I get that this can be an interesting intellectual and in-game challenge, build something that can survive hostiles with no player present - or at least not
actively flying the ship, perhaps watching Youtube or something. However, does it really work? I mean, I've seen numerous builds people have shared for this role, many of which include Shield Cell Batteries (erm, you ain't there!) which puzzled me somewhat. I suspect they're not AFK but close-by, half watching the proceedings.
So, if it's fun for you, go for it. However,
does it really work? I mean, I've been hanging out in a Low Res (aka super easy foes) lately in a well-shielded Cutter with Pulse Turrets. I was actually
flying the ship and
responding to enemies yet even the really low-level foes gradually overwhelmed my shield, despite lots of shield health and high resistances. On paper this ship looks like a really decent "AFK build" and is actually
tougher than many builds I've seen posted. However, despite this, enemies did gradually overwhelm me. I got to 3% shield and fled, finally jumping away at 1% shield. It was fun, cos I was actually playing - gathering materials for the most part. If I'd AFK'd this build, it'd be dead now.
In my recent experience, I'd just scooped up
one unit of Cargo, yet had at one point fifteen plus Pirates attacking me. They were generally only Eagles, Adders and the odd Viper and Cobra Mk III, all very low ranked - Competent being the highest I saw - yet they whittle away at my shields. Other times I've had FDL's, Pythons and Anacondas, equally low-ranked, but somewhat tougher ships.
Interesting concept this AFK build and perhaps it can work. However, with instances being very random in regards to how many, what level and what type and load-out of ship you might see, survival is far from guaranteed.
I'd say this is perhaps interesting for low-attention play, say the player is just farming Credits or materials from destroyed ships. Full AFK though? Too high a risk of being greeted by a rebuy screen when you return. I imagine that's even
less fun than actually playing...
