Viper hardpoints and fixed weapons

[ErikNM]

I used to pilot a Cobra with these hardpoints:
- 2x Pulse Laser (Fixed), class 2
- 2x Multi-Cannons (Gimballed), class 1

I chose gimballed multi-cannons only because the small hardpoints on the Cobra are so far apart, which meant I didn't get a focused manual aim. Eventually I chose to switch to the Viper, which has a focused aim on both the medium and small hardpoints.

Now I pilot a Viper with these hardpoints:
- 2x Beam Lasers (Fixed), class 1
- 2x Multi-Cannons (Fixed), class 2

The idea is to use the small lasers to bring down the shield, then use the larger multi-cannons to rip apart the hull.

My problem is that despite the more focused multi-cannon aim, I find it very hard to hit anything with them. I aim perfectly with the lasers, but the multi-cannons feel very off, and tend to shoot below the target, but not always. Perhaps it's just a lack of experience, but in any case I'd appreciate some advice on using fixed multi-cannons. It's a matter of pride for me to aim the weapons myself, but perhaps there are better alternatives for me.

 

[Ganjis]

Try using class 2 lasers and class 1 ammo-based. A viper can kill anything up to an Asp with class 2 fixed beams pretty quickly so you could use dumbfires or rail guns in the class 1 slots for taking out large ships or stick with fixed MCs.

 

[CMDR Solarisjock]

in my viper i found mixing fixed ballistic with mixed Laser to be troublesome due to lead times. led me to either using railguns, or missiles (dumbfire) off the two, dumbfire and C2 fixed beam lasers is an epic combo.

 

[AH_ImADot]

You probably have two discreet impact markers for each weapon type if all are in the same fire group. Make sure you use the right one for the right weapon. Maybe you're using the laser's dot instead of the cannon's dot. I also find it helpful to target a sub-system, like power plant or drives. That allows even fixed weapons to "micro gimbal" to that sub-system when your aim is "close enough" and might help your hit percentage.

 

[FaolGlas]

I have the same fixed set up, the two fire points can be awkward sometimes - aim for the reticle ahead of the target for the multicannons, and the one on the target for the lasers. Big ships can let you fire both at once, though they will hit different locations, so Asps and up often get the benefit of both at once. Smaller faster ships I hit with the multicannons and as I lose the targeting for that, a quick blast from beams to sear nicely across their hull.

I've avoided gimbals as don't want to be affected by chaff and other methods of losing lock, that way I can tackle all targets the same - but for targets without any anti-lock mechanisms, gimbal would let both weapon groups hit at the same time, which would definitely be nice