I'm not an AX veteran, sure, I've splatted numerous scouts, but never an interceptor. Why? Having done the homework on AX combat, and thus learning that the correct tools for the job are guardian rail-gun like gauss cannon weapons, which don't have enough ammo to kill an interceptor, meaning you have to synthesise ammo on the fly, I was like am I frack going forraging for mats to burn as ammo. And that was it, scout splatter extraordinaire, particularly in my alts, but I'm wondering who else doesn't hunt the big bugs and what are their reasons?
Who else DOESN'T hunt thargoid interceptors, and why not?
- Thread starter VR Jay Le Chardon
- Start date
You can kill cyclops, basilisk, and medusa interceptor variants without synth, substituting skill.
I have hunted interceptors but I don’t often do it for the same reasons you suggested. I also don’t like the idea of having to synthesize ammo and repeating the same motions for 20-30 min in order to defeat an enemy. It seems gimmicky and less of a test of skill and more of a test of grinding endurance.
I would prefer they were harder in the sense that they did more damage, fought less predictably (there is literally a play by play book of exactly the moves they will do at exactly what time), but had much greater weaknesses that a player with a high degree of skill could exploit at exactly the right time.
That being said you should absolutely try out the lesser interceptors and test your skill with them as you definitely do not need to synthesize ammo to beat them. They are a reasonable challenge as well.
I would prefer they were harder in the sense that they did more damage, fought less predictably (there is literally a play by play book of exactly the moves they will do at exactly what time), but had much greater weaknesses that a player with a high degree of skill could exploit at exactly the right time.
That being said you should absolutely try out the lesser interceptors and test your skill with them as you definitely do not need to synthesize ammo to beat them. They are a reasonable challenge as well.
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There's nothing wrong with not wanting to do it. It's there for those that do, it's a challenge. You can brute-force it but it's kind of pointless.
My reason for not doing it for a long time was actually more because it was a FA-off and multi-step process challenge, which I found daunting, than anything to do with wasting mats.
My reason for not doing it for a long time was actually more because it was a FA-off and multi-step process challenge, which I found daunting, than anything to do with wasting mats.
If I do any combat it's for a reason - to win a war, or to gain influence from bounties, it's not something I seek out since I got to Combat Elite (before Thargoids were added). I did a couple of AX CZs when a system I had an interest in was attacked (I just killed the little ones in a regular mission-running ship with normal weapons) but other players were on the case & I spent my time more productively hauling supplies in & refugees out instead.
I also rather suspect we (humans) are the antagonists
I also rather suspect we (humans) are the antagonists
I haven't killed one in a long time, back when I did I spent maybe a couple weeks trying different stuff out until I got it down and could reliably take out the whichever the weakest one is.
If you don't want to do it, obviously don't, but I wouldn't pass it up because of what some guide says. I ended up changing up a majority of what I found in guides to better suit my abilities, or lack thereof. If you actually want to do it, just take one of your combat ships and go try it. If each attempt gets better than the last, you'll be successful before you know it. I ended up with a Challenger because I could run 3 flack cannons, and I don't think you'll find any pros recommending that, but for me it made swarms much easier. Three small and a medium Gauss never came close to running out of ammo. The only ammo issues I had was with the flacks because I sucked at hitting with them.
Once I got it down, I stopped and haven't done it again though, so I guess it wasn't too enthralling.
also btw for anyone that finds it 'too difficult' I have guides that may be of help
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpMPMzQFTD0
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDkW69XMzWg
AX combat is very tricky to begin with yes but with practice you can become very proficient -use of synthesis is really only something that comesi nto play with Hydras or big groups of thargoids - though yes heatsink synth is common but the mats are all grade 1 for that so can be traded for with only a few high grade mats
AX combat is very tricky to begin with yes but with practice you can become very proficient -use of synthesis is really only something that comesi nto play with Hydras or big groups of thargoids - though yes heatsink synth is common but the mats are all grade 1 for that so can be traded for with only a few high grade mats
Seen one twice, both times it didn't hurt me and I didn't hurt it, what's the problem you guys, why you attacking peaceful aliens? That's why we can't have good stuff!
It's on my to-do list to use a challenger with fixed AX multis.
I've run a fight before with turret multis...figured out that didn't work too well (survived, at least)...and have been meaning to take a second stab.
Honestly, though, I've no interest in the guardian grind and the synthesis stuff. Guns without enough ammo...as a mechanic...is beyond stupid. No thanks.
I get mad having to rearm the Corvette after just two CZ runs.
Elite has enough grind in the supercruise alone. The removal of AX CZs got me off thargoid hunting wicked fast. Now, it's all out in witch-head - which isn't that far - but I really don't want to jump an armor heavy ship out there. I definitely don't want to pay for the taxi (a horribly broken system itself).
Anyhow, I plan to make a run at an Interceptor soon(ish) just to say I did it.
Then I'll probably go back to staring at the star map wondering what I should do next.
I'm on console, so, no excitement for Odyssey for awhile still...
I've run a fight before with turret multis...figured out that didn't work too well (survived, at least)...and have been meaning to take a second stab.
Honestly, though, I've no interest in the guardian grind and the synthesis stuff. Guns without enough ammo...as a mechanic...is beyond stupid. No thanks.
I get mad having to rearm the Corvette after just two CZ runs.
Elite has enough grind in the supercruise alone. The removal of AX CZs got me off thargoid hunting wicked fast. Now, it's all out in witch-head - which isn't that far - but I really don't want to jump an armor heavy ship out there. I definitely don't want to pay for the taxi (a horribly broken system itself).
Anyhow, I plan to make a run at an Interceptor soon(ish) just to say I did it.
Then I'll probably go back to staring at the star map wondering what I should do next.
I'm on console, so, no excitement for Odyssey for awhile still...
I've always wanted to. Old, slow, losing feeling in my left hand, bad eyesight, poor memory, to name a few.
Many rebuys don't bother me, failing over and over doesn't enthrall me.
Need to find a squad for old feeble people to wing up
I'd like to do the battle at least once.
Many rebuys don't bother me, failing over and over doesn't enthrall me.
Need to find a squad for old feeble people to wing up
I'd like to do the battle at least once.
this is misinformation - gauss cannons have enough ammo to kill 4 cyclops in 1 ammo load, 2 basilisks or 1 medusa - only hydra need synth
again compeltely wrong
Pleaides, Coalsack, hell even a few systems in the bubble still have NHSS
Just to illustrate my point about ammo - a sidewinder can take down a cyclops without ammo synth, and that is with only two small gauss cannons
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIjjZmArx6Q
Don’t believe the hype...
I’m no AX expert by any means, but my AX Krait II has 3 Medium Gauss Cannons, lots of Heats Sinks, NO Flak Launchers, NO Shutdown Field Neutraliser and I DON’T use FA-Off (because I’m crap at using them).
So far I’ve managed to kill well over 50 Cyclops and never had to synth anything beyond some Heat Sinks and quickly using my AFMU to fix my Canopy and a few modules.
I now I consistently manage to get a kill while taking less than 25% hull damage after plenty of practice.
I’ve even managed to come away with over 90% hull integrity left a few times and gone back for another fight straight away.
Tried and failed to kill a Basilisk a few times because they’re bigger, harder & faster (ooh err), but I’ll get there one day once I’ve finally gotten my head round FA-Off and using the Flak Launchers effectively.
It takes a bit of practice to learn the patterns and know when to attack & retreat, but once you’ve got that down it’s very satisfying hearing their death rattle before they explode and you can get a Heart as a little trophy (which you can then use to make a unique bobble head).
Anyone that’s into combat in ED should give it a go at some point as, for me at least, the sense of achievement in killing one is very similar to defeating some of the harder bosses in Dark Souls.
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