Elite: Dangerous
Discussion
Another entertainingly random session last night. Having parked the Cobra at Sothis I started ferrying data back and forth, then scored a Navy rank data delivery, Bonus! No idea yet whether rank progressing has been nerfed yet as I'm only at Cadet but still 100% progress from doing lots of data hauling. Then I had a Navy Art collection mission. Art? How contentious could that be?
Dropped into the mission spawn and was jumped by a frankly ludicrous ammount of ships and the space fuzz barely had time to lend a hand before I got smashed, seems seriously unfair to be spawning engineered Clippers (was being hit by disruptive munitions) for a mostly harmless Cobra.
So back to rebuy screen and WTAF I have a bounty (from the MoFo Federation FU very much, no idea what I did apart from delivery their bulk space pron on time!) and have been transported to a detention facility in the Pleiades some 300LY from Sothis
Might as well make the most of the relocation I thought and headed to the bubble for a discount Python to spend all that Ram Tah and Data delivery cash on. Using Wikia to find a 15% discount I ended up at Artumes, only to discover I actually wanted to be in Artume, thankfully only another 4 jumps on 
Filling my new and shiney ride with cargo racks (and shields and lasers and rails, I am not foolish) I headed for the community goal for something to give the beasty a gentle run. Stopped to empty a nearby station of all it's relevant cargo (cargo takes longer when you're filling 200tonnes rather than 40 doesn't it) and jumped into the CG system.
It wasn't that busy (0100hours UK), a number of NPC contacts and three other CMDRs. All winged up. All circling.. All WANTED.
So just in case they wanted trouble I cruised out of the plane of the system and tried to sneak around behind to the goal station. Distance to the station wound down, nerves tighened, had I even set my fire groups for this thing yet? I certainly hadn't fired a rail in anger, just how much would my aim suck? So close, a handful of lightsecs CMDRs closing in and Blam, interdiction. GTFO with scratching up my ride you space punks! Never having lost an interdiction in the Cobra I hoped the Python would be similarly agile in supercruise. Heart pounding (literally, this is why Open hooks me) the lightspeed wrestle dragged on, and on, it all seems awfully even... Suddenly over, my attacker either gave up or timed out but I was free, FREE and the station in sight!
Parked my still unblemished Python "Eric the Idle" and dropped off the cargo.
Local comms bleeped open "Those Pirates still out there?"
"Yes, yes they are"
Dropped into the mission spawn and was jumped by a frankly ludicrous ammount of ships and the space fuzz barely had time to lend a hand before I got smashed, seems seriously unfair to be spawning engineered Clippers (was being hit by disruptive munitions) for a mostly harmless Cobra.
So back to rebuy screen and WTAF I have a bounty (from the MoFo Federation FU very much, no idea what I did apart from delivery their bulk space pron on time!) and have been transported to a detention facility in the Pleiades some 300LY from Sothis
Might as well make the most of the relocation I thought and headed to the bubble for a discount Python to spend all that Ram Tah and Data delivery cash on. Using Wikia to find a 15% discount I ended up at Artumes, only to discover I actually wanted to be in Artume, thankfully only another 4 jumps on Filling my new and shiney ride with cargo racks (and shields and lasers and rails, I am not foolish) I headed for the community goal for something to give the beasty a gentle run. Stopped to empty a nearby station of all it's relevant cargo (cargo takes longer when you're filling 200tonnes rather than 40 doesn't it) and jumped into the CG system.
It wasn't that busy (0100hours UK), a number of NPC contacts and three other CMDRs. All winged up. All circling.. All WANTED.
So just in case they wanted trouble I cruised out of the plane of the system and tried to sneak around behind to the goal station. Distance to the station wound down, nerves tighened, had I even set my fire groups for this thing yet? I certainly hadn't fired a rail in anger, just how much would my aim suck? So close, a handful of lightsecs CMDRs closing in and Blam, interdiction. GTFO with scratching up my ride you space punks! Never having lost an interdiction in the Cobra I hoped the Python would be similarly agile in supercruise. Heart pounding (literally, this is why Open hooks me) the lightspeed wrestle dragged on, and on, it all seems awfully even... Suddenly over, my attacker either gave up or timed out but I was free, FREE and the station in sight!Parked my still unblemished Python "Eric the Idle" and dropped off the cargo.
Local comms bleeped open "Those Pirates still out there?"
"Yes, yes they are"
Been smoking about in my asp explorer for a while. It’s a decent do everything ship, but it’s a bit lightweight in a fight.
I tend to wait for the NPCs to start it, and pile in.
Started fitting out a vulture, the intent being to not worry about jump range, fit for combat and simply have the thing delivered when I’ve found somewhere with a fight.
Then it occurred to me, should I try a chieftain instead?
Good news. Chieftain purchased.
Outfitted with class a power plants and shields. Heavy hull reinforcement.
Two large lasers, one medium. Multicannons on the other 3 hard points.
Bad news, tiny fuel tank means an expensive fuel scoop needed.
Worse news. I’ve not built a combat ship before. I can fire the 3 beam weapons for about 4 seconds before the ship overheats.
Are pulse/burst lasers easier on heat? Or am I better off swapping one of the large mounts for something kinetic and shuffling some lasers onto the small hard points?
Outfitted with class a power plants and shields. Heavy hull reinforcement.
Two large lasers, one medium. Multicannons on the other 3 hard points.
Bad news, tiny fuel tank means an expensive fuel scoop needed.
Worse news. I’ve not built a combat ship before. I can fire the 3 beam weapons for about 4 seconds before the ship overheats.
Are pulse/burst lasers easier on heat? Or am I better off swapping one of the large mounts for something kinetic and shuffling some lasers onto the small hard points?
To give yourself more laser firing time you need:
An A rated Power Distributor, then engineer it up to charge enhanced grade 5 (weapons only go to level 3) - From The Dweller in the Wyrd system, then
engineer your lasers to level 3/4 efficient from the Dweller as well (2 in one shop) or up to level 5 from Broo Tarquin in Arque.
See who you need to unlock to get them or what you need to unlock/get invited here, click on them and see what you need for each engineering step - https://inara.cz/galaxy-engineers/
If you are on PC create an account on Inara, upload your flight logs and when you go to the engineering blueprints it will tell you what you already have and what you are missing. If you haven't done this already.
An A rated Power Distributor, then engineer it up to charge enhanced grade 5 (weapons only go to level 3) - From The Dweller in the Wyrd system, then
engineer your lasers to level 3/4 efficient from the Dweller as well (2 in one shop) or up to level 5 from Broo Tarquin in Arque.
See who you need to unlock to get them or what you need to unlock/get invited here, click on them and see what you need for each engineering step - https://inara.cz/galaxy-engineers/
If you are on PC create an account on Inara, upload your flight logs and when you go to the engineering blueprints it will tell you what you already have and what you are missing. If you haven't done this already.
Worth noting the cheiftan is a rubbish shield tank, it's all about being a Hull tank.
Fit it with efficient plasmas in the bigger hard points and sturdy rails in the 3 smalls. All modules hill and module reinforcements. Add dirty thrusters and you have an amazing dog fighter.
If you wanted, swap the rails with gimballed multis or pulses. You can then fight little craft with them until you get used to shooting with fixed weaponry and notice how much plasmas rock
Fit it with efficient plasmas in the bigger hard points and sturdy rails in the 3 smalls. All modules hill and module reinforcements. Add dirty thrusters and you have an amazing dog fighter.
If you wanted, swap the rails with gimballed multis or pulses. You can then fight little craft with them until you get used to shooting with fixed weaponry and notice how much plasmas rock
Final note. Had an hour in a high REZ. Despite crap shields, left because the cannons ran dry.
Agile. Hits hard. Went one on one with pythons/FdL’s several times and appeared to win.
I think, as discussed, a bit of engineering for a touch more speed would be useful.
Debating trying a no-shield build. Anything small enough to struggle with the shield won’t put much of a dent in the hull. Anything larger punches through the paper thin shields and should be dodged, shot down or run away from.
Agile. Hits hard. Went one on one with pythons/FdL’s several times and appeared to win.
I think, as discussed, a bit of engineering for a touch more speed would be useful.
Debating trying a no-shield build. Anything small enough to struggle with the shield won’t put much of a dent in the hull. Anything larger punches through the paper thin shields and should be dodged, shot down or run away from.
castex said:
Made it back from Merope.
Got the meta alloys.
so tired
So worth it though for being able to get everywhere much much faster!Got the meta alloys.
so tired
Was in a resource extraction site and got a random wing invite and just had the best time shredding pirates in a wing. Two pairs of eyes means you spot targets much quicker. Probably helped that my wingman was in a Conda with SLF. Watching him launch pasma bolts was damn cool.
So, can highly recommend giving winging up with randoms in rez' a go.
Some unexpected challenges from E : D and a lesson in not playing while in a hurry.
So having bought a shiney new Python to haul cargo at the community event I'd forgotten I had a bunch of Federation deliveries to finish out at Sothis 500LY away. Not to much inconvenience though, I had my 30LY Cobra handy so I hauled the 19jumps back and delivered the data. Then spotted a tasty Rank data delivery so grabbed that, and being distracted I then headed for a Rez site to knock off a few Fed pirate bounty missions too, that being how I ended up in a wing and having a great time.
Docked and handed in the rank mission for Midshipman. A nice night's work. Now how do I get back quickly to the CG and my Python?
Hmmm ship transfer menu doesn't seem to offer any way to spawning in out of system ships damnit. Hmmm what about the suicidewinder route, haven't tried that before.
Ok sidewinder bought, exit station, engage silent running, wow it takes along time to die of overheating doesn't it?
Boom!
Respawn in bubble.
Didn't hand in all those bounties did I?
DAMNIT!
Fit out spawn Freesidey with A rate FSD, discover it's still got rubbish sized tank. Hop to next system and fit with A rate fuel scoop and filled with fuel tanks.
7jumps back to CG and my Python, having lost rank, bounties and acquired an A rate sidewinder I didn't want.
Oh well. Now I think of it I'll park the SideyA back in the spawn system on my way back to Sothis and meanwhile buy all the different A rate modules I'll need for cargo and PVE in the Python.
Planning and logistics. A new way to have fun.
So having bought a shiney new Python to haul cargo at the community event I'd forgotten I had a bunch of Federation deliveries to finish out at Sothis 500LY away. Not to much inconvenience though, I had my 30LY Cobra handy so I hauled the 19jumps back and delivered the data. Then spotted a tasty Rank data delivery so grabbed that, and being distracted I then headed for a Rez site to knock off a few Fed pirate bounty missions too, that being how I ended up in a wing and having a great time.
Docked and handed in the rank mission for Midshipman. A nice night's work. Now how do I get back quickly to the CG and my Python?
Hmmm ship transfer menu doesn't seem to offer any way to spawning in out of system ships damnit. Hmmm what about the suicidewinder route, haven't tried that before.
Ok sidewinder bought, exit station, engage silent running, wow it takes along time to die of overheating doesn't it?
Boom!
Respawn in bubble.
Didn't hand in all those bounties did I?
DAMNIT!
Fit out spawn Freesidey with A rate FSD, discover it's still got rubbish sized tank. Hop to next system and fit with A rate fuel scoop and filled with fuel tanks.
7jumps back to CG and my Python, having lost rank, bounties and acquired an A rate sidewinder I didn't want.
Oh well. Now I think of it I'll park the SideyA back in the spawn system on my way back to Sothis and meanwhile buy all the different A rate modules I'll need for cargo and PVE in the Python.
Planning and logistics. A new way to have fun.
Edited by Wayoftheflower on Sunday 25th March 13:30
Mr E said:
There is a self destruct option if you’re wanting to end it all.
I also find opening fire on the space station to be a fairly rapid way of checking out.
Doh, forgot about eject in those dozens of options in the right panel, reboot & repair is invaluable if a vital module is shot out too.I also find opening fire on the space station to be a fairly rapid way of checking out.
I wasn't sure firing on the station wouldn't get me thrown into detention in the middle of nowhere again.
Mr E said:
Final note. Had an hour in a high REZ. Despite crap shields, left because the cannons ran dry.
Agile. Hits hard. Went one on one with pythons/FdL’s several times and appeared to win.
I think, as discussed, a bit of engineering for a touch more speed would be useful.
Debating trying a no-shield build. Anything small enough to struggle with the shield won’t put much of a dent in the hull. Anything larger punches through the paper thin shields and should be dodged, shot down or run away from.
i'm running a Chieftain and have now started to run into power issues since i swapped to gimballed MC's from fixed but i haven't A rated the power plant yet. I had been running a 5A shield (as it comes with the class 5) before fitting a 6A into the class 6 compartment. Given the power issues i'm tempted to go back down, run another reinforcement pack in the class 6 slot and use the money from the 6A to buy military grade composite or A rate the power plant. I'm not close to engineering shields yet and from my experience with the chieftain so far i think i will be better off.Agile. Hits hard. Went one on one with pythons/FdL’s several times and appeared to win.
I think, as discussed, a bit of engineering for a touch more speed would be useful.
Debating trying a no-shield build. Anything small enough to struggle with the shield won’t put much of a dent in the hull. Anything larger punches through the paper thin shields and should be dodged, shot down or run away from.
Currently running 2 x large and 1 x medium multi-cannons with the short-range blaster mod and one of the Large MC's has the incendiary effect.
Have 3 small cannons which is fun, do have two small high capacity magazine rail guns before power issues. i think if i go down to a 5A shield i will be able to go back to them and add a 3rd.
The upcoming Community Goal sounds intriguing, faction v faction with the winning side getting a bonus ship decal.
Anyone interested in meeting in the CG system to make a PH Wing? I can contribute a thoroughly unengineered Python and until I can aim beter I'll be running large pulse turrets and gimballed medium multis
Anyone interested in meeting in the CG system to make a PH Wing? I can contribute a thoroughly unengineered Python and until I can aim beter I'll be running large pulse turrets and gimballed medium multis
Just back from my first really long trip. Like, 32k light years away long. I picked up three stacked passenger missions at Sothis totalling 130M credits, so I thought - why not. Then about 1k light years out it struck me just how long this was going to take - with a 35 LY jump range, roughly 2000 jumps, at about 1 minute per jump, that's actually quite a lot of time. Enough time, as it turns out, to watch all five seasons of Being Human again, which I can report is just as good as it was first time round.
Still, I made it back in one piece, took in Sag A* on the way back, and after selling the data made a gnat's wing under 200M for the trip. Slightly surprised not to make Elite in exploration but hey ho, you can't have everything.
So it took a long time, was exceptionally tedious, annoyed my wife quite a lot, and in terms of credits per hour wasn't actually all that great. On the plus side, I've made more than enough for my next build which I want to be something fighty, maybe a Fer de Lance which I've wanted ever since I was a kid playing on my BBC B. And on that bombshell, I'm going to bugger off and break the news to my wife that she might actually see me for the remainder of the weekend.
Still, I made it back in one piece, took in Sag A* on the way back, and after selling the data made a gnat's wing under 200M for the trip. Slightly surprised not to make Elite in exploration but hey ho, you can't have everything.
So it took a long time, was exceptionally tedious, annoyed my wife quite a lot, and in terms of credits per hour wasn't actually all that great. On the plus side, I've made more than enough for my next build which I want to be something fighty, maybe a Fer de Lance which I've wanted ever since I was a kid playing on my BBC B. And on that bombshell, I'm going to bugger off and break the news to my wife that she might actually see me for the remainder of the weekend.
That is an epic if slightly inefficient way to make credits 
I must go out exploring to Sag A and Colonia sometime.
Smuggling to unlock The Dweller was briefly fun although I don't think it's the career for me, not when a boom delivery of gold in my Python can net 3Million.
Having unlocked The Dweller and begun engineering my lasers I ran dry of sulphur, thought I might give mining a bash to try and top it up. Went out to a pristine metallic ring with prospecting and collecting limpets which got me some gold and osmium but only one unit of sulphur.
Next Engineer to unlock is Lei Cheung which should be as simple as flying around to another twenty stations to trade.
Slightly tempted to head back to Sothis to get as much Fed rank grinding done as possible before the new stations make it less efficient. My last very casual few days running data has got me to Lt Commander which unlocks everything except the Corvette which I won't be able to afford for years barring another gold rush. Or I could just stay in Wyrd and run Fed missions there.
I must go out exploring to Sag A and Colonia sometime.
Smuggling to unlock The Dweller was briefly fun although I don't think it's the career for me, not when a boom delivery of gold in my Python can net 3Million.
Having unlocked The Dweller and begun engineering my lasers I ran dry of sulphur, thought I might give mining a bash to try and top it up. Went out to a pristine metallic ring with prospecting and collecting limpets which got me some gold and osmium but only one unit of sulphur.
Next Engineer to unlock is Lei Cheung which should be as simple as flying around to another twenty stations to trade.
Slightly tempted to head back to Sothis to get as much Fed rank grinding done as possible before the new stations make it less efficient. My last very casual few days running data has got me to Lt Commander which unlocks everything except the Corvette which I won't be able to afford for years barring another gold rush. Or I could just stay in Wyrd and run Fed missions there.
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