Elite : Dangerous

[kalniel]

Shield strength works on a modifier:

If the shield optimal mass value is MORE than your ship mass, you get a multiplier bonus. That's why smaller ships comparable to the shields they can fit have really strong shields.

Comapre this:


Imperial Clipper (400T, 7A Shields Gen, which costs 51 million!) = 306MJ shield
http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_c...8aQ==.Aw18aQ==

Vulture (230T, 5A Shield Genm which costs 5 million) = 387MJ shield (also has the benefit of recharging faster as it's a smaller class)

Right, but getting weight down further below optimal mass doesn't make a difference to shields, just so long as it's below? Nice shield values. I'm looking at a measly 112 MJ, and that's having to downsize the powerplant to scrape in under the weight (if fully laden).

OK pretty happy with this general purpose cobra build now (subject to thinking about that scanner still.. it's an extra 50% insurance cost):

http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_i...Bj5AmbIZnAjMUQ

3A powerplant (want efficiency for fuel scooping/escaping jumps too close to suns)
4C thrusters (want manoeuvrability)
4C FSD (want OK jump range)
3D life support
3C power distributor (want OK power to shields/weapons)
3D sensors
4D shield gen
2C fuel scoop
1C adv discovery scanner (may drop to intermediate)
4+4+2 cargo packs = 36T - if I enjoy exploring more I might switch to an AFM and go down to 32T

2x class 2 gimballed multi-cannon
2x class 1 gimballed pulse laser

0C shield booster
0I chaff launcher

Perhaps a little weapon heavy?

PS I really hope I did make the 70% CG. Be a bit of a blow to be dreaming up nice spec's I can't afford

[cptwhite_uk]

I've always understood that it does increase shield value. Where below = x1.** multiplier, and ship weight above = x0.** multiplier. I might be wrong, but I think that's right. That's how the Imperial courier (small ship) with a 3A shield can have a strength around 340MJ....

Edit: you can check what your Community Goal rewards is on the second tab (where it shows missions and bounties), select the community goal and scroll down

[kalniel]

Oh OK, the value just didn't seem to be changing when I was changing the mass on the website, maybe was just the website, or the change was too small.

[cptwhite_uk]

Not sure what you mean by changing the mass - by adding other modules etc? I *think* the value is calculated purely on the base mass of the ship (before add-ons)

This chart isn't up-to-date but is useful:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...wfcqlM/pubhtml

[kalniel]

Not sure what you mean by changing the mass - by adding other modules etc? I *think* the value is calculated purely on the base mass of the ship (before add-ons)

Yes, I meant changing the total mass with different modules. If it's just hull mass that counts then that makes things far easier!

[DanceswithUnix]

PS I really hope I did make the 70% CG. Be a bit of a blow to be dreaming up nice spec's I can't afford

There will probably be a new CG or two next Thursday. You get plenty more chances, and each time you can afford better hardware to pile in with

With that Cobra build, I think I would lose the advanced scanner and splash out on a top end FSD. It makes a big difference to gameplay when you don't have to go everywhere the long way around.

[Ttaskmaster]

Blimey, you think this is due to PowerPlay? Blimey, I haven't seen a need to sign up with anyone as yet, I must say you aren't selling me on the idea!

I signed up with Zach Hudson - Every system run by Archon Delaine flagged me up as HOSTILE - Delaine's Kumo Crew hit me up and took me down.
Definitely a PowerPlay thing!!!

TBH, I had been fairly nonchalant about the whole thing. I signed up with ZH to take advantage of the increased bounty thing in my local RES-hunting, but it took so much time and effort to maintain the Merits and it was still faster to trade for money, so I just went back to the grind...

Of course, now AD has taken over one of the systems on my route and I started getting frequently jumped by his Vipers and Eagles... I can take those hits without blinking, long enough to spin FSD up and jump out again, so no biggie. Lose 2-5% hull at worst.
Clearly the NPCs felt differently and decided a TRIO of sledgehammers was the only way to make a point!!

So yeah, unless you're very actively involved with and focused on the PowerPlay side, I wouldn't really bother. I'm not politically-minded enough to put in the effort and the gains so far have not really lived up to expectations.
Wort of all is that static noise that plays when you open the PP screen on GalNet - Drives me insane!!

I'll be abandoning my PowerPlay faction and going back to being independent... just as soon as I've finished reaming Archon Delaine's asset base!!!

[kalniel]

There will probably be a new CG or two next Thursday. You get plenty more chances, and each time you can afford better hardware to pile in with

With that Cobra build, I think I would lose the advanced scanner and splash out on a top end FSD. It makes a big difference to gameplay when you don't have to go everywhere the long way around.

I got the 5 million

Haven't quite gone to the candy store yet though.

[DanceswithUnix]

I'll be abandoning my PowerPlay faction and going back to being independent... just as soon as I've finished reaming Archon Delaine's asset base!!!

Thanks for the rundown, as someone who likes to drop in for a quick play and with no political inclinations I think you just convinced me that powerplay isn't for me.

I got the 5 million

Haven't quite gone to the candy store yet though.

Nice!

And with that, I have an 8Mcr top 15% in the combat CG to go defend. Probably been knocked out into the top 40% by now. Won't be able to play over the weekend so chance of staying there is very slim, but worth a try eh?

[kalniel]

They are sneaksy. Just when I think I've got what I want, I see the power distributor A class is within budget.. but then I'm over 50% power supply for vitals and would have to update back to a class 4 power plant.. which costs me efficiency and so on.. so a tiny upgrade ends up having to be a massive one

Also, it appears Cobras are wider than Haulers I'd been hugging the side of the letter box on exit.. need to give them a bit more space

[cptwhite_uk]

[DanceswithUnix]

They are sneaksy. Just when I think I've got what I want, I see the power distributor A class is within budget.. but then I'm over 50% power supply for vitals and would have to update back to a class 4 power plant.. which costs me efficiency and so on.. so a tiny upgrade ends up having to be a massive one

Also, it appears Cobras are wider than Haulers I'd been hugging the side of the letter box on exit.. need to give them a bit more space

Oh well, you should be able to do rares runs with that as it is and make the money to start upgrading stuff.

I think rares runs help your trading rank in the early stages too, it seems to take notice if you sell cargo for big profits.

Have you tried trading rare goods yet?

[kalniel]

Oh well, you should be able to do rares runs with that as it is and make the money to start upgrading stuff.

I think rares runs help your trading rank in the early stages too, it seems to take notice if you sell cargo for big profits.

Have you tried trading rare goods yet?

Only Lavian brandy, since going there for the CG. Once back to Eravate, once over in Anu where I bought the Cobra (still trying to find a couple of modules they didn't have in stock). And yes, it seemed to count for my trading rank, which I think is just based on profit. Trying to decide if I should look up more locations, or wait till I hear about them in game.

[cptwhite_uk]

A lot of the game is about accepting advice online. Otherwise you'd really struggle to find the rares runs yourself. Take all the advice you can get and use it would be my recommendation.

[DanceswithUnix]

Only Lavian brandy, since going there for the CG. Once back to Eravate, once over in Anu where I bought the Cobra (still trying to find a couple of modules they didn't have in stock). And yes, it seemed to count for my trading rank, which I think is just based on profit. Trying to decide if I should look up more locations, or wait till I hear about them in game.

The systems around Lave have lots of rares, and there is another group around 160ly away so I think most people gravitate towards those.

Can't remember my old rares route as I haven't done that for a while (rares aren't that relevant with a 450T hold) but I might be able to dig it out later. I don't think there are any great secrets there, if you look up online the list of systems with rares, ignore the ones where the trading station is a half hour flight from the sector entry point as those trash your credits per hour, get enough systems in there to fill your hold to make best use of the 160ly+ that you have to fly the rares to make good profit, there aren't that many routes you can end up with.

I checked with a friend once, he basically had my route except backwards

[Gerrard]

I haven't played since March/April, but decided to dust off the X52 last night and quickly remind me of my siituation. Currently in a Vulture, with a Type-9 a couple of jumps away, 23mil cash and 2mil in bounties to claim! Vaguely remember going around RES sites and obliterating Anacondas, Pythons and Clippers last time I was playing.

So, obviously Power Play has been introduced since then, but reading this thread, doesn't sound like something I would interested in getting into. The only change I have noticed in the 10 minutes of "playing" (mostly trying to remember my controls!) and flying from an outpost to a station to refuel, was the progress bars on your Elite ranks, which I don't think was there before. That and it seemed a bit more laggy (in Solo mode, not that it really matters).

So what's changed or things I should be looking out for? I notice there seems to be a few more ships. I guess I will need to work on my Empire rank a bit more (currently Baron for the Clipper), have they made getting ranks any more obvious? I seem to be allied with most Empire factions, so it was becoming a pain to increase effectively.