Slithereen
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Posted - 2004.03.15 04:10:00 -
[1]
Edited by: Slithereen on 15/03/2004 04:13:56
That's one reason why I like the Typhoon---you can use EMP-L over a longer range than the Tempest. Usually after 35 to 40K, ships with range bonuses can actually outdamage ships with damage bonuses due to increased number of effective hits over time using shorter ranged but more damaging ammo. I hope to get a Tempest soon (though I'm not in any hurry) but with my Typhoon, I'm getting EMP L hits as far as over 70km away.
To get more effective hits over a longer range, you need to train up two skills in particular.
The first is Sharpshooter skill. This increases Optimal Range.
The second is Trajectory Analysis skill. This increases Falloff Range.
Both should be at Level 4 at least.
My conversations with 1400 howitizer users, and from my own experience is that Phase Plasma L is preferable over EMP L. In practice, the damage advantage of EMP L seem neglible over Phase Plasma, while PP with its range increase, offers more chances of hitting targets.
Currently, from the collective experiences of projectile users, Phase Plasma appears to be most popular ammo type with Titanium Sabot close behind. And because of this, more people are making and selling them, and with more vendors available, there is greater availability and lower, more competitive prices. With all these factors, I would prefer to use Phase Plasma L for NPC hunts, though I would recommend saving a stache of EMP L for the possibility of closer ranged PvP fights.
Besides, for NPC hunts, I don't consider Shield Tanking to be the best way to defend against large multiple cruiser/bs NPC swarms. With infinite ammo, infinite energy, and often using energy neutralizers, NPCs will beat you in sheer energy attrition, especially when they MWD close to you and try to take you out with blasters under a shower of missiles (Serpentis and Guristas often use this tactic).
Sheer distance and speed are the best defense against a killer swarm or even against pc pirates, and an MWD is worth more than an Xlarge booster for survivability. There are two kinds o rats every Tempest and Typhoon owner should watch out---MWD'ing NPC rats using blasters and MWD'ing PC rats using blasters. Speed and range, not a shield tank, is what's going to save your behind from these rats.
The closer your get to a target with a 1400, the less hit efficient you become. Even with tracking computers, the difference is neglible because the tracking of 1400s is so low, adding another 20 to 30% tracking to it, does not get you anywhere. Besides the first poster is using low slot trackers, which add only 10 to 15% compared to 20 to 30% with Tracking Computers and its named ilk.
I used to pack all sorts of trackers in my Typhoon, but I have removed them all. It's just better to keep your distance and shoot them, and speed is essential for that. If you find your targets close, retreat and let the targets fall right behind your tail. This removes directional changes and allows even low tracking weapons to hit them. Experienced projectile users would already have perfected this technique even from the cruiser level with 650 and 720mm.
For targets that persistantly orbit you, making it hard to hit even with the retreat and shoot technique, it's time to use auxilliary weapons---basically your missile launchers and your drones. Don't worry---your drones won't be splashed by missiles anymore except when using torpedoes.
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"Is it me or the bad guys just getting totally pathetic?"---Clover, Totally Spies,
"Hope is wasted on the Hopeless."---Mandy, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.
"Stars are holes in the sky from which the light of the Infinite shine through."---Confucius.
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