Ship weapons...

[MrDave]

I've been using Lasers, Ballistics, and EMP myself, but what do ya'll use? Any benefits to just using one or two types instead of 3?

[Udyrfrykte.ttv]

Just run 1 or 2, I don't feel like the pip investment into a 3rd weapon type isn't worth it vs just adding another cannon or beam I'm already using.

[MrDave]

Originally posted by Tomes 'n Dailies:

Just run 1 or 2, I don't feel like the pip investment into a 3rd weapon type isn't worth it vs just adding another cannon or beam I'm already using.

I was thinking that. What would you suggest? I want to be able to disable and take down shields. Or maybe, swap between Ballistic and EMP for my pips?

[Cutlass Jack]

Honestly I just use particle beams and don't think too hard about if I'm shooting at hull or shields. Which also means plenty of power I don't have to divide between multiple systems.

[Jeff]

I have 2 ships, one with full-auto turrets and one with laser/ballistic/missile combo.

Both are fine for normal play, but the turret one can kill all the crimson fleet at their home base and I haven't joined the fleet before. My other one dies very easily if I try that.

Going full turret means you can just fly around the space station to block the shots and it will auto-fire and destroy anything around me. Fun for leveling up skills and also decent XP farm.

[Charon]

Lasers and ballistics are mostly useless due to the short range. I go with particle (?) weapons with 3000+ range, since most enemies have that range as well. Usually 4 of them and 2 missile launchers for burst damage when needed.

[JackieTheDemon]

They all seem to do the same thing. The space combat is mid anyway.

[palathas]

I use particle beam auto cannons and particle beam auto turrets. I don't use the system targeting skill and so I have to use EM weapons to capture ships. I use the energy management to switch between the turrets and EM weapons because if you leave the turrets on they destroy stuff too quickly so you can't capture them.

For ground combat I use ballistic pistols and rifles. I found the energy and EM weapons to be lacking and the particle beam weapons are simply too rare. I've only ever found two PB pistols and I'm level 58.

[Udyrfrykte.ttv]

Originally posted by MrDave:

Originally posted by Tomes 'n Dailies:

Just run 1 or 2, I don't feel like the pip investment into a 3rd weapon type isn't worth it vs just adding another cannon or beam I'm already using.

I was thinking that. What would you suggest? I want to be able to disable and take down shields. Or maybe, swap between Ballistic and EMP for my pips?

I'd run two weapon sets in that case: Particle Beams because they have great range and do both hull and shield damage, so once shields are down for your 2nd weapon run EM weapons because they specifically damage systems - target engine, approach to dock, board, and kill crew. If you don't care about the ship, just keep power to your Beams and blast away.

[MrDave]

Originally posted by palathas:

I use particle beam auto cannons and particle beam auto turrets. I don't use the system targeting skill and so I have to use EM weapons to capture ships. I use the energy management to switch between the turrets and EM weapons because if you leave to turrets on the destroy stuff too quickly so you can't capture them.

For ground combat I use ballistic pistols and rifles. I found the energy and EM weapons to be lacking and the particle beam weapons are simply too rare. I've only ever found two PB pistols and I'm level 58.

I HATE ground-combat EM weapons. But, I've been using them a fair bit while working undercover with the UC Vanguard in the Crimson fleet, since the Admiral gets pissy if you "kill people."

[dwhiteside327]

I just run 1, biggest, bestest, fastest particle beam I can get. (Max out Particle physics skill (whatever it's called,) and that's that.

You're a beast at long range. Slice through those shields, destroy hulls/components and move on.

[dulany67]

Auto particle and missles when shields are down. Auto turrets kill everything but boarding becomes tough as you need to power them down to stop them from firing.

Only have a reactor that can power 2 weapon systems ATM.

[MrDave]

Originally posted by dwhiteside327:

I just run 1, biggest, bestest, fastest particle beam I can get. (Max out Particle physics skill (whatever it's called,) and that's that.

You're a beast at long range. Slice through those shields, destroy hulls/components and move on.

You don't board?

Also, Now that I think, I believe I am using Class B Particles since my range is like 3k.

[Wurst der Führung]

Particle + auto particle. Particle all the way.

[Jeff]

I used to board early game but it just doesn't feel worth it anymore. Going through 2 loading screens (more if you want the ship) is not quite worth the hassle.

Now I only consider boarding if it's a named ship on a quest.

[Iratus Machina]

Lasers and em seem to delete shields, but everything eats through hull like it's nothing. That being said, I usually keep a balance with one of each weapon, but now I'm considering building a beam spam ship to see if I can get by with only laser beams.