M7 Frigate Discussion

[HT-0311]

While playing X3 I slowly get to the point where I can buy Capital Ships, beginning with the M7 Ship Class. Since I am currently roleplaying as a Boron loyalist, I will buy only Boron Ships.

So while browsing the Internet I found many posts claiming the Boron Ships are not very good.
Searching for a comparrison I've found seizewells Ship list, and if the Stats are true this doesn't seem to be the case. The Kalmar for example seems to be far stronger than the Tiger, although it has lesser Laser Energy, Shield Slots and Laser recharge time for example.

It seems that the Ships are oriented on very different strenghts; The Split ships have faster Ships, and the Boron, in the M7 case, maybe the strongest.

While I'll definitaly buy the Boron Ships I'd like to know what the rest of the Community thinks.
What are their favorites? And why?

[Don]

Well, now you messed up. Asking for "the best" or "fave" M7 ship will start a Battle Royale here LOL.

I myself don't use an M7 as a main player ship or base, mainly for the fact that they can't land on all stations, so I use an M6 instead.

Choice really comes down to what you need the M7 for: a player mobile base, a highly capable combat ship (deadly, durable or fast), an rounder trading/mining base, a pirating/boarding menace, a mini-fleet carrying fortress, or just for OOS combat. There is no one "All-rounder" M7, but some would argue that the Panther Raider would come close.

[Schizazoid]

Nah, Panther was good in TC, now it have less laser energy and slower recharge rate - combine it with more sturdy hulls - IBL (which was main pro point for panther) would dry out your generator much faster than hull points for most m6 and above. But it still good for OOS patroll, especially if you fill it's hangar full, tho it's quite expensive)
I used to fly on Astraeus Hauler, not bad average "balanced" m7, but it lack firepower against m7+. Same goes for Cerberus and both terran m7. The Boron Thresher (or Kalmar in german version) can have IBL or PPC on board in main weapon slots, so you can execute backpedaling attack with full charge volley against m7+, but it's lack mobility and laser generator recharge rate will quickly piss you off. Haven't tried out Paranid and Teladi ships, but as Don said, it all comes down to your needs and the version of game you playing (Vanilla or Moded). My advice for vanilla m7: 1) OOS combat/patroll - more shields and firepower is your choice; 2) sector cleaning or fighting a capital ships in your presence - get M7M (I prefer Split Cobra); 3) personal vessel - forget m7, take Hyperion Vanguard (versatile ship, can take almost anything especially if you actively use rockets, though m2 and m1 will provide harsh challenge)

[Don]

Originally posted by Deus_Irae:

Nah, Panther was good in TC

Had to be nerfed or pretty much it'll be the only go-to M7 player ship LOL.

I love the Argon/OTAS M7s for their anti-fighter supremacy (especially those that carry PBCs), and the Griffon for being the tiniest M7. Terran is a mixed bag, but the Aegir has great speed, shielding and cargo, that it's weaponry disappointment can be offset with missiles. Tresher is a beast (firepower and actual size), but it's a nightmare to pilot in-sector traffic. Not too enthused with Paranids, but the Teladi Shrike is a great player ship alternative for the Panther (if you don't mind the lesser speed).

As for M6, I use the Hyperion if I expect combat, but for everyday use it's the Springblossom for me.

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by HT-0311:

The Kalmar for example seems to be far stronger than the Tiger, although it has lesser Laser Energy, Shield Slots and Laser recharge time for example.

The Tiger is far smaller, making it much easier to evade fire. Size and shape are something you'll have to take into account, especially for capital ships.

The Thresher can deal an amazing amount of burst damage, but iIrc a full frontside with capital weapons runs out of energy after just two fully-charged salvos. Enough to down shields on most capital ships, but not enough to destroy them, so you'll have to fight a while despite that.

Originally posted by HT-0311:

Since I am currently roleplaying as a Boron loyalist, I will buy only Boron Ships.

Could also start buying from Argons, since the two are allies.

[HT-0311]

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

Could also start buying from Argons, since the two are allies.

Yeah I could do that ^^

[HT-0311]

My current favorite M7 is the Guppy though. Mostly because it's my first M7 Ship and thus has a special place in my heart ;)

[Red Spot]

The Guppy is a great ship. For part cause it is not a regular M7 combat-ship but should probably get a designation like TM. Secondly it is as versatile as a non-combat ship can be.

Personally I fly the Guppy (flying homebase), the Griffon (friggin good ship, though light for an M7) and the Cobra (very little personal flying, but I could).

I do posses loads of Tigers for hub-defense, a Sirokos for 'special boarding', Panthers for OOS-response and likely will add some Cerberus' in the future since they became good ships in AP.


Basically it comes down to:
M7M:
1) Cobra
2) Sirokos (it can not work on its own, needs an other M7 or combat-ship for support)

OOS-M7:
1) Tiger
(Tresher and other 'biggies' would do as well)

IS-M7:
1) Griffon (its small size makes it an awesome ship IS)
(Cerberus, or any M7C can do)

M7C:
1) Panther
(You could use an Elephant, or other M7C, but imo the Panther rules)

[Don]

Originally posted by HT-0311:

My current favorite M7 is the Guppy though. Mostly because it's my first M7 Ship and thus has a special place in my heart ;)

A unique feature of the Guppy (along with the Ariadne) is that they can also dock one TS or TP. Really handy to extend storage or for on-the-spot personnel transport missions.

[Mistfox]

Originally posted by Don:

Originally posted by HT-0311:

My current favorite M7 is the Guppy though. Mostly because it's my first M7 Ship and thus has a special place in my heart ;)

A unique feature of the Guppy (along with the Ariadne) is that they can also dock one TS or TP. Really handy to extend storage or for on-the-spot personnel transport missions.

How do you tell what is the max size ships that can dock with your main ship? All I can find is things like "4 hanger" without the size being stated.

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by Mistfox:

Originally posted by Don:

A unique feature of the Guppy (along with the Ariadne) is that they can also dock one TS or TP. Really handy to extend storage or for on-the-spot personnel transport missions.

How do you tell what is the max size ships that can dock with your main ship? All I can find is things like "4 hanger" without the size being stated.

The Wiki had that kind of info, but unfortunately it died for good it seems. In-game only by trial and error, I think.

[Don]

Originally posted by Mistfox:

Originally posted by Don:

A unique feature of the Guppy (along with the Ariadne) is that they can also dock one TS or TP. Really handy to extend storage or for on-the-spot personnel transport missions.

How do you tell what is the max size ships that can dock with your main ship? All I can find is things like "4 hanger" without the size being stated.

Unfortunately nothing in-game (such a wasted opportunity for the encyclopedia). And like FourGreenFields said, either find the info online or you have to test it yourself. It still irks me that after ordering my M6 and TS to dock in an Atmospheric Lifter that it would just forever do it LOL

[DrSuperEvil]

Boron Thresher M7 has PPC compatibility but lacks the laser regen to make full use of them IS. Unfortunately laser regen is important for M7 ships if used as a player ship unless using M7M. Boron Kraken is the third best M7M due to the mosquito missile defence being able to protect 4 ships at once. Still split cobra has the speed for same fire power and Skirnir is in another league.

For other M7s weapon compatibilities are very important. The argon M7s and Carrack have PBC side turrets which rock and are easy to obtain but have poor frontal fire power. The 8x PBCs but poor shielding and flak coverage make the Carrack a glass cannon but it can solo an RR fleet while killing a station. Paranid M7s can use PSGs which make a good shield against M7M missiles. Agamemnon can use 12 IBLs to attack and use main weapon PSGs to defend making it quite effective. Split M7s have the laser regen for sustained IBL use and PALC side turrets making them pretty decent all rounders. As the Panther Raider also has a large wing of thunderbolt capable ships it is a tempting choice. Teladi M7s are slow and have bad laser regen while the Xenon Q is better OOS due to IBL usage but poor compared to other xenon ships with similar build times.

M7M wise cobra has a large speed advantage for the same fire power and can use boarding pods unlike the Skirnir but still has a strong rear turret to intercept firestorms. Yaki and Teladi M7Ms have poor stats. Argon Sirokos has the boarding number advantage needed for Xenon ships. Other two argon M7Ms and paranid one are nothing special.

M7C wise the Boron and Paranid can dock a TS+ making them a slightly more armed shell to hold a CLS using trader. Griffon sentinel is a great boarding preparation ship in that it has ion disruptors and flak but combat wise acts more like a heavily shielded M6. Other M7Cs are not worth the effort due to poor shielding for the cost.

[HT-0311]

what does IBL mean? I know there's a egosoft website which has all the anmes, but I couldn't find it in the moment.

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by HT-0311:

what does IBL mean? I know there's a egosoft website which has all the anmes, but I couldn't find it in the moment.

Incendiary bomb launcher. That pirate capital weapon.

[HT-0311]

Ah thank you.