My Dragon just got mauled????

[stg1969]

I dunno whats going on, but I jumped my brand new Split Dragon (armed with 4 APPC's 4 Mass Drivers and an MD Turret) into Grand Exchange.

I arrived at the same time in my TL, as I was carrying its 3 Perseus Escorts to the sector (didnt need to buy JD's for them as they will just be on sector patrol).

2 Falcons attack my Dragon.... so i think, lets see how this so-called best fighter of M6's deals with this..

It starts to get in trouble, I launch my personal M3 Nova from the TL to help out... I'm only 7 clicks away, and by the time i get there, the Dragon is DEAD, and the 2 Pirate Falcons didnt have a scratch on them..

How the HELL!!!

My Argon Centaurs beat the shite out of Pirates all the time..?????

[dannyporter4u]

Its the rate of turn of all m6s thats the problem. OOS the falcons would last about a second but in sector the dragon needs support to distract the falcons. Also has it got any missiles because they can help too.

Dragons are the best against TL and capships but not so good againts fighters.

[TWD 3]

God I wish this game had cockpit view replay. I kill everything in my Dragon with its forward firing weapons- killing 6 Nova/ Falcon combos are routine. It's my favorite personal ship. That said you have to completely readjust when stepping in from an M3. Once you do however, M3's seem like Discos by comparison- just as fast and maneuverable but just as tinny too. One advantage any M6 has over M3's is cargo capacity, so use it. I carry 4 BPAC, 4 BPPC, 4MD, and 50 each Silkworm and MD Ammo and still I have room for nearly 400 energy cells. For the aft turret I use BIRE set to missile defense as this all I consider the rear turret to be good for and to this end the BIRE is king. When squaring off against superior numbers of M3's I launch 3 silks against each Nova and Falcon and they go boom (against Novas fire head on or a amidships and they go boom, against Falcons it dose not really matter, just fire and they die), and against M4's and M5's fire one each and they die.

Try a Dragon for a week; get the hang of it and you'll never go back.

PS. Does anyone know how I can "tape" my battles piloting my M6? I am certain it will come as a surprise to some and I’ll post a few battle highlights if anyone can explain how to do it.

[dannyporter4u]

I find raming to be one of the easyest way to kill m3s.

I takes some getting used to tho. i find it better to use the arrow keys to turn as that makes you turn faster and straff always straff!

I still use my Mabma Raider most of the time though because its more enjoyable. I like using my mamba raider with my dragon set to pretect me as you can use its storage and do quick swaps (only problem is that the ships stops dead when you leave which is a real pain).

[banjaxo]

[jlehtone]

@TWD 3: There is a huge difference between you and AI in the helm of a Dragon.

@stg1969: The TWD 3's tale and yours highlight the fact that Dragon is a good ship, but not in the hands of AI. Dragon is not a dogfighter, despite TWD's claims. Most M3 are slower than Dragon, and therefore Dragon can boom and zoom, or use missiles. It will never outturn a M3, although a very good pilot can achieve that with skill. Thus, M3s are no threat for a human pilot. M5 and particulalry M4 are.

In sector the AI piloted Dragon really needs those escorts. They will help both to kill and distract the enemies.

The Falcons may have launched missiles.

[Mad Jock McMad]

The Falcons over in Grand Exchange can be VERY nasty- not sure what weapons they carry, but I've learnt to be wary of them in my Mamba Raider - approach them and die dramatically and quickly, so I tend to stay away and send them a couple of Thunderbolts!

[jlehtone]

Pirate Falcon has at most 50MJ of shield and definitely less than 25000 hull points. And no turret. A single 75000 point Thunderbolt will kill it.

Pirate Falcon Vanguard can have 75MJ of shield. The single Thunderbolt would only strip the shield. However, Silkworm+Thunderbolt will kill.

Nova's are bad. If the missile does not get bullseye, then it will turn to chase. Chasing Nova is not healthy, unless you have 125MJ shield or better. Missiles do not have.

[Lone Jedi]

Dragon is the biggest waste of $ in X3. Either piloted by a player or AI, it just sucks, mostly because of the tortoise-like turning rate. I think killing a Dragon is one of the easiest things in X3. By the way, Dragon looks cool although it looks quite like a squid.

[jlehtone]

[Lone Jedi]

[jlehtone]

[dannyporter4u]

It is possible to dogfight in a Dragon i have done a few XI missions in my Dragon. But that being said it is difficult and stress full.

i much prefer my mamba raider and just using the Dragon to kill the J at the end (or starting in the Dragon and going strate for the K - i miss those XI mission that lasted less than 30-40 mins).

The Dragon really excels at killing big ships. Any other M6 is dust with plenty of energy to spare. With APPC one can kill any M6 without them even shooting back, its like shooting fish in a barrel! Most TLs can be killed in one full burst.

Although the Dragons rate of turn makes killing m3s difficult it has no problem dodging m1/m2 fire and hiding in blind spots.

[dbarclay]

I just really miss the good old days of X2 in a Dragon.

I chose it as my personal ship and it was perfect, with an octopus docked for station visits, and quick exploring trips etc. Nothing could beat it and it felt good to be there (if you know what I mean).

You had to work to get one and when you did it was worth every penny, now it's NOT, just a case of "You can use it for this small part of the game (fighting Cap ships) but not for others"... What's the point, stay in an M3.

Just don't understand why Egosoft had to change all the ships specs and where they can land in X3.....

Is it just me or is it insane that a TS's can't land on a TL........ What's that all about... TL's are supposed to be massive cargo carriers but you can't dock a cargo ship????

Seems that you now just have to be everywhere at once to play this game properly.. (freight transfer etc).

[dannyporter4u]

It is difficult to keep it stocked up, Anarkis Carrier Comands really helps with this though.

The ship has a hangar for 14 fighters max so it can hardly fit a TS in there.

It all about balance and no one perfect ship - like real life really. I never played X2 but i like it how it is. it makes all of the ships worth while.