Just got a Syn L battleship... will the main shields protect components from damage?

[tatakau]

Topic, mostly. I just got my Syn battleship, and I'm wondering if the main shields are still up, will enemy fighters still be able to target and destroy components on my hull? Or do they have to take down my main shields first?

[Falcrack]

The components have their own shields to protect them, separate from the main shield. Components can be destroyed even when the main shield is still up.

[Alan Phipps]

For IS combat, the rather slow Syn is more intended as a capital/station killer and is far less capable at fending off fighter or defence drone hordes that can quickly strip it of engine, medium shields and turrets despite its strong main shielding, hull and primary weapons. I would escort it with some decent flak ships and maybe a protection detail of heavy fighters while on its way to its intended targets.

[Panos]

Topic, mostly. I just got my Syn battleship, and I'm wondering if the main shields are still up, will enemy fighters still be able to target and destroy components on my hull? Or do they have to take down my main shields first?

Syn is good to kill capital ships and stations.
Against fighters it is getting wrecked.

If you want an anti-fighter ship Osaka is superb.

[Dreez]

Speaking from my own experience, a Syn should always travel with a strong fighter support to deal with any pesky flies.

[Zloth2]

I've been able to take down a lot of fighters when actually driving a Syn myself. Set the turrets to 'attack my target,' set the camera to third person, and start picking targets. Prioritize P's and anything targeting the engine. Once the engine shield starts getting low, get yourself out of enemy territory. (Best to stay near a friendly gate.)

[Alan Phipps]

" .. get yourself out of enemy territory" probably at about 86 m/s tops if you are taking fire!

[jlehtone]

On ships that have to protect their engine, IME, flying in reverse and prererably rolling and strafing too minimizes the hostile attack runs against the engines. Syn in full reversed polarity is probably way slower than 86 m/s. Under -10 m/s?

I'm wondering if the main shields are still up, will enemy fighters still be able to target and destroy components on my hull?

Yes. On all ships that do have surface components, the main shields of the ship do not protect any of the components.