Best destroyer(s) to deal with K and I?

[burger1]

Unless they changed stuff in the later betas I used fleets of 4-6 Paranid Sentinel destroyers with a load out of all small turrets bolts and all large turrets missile launchers (heavy smart missiles) and a lead ship which were Atlas sentinels with all bolts (not a dps ship). This was my oos fleet. You just arm/disarm the missile turrets when doing larger fights or fighting I ships. Pull the ship groups apart also if you can but it's not really necessary. The destroyers have lots of turrets and usually end up destroying all the enemies turrets before they get theirs destroyed. After that they are just killing the ship without taking damage.

In sector player flown ships or heavily shielded missile ships should work. The missiles blow up the enemy turrets/engines making them just floating targets. Overall destroyers are weak. k are easy you can just do missile attacks by assigning weapon groups and switching through the groups while pressing home to cycle through surface elements. Ks have very few guns. Once you get a hull you can send 8-10 m ships to blow it up from a carrier. You can also lower costs by producing your own missiles. Heavy swarm missiles work well and end up being cheaper and easier to produce wares wise than torpedoes. You can also snipe turrets with the destroyers main destroyer gun if the ships player flown.

[Sparky Sparkycorp]

Pre-SV my personal preference for destroyers would be the Paranid Odysseus.

15% less total HP than the Behemoth but 4 large turrets so more long range DPS, and turrets cannot overheat. Basically I'd enjoy the fight being potentially shorter from more DPS, needing less HP.

Now we have the Split with 4 main batteries so so more things to consider.

[IRaven]

I use Fleets of two Colossus Carriers and three Behemoth Destroyers.
All Capital Ships are in the Attack Group of the Main Colossus, so once the Colossus that is on defend position order gets close to the Enemy it will send its Destroyers on Attack too.
That way the Colossus with the heavy shields can tank the K and the Destroyers can do damage. (instead of the Destroyers boosting forward and getting the full volley of the K)

Its working OOS and IS pretty well.
Against two or more and/or an I i would never try that OOS. (i did loose one Behemoth against two K's OOS so i reloaded the save)
Both Colossus have each 10 Nemesis, 10 for Fighter Interception and 10 with Plasma Guns only.
If they launch prematurely against the K because of Fighters in the area or a custom attack order i will loose 2 - 4 of them though.

Behind that fleet in the Xenon Sector i have a Battle Station right in front of the Jumpgate.
So if shit gets out of hand (I, too many Ks, shitload of fighters) (I had a big attack yesterday of two K's and like 50 - 70 fighters and a smaller one of ~30 fighters, an I and two K's) i will retreat that fleet behind the Battlestation and go In Sector.
Close Up it will melt a K in 10 Seconds, and an I in roughly two minutes on 9 km Range (out of Gun Range for the I)

Its probably overkill but its fun and the ressources came from my high end complex, so i dont really care
14 Disc Moduls, 6 Bridge Moduls
Worked OOS against a K too, but i am way too afraid to loose moduls xD

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7f4uhobf2c1ze ... 1.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f4752s0yzkq13 ... 1.png?dl=0

[Sparky Sparkycorp]

Pre-SV my personal preference for destroyers would be the Paranid Odysseus.

15% less total HP than the Behemoth but 4 large turrets so more long range DPS, and turrets cannot overheat. Basically I'd enjoy the fight being potentially shorter from more DPS, needing less HP.

Now we have the Split with 4 main batteries so so more things to consider.

The following expands on the above with forward-aiming stats from Main Batteries, Argon Large Plasma Turrets (172 DPS each), Argon Mk2 hull shields, Argon All-Round Engines, and Mk2 Thrusters.

As is known, the Rattlesnake is a beast when it can aim forwards

Conversely, if the Phoenix also mounts 3 Medium Plasma Turrets, it has slightly more forward DPS than a plasma-equipped Cerberus.

Behemoth Sentinel
124 m/s
9.0 and 6.5 D/s Yaw and Pitch
250k HP (139k as shields)
3.80k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 2 turrets)
3.22k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
8 M turrets
0 M ship docks
4 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Odysseus Sentinel
149 m/s
8.8 and 6.3 D/s Yaw and Pitch
212k HP (93k as shields)
4.52k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 3 turrets)
3.19k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
1 spare L Turret
12 M turrets
1 M ship docks (10 capacity)
2 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Rattlesnake
173 m/s
8.8 and 6.4 D/s Yaw and Pitch
257k HP (46k as shields)
10.0k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 4 turrets)
7.29k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
2 spare L Turrets
12 M turrets
0 M ship docks
1 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Phoenix Sentinel
124 m/s
8.6 and 6.2 D/s Yaw and Pitch
263k HP (139k as shields)
1.72k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 0 turrets)
1.42k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
2 spare L Turrets
9 M turrets
0 M ship docks
2 S ship docks (40 capacity)

[Warnoise]

Pre-SV my personal preference for destroyers would be the Paranid Odysseus.

15% less total HP than the Behemoth but 4 large turrets so more long range DPS, and turrets cannot overheat. Basically I'd enjoy the fight being potentially shorter from more DPS, needing less HP.

Now we have the Split with 4 main batteries so so more things to consider.

The following expands on the above with forward-aiming stats from Main Batteries, Argon Large Plasma Turrets (172 DPS each), Argon Mk2 hull shields, Argon All-Round Engines, and Mk2 Thrusters.

As is known, the Rattlesnake is a beast when it can aim forwards

Conversely, if the Phoenix also mounts 3 Medium Plasma Turrets, it has slightly more forward DPS than a plasma-equipped Cerberus.

Behemoth Sentinel
124 m/s
9.0 and 6.5 D/s Yaw and Pitch
250k HP (139k as shields)
3.80k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 2 turrets)
3.22k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
8 M turrets
0 M ship docks
4 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Odysseus Sentinel
149 m/s
8.8 and 6.3 D/s Yaw and Pitch
212k HP (93k as shields)
4.52k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 3 turrets)
3.19k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
1 spare L Turret
12 M turrets
1 M ship docks (10 capacity)
2 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Rattlesnake
173 m/s
8.8 and 6.4 D/s Yaw and Pitch
257k HP (46k as shields)
10.0k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 4 turrets)
7.29k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
2 spare L Turrets
12 M turrets
0 M ship docks
1 S ship docks (40 capacity)

Phoenix Sentinel
124 m/s
8.6 and 6.2 D/s Yaw and Pitch
263k HP (139k as shields)
1.72k forward Burst DPS (Main Battery + 0 turrets)
1.42k forward Sustained DPS (when Main Battery overheats)
2 spare L Turrets
9 M turrets
0 M ship docks
2 S ship docks (40 capacity)

For L ships, I think turret placement is the most important element. The good thing with the Odysseus is that when facing a target you have L and M turrets attacking the same target as your main guns. Meanwhile with phoenix, you only have your main guns. And that is a vital element that hugely affect the burst damage.


Currently the balance of L ships is like this

Rattlesnake>Odysseus>Behemoth>>>>>Phoenix


Therefore, I recommend using rattlesnake or Odysseus for more effective burst damage against xenon capitals

[tomchk]

Rattlesnake seems so sweet. I almost had one captured once (very early game) but lost it due to an aggressive NPC bounty hunter attacking it. Looking forward to getting one when I can!

[leoriq]

I've put my Rattlesnake to test in OOS. It kills K reliably. Did that three times. Sure, as I have only one Rattlesnake, I usually fly it myself so its modded, but just greens.
The problem is - It costs twice as much as Odyssey, so I can't decide what to buy for OOS - one Rattlesnake or two Odysseys

[tomchk]

I've put my Rattlesnake to test in OOS. It kills K reliably. Did that three times. Sure, as I have only one Rattlesnake, I usually fly it myself so its modded, but just greens.
The problem is - It costs twice as much as Odyssey, so I can't decide what to buy for OOS - one Rattlesnake or two Odysseys

Well with 1 ship you only need 1 pilot, and we all know how tough training them is right now!

[goduranus]

With 1 ship you can train 1 pilot, with 2 ships you can train two pilots at once.

[pref]

I would still prefer to find a solution for OOS.

Not sure if you want to have a strong automatised fleet, or just get rid of unwanted xen ships with as little hassle as possible.
The latter can be achieved with defence platforms built right on the gates. Getting high enough dps will be much cheaper then any ship solution and if there are enough turrets then you can shut off any gate completely from enemies (anyone below -20 rep, no custom FF settings unfortunately).
Also stations auto-repair, and hull/price is way better.

[Ranix]

my flagship rattlesnake can 1v1 a K without losing shields out of sector

with me flying it can down a K without taking damage

[Ynesra_Voles]

Same! My Rattlesnake with 4 L Split Plasma, 2 L Split Beam and Teladi shields can (with 30% hull and plenty of elements lost) solo 2 K, and with good preparations (Escort killing) solo an I with 50% hull left after the encounter.

Love this ship!

[tomchk]

Maybe I should give up stealing a Rattlesnake from ZYA and just buy one from Free Families. I don’t have tons of money yet so I’ve hesitated. My game’s economy is being ruined by I and K, though, so it’s worth it!

[werewolves?]

my flagship rattlesnake can 1v1 a K without losing shields out of sector

with me flying it can down a K without taking damage

They are excellent K killers: 2 Ks and an I jumped into Hatikvahs - my piloted rattlesnake took down the Ks and a wing of 5* behemoths pummelled the I from range.

Main battery rounds flying in on mass from range look pretty spectacular.

[Axeface]

No one else use Phoenixes? OOS in 3.0 beta I was using 2 of them for a K, dont see why it wouldnt still work. They had green mods for weapon damage, shield capacity and drag. IS they get obliterated of course, but OOS no problem against 1 K, dont even lose shields. Ive since started a new game as Split so not using them anymore.

[werewolves?]

No one else use Phoenixes? OOS in 3.0 beta I was using 2 of them for a K, dont see why it wouldnt still work. They had green mods for weapon damage, shield capacity and drag. IS they get obliterated of course, but OOS no problem against 1 K, dont even lose shields. Ive since started a new game as Split so not using them anymore.

I might try, I like the visual look of them as an escort for a Behemoth - all flak and plasma. Aldrin paint job. Might be a good part of a fleet to retake Scale Plate Green.

[Ranix]

No one else use Phoenixes? OOS in 3.0 beta I was using 2 of them for a K, dont see why it wouldnt still work. They had green mods for weapon damage, shield capacity and drag. IS they get obliterated of course, but OOS no problem against 1 K, dont even lose shields. Ive since started a new game as Split so not using them anymore.

I have a couple Phoenixes in production now, they're very cost effective. You can get two for less than the price of a Rattlesnake

[Axeface]

I should say that phoenixes that could 2 man K's had all plasma in the front dome, the 2 L turrets were plasma too, the 4 turrets on the 2 bottom extrusions were beams, and the top 2 turrets tracking with heavy missles.

[EGO_Aut]

No one else use Phoenixes? OOS in 3.0 beta I was using 2 of them for a K, dont see why it wouldnt still work. They had green mods for weapon damage, shield capacity and drag. IS they get obliterated of course, but OOS no problem against 1 K, dont even lose shields. Ive since started a new game as Split so not using them anymore.

I tried with a Teladi Fleet of 1x Carrier and 6x Destroyers, it is a nice NPC fleet. Those NPC fleet makes such terrible manouvers, but with the Phoenixes it is very effective, a lot of enemy shots miss (IS). But most effective are fighters, and cheaper, when the flys are around you can improve killspeed with the big boys.

I have 3x M Plasmas in the front ring and some FLAK, my L's are Plasmas too.

[Toombstone]

Dont use Destros use carriers and fighters use the Destros and the carrier to deal with enemy fighters and launch a squadron of 15-20 fighters per enemy capital armed with 1 torpedo and 3 shards. I fought 1 I and 6K s with 1 Colossus full complement of 48 fighters (i have a post about the 48 and why not 50 as the encyclopedia says DONT USE MORE THAN 48) 2 Behemots set on defence Carriar and destros use M flack and L tracking the L's are set to attack capital ships the Ms set to attack all enemies with 3 squadrons of 15 fighters you keep 3 of them busy the other 2 killed 1 behemot but that was the price i wiped them out with only that loss. The flak can deal with any fighter that comes close to you. As for that composition i leave it overnight while i sleep on key gates and when i wake up 0 losses just set 2 squadrons on defence 1 on intercept and go to sleep . Btw dont use M class combat ships they are slow and capital fire can catch up to them ... they are crazy good in a human hands tho. Tau Accelerators are a great option for fighters they obliterate with them. Im testin Neutron Gatlings at the moment and are great for when you have 3-4 of you vs 1 of them so much spread that you kinda do AOE to other S/M ships in big battles but Tau's are better for 1v1 with AI pilots. BTW dont expect anything to work below 3 stars pilots. Below that they are idiots.