Dragonslaya54
Space Marshal
True, if I saw 50 aurora's guarding anything with no correlation on which is friend or foe. I would probably shit my pants! :joy:
Best Escort ship for TEST gameplay
- Thread starter Kaz
- Start date
Aleph0Null
Grand Admiral
Buy the Aurora! it can do anything you can dream (preferably inside your dream)
But to be serious. I plan to be in the trafficing business. so I need a nimble yet with some capability to transport cargo, yet I need it to be able to fly space without raising much suspicion, so I was thinking cutlass red, camouflaged as Ambulance/morgue ship I could transfer "dead clients"
But to be serious. I plan to be in the trafficing business. so I need a nimble yet with some capability to transport cargo, yet I need it to be able to fly space without raising much suspicion, so I was thinking cutlass red, camouflaged as Ambulance/morgue ship I could transfer "dead clients"
It's all going to depend on what needs to be escorted.
10 Hull Es? At least an Idris, maybe a Javelin. Certainly a Polaris or two, plus appropriate fighters and maybe a few long range missile/gunships.
A Javelin? 1-2 Idris types, 3-4 Polaris, Multiple Connies/Redeemers plus fighters (when you are escorting a Jav, you assume a combat mission, not combat free mission)
A Hull C or D? Maybe a Polaris, but probably 2-3 Wardens. Also, maybe one of the following as well: Connie, Redeemer, Freelancer
A Connie? Maybe a Super Hornet, maybe a Freelancer carrying additional cargo, maybe a Warden, but at this stage, I am not sure you will have enough money to pay for these escorts plus make money. If you are in a war zone, the Connie would join a convoy.
Honestly, it is all going to depend on how much money these trade routes make...if not much, I don't see much demand for escorts due to razor thin margins. If lots (and thus attracting pirates), then more. In system may go for Hornets, longer range may require Defenders or Vanguards. Mining missions with longer loiter times might be Super Hornets, but the ships protecting the haulers might be Vanguards or some other long range ship. Remember though, escorts are being glorified these days because lots of people only have fighters or want to justify their fighter heavy hangers. I suspect that escorts will be much rarer than people think. After all, does the M. Falcon need escorts? nope.
10 Hull Es? At least an Idris, maybe a Javelin. Certainly a Polaris or two, plus appropriate fighters and maybe a few long range missile/gunships.
A Javelin? 1-2 Idris types, 3-4 Polaris, Multiple Connies/Redeemers plus fighters (when you are escorting a Jav, you assume a combat mission, not combat free mission)
A Hull C or D? Maybe a Polaris, but probably 2-3 Wardens. Also, maybe one of the following as well: Connie, Redeemer, Freelancer
A Connie? Maybe a Super Hornet, maybe a Freelancer carrying additional cargo, maybe a Warden, but at this stage, I am not sure you will have enough money to pay for these escorts plus make money. If you are in a war zone, the Connie would join a convoy.
Honestly, it is all going to depend on how much money these trade routes make...if not much, I don't see much demand for escorts due to razor thin margins. If lots (and thus attracting pirates), then more. In system may go for Hornets, longer range may require Defenders or Vanguards. Mining missions with longer loiter times might be Super Hornets, but the ships protecting the haulers might be Vanguards or some other long range ship. Remember though, escorts are being glorified these days because lots of people only have fighters or want to justify their fighter heavy hangers. I suspect that escorts will be much rarer than people think. After all, does the M. Falcon need escorts? nope.
I am keeping a 'lancer MIS around for point defense, maybe 2. And the Hurricane looks interesting as well, although I don't see anything about range in the brochure. Range does not concern me too much, as I plan to stage a Starfarer at a secure location close to any industrial operations I am engaged in. For strictly cargo hauling, I want to be constantly on the move. I practice this in the PU now. I like to take my Vanguards and other larger ships out to Kareah, look around and wait for someone to start shooting at me. Then I just jump out. It takes some discipline NOT to stay and fight because there's nothing to do yet EXCEPT fighting, but what are you going to do when the game goes live? Stick around and fight for honor with a Hull C? In that case I would still want at least a few long range escorts with me, and I would consider them worth the money if they never had to fire a shot.
Beerjerker
Grand Admiral
If you are escorting a Starfarer, or a convoy including one, you could probably refuel short range fighters along the way. Also might not need to be too concerned with bunks for your fighter jocks if you are escorting to somewhere with amenities.
I'd think a Hornet Tracker would be a good escort, maybe it could have better chance at spotting stealth ambushes. Although a good ambush wouldn't be a trap waiting for you step on it, it would be a pack of wolves herding you into a trap you couldn't avoid.
I think the Cutlass would make a good escort too. It can duke it out but it can also break off from the convoy for other tasks as needed. I'm thinking quick supply runs, or transporting ejected escort pilots to get new ships.
I'd think a Hornet Tracker would be a good escort, maybe it could have better chance at spotting stealth ambushes. Although a good ambush wouldn't be a trap waiting for you step on it, it would be a pack of wolves herding you into a trap you couldn't avoid.
I think the Cutlass would make a good escort too. It can duke it out but it can also break off from the convoy for other tasks as needed. I'm thinking quick supply runs, or transporting ejected escort pilots to get new ships.
Knucklesdeep
Grand Admiral
20 Auroras leaded with explosive cargo.:thinking:
Han Burgundy
Space Marshal
A unicycle and a pack of condoms is all you should need to conquer the Verse.
Well, there is no perfect escort for every possible job, since there's a big difference in what you might escort.
If we look at the top end of the spectrum, which means Hull E convoys most likely with a lot of smaller transports.
In the Middle, there would be convoys with maybe a handful of Starfarers, BMM etc. which already have a reasonable firepower.
And of course there will be people just hiring 1-2 Escorts for themselfes, as well as Explorers, Miners etc.
However, there are 3 main aspects that make a good Escort ship IMO:
1. Range. Seriously, people will not compromise their Routes just for the sake of refueling one of their "Escorts" on every station.
2. Durability. Since you'll be between the Fronts, you gotta be able to take some shots... also expect the enemy to usually have the jump on you.
3. The Ability to return Fire ASAP. Cause tbh, a Vanguard with it's good range, durability and Firepower wouldn't help much if the enemy just flies circles around it.
The ships that IMO seem like good picks to me would be:
Banu Defender... while it's not that sturdy, it's said to have good range and should fit trough small Jump Points, so especially when escorting Freelancers etc. on such short routes I think it might be worth it. The Cutlass could be a viable alternative to it, tough.
The Freelancer MIS and Constellations could work if you'd be willing to spam missiles... which isn't quite my cup of tea. Tough, the Phoenix does come with that Anti-Missile Turret afaik, so that could be a good addition.... not that this justifies the price tag.
The Retaliator with AI-Modules in it's 5 Turrets with each 2x S2 Guns should provide a fairly big coverage and just two Turrets on a Target would match the damage output of the Banu Defender (assuming using the Gimballs and the same weapons). So that would be something I'd eventually pick.
There's also the Redeemer which kinda never gets mentioned... but at 250$ it might not even be such a bad deal.
If we look at the top end of the spectrum, which means Hull E convoys most likely with a lot of smaller transports.
In the Middle, there would be convoys with maybe a handful of Starfarers, BMM etc. which already have a reasonable firepower.
And of course there will be people just hiring 1-2 Escorts for themselfes, as well as Explorers, Miners etc.
However, there are 3 main aspects that make a good Escort ship IMO:
1. Range. Seriously, people will not compromise their Routes just for the sake of refueling one of their "Escorts" on every station.
2. Durability. Since you'll be between the Fronts, you gotta be able to take some shots... also expect the enemy to usually have the jump on you.
3. The Ability to return Fire ASAP. Cause tbh, a Vanguard with it's good range, durability and Firepower wouldn't help much if the enemy just flies circles around it.
The ships that IMO seem like good picks to me would be:
Banu Defender... while it's not that sturdy, it's said to have good range and should fit trough small Jump Points, so especially when escorting Freelancers etc. on such short routes I think it might be worth it. The Cutlass could be a viable alternative to it, tough.
The Freelancer MIS and Constellations could work if you'd be willing to spam missiles... which isn't quite my cup of tea. Tough, the Phoenix does come with that Anti-Missile Turret afaik, so that could be a good addition.... not that this justifies the price tag.
The Retaliator with AI-Modules in it's 5 Turrets with each 2x S2 Guns should provide a fairly big coverage and just two Turrets on a Target would match the damage output of the Banu Defender (assuming using the Gimballs and the same weapons). So that would be something I'd eventually pick.
There's also the Redeemer which kinda never gets mentioned... but at 250$ it might not even be such a bad deal.
Shadow Reaper
Space Marshal
I think it is true that for a ship to be a general purpose escort, it needs to be long range, which leaves you with the Banu Defender or one of the 4 Vanguards. The Defender will shine if you like to joust, meaning close on an enemy and hit them point blank range; since it can carry 6 Pyrobursts and basically anything in range will die. However the Defender has crappy shields and cannot take a hit, so this is a bad choice if you don't want to fly defensive. This is dangerous to joust with, but should be highly effective especially if you command great piloting skills.
The Vanguard are not especially maneuverable, but if you use them at long range they could be deadly. Fighters generally do not carry S3 missiles. If you are flying escort to something with good scan ability, lets presume a StarG or some such, and can identify threats at 8 km, you can engage an enemy with S3's well before they can engage you. This is how conflicts are won strategically.
Also note the Vanguard are the only fighters that can carry S5 weapons, and those include the dread M7A laser, which can engage at 7.2km. . .almost 2km greater range than any gun you will see on a likely opponent. If you can kill Buckies with S3 missiles and S5 guns before they even get in range, I would say that is pretty good choice for an escort. Additionally, once we know the limits of the Sentinel's EM Warfare capability, you may find those functions indispensable for an escort. For instance, if you can make one Sentinel appear as an entire wing of Vanguard, you may not need your missiles at all, which just adds to your profit margin.
Fair warning though, I am biased. I have been in love with the Sentinel for a long time. I would much rather win a battle with sneaky tricks than guns. I laugh more, and harder when someone runs away from a bluff.
The Vanguard are not especially maneuverable, but if you use them at long range they could be deadly. Fighters generally do not carry S3 missiles. If you are flying escort to something with good scan ability, lets presume a StarG or some such, and can identify threats at 8 km, you can engage an enemy with S3's well before they can engage you. This is how conflicts are won strategically.
Also note the Vanguard are the only fighters that can carry S5 weapons, and those include the dread M7A laser, which can engage at 7.2km. . .almost 2km greater range than any gun you will see on a likely opponent. If you can kill Buckies with S3 missiles and S5 guns before they even get in range, I would say that is pretty good choice for an escort. Additionally, once we know the limits of the Sentinel's EM Warfare capability, you may find those functions indispensable for an escort. For instance, if you can make one Sentinel appear as an entire wing of Vanguard, you may not need your missiles at all, which just adds to your profit margin.
Fair warning though, I am biased. I have been in love with the Sentinel for a long time. I would much rather win a battle with sneaky tricks than guns. I laugh more, and harder when someone runs away from a bluff.
Beerjerker
Grand Admiral
Defender has 4 x S3s, not 6. Early stat page (maybe still) had S3 missile pylons listed as S3 fixed guns. Also, Defender is supposed to have huge honkin' shields and low armor from the q&a. Ballistics may wipe the floor with it, but it is supposed to be designed around the escort role.
Shadow Reaper
Space Marshal
I think this is the second time someone reminded me the ships page is so wrong here.
You know, whether a fighter carries missiles or not, and what guns, shields etc. it carries are actually things you ought to know before BUYING one. Sometimes I could just scream with all the stupid on the ships page. Really makes me steam.
That is all. :-)
Metal-Muffin
Space Marshal
I feel like the best escort ship would be the SS Roxanne. Just make sure you deck her out with red lights.
Beerjerker
Grand Admiral
http://starcitizendb.com/ and
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S4faPZEwHBvimXa7_4bpdgnn3tWS_PWqGiXGkUWdn5A/edit#gid=998208401
keeping way better track of stats than the official site. Not sure if they have anything listed that is still in concept, but as for what is flight ready, these guys know the numbers. Hope you find it useful!
Shadow Reaper
Space Marshal
I need the magnum condoms, sometimes they're hard to find
Han Burgundy
Space Marshal
If a fish is too small to find in the first place, scooping for it with a larger net is most certainly not the optimum solution. That's where the unicycle comes in, my dear sir...
Eb erus ot knird ruoy enitlavO
Phantomoftruth
Space Marshal
In light of today's AtV and the implementation of the Variable sizes of Q-fuel tanks in ships as Item 2.0 gets rolled out this will matter more as time passes, same as any Meta for gameplay.
Of course, why didn't I see this before! Genius, pure genius...