Capping with Mass Drivers?

[KissMyPlasmaVentsx100000]

Hi all,

Having obtained a Blastclaw Prototype which bailed exactly as I had wished, I now have a desire to make other expensive ships do the same so that I can own them.

I stuck 4 mass drivers on the blastclaw in the hope that all the millions of hull hits would increase the chances of pilots bailing.

However I have not had 1 pilot bail yet. Are they useless for capping? Is it back to the old Ion Disruptors for capping this time around, or is the technique much different in TC?

Tips much appreciated.

[ivak]

IMO the capping mechanics aren't changed in X3TC, so MDs and IDs aren't the weapons of choice if you are aiming for better capping rate. I still prefer the good old PBEs for that purpose. Some ships can sustain 4 of them almost indefinitely.

[NeverSnake]

Hi all,

Having obtained a Blastclaw Prototype which bailed exactly as I had wished, I now have a desire to make other expensive ships do the same so that I can own them.

I stuck 4 mass drivers on the blastclaw in the hope that all the millions of hull hits would increase the chances of pilots bailing.

However I have not had 1 pilot bail yet. Are they useless for capping? Is it back to the old Ion Disruptors for capping this time around, or is the technique much different in TC?

Tips much appreciated.

Well in Reunion you need to have the shields down for a pilot to bail so MDs alone will never cause anyone to bail. IonDs aren't a great choice either since they destroy equipment.

I don't know if this has changed in TC though.

[KissMyPlasmaVentsx100000]

That's a shame as I have found that MDs are great for nailing M3s and especially good for flying in ridiculously close to M6s and strafing around too close for its turrets while taking the hull directly. Also, nothing makes me laugh more than that annoying M5 that can't go more than 50 after a lucky MD hit.

However, if I can't cap anything, I have to stop using them. What's the most commonly agreed on armament for the Blastclaw then? Those chainguns? Where do I find those for sale?

Thanks again

[ivak]

Those chainguns? Where do I find those for sale?

Check the nearest Teladi weapon shop.

[pjknibbs]

Energy Bolt Chainguns are ammo-based HEPTs--not good for capping. You need something like Phased Repeater Guns--heavy shield damage, comparatively light hull damage.

[Ares23]

PBE's are a pretty good choice for capping. High shield damage, very low hull damage.

[pjknibbs]

But a range of about 3 feet if you're lucky.

[Arcturas]

I don't like PBE's

For capping I just use Alpha or Beta HEPT's , they work great for me and my bail rate is about 80% ( I also have a nice combat rating though, that is taken into account from what I've understood )

[ivak]

...my bail rate is about 80%...

Jeez, lower that figure a bit. There's no such possibility in an unmodified game.

[KissMyPlasmaVentsx100000]

I have phased repeaters on at the moment. Just capped a couple of ships in a row by just hammering away at them. Got a mistral, that looks like it might make a good pirate ship.

Do M6s and bombers need to be boarded to capture them? I have had no luck with those so far.

[Ares23]

Bombers deffinetely don't need to be boarded, I've had them bail numerous times. M6 I'm not sure. I've heard people say that the Xenon P can bail sometimes, but I have not heard this about any of the other M6 ships, so I think that they may need to be boarded.

[Al]

You can certainly capture M8s during the protect this station kind of missions, no idea abotu during normal play though.