X3R first time using PBE?

[mystikmind2005]

I equiped a Split Raptor with Beta PBE's just as an experiment....

In my head i was imagining it would be similar in effect as lazers, that would be cool i thought.....

I wanted to see if i could keep it in sector while doing an XI mission.....

So i attacked some pirates and lured them over to the Raptor.... nothing happened? Hmmm, well for a second i thought i heard a new weapon sound, after one of the pirates flew so close to the Raptor it nearly collided with it and then seemed to be unable to recharge its shields?

Ok so i have the Raptor set on patrol single sector - check

All turrets set to attack all enemies - check

PBE's are actually equipped in the turret slots - check

Anyway, just thought it would be cool to have the Raptor stay in sector while i do XI mission and blast Xenon with bright lazer beams and avoid freindly fire which is what it's going to do with any other type of weapon i can equip it with, but apparantly not? sigh.

[jlehtone]

The range of PBE is very short. Most targets turn away out of range due to the collision sphere of large ship. PBE is efficient only at removing shielding.

Tell the Raptor to do "None". Turrets still work IS. Big ships do not know how to move anyway.

Or change the missile firing probability to 100%. Raptor has no guns, so when it would shoot, it better have a weapon. Naturally, loading Firestorms into it is not a good thing.

(Beta) FAA. Not as friendly as PBE, but does kill.

[mystikmind2005]

The range of PBE is very short. Most targets turn away out of range due to the collision sphere of large ship. PBE is efficient only at removing shielding.

Tell the Raptor to do "None". Turrets still work IS. Big ships do not know how to move anyway.

Or change the missile firing probability to 100%. Raptor has no guns, so when it would shoot, it better have a weapon. Naturally, loading Firestorms into it is not a good thing.

(Beta) FAA. Not as friendly as PBE, but does kill.

Thanks for that, i think i will just have to stick with Gamma PPC's and keep it OOS.

Freindly fire is just too greedy in X3R, probing eagerly for the slightest opportunity to strike where any kind of IS combat with AI controlled player ships occurs anywhare in the entire X universe exept in Khaak sectors and non interconnecting Xenon sectors. I wish freindly fire wasn't such a big issue in the game but thats just the way it is.

Edit: i just remembered a trick i used to use with Capital ships in X2... i would equip their front turrets with Beta HEPT's, that way, if the ship makes an attack run while i'm in sector, the first weapons to fire will be less long ranged, much less likely to pount NPC assets behind the enemy ships while i jump out!

[Buck_Rogers]

I just tried out the PBE myself recently. I was expecting a laser type effect like the Kyons. Was dissapointed in the end. Just fires like the rest, only I think it's bright blue coloured?

[Geek]

PBE are not beams but they still have an insane speed ; nothing can avoid PBE fire (it is yellow IMO) once in range.

[Kryten]

They also don't do great hull damage, but they're very good for capping ships. Its the only time I use them.

[OniGanon]

Their ability to strip shields is insane (like X2 IonD insane), and once the shields are gone it's all over anyway.

I used to fly around in an LX equipped with PBEs everywhere. Anything M6 or less was toast. Hell I even tried for a Xenon K a few times and would do fairly well until my awesome flying skills inevitably had me crashing into its hull.


But yes. Not a capital weapon.

[Gazz]

Oh, PBE can be very good "capital" weapons but only with a turret script that switches dynamically - like the AI cap ships do it.

Less so in Reunion, though. A lot of capital ships have less than ideally positioned or just plain misaligned turrets / cameras, leading to short range lasers being worse than they ought to be.

[mystikmind2005]

Thanks for all the posts,

Found out this morning i cannot equip the front turret in a Raptor with B HEPT's! I'm at work now so i will have to see what i can use later on.

Speaking of B HEPT's..... i typically pilot my Hyperion with all Pandoora upgrades and although i have the option of using B HEPT's in my forward guns, i just never liked the feel of them and much prefer using A HEPT's?

I suppose since i have always piloted M3's before the Hyperion, i had gotten used to A HEPT's, then when i tried B HEPT's in the Hyperion, i found it quite difficult to hit anything, so i switched back. Now the Hyperion with A HEPT's can chew through fighters and capital ships alike quite easily, so i haven't had any real reason to try and stick with using B HEPTS?

[mystikmind2005]

I downloaded a weapon stats sheet from the sticky.... looks like the CIG would be the perfect weapon for a Capital ship IS!

But i don't have many, i cannot buy them, usually get one dropped during assassination missions.... whish i had paid attention, otherwise i would have collected allot more!! Usually i don't bother picking up after assassination missions once i am financially comfortable.

Now to go and download a ships stats chart and see who can equip them?

Edit: Oh dear, the Split Raptor can equip CIG's..... i have 3 and how long will it take me to gather another 17 do you think??? Oh well, gotta be easier than equipping the M1 with military personnel!!