Best AI controlled fighter ? (AP)

[Klord]

Im gonna buy a panther & build a fleet of fighters.
I dont like replacing lost fighters all the time. So I want the most durable fighter.

So as in the poll....what is the best/most reliable AI fighter ?

Thank you..

[Lazerius]

can Aamon Prototype be RE'd and rebuilt?


I havn't tried, because I assumed since as a prototype, they couldn't.

[Klord]

can Aamon Prototype be RE'd and rebuilt?


I havn't tried, because I assumed since as a prototype, they couldn't.

Yes they can....Im currently Reverse Engineering Blastclow Prototype & Aamon is in the queue ...

[Cronos988]

It usually the one with the biggest shields. Aside from that maneuverability is important, and of course dps, though not as much as one would think.

AI fights are decided by 2 things: Who survives more head-on runs with the enemy and who can turn faster to strafe the enemy.

[Draekros]

IIRC Falcon Sentinels were very popular in TC - great shielding and a speed which meant they didn't collide with their opponent. Their weapon loadout was not too bad too.

Note: I have yet to use fighters in combat - I prefer to take large cap ships and nuke everything I see with PPC/PSP and holding off fighters with FAA/SSC.

[jack775544]

Falcon Haulers early in the game, Eclipses when I get rich.

[DiArmada]

which version are you playing?
in my TC game I've filled a Panther with Falcon Haulers.
I've been using Falcon H.'s since the start of the game.
they're pretty good at dodging enemy fire and collissions.
there's also a wing of 10 Eclipses onboard the Panther.
the ten Falcons never ran suicidally into my Panther.

I like using both types; Eclipses with HEPT, Falcons with PAC and PRG's.
the Falcons have less laser energy so I don't like HEPT's on them.
their duty is to take down the fast fighters like M4 and M5's.
the Eclipses are used for bigger targets like M3 and M6's.

the Panther is equiped with Ion Shard Railguns and a few Flaks.
this combination is also working quite well against M7's.
M1 and M2's are easiest disposed in an M8 IMO

[Klord]

Im plying AP.
Yup, its either "Eclipse" or "Aamon".

Here are the stats,

Eclipse
Shield - 200MJ
Max speed- 130m/s

Aamon
Shield - 150MJ
Max speed - 180m/s

& Aamon got a more weapon energy & a better wep recharge.
Not to mention its 6*25MJ shields recharge faster than Eclipse 1*200MJ.

http://roguey.co.uk/x3ap/ships/compare.php?id=FOARMQ

But still Im confused, cuz I have never used a fighter fleet.

[Crezeh]

Another quality to keep in mind is how hard it is to hit the fighter.
The eclipse is a slow, giant bullseye.

Against accurate anti-fighter weapons like FAAs, the eclipse/falcon sentinel will likely do better. Excluding that, I'd say they sacrifice too much speed and weaponry, and are large targets.

Personally I like the Aamon. Its wide weapon compatibility and balanced high stats make it a flexible and powerful fighter.
Rather expensive though.

[JackKiller2266]

that an using Roguey's compare guide the Aamon is cheaper than the Eclipse

Aamon has more energy than both of them better recharge rate, and can use a more variety of weapons, i would go with the Aamon, except that it has the lowest cargo capacity than the of other two, and it has less hull so when the shields go down it dies quicker, but since it is faster it usually can kill most enemy before it gets itself killed

Wep Energy 8,500 J
W.Recharge 266 J/second
Capacity 120 / 255
Hanger None
Containers Large (L)

[DrBullwinkle]

I want the most durable fighter.

what is the best/most reliable AI fighter ?

Most Durable = Falcon Sentinel

Best All-Around Fighter = Falcon Hauler

Why? Because:

• - Falcon Hauler's are tough, both in-sector and OOS.
  - Speed is not important for AI-controlled ships because enemies fly toward your assets.
  - XL cargo (and large cargo space) makes them flexible transports.
  - XL cargo means that they can mount Ore Collectors. Take a wing of Falcon Haulers to Undefined Space to mine Nividium.
  - Can mount PBG's (most powerful/efficient fighter weapon).
  - For In-Sector use, mount half ammo-based weapons. Mount all energy weapons for OOS.

No other fighter is as versatile as a Falcon Hauler (and few are as strong).

.

[Olterin]

Voted for Fenrir - my reasoning (and TC experience ... not sure how that translates to AP, didn't try a carrier yet) is simple:

The Fenrir is quick, agile, and comparatively hard to hit. One-on-one, it may have some trouble, but in wings of 5, armed with some Poltergeists (depending on what you're sending them against, 10-20 per ship), the Fenrirs are the best space superiority fighters I know of. If memory serves, the Fenrir also sports 6x25MJ shields, for a total of very reasonable 150MJ - couple that with the generally great Terran/ATF shield generators and speed and you have yourself one nasty fighter.

... Of course, the above only goes for IS combat. For OOS, you really want Falcon Sentinels.

[kurush]

If you factor in the cost, Falcon Hauler is pretty nice. If you use PHQ, Falcon Sentinel takes its place. It is 4 times cheaper than Aamon Proto. There are two special cases:
1) Medusa Prototype. Load it with typhoons and see things vanish.
2) Anything that can mount Poltergeist Missiles for the same reason. This includes Aamon Proto, but there are cheaper and/or purchaseable choices.

[Klord]

Mmmmm.... Lots of suggestions. Yet I have no idea what to do.
Either way, Im going to mass produce it from PHQ. So the cost wont be a much problem.

[mistervec]

Falcon Hauler/Sentinel's a good all-around contender. It's basically a brick, which works for the AI.

[Coreblimey]

Either way, Im going to mass produce it from PHQ. So the cost wont be a much problem.

It isn't much cheaper to build them than it is to buy. If you work out the cost of resources plus the credits on top, I think it works out at about 75%-80%. It's definitely cheaper, yes, but is it worth the waiting time?
If it is the Aamon you decide to build, then all well and good, as that is the only way to get more than one. Many players only build the ships that are not readily available and buy the rest.
But somehow, I think you are like me. Just build SOMETHING, as long as the PHQ is producing. There's nothing worse than an idle factory, (which basically the PHQ is).

[Raize]

Falcon Sentinels definitely. Assuming you use ammo based weapons you've got Corvette firepower and durability in a fighter sized package.

[Klord]

It isn't much cheaper to build them than it is to buy. If you work out the cost of resources plus the credits on top, I think it works out at about 75%-80%. It's definitely cheaper, yes, but is it worth the waiting time?
If it is the Aamon you decide to build, then all well and good, as that is the only way to get more than one. Many players only build the ships that are not readily available and buy the rest.
But somehow, I think you are like me. Just build SOMETHING, as long as the PHQ is producing. There's nothing worse than an idle factory, (which basically the PHQ is).

Agreed.....I may go with the Aamon. But Im gonna do a little experiment using both of them to see who full fills my hopes best.

Thank you all for answers....

Edit - Or may be I can use both of them. Problem solved...no more confusing.

[Crezeh]

Ship cost is very relevant. Actually, even more so when you want to mass produce off the PHQ.

Reason being, the construction time varies, mostly alongside the cost.

For example, you can build two Falcon Sentinels in the time it takes to build a single Eclipse. And you can build 2.5 Thors in the time it takes to build a single Fenrir.

There's a list of PHQ production times and costs here: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=253704

It was made for TC but I've found its numbers are mostly up to date for AP aswell. Lacks some AP ships though, including the Aamon. But its construction time is about the same as most M3+ - four and a half hours or so.

Regular M3s tend to take between 1/3 - 1/2 of the construction time of M3+.

[werewolves?]

I like the Falcon Hauler - cheap well shielded and comes with 4 HEPTs, easy to replace the losses.

I still buy Eclipses though, they look like ships from Homeworld and I have the cash to burn.