X3AP Missile defence

[BankruptAssasin]

I have read Nuklear Slug's DiDs loads of times, and just like him I like all explody things, now all his stories are based in TC from what I can remember, but when I play AP the AI seems to have really good missile defence, I have followed what slug did such as launching hammerheads at an escort but it always gets shot down, same goes for other missiles, has the mechanics changed in the game for AP for missiles than what it was in TC?

[DiArmada]

do you have the bonuspack installed?
I'm playing AP aswell, but can't see much difference in that regard.
main guns aren't set for missile defense most of the time.
I have more hits when the target is flying towards me.
rear guns are great for missile defense, for you and NPC's.
I tend to wait a bit before firing, the closer you are the better the chance to hit.
firing a lot of missiles helps too, your target can't stop them all.
hopefully you can find some useful info, but I guess you already knew these things.

[Tabs]

When I moved from TC to AP I did notice the AI became better at missile defense. This is probably for the best as hammer torpedoes/tomahawks were an 'I win' button against capitals in TC.

[DrBullwinkle]

has the mechanics changed in the game for AP for missiles than what it was in TC?

Yes. Missile Defense scripts are much improved in AP. You will have to be more creative and/or use more missiles to kill targets in AP.

One basic concept is to saturate the missile defense with a large number of targets. For example, firing a combination of Flails and Hammers instead of just Hammers.

Swarm missiles are more valuable in AP because they penetrate the missile defense better. When you get a larger ship, you will find Typhoons and Wraiths to be especially effective.

Overall, you will use guns more in AP, which is as it should be. Missiles were overpowered in TC.

[Monkeyfister]

Yep. AI use and defend against missiles MUCH better in AP.

In an M3, or and M6, I still like using Wasps, Hurricanes, Thunderbolt and Tempest Missiles in various combos.

Work out the difference in speed between, say, a Thunderbolt and a Wasp. From long range. Launch the Thunderbolts, , and follow them in. Then launch some Wasps at 15km-17 from target. The Wasps rush right in, and confuse the ship's turrets, giving the Thunderbolts a better chance to hit. Same with any of the slower missiles.

Hurricanes are great against M4-M3-- travel same speed as Wasps.

[Baratheon79]

I have followed what slug did such as launching hammerheads at an escort but it always gets shot down

Hitting an escort with a Hammerhead or Firestorm still works okay in AP. I do it a fair amount in assassination missions. The trick is be careful which escort you launch at. I always go for the closest one to the target ship that doesn't have a rear turret, and the missile usually connects. I also usually try to close from behind.

Like others have said, with the improved missile defense in AP, swarm missiles are much more valuable. I like to carry 100 typhoons in my Hyperion, and so my missile complex I'm building in Ocracoke's Storm is heavy focused on building those.

That said, for a certain main plot mission, I didn't bother closing to weapons range with the various M3s I had to deal with. One hornet per fighter, and mission completed.