An Elite Dangerous ship build.

Goals

Like the Cobra Mk III On-Foot Support Build, this ship build’s goals are:

1. Get the commander to/from on-foot missions introduced with Odyssey. This requirement includes transporting an SRV (for mission support or raw material gathering) and a Detailed Surface Scanner (for finding points of interest).
2. Endure a sustained assault from on-foot enemies. This requirement ensures you can complete mission goals rather than rushing back to defend your ship.
3. Land at every surface settlement, outpost or station, effectively requiring a small ship. 
4. Provide fire support to kill scavengers and other ground enemies. As these are too small to target with most ship-mounted weapons, this effectively means missiles or mines.
5. Have a fast boost speed. The build should reach supercruise distance quickly for material farming or escaping hostile ships.
6. Have a reasonable jump range and a Fuel Scoop for travelling to on-foot engineers or distant missions.

Build

Link: EDSY (have it open as you read for easy reference)

When I first approached the problem of getting my commander to on-foot missions, the Cobra Mk III seemed to be the perfect choice. I still had the one I used early in my commander’s career. Its versatility and repurposing a ship I loved made it an attractive choice.

However, I recently unlocked all the on-foot engineers on a second or alternate (alt) account. I took it as an opportunity to try different things, including different ships. The Dolphin proved to be surprisingly effective at this role compared to my Cobra Mk III On-Foot Support build:

Where the Cobra Mk III was superior, it was not relevant. For example, the Dolphin has only two small hard points compared to the Cobra’s two medium and two small. However, the Dolphin’s two small hard points have better convergence, making hitting small ground targets like on-foot scavengers easier. The Dolphin’s lower ammunition capacity is rarely a constraint.

The Dolphin has more flexibility and utility. The Dolphin’s extra utility slot frees up internal module slots that the Cobra Mk III needs for Guardian Shield Reinforcement Packages. The Dolphin could even use a size five Prismatic Shield Generator, although this makes power management challenging.

The only real difference is aesthetics. Some people dislike the Dolphin’s more organic shape and the wheezing sound of its boost. The Cobra Mk III looks and sounds more like an Elite Dangerous ship should.

Defence:

1. Prismatic Shields and Overchanged Power Plant: Most of the defensive measures are the same as with the Cobra Mk III. Strong prismatic shields protect it when attacked by scavengers or pirates. The Power Plant is Overcharged so it can service the power-hungry shields.
2. Strong Hull: Unlike the Cobra Mk III, this ship can afford strong hull protection. It has the internal slots for Hull and Module Reinforcement Packages. Its size five Thrusters can maintain a fast speed with the extra weight.

Offence:

1. Ground Attack: The Advanced Missile Racks provide explosive area damage against on-foot scavengers or guards. The Dolphin’s hard points are close, making targeting easier, and the fast yaw means moving sideways faster to change targets or to dodge incoming projectiles.

Utility:

1. Double SRV bay: This can transport both a Scarab and a Scorpion or two of your favourite kind of SRV. Dropping down to a 2G does not give any significant advantage. Coupled with the Cargo Rack, you could use this build for surface missions.
2. Advanced Docking Computer: Odyssey added the ability to auto-land on planet surfaces. This module allows easy landing when distracted or on uneven terrain near surface points of interest.

Solo Tactics

1. Flee: This build runs, not fights. Its prismatic shields protect it long enough for it to escape. This build will outrun almost everything with its almost 600+ m/s boost speed. Most enemies will mass lock this build, so the high speed is welcome.
2. Power (pip) management: Place four pips in systems and two in engines when landing to maximize shield protection. Otherwise, do the reverse to maximize boost frequency, speed and agility.

Wing or Team Tactics

1. Pairing: This build can transport two commanders to and from an on-foot mission location, providing each with an SRV.
2. Rescue: This build can rescue an on-foot commander who has lost their ship or would otherwise wait for an Apex. Use missiles to kill any ground targets, land to pick up the commander, and then boost to supercruise before enemy ships take down the shields.

An Elite Dangerous ship platform supporting multiple builds aimed at those new to Thargoid combat.

A detailed explanation of Thargoids and Thargoid combat is beyond the scope of this post. The Anti-Xeno Initiative (AXI) wiki has the best documentation about them, tactics, and ship builds.

Goals

Create a ship to:

1. Perform one or more roles when fighting Thargoid Interceptors, Thargon Swarms and Thargoid Scouts, such as those found in AX Conflict Zones.
2. Be self-sufficient, including removing the damage over time debuff from caustic missiles and neutralizing Thargoid shutdown fields. This means the ship can be viable solo or in random groups.
3. Require no unlockable modules, reputation or rank. This makes it easier to build for newer players.
4. Outrun and outmaneuver most thargoid interceptors, scouts and caustic missiles. This is unlikely to include the Basilisk interceptor, whose maximum speed is 530 m/s, but should include all others.
5. Land on a medium-sized pad. This ensures it can land at all outposts and stations, including ones under active Thargoid attack. Medium-sized ships’ purchase and rebuy prices are also generally lower than large-sized ships.

Build

The new large gimballed Enhanced AX Multi-Cannon is the best AX weapon that does not require unlocking. This replaces the turreted version. Unfortunately, the limit of four AX weapons still applies. The Python and Krait Mk II both have three large hardpoints, the most for a medium ship, but the Krait Mk II is faster and more agile, making it the best medium-size AX ship for new commanders.

That said, many ships make viable anti-xeno or anti-thargoid builds. For example, the Alliance Chieftain is also effective but more so against interceptors than scouts. It is more manoeuvrable but has less hull integrity and shields.

These builds are also guidelines. Feel free to experiment but note this build’s goals and motivations.

While you can run AX builds without engineering, Thargoids are intentionally difficult opponents. Unengineered ships are harder to use. Having to repair frequently may leave your team without a needed role. Unlocking engineers and grinding for materials is time-consuming but worth it. You do not need to max out the engineering to be viable, grade 3 or 4 is sufficient, but more engineering means an easier fight.

General:

1. Maximize Hull: All thargoid damage is phasing, meaning a portion bypasses shields. All thargoid damage is Caustic, meaning traditional resistances like thermal, kinetic and explosive are useless. The damage over time debuff from caustic missiles directly damages hull irrespective of shields. Therefore, while shields help, maximizing hull integrity is imperative to survivability.
2. Caustic Debuff: Being hit by caustic missiles or entering a destroyed scout or interceptor’s cloud will put a caustic debuff on the ship. Either use a decontamination limpet or overheat to at least 120% to eliminate it. Use the AFMU during downtime to repair malfunctioning modules.
3. Thargoid Shutdown Field: Interceptors create a pulse that temporarily shuts down ships when (1) they enter the instance or (2) on their last heart. Use the Shutdown Field Neutralizer to prevent you and nearby allies from being shut down.
4. Finding Targets: AX Conflict Zones tend to spawn scouts at long ranges. Interceptors can travel far away from the centre of a conflict zone during combat. Therefore, A-rated sensors help find scouts or interceptors at extended ranges. AX builds focusing on Non Human SIgnal Sources can operate well with D-rated.
5. Lo-Draw Shield: The shield has Lo-Draw rather than Fast Charge. Fast Charge draws too much power if the shields ever drop, meaning there will be no power for the Shutdown Field Neutralizer or Decontamination Limpet Controller. However, Lo-Draw slightly decreases the recharge rate.
6. Speed and Agility: While not as fast as a Basilisk interceptor, this build can outrun other Thargoids, including caustic missiles.

Anti-Scout

Build: Coriolis (Coriolis does not support the enhanced AX multi-cannons yet, so those slots are shown as turretted) or EDSY. Have your preferred one open as you read the guide for easy reference.

You can purchase the Enhanced AX Multi-Cannons from any Sirius megaship.

1. Weapons: Three large and one medium Enhanced AX Multi-Cannons form the foundation for scout killing. The enhanced versions have a high shot speed. The gimbal allows limited auto-aiming, minimizing missing due to scouts’ manoeuvrability. The Long Range beam laser helps “tag” scouts and interceptors at long range. The Thermal Vent experimental effect reduces heat when striking a target or increases it when missing, helping to burn off the caustic debuff.
2. Setup: Assign the multi-cannons and laser to the primary fire button and the decontamination to the secondary fire button in the same fire group. Assign a key to the Shutdown Field Neutralizer. This build’s Power Plant and Power Distributor are more than sufficient, meaning pip micro-management is optional.
3. Target Selection: Engage regenerators first (because these heal nearby scouts), berserkers (because they buff nearby scouts and cause them to fire caustic missiles), inciters (because they buff nearby scouts) and then marauders last. The Xeno Scanner identifies scouts and their health.
4. Engaging: Engage scouts at a range of one to two kilometres. This is within the AX multi-cannon minimum range but not close enough for scouts’ agility to make them hard to target.
5. Swarms and Interceptors: Get a hit or “tag” on an interceptor to share in the bonds for killing it but avoid them if you are dealing with scouts. For interceptors, ensure someone in the wing gets a scan so you can target hearts effectively. Avoid using AX multi-cannons against shields, which may trigger the interceptor’s caustic missiles.

Mixed Anti-Swarm and Anti-Scout

As Anti-Scout, above, but replace two of the Enhanced AX Multi-Cannons with Remote Release Flak Launchers. Put the Remote Release Flak Launchers in side hardpoints to maximize the area covered by exploding flak.

1. Setup: Put the Remote Release Flak Launchers in one fire button, the Enhanced AX Mutli-Cannons and Laser in another and the Decontamination Limpet Controller in another in a separate fire group.
2. Scanning: Using the Xeno Scanner identifies the interceptor type and allows targeting of exerted hearts for you and everyone in your team. Once you get used to visually identifying interceptors and their hearts, you can replace the Xeno Scanner with another shield booster.
3. Target Selection: Thargon swarms are your priority because only Remote Release Flak Launchers can meaningfully damage them. Prioritize swarms attacking other team members or, failing that, larger swarms first. Otherwise, prioritise scouts as mentioned above, particularly those attacking team members.
4. Interceptors: Get a hit or “tag” on an interceptor to share in the bonds but prioritize other targets. While scouts are a nuisance, a single hit can destroy a needed attached limpet or stop an ammunition synthesis.

Anti-Interceptor

As Anti-Scout, above, but equip four 2B Guardian Gauss Cannons (or the salvation versions) and one 2D Long Range Beam Laser with Thermal Vent. Unfortunately, Guardian Gauss Cannons require unlocking.

Once you get familiar with interceptor combat, experiment with other Guardian weapons. However, Guardian Gauss Cannons are the most effective against Thargoid interceptor hearts.

1. Setup: Placing all four Guardian Gauss Cannons on a single fire button and the Beam Laser on the other. While Guardian Gauss Cannons can fire frequently, they will spike your heat. Use the Beam Laser liberally to minimize heat but be careful not to exhaust the weapon capacitor. Avoid using gauss and other weapons against Thargoid shields, because it may trigger the firing of caustic missiles.
2. Alternate Setup: Put two adjacent Guardian Gauss Cannons and the Beam Laser in one fire button and the other two Guardian Gauss Cannons and the Beam Laser in the other fire button. This reduces the heat impact of firing all four gauss cannons at once. Grouping the gauss canons into smaller groups with good convergence can make heart sniping easier. Hold the fire button to keep the laser firing to reduce heat.
3. Range: Guardian Gass Cannons are most effective at the 1 to 1.5 kilometre range. The cannons still do maximum damage, the angular motion of interceptors is minimized and the slight auto-aim feature of fixed weapons is most effective.
4. Engaging: Stay at least one kilometre from the interceptor unless you use the Xeno Scanner. This helps your Gauss Cannon accuracy, keeps you out of range of the lighting attack and helps any dedicated tanks keep the interceptor’s focus. Also, avoid using Gauss Cannons on shields. They are not very effective and can trigger an interceptor’s caustic missiles.
5. Scouts: Leave scouts for those with AX Multi-Cannons. Targeting scouts with fixed weapons is harder than against the larger, slower interceptors and gauss cannon ammunition is limited.

Variants

1. Unlockable modules: Replace the Module Reinforcement Package with the Guardian version to increase module protection. The double-engineered 5A Frame Shift Drive purchased from a Human Technology broker will slightly increase jump range. Replace the 4E Cargo Rack with the corrosive-resistant version if you want to scoop up hearts.
2. Shieldless: I do not recommend running this build shield-less unless you focus on interceptors. Cold orbiting does not work against scouts or Thargon swarms. Missiling Thargons will quickly disable or destroy hardpoints without a shield. However, to do so, replace the 6C Bi-Weave Shield Generator with a 5D Module Reinforcement Package and the two 0A Shield Boosters with Heat Sink Launchers with Ammo Capacity, preferably the double-engineered versions.

An Elite Dangerous ship build for evacuating passengers in bulk from damaged stations (before the events of Update 14) or stations in Thargoid Invasion systems (after Update 14).

Goals

Create a ship to:

1. Carry as many passengers as possible. Evacuating passengers are happy with economy class.
2. Make the 150+ LY trip to a rescue ship as quickly as possible. This means maximizing the jump distance and range to do the trip without refuelling. Failing that, outfitting a fuel scoop.
3. Escape a Thargoid hyperdiction or interdiction. This means both the protection and speed to escape.
4. (Optional) Collect engineering materials and commodities floating inside or around burning stations. Alternatively, transport critically injured evacuees in escape pods.

Build

Links: EDSY and Coriolis (have your preferred one open as you read the guide for easy reference)

A comparison of large ship economy passenger capacity is given below.

Given the largest passenger cabin is size 6, the Federal Corvette carries the most passengers in economy class cabins. However, the Anaconda is the second best when shielded and has almost a ten light year longer jump range with a similar build. The Imperial Cutter has a similarly crimped jump range, although its speed makes escaping mass locks easier. Therefore, the Anaconda is the best all-round choice.

Passengers and cargo:

1. Passengers: Running passengers is straightforward. I prefer missions that reward engineering materials, especially ones with fewer passengers for five class five materials. The autodocking computer helps when repeatedly docking.
2. Cargo: A small cargo rack and limpet controller can help collect floating engineering materials and commodities in damaged stations. You can pause inside a burning station, activate collector limpets and then use heat sinks to control your heat. Otherwise, it can help carry critically injured evacuees in escape pods from transport missions.
3. Jumping: This build uses the double-engineered 6A Frame Shift Drive for maximum range. If you lack one, use Increased Range with Mass Manager. The 4A Fuel Scoop is small but sufficient. The build’s low heat means you can throttle to zero at the edge of a star’s exclusion zone without overheating.

Defence:

1. Shields: While Thargoid damage is phasing, a Prismatic Shield Generator provides the best protection. Substitute for a regular Shield Generator if you do not have access to Prismatic Shields. It, with Shield Boosters, provides enough protection to survive several Thargoid encounters assuming you repair regularly.
2. Armour: Favour speed over hull integrity with Lightweight Alloys, given the Anaconda already has a tough, strong hull.
3. Speed and agility: While an Anaconda will never be able to outrun a Basilisk, maximizing the Dirty with Drag Drives engineering on the Thrusters minimizes the time in danger during Thargoid encounters. The Power Distributor engineering ensures it can boost every five seconds with four pips to engines and two to shields.
4. Cold: Given the Anaconda’s massive size 8 power plant and minimal power requirements, engineering to minimize heat is appropriate. This reduces Thargoid weapon accuracy and makes fuel scooping easier.
5. No weapons: This build runs from fights.

Variations

1. Longer jump range: Replace the Cargo Rack with a Guardian FSD Booster. This reduces the jumps required to reach rescue ships.
2. More passengers: Replace the Cargo Rack and Collector Limpet Controller with more economy-class passenger cabins for a small increase in passenger capacity. Remove the shields if you are happy to take some hull damage during Thargoid encounters.
3. Anti-Scout: Equip several turreted enhanced AX multi-cannons in the large and huge hardpoints. Bring the fight to any scouts that interdict you or that attack you around stations! This variation can be fun but removing caustic damage from missiles is difficult. This build’s engineering makes overheating slow.

Tactics

1. Surviving interdictions: Submit to interdictions, put four pips into engines, then boost every repeatedly. Scouts will be a pest until the FSD cools down. Basilisks will mass lock you, preventing you from low waking, but take up to 30 seconds to commence pursuit. That should be long enough to get the required five km to escape their mass lock. Use heat sinks liberally to keep your heat low and minimize thargoid accuracy.
2. Surviving hyperdictions: Hyperdictions, even from Basilisks, are easier to survive than interdictions because their mass lock does not block high wakes. Boost, fire heat sinks, then high wake as soon as possible. Use the Shutdown Field Neutralizer when you get a message about the impending shutdown field.
3. Run: This build runs from fights, notwithstanding the anti-scout variation above.