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.

An Elite Dangerous ship build aimed at players in the middle game, who want to laser mine for profit or community goals but have not unlocked the Imperial Cutter or a fleet carrier.

Goals

Create a ship to:

1. Laser mine Platinum, Painite and bulk community goal minerals in planetary rings for long periods.
2. Be cheaper than and not require the Imperial rank unlock of the Imperial Cutter.
3. Operate without a fleet carrier or nearby station.
4. Avoid unlockable modules.

Build

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

While a Type-9 Heavy is a cheap and effective bulk laser miner. However, it requires engineering to be usable, particularly on its Power Distributor, to avoid copious waiting for the weapon capacitor to recharge, and its Thrusters, to make moving from one asteroid to the next less painful.

A minor point, but the Type-9 Heavy’s open canopy gives a wonderful view of asteroid belts and Elite Dangerous‘s screenshot-worthy sunsets and sunrises.

The laser mining aspects of this build are similar to the Imperial Cutter and Python Mining builds I described previously.

Laser Mining:

1. Fewer hardpoints and smaller Power Distributor: Most of the details for laser mining are identical to the Imperial Cutter build linked above. The fewer hardpoints and smaller Power Distributor means it will take longer to melt fragments off each asteroid.
2. Wonderful size 7 slot: The size 7 slot provides wonderful opportunities. Ideally, this is either a 7A Collector Limpet Controller or a 7E Cargo Rack. Using the Lightweight blueprint on the Collector Limpet Controller reduces its weight by almost 100 T.
3. Too many collector limpets: This build has slightly more concurrent active collector limpets than necessary, eleven when nine are required, but this helps offset the Type-9 Heavy’s poor handling.
4. Slow and clumsy: The Type-9 Heavy is slow and hard to manoeuvre, even with engineered thrusters. Remember that its pitch and raw rates are identical, unlike most ships in Elite Dangerous, and its lateral and vertical thrusters are relatively strong.
5. Refinery: A 2A Refinery is sufficient for most mining tasks, as you are usually looking for one or two minerals only.
6. Fuel Scoop: Equipping a 4A Fuel Scoop allows this ship to reach remote mining spots or distant stations with the best prices. Its fully laden jump range is low but still more than sufficient to travel across the bubble or further. The Type-9 Heavy also has a large fuel tank, meaning it needs to refuel or fuel scoop rarely. If you jump frequently and do not mind weaker shields, consider swapping the Fuel Scoop and Shield Generator.

Defence:

1. Shields and armour: The Type-9 Heavy is not known for heavy shields and armour. Its shields are there to give you time to jump out if pirates attack or prevent hull damage from asteroid impacts. Impact or “physics” damage is absolute so use the Heavy Duty blueprint on both the bulkheads and Shield Boosters and Reinforced with Lo-Draw on the Shield Generator. Use a Bi-Weave Shield Generator if you bump into asteroids frequently but, otherwise, a normal Shield Generator is fine. If you cannot fully engineer the Power Plant, remove or downgrade Shield Boosters.
2. No additional weapons: This build leaves the Type-9 Heavy’s two small hardpoints empty. Its Power Distributor is not strong enough to mount additional mining lasers and a Type-9’s sluggishness means it is ineffective in combat against all but the lightest opponents.
3. Point Defence: Equip one Point Defence in a utility mount on the lower side of the ship, closest to the cargo hatch. This will target hatch breaker limpets, preventing pirates from forcefully stealing your cargo. Disable this when mining with friends. Otherwise, it may target friendly limpets.

Variations

1. Stronger defence: Consider a Prismatic Shield Generator and replacing a Shield Booster with a Chaff Launcher if operating in a pirate-heavy area or player interdictions are likely. Chaff then high-wake out when interdicted. However, the extra power demands of the Prismatic Shield will likely require an Overcharged Power Plant, which increases heat generation when fuel scooping or mining at a low power capacitor.

Tactics

1. Run: Identical to the Imperial Cutter build discussed previously, but avoid Resource Extraction Sites and run from pirates.

An Elite Dangerous ship build for end-game laser mining.

Goals

Create a ship to:

1. Laser mine Platinum, Painite and bulk community goal minerals in planetary rings for long periods.
2. Be fast and agile enough to escape pirates or manoeuvre around asteroids easily. Surviving in Low- or Medium-Intensity Resource Extraction sites is a bonus.
3. Operate close to a fleet carrier or friendly station, and so does not require a fuel scoop.

Build

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

While a Type-9 Heavy is a cheap and effective bulk laser miner, the Imperial Cutter is faster, more agile, has a better Power Distributor and is in a different class regarding weapons, shields and armour. Unfortunately, the Imperial Cutter requires a mountainous rank unlock and comes with an eye-watering price tag.

Other contenders include the Federal Corvette, which has a better Power Distributor and better manoeuvrability but lacks the Imperial Cutter’s cargo space. The Anaconda is similarly light on cargo space.

The laser mining aspects of this build are similar to the Python Mining Build I described previously.

Laser Mining:

1. Mining Lasers and Power Distributor: This build has four 2D Mining Lasers and uses a Weapon Focused blueprint on the Power Distributor. This means it can comfortably deplete an asteroid without exhausting its weapon capacitor. Equip the mining lasers in the top and bottom hardpoints and not the nacelle hardpoints to make mining smaller asteroids easier.
2. Collector Limpet Controllers: Three collector limpets per 2D mining laser is a good guide for efficient fragment collection. A-rated Collector Limpet Controllers have a longer lifetime while B-rated have a longer range. A longer lifetime means fewer limpets are required. Most laser mining occurs at close range, so A-rated Collector Limpet Controllers are preferred. Use the Lightweight blueprint for a small boost to speed and agility.
3. Prospector Limpet Controller: These tell you an asteroid’s composition and increase the number of fragments mining lasers can burn off. A-rated Prospector Limpet controllers provide more fragments than B-rated, B-rated more than C-rated and so on. Once again, use the Lightweight blueprint for a small boost to speed and agility.
4. Avoid Mining Multi-Limpet Controllers: Multi-limpet controllers are great for multi-purpose builds or ships with constrained slots. However, dedicated limpet controllers are less effective for mining. Their lower rating means prospector limpets produce fewer fragments and their collector limpets have shorter lifetimes.
5. Cargo space: Use the larger slots for Cargo Racks and the smaller slots for limpet controllers and a refinery. The 512 T cargo space should be ample. Fill it with between 25% to 75% capacity with limpets before heading out, with lower values if you are using a mining map or are otherwise familiar with the area.
6. Refinery: A 4A Refinery is more than large enough for most mining tasks, particularly if you have to wait for the occasional “Refinery Full” bug to clear.
7. Detailed Surface Scanner: A Detailed Surface Scanner probes rings for hotspots or to see hotspots revealed previously.

Defence:

1. Shields and armour to taste: Mining does not require particularly strong shields. The eight utility slots coupled with a size six shield generator, the smallest an Imperial Cutter can practically fit, are overkill for mining. Impact or “physics” damage is absolute so resistances are not important. This build uses Bi-Weaves due to the lower power requirements and faster regeneration speeds when fighting in lower-intensity resource extraction zones.
2. Military slots: Use Guardian Shield Reinforcement Packages to bolster shields. Hull and Module reinforcements are good substitutes if you have not unlocked those modules. The two military slots can be left empty if cost or mass are tight.
3. Point Defence: Equip a Point Defence on the lower hull near the cargo hatch to protect against hatch breaker limpets. However, deactivate it if mining in a wing or with friends. Otherwise, it may target others’ collector and prospector limpets.
4. Weapons to taste: The three remaining hardpoints can be left empty or filled with your preferred weapons. Medium Lasers and a Huge Multicannon are an effective pairing.

Variations

1. Resource Extraction Site Mining: This build can handle itself against most pirates and in Low- and Medium-Intensity Resource Extraction zones. To improve the build’s effectiveness, consider replacing one of the 5A Collector Limpet Controllers with a fighter bay. Swap the sensors to Long Range A-rated Sensors to see what is coming. Wingmates are ideal. Flee if your shields drop.
2. Fuel Scoop: If you want to operate without a carrier or in remote locations, swap one of the 5A Collector Limpet Controllers for a 5A Fuel Scoop.

Tactics

1. Fire groups: Have one fire group for laser mining. Put the Prospector Limpet Controller on one button and both the Collector Limpet Controller and Mining Lasers on the other. Putting both collector limpets and mining lasers together means collector limpets are released when you fire the mining lasers.
2. Laser Mining: Laser mining is covered by guides from elsewhere. To summarize, fly close to an asteroid then fire a prospector limpet at it. When it hits the asteroid, select the prospector limpet to see the asteroid’s composition in the info panel. If it contains sufficient minerals, move close to the asteroid near the pole of its rotation Fire mining lasers at it to melt off fragments, which the collector limpets will pick up. Open your cargo hatch for the limpets to drop the fragments into your refinery. When the asteroid is depleted, move to another asteroid and repeat. Ignore minerals you are not interested in. Abandon limpets in groups of 10 to 20 if your cargo racks are full.
3. Pip management: Mining is best with four pips to weapons and two in engines. Unless you want to lazily boost into each asteroid instead of breaking, shields should only be needed for accidental bumps or pirates. Avoid boosting unless you are running from pirates or jumping out because an Imperial Cutter requires kilometers to slow down.
4. Pirates: Waiting for the initial pirate to spawn, scan you and move on is the easiest plan. It may spawn outside sensor range so be patient. However, This build’s copious shields and huge hardpoint give the option of defeating most pirates if you are impatient.
5. Resource Extraction Zones: Choose a resource extraction site within a hotspot if you want to mine a particular mineral. Start about 20 km away from the centre of the zone to avoid most of the traffic. Have the fighter deployed and set to “Defensive”.