Freighters are unique class and require a knack to fly that I have not yet mastered, but I am slowly learning. Since I want to broaden my knowledge, I figure others will too. I am opening this thread as place where those who pilot freighters can provide other pilots with advice and answer questions.
My first question is, has anybody ever succeeded in combat against a transport with a freighter? If you have what was your freighter and load out? I have been trying to piece together a Bactain to do the job, but I cannot seem to scratch even a light transport like a firefly. What should I be doing?
Yes! The Anki Freighter, which you can find on the four main Interspace bases (as memory serves) is a right powerhouse. She has three guns and a number of turrets.
The freighter in question was a 484 Xeno vessel, with three black widows and a number of debs. I only took out a few transports in it, but I did take them out.
However the Anki is just about the king of freighter combat. If not -the- king. You'd be hard pressed to take out an armored transport in a reasonable space of time in anything lesser, heck, you'll be hard pressed to take anything out in the Anki.
But it can be done.
Don't think I could bag a firefly though, unless its pilot was a tried and tested greenhorn.
3 class 10 guns
5 class 5 turrets
14,500 armor
500 cargo
10000 power w/ 1000 recharge
The Bactain has
4 class 9 guns
5 class 5 turrets
12,000 armor
530 cargo
12800 power w/ 1280 recharge
If those Anki stats are similar to the 4.84 version, then the Bactain is only slightly weaker than an Anki, so it should be able to the job. That means the problem must be my load out.
Edit: Updated with power cores, where the Bactain seems to be stronger. I guess I have to ditch the civilian guns.
Good thing too, might have been able to take on an unarmored transport in a fight. End of the world and all that.
Meh, I tried taking some things on in a Xeno Bactrian, didn't have much luck. Maybe you'll do better with more efficient weapons.
When fighting a transport I suggest staying above them as much as possible, as you flip from the port/starboard/fore/aft you can really spin up his targeting camera, which might give you that much edge.
Carry debs.
If you attack in packs, or even a group, your chances of success will be much much higher.
One little problem with using the Bactrian for piracy. No CD mount, for when your victim decides to just hit cruise. Had to give my rogue a Dormedary instead. There's gotta be at least one person in your group with a CD
Firepower on freighters is focused either forward or backwards, not side to side. Turret view is useless, rear view might be useful for something.
I have not managed to beat a transport with a freigher. I tried, and gave up after a Ageria Mammoth attacked me (with a full cargo load!) because I failed at pirating him earlier in the day.
And keep your shields up! It only takes a few lucky consecutive hits from a transport to rip apart a freighter's hull. You don't keep your shields up, you might find yourself destroyed suddenly.