DUST Search - Help for a new ADS pilot

CRNWLLC wrote:

I've been flying dropships for a while now as a sniper, "to get to those hard-to-reach places", but I just skilled into assault dropships the other day, hoping to use them for AV purposes primarily.

I skilled core upgrades to 3 so I could get advanced afterburners, PG/CPU upgrades, etc., and ditto armor. All other mods are basic level, as are rails/blasters (didn't have enough to skill into missiles). I put one level into the Incubus skill and am considering doing the same for the Python, but wanted to get some perspective from veteran pilots first.

What's your favorite ship for AV work?
I keep reading that blasters suck (and agree from my own limited experience with them on tanks and ground turrets), but what about rails--are those viable for AV? I'll get missiles eventually, but want something at advanced in the mean time.
On the Incubus, would you choose a basic damage mod or an advanced afterburner?

ATM, I have my Incubus set up like so:

Low:
Basic damage mod or advanced AB, can't decide

High:
Advanced light armor repper
Advanced armor hardener
Advanced light 60mm plates

Turrets:
1 x 20GJ railgun (I plan on flying this thing solo--don't want any griefers trying to jack my ride!)

I couldn't really decide the best approach to the armor tank. I chose my current layout with the understanding that my shields will take about 5 seconds to completely recharge (they're at 900hp with something like 200hp/s recharge rate) and my armor likewise in about a minute (I think I'm pushing around 2800 armor with the advanced 60mm plates and 49.5hp/s recharge rate). So, if I'm taking shots, I can activate my hardener and GTFO while my shields and armor recharge, then reengage in the next 30 - 60 seconds, depending on threats, etc. The afterburner of course helps with the GingTFO.

Another plan that occurred to me was to swap the advanced light armor repper for a basic heavy armor repper and drop the advanced plates for a PG upgrade, to fit everything. The thinking here is that I'm sacrificing ~15% EHP for 2x faster repping and extra speed (due to the lack of plates), which would make the AB less relevant.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

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ALT2 acc 168	Posted - 2014.02.28 18:26:00 - [1] - Quote CRNWLLC wrote: I've been flying dropships for a while now as a sniper, "to get to those hard-to-reach places", but I just skilled into assault dropships the other day, hoping to use them for AV purposes primarily. I skilled core upgrades to 3 so I could get advanced afterburners, PG/CPU upgrades, etc., and ditto armor. All other mods are basic level, as are rails/blasters (didn't have enough to skill into missiles). I put one level into the Incubus skill and am considering doing the same for the Python, but wanted to get some perspective from veteran pilots first. What's your favorite ship for AV work? I keep reading that blasters suck (and agree from my own limited experience with them on tanks and ground turrets), but what about rails--are those viable for AV? I'll get missiles eventually, but want something at advanced in the mean time. On the Incubus, would you choose a basic damage mod or an advanced afterburner? ATM, I have my Incubus set up like so: Low: Basic damage mod or advanced AB, can't decide High: Advanced light armor repper Advanced armor hardener Advanced light 60mm plates Turrets: 1 x 20GJ railgun (I plan on flying this thing solo--don't want any griefers trying to jack my ride!) I couldn't really decide the best approach to the armor tank. I chose my current layout with the understanding that my shields will take about 5 seconds to completely recharge (they're at 900hp with something like 200hp/s recharge rate) and my armor likewise in about a minute (I think I'm pushing around 2800 armor with the advanced 60mm plates and 49.5hp/s recharge rate). So, if I'm taking shots, I can activate my hardener and GTFO while my shields and armor recharge, then reengage in the next 30 - 60 seconds, depending on threats, etc. The afterburner of course helps with the GingTFO. Another plan that occurred to me was to swap the advanced light armor repper for a basic heavy armor repper and drop the advanced plates for a PG upgrade, to fit everything. The thinking here is that I'm sacrificing ~15% EHP for 2x faster repping and extra speed (due to the lack of plates), which would make the AB less relevant. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance! For current av, missiles, python, im too lazy atm srry Hater attractor proficiency 5, hater attractor optimization 5.