What scanning ship do you recommend to put in the Polaris hangar?

[Arrowfaster]

Hi guys,

First of all I am so glad that I found this place. I was heartbroken to see the official Star Citizen forums go because the new spectrum is such a mess, especially regarding ship discussions. So I am hoping you can help me with my problem. I am planning to get my hands on the Polaris (I already own the Cutlass Blue, Gladiator and CCU from Gladiator to Super Hornet, Reedemer, Reclaimer, Crucible and double Noxes).  I am more or less done when it comes to buying new ships because I think I got everything I need except I got one problem.

What do you think what ship should I get to be the designated scanning ship in the hangar bay of the Polaris?
 

From what I understand Idris will have great scanners and Polaris will have tough time sneaking up on it unless it uses some sort of scanning ship. I was debating between Herald, Hornet Tracker, 315P, and Terrapin.

 

Each one of them has it's own problems that are bothering me:

1) Herald: I am not sure does Herald even got any advantage over other ships when it comes to scanning? I mean it is supposed to be hacking and info runner ship I am not sure does it have any sort of specialized scanning equipment :S

2) 315P: My buddy owns one so I guess we could use that. What bothers me is how strong are it's scanners compared to other ships?

3) Hornet Tracker: I own a Gladiator and I got a CCU to Super Hornet. I was planning on using it and then just strap on the Tracker gear on top of the Super hornet. I wasn't able to figure out what exactly is the Hornet Trackers role... does it do long range scanning vs other ships and how effective is it at that? I read something about Tracker allowing other ships to achieve faster lock and detect stealthy ship etc. etc. but all I really want is a long range ship scanner
 

4) Terrapin: From what I read Terrapin is supposed to be the dedicated stealth long range scanner and seems like the best choice but what bothers me is it's price tag... I don't feel like getting rid of my Gladiator (or Super Hornet CCU) to get it.
 

5) Gladiator: I own it and I heard some speculations that it might receive some modularity. I am not sure are those just rumors but if we could strap on a powerful radar on sensors on it Gladiator would be a bit more versatile.
 

So what do you think? Do you think that getting Tracker gear on the Super Hornet is a viable option to serve as a scout for the Polaris (that would be the cheapest bet for me) or should I look into other scanning ships from the list?

[Fizzlefuse]

I think a Hornet Tracker would be a great option. Hornets can take a reasonable punch and have great ship to ship combat capabilities in case you need to support your Polaris with some extra firepower, something the other shisp are lacking. We still need more information on how scanning works and which of these ships' scanning capabilities is better.

[VoA]

17 hours ago, Arrowfaster said:

Hi guys,

First of all I am so glad that I found this place. I was heartbroken to see the official Star Citizen forums go because the new spectrum is such a mess, especially regarding ship discussions. So I am hoping you can help me with my problem. I am planning to get my hands on the Polaris (I already own the Cutlass Blue, Gladiator and CCU from Gladiator to Super Hornet, Reedemer, Reclaimer, Crucible and double Noxes).  I am more or less done when it comes to buying new ships because I think I got everything I need except I got one problem.

What do you think what ship should I get to be the designated scanning ship in the hangar bay of the Polaris?
 

From what I understand Idris will have great scanners and Polaris will have tough time sneaking up on it unless it uses some sort of scanning ship. I was debating between Herald, Hornet Tracker, 315P, and Terrapin.

 

Each one of them has it's own problems that are bothering me:

1) Herald: I am not sure does Herald even got any advantage over other ships when it comes to scanning? I mean it is supposed to be hacking and info runner ship I am not sure does it have any sort of specialized scanning equipment :S

2) 315P: My buddy owns one so I guess we could use that. What bothers me is how strong are it's scanners compared to other ships?

3) Hornet Tracker: I own a Gladiator and I got a CCU to Super Hornet. I was planning on using it and then just strap on the Tracker gear on top of the Super hornet. I wasn't able to figure out what exactly is the Hornet Trackers role... does it do long range scanning vs other ships and how effective is it at that? I read something about Tracker allowing other ships to achieve faster lock and detect stealthy ship etc. etc. but all I really want is a long range ship scanner
 

4) Terrapin: From what I read Terrapin is supposed to be the dedicated stealth long range scanner and seems like the best choice but what bothers me is it's price tag... I don't feel like getting rid of my Gladiator (or Super Hornet CCU) to get it.
 

5) Gladiator: I own it and I heard some speculations that it might receive some modularity. I am not sure are those just rumors but if we could strap on a powerful radar on sensors on it Gladiator would be a bit more versatile.
 

So what do you think? Do you think that getting Tracker gear on the Super Hornet is a viable option to serve as a scout for the Polaris (that would be the cheapest bet for me) or should I look into other scanning ships from the list?

All of your choices above are good and they are all "scanning" ships but with different purpose (they all scan different stuff).   Even speculating about the modularity of the Gladiator is good since it is in lore (but would likely be a low priority for CIG with all the other stuff they have going on - so don't count on it).

There are a couple others that are good scanners / scouts not on your list (and also depending on confirmation if they will fit)

6) Vanguard Sentinel - If it fits..... but it is also an EWAR ship like the Herald and would be good for scanning.

7) Reliant Sen - Again - if it fits (might have to go sideways and often times ships that have to do this sometimes are considered as not "Secured" or locked down in the hanger).   The Sen is good for Science Scanning

8) Xi'An Khartul - is a scout ship and we don't know the nature of properties of its scouting abilities.   It could have long range, could have good scanners, etc.... or it may have nothing than what it currently has in the verse (and can just get out of dodge fast).   We do know that CIG isn't done developing / refining the ship (more so then general refining) - CIG has said so (and I am banking on this being still my second favorite ship in the game).

[Snakebyte]

Out of interest, are you planning on using NPCs for all the Polaris roles and flying the scanning ship yourself or are you looking for a scanning ship to go in someone else's Polaris? Otherwise, the best ship is whatever the other pilot brings.

It's all well and good having a 1-man fleet, but you need to think 'why'.

[Danakar Endeel]

11 hours ago, VoA said:

All of your choices above are good and they are all "scanning" ships but with different purpose (they all scan different stuff).   Even speculating about the modularity of the Gladiator is good since it is in lore (but would likely be a low priority for CIG with all the other stuff they have going on - so don't count on it).

There are a couple others that are good scanners / scouts not on your list (and also depending on confirmation if they will fit)

6) Vanguard Sentinel - If it fits..... but it is also an EWAR ship like the Herald and would be good for scanning.

7) Reliant Sen - Again - if it fits (might have to go sideways and often times ships that have to do this sometimes are considered as not "Secured" or locked down in the hanger).   The Sen is good for Science Scanning

8) Xi'An Khartul - is a scout ship and we don't know the nature of properties of its scouting abilities.   It could have long range, could have good scanners, etc.... or it may have nothing than what it currently has in the verse (and can just get out of dodge fast).   We do know that CIG isn't done developing / refining the ship (more so then general refining) - CIG has said so (and I am banking on this being still my second favorite ship in the game).

Vanguard definitely won't fit in the Polaris hangar. THAT'S IMPOSSIBRU!

It's also unlikely that CIG will allow ships to be placed sideways as I suspect the 'locking down' is done with a similar mechanic we already use in our regular hangar. So I'm guessing that the Polaris will just have a Single S1-S2 'ball' for locking down a ship. Reliant and Vanguard are listed as needing a S3 'ball' I believe. And the Xi'an looks like it lost the 'Scout' portion and looks like it is now just a generic light fighter with questionable combat capabilities and a hefty pricetag due to alien tax.

So I guess his best bet for a scout that can fit inside the Polaris will probably be a Hornet Tracker.

(personally I hope CIG will decide to make the hangar modular and offer other modules we can put in there! Like a cargo module or ... a STS Deck Gun module!!!!!)

 

 

[Fleischwolf]

On 7/1/2017 at 6:52 PM, Arrowfaster said:

Hornet Tracker: I own a Gladiator and I got a CCU to Super Hornet. I was planning on using it and then just strap on the Tracker gear on top of the Super hornet. I wasn't able to figure out what exactly is the Hornet Trackers role... does it do long range scanning vs other ships and how effective is it at that? I read something about Tracker allowing other ships to achieve faster lock and detect stealthy ship etc. etc. but all I really want is a long range ship scanner

Terrapin: From what I read Terrapin is supposed to be the dedicated stealth long range scanner and seems like the best choice but what bothers me is it's price tag... I don't feel like getting rid of my Gladiator (or Super Hornet CCU) to get it.
 

AFAIK these are the only two "dedicated" scanning ships that can fit comfortably in a Polaris. 

Just to add, the Terrapin may not be a dedicated stealth ship, as it has a medium-size power plant in a small ship. They did mention in the Q&A that they want heat management to be a gameplay element, similar to how a WW2 diesel submarine had to occasionally "come up for air". When this happens the Terrapin may have a large signature. 

While the Terrapin may have the "best" scanner, the Hornet tracker is probably in the best position to do something about an incoming threat. 

The Hornet tracker would seem like the most versatile option, IMO.

[Arrowfaster]

17 hours ago, Snakebyte said:

Out of interest, are you planning on using NPCs for all the Polaris roles and flying the scanning ship yourself or are you looking for a scanning ship to go in someone else's Polaris? Otherwise, the best ship is whatever the other pilot brings.

It's all well and good having a 1-man fleet, but you need to think 'why'.

I plan to take my Polaris out only once there is enough clan members online, at the very least I will have 8 people onboard+6 NPC's.

Whether is it me or a clan mate flying a scanning ship it hardly matters but what matters is that I have that option so regardless if my clan mates and friends don't have a scanning ship I can provide them with one. I have a lot of friends that only bought the starting ships and I will supply them with ships when we are playing together.

 

I see I forgot to mention something in the original post. What I am looking for is a scanning ship that is capable of detecting other ships before they spot my Polaris. A sort of a forward scout if you will. Specifically I am interested in hunting down bigger capital ships like the Idris. Since Idris has 7 times more shields and more hangars (so more fighters onboard) I will need to stalk it and strike at the opportune moment (when it is in a vulnuerable position and the fighters are all landed).

[stefmarster]

12 hours ago, Danakar Endeel said:

Vanguard definitely won't fit in the Polaris hangar. THAT'S IMPOSSIBRU!

 

 

 

It can fit mate... just a matter of question about velocity and what kind of state you want the ship to be in afterwards xD

[Scotterius]

15 hours ago, Fleischwolf said:

While the Terrapin may have the "best" scanner, the Hornet tracker is probably in the best position to do something about an incoming threat. 

The Hornet tracker would seem like the most versatile option, IMO.

I have no idea on how scanning will work. I do know the Polaris is slow. The hornet is less slow. I assume you want to blow stuff up. Most hornet pilots want to blow stuff up too. The hornet finds the party, starts the party and you show up fashionably late to end that party.

[Arrowfaster]

6 hours ago, Scotterius said:

I have no idea on how scanning will work. I do know the Polaris is slow. The hornet is less slow. I assume you want to blow stuff up. Most hornet pilots want to blow stuff up too. The hornet finds the party, starts the party and you show up fashionably late to end that party.

A single Hornet is not going to put a dent in any ship bigger than a Reedemer. Taking a single fighter to escort a capital ship is useless unless that fighter has some specialized equipment (scanning, EW warfare, torpedoes etc.). Sounds to me you are trying to hitch a ride on my Polaris with your Hornet

[Fleischwolf]

7 hours ago, Arrowfaster said:

A single Hornet is not going to put a dent in any ship bigger than a Reedemer. Taking a single fighter to escort a capital ship is useless unless that fighter has some specialized equipment (scanning, EW warfare, torpedoes etc.). Sounds to me you are trying to hitch a ride on my Polaris with your Hornet

 

I am not sure taking a single fighter would be entirely useless for a Polaris. 

During the Eclipse Q&A, they stated that a pair of Eclipses would be able to cripple an Idris with its shields down. I know all of that is still up in the air in terms of final balance, but it may be worth noting that the Eclipse poses a unique threat to the Polaris.

From what I understand about the Eclipse, it is not very formidable in a direct fight and is basically fast and stealthy. It is pretty much a "free kill" if a fighter manages to find it and intercept it. A proven fighter like the Hornet with a tracking ability may not seem entirely useless.

Also, I imagine a Polaris underway would actually be able to service several smaller craft, even though it can only carry one at a time. The Terrapin is made for longer-ranges, so it would probably be able to just tag along with the Polaris while something like a hornet / sabre / gladius rides inside. Every so often the Polaris can just stop traveling or whatever and allow smaller ships to "take turns" being resupplied. 

Then again all of this is just speculation. 

[Arrowfaster]

16 hours ago, Fleischwolf said:

 

I am not sure taking a single fighter would be entirely useless for a Polaris. 

During the Eclipse Q&A, they stated that a pair of Eclipses would be able to cripple an Idris with its shields down. I know all of that is still up in the air in terms of final balance, but it may be worth noting that the Eclipse poses a unique threat to the Polaris.

From what I understand about the Eclipse, it is not very formidable in a direct fight and is basically fast and stealthy. It is pretty much a "free kill" if a fighter manages to find it and intercept it. A proven fighter like the Hornet with a tracking ability may not seem entirely useless.

Also, I imagine a Polaris underway would actually be able to service several smaller craft, even though it can only carry one at a time. The Terrapin is made for longer-ranges, so it would probably be able to just tag along with the Polaris while something like a hornet / sabre / gladius rides inside. Every so often the Polaris can just stop traveling or whatever and allow smaller ships to "take turns" being resupplied. 

Then again all of this is just speculation. 

It takes time for a fighter to actually shoot down a bomber, even if it is flying in a straight line (my Gladiator can take quite a beating in arena commander). S5 torpedoes used on light bombers got a 10 km range and can be fired all at once, it is extremely unlikely that a single fighter will be able to stop a pair of bombers before they reach the target. And if it is just one Polaris can still survive that.

 

I think you are not thinking outside of the box on this one. Just because Polaris has room for only 1 fighter in the hangar that doesn't mean you can't bring along say 6 Hornets as escorts. When the Hornets run out of fuel they can take turns and refuel in the Polaris one at a time. Ofc that will leave you vulnerable for some time so having a scanning ship as a forward scout to warn you about incoming ships is going to be even more useful. So having an extra fighter doesn't make that much of a difference when you can instead take a dedicated scanner which will allow you to remain undetected and find targets easier.

[Fleischwolf]

18 hours ago, Fleischwolf said:

Also, I imagine a Polaris underway would actually be able to service several smaller craft, even though it can only carry one at a time. The Terrapin is made for longer-ranges, so it would probably be able to just tag along with the Polaris while something like a hornet / sabre / gladius rides inside. Every so often the Polaris can just stop traveling or whatever and allow smaller ships to "take turns" being resupplied. 

Then again all of this is just speculation. 

1 hour ago, Arrowfaster said:

I think you are not thinking outside of the box on this one. Just because Polaris has room for only 1 fighter in the hangar that doesn't mean you can't bring along say 6 Hornets as escorts. When the Hornets run out of fuel they can take turns and refuel in the Polaris one at a time. Ofc that will leave you vulnerable for some time so having a scanning ship as a forward scout to warn you about incoming ships is going to be even more useful. So having an extra fighter doesn't make that much of a difference when you can instead take a dedicated scanner which will allow you to remain undetected and find targets easier.

 

[VoA]

9 hours ago, Arrowfaster said:

I think you are not thinking outside of the box on this one. Just because Polaris has room for only 1 fighter in the hangar that doesn't mean you can't bring along say 6 Hornets as escorts. When the Hornets run out of fuel they can take turns and refuel in the Polaris one at a time. 

Agree with you on this but I also think that you are forgetting something with your example as well....  If you are going to be refueling 6 Hornets with a Polaris then you will likely want some other support ships as well like a Starfarer and maybe even a Crucible on-call as needed for repair.   If it is just you and your friends or a crew of NPCS with a single ship in the hangar as a Wingman ship then these support ships are less critical

 

[Arrowfaster]

22 hours ago, Fleischwolf said:

 

Sorry I missed that part. But my point still stands, out of all ship types that you can put in a hangar, taking a single fighter seems to the least useful option IMHO.

 

You need several fighters to be effective at deterring bombers yet you only need 1 scanner ship to have significantly better awareness.