Anti-Xeno Academy: Learn how to fight Thargoids

The Anti Xeno Initiative proudly presents: the Anti-Xeno Academy - Learn how to fight Thargoids in Elite:Dangerous.
** Recommended Control Scheme **
wiki.antixenoinitiative.com/e...
** In-depth Video Guides **
Unlocking Guardian Gauss:
• Tutorial: Unlocking th...
Making Thargoid Relics (for "shortcut" access to Palin and Ram Tah engineers):
• New Mystic Unclassifie...
In-depth FA-Off training:
• Elite: Dangerous - "Fl...
In-depth Engineering Guide:
• Engineering Explained:...
In-depth Meta Chieftain guide:
• AX Tutorials: The Meta...
In-depth Cold Orbiting guide:
• Elite Dangerous : The ...
** Meta Chieftain Builds **
Fully Engineered (All G5)
EDSY: edsy.org/s/vsTRpmR
Coriolis: s.orbis.zone/ljqh
Limited Engineering (G3 & G1; Dweller + Felicity Farseer + Liz Ryder only)
EDSY: edsy.org/s/vPHvTCS
Coriolis: s.orbis.zone/lk9h
** Additional Resources **
AXI Discord
/ discord
AXI Website
antixenoinitiative.com/
AXI Wiki
wiki.antixenoinitiative.com/
** Corrections & Amplifications **
At 10:02 in the video, the audio describes a guardian hull reinforcement package, but the video incorrectly displays a guardian shield reinforcement package. It should be showing the hull version.
** Credits & Acknowledgements **
Credit to Frontier Developments, for making the game!
Credit to NIDRED for the royalty-free Flying Observer background soundtrack.
Credit to CMDR Teall for the outline drawing of the Chieftain, used with permission.
Credit to CMDR Qohen Leth for the cartoon version of the Chieftain, used under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Credit to CMDR Secretpro for the guardian site image, used with permission.
** Chapters **
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Thargoids: Variants
02:24 - Thargoids: Swarm
04:36 - Thargoids: Special Attacks
08:58 - What you will need to fight
13:13 - Building the Meta Chieftain
18:58 - How to Find the Enemy
20:40 - Intro to Cold Orbiting
24:33 - Demonstrating Battle
30:35 - Common Mistakes
33:38 - Additional Resources
34:55 - Credits and acknowledgements

[@raghav1026]

This is probably the best guide for beginners like me. Not overly complicated and extremely informative. Glory, to mankind!

[@wolf2k143]

@Citizen_Kate she knows more, and she has better builds than this

[@mariemonroe553]

@@wolf2k143 Ask her where she learned AX

[@wolf2k143]

@@mariemonroe553 own research, trial and error, coriolis simulation, common sense, intelligence, sufficient time and determination. I have a Krait Mk2 AX build better than this Alliance Chieftain "Meta". At the end is also skill based combat.

[@mariemonroe553]

@@wolf2k143 Research done in AXI yes you're right. I wish you well in your fights commander we need good AX pilots. Just a small side note - to this day there hasn't been a ship that has achieved as much as a chieftain I hope you try it some day and see how fun it is

[@wolf2k143]

@@mariemonroe553 the damage output is not enough for me, krait can achieve more. I did more in my krait than others in chieftan, for me, chieftan is in second place after krait as overall ax combat.

[@TheBuurPit]

Great job all, this is awesome! o7

[@nfapeng187]

I been on and off this game for a few years ive never got to fight any of these things. I think ima try.

[@chaselaver6135]

great guide, very informative for those new to AX. With that being said, I will continue to ignore AXI and continue face tanking in my shieldless vette and laughing at the pitiful bugs as they desperately try to strip my armor

[@BasedMan]

Considering getting back to Elite and turning my lightly engineered explorer anaconda to a bug (and pirate) destroyer Armour is gonna be paramount, and at least some AX railguns and flak cannons Wonder if just filling all the slots with cannon or minigun turrets would work, talk about dakka And with heavy armour and hull/armour reinforcements, it would be near undestructible save for caustic damage so I might as well ram the goid No shields? No problem, silent run to burn off the caustic goop, while unloading broadsides into the damned bug Swarm? Eat flak, or just ram them with a 400ton ship Might not be meta, but I dont want to even touch engineers again, aside from easy mods, and you BET cosplaying as a imperium of man WH40K cruiser or a ww2 era battleship is a LOT of fun

[@FlecheDeFer]

Great job! For the PD, new players should note that using weapon focused engineering is also a strong choice that works with most medium/big ships.

[@Astyrrean]

Well… not really. I mean it’s not BAD but it cripples you ability to boost and is terrible for shielded (large) builds. So, no. Go charge enhanced (which has HIGHER wep recharge rate than even weapon focused!).

[@FlecheDeFer]

@@Astyrrean Oh of course, but I'm talking about specific builds. No shield, large distro draw. Frequent boost is not needed depending on your ship except to boost away and having more capacity means less heat spikes. So yes, high charge is better in most situations, but AX fight is the only occasion where WEP can be used. I don't say it is better, just another option that can be very good. I use WEP charge on my main AX-Chally, and I prefer it to high-charge. And actually I saw that on this very channel one of your top guys uses it too.

[@orodruined4526]

I’m doing my part

[@GeneralKammy]

underrated comment anyone who doesn’t get this joke is uncultured

[@orodruined4526]

@@GeneralKammy It is part cultural reference, part fact - I did do my part. 😊

[@stewie7]

@@GeneralKammy explain the joke please

[@GeneralKammy]

@@stewie7 It’s an old movie reference to the film “Starship troopers” basically it’s a space film about humanity fighting some alien species which I think thargoids are loosely based on. In one of the propaganda adverts inside the film, there’s a young person who says “I’m doing my part!!!” And that’s basically where the joke comes from

[@absolutelyscrumptious7552]

This is a really comprehensive, well-made and informative video for AX combat. Well made

[@danielwow12]

this is a great video, thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@plflaherty1]

Great timing! Just finished my Krait. I'm coming for them now too! Thanks much.

[@mrmisterfox5130]

A superb guide - well done guys.

[@eekvos]

Thanks for making this - very useful for those starting out in AX combat. Just wish it was there a few weeks ago when I felt lost and overwhelmed. But even so - I still managed to get some good tips and lessons out of this video. Thanks again.

[@fartex1]

although this video is a year old, im glad i found it, exactly what i needed and straight to the point!

[@cmdrgrincake1094]

Great clip, gives a very good overview to get into AX-Combat! Great work, Fellas! o7

[@Bluuuz]

What an awesome video. Brilliantly edited and the mix of Commander’s voice overs is superb! Mankind comes together to beat the Thargoids! Next challenge on Planet Earth: Stop killing each other!

[@chaadlosan]

Very well done. Really lets you know what you are getting into.

[@Dydreth]

Great guide. Looking forward to getting into the AX part of the game.

[@max-6489]

Excellent video! Well made guys.

[@PeterPan-cx7yc]

Well Done! Excellent Guide!

[@jurl2700]

Happy to have been able to contribute o7

[@prahas777]

Good stuff. Really significant point, perhaps needing more emphasis: in the cold orbit, you are getting the Goid to orbit you. Not vise versa. This is the first time I’ve heard this. Really important! Thanks for the super video.

[@michaelgubitz5950]

Wonderful guide, thank you so much!

[@cooleshaka]

Great work Commanders!!

[@lerner6666]

FANTASTIC JOB GUYS!!!

[@nickfizzle]

Amazing info!

[@kitet76]

Nice work for those who didn't care to visit AXI site already. As they say, picture is worth a thousand words, so thumbs up.

[@EH0200310]

well done guys. thanks!

[@netburnr]

Great video! Would love to see another that covers the new planet and station based fighting and how it changes the tactics.

[@Astyrrean]

All those are, essentially, easier takes on solo combat. In a planetary setting goids do not deploy swarms - so flak doesn't apply. In a station setting, you can repair and rearm, making everything easier... not much else to add!

[@mrdamo6566]

Fantastic video. I have not had any experience in AX combat, but I will use this guide to have a crack. Thanks guys!

[@Astyrrean]

Have fun!

[@aiedenoldstien9751]

I know the Gausses are considered the best, but I'm gonna stick to my plasmas. Though this is still a good guide to get into things.

[@RMX010]

Just started playing, still have no idea what the hell is anti-xeno weapons and how to obtain it, great guide

[@aegis1razor353]

Very Nice!

[@MuQuuu]

Very clear summary of AX. Good video.

[@Astyrrean]

Thank you Muquuu! And if ever would want to translate the subtitles into Japanese, let me know and I will gladly add them.

[@Altroo]

Nice work, very clear instructions o7

[@captainlurb]

Good to see only the meta chief being recommended hehe Making it as clear as possible to what is better will help people avoid the funny boost needing ships and make their journey (and orbits) much smoother

[@samplehandle]

lurb alert

[@nickfizzle]

@@samplehandle that's lurb (LURB) to you

[@aegis1razor353]

Krait slander smh (but yeah, the Chief is probably best to start with initially)

[@SGTcz90cz]

Lurb (LURB) of LURB squadron (LURB) alert. Krait is awesome. Lots of dakka. But Chief is easier to learn. Lesson being, use Chief, then maybe Krait.

[@captainlurb]

@@SGTcz90cz i love the krait and would never leave it, but damn i wish i did the chief first

[@michal_1725]

Glory, to Mankind. The Ducc protects.

[@padlnjones]

thanks, awesome piece of work, and just what the doctor ordered. o7!

[@silveralpaca6037]

I just bought anaconda, equipped it with guardian shard cannons. Made some additional modifications so I wouldn't fall apart and just glued myself to the back of the thargoid and shoot. Worked alright but caustic damage is a bit of a problem. Took about 50% of my hull integrity. I managed to kill it tho. Probably the fastest way to kill a thargoid solo. I dunno it was my first kill and I'm looking forward to going to the spire maybe with a team.

[@nisarbo3781]

absolutely like the guide, kudos to such a great teamwork from everyone o7 - Cmdr Hannibal07 -

[@mariemonroe553]

Epic

[@just.sovannara]

very good video ! love it ! ED on youtube needs more videos of this kind, very presice and detailed. could you do another one about the thargoid scouts for new pilots ? as they are easier targets, thargoid scouts could constitute a good introduction to ax combat

[@ChrisZirker]

As a new AX pilot myself, I don't know that a guide for scouts is necessary... you can just shoot them with an AX multi-cannon and turn on silent running if you need to get rid of some caustic funk. I'm sure there's more nuance than that, but they really aren't much of an issue.

[@Astyrrean]

I would agree; essentially, there's four variants: Marauders (your "standard" version), Regenators (green - "heal" other scounts), Berserkers (red - hits harder and can fire caustics), and Inciters (pink - buffs other variants). All have 75% resistance to human weapons (interceptors, in contrast, have 99%), so while AX weapons are far more effective on scouts as well, human weapons are not completely useless either. They also use heat-based tracking so staying cold makes them miss most of their shots. There's different opinions on target prioritization; personally, I always go for Regenetors first, then just shoot what comes into my crosshairs. But in reality, the vast majority of the time I just ignore scouts; I'll only start shooting if I have no choice e.g., need to advance and AXCZ and there are no interceptors left. Waste of ammo otherwise in my humble opinion.

[@Coast2CoastTuber]

Okay, now that I’ve got an AX ship build I need to pull the trigger and fight a thargoid. 😢

[@Astyrrean]

Good luck!

[@Alswulf]

awesome guide! Decent work guys! Glory to mankind! o7

[@Astyrrean]

Thanks!

[@NodokaHanamura]

I've noted at some points that Caustic effect is usually removed at or around 120-130% heat, but that may vary as I've only noticed it on the Python. Also, if you're part of a wing, Xeno Scanner data is shared over Datalink, allowing you to recieve this data even if you don't have a Xeno Scanner yourself.

[@Astyrrean]

Thing is caustic damage actually has “stacks” with more stacks being applied by eg a Hydra caustic missile versus a Cyclops one. Since actual stacks are never displayed in-game, it’s hard to tell when they are actually burning off.

[@NodokaHanamura]

@@Astyrrean Interesting, would explain why sometimes even at 120+ it'd still be caustic.

[@JayT546]

I only just recently came back for the new thargoid stuff and started using this build again. It worked pretty fine until I encountered 3 glaive interdictions in a row... right now I'm experimenting with the same build but with 2 class 3 gimballed multis just incase the same thing happens. Hunters are scary

[@gallanonim5564]

Great tutorial, let's save humanity in our galaxy

[@y_ffordd]

Nice guide, think you talked me out of it, but maybe in a future where I have more time

[@snakebae6259]

returning elite player, wanted to dabble in some xeno combat since its the current thing, but you had me until the engineering and guardian grind. nah man, i cant go back to that.

[@XenoZera]

edmaterials makes the grind pretty easy, compared to the past

[@vtubersubs3803]

I don't understand how people think it's a grind. I just starting engineering like 2 days ago and have 90% of them unlocked and maxed already. Guardian stuff is even easier

[@arch_..]

@@vtubersubs3803 because it actually is a grind. You have to repeat the same process over and over to get the required materials you need, no matter in what way you choose to gather your materials you'll need to repeat that process a dozen - or more - times. That doesn't mean it's hard/difficult to do, in fact compared to other "MMO's" the grind in elite is fairly easy, tedious and repetitive but easy.

[@mobiuscoreindustries]

​@arch_.. yeah it really is the core issue: its soul crushingly dull. Repeated activity can still be good if it is engaging to do. But material grinding is just RNG, going from point to point, and having to constantly close and reconnect to a session JUST to get the bare minium. This is basement tier engagement. Why the fuck do I need to do idle farming on a planet for 4 straight days to get stuff nessesary to fight the goids?

[@pawn4]

the reward was decreased cyclops: 6.5m basi: 20m medusa: 34m hydra: 50m enrage timer is if thargoid's heart was not destroyed for a set amount of time after the enrage timer is reached, the swarm will go kamikaze mode the thargoid will also regenerate the swarm instantly.

[@davelloyd-]

This is good - not sure I can do it, kinda leads me back to sticking with scouts. I watched a cold orbit video before and noted no swarm but didn't know if that was a variant or something - didn't know you could (and should) actually destroy the swarm! Are the sirius heatsinks available for all or was that some community goal reward - if latter, I'd suggest mentioning it. Probably also worth saying why they're preferred (I've never heard of them till this video) Does the cold orbit technique work with the invasion around starports? I've been hit by the shutdown field a few times and no idea where it came from (once or twice I was only doing rescue missions). Would it be a case of stick to threat 5 source signals until you know what you're doing, and _then_ go to starports? Or are starports easier because you have NPC help? Is there some modified technique to apply with the starport attacks and NPC war response?

[@Astyrrean]

Those are a lot of good questions. Come join our discord and ask in #recruit_academy. You'll find the answers you seek!

[@pewpewlikeaboss3406]

Nice great vid, very informative! Love the input from various individuals. But who at AXI requested Fdev to not make the god shard available anymore after the initial CG? :)

[@Astyrrean]

Oh we never requested it. In fact, we were salty about it - either need it outright, or make it available to all, was the stance.

[@dumpster556]

Awesome work CMDR‘s. Very informativ and interesting. Thx’s for that. As a complete FA-Off noob i could imagine the orbiting is VERY hard to learn. Especially because i prefer Hotas to control my ships. Is there even a single CMDR using Hotas with FA-Off? I‘ve heard KB/Mouse is the way to go.

[@Astyrrean]

Yes, plenty of CMDRs use FA Off and HOTAS. Control scheme is really a personal preference! Look at the linked (in description) guide to learn FA Off, believe it's best out there.

[@jurl2700]

Hello! I use a HOTAS and have gotten to the point of soloing Hydras using one. Do not feel limited because of your hotas as it can do incredible things with some practice!

[@dumpster556]

@@jurl2700, @Astyrrean: Thx‘s for the answer. That makes hope and sounds promising. I‘ll give it a try. Glory to mankind CMDR‘S.

[@toyotanosgaming748]

Glory, to Mankind!

[@demiserofd]

The biggest thing you didn't mention is how powerful the phasing damage from the swarm is. The thargoid itself will only do the standard 10% through your shields, which is no big deal. The Swarm, though, does like 100% of its damage through the shield, and is a MASSIVE deal, and probably the biggest reason why shields are a bad choice.

[@Astyrrean]

Come to our discord and type "/shields" ;) You'll get the full picture!

[@darthhunter69]

This video is awesome, however, I developed my own AX combat style using my Krait MKII and I find it much easier than cold orbiting 👍🏻 I still want to build the meta Chieftain one day though, but it will take me much longer than it took to build my Krait, which I already managed to defeat a Basilisk with

[@olegmakogon7447]

Have a question: Do enhaced (or Azimut enhaced) AX multi-cannons are worth to use instead of Gauss? A nd thanks a lot for so great explained in details guideline

[@Astyrrean]

They are only worth using in the presence of anti-guardian fields, like in systems with Titans present. Anywhere else, gauss is superior.

[@olegmakogon7447]

@@Astyrrean Thanks

[@samplehandle]

Exellent guide!

[@alexamts]

Well, I think the time for cleaning the dust off my Anaconda, getting some credits for a Chieftain, and acquring those Engineering Materials has come. No time to sleep, we have to defend the humanity's own existence. o7, CMDRs

[@Coast2CoastTuber]

Can gimbal gauss cannons be used or is fixed mandatory?

[@Astyrrean]

Alas, gauss cannons, much like railguns, are only fixed. There is no such thing as gimballed gauss cannons.

[@michal_1725]

The secret technique is to use Turreted Gauss Cannons, obviously xD

[@rammer3232]

Follow the meta to learn AX combat, but don't be tied to it, try new things as soon as you feel comfortable.

[@uh60rider2000]

OUTSTUCKINFANDING VIDEO! Thank you for all of this crucial information. I'll begin practicing immediately

[@Astyrrean]

Welcome to the end game of Elite:Dangerous!

[@brodyestes2376]

Is there an alternative for fitting in a guardian FSD booster?

[@Astyrrean]

I mean combat ships aren’t really meant to jump around - that’s what carriers and ship transfers are for. That being said, the meta is there for you to know about, you can always customize things to your heart’s content, just armed with information as to what works and why!

[@firecaster5]

Can point defense shoot down caustic missles like regular missles? Or is that going to be future AX module, like 'AX Point Defense'?

[@Astyrrean]

Our tests with regular PD have not shown any ability of point defense to shoot down caustic missiles unfortunately. We’ll do also a few tests with the CG PD (if we can get a hold of it) although we don’t think it would make much of a difference - caustic missiles fly in an erratic pattern; PD simply misses them.

[@tommyleisy863]

Any training for shard cannons with larger/slower ships?

[@Astyrrean]

We have a large ships guide which pre-dates the new shard cannons but is otherwise still extremely relevant; here: wiki.antixenoinitiative.com/en/large-ship-guide

[@HouseDuke]

Good Video! Now I know: I won´t go into Battle with them and maybe not going on with this game at all... I just wanted some exploring and trading. Now there is not only pirates, but space MASTERENEMIES that take like hours to fight and to fight them, you need Guradiantech and so on.. Naw thanks.

[@robinwaldo3456]

I have a question how do you get to the thargoids with so little fuel

[@Astyrrean]

What do you mean "so little fuel"?

[@yoteboi4844]

May not get answered, but should everything be engineered to max possible? highest tier, max generation?

[@Astyrrean]

Answered in the video in fact. There’s a “fully engineered” and a “G3 version” linked in the video description.

[@rohesilmnelohe]

What about using enhaced AX multi or guardian PAC loadout? Viable alternatives to rails?

[@Astyrrean]

Guardian (modified) plasma chargers are very good weapons. Easiest to exert hearts with, a bit harder to snipe hearts with. (Large, Gimballed, Enhanced) AXMCs are great against weaker interceptors but struggle against harder ones.

[@bystandah9626]

@@Astyrrean AXMCs, in my experience, only seem to be effective against Cyclops interceptors. i couldn't make a dent in the Basilisk with them at all.

[@Astyrrean]

@@bystandah9626 kzbin.info/www/bejne/faerY6F-l7yjj5o 🙂

[@bradwilcox97]

They gotta increase the range of that xeno scanner... running turreted MCs is annoying as hell when fighting interceptors, constantly switching between Target Only and Forward Fire. Buff the Xeno Scanners range!!!

[@SGTcz90cz]

I agree. EAXMC gimbals absolutely shred Cyclopses (assuming range is kept and all that) but they need a scan to do anything to hearts. Great weapons, just impractical right now. Especially for AXCZs.

[@bugsy3209]

1) use fixed if you are gonna use mc 2) just dont use MC, go get your gauss and use the scouts as target practice, killing scouts aren't nearly as useful as killing the actual interceptors. 3) A good interceptor killer=a good scout killer, a good scout killer =/= a good interceptor killer.

[@lucalong255]

I play on Xbox and I'm stuck on horizons, is everything in this loadout in horizons or is some stuff odyssey exclusive?

[@Astyrrean]

None of this content from the Academy video is Odyssey specific.

[@otownfirefighter]

So I know only AX or Guardian weapons will damage/destroy the hearts, but are they the only way to exert the hearts too? Regular weapons don’t do it?

[@Astyrrean]

That’s right. You need AX damage to exert the hearts too. Regular damage is only good to accelerate shield decay (which decays on its own anyway.)

[@user-qu8lw4yp4q]

Where are you found the one-to-one duel?! There are many Scouts near the Thargoid conflict zones and when you'll try to repair the ship, some Scout or another Interceptor will stop your repair. Better use more hull reinforcement packages and repair ship on the nearest stations(IMHO).

[@Astyrrean]

One on one duels can be found in many Non Human Signal Sources (NHSS) and at select Distress Call points of interest (for example, the one in HR1185).

[@h.n.t.d7963]

I get killed by thargoids jeezz, i dont even know what is that at first, i just doing some exploration, when sudenly i get swarm but so many little thing that i dont even know what, and then died instantly :( The worst thing is i have so many planet scaned and all lost in an instant☹

[@Astyrrean]

Learn to fight back and join the war effort!

[@FURIOUSAM31]

How bad of an idea is it to make a chieftain with mix of axi cannons and gauss with the new stabilizers?

[@Astyrrean]

You get the worst of both worlds ... I mean it's usable; it's just that it isn't very good

[@davewright8206]

it seems a little troublesome

[@braydoncall8342]

How do you aquire a detailed scan of a thargoid now that they are instantly hostile with the new war?

[@Astyrrean]

Only way is to get quite good at hugging them - or bring a friend (detailed scans are shared across the wing)

[@EchoNovemberDelter]

Would putting on an a class life support really be that bad with the extra time?

[@jurl2700]

It may come down to personal preference, if you want you could run A rated with lightweight if you wish to get that extra time.

[@Astyrrean]

It is definitively not “that bad”. Out of all build choices, this one is very minor. It is more of an indicator that you are unfamiliar with synthesis. Oxygen synthesis (to restock life support) is dirt cheap in terms of materials. Try it!

[@Zeralium]

This is a great guide, however you only need 120-125% heat to remove caustic damage, you don't want new players getting it up to 300 and needlessly be damaging modules.

[@Astyrrean]

It's a bit of a tradeoff. What is better - spending quite a bit of time at 125% heat, or spending less than a second at 300%? In the end, either works really.

[@Zeralium]

@@Astyrrean I've always gotten caustic damage to remove immediately once I get to the 120-125 range, you save a heatsink and limit module damage.

[@Zeralium]

@@Astyrrean I'm definitely a beginner at bug hunting so maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see much reason to get to 300 based on my experience constantly getting caustic cause I keep running into clouds lol

[@qqrz9975]

@@Zeralium caustic damage is a stacked effect, if you graze a caustic death cloud or get hit by a scout's missile, you'll be fine, but missile for a hydra for instance will take a long time at 125% to fully get rid of, so just be aware of that

[@SGTcz90cz]

My personal way to get rid of (scout) caustics is to fire the LRTV into the black while silent running. It'll heat you up like nobody's business, and is relatively quick to respond with the moment you burn off. Mileage may vary, I can usually avoid ceptor caustics, and well, just basically do what you prefer on this one.

[@mondobazaaro3196]

Great video. I was intercepted by the Basilisk ( I think) It shot cannons at me and missed, I feel I did a pretty good job aith the anti Thargoid equipment,hardpoints & UM. I didn't know what was happening at first because I had just grabbed something from a non human treat level 3 Signal source. I saw it was started the corrosion of my cargo rack and hatch. So I jumpped back to the system I had just come from to try and quickly get to a port and thats ahen I was pulled out of hyperspace. I thought it aas from the artifacts corrosion but boy I was wrong. The huge ship had shut me down and sxanned me or Im guessing thats what it did by the noise it made and the flash of light. When my power returned I turned around to look at it and I wanted to scan it witth my xeno scanner but instead I had used my field neutralizer and its beautiful color changed to red fallowed by another loud sound. I knew what was coming so I opened fire on it and had a ten min battle endib in me buying my ship back. I didn't know about theie hearts or these effective ways and strategies I was just looking for my own but I'm glad I went on and found this video. Unfortunately Im using the diamondback scout for this task. So I think I need a different ship. For this type of combat. I M currently looking for the old Guardian locations. And Im on console so its a lot different as far as beig able to explore on foot. Again thanks for the lessons.

[@McDecay]

can i use shard cannon to

[@Astyrrean]

The medium fixed *modified* guardian shard cannons. All other shards are not that great.

[@McDecay]

@@Astyrrean oh welp than i need to fly back to a Guardian structuur haha

[@SamHarrisonWordVomit]

Hasn't the current situation neutered guardian gear?

[@Astyrrean]

Only in Maelstrom systems; They work fine everywhere else

[@OldManPaxusYT]

AMAZING tutorial! ← Comment for algorithm + 👍 'd #OldManPaxus Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

[@genaflol6932]

i got gifted billions for killed an angry bug 10/10 would join this community

[@mrBlagstock]

Great - but couldn’t understand a word the second guy said

[@theutheone]

It's the opposite for me. That guy so the only clear voice. Unfortunately the main guy's accent is too thick for me... Nothing he can do about it though, I just can't hear in general.

[@Mr.Free2Play]

You guys need a “content” academy for FDev. Grind your life away to shoot Flowers on rails. Lol. Great video. o7

[@willieschick7315]

Does this count for legacy

[@Astyrrean]

Yes

[@willieschick7315]

@@Astyrrean just getting the hang of regular pve combat, but I’ve always wanted to take okie of them down, but yeah thanks again cmdr o7

[@ChrisZirker]

This is a great video. My biggest critique is that you guys can't figure out who your audience is. On one hand, there's comments like "these are called lateral thrusters which move your ship left and right" but then there's 5 minutes of "here is the maximally engineered ship that you absolutely have to have to be able to enter this combat situation." So...am I a new player trying to figure this out from scratch, or am I a seasoned commander who has had the time and experience acquired after grinding out maximal engineering on a dozen modules with a garage full of guardian technology?

[@Astyrrean]

This video is targeted at CMDRs who are either new to AX, or are considering trying their hand at it. As part of the conversation, an important point to land is: "This is endgame content, you'll need an endgame ship to handle it." Given the context, we're not really talking to CMDRs who are still trying to figure out how to get out of the mail slot. Either way, agree that finding the right "tone" is an art. We can always do better!

[@ChrisZirker]

@@Astyrrean That is totally fair! Thanks again for your phenomenal work, I learned an enormous amount from this video. The production is outstanding. Glory to mankind!

[@McDecay]

i got absulatie destoryed

[@Astyrrean]

We all did at the beginning. Keep trying, keep learning, and you will succeed!

[@McDecay]

@@Astyrrean but i copied everything on the video and my ship just died in like 15 sec

[@Astyrrean]

@@McDecay If you're using heatsinks and moving you won't get hit. If you died in 15 seconds, either you were not using heatsinks, or you were not moving :)

[@jose_scastan]

More than 1000h played and I didn t kill one, I ve tried

[@Drizzzit]

Thanks for the video and thanks for the work and effort! Keep up the good work :) That being said, I have some mixed feelings about this. I have been playing Elite actively only for a couple of months now and I agree on unlocking the guardian hull reinforcements, guardian module protections and the engineers described. However the cold-orbiting and going after non-human signal sources is not for beginners. That is the end-end game in fighting thargoids. If you are a beginner, like me, you should start fighting Thargoid interceptors at planetary bases under attack. At these bases you are near the planet surface and basically cannot always cold-orbit effectively. The reasons why a beginner should start at planetary bases: - The interceptors at planetary bases do not use Thargon interceptor swarms for their protection. This means you have time to learn the other ins and outs of the interceptors before engaging with the swarms. The swarms make the encounters much harder. - You have multiple landing platforms at the base where you can heal and rearm your ship. You don't need to worry about hogging the only landing pad like at space stations from other fellow fighters. - You can modify your ship without the flak launcher, repair limpets, cargo rack, AFMU and make the ship a lot more durable with additional hull reinforcements etc. This makes the encounters more forgiving for beginners. The bases also send repair limpets for your aid. - As a beginner, the Gauss cannons are not necessarily the easiest weapons to start. You can more easily test other weapons, especially pre-engineered shard cannons and plasma chargers, against the interceptors to find your preferred weapons. In my opinion the easiest beginner weapons for interceptor hunting are pre-engineered shard cannons as they kill the hearts most effectively. With pre-engineered plasma chargers you can more easily control the weapon heat and don't necessarily need heat sinks at all. Plasma chargers are also good practice for gauss cannons later on. This war has changed the rules of fighting and the Thargoid encounters. We must evolve with the changes. You don't necessarily need anymore to be able to cold orbit to get into fighting with interceptors. Just take a couple of friends with you and head for a planetary base under attack to get started :) As we need Anti-Xeno pilots of all degrees in the fight, I wanted to tell my personal experiences in the matter. Hope this helps!

[@nickfizzle]

The NHSS's are the best way to get better at fighting thargoids. Learning in that space you can get the basics down and transfer it to the planetary bases much easier than learning at a planetary base (where you're missing mechanics) and transferring to nhss's.

[@qqrz9975]

it's ok to distinguish casuals and beginners and the way i see it this is more for those who want to go further beyond. these skills translate perfectly into what is going on now and solo combat is the simplest way to hone in on specific skill. it's ok to want to get into the fight as soon as possible but we all can take the time aside to improve and learn, if that's what you find fun, because i for one love trying to get better. i started learning this way and all of that i learned translated to what i do now mostly, i fly a krait mk2 with no flak; it has 4 modified shards and a beam which i use in AXCZs. if i would have started out this way instead of the meta chieftain i probably wouldn't have made it as far as i have and gotten so much enjoyment from pushing my limit.

[@Mgram]

I agree there are many ways to begin AX combat, the way we teach in the AXI is designed with the long-term in mind, we understand that if you ever plan to hunt solo hydras, you will benefit far more from beginning with the skills we discuss here. We could teach you how to gib goids with flak, but those skills are far less transferable down the road.

[@elenadarkov8511]

AxCZs and Wingfights wont teach you much about Soloing Interceptors or how you have to behave when the Goid is locked on you. You can die fast in the right moment if you dont orbit, while the Ceptor is facing you. That being said i think its still good to have the basics

[@markvenediktov6930]

tried to go "help" with my crait mk2 and got erased lol may not be for me then ! lol

[@Astyrrean]

Everyone gets erased the first few times. Then it’s up to you - if you’re up to learn and keep trying, this may be well for you still. If you find it too hard and would rather do something else, then that’s totally fine too. It’s a game, you should play it how it’s fun for you.

[@benoitschiltz6248]

You can create the subtitles in French please

[@Astyrrean]

We welcome offers to help translate subtitles to other languages! If you know anyone who would be willing to help, do send them our way.

[@banm291]

PLEASE SOMEONE, hello, hum, why is it so important to NOT use turreted mount flak launcher? I need explaination as i really want to use the pink festive flak launcher... Is it MANDATORY to use fixed flak??

[@Astyrrean]

Festive Flak does 1% of the damage of the usual flak, so you wouldn’t want to use it anyway in combat.

[@steve6290]

Not sure about the Build, No fuel scoop with Thargoids all over the Bubble. 5D Limpet repair? You can only have one working at a time. I've made the Build not having to make many changes. I did go to the Krait 2 because I was sick of the Canopy breaking all the time on the Chieftan.

[@Astyrrean]

Hi there. Few thoughts: A) If your chief canopy was breaking, chances are you were using fewer than 3 module reinforcement packages. With 3 MRPs, Chief canopy is VERY sturdy. B) 5D limpet controller is not for the number of limpets, but for the repair amount. A 5D repairs 310hp per limpet, versus only 60hp of a 1D, so you get five times the value out of your limpets. A 5D also repairs also 5 times faster, which matters a lot in a fight where you are rushing to avoid an enrage timer. C) Fuel scoops are considered utilities; they don’t help you in combat. What is more typical for combat builds is to rather transfer your ship to your intended theatre of operations, and refuel as needed at local stations and carriers. Specialized combat builds suffer a lot if you try to make them “multi-purpose”. You can choose to if you want of course, but the purpose of a meta discussion is to recommend what is optimal for a given purpose (in this case, combat); then it’s totally fine for people to deviate from it for their own intents, purposes, and preferences.

[@glensimpson907]

Excuse my ignorance, but I thought Guardian Tech had been rendered useless?

[@Astyrrean]

Only in certain systems. In much rest of the galaxy they work just fine.

[@SgtAwesome97]

Oh boy, can't wait to fight the Thargoids "Your ship needs to be fully engineered" And just like that you've lost me. I don't have the time to treat this game as a second 8hr job and spend months grinding, I actually have a life and job outside of this game.

[@Astyrrean]

We recommend a “low engineering build” that makes it more accessible. But yeah, this is endgame content, you’re not going to be killing Hydras in a stock sidewinder …

[@SgtAwesome97]

@@Astyrrean There's endgame content, and then there's what Elite does. When someone has to spend literal months just to do one thing in the game, that's just too much. As I said, I and many others like me, don't have the time to spend 8 hours a day in front of a computer screen, spending months trying to do a single thing in the game, because we have our own actual lives and jobs outside of a game. It's unfortunate being forcibly excluded from the big and current goings on in a game, simply because I have a life outside of a computer. Even Destiny 2 and Warframes grind isn't as bad as this.

[@purplepason]

@@SgtAwesome97 This is just pure lie, because I got entered into Thargoid combat in less than 24 hours with a low engineering build. I literally didn't even engineer anything but my FSD, and that's entirely optional. You haven't done enough research. You don't know what you're talking about. I am personally capable of fighting in my unengineered/FSD engineered Chieftan Interceptors, and fight with my shards or my Gauss cannons. Please instead of complaining about something you want to do, you actually put the effort into trying to do it. Because you're flat out lying to anyone reading this comment.

[@SgtAwesome97]

@purplepason Yeah, keywords here being "I am personally." I am not you, and tbf unless you're some godlike combat pilot, I sincerely doubt you're fighting interceptors in an unengineered Chieftan, let alone actually winning said fights.

[@purplepason]

@@SgtAwesome97 Which again, proves you wrong. You're actually so ignorant it hurts. I am fighting unengineered in a Chieftan. You can deny it all you want, but you have people (Me) and in other locations proving, and telling you that your reasoning is bullshit. So face it, you don't want to do Thargoid combat. You want to moan and complain. You don't want to actually get engaged in any of this content easily like you're saying, you just wanna moan. You're a whiny hater who has nothing of substance to back it up when its literally possible to go low engineering and get into the Thargoid fight. You're a joke and not responded to. Lmao

[@BlueSideUp]

Good basic information, however I recommend the Challenger with 3 size 2 Gauss, 3 size 1 thermal vent long range beam turrets and 1 size 3 AX Multicannon with 4000m/s shot speed. The Beams act as a laser pointer, shield drain and shed your Gauss's heat. The Gauss's kill Interceptors and the AX Multis help casually killing Scouts and Interceptors without the last shield engagement after the final heart. While some Module reinforcements make sense, I would rather go for Hull HPs. I carry both XENO Scanner and Field Neutralizer. Only one heatsink, the 3 Beams do that job fine. A point defense, preferably from the community goal, kills swarm missiles as well as caustics. You need to maneuver them into the point defense sweet spot based on the slot you used. Good hunting everyone. Plus I strongly recommend communicating voice if you fight with others in open or the AXI private group. From 3 human ships you can gank Cyclops Interceptors in a couple seconds instead of a tedious fight. As you were.

[@euanab_ed]

ok so you have one heatsink, meaning that your distro will drain quickly during attack runs with your beams; the lower your distro the more heat the weapons generate. you also cant fire on an empty distro. this is why beams shouldnt be used at the same time as gauss. the axmc means that you get slightly more convenience of not aiming at a scout, but lose the ability to fight swarm; overall not a great trade. for point defence, if you see caustics that means you havent tackled the scouts properly with your axmc or you aren't cold after an interceptor heart. for swarm missiles, you can just bait them then fly through the swarm so they don't happen again. this build will do absolutely terribly the moment you get out of an axcz and try to fight anything above cyclops.

[@euanab_ed]

also with no mrps your modules die wayyy quicker than your hull and you will have malfunctioning things very quickly

[@BlueSideUp]

@EuanTheGoidKiller even 3x size 1 lr tv beams don't do much to the Distributor. It feeds 3 size 2 Gauss fine all the time. If you know what PIP management is. You only need PIPs in SYS for the Neutralizer. So in attack mode you have 4 PIPs of a weapon focused Distributor for Gauss and Beams, that's plenty. The swarm is absolutely irrelevant with a ship usually at 2% heat, I ignore it. The Point Defence kills the suicide missiles and caustics fine, with the right ship orientation and the pre engineered Point Defence. Agreed caustics are rare. I only use Heatsinks to quick cool the ship if I ever have to heat remove caustic damage, after getting the heart without waiting. This build kills every Interceptor type with ease. Admitted, it's optimal for Cyclops and Baseliscs. Medusa solo kills are a pain in the ass, but I prefer company anyway. If you fight the swarm of do flying acrobatics with it, you waste time killing the Interceptor. The swarm will be gone then anyway 😉

[@euanab_ed]

@Robert Zippel swarm doesnt care about heat and if you are coping with 3m gauss and 3 beams on a c6 distro you arent firing fast at all

[@nisarbo3781]

@@BlueSideUp You should know that MRP's are as equally as important if not even more important than hull because the interceptor likes to target your internals and hits them like a truck, and lets not start about missile strikes from the swarms, without any MRP's you run into the risk of being dead in the water very quickly even with alot of hull strength left, also if you have an AFMU you are forced to repair much more modules after an attack run and are needed to reactivate them after each repair process than with additional MRP coverage, because they tank the majority of the incoming internal damage and they are easy to repair and dont need reactivation. ---> less micromanagement, more convenience and most importantly: More protection, also the Power Plant cant be repaired at all during a fight even with AFMU so once it reaches below a certain amount of health it'll start malfunctioning and cut your power supply significantly causing your ship's systems to be shut down if your power priorities arent set up correctly. Additionally, you state that this build kills every interceptor type with ease yet you contradict yourself by stating right afterwards that Medusas are a pain to kill. A functioning and effective build like the Meta chieftain are able to deal with all interceptors whether in a team or entirely solo with not much of a pain for veterans and newcomers alike, with the help of practice of course.

[@the1whofights434]

Can anybody understand what the second guy is saying jeez lewis

[@bmwktmberg]

Hallowed be the Far God..!

[@bakzetary3145]

LOL, I'm too old for this! (Ha, ha, ha.) I'll stick with killing scouts, (And shadow jousting with the many interceptors and swarms arriving at station defenses.) and rescuing the weak and injured!

[@SGTcz90cz]

No need to be shy, Commander. You can always earn your first experience in a duo or wing. Just drop by the Discord, I'm sure someone will eventually be able to talk you onto your first Cyclops!

[@bakzetary3145]

@@SGTcz90cz Thanks, I've thought about it but I never bothered getting any Guardian gear at all. Was hoping some of the new experimental AX weapons would be useful for the cause other than scouts, but so far haven't found any vids of folks using them on interceptors, (yet)! Anyway, I don't see how a fixed multi-cannon can do enough damage to an interceptor parts? Plus I'm an awful shot with anything fixed and prefer gimbled anyway. And since I can't stay within 500M of any interceptor for more than an second at a time that eliminates me to do any damage against those interceptors so I just dodge and weave around them and the swarms and shoot at scouts, LOL! That works for me well enough to fatigue; then I go relax at rescuing civies at the various stations. o7

[@SGTcz90cz]

@@bakzetary3145 The Gimballed EAXMCs are actually very good. Cyclopses die relatively quickly using the techniques in the video (but a scan is required for full effectiveness, so they are relatively impractical) and Basilisks are also vulnerable. The last time I tried a Basilisk interceptor with the gimballed multi cannons, I only had to pull back because I found out that when heart 1 died, I was half way out of ammo, and with nowhere near enough materials to synthesize more - but it's possible. I'll record a video of me killing a Cyclops in Asterope with them, and see if I can get it uploaded in a timely fashion.

[@bakzetary3145]

@@SGTcz90cz Excellent, thank you! I'll subscribe and look forward to this video. Hopefully they will expand the scanner range. Like I mentioned, I tried and tried and tried in a Krait II and just can't stay close enough to the interceptors, (of any type encountered thus far) for more than a second at a time:(

[@orodruined4526]

@@bakzetary3145 Outside the war zones, in the “regular” AX spots such as the Pleiades, you can find lone interceptors that are not immediately hostile. This will allow you to get a scan in before engaging. It is possible to kill a Basilisk (and Medusa, but that has never been caught on video) with fixed AXMCs, but very difficult. Cyclopes are much more doable, but with gimbals should be fairly straightforward.

[@DomyTheMad420]

X.X this sounds like an absolute nightmare. starting to remember why i never bothered with this insanity