Spectre Loadout

[magnusrex0]

Hey all cylons...

I am one of the brave few who decided to pilot a spectre full time... I'm lvl 13, and I'm doing alright, and can take on colonial strikes up to lvl 40, but I'd like to work on a build that can effectively fight a high lvl merit escort or any line. My current loadout is:
- 5 long range P cannons
- One long range P missle launcher
- Two speed engines, a weapon, engine and avoidance buff, a weapon and avoidance debuff
- Two armor value hulls

All of them are still pretty low level, so I can change them... Also, if anyone is so inclined, would a complete focus on support be better than focusing on being a solo pvp machine?

Any help in this would be awesome!

DeltaBeta: proud pilot of CEREBRO, a spectre.

[maverick1987]

but I'd like to work on a build that can effectively fight a high lvl merit escort or any line.
Use nukes...

Pray they hit.

Merit escorts have nearly your HP (more with DC Packs), are faster, more maneuverable, and can out-gun you from every angle (7 weapons vs. your 6 weapons).

And let's not forget it takes 45K merits to advance a Halberd or Liche. That's combat time.

As for lines, whatever allows you to get into and maintain that blindspot, shoots down their missiles they are able to fire at you, and not running out of power (always a problem when an escort takes on a line).

[JEST3R]

there is nothin wrong with piloting a spectre... forget everythin that guy just said... if u in a wing that hunts together then go for a support role.. if u solo hunt then go for speed hack and run some dcs with powerpacks... get ya guns up high and learn how to fly HIGH... for some reason no one learns how to look UP. oh man im givin all the trade secrets away.

keep it up.. spectres are cool and there just simply isnt enough pilots around flyin them

[maverick1987]

there is nothin wrong with piloting a spectre...
There isn't, just don't fly it alone and expect to beat a merit escort. It ain't gonna happen.

forget everythin that guy just said...
I'm a merit-escort driver the specializes in killing other escorts and lines -- especially lines. What do you fly and hunt?

learn how to fly HIGH... for some reason no one learns how to look UP. oh man im givin all the trade secrets away.
Advanced Halberd drivers earned 45K merits... yes, in that time, we all learn to look UP.

keep it up.. spectres are cool and there just simply isnt enough pilots around flyin them
Because they get eaten for breakfast by merit escorts. Raw stats on a Halberd v. Spectre:
Turn Rate: H 25 vs. S 22.5
Speed: H 40/60 vs. S 37.5/57.5
Engines: H 3 vs. S 2
Hull: H 3 vs. S 2
Weapons: H 6/7 vs. S 6
Durability: H 30K vs. S 30K

The only advantage the Spectre has is Comp Slots, but then you have to be very careful not to use up all your power on buffs/debuffs or your guns will run dry.

[JEST3R]

There isn't, just don't fly it alone and expect to beat a merit escort. It ain't gonna happen.


I'm a merit-escort driver the specializes in killing other escorts and lines -- especially lines. What do you fly and hunt?


Advanced Halberd drivers earned 45K merits... yes, in that time, we all learn to look UP.


Because they get eaten for breakfast by merit escorts. Raw stats on a Halberd v. Spectre:
Turn Rate: H 25 vs. S 22.5
Speed: H 40/60 vs. S 37.5/57.5
Engines: H 3 vs. S 2
Hull: H 3 vs. S 2
Weapons: H 6/7 vs. S 6
Durability: H 30K vs. S 30K

The only advantage the Spectre has is Comp Slots, but then you have to be very careful not to use up all your power on buffs/debuffs or your guns will run dry.

lolz u need to meet some spectre pilots in libran... you have no idea

[JEST3R]

in fact the only spectre pilots in libran are still there cos they know the good n bad of their ship... spectre pilots are not stupid... unlike most adv halberd pilots flyin a gimp hammerhead

[maverick1987]

in fact the only spectre pilots in libran are still there cos they know the good n bad of their ship... spectre pilots are not stupid... unlike most adv halberd pilots flyin a gimp hammerhead
I fly Caprica where Spectres are eaten for breakfast.

Your resorting to insults rather than facts (as stats show above) proves your argument is lacking. I accept your surrender. :cool:

[ilovenukes4eva]

Oh stop it you two. Don't turn this into a Halberd vs Spectre thread, thank you. Think of the poor op.
Now for my advice:
Don't go all long, do a mix of long n shorts/long n med. Strikes love your giant blind. Drop the missile unless you have a good reason to keep it. My personal setup is front long, right meds and left shorts. Decent power control.

Engines. Two choices: fight or flight? If you want to turn and burn, all gyros. Frequent traveling and chasing, all turbos. If possible, try both and find out which style you like. If you're having problems with strikes in your blind, use gyros. If not, I recommend all boost. You need that speed to chase strikes.

Plates.
Long term: 2 armor and 1 dc/2 hp 1 dc. If can't handle the power drain, 2 armor and 1 hp is quite nice as well.
Short term: 2 hp. Armor is not good until the higher lvls. Dc is optional here, but not advised.

Comps.
The hard choice. Two options here.
The ulti debuffer. 2 emitters, avoid debuff, weapon debuff and speed/avoid hack or powercell.
The balanced one. Avoid debuff, weapon debuff, speed debuff, speed buff, weapon buff/powercell.
Powercells are usually needed when running dc.

Note: Take my advice with a pinch of salt. This is my personal advice.
All the best, and take pride in being a Spectre pilot!! :D

[ZER0COOL]

Despite what the numbers say, I have no faith in armor. I used to carry nealy all armor on all my ships, but with all the cheap armor piecing ammo kicking about it seemed pointless, also facotr in that armour is completel;y ineffective against lines. HP all the way for me.

Also agree about ditching the lone missile launcher in the time you have to get one missle off the strike or escort has moved out of its firing arc and 1 escort missile is not exactly a threat even if it lands, replace it with a cannon.

[magnusrex0]

Thanks to all who posted constuctive advice :P I know a spectre can't handle merit escorts alone... I just want to be tough enough not to go for.

On another note, why would a mix of gun types be advised? I tried that before, but I didn't like the resuls... Was I doing it wrong?

[laurichg]

There is a glaive pilot on caprica who has 2 missile launchers on the front but is planning on replacing them with 2LR mulitargeting cannons. The rockets drain too much power in an extended firefight. He also runs all MR cannons on the sides and either a min scanner for grinding and 4 debuffs or 5 debuffs. 1 avoidance, 2 weapon and 2 speed/turning debuffs.

[Boyd]

First decide how you want to use your ship. My spector is set up for strike killing and support.

1- emiter (I have a rating of 275 which is higher than a hel). This allows my debuffs to last almost twice as long.
1- avoid debuff
1- weapons debuff
1- speed/turn debuff
1- speed/turn boost

1-slide(strikes hate it. Plus you can use it to extend you speed boost
1-booster

3-hull plates. (Dc packs take energy i normally am short on

2-gp cannons up front
2-gp cannons on the side
2-sr cannons on the back.

This set up is for killing strikes first. I have also killed a lot of non-advanced merit escorts. Advanced will pound you. Lines will also pound you due to running out of energy. However, this set up with a squad will make life misrable for all three classes in the support role. Hit a strike set up for avoidance this set up while a escort is hitting him and watch his hp melt.

[ATOMICPUNK1]

I'm with INukes on this one, Stop!,. ROTFLMAO!!,. . Naturally Halberd pilots will try to discourage a new Spectre Pilot because the Spectre is the one escort their afraid of the most,. That extra gun doesn't mean much in a 1v1 when all 7 guns, Computer, & Avoidance is nerfed, LOL!. However, Most escort pilots don't have what it takes to devote themselves to a ship that requires not only skill, But patients.

Of course if your going up against an advanced Hal, Then don't expect to win unless you're advanced as well,. Not just the extra hull plate ,But skills as a pilot. Advanced Merit escorts think their the center of the universe, LOL!,. But their not!., Jack of all trades, Master of none, Remember that,. Any good specialty Escort pilot comparable to their level of skill, & gear will prevail every time, And as all Escorts have a weakness, The Merit Escort Has three,. Exploit your Specialty Strengths & Their weakness,. Know you Spectre limitations. The Spectre was designed for a specific role.

However, like all ships in the game your Spectre load out can be buffed to preform roles it was not intended for. If hunting merit escorts is your thing, My best suggestion: #1 Force them to waste a slot protecting their computer while increasing your emitter at the same time,. #2, Nerf their weapons, & avoidance,. #3,. (And most important!), Run a higher level AC Pac then the rest of your gear.

[3Beetles]

And make sure your computer skills are high level, saving that extra bit of time for cool down and/or lower energy costs is often the difference between victory and defeat. I don't fear any pvp strike in my glaive because I know I can hold my own, even against the high level players (not that I win all the time mind you) and I am getting better at dealing with pvp liches and lines as well. Having high level computer gear is important as well, if you're serious about your command escort I would probably upgrade them first once all your gear is at a respectable level (5-6). ECW is your strength and should be your main focus, then work on upgrading your guns etc...

[-Crash-70]

there is nothin wrong with piloting a spectre... forget everythin that guy just said... if u in a wing that hunts together then go for a support role.. if u solo hunt then go for speed hack and run some dcs with powerpacks... get ya guns up high and learn how to fly HIGH... for some reason no one learns how to look UP. oh man im givin all the trade secrets away.

keep it up.. spectres are cool and there just simply isnt enough pilots around flyin them

Not really most already know where the Cylons are I fly around 10000 now its quite a view looking down but I use my Scythe because at that altitude you need speed to attack anything at lower altitudes but if there not looking up good for me bad for them, as for DC packs I don't use them I put all my cubits into my guns and armour lvl 9 now and some leeches have found out the hard way no blind spot and an extreme turning radius that allows me to fire almost at a 360' yea its bad but its a work in progress, now there's a real hint plus 2 Artemis helps especially at close range.

Last tip for all the Nuggets use RED ammo and missiles until you level up, Nukes and hit and run!

[maverick1987]

Naturally Halberd pilots will try to discourage a new Spectre Pilot because the Spectre is the one escort their afraid of the most,.
This made me laugh. The only Cylon escort that gives a Halberd driver pause is the Advanced Liche. Don't kid yourself. Are Liche pilots afraid of Glaives?

I absolutely love swooping down on a slow, awkward, clunky Spectre pilot that tries to hack me to death. Its one of the few Cylon ships that has a clear blindspot that can hide a Halberd. I just pop a DC pack, pop an energy pack and fire away with 5 guns until he's dead, waiting for his buffs/debuffs to recharge along with his energy levels to use them -- if he's using guns, or worse, missiles, he'll never regain enough power for a second hack attempt.

Discourage? No way. By all means, get a Spectre. :)

[ATOMICPUNK1]

This made me laugh. The only Cylon escort that gives a Halberd driver pause is the Advanced Liche. Don't kid yourself. Are Liche pilots afraid of Glaives?

I absolutely love swooping down on a slow, awkward, clunky Spectre pilot that tries to hack me to death. Its one of the few Cylon ships that has a clear blindspot that can hide a Halberd. I just pop a DC pack, pop an energy pack and fire away with 5 guns until he's dead, waiting for his buffs/debuffs to recharge along with his energy levels to use them -- if he's using guns, or worse, missiles, he'll never regain enough power for a second hack attempt.

Discourage? No way. By all means, get a Spectre. :)

Sweet,. Is driving a Hal like driving a golfball?, LOL! , No Hal pilot on the Scorpia sever has ever dared that tactic with me,. Well,. At least not alone, But then again,. I was flying a Spectre early 2011, So I have an advantage so to speak, as far as Escort piloting.,. As I'v said many times, A command escort is definitely not for everyone,. Only those who seek a challenge need apply,. BTW,. I do have a liche as well.

[maverick1987]

Sweet,. Is driving a Hal like driving a golfball?, LOL!
Actually, its more like a hammerhead shark since it rocks side to side while flying through space, reminiscent of a shark. When 5-10-or more attack the same group of targets it resembles a shark feeding frenzy. Watch a few halberds take on that giant crab-like Nid and you'll see what I mean. Kind of cool to watch if you're one of the sharks. I hear its pretty frightening to see a group of hammerheads bearing down on you if you're a Cylon though.

As I'v said many times, A command escort is definitely not for everyone,. Only those who seek a challenge need apply,.
Command escorts need a squad to be truly effective. If you solo a lot, especially in systems on the "other side of the map" where the other faction can quickly call in fast moving reinforcements, a slow ship like the command or assault class escorts are usually easy pickings.

But I do like to have those flying hacketrons (raptor, glaive) in my squad when were causing mayhem.

BTW,. I do have a liche as well.
Are you afraid of a glaive one on one? Don't think so...

[ilovenukes4eva]

I've said it before and will say it again, please DO NOT turn this into a 'My Ship Is Better Than Yours' thread. Take your discussion somewhere else.

Maverick, I respect you, but if you've got nothing good to say, kindly GTFO. Your comments are not needed here. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

On another matter, to the op, you can go 3 hp if you want to, but be reminded that it will affect your turn rate. It's your decision. :) And about the guns, it's because strikes like to get in close in your blindspot. The extra dps is better.

[magnusrex0]

Hey ilovenukes, I actually enjoy listening to them :P In fact, expert escort players bantering on about the pluses of their ships gives me a chance to see in part how they think... Besides, as for the blind spot on the spectre, it isn't THAT bad... No halberd has ever tried sitting in it (mind you, most hal's screaming down on me are lvl 60+, and can nerf me pretty quick...) I just do the noob thing and park it, so they have to dance around me while I turn to face them (This works against overconfident strike pilots in the lvl 25 to 45 range... killed a bunch doing this). I tend to think they believe a lone spectre isn't going to kill them.

I like to facilitate discussion, not rage comments ilovenukes. Keep that in mind...

Props to Maverick and ATOMIC for their excellent comments :P

[maverick1987]

Maverick, I respect you, but if you've got nothing good to say, kindly GTFO. Your comments are not needed here. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
You need to work on your reading comprehension. I have posted a few good things about the Spectre, as well as warned him of the main danger of the command-class escorts: Running out of power.

To the OP: All those buffs/debuffs rapidly drain power and without power your guns are useless. Always carry at least one Energy Recharge in your comp slots and use the +30% energy packs. In even matches when two escorts are pounding away at one another, the deciding factor between victory and defeat is who can keep his guns firing the longest.

[-Crash-70]

The Spectre I used to think it was a silly ship, a piece of craap and in my way until one smoked me I killed them by the scrap yard ton weight, I know better now and approach with caution, and pick my fight carefully.

My hats off to the Spectre pilot who got me I was surprised.

[ilovenukes4eva]

Oh, my mistake then. Let the discussion commence. :D
And 'bout the power....... I have no major issues with it save lines and plats/dc.
Pro tip: Use emitters. 2 lvl 10 emitters and 2 lvl 10 debuff lets you keep ships in infinite hack.
Powerpacks are a bloody waste of slots if you're not running dc, IMO.

[ATOMICPUNK1]

Oh, my mistake then. Let the discussion commence. :D
And 'bout the power....... I have no major issues with it save lines and plats/dc.
Pro tip: Use emitters. 2 lvl 10 emitters and 2 lvl 10 debuff lets you keep ships in infinite hack.
Powerpacks are a bloody waste of slots if you're not running dc, IMO.
How can you not have power issues?,. What are you firing, Spitwads?, LOL!,. OK, Granted 2 emitters will save you a little power, But 2 debufs, & what else?,. A Harpy?, or Capacitor? Harpy is standard no matter what ship you fly. Personally I don't have power issues no matter what Role I want to fly

layouts:
All computer & EW gear I use is level 12- 14,. Weapons 13- 14,. Engines 13-14,. Plates/dc pacs 14-15

General purpose:
2-long range
1-long Missile
1-medium
2-shorts
3-hull plates
1-Avoidance engine
1-Gyro
1-AC Pac
1-harpy
1-avoidance Buff
1-avoidance debuff
1-weapons buff

Anti Missile Boat Layout:
1-long
1-medium
2-short
1-Long missile
1-med missile
2-plates
1-DC
2-thrust boosters
1-AC Pac
1-harpy
1-Computer debuff
1-avoidance debuff
1-gorgon

Beacon crew:
2-long
1-medium
3-short
3-plates
1-avoidance engine
1-gyro
1-AC pac
1-harpy
1-Computer buff
1-avoidance buff
1-weapons buff

[Strynge]

I have an adv spectre that I'm working on too.
I'd like to here what atomic and ilovenukes feel about
armor plates. I'm using 1 armor and 2 hull plates but am
considering dumping more into armor plates.

And for the op, emitters are great! I run one and it seems like
my hacks stick around a long time, not sure about running 2,
but 1 definitely should be something to consider using.

[Firetrail]

IMO The commands escort ships are most suited to the role of ES in fleet battles and squadron battles..

You will need upgrade ES and EW skills and upgrade ship items to get around the power issues if you want do 1vs 1 combat.

You can also use the aux power unit for power gain, or use non power items like emitter/ firewall/ E-war array.

These ships are poor performers if your skills and upgrades are low.

Bugsmasher
Canceron

[ilovenukes4eva]

I have an adv spectre that I'm working on too.
I'd like to here what atomic and ilovenukes feel about
armor plates. I'm using 1 armor and 2 hull plates but am
considering dumping more into armor plates.

And for the op, emitters are great! I run one and it seems like
my hacks stick around a long time, not sure about running 2,
but 1 definitely should be something to consider using.

Depends on which enemy you keep facing. Strike hunter, 2 armor 1 dc. More anti-line/op runs, 2 hp 1 dc. If general purpose, 3 hp is good too. Basically just follow atomic's build. Just be aware that armor helps you against strikes, but against lines it's worse. :)