Thargoid Combat: Difference between revisions
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learn the details of Thargoid combat (this is an in-depth article) |
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'''Thargoid Combat''' is the most difficult content available in ''[[Elite Dangerous]]''. It requires a combination of advanced ships, specialized modules, and high-skilled piloting to be successful, but in return it is one of the most lucrative activities in the game, and was central focus of the Second Thargoid War before its conclusion in 3310.
This guide is designed to help players learn the details of
== Thargoids ==
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'''Thargoids''' are an ancient race of ammonia-based aliens, who spend most of their time in [[Witchspace]]. They enter the Milky Way to seed systems with their [[Thargoid Barnacle|Barnacles]], and periodically return to tend them for unknown reasons. These barnacles create [[Meta-Alloys]], a substance with incredible durability and material properties. Humanity's harvesting of these alloys has led to conflict between the two races, and as a result the Pilots Federation has placed hefty bounties on any confirmed kill.
== Thargoid
Thargoid ships come in several varieties, each more durable and deadly than the last.
=== Scouts ===
{{Main|Thargoid Scout}}The smallest and weakest Thargoid ship is the '''[[Scout]]'''. Scouts are small, agile, and always aggressive. Scouts come in four subtypes; Marauders (the most common type, with a caustic main gun and the ability to fire small, fast caustic missiles), Regenerators (capable of healing nearby Thargoids), Enciters (capable increasing the speed and agility of nearby Thargoids), and Berserkers (capable of increasing the damage of nearby Thargoids and prompting them to launch additional missiles). All scouts have significant damage resistance to human weapons, but still take approximately 33% damage from all human weaponry. This makes them the easiest to defeat out of all Thargoid vessels, and combating them can be done with traditional PvE ship builds.
<gallery>
File:Thargoid-Berserker-Sideview.png|
File:Thargoid Scout Inciter 2.png|
File:Thargoid Scout Marauder Side View.png|
File:Thargoid-Scout-Regenerator.png|
</gallery>
=== Hunters ===
{{Main|Thargoid Hunter}}[[Thargoid Hunter|'''Hunter''']]-class vessels are a middle ground between Scouts and Interceptors. While they lack the powerful defensive capabilities of Interceptors, they have far more firepower and durability than Scouts, and are particularly effective at taking down medium-class vessels.
There are two varieties of Hunters: Scythes are weaker and slower and completely ignore most targets unless they are carrying Escape Pods, which they will attempt to steal for unknown purposes. The second type is the far more dangerous Glaive, which can move at up to 750m/s, can steal shields to replenish its own, fire missiles that cause FSD reboots, and have an anti-Guardian field, rapidly damaging Guardian modules and weaponry on nearby ships (this requires the [[Anti-Guardian Zone Resistance]] engineering to nullify). While dangerous, these vessels can be taken down effectively via gimbaled Enhanced AX Multicannons.
<gallery>
File:Thargoid Glaive ship 1.jpg|
File:Thargoid Scythe 1.png|
</gallery>
=== Interceptors ===
{{Main|Thargoid Interceptor}}The [[Thargoid Interceptor|'''Interceptor''']] has four varieties. Interceptors are much more durable than scouts, taking 1% damage from standard human damage types, requiring the use of specialized 'anti-xeno' weapons. They are also not always aggressive; often they can be encountered simply minding their business, largely ignoring nearby ships and players. However, if they scan a player carrying Guardian or Thargoid materials (which aren't immediately dropped after scanning), are attacked, or rammed, they will immediately begin glowing red and engage the target. Fighting them is far more complex than fighting human vessels. Before destroying them, players must first destroy their '''[[Thargoid Heart|hearts]]'''.▼
▲The [[Thargoid Interceptor|'''Interceptor''']] has four varieties. Interceptors are much more durable than scouts, taking 1% damage from standard human damage types, requiring the use of specialized 'anti-xeno' weapons. They are also not always aggressive; often they can be encountered simply minding their business, largely ignoring nearby ships and players. However, if they scan a player carrying Guardian or Thargoid materials (which aren't immediately dropped after scanning), are attacked, or rammed, they will immediately begin glowing red and engage the target. Fighting them is far more complex than fighting human vessels. Before destroying them, players must first destroy their '''hearts'''.
<gallery>
File:Thargoid Interceptor Cyclops.png|Cyclops
File:Thargoid Interceptor Basilisk.png|
File:Thargoid Interceptor Medusa.png|Medusa
File:Thargoid Interceptor Hydra.png|Hydra
</gallery>
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[[File:Thargon-Swarm.png|thumb|250px|Thargon Swarm]]
When attacked, Interceptors will deploy a swarm of '''[[Thargon|Thargons]]'''; small, independent drones, capable of firing their own caustic projectiles. The most dangerous aspect of the swarm is its powerful '''phasing damage.''' While Interceptors do a standard 10% of their damage through shields, Thargon Swarms have a much more potent effect, dealing nearly 40% damage directly through shields onto the hull. As a result, shielded targets will suffer extreme amounts of hull damage due to the phasing damage, as well as being a larger target compared to unshielded vessels.
Even if the swarm can be avoided, they also possess a second capability. Swarms can become 'agitated', at which point small groups of them will employ a suicide run, ramming into their target for massive damage to hull and modules. This can be crippling to unshielded vessels, but can be avoided. Agitation can only occur when the swarm flies over a target, causing them to initiate a top-down attack; the swarm can then be pacified by flying through it a second time. Naturally, this comes at the risk of taking damage from the agitated swarm. Especially against larger shielded vessels, the Thargon Swarm can be the most devastating aspect of the fight.
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