I am considering a move from trading to combat...

[TheBBP]

If not only to blast pirates who put their interdictions all over everybody, right out of the sky.

I have 1.2 mil in credits and a mil or better in ship trade-in value and am thinking about getting into a nice gov't security job with the Alliance. Are there any guides that will help me get a foot in the door? I briefly tried this route in the beginning but had a hard time finding targets.

Any advice?

[Hicky]

I find hanging around the Nav Beacon gives a good selection of bad guys to shoot. I'm still experimenting with weapon loadouts for my Cobra, so cannot give you any advice in that department. The best guide for me was to just go out and find something to shoot.

[Scarstitchez]

I run 2 class 2 Multicannons and 2 class 1 beams on my Cobra...both gimballed because I am a lousy shot. seems to work well. Still seems like it takes forever to kill anything bigger than another Cobra. I am only Novice in combat rank...does rank give any benefits?

[Cmdr Kharma]

I find hanging around the Nav Beacon gives a good selection of bad guys to shoot. I'm still experimenting with weapon loadouts for my Cobra, so cannot give you any advice in that department. The best guide for me was to just go out and find something to shoot.

Yep.......

Currently running my Cobra with Primaries Class 2 beam and pulse....Both gimballed......

Secondary's.....Multi cannon and fragment cannon......Both gimballed......

Don't know how they perform yet.....Just got back in my Cobra and not been interdicted in 4 hours.....

[Emanon]

Racking up some bounties in a Resouce Site is good too because then you can have the fun of dodging asteroids and taking out targets with Security help, or helping our players/npcs doing mining. I use a Cobra for that myself.

[dbcher]

I find double pulse gimballed for primary and double gimballed cannons for secondary work quite well with my cobra.
I know I could do better with a different config, but I am limited since I only have a KB and Mouse setup

[Hicky]

At the moment I'm running a Plasma Accelerator and Cannon as primaries. I've got an A rated Cobra, but chasing down a Sidewinder can be fun. Had to change my target reticle from trailing to leading to make life a little easier. Probably not the best setup, but adds a bit of zest to combat.

[KleinerFisch]

If you're really want to go pure combat, I would recommend the Viper ! Cobra can be outfitted fine but it's the hardpoint placement that makes the Viper better. I got a fully equipped Cobra, with fixed beams and gimballed MC ... it's okay to do some bountyhunting and has enough cargo space to run missions and even rares trading in between. But with gim MCs its hard to keep locked on target.

Viper is so much better and even after the nerf (shieldbanks, heat generation) it works fine. Fixed beams to take the shields down, gimballed MC to shred the hull on smaller, target subsystems for bigger prey. 2 pips on shield, 4 pips on weapons and still outmanouvering everything (except Eagles, but these melt under your perma fire). Got A class shieldgenerator, power distributer, reactor and equipped chaff and KWS. You'll have to manage modules and when deploying hardpoints, switch off some, then it's really a BEAST !

[CMDR -_Turbo_-]

Just a few tips that are by no means testament:

1.) Viper is great for bounty work. Better shields but less hull than the cobra. Vice versa for the cobra. Both have the same maneuverability, but the cobra has more space and can serve as multi-purpose in a good way (missions).
2.) All lasers = no ammo costs. Cannons = high damage at closer range but require better shot placement. Multi-cannons = making you feel like one of Adama's pilots from the Galactica. Low ammo costs or no ammo costs is gooooooooooooood. Better for longer hunts.
3.) Gimballed weapons provide continuous damage if you can keep the bastard you're shooting at in the arc. Yes, fixed weapons do 20% more damage, but often make you lose focus in the fight; especially if there are asteroids present. Gimballed output less damage, but are excellent for destroying subsystems with continuous damage. Cannons drop subsystems like 3rd period home ec. Destroying subsystems = good tactics and faster kills.
4.) Know when to run away, and remember that the huge number of credits in vouchers are useless if you can't make it back to the station to turn them in.
5.) Shield cells are pretty much necessary for anacondas and the big stuff. Just remember that they use more power than the Griswald's Christmas lights.
6.) Chaff is like getting a french kiss from an angel during a dogfight if you use it right. Remember that it's not infinite.
7.) ALWAYS manage your power correctly. Shields don't run on hopes and dreams, they run on power pips Engines aren't as important once you're on top of the other ship. However, Vipers will outrun you. Don't fight it. Just boost to them, shooting on the way.
8.) LEARN TO USE FLIGHT ASSIST "OFF." Pitching it hard and then dropping the training wheels for a second gives you a nice turn rate boost. You can also use this to do a g-flip turn. It's worth the time to learn this flight skill.
9.) Returning to the station for refitting can build complacency. DO NOT FORGET if you are wanted for dinging that pretty police ship's shield. They don't care for it too much. It's easy to forget, and the station may decide you're better as floating debris decorations for the mail slot.
10.) Remember that it's not as profitable. It's fun, which is why you play the game in the first place.

Happy hunting. I do alot of it, so feel free to ask me as many questions via PM as you like. Take care!

-Turbo

[Beast Tanner]

Viper and Cobra do not have same maneuverability. It has been tested and Cobra loses in speed and maneuverability.