The Cobra is the Ultimate ship in this game
- Thread starter Pendra
- Start date
I don't know if I would agree with the OP or not, given my currently limited experience. However, I will say that there are in-universe reasons as well as real life historical reasons for the Cobra to be pretty awesome as well as suited for a variety of tasks. In the original game, the Cobra was favored by pirates, bounty hunters, and merchants alike, and was capable of many of the things that the one in this game can do. The Mark II model was, as I recall, the one the player had, with the Mark III being something to envy - if it was in there (it's been awhile since I read the stories included with that game).
That said, although for nostalgia's sake if for no other reason I was originally aiming for the Cobra, I have found the Viper to be fairly capable, versatile, and of course it is cheaper. I will say that it seems in this game that the initial cost of the ships is not necessarily an indicator of their ultimate ability when built correctly, and is a small fraction of the total you're going to spend getting there. In the original game, the Vipers used by the police forces of the galaxy were superior in many ways to the stock Cobra, but a properly outfitted one could kick their butt, which is part of why it was supposed to be so popular among those who might run afoul of the law. I don't think it would be much in the spirit of the game if the Cobra wasn't pretty awesome. I do also think it seems likely that the higher end ships would be far superior to the Cobra in a number of ways, which is also right and proper not only for game balance reasons but for in-universe reasons.
For instance the Fer De Lance was meant to be a ship flown by filthy rich bounty hunters among others and even though the Anaconda had far less weaponry than it does in this game, the ones run by pirates and bounty hunters were a nasty surprise for anyone who had thought to take some easy prey in the form of lightly armed traders. In this game, those ships are to say the least very good, and they should be given the price and the above in-universe reasons. Why a ship that cost half the price os a Cobra should be made superior seems backwards to me. In any case, you should seek out whatever ship is the "ultimate" for you.
That said, although for nostalgia's sake if for no other reason I was originally aiming for the Cobra, I have found the Viper to be fairly capable, versatile, and of course it is cheaper. I will say that it seems in this game that the initial cost of the ships is not necessarily an indicator of their ultimate ability when built correctly, and is a small fraction of the total you're going to spend getting there. In the original game, the Vipers used by the police forces of the galaxy were superior in many ways to the stock Cobra, but a properly outfitted one could kick their butt, which is part of why it was supposed to be so popular among those who might run afoul of the law. I don't think it would be much in the spirit of the game if the Cobra wasn't pretty awesome. I do also think it seems likely that the higher end ships would be far superior to the Cobra in a number of ways, which is also right and proper not only for game balance reasons but for in-universe reasons.
For instance the Fer De Lance was meant to be a ship flown by filthy rich bounty hunters among others and even though the Anaconda had far less weaponry than it does in this game, the ones run by pirates and bounty hunters were a nasty surprise for anyone who had thought to take some easy prey in the form of lightly armed traders. In this game, those ships are to say the least very good, and they should be given the price and the above in-universe reasons. Why a ship that cost half the price os a Cobra should be made superior seems backwards to me. In any case, you should seek out whatever ship is the "ultimate" for you.
The Cobra is a good ship but it has it's limits. I can hold out against stronger ships by using my piloting skills but I don't have any real combat oriented stuff on it other than a couple miniguns. It is designed for exploring but I have still beaten Asps before. I've killed many Sideys with it no problem, they just don't hold up unless they can outpilot you and even then they are just outclassed. I have killed some Eagles with it but I hate going against those lighter fighter ships because if you get into a turning battle you will lose every time.
I think that if you aren't sure what you really want to do but you want to dump your Sidey it is a very good investment and through upgrades you can keep it relevant. I'm using mine for exploring and I've made millions in it smuggling/exploring so I like the Cobra. Against ships like the FDL or the Anaconda or the Python or the Vulture it just can't really hold it's own unless you're just a solid pilot. Against those ships like Vipers if you get into turning battles you will lose.
I think that as an all around ship it is a better starting option than the Hauler or the Adder and if you kit it right and you're a good pilot and you know it's strengths you can get some killing in with it but I haven't really used it for those purposes. I think for combat there are better ships.
However, if you want to attack traders and pirate their cargo it is a very good option because the Cobra can run from pretty much anything if it gets outclassed, so you can bail if it gets hot. I don't think anyone can really beat the cobra if it comes down to straight line running. That is the main strength of the Cobra IMHO, and I think that is what it would really excel at. Honestly if I had it to do over again maybe I would have started with the Cobra doing pirating. I have never done that but everything I have read and my own insights into it make me think that would be a solid use for it.
As an exploration ship, not a bad option. You can get it up to about 20 LY range for a few million CR which is reasonable for exploration. You have the cargo space to put in a detailed surface scanner, scoop and a discovery scanner no problems. If you want to use it as a trader you can do it too, especially if you remove some other components to put more cargo space in. I have 16 slots right now and I removed one of my cargo racks to put something else in, so as a trader with teeth that you can bail if you get interdicted it is a reasonable ship. I smuggled slaves for a while in mine to make some easy money and it did really well in that, every time I got interdicted I could just run.
No, it isn't the best all around ship in ED but I feel that for my playstyle it is the best cheap ship in ED. Every ship has it's limits and the Cobra is not any different. I like mine.
I think that if you aren't sure what you really want to do but you want to dump your Sidey it is a very good investment and through upgrades you can keep it relevant. I'm using mine for exploring and I've made millions in it smuggling/exploring so I like the Cobra. Against ships like the FDL or the Anaconda or the Python or the Vulture it just can't really hold it's own unless you're just a solid pilot. Against those ships like Vipers if you get into turning battles you will lose.
I think that as an all around ship it is a better starting option than the Hauler or the Adder and if you kit it right and you're a good pilot and you know it's strengths you can get some killing in with it but I haven't really used it for those purposes. I think for combat there are better ships.
However, if you want to attack traders and pirate their cargo it is a very good option because the Cobra can run from pretty much anything if it gets outclassed, so you can bail if it gets hot. I don't think anyone can really beat the cobra if it comes down to straight line running. That is the main strength of the Cobra IMHO, and I think that is what it would really excel at. Honestly if I had it to do over again maybe I would have started with the Cobra doing pirating. I have never done that but everything I have read and my own insights into it make me think that would be a solid use for it.
As an exploration ship, not a bad option. You can get it up to about 20 LY range for a few million CR which is reasonable for exploration. You have the cargo space to put in a detailed surface scanner, scoop and a discovery scanner no problems. If you want to use it as a trader you can do it too, especially if you remove some other components to put more cargo space in. I have 16 slots right now and I removed one of my cargo racks to put something else in, so as a trader with teeth that you can bail if you get interdicted it is a reasonable ship. I smuggled slaves for a while in mine to make some easy money and it did really well in that, every time I got interdicted I could just run.
No, it isn't the best all around ship in ED but I feel that for my playstyle it is the best cheap ship in ED. Every ship has it's limits and the Cobra is not any different. I like mine.
Here's the thing that people seem to forget, combat is skill based, the players skill. There are no 'abilities' or such that help the player other then their own ability to fly and their ability to control it.
And this is the thing that ticks of a lot of people to hear, but a more skilled player in a cobra can take out a lesser skilled person in a viper yes, so very yes. But this has nothing to do with the cobra being too strong, absolutely nothing. It has to do with the player and their ability to chose and fly a setup and ship better then someone else. This is a big part of the game as should remain such, so yeah, if a cobra is flown by someone better they can beat you, the viper on its own even with a better shield does not equal a win, if he hits you more then you hit him, he wins, or if he just hits subsystems better then you do..
It doesn't really "beat the specialized ship". In what - combat? It does not, but it's admittedly close. Cobra beats it in ability to run from combat, though. I would not mind seeing a small buff for the Viper, because I hate the fact that the lower-end ships become pretty damn useless after a few days (yes, I know some disagree with that point regarding the Viper). The Cobra is the first ship which you might stick with for a while. Sure, it beats the Viper in terms of general utility, but you know, you'd expect a multi-role ship to beat a specialized one in terms of general utility.
As for "same tier" - it really isn't; the Cobra costs more then double compared to the Viper to outfit; a bit more and you can get the Vulture, which while being somewhat slower, has thrice the shields of the Cobra, is more agile then it, and is better armed then it, and hell, if you really wished, you could carry 32t of cargo in it.
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It doesn't really "beat the specialized ship". In what - combat? It does not, but it's admittedly close. Cobra beats it in ability to run from combat, though. I would not mind seeing a small buff for the Viper, because I hate the fact that the lower-end ships become pretty damn useless after a few days (yes, I know some disagree with that point regarding the Viper). The Cobra is the first ship which you might stick with for a while. Sure, it beats the Viper in terms of general utility, but you know, you'd expect a multi-role ship to beat a specialized one in terms of general utility.
As for "same tier" - it really isn't; the Cobra costs more then double compared to the Viper to outfit; a bit more and you can get the Vulture, which while being somewhat slower, has thrice the shields of the Cobra, is more agile then it, and is better armed then it, and hell, if you really wished, you could carry 32t of cargo in it.
The Cobra isn't really OP at all. It's the penultimate ship for doing anything in the game, but lets face it, it's a jack of all trades and a master of none.
Vulture/Viper are better combat ships
Asp is a better exploration/rare trades ship
Anything from a T6 up to T9's a better conventional trading ship
But for general all-purpose ability, it's pretty damn good. It's advantages are basically it's ability to be "good" at lots of things. It's my go-to ship when I try to flip systems, as I can jump long ranges to get cargo, access all types of station, do limited combat missions, ample cargo hauling/retrieval/salvage space, everything needed for missions.
But again, if I want to grind a cargo route (especially for a community goal), I grab my imperial clipper. If I want to run a dozen accumulated assassination missions or grind out war kills, I grab my vulture.
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The Cobra isn't really OP at all. It's the penultimate ship for doing anything in the game, but lets face it, it's a jack of all trades and a master of none.
Vulture/Viper are better combat ships
Asp is a better exploration/rare trades ship
Anything from a T6 up to T9's a better conventional trading ship
But for general all-purpose ability, it's pretty damn good. It's advantages are basically it's ability to be "good" at lots of things. It's my go-to ship when I try to flip systems, as I can jump long ranges to get cargo, access all types of station, do limited combat missions, ample cargo hauling/retrieval/salvage space, everything needed for missions.
But again, if I want to grind a cargo route (especially for a community goal), I grab my imperial clipper. If I want to run a dozen accumulated assassination missions or grind out war kills, I grab my vulture.
Vulture/Viper are better combat ships
Asp is a better exploration/rare trades ship
Anything from a T6 up to T9's a better conventional trading ship
But for general all-purpose ability, it's pretty damn good. It's advantages are basically it's ability to be "good" at lots of things. It's my go-to ship when I try to flip systems, as I can jump long ranges to get cargo, access all types of station, do limited combat missions, ample cargo hauling/retrieval/salvage space, everything needed for missions.
But again, if I want to grind a cargo route (especially for a community goal), I grab my imperial clipper. If I want to run a dozen accumulated assassination missions or grind out war kills, I grab my vulture.
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The Cobra isn't really OP at all. It's the penultimate ship for doing anything in the game, but lets face it, it's a jack of all trades and a master of none.
Vulture/Viper are better combat ships
Asp is a better exploration/rare trades ship
Anything from a T6 up to T9's a better conventional trading ship
But for general all-purpose ability, it's pretty damn good. It's advantages are basically it's ability to be "good" at lots of things. It's my go-to ship when I try to flip systems, as I can jump long ranges to get cargo, access all types of station, do limited combat missions, ample cargo hauling/retrieval/salvage space, everything needed for missions.
But again, if I want to grind a cargo route (especially for a community goal), I grab my imperial clipper. If I want to run a dozen accumulated assassination missions or grind out war kills, I grab my vulture.
The Cobra is the ideal ship in the game, albeit not, technically, the best.
I get the distinct impression that the game has been designed around the Cobra and then stuff extended out in each direction. It's changing a bit with recent updates, but it certainly was the position when repairs and fuel were so expensive.
There are pricier ships that make more money etc etc, but these aren't required to play the game as designed. Cheaper ships are a bit of a compromise and struggle.
The lure of class 3 weapons in the Vulture was too much for me and I upgraded and it's been great fun, but not being able to shift cargo too was too much. I'm now in a Clipper, but my jump range is stunted.
I used my Cobra to really do everything, the jump range is great on it, it packs enough of a punch to be able to tangle and survive a tangle with every other NPC in the game and you can shift a reasonable amount of cargo to boot.
I've still got my rattler hull in dock, I won't get rid of it - I expect if I ever grind through to an Anaconda I'll bring it out of retirement for nipping around the place and outposts.
I get the distinct impression that the game has been designed around the Cobra and then stuff extended out in each direction. It's changing a bit with recent updates, but it certainly was the position when repairs and fuel were so expensive.
There are pricier ships that make more money etc etc, but these aren't required to play the game as designed. Cheaper ships are a bit of a compromise and struggle.
The lure of class 3 weapons in the Vulture was too much for me and I upgraded and it's been great fun, but not being able to shift cargo too was too much. I'm now in a Clipper, but my jump range is stunted.
I used my Cobra to really do everything, the jump range is great on it, it packs enough of a punch to be able to tangle and survive a tangle with every other NPC in the game and you can shift a reasonable amount of cargo to boot.
I've still got my rattler hull in dock, I won't get rid of it - I expect if I ever grind through to an Anaconda I'll bring it out of retirement for nipping around the place and outposts.
Oh look.. an other of those nerf x ship buff my viper threads.
Are you kidding me? The only enemies it can take on are Adders? dude are we playing the same game? I can take on Pythons and when I feel ballsy even Condas...Then again my Cobra is worth 8+ million, I'm assuming yours is stock?
yikes!
I have three ships, an Asp,a Vulture and a Cobra. I'm currently 6KLY out in the black with my Asp in full exporer kit, my Vulture is based at LHS 2637 for RES-ing, and my Cobra is waiting for me back at TSU for when I get back from the Rim. When I do, I'll tool it up and start exploring known space, as I've really seen very little of it. I'd quite happliy sell either or both of my other ships, but the Cobra is a keeper.
Hull strength is no help against human opponents. You'll lose your power plant without losing your hull. Armour doesn't protect subsystems.
Again, victory is not measured in KILL KILL KILL it is measured in survival. And you can't kill a CMDR Cobra 1v1 or even 1v4. Only if the cobra pilot sucks or the build is not final.
I can do battle in a cobra against any number of anything for 20 mins or 2 days and still come out alive. It is very hard to kill somebody that can get out of your weapons range in 10 secs and never enter again. The only thing that is slightly dangerous to a cobra is an other cobra.
Combat ships, cobra pilots laugh at them, turn around and hit boost 3x.
Viper is supposed to be the fastest thing around. To offset that, it suffers from energy issues. You can run a shield cell bank but it requires pretty good power management skill in combat.
I can do battle in a cobra against any number of anything for 20 mins or 2 days and still come out alive. It is very hard to kill somebody that can get out of your weapons range in 10 secs and never enter again. The only thing that is slightly dangerous to a cobra is an other cobra.
Combat ships, cobra pilots laugh at them, turn around and hit boost 3x.
Viper is supposed to be the fastest thing around. To offset that, it suffers from energy issues. You can run a shield cell bank but it requires pretty good power management skill in combat.
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OK, now this is clearly an exercise in trolling, no-one can genuinely believe that, however inexperienced. Beware, commanders, when crossing bridges
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Sidewinder is the ultimate ship in the game, because you get infinite number of them. Infinite quantity is its own infinite quality, so there!
Seriously though, Cobra is probably the best mission runner in the game. I just finished Imperial rank progression, and did it all in a Cobra. Its just cheap enough, can fight good enough, can carry enough cargo, and can jump well. Vipers can't jump with junk in trunk. AND it can land on outposts.
This last point kept my Clipper grounded for over a month, though it's a great ship in other respects.
Seriously though, Cobra is probably the best mission runner in the game. I just finished Imperial rank progression, and did it all in a Cobra. Its just cheap enough, can fight good enough, can carry enough cargo, and can jump well. Vipers can't jump with junk in trunk. AND it can land on outposts.
This last point kept my Clipper grounded for over a month, though it's a great ship in other respects.
OK, now this is clearly an exercise in trolling, no-one can genuinely believe that, however deluded and inexperienced. Beware, commanders, when crossing bridges
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I tend to agree with Pendra. In combat survivability is more important than ability to kill. In a fully combat equipped fast cobra, if you pick your target carefully - especially in conflict zones - you can just hit & kill and escape at 450 m/s.
Of course sometimes you are not able to kill your target - especially if they are a undamaged large ship. But you can nevertheless escape and try again a few times.
Some people call this "trolling" in the game but I disagree. Hit and run is a perfectly viable tactic that has been successfully used in history (e.g., WWII aviation...)
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OK, now this is clearly an exercise in trolling, no-one can genuinely believe that, however deluded and inexperienced. Beware, commanders, when crossing bridges
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I tend to agree with Pendra. In combat survivability is more important than ability to kill. In a fully combat equipped fast cobra, if you pick your target carefully - especially in conflict zones - you can just hit & kill and escape at 450 m/s.
Of course sometimes you are not able to kill your target - especially if they are a undamaged large ship. But you can nevertheless escape and try again a few times.
Some people call this "trolling" in the game but I disagree. Hit and run is a perfectly viable tactic that has been successfully used in history (e.g., WWII aviation...)
OK, now this is clearly an exercise in trolling, no-one can genuinely believe that, however deluded and inexperienced. Beware, commanders, when crossing bridges
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I tend to agree with Pendra. In combat survivability is more important than ability to kill. In a fully combat equipped fast cobra, if you pick your target carefully - especially in conflict zones - you can just hit & kill and escape at 450 m/s.
Of course sometimes you are not able to kill your target - especially if they are a undamaged large ship. But you can nevertheless escape and try again a few times.
Some people call this "trolling" in the game but I disagree. Hit and run is a perfectly viable tactic that has been successfully used in history (e.g., WWII aviation...)
You can kill things in PvE with a sidewinder, not to mention an Adder. PvE is no challenge at all and not really the point of the discussion.
For me victory is measured, in, well, the other guy exploding. While the Cobra can sure run like hell, well, some ship will always be the fastest and this means it will be able to disengage from most things. If they switched the Viper and Cobra's place speed wise, someone who values speed above all else would complain "Viper is the best ship ingame".
Btw, unless your Cobra is stripped down like hell, a Clipper is a danger to it (it can reach some crazy speeds - and keep boosting). Of course a fitted out Clipper is an entirely different price range.
With the insurance handholding in ED, the focus on "speed above all else" doesn't make to me so much sense, unless you were exploring in open mode or something where you really stand to lose something. Personally I'm eyeing the Vulture - it can run from many things, and is far far more combat capable at something like twice the cost of the Cobra. Of course I would not mind if the Viper was faster - in the grand scheme of things it's pretty obsolete imo next to the Cobra / Vulture (and not to mention other ships) as it is, but if the Cobra was any slower it'd just join the group of useless ships which are discarded when you get the next thing.
I'm really really curious though what the Imperial Courier will bring, perhaps another fast ship which actually looks good
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