Ultimate Combat Ship

[GJ51]

Imagine the insurance if you find out after all that its not that great in combat after all.

Agreed, but OP stated "if money was not a problem."

I gave up all this stuff and went Exploring once 1.3 dropped. It's only today that there is some sign that the bug patches may be finally getting things back to a state of stability that might make it worthwhile to return to the core.

My sense of the 1.3 changes is that flying heavy expensive ships is no longer the advantage it once was as the risk/reward equation has changed. When/if I return, I'll most likely shift into smaller ships to minimize losses. I'm gravitating toward Courier for missions, Vulture for Combat, Asp for Exploration, and Clipper for trading as those seem to have the best survivability/re-buy cost in the current environment.

Risking expensive ships in this environment doesn't seem very prudent. I'll be playing defense for the near term.

 

[DatJames]

Here is one of my Anacondas. For combat only, nothing else. Power management is necessary. The AFMU and SCB are off except for one SCB. Still fiddling with the weapon load out, as well as if I need that many SCB, as well as the shield boosters. The ship can handle it, so why not. Only used the PA about 6 times, really not necessary unless its a wing with another Anaconda. At just over 600m, it is a beast, but not invincible. Its a beast to pilot, so now I am practicing my FAO with it. Its a bit easier then the T9, but drifts down quite a bit, most likely from the hull layout.

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=706,A...0_g0_g0_g,2-CgB6A07_CgD88I,7Vs7jw7jw7jw0Nc0Nc

How can you manage with that 10LY range? Mine has 19 packed to the brim with SCB's and I still hate moving around with it (Hence the 6B scoop)

 

[HipToss]

With all AFMU, cargo, FSD and all but one SCB off it's still 2.56 units over what your power plant can produce?

I have no cargo. When those modules are off and other priorities are set to 2, it drops to 36.53 (102%). Like I said, power management is necessary.

 

[D8ncer]

Would have thought that when you get to ships costing 300 to 600 million they would be a terrifying opponent. Looks good in principle but maybe a pointless excercise to even upgrade my Conda further.

 

[bitstorm]

I have no cargo. When those modules are off and other priorities are set to 2, it drops to 36.53 (102%). Like I said, power management is necessary.

Aye I've included the cargo, all AFMU, FSD and all but one SCB. It drops to 38.56 which is 2.56 over the 36 the power plant can do?

Perhaps you're losing the huge plasma accelerator too?

 

[HipToss]

How can you manage with that 10LY range? Mine has 19 packed to the brim with SCB's and I still hate moving around with it (Hence the 6B scoop)

It is only for combat, and modules shift a bit. I try to fit an A or B FSD to get into areas, then drop for a D for weight, or sometimes, drop a class. I also have 2 boosters turned off. I really done need that many, and do some switching around when it is needed. Still don't know if that works or not. Every time I want to test, I forget due to combat

 

[DatJames]

It is only for combat, and modules shift a bit. I try to fit an A or B FSD to get into areas, then drop for a D for weight, or sometimes, drop a class.

What boost speed are you getting with A thrusters? I stuck to D as they use so much less power and agility I never saw as a needed thing in the Conda, I have the turrets on the Medium/small to cover my ass and just turn FAOFF to get the nose pointed at who I want dead http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=706,A...a9Y8SCgD88I,7WK52C7jw7jw7iM7iM7iM7go7go7go9qm

 

[HipToss]

What boost speed are you getting with A thrusters? I stuck to D as they use so much less power and agility I never saw as a needed thing in the Conda, I have the turrets on the Medium/small to cover my ass and just turn FAOFF to get the nose pointed at who I want dead http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=706,A...a9Y8SCgD88I,7WK52C7jw7jw7iM7iM7iM7go7go7go9qm

Its not a massive jump in speed. But the maneuvering is a difference. Also goes for the lateral and vertical thrusters. The D thrusters, after letting off, you notice that the ship still keeps listing in that direction, and sometimes I would have to correct. The A does not do that as much. Also, with the A, stopping is much faster as well.

 

[DatJames]

Its not a massive jump in speed. But the maneuvering is a difference. Also goes for the lateral and vertical thrusters. The D thrusters, after letting off, you notice that the ship still keeps listing in that direction, and sometimes I would have to correct. The A does not do that as much. Also, with the A, stopping is much faster as well.

Hmm, may have to take the plunge and get the A powerplant and upgrade the thrusters and then could get my old A shield boosters back...But guh, that extra 110m for the powerplant seems painful.. I have the funds but I like seeing the cash sat there

 

[HipToss]

Hmm, may have to take the plunge and get the A powerplant and upgrade the thrusters and then could get my old A shield boosters back...But guh, that extra 110m for the powerplant seems painful.. I have the funds but I like seeing the cash sat there

It is a great choice if all you want is a combat Anaconda. One power management trick I tried was to get A life support, and set that to priority 2. 25 minutes of air was nice to CZ, but not RES. I have since passed on that option.

Edit: Nice discounts in some systems that have the PP for 15% off. Forget the name though, or how much longer it is

 

[DatJames]

It is a great choice if all you want is a combat Anaconda. One power management trick I tried was to get A life support, and set that to priority 2. 25 minutes of air was nice to CZ, but not RES. I have since passed on that option.

Huh...May have to look into that at some point as I mainly just CZ in the Conda as I hate flying it around RES zones (That is with D thrusters though, plus I love the Clipper currently for RES)

 

[Cmdr. Numa]

As a heavy battlecruiser in CZ I'll run a Conda all day. Alone you need to be a little cautious, with agile Wingmen that can keep you clear, you can wipe out the opposition faster that it can respawn. I admit having no experience with the Fdl yet, so can't judge that. Running a Clipper as a hunting ship is pure joy though. Almost nothing runs away from you, ever, and the firepower is very nice.

 

[HipToss]

Huh...May have to look into that at some point as I mainly just CZ in the Conda as I hate flying it around RES zones (That is with D thrusters though, plus I love the Clipper currently for RES)

If you do this, you will notice you are biting your nails more and really paying attention. That countdown timer in your ears really adds to the emotions. Also a good timer letting you know to check yourself and your ship.

 

[DatJames]

It is a great choice if all you want is a combat Anaconda. One power management trick I tried was to get A life support, and set that to priority 2. 25 minutes of air was nice to CZ, but not RES. I have since passed on that option.

Edit: Nice discounts in some systems that have the PP for 15% off. Forget the name though, or how much longer it is

Yeah I know about it, I rather just shop at the Founders world...Still 10% off and has all the parts so no need to fish around

 

[HipToss]

Yeah I know about it, I rather just shop at the Founders world...Still 10% off and has all the parts so no need to fish around

Well just remember the difference between 10% and 15% is 5 millionzzz! Or just under an hour of trade, so keep that hour for combat!

 

[MVP_Bluntman]

As a heavy battlecruiser in CZ I'll run a Conda all day. Alone you need to be a little cautious, with agile Wingmen that can keep you clear, you can wipe out the opposition faster that it can respawn. I admit having no experience with the Fdl yet, so can't judge that. Running a Clipper as a hunting ship is pure joy though. Almost nothing runs away from you, ever, and the firepower is very nice.

he means frigate.

 

[Yomamas Fett]

*SNIP* One power management trick I tried was to get A life support, and set that to priority 2. 25 minutes of air was nice to CZ, but not RES. I have since passed on that option.
*SNIP*

How so? Surely all you do is retract weapons to restore air, then deploy again, No?

I've Parked up my Python to go mining in my Orca, but have since parked her up(only so much fishing I can do) and have been playing around with the Vulture recently (now that AI is improved it seems about time to go back to combat), was going to use just this trick to get better thrusters on her (it flies as fast as my Python, actually Vulture flies like the Python does in FA Off, but it's not the noobtube I had previously thought, still cheap by about 6m though IMO).

EDIT: OT I'd say Vulture is the best combat ship, so cheap you would never mind losing one and ridiculous shields; sure my Python would eat it for breakfast but the rebuy is about 10m more...not fun if you hit a rock.

 

[HipToss]

How so? Surely all you do is retract weapons to restore air, then deploy again, No?

I've Parked up my Python to go mining in my Orca, but have since parked her up(only so much fishing I can do) and have been playing around with the Vulture recently (now that AI is improved it seems about time to go back to combat), was going to use just this trick to get better thrusters on her (it flies as fast as my Python, actually Vulture flies like the Python does in FA Off, but it's not the noobtube I had previously thought, still cheap by about 6m though IMO).

I may be answering this wrong, but the 25 minutes of air does not replenish. The Anaconda weapons are slow to deploy, I have noticed, maybe it is just me, so I do not retract them, unless I can get away with it.

 

[bigian12]

I hope this isn't that start of " this ship and only this ship is the best at combat", because that is what happens in other games and leads to other gear, weapons etc not being used. The one thing I love about Elite is the variety, you can take any ship and give it any purpose you see fit. The one thing I hate in games is unbalance towards a specific set of gear that everybody uses and forget about every other gear in the game, I hope this doesn't happen to Elite. Actual skill at flying your ship is a major thing in Elite, I hope this isn't patched out of the game.

So to answer the question, which ship is best for combat? It is whatever ship you can fly effectively and skillfully. Take a ship, fly it, if you can fly it well and you like it, use it.

 

[DatJames]

I may be answering this wrong, but the 25 minutes of air does not replenish. The Anaconda weapons are slow to deploy, I have noticed, maybe it is just me, so I do not retract them, unless I can get away with it.

I would just turn off the PA for a second then turn Life support on, top up on air then turn back off and PA back on