Which ship after the Asp explorer..?

KrAaZyIvAaN · Jan 3, 2016

Morning all!

Just thought I'd ask my esteemed ED veterans opinions!?
I'm struggling to find a ship which I like more than my asp. Tbh I've only ever enjoyed my viper and courier as much. I feel like I'd like to move up in size but really can't see anything I'm fired up about enough to bother.
I just wondered how you had played the next move and why as I keep coming back to the Asp!!!
Fed, empire or python etc..?
My ED head is spinning

MrWhippy · Jan 3, 2016

I think you need to decide what you would like to do in game. Maybe the imperial clipper would be a decent cheapish larger ship to try some different roles in, it's fast and can be kitted out as a decent trader, miner or bounty hunter - downside is it can't land at outposts.

Devantejah · Jan 3, 2016

Python is pretty good, but I personally prefer the Asp over it.

tafkabb · Jan 3, 2016

For an all-rounder, the Python. For combat, the Vulture. For trading, the Type 7 (or Imperial Clipper if you have the rank). The Asp is probably the best multi-role in the game, pound-for-pound.
This morning I've been messing around in a shieldless Diamondback Scout with military bulkheads, armour reinforcements and gimballed multicannons/fixed cannons. It's just too much fun at nav beacons. I heartily recommend it

KrAaZyIvAaN · Jan 3, 2016

I struggle to move on from the asp but I suppose it doesn't matter if I'm still lovin it? I like the jump range and weapon placements too much :/

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You hardcore ED nutter! I'd get my ass kicked without shields lol

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I'm too hooked to the robigo runs to 'go large' on docking

Ok I know that's kinda lazy credits...

Technoraze · Jan 3, 2016

For me it was a Python. I do have both though.

tafkabb · Jan 3, 2016

KrAaZyIvAaN said:
You hardcore ED nutter! I'd get my ass kicked without shields lol

It's great fun. It runs so cold I can fight with silent running enabled and rarely need a heat sink. If I do use a heat sink I drop to 2% heat and disappear off the radar so I don't need chaff. The multicannons rip through shields surprisingly quickly and the cannons take care of larger ships.
I only bought this as a taxi to go and get a Vulture but ended up staying in it.

SCSkunk · Jan 3, 2016

BongoBaggins said:
It's great fun. It runs so cold I can fight with silent running enabled and rarely need a heat sink. If I do use a heat sink I drop to 2% heat and disappear off the radar so I don't need chaff. The multicannons rip through shields surprisingly quickly and the cannons take care of larger ships.
I only bought this a a taxi to go and get a Vulture but ended up staying in it.

And a solid small PvP ship, but you already know that I'm sure! My Stealth DBS is still down in Kaushpoos. Need to go get that thing...

Technoraze · Jan 3, 2016

BongoBaggins said:
It's great fun. It runs so cold I can fight with silent running enabled and rarely need a heat sink. If I do use a heat sink I drop to 2% heat and disappear off the radar so I don't need chaff. The multicannons rip through shields surprisingly quickly and the cannons take care of larger ships.
I only bought this a a taxi to go and get a Vulture but ended up staying in it.

Oh yeah forgot about the DBS stealth.
I'm buying another later on, way too much fun.

Pandeelio · Jan 3, 2016

I swapped out my Asp for an Eagle. Went from the Sidey to an Adder to a Cobra and skipped the Eagle and Viper choices. Going back and giving bounty hunting a go. I like the look of a Clipper later on.

Loved the Cobra.

So far tried out
Cobra
Hauler (swapped out for Adder)
Adder
Asp
Type 6
Keelback
Now the Eagle.

Docjas18 · Jan 3, 2016

And there is the perfection that is ship selection. There is no one perfect ship. There are better ships than the asp. But, are they worth either increased cost or reduced performance in one or all areas. It is also a matter of opinion. I loved my Asp and dabbled in other ships while looking for an upgrade and always found myself back in the Asp. So of the ships I tried the DBS was fun, but not for me. Even though strategy wise the weapon placement was great, I hated it. Plus I did not care for the cockpit. Was still a solid ship, just couldn't stick with it. The Vulture is a huge combat upgrade, but suffers from needing careful power management and no other roles it can take on without reduced performance. This does not mean it's a bad ship. I loved mine when I had it. And the drawbacks make it fun.

Ive made the decision to hop into a python. It does everything better than the Asp on paper. More weapons, more cargo, more modules. However, it suffers from severely limited jump range compared to the achievable 35LY of the Asp. I think in Coriolis the best I've gotten it was 23 LY. That makes a big difference when exploring or traveling long distances.

I do wish there was a test drive mode. Say you pay a fixed price depending on cost of ship and you can take it anywhere within 50 LY of the station and try it out. But be careful because if it gets destroyed you need to pay for it. Break it, you buy it.

Destreuer · Jan 3, 2016

As others have said, it really depends on what you're going to use it for, but if you're looking for another great multi-role ship I'd strongly recommend the Python.

Positives: Way more firepower. Way more cargo space. Better shielding. Better maneuvering but not by a large degree. No need to compromise. What I mean by this is that fully upgraded the python has enough power to run just about whatever set up you want. I'm carrying 272 tons of cargo but at the same time I'm fully combat capable.

Negatives: Much more expensive, and some of the individual modules are stupid expensive, like the bulkhead upgrades. Big reduction in jump range. My python loaded with 272 tons of cargo plus weapons can only do about 13 ly.

In terms of speed they're fairly similar if I recall correctly.

I remember having a really hard time moving on from my Asp. So much so that once I saved up another 20 million after A-rating my python, I went back and bought another Asp. It's now my dedicated exploration ship.

Good luck and see you out there!

tafkabb · Jan 3, 2016

Pandeelio said:
I swapped out my Asp for an Eagle. Went from the Sidey to an Adder to a Cobra and skipped the Eagle and Viper choices. Going back and giving bounty hunting a go. I like the look of a Clipper later on.

Loved the Cobra.

So far tried out
Cobra
Hauler (swapped out for Adder)
Adder
Asp
Type 6
Keelback
Now the Eagle.

You really should try the Viper. A lot of people underestimate it but it runs rings around the Cobra despite having the same hard points. And not least; it's the best sounding machine in the galaxy

sbdags · Jan 3, 2016

For me I kept the Asp but I also collected:

Type 7
Vulture
Imperial Clipper

Then I sold those 3 and got a Python.

I did try a Ferdie inbetween but hated it.

tafkabb · Jan 3, 2016

I've got a Python but it's gathering dust at Sol. I can't think of anything to do with it which isn't done better by something else

SOLAR 5TORM · Jan 3, 2016

I struggled for a long time thinking of what to go for after the asp. I settled on the python in the end.

I wasn't to happy with it at first, so I kept using the asp to make money, only when I had spent about 100 mil on upgrades did I start using the python more than the asp.

If you can afford to keep the asp and buy the new ship, you'll be glad to have it while you're upgrading the new one.

Kremmen · Jan 3, 2016

I love my ASP but I hate that the thrusters sound like old propeller engines.... terrible.

KrAaZyIvAaN · Jan 4, 2016

Great posts guys!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who's struggled to leave his Asp docked somewhere

Looking like a python beckons?
The high running costs kind of put me off but if I'm trading over 200 tons at the same time as laying waste I guess it'd work out lol
Either that or I'll be back in a sidey living on dust

See you out there!

Docjas18 · Jan 4, 2016

Try to purchase in a system it is discounted. Helps a little.

OZYMANDlUS · Jan 4, 2016

Took me the longest to get past an Asp. I kept buying more of them and kitting them out for different mission sets. Once I got a Python, I started making good money. My main ships I use are Asps & Pythons now. For ships that need a good Jump range I use an Asp, when jump range is not as important I use a Python.

-Ozy