Thank God for the Beta

[M00ka]

Yep, the Beta just saved me a lot of money! On a whim this afternoon I decided to get a Cutter. I will be honest I have never been a fan of the large ships, never really wanted one, never saw the need of one (for me at least). But I also thought that is being a little narrow minded if I have never tried one out, so I took the opportunity Beta provided and got myself one. Fitted it out for maximum cargo whilst keeping some of the goodies I like, ended up with a nice capacity of 704T, way more than the 248T my Python can carry.

Jumped it back from Jameson, did a little bit of Engineering cos I could, and took my first mission - a simple 1200T fetch mission. Knew where the commodities were located, one jump away, rechecked the firing groups to see if I had everything done right and requested a departure. That is when things started going bad. The thing wallowed like a brick, nearly didn't make it through the slot due to the drift. Eventually got out of the station without further incident, and whilst the speed was good, it was a bit of a chore just turning to align the jump but I managed. Did the first run, still not impressed with the SC handling and on the jump back home nearly melted the ship because I took going around the star too easy (forgot about the handling of the Cutter basically). Did the final run and as soon as I jumped back into my home system, got interdicted by an Anaconda. Normally I enjoy the mini-game, I like to beat the NPC as I know they won't bother me again due to the short SC to the station. But I couldn't shake the Anaconda during the mini-game, eventually submitted, and boosted (yes the Cutter is fast, I will give it that). Then the vagrancies of ED came to bit me, as soon as I would low wake out, 10 seconds later the Anaconda would be back to start the interdiction process again so I would repeat the act again. This happened a total of 3 times, the fourth interdiction started when I was between the planet and the station and this one I finally won.

Okay first mission down, did make some decent credits but the repair cost (for the emergency drop when I didn't clear the star - yes my fault, I admit it) chewed into the profits more than I thought. Then I did some checking and came to the conclusion that I would have made the same amount of credits doing a group smaller fetch mission in the Python and included outposts and I do like stacking those types of missions together.

I know some of you love your big ships, and I have nothing but admiration for you. But for me, I am happy I got to try out one of the 'big 3' and more happy to finally be able to confirm they aren't for me. I would hate to take one into combat as it would not suit the way I fly and fight. I will resign myself now to the only two large ships I will own, a Clipper and when 3.3 has dropped, an Orca for exploration (although that is still a toss up with the Phantom - love that ship in Beta).

Just to reiterate, I am not against the Big 3, just glad the Beta gave me the opportunity to try one out and finally confirm they aren't for me.

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

…
Just to reiterate, I am not against the Big 3, just glad the Beta gave me the opportunity to try one out and finally confirm they aren't for me.

It would be really nice to have a "try before buy" feature in Elite Dangerous. Something like a simulator at every station that sells ships that would allow a potential buyer to try out the ships available at that station.
Maybe even with engineering (obviously just selecting the desired mod and special effect - as it is only a simulation) and then some test scenarios to try out the ship with.

And yes, betas are great for testing ships and more crazy engineering stuff without wasting resources (other than time).

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I wish I brought and tested my Corvette in beta instead of live.

I really didn't like flying it. So sold it soon after.

I was hoping it would replace my Anaconda, but alas, it was pants.

I've never been a fan of imperial ships anyway. I've tried to like the iClipper three times, and hated it more each time. The iCourier is fun and fast, but I hate the cockpit and styling.
The iEagle is about the only imperial ship I actually enjoy all round.
So I simply refuse to rank up, and grind credits for a Cutter, when I'm 97.2% I'm going to hate it.

Anyone wishing to try out rank locked ships should jump in to beta before Monday morning!

 

[Factabulous]

I wish I brought and tested my Corvette in beta instead of live.

I really didn't like flying it. So sold it soon after.

I was hoping it would replace my Anaconda, but alas, it was pants.

I've never been a fan of imperial ships anyway. I've tried to like the iClipper three times, and hated it more each time. The iCourier is fun and fast, but I hate the cockpit and styling.
The iEagle is about the only imperial ship I actually enjoy all round.
So I simply refuse to rank up, and grind credits for a Cutter, when I'm 97.2% I'm going to hate it.

Anyone wishing to try out rank locked ships should jump in to beta before Monday morning!

I'd disagree actually Back around 2.4 I tried the 'vette out in Beta - hated it, and didn't think more about it. Eventually accidentally unlocked it, then bought and fully engineered one.

Now it gets used a lot, and I like it. Now if I can just get to like the FGS or the Imp Clipper...

Edit: And the Cutter is good as well, once you get used to it. Can't beat the Cutter for some large trade amounts, as long as you don't expect too many interdictions

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

I'd disagree actually Back around 2.4 I tried the 'vette out in Beta - hated it, and didn't think more about it. Eventually accidentally unlocked it, then bought and fully engineered one.

Now it gets used a lot, and I like it. Now if I can just get to like the FGS or the Imp Clipper...

Edit: And the Cutter is good as well, once you get used to it. Can't beat the Cutter for some large trade amounts, as long as you don't expect too many interdictions

Some ships certainly needs some time spend with them to get the most out of them.
Initially I really didn't like the FDS, used it for RP reasons for some time and now it is one of my favorite ships. Not the most effective for what I use it, but so much fun to fly (obviously very subjective).

 

[PanTast]

Nice writing, OP

I am with you. Two of my three commanders have Cutters, but I rarely use them.
I am sure you will tremedously enjoy the Orca because it flies at least as good as the Clipper.

You should consider the Beluga as well. Although it has it quircks with heat it is a splendid ship. It handles almost as good as the Orca and has an astounding yaw speed. I used one lately for mining Bromelite - 4 class 3 compartements are great for limpet controllers.

And I think one should fly the ships one enjoys. And not the most efficient. Of course one should try out all the ships - otherwise you wil miss half the game

o7

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I'd disagree actually Back around 2.4 I tried the 'vette out in Beta - hated it, and didn't think more about it. Eventually accidentally unlocked it, then bought and fully engineered one.

Now it gets used a lot, and I like it. Now if I can just get to like the FGS or the Imp Clipper...

Edit: And the Cutter is good as well, once you get used to it. Can't beat the Cutter for some large trade amounts, as long as you don't expect too many interdictions

Yeah, admittedly I didn't put much engineering effort in to my Corvette, mostly just stole modules from my Anaconda and she flew nice in normal space, no so good in SC.
But that jump range.... Made it useless for my nomadic style gameplay. Lol
(Of course, a few weeks later guardian FSD boosters became available....!)
I have a "home system" where I store all my stuff, but mostly I just wander off to do various random things. Taking twice as long to get there is not my idea of a good ship.
Plus I don't do a huge amount of combat anymore, so a dedicated combat ship is unnecessary. My FDL rarely gets flown anymore.

I almost never do bulk trading unless I'm taking part in a CG, so the Cutter literally has no purpose in my fleet. Lol

For heavy combat and missions my Battleconda "Pancake" does all the hard work, with super shields and hull(soon™), and all the tools I need.
For bulk trading, exploration, passengers, my other Anaconda "Event Horizon" gets retrofitted for each task.

But mostly I just fly my Krait Mk2. Lol

 

[Shiro Akai]

First attempt and already pass? Kids these days, no endurance whatsoever

Ok, jokes aside. I was seeing Cutter as my ultimate goal when I started ED about 2 years ago. I was aware that I wouldn't have this ship anytime soon due to sheer amount of credits it required, on top of reputation needed. Luckily I managed to get both far quicker than I expected and could finally fly her.

Before Cutter the only big one I had any experience with was Anaconda. This one felt really sluggish compared to AspX I stepped from. Cutter is totally different, it's a class itself. Drift - as you noticed - is horrible. I still remember my first mail slot align attempt. As usual I boosted right after SC drop, took a turn, aligned perfectly and... was still turning while not slowing down. I panicked a bit since stick felt dead.

Cutter demands some humility. You can't drive her as any other ship. YOu need to show some respect, treat her gently and she will give you the same. Stepping into the Cutter you must forget your previous experience and learn from the start once again. Seems that you passed on big ships bit too early. You touched the flame and got burned a bit.

Cutter is great ship. She has her... humors. But once you learn to fly her (which may take some time) she is amazing. And for the interdictions - unless something changed I didn't have any issues with avoiding them and winning the game. At first I was worrying I would have to submit but in the end I avoided all of them.

So, don't be so hasty on skipping on Cutter. Treat it as a challenge - learn her, master her. And then you may feel the full power of Basking in Her Glory.

 

[[VR] Frank_G]

I flew a Anaconda (in game) and a Corvette (in beta)... But not for long. Okay 100m hood in front of the cockpit is impressive, especially in VR, but honestly, those ships are not my style. I returned to the Asp and now the Krait, which are the ships i like best. I would even consider a Cobra Mk. IV if it would not lack a utility mount for my type of setup.

The smaller ships just feel more like home.

 

[M00ka]

Thanks for all the replies and good replies they are. One thing I didn't mention is I haven't sold the Cutter and i will take it out for a few more runs tomorrow. But at this stage, I just feel it isn't the ship for me, for my playing and flying style. Nothing against the ship, more against the way I play I guess.​

It would be really nice to have a "try before buy" feature in Elite Dangerous. Something like a simulator at every station that sells ships that would allow a potential buyer to try out the ships available at that station.
Maybe even with engineering (obviously just selecting the desired mod and special effect - as it is only a simulation) and then some test scenarios to try out the ship with.

And yes, betas are great for testing ships and more crazy engineering stuff without wasting resources (other than time).

This I fully agree with, to my way of thinking there should have been a separate server like the training modules where you can grab any ship you want, all the Engineers are open, all mats are infinite. Somewhere a player can take out a ship for a spin, configured the way they would in the live game. The server doesn't need to be big, just two systems, a RES or two for trying out weapons. Somewhere you can fiddle with the ship without any repercussions or consequences. I think it would actually encourage players to buy more ships, do more engineering in game, at present I know I am often hesitant in trying a new ship as I know it can take a fair chunk of my credits and I will never get those credits back in full. Same with Engineering, you can go through a lot of mats only to find out you applied the wrong mod or experimental and have to start collecting mats again.

 

[zebcarter]

Honestly, I find myself using my Cutter more and more. Haven't flown the Vette since a long time and the Conda is great for long distances but that's it.

The Cutter combines large cargo capacity with amazing fire power and durability. I can carry 576 tons of cargo and make mince meat of anything which tries to stop me. 640 if I don't use my pilot ad added insurance.

Whenever I need a billion or two, I do some missions (not wing of course) and after some days the thing is done.

Handling: I'm no great pilot but leaving a station is really not that difficult. Aligning for the jump sometimes is...really costs me amazing five seconds.

Sry if I sound like a total fan boy but this ship is really great. And stylish. And contrary to the Conda I can see my beautiful co-pilot in full light

 

[CMDR Pugwash]

Yeah, I always try to take a look at other ships during beta.

 

[ApexWanderer]

@OP,it just takes practice mate.My combat Cutter is an awesome death dealer and I love the feeling it gives me when I fly it.

 

[Screemonster]

how2fly cutter:

acquire 8c biweave and a ton of boosters, engineer 50/50 resistances versus heavy duty
acquire pulse turrets, engineer for long range
slap some dirty drives on that bad boy
enter conflict zone, set turrets and fighter to fire/engage at will
boost around in circles with FA off with "running in the 90s" blaring on the sound system

 

[M00ka]

Honestly, I find myself using my Cutter more and more. Haven't flown the Vette since a long time and the Conda is great for long distances but that's it.

The Cutter combines large cargo capacity with amazing fire power and durability. I can carry 576 tons of cargo and make mince meat of anything which tries to stop me. 640 if I don't use my pilot ad added insurance.

Whenever I need a billion or two, I do some missions (not wing of course) and after some days the thing is done.

Handling: I'm no great pilot but leaving a station is really not that difficult. Aligning for the jump sometimes is...really costs me amazing five seconds.

Sry if I sound like a total fan boy but this ship is really great. And stylish. And contrary to the Conda I can see my beautiful co-pilot in full light 

@OP,it just takes practice mate.My combat Cutter is an awesome death dealer and I love the feeling it gives me when I fly it.

Look I am not saying the Cutter is a bad ship, I am saying it is a bad ship for ME (and me alone, I can't talk for anyone else). It just didn't suit the way I fly and the way I play. As for combat, I would be lost in the Cutter, I am at most, a medium ship player, had an absolute ball in the Mamba in Beta, one of the funnest ships to fly in my opinion and will definitely be buying one when 3.3 drops (and stripping my FdL modules for it). I still prefer small ships for flying, regularly take out either the iEagle, Eagle and Courier and have done more combat in my Vulture than any other ship. For me at least, flying in a fairly straight line in a big ship, letting the turrets do some of the work just isn't MY style. Nothing against the way you guys play, just not the way I play.

Hope that makes sense

 

[Lily from anim.o.v.e]

what clipper or cutter?

first you write cutter, then speak about clipper. Seems like you spoke about the cutter right?

Dunno, so far I can manage the interdiction game well enough in it. But it can take a lot time when the tunnel swaps around a lot and your nose is just turning so slow, which on top then often throws you out of your supercruise course, so unless I am not at a high supercruise speed, I simply submit and boost off. it's just less time consuming.

 

[M00ka]

what clipper or cutter?

first you write cutter, then speak about clipper. Seems ylike you spoke about the cutter right?

Dunno, so far I can manage the interdiction game well enough in it. But it can take a lot time when the tunnel swaps aroudn a lot and your nose is just turnign so slow, which on top then often throws you out of your supercruise course, so unless I am not at a high supercruise speed, I simply submit and boost off. it's just less time consuming.

Oops, my bad, definitely the Cutter (fixed the OP to avoid any more confusion ). Regarding the interdictions, I never have any trouble with them, until the Cutter. I know I would eventually get use to it, but to be honest, it just isn't me and I know I wouldn't enjoy flying it. Heck I already have one ship I use a lot that I don't overly enjoy flying - the Python (to me, that is my work truck, nothing more, nothing less).

 

[Noctover]

I want to say the Cutter is a pleasure and a joy to fly, but its not. I love the look of my Cutter, and the amount of $ it brings in is undeniable, but usually i cant wait to get out of it. It drifts more than a planet.

It is though easy still to shake any ship in interdiction, i've never failed one unless the BETA has changed that.

Its still the best workhorse going .

 

[Drelthar]

Tested the big three when they first came out (in that beta) not for me either.

 

[mbar]

I love to try new ships and builds in beta. For me it was the Type-10 Defender. I just had to try this big ugly thing out and did some missions and even material scooping. The dang thing is really growing on me. It's slow, turns bad and looks like a Type-9 with a ship kit, but I'm really growing to love it and plan to get one in the main game.