Returning from a break

[Fyren]

Hello Commanders,

I’ve just come back to the game after a couple of months away (8 to be exact) and I have a couple of questions for you.

A- Mamba, Kraith MkII, Kraith Phantom. Any of these a must have? Anyone with a full fleet bought one of these and felt it really filled a role prior ships didn’t?

Here’s my current fleet (all well-engineered, not maxed but close):
- Combat Federal Corvette
- Combat-ready Medium-pad Cargo Python
- Long Haul Cargo / Humanitarian Relief Anaconda
- Exploration Asp-X
- Bubble-taxi Diamondback X

(I’ve also owned an Adder, Cobra III, Vipers III and IV, T-7, FDS and FAS, Chieftain, Courier and FDL.)

Do I need one of the new ships?

B- “Scenarios”. Are they good? Since I play solo, it’s one of the features I was looking forward to.

C- I know there’s been changes to exploration and every time I reached a system during my trip back home, I’d get “Discovery’ messages on my screen as I entered a system. I’m reading up on this topic but does anyone have tips and tricks about the new exploration system, things that are not so obvious at first? They say the new system is intuitive but I have doubts...

D- Mining. I fitted mining lasers on a ship once. Went to a mining field, got bored, sold the lasers. Is the new mining system good?

(Am I the only coming back from a break and wishing he would have left 1) at his home base and 2) in a cheap little ship? I felt like I had just gotten the game and the first thing I had to do was fitting an Anaconda through a mail slot??? I probably was not expecting to leave for so long at the time…)

Thanks!
o7

 

[Guardian Kaiser]

I will just comment on a few of your questions and let others hit some.

On ships, I think the Krait MK2 is a must have. Even if you have a python, the Krait is just good at everything. It can hold an SLF, good jump range, hardpoints. It does it all. It's almost too good of a ship. The mamba is very niche. It's basically an FDL with more straight line speed and slightly less maneuverability. I'm still debating if I like it more than the FDL or not. Krait Phantom is a lighter and faster krait. Many explorers are using it.

Yes mining is good now. It's profitable and you won't fall asleep doing it like in the past. Do yourself a favor and watch a few tutorials though before you give it a try.

Welcome back o7

 

[Ian Doncaster]

A- Mamba, Kraith MkII, Kraith Phantom. Any of these a must have? Anyone with a full fleet bought one of these and felt it really filled a role prior ships didn’t?

Mamba is fairly similar to the FDL. The Kraits are solid multiroles - the Krait Mk II is a more combat-focused Python, and the Krait Phantom is basically a really big Cobra III with an excellent jump range and oversized distributor.

The Phantom has largely obsoleted both the Python and Asp for me - though I'll keep the Python around for when lots of cargo needs moving, as the Kraits can't carry quite as much tonnage.

C- I know there’s been changes to exploration and every time I reached a system during my trip back home, I’d get “Discovery’ messages on my screen as I entered a system. I’m reading up on this topic but does anyone have tips and tricks about the new exploration system, things that are not so obvious at first? They say the new system is intuitive but I have doubts...

Mainly it's just practice, and it doesn't take that long to get the idea. There's a helper sheet somewhere which says which part of the spectrum is what sort of thing, but you'll get the idea quick enough anyway.

D- Mining. I fitted mining lasers on a ship once. Went to a mining field, got bored, sold the lasers. Is the new mining system good?

It's very different to laser mining - you *can* combine the two if you have enough hardpoints, but it's generally not what people do - and is more interactive. Unlike laser mining, a fast and reasonably agile ship is a big benefit, rather than a big distributor to power all the lasers and the biggest collector swarm you can run.

I'd recommend refitting your Asp to give it a go. You'll know if you like it or not after your first core explosion, which shouldn't take too long.

 

[Fyren]

On ships, I think the Krait MK2 is a must have. Even if you have a python, the Krait is just good at everything. It can hold an SLF, good jump range, hardpoints. It does it all. It's almost too good of a ship. The mamba is very niche. It's basically an FDL with more straight line speed and slightly less maneuverability. I'm still debating if I like it more than the FDL or not. Krait Phantom is a lighter and faster krait. Many explorers are using it.

Yes mining is good now. It's profitable and you won't fall asleep doing it like in the past. Do yourself a favor and watch a few tutorials though before you give it a try.

Welcome back o7

Thanks for the feedback!

I hate the FDL with a passion... If the FAS was a shield-tank, it would be my favorite fighter. Loved the on-rails feel.

I'll definitely check the Kraits out!

I'll do my homework prior to giving another shot to mining. Wanted to know if it was worth the time to learn the ropes or not.

 

[Fyren]

Mamba is fairly similar to the FDL.

...which I've hated! Thanks for confirming what I suspected.

The Kraits are solid multiroles - the Krait Mk II is a more combat-focused Python, and the Krait Phantom is basically a really big Cobra III with an excellent jump range and oversized distributor.

Thanks for the input! I'll give them a shot! Money is not really an issue but I didn't want to waste my time if they aren't worth it.

- though I'll keep the Python around for when lots of cargo needs moving, as the Kraits can't carry quite as much tonnage.

I'll never sell my Python. Getting it was my first "ambitious" goal and it was a game-changer when I started flying it! We've been through too much... When I got back home (Fisher Port, LP 128-9) from the Pleiades, I immediately took the Python out to a LowRes zone to get a bit back into the saddle. I think I'm ready to go back to HiRes!

I'd recommend refitting your Asp to give it a go. You'll know if you like it or not after your first core explosion, which shouldn't take too long.

Thanks! I'll do more research on the topic and see where it leads.

 

[Guardian Kaiser]

...which I've hated! Thanks for confirming what I suspected.

What don't you like about the FDL? It's always been one of my favorite combat ships! Just curious.

 

[Lightspeed]

Yes, definitely buy yourself a Krait II and play with the engineering. It's a great multi-role ship as well as a fighter.

Krait Phantom is reportedly the Explorer's friend, replacing the AspX, but I've not tried it so far, prefering to use an explorer Krait II.

 

[Vedmo]

Welcome back!

I still love my Pythons, but as others have said, the Krait MKII is an amazing medium ship, good for any role. I fly it far less than the Phantom though. The Phantom is my hands down, no contest favorite exploration ship, as well as a respectable multi-role ship as well.

Deep core mining is the gold rush now, worth at least a try and in my opinion slightly more engaging than old school mining. Even with some changes to payouts mad today through a bug fix and nerf, it still can pay obscene amounts considering the minimal investment to get into it.

I've been loving 3.3 ED, hope you do too.

 

[aRJay]

The good thing about the Mamba is that all the weapons are on the upper surface so you don't have to fly funny to keep your best weapons in arc.

The Phantom runs extremely cool and has excellent jump range so is being touted by many as a replacement/upgrade for the Asp Explorer.

The Krait MkII is handier than the Python and you can take a fighter but it won't haul as much.

Mining is much more involved now and if going for hoovering up everything possible you need at least 4 hard points, one medium, and a reasonably agile ship to counter the spin on some of the rocks.
The FSS isn't totally obvious at first but even without looking at guides I have a feel for what is roughly where on the display, the new DSS is more obvious. Both however need quite a few new bindings to be set up.

 

[Fyren]

What don't you like about the FDL? It's always been one of my favorite combat ships! Just curious.

The drift...

I'm at the other end of the spectrum : if the FAS was a shield-tank, it would be my favorite fighter!

 

[Fyren]

Reading everyone's comments, I never thought I would learn that the famed Asp-X had some competition, if not made obsolete.

Seems like it's the one ship that was untouchable and unanimously favored. No longer, hey?

Never been fond of the Asp-X myself. I own it because it's a very practical and competent ship, but I've never been attached to it. I'll definitely check the Phantom as a replacement!

I didn't compare the specs yet. Are most parts interchangeable?

Then I might turn the Asp-X into a miner. What's the word on best miner ships with the new system?

 

[Hordriss]

I will just comment on a few of your questions and let others hit some.

On ships, I think the Krait MK2 is a must have. Even if you have a python, the Krait is just good at everything. It can hold an SLF, good jump range, hardpoints. It does it all. It's almost too good of a ship. The mamba is very niche. It's basically an FDL with more straight line speed and slightly less maneuverability. I'm still debating if I like it more than the FDL or not. Krait Phantom is a lighter and faster krait. Many explorers are using it.

Yes mining is good now. It's profitable and you won't fall asleep doing it like in the past. Do yourself a favor and watch a few tutorials though before you give it a try.

Welcome back o7

I've watched some mining tutorials for the new way of doing it..... still couldn't make anything work correctly so gave up haha. I used to do quite a lot of mining before 3.3 hit...........!

 

[Hordriss]

Then I might turn the Asp-X into a miner. What's the word on best miner ships with the new system?

My guess would be either the Anaconda or the Cutter.

 

[Guardian Kaiser]

I've watched some mining tutorials for the new way of doing it..... still couldn't make anything work correctly so gave up haha. I used to do quite a lot of mining before 3.3 hit...........!

If you're on xbox I could wing up and mine with you so you get an idea what to look for. Did this with my buddy who just couldn't find the core roids and now he's got it down. I would find one then let him use his scanner so he can see the difference and do the detonating.

My guess would be either the Anaconda or the Cutter.

For old mining yes, now days you want something fast and agile. Fast to zip across the field looking for cores and agile to maneuver around the broken bits once the roid is cracked. Krait MK2 is my choice of miner but python, AspX, clipper are good options as well.

 

[Vedmo]

Reading everyone's comments, I never thought I would learn that the famed Asp-X had some competition, if not made obsolete.

Seems like it's the one ship that was untouchable and unanimously favored. No longer, hey?

Never been fond of the Asp-X myself. I own it because it's a very practical and competent ship, but I've never been attached to it. I'll definitely check the Phantom as a replacement!

I didn't compare the specs yet. Are most parts interchangeable?

Then I might turn the Asp-X into a miner. What's the word on best miner ships with the new system?

The Asp X and Phantom both use a 5 fsd, and the Phantom takes up to 6 thrusters and 7 PD, but my exploration build uses 4 thrusters & 4 PD (and still permaboosts @500). You get more ootional slots as well, and it doesn't get dragged down by weight as much. With a Guardian FSD booster, repair limpet, decent shields, amfu, fast scoop, 2 SRV and plenty of power to run it all, mine jumps ~67ly, and is a joy to fly.

The Asp X works nicely for deep core mining, I actually prefer a smaller cargo for it, as 62 tons of Void Opals is 100 million gold at the right market. It makes for a small, obtainable goal when heading out, and one that pays well.

 

[SpaceScania]

This sounds crazy on the surface, but another change FD made is to life all of the module slots on the Saud Kruger ships. The Beluga, and especially the Orca are very viable exploration ships now. My Beluga has all the fixin's (dual AFFU's, repair limpet controller, big fuel scoop, dual SRV bay, etc.) and a jump range of 51 LY. The cockpit view and the SC handling of the Beluga are really good. And seriously, as soon as you can get yourself a Guardian FSD booster do it. That module is one of the best FD have added to the game in a very long time.

 

[Fyren]

For old mining yes, now days you want something fast and agile. Fast to zip across the field looking for cores and agile to maneuver around the broken bits once the roid is cracked. Krait MK2 is my choice of miner but python, AspX, clipper are good options as well.

Cool! Won't sell my Asp-X just yet then.

 

[Fyren]

Mainly it's just practice, and it doesn't take that long to get the idea. There's a helper sheet somewhere which says which part of the spectrum is what sort of thing, but you'll get the idea quick enough anyway.

What happened to my advanced discovery scanner???

 

[askavir]

What happened to my advanced discovery scanner???

Haven't you heard?

The brainstorm session for Q4 was held at FD in a period where every single person in the office with the slightest bit of imagination was on holiday, and the resulting Great Exploration Revamp (de)materialized as just Telescope Intern Operator Simulator 2018, aka the FSS.

 

[Fyren]

On ships, I think the Krait MK2 is a must have. Even if you have a python, the Krait is just good at everything. It can hold an SLF, good jump range, hardpoints. It does it all. It's almost too good of a ship. The mamba is very niche. It's basically an FDL with more straight line speed and slightly less maneuverability. I'm still debating if I like it more than the FDL or not. Krait Phantom is a lighter and faster krait. Many explorers are using it.

Alright. I can agree that the Kraith Mk II is a better fighter than the Python. It's quite fun really! I really like the position of the hardpoints.

I'll not agree that it's a better multi-role ship than the Python nor that the Python is obsolete though. If ship storage space was rented rather than free, I think I'd keep the Python over the Mk II.

May be because I no longer use an SLF... Used to have one on my Anaconda, then on my Corvette but the paiements to the pilot were just indecent! The pilot should not get any money from income that is not combat-related. And don't tell me that they have to put food on the table even when they're not fighting for me. They've made millions off my back with very little effort!

As for the Phantom, I'm really puzzled. What makes it such a good explorer? The Asp-X jumps almost 35% further. On a trip to Colonia, the difference would be quite significant...