Small Ships are often overlooked

[Old Duck]

does anyone else feel like small ships are often, generally, overlooked?

I like them for their agility and speed & ability to dock at outposts.

I always have the problem of "Why as a single employee do I get an entire skyscraper to myself?" feeling when in a large ship. Even in Space Engineers, I build myself ships that feel appropriately sized for a small (1-4 people) crew. Now if we had a proper NPC crew, then these larger ships would feel different to me. The one exception is the T7 and T9, since these are cargo ships, and it's not uncommon for large cargo ships to have small crews.

I also have a real problem how ED portrays momentum and inertia when it comes to large ships. An Eagle flying like an Eagle feels right to me. A Corvette flying like an Eagle does not.

Lastly, ships like the Eagle are absolutely amazing in VR. The proximity of the canopy, the ability to look over my shoulder and see my wing, it all just sells the immersion.

 

[sinisalo]

Small-ship commander here. Plus a couple mediums. Only large ship I own is an Orca, and that's a medium at heart.

I can't speak for the others, but I like the fact that small ships are overlooked for the most part. Feels exclusive

 

[Starshot_Jigawatts]

I always have the problem of "Why as a single employee do I get an entire skyscraper to myself?" feeling when in a large ship. Even in Space Engineers, I build myself ships that feel appropriately sized for a small (1-4 people) crew. Now if we had a proper NPC crew, then these larger ships would feel different to me. The one exception is the T7 and T9, since these are cargo ships, and it's not uncommon for large cargo ships to have small crews.

You wouldn't need a large crew in the future because of automation and AI. A handful of people perhaps just to keep the computers running and for emergency repairs.

I also have a real problem how ED portrays momentum and inertia when it comes to real ships. An Eagle flying like an Eagle feels right to me. A Corvette flying like an Eagle does not.

In real life the Corvette has the size and powerplant to mount the largest most powerful engines and thrusters. So it would spank an Eagle, especially in straight-line speed. The only limit to the Corvette's handling and speed is overcoming it's own inertia, that's it. Which is easily done by throwing enough thrust at the problem.

Video games, however, make this the opposite for balance reasons not realism reasons.

 

[Old Duck]

You wouldn't need a large crew in the future because of automation and AI. A handful of people perhaps just to keep the computers running and for emergency repairs.

In real life the Corvette has the size and powerplant to mount the largest most powerful engines and thrusters. So it would spank an Eagle, especially in straight-line speed. The only limit to the Corvette's handling and speed is overcoming it's own inertia, that's it. Which is easily done by throwing enough thrust at the problem.

Video games, however, make this the opposite for balance reasons not realism reasons.

I really don't think you know what you are talking about.

 

[SilverBack5]

I think the 'funniest' bit of the tanky Viper IV is the fact that it is shiledless... Mine is called "That's Bait..."

Interesting build! Never thought of hull tanking a Viper... I have a new project tonight!

 

[Starshot_Jigawatts]

I really don't think you know what you are talking about.

I assure you I do. In video games larger ships always have their max speed caped at an absurdly low number. That has nothing to do with physics, it's for balance. There is no resistance in space, you are only fighting your own inertial mass and that's quickly overcome. So in reality a Corvette, with it's much larger engines and thrust output, would quickly overtake the Eagle and keep accelerating far beyond the Eagle's ability to.

But we've been bombarded for generations in books, games, and TV of large space ships being these lumbering slow hulks when in reality they would probably be nothing of the sort.

 

[Pug]

The ships in ED need a serious looking at as there are only around 3 ships that you actually need. Out of 38 possibilities.

These 3 will be different dependent on Your game but there is definitely room for improvement regarding the functionality of ships to make them useable.

Who flies an Asp Scout...here come the muppets... "I take my scout everywhere with me even to the toilet" it is sooo maneuverable.

That's just one ship and there is So much Dead scope, when they could be useful for, well, Something.
Pug

 

[Arry]

Do someone talked about "not engineering"? Because if you go to "real" CZs without,you are just dead meat with any ship....please reread the answers before

If you go into Open play, with an non-engineered ship without extreme care, you are also dead meat.

 

[Pug]

I assure you I do. In video games larger ships always have their max speed caped at an absurdly low number. That has nothing to do with physics, it's for balance. There is no resistance in space, you are only fighting your own inertial mass and that's quickly overcome. So in reality a Corvette, with it's much larger engines and thrust output, would quickly overtake the Eagle and keep accelerating far beyond the Eagle's ability to.

But we've been bombarded for generations in books, games, and TV of large space ships being these lumbering slow hulks when in reality they would probably be nothing of the sort.

Maybe the Devs are worried that we don't have the skill to slow that much inertial mass down without careening into something.

Maybe not?
Pug

 

[Pug]

If you go into Open play, with an non-engineered ship without extreme care, you are also dead meat.

If you play in Open and meet the wrong Cmdr. in Any ship regardless of engineering you are toast (Full Stop)
A engineered ship just means it takes them slightly longer to obliterate you.
Pug

 

[Kathryn Kando]

Limitations are fun. Challenges mean rewarding game play. Big ships are for the lazy ones and noobs. Cobra will always remain my main ship.

 

[Starshot_Jigawatts]

The ships in ED need a serious looking at as there are only around 3 ships that you actually need. Out of 38 possibilities.

These 3 will be different dependent on Your game but there is definitely room for improvement regarding the functionality of ships to make them useable.

Who flies an Asp Scout...here come the muppets... "I take my scout everywhere with me even to the toilet" it is sooo maneuverable.

That's just one ship and there is So much Dead scope, when they could be useful for, well, Something.
Pug

My fear is that if you make every ship special, then no ships will be special.

There has to be a select number of ships that trigger our shiplust and make us want to strive for them.

 

[Pug]

My fear is that if you make every ship special, then no ships will be special.

There has to be a number of ships that trigger our shiplust and make us want to strive for them.

I'm Special but my mum still loves my brother?
Pug

 

[Rat Catcher]

Maybe the Devs are worried that we don't have the skill to slow that much inertial mass down without careening into something.

Huh! I can careen into something even in a small or medium ship... Usually an asteroid will jump out on me unexpectedly while I'm being silly FA-Off and try to 'do unto me' (and succeeding on occasion)

 

[Deleted member 121570]

My fear is that if you make every ship special, then no ships will be special.

There has to be a select number of ships that trigger our shiplust and make us want to strive for them.

I don't really treat Elite like a "ship acquisition" game. Got the best flyin' ships, so now can spend time just flying em.

Funny really, in some ways. Most of the work goes into the ships that fly the worst.

 

[Starshot_Jigawatts]

Why not? My full combat Cobra can bost over 600,swap a couple of modules and it can make for a beautifull collecting ship,jumps 45ly,in the Courier you simply don't have interiors to be that versatile.But as always is about personal choices.

Okay I honestly ignored your question because I knew my answers would anger people, but meh, here goes.

1. Cobra was the first real ship I could afford, so to me it's a noob ship not worthy of returning back to. Can't say I have many fond memories in that thing.
2. Cobra is ugly. It's just SO ugly.
3. iCourier is a premium ship requiring Rep unlocks, so to me it should be superior in nearly every aspect to the Cobra. Not to mention the millions of credits price difference.

I know there are veterans who swear by their little engineered Cobra and that's great for them, it's just not for me. Still haven't decided, but I think the Krait Phantom would be my ideal bubble-bus. If I can be pried out of my Anaconda....

 

[Arindor]

My Cobra Mk IV gets a good airing now and then, just to unclog the filters and keep the engine oiled.

 

[Arry]

This is all about the difference, between; want & need. Not a lot of people these days, really understand the difference.

I have read here, that a small ship is no use for exploring. Yet we have a famous explorer, who has done it all in a Sidewinder. Agreed: Many of the 'extras' the modern explorer can add to their ship, were not available in their day. But the truth is: That explorer, did not 'need' the things you can fill your ship with today.

Combat is the same. We have had players take on Anacondas in Sidewinders and win. I brought a Clipper to replace my Courier and hated it. So went back to the Courier and still feeling inferior, I brought an FDL. (Now that IS a combat ship. )

What I am saying is. It is totally our own choice, what ship we fly. Mostly, the ship we choose, is based on more of what we 'want', than what we really need.

I have a Cobra IV, full of hull reinforcements, for assassination and pirate missions and another to credit grind, full of cargo holds. Both do their job, are fun to fly and the re-buys are peanuts.

 

[Rat Catcher]

My fear is that if you make every ship special, then no ships will be special.

There has to be a select number of ships that trigger our shiplust and make us want to strive for them.

From a purely personal perspective - kindly accept that Space Madness may have set in some time ago

I have 25 different ships (28 in total but 4 are Couriers...) which I have been rebuying from the 'good ole days' when the next ship needed the trade-in of the current one to buy...

So I now have a bunch of small & medium ships that I either didn't fly very well (so got rid of) or had to trade against another - including that pesky Cobra III (which I also wasn't in love with much as a beginner) and have been engineering them over the last couple of weeks...

My flying skill today bears no comparison to then and I didn't engineer in the early days either (If I knew then what I do now!) so some were very lacklustre, then! I've been mooching around in these ships and chuckling because they are all fun to fly (even the DBS ) now because I am much more competent today.

I'm spending the time between now and the Odyssey alpha just learning to fly a heap of 'odd' ships well, it is as if I'd not really 'looked' at them!

The Cobra really is an excellent small multi which starts to shine with lots of flying - you have a great time ahead of you, if you want it, because as your skill improves going back to the 'meh' ships could be a big surprise

 

[Starshot_Jigawatts]

From a purely personal perspective - kindly accept that Space Madness may have set in some time ago

I have 25 different ships (28 in total but 4 are Couriers...) which I have been rebuying from the 'good ole days' when the next ship needed the trade-in of the current one to buy...

So I now have a bunch of small & medium ships that I either didn't fly very well (so got rid of) or had to trade against another - including that pesky Cobra III (which I also wasn't in love with much as a beginner) and have been engineering them over the last couple of weeks...

My flying skill today bears no comparison to then and I didn't engineer in the early days either (If I knew then what I do now!) so some were very lacklustre, then! I've been mooching around in these ships and chuckling because they are all fun to fly (even the DBS ) now because I am much more competent today.

I'm spending the time between now and the Odyssey alpha just learning to fly a heap of 'odd' ships well, it is as if I'd not really 'looked' at them!

The Cobra really is an excellent small multi which starts to shine with lots of flying - you have a great time ahead of you, if you want it, because as your skill improves going back to the 'meh' ships could be a big surprise

You know you have a good point. A really fun small ship that nobody talks about? The Dolphin. I grabbed one of these things before I got the Courier and man, it's really so flippin FUN to fly. And the internal options for a small ship were really good!

I'm so focused right now on all the Engineering and Guardian stuff I need, but yeah, I'm totally gonna make a fun 'meme ship' at some point.