if you fully engineer and use weapons designed for a task then even DBS can do them, but if you make cargo hauler with some weapons then python is much more vulnurable to focused fire than dropship, python is both slower and is much bigger target, also dropship have maybe best, but definitely top 3 hardpoints convergence for fixed weapons of any ship in the game. Those may be minor things, but it's not like python and even krait is better in every category, of course i agree python and krait are better ships most of the time in simialr tasks, but we need to completely ignore pricing and threads like this should rather provoke community to press Fdev to make money relevant again, withotu this it's pointless.
Buff the Federal Dropship
- Thread starter DemiserofD
- Start date
Are you maybe thinking of the Assault Ship? Because the Dropship is quite a bit slower than the python, most notably in standard speed, but also in boost speed. The only place the dropship is any better than the python is in lateral rotation.
diffrence in cruise/top speed is very small, but dropship have 4 sec boost vs python 2.5s, so in practice is faster, dropship more agile and IMO have better flight model, python tend to stall a lot, basically fly like a rock outside blue zone, you can make fa-of strafing runs in dropship, usefull in combat
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The federal drop ship is SUPPOSED to enter a planet atmosphere hard and fast, and hit the ground, deploying combat SRVs and ground troops, and then take off again making a run for an orbital or carrier to pick up another load. The guns are mostly in the right place to spray areas with bullets and ordinance, the hull is hard enough to take some impact, the shields will soak enough missiles to get in and out. If you want shock and awe terror tactics on an unsuspecting settlement, accept no substitute.
However… the developers decided the vulture would be a better troop insertion ship… I know not why. I just hope at some point they get around to using this ship for what it was meant to do since its inception. The name “drop ship” sort of gives it away. The main impact it’s built to survive… it with terra firma.
And last I checked, it’s the only ship designed to do this.
However… the developers decided the vulture would be a better troop insertion ship… I know not why. I just hope at some point they get around to using this ship for what it was meant to do since its inception. The name “drop ship” sort of gives it away. The main impact it’s built to survive… it with terra firma.
And last I checked, it’s the only ship designed to do this.
Cruise speed is significantly different. The difference is 25% larger than the difference between the Python and the FDL.
As far as stalling is concerned, I've heard people say that, but I've never seen the evidence. I killed a basilisk with a python using only AX multicannons and never once experienced stalling.
By contrast, attempts with federal bricks stalled massively, because of the huge difference between the boosted speed and the standard speed.
Again, are you SURE you're talking about the dropship and not the assault ship?
The problem is, the Dropship has the same internal volume as a WW2 troop ship. They typically carried ~2100 troops into a fight. A dropship is meant to assault inhabited worlds, not small outposts. Honestly, even the Vulture is much too large for the role, and it would be better suited to a small ship, like an Adder or Sidewinder.
That said, I'd be down with at least giving it the stats to carry out that role. Higher armor hardness and durability via more utility slots would give it what it needs to get in, drop off its load, and get out.
I hope they let u drop an srv or teammates without landing. Its called dropship but it cant actually drop anything. It along with gunship were clearly designed for atmospheric manuvering as they have the most aero of any ships. They also have things like elavators and flaps to assist with handling in atmospheres they have visible airbrake flaps to allow for rapidly slowing down to drop their payload and promptly leave under fire. So FDEV our task for you is enable heavier atmospheres and give this ship something to drop like its name suggests.
I’m saying it had the stats now. Or most of them. It can fit the 4 vehicle planetary hanger can it not? All it needs now is the ability to carry more players.
OR!! They introduce a NEW passenger cabins called “troop transports” and missions to go with them. No auto landing, taking fire as you come down, land on beacon and sit for a short deployment period, then take off and return to turn in mission.
this would give another Avenue for players to jump into planetary conflict zones.
Trouble is, even with the ability to carry 4 players, it's still inferior for that job compared to other options.
If you gave it more armor hardness and utility slots, then it could potentially be the best for that particular niche, as narrow as it is. I'd be happy with that, and I'd say it would be in a reasonably balanced place.
When the Odyssey first came out and I was thrown off the Vulture, I was shocked. I wrote to the forum and was told that, unlike the landing ship, it was not attached to the power.
Yes I understand that, but to drop from the lander .... Hmmm.
It's still a mystery to me to add to the game a ship similar to the Python, but faster and more maneuverable and put on it a compartment for fighters, which the Python does not ... I don't understand this logic.
Corvette should have 10 but 2 are disabled. I am really mad about that.
krait to be balanced need at least distributor nerf to c6 and mass increase, so jump range would be in gunship/doropship range, and this for a start, guess it still would be a top tier after this just not god tier on its own as currently is, it's as broken if not more than anaconda hull mass. If we balance ships with pricing then we need rebuys be multiplied by engineering and rapairs cost increased, proapbly adding landing fees based on ship cost, else any threads about balancing make no sense, just for lore reasons "dropship is federal workhorse" not state of the art multipurpose ship, and it's ok as it is, with money having any value in game it would be much better
I think something people fail to realize is that they intentionally made credits much easier to acquire. I don't see any other way; when they added the engineering grind, they realized they needed to moderate the grind elsewhere in the game, so they made credits much easier to get... which works just fine, the problem is, engineering costs basically the same amount no matter what the credit cost of the ship was. Which means that in order to be useful, even small ships need to have their own niches where they are equally useful compared to large ships.
Which results in Threads like this. Ships can no longer be based on credits, as that mechanic has been intentionally done away with.
How in The hell did a thread about buffing the drop ship become one about nerfing the krait2?
I think everyone is making a valid point. The idea is diversity. You can make an argument for most ships. And, a lot of it comes down to style of play. For npc combat, I arm and engineer my ships for sustained fire. As in, if I'm in my Corvette, I can lay on all seven weapons. As opposed to overpowering beams, and switching in bursts between thermals and kinetic.
I like the Clipper in combat. It's one of the ships I use when I'm "being serious." (haha). It's great for just going through and picking off vipers and vultures and little guys. I use my Clipper, Challenger and Corvette for combat the most. But, most of us have a large storage of weapons and equipment for our ships. I like using my Cutter, Anaconda, Python, Krait, Gunship, even my Courier sometimes in combat. I just don't kick as much ass as the others due to my preference of set up and play. I've actually been using my Anaconda in combat more. I finally figured out how to use shock cannons properly. You can only have one on the ship and pop out a bunch of rounds fast at closer range. I also like ramming, and the conda and vette stop and turn without as much drag as the T-10 or Cutter.
And, even though I use my Dolphin the most for just bouncing around the bubble... the Cobra Mk IV is probably the best overall ship that can land on a small pad.
I think they need more weapon types than more ships. I still argue strongly for a mid-level kinetic. MC - light, Cannon - heavy, give me a medium. Just split fire rate, damage, dps, etc. right down the middle between MC's and cannon at each class. I also think at least class 3 and 4 plasma accelerators should have a gimbal option. They don't fire fast enough, or have enough ammo to over power any ship, and you're going to blow yourself up if you try arm your whole ship with them.
I like the Clipper in combat. It's one of the ships I use when I'm "being serious." (haha). It's great for just going through and picking off vipers and vultures and little guys. I use my Clipper, Challenger and Corvette for combat the most. But, most of us have a large storage of weapons and equipment for our ships. I like using my Cutter, Anaconda, Python, Krait, Gunship, even my Courier sometimes in combat. I just don't kick as much ass as the others due to my preference of set up and play. I've actually been using my Anaconda in combat more. I finally figured out how to use shock cannons properly. You can only have one on the ship and pop out a bunch of rounds fast at closer range. I also like ramming, and the conda and vette stop and turn without as much drag as the T-10 or Cutter.
And, even though I use my Dolphin the most for just bouncing around the bubble... the Cobra Mk IV is probably the best overall ship that can land on a small pad.
I think they need more weapon types than more ships. I still argue strongly for a mid-level kinetic. MC - light, Cannon - heavy, give me a medium. Just split fire rate, damage, dps, etc. right down the middle between MC's and cannon at each class. I also think at least class 3 and 4 plasma accelerators should have a gimbal option. They don't fire fast enough, or have enough ammo to over power any ship, and you're going to blow yourself up if you try arm your whole ship with them.
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Your entire post makes me sad for so many reasons. Mainly because I love the Krait. I want to need it soooo bad! To me, it’s the coolest ship in the game. However… I have zero use for it. Combat? Nope! I tend to gravitate to the big boys like the corvette, Anaconda and 10. Trade? Nope! Cutter is my horse of choice and if it’s medium pad trade or passengers, it’s the python. Exploration?? Nope nope. It’s slightly less cool sister ship the phantom and it’s iligitimate father the asp X are my go too ponies in that arena. Ok, then medium ship combat??? No again! The gun ship, crusader, and mamba come out swinging in ways that are thrilling and scary that leave the krait feeling lacking….
literally, the krait is the coolest ship in the game that people fly just because of its cool. Sadly, it’s a ship absolutely no one needs for any other reason. It’s jump range only slightly beats out the python, and if I were going to make it a serious jumper.., why wouldn’t I just use the phantom? I would sacrifice 20 or so light years just for its cool factor. And if I’m doing that, I might as well bring a bigger ship with more toys.
In so many words, the krait is the coolest ship in the game, that by the time you can afford it, no one has a need for it.
I would love to see the Federal Dropship being used as advertised in the name: AS A DROPSHIP.
It's main drawbacks as far as I can tell are:
I really tested the concept of a Dropship with a friend and we had plenty of fun with it (with me giving air support while he took the role of a turret gunner/ground foot soldier), using the build below (if you want to join me in my crazyness):
coriolis.io
We also equipped the ground hangar with 4 DEADLY Scorpion SRVs: they're really tanky compared to the classic one, much more ammunition available (2000 rounds ready + 2000 more after reload), the repeater takes a while to wind up but will destroy even small ships with full pips on weapons and 12 seeker rockets capable of destroying Skimmers, anything on the ground and even Guardian Sentinels with ease (just don't stay too far - the shields can handle a brawling tactic very well).
It's not perfect, still work in progress (especially on engineering side since I must grind all the required materials) but I love how it performed at the current state - minus the mentions above however. I will also love to see the Dropship replacing the Vultures in Federation combat zones on the ground as well and, as I mentioned, it's a cheaper alternative for Dropship builds (if you're into this) but having only 1 multicrew it really limits a squadron's experience to only 2 people per FDS and you can't bring a full wing of friends for fun. Kraith Mk. II and Python may be better alternatives in similar builds, but hey, this ship is a DROPSHIP ( ! it's in the name ! ).
On a side note though: if Frontier decides to look at the Federal Gunship, this is the ship that really needs a major re-work from Federation side. Very expensive for it's capabilities, less optional modules than others of similar capabilities, worse than Krait Mk. II and Pyton in any aspect and is locked in Rank 7 Ensign level to get access to this ship in order for any player to buy. Better go with Alliance combat ships, they're better in any aspect at cheaper or similar costs (those pityful 2 small guns will not help if Alliance Challenger can dance around you, has the same defense and offense while being faster and more agile).
It's main drawbacks as far as I can tell are:
- the shield HP: I would buff them slightly since the FAS is better in any aspect than the Dropship in any aspect, even if it gets less hardpoints it can compensate trough the additional Large one, it is more maneuverable and slightly stronger in shield and hull armor (even 1% can always save your ship from going BOOM)
- has access to only 1 Multicrew slot: adding 1 or 2 slots to this ship would be amazing and will make sense - since it's a DROPSHIP
- the 3 restricted Military optionals: they could remove 1 or 2 module restrictions and make them universal slots and allow for more versatility; this is however just a personal preferrence just to make this ship more useful in other roles as well (I used it as a miner in the past and was really awesome in it's role)
- the pityful fuel tank of 16 tons: pretty bad for a DROPSHIP that should be capable to deploy troops and vehicles on the field, giving too small of a range and flexibility, I would recommend a 32 tons tank without breaking the ship's ballance - you would think a Military superpower will take into account long-range incursions when designing a ship
I really tested the concept of a Dropship with a friend and we had plenty of fun with it (with me giving air support while he took the role of a turret gunner/ground foot soldier), using the build below (if you want to join me in my crazyness):
Coriolis EDCD Edition
A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
coriolis.io
We also equipped the ground hangar with 4 DEADLY Scorpion SRVs: they're really tanky compared to the classic one, much more ammunition available (2000 rounds ready + 2000 more after reload), the repeater takes a while to wind up but will destroy even small ships with full pips on weapons and 12 seeker rockets capable of destroying Skimmers, anything on the ground and even Guardian Sentinels with ease (just don't stay too far - the shields can handle a brawling tactic very well).
It's not perfect, still work in progress (especially on engineering side since I must grind all the required materials) but I love how it performed at the current state - minus the mentions above however. I will also love to see the Dropship replacing the Vultures in Federation combat zones on the ground as well and, as I mentioned, it's a cheaper alternative for Dropship builds (if you're into this) but having only 1 multicrew it really limits a squadron's experience to only 2 people per FDS and you can't bring a full wing of friends for fun. Kraith Mk. II and Python may be better alternatives in similar builds, but hey, this ship is a DROPSHIP ( ! it's in the name ! ).
On a side note though: if Frontier decides to look at the Federal Gunship, this is the ship that really needs a major re-work from Federation side. Very expensive for it's capabilities, less optional modules than others of similar capabilities, worse than Krait Mk. II and Pyton in any aspect and is locked in Rank 7 Ensign level to get access to this ship in order for any player to buy. Better go with Alliance combat ships, they're better in any aspect at cheaper or similar costs (those pityful 2 small guns will not help if Alliance Challenger can dance around you, has the same defense and offense while being faster and more agile).
It's rank locked to the Federation, which is why I would imagine it isn't used in general. Though that doesn't mean it shouldn't be used in Federation operations where appropriate.
Theoretically yes. I especially like the idea with more seats for the Gunship. It would really need that to be what it should be. (Mind you, from the medium federals, i consider it the only one still useful in some tasks. But more seats would really help it a lot in a play-with-friends environment... unlikely as that is to still happen for me, after all the things FD did to drive people away. )
On all the other buffs discussed here, i dare to point out that the FAS was a well renowned combat ship at some time and the FDS also was seen as a competent one. No the best there is, but able to do very well. And once again, the disaster which broke it all has the same name: engineering.
So again i do believe that if engineering, after all these years of damaging the game, would finally be nerfed down and brought under control, ships like the FDS could also once again shine. Indeed not by being the "best" choice. But there's only so many things to do, so not all of the ships we have can be the best at something. But being a reasonable choice already would go such a long way and i would welcome that a lot.