A new Commander's experience after a few months // Kind of wondering where to go next? [Horizons]

[Ashnak]

What are some ships cheaper than a Python that would be fun or worth checking out?

Combat: Vulture
Passengers/Smuggling: Krait Phantom
Core mining, NPC piracy: DBX (different builds, of course)
Racing: Viper
Exploration: Dolphin

Is it worth it to get a Type-9? Should I just grind/save for a Cutter?

Never ground for a Cutter, but recently made Rear Admiral, so I got myself a Corvette. With a bit of Engineering and a Guardian FSD booster, she makes a decent cargo ship. With a few extras to give any assailant a nasty surprise (or handle the odd assassination mission). The T-9 can only do one thing - hold cargo. But you're a free meal dfor any pirate coming along. Yes, there are even PvP resistant T-9 builds, but those won't hold any more cargo than a comparable Anaconda, Corvette or T-10.

Without guardian tech or engineering, what are the best combat hardpoints for a Python or Fer-de-Lance? I do have the engineered frag cannon, double shot I believe it's called.

Ferdie: no idea, but I got my Mamba equipped with cytos, gimballed beams and a focussed Plasma. Ferdie meta calls for rails, IIRC.
Python: no idea, but my Krait Mk.II is running triple Pacifiers (Powerplay frags) with rapid fire/screening shell, dual gimballed Multicannon (one corrosive, one emissive) and a Javelin fighter

I also just pledged to Duvall, was kind of thinking I want those shields, good call? bad?

Lot of PvP players get them, I don't do PvP. For anything else, they come with a hefty penalty for mass and power consumption.

 

[urgeigh]

First of all: welcome CMDR, to ED.

Second, I'd suggest that playing ED is more about "enjoying the journey" vs "pursuit of a destination". The early game and end game are identical, except you'll be able to afford bigger and more powerful ships, and have more credits in the bank. And while it's been said a million times over: do what you find fun. And know that big ships don't necessarily make the game more fun, they just make it easier.

My first year or two in ED were the best for me - the learning curve was steep, and I had a LOT of learning to do. I focused on learning to fly and practiced combat quite a bit. I didn't take to mining, and only briefly did some trading (to make Credits), but "pew pew" is what I personally find fun, and the ground elements that Odyssey brought - I now quite like stealing/smuggling because of the added danger (despite the paltry rewards). I don't chase credits - because credits aren't fun. And I generally get more joy from small, fast, nimble ships than the big ones. You'll hear that last line from most "veteran" players. In short, I play the game with no real destination in mind. If I do set myself a goal, I can guarantee you that I'll likely change it next play session. I've been playing since '14 and my in-game net worth is probably "just" 1.5-2B, with less than $200M in cash. That's not a lot for someone who's been playing for 7-8 years. I just don't care.

So, in short: avoid the grind, figure out what gets your heart rate going, and do that. Credits are easy to come by, as are ranks (if you put in the time).

P.S. You mentioned engineering. I'd suggest learning to fly an unengineered ship well. Will be tremendously satisfying. Really understand the intricacies of the ship. How to set it up. Fly with Flight Assist off. Leverage Silent Running. Get good with fixed (or if you prefer, gimballed) weapons. All of that will take quite some time and be a heckuva lot more fun than grinding engineering materials. Add engineering later, and you'll be unstoppable.

I actually have over 500 hours played at this point, I know that's not a lot compared to some but I'm almost elite in trading and getting there in combat and I'm 90% into ranger in exploration. I feel ya on the grinding/not playing for credits, I usually just keep hovering around 300m or work up enough to buy a new ship (I just bought a T9 and already paid for itself twice over). I probably have 350 of those hours in my Python, which up until very recently, like yesterday, I had really only engineered my FSD. I just got grade 3 overcharged on all my multicannons and grade 3 dirty thrusters, and let me tell you, my combat experience improved drastically. I've also been flying and docking myself (for the most part) for a good while now and generally don't have any problems. I have been getting through mail slots fine with my T9 anyway xD - Any and all input is appreciated, thanks for taking the time for more good advice!

 

[urgeigh]

Combat: Vulture
Passengers/Smuggling: Krait Phantom
Core mining, NPC piracy: DBX (different builds, of course)
Racing: Viper
Exploration: Dolphin


Never ground for a Cutter, but recently made Rear Admiral, so I got myself a Corvette. With a bit of Engineering and a Guardian FSD booster, she makes a decent cargo ship. With a few extras to give any assailant a nasty surprise (or handle the odd assassination mission). The T-9 can only do one thing - hold cargo. But you're a free meal dfor any pirate coming along. Yes, there are even PvP resistant T-9 builds, but those won't hold any more cargo than a comparable Anaconda, Corvette or T-10.

Ferdie: no idea, but I got my Mamba equipped with cytos, gimballed beams and a focussed Plasma. Ferdie meta calls for rails, IIRC.
Python: no idea, but my Krait Mk.II is running triple Pacifiers (Powerplay frags) with rapid fire/screening shell, dual gimballed Multicannon (one corrosive, one emissive) and a Javelin fighter

Lot of PvP players get them, I don't do PvP. For anything else, they come with a hefty penalty for mass and power consumption.

Yeah, I've read about the cost of using prismatic shields by now. I've had every response from "Oh yes you want those absolutely" to "They are space trash" - I understand now where they shine and where they suck. A Cutter with prismatic shield and fully decked and built for max shields can get something like 11k/MJ lol, like what? I'm just gonna grab a bunch once I can and pledge to someone else and try them out for myself I suppose. That's why I love this game, it's okay to just do you and you can still have fun or not be useless in the game.

 

[Ashnak]

A Cutter with prismatic shield and fully decked and built for max shields can get something like 11k/MJ

kM is G (Giga) - and you don't take engineered boosters and Guardian shield reinforcements into account: https://s.orbis.zone/f820 if you go crazy.

 

[Sensei Jacksama]

Well, I do have double shot frag pinned atm. When you say it's crap at fighting are you thinking PvP? Cus I'm basically just sticking to PvE combat for now and it seems fairly easy in my Python, I've been racking up the kills in conflict zones and did some pirate assassination missions with great ease yesterday too, or even in the Cobra I had for a while I had success in PvE. Adding turreted weapons really helped with my Python, idk. But also flying up on someone with 5 Frag cannons with double shot was also quite hilarious and effective with patience and timing. Not 100% sure as I wasn't looking at the exact moment, but I'm pretty sure I dropped a Cobra Mk3 from about 62% to about 20% with one well placed frag burst lol. But I'm not trying to do much PvP until I get a little better and fully outfit my FDL after I unlock a couple more engineers and farm some materials, etc. Thanks for the reply, and yeah I just picked a PP for the sake of getting on with it cus of the 4 week wait.

Im talking about both. The python has the same hardpoint loadout as a krait but the krait has a far better turning radius. a double shot frag cannon will mess up pretty much anything if you can get close enough but a krait will get you a firing line faster. IMO the Chieftain or Challenger is superior at combat either the krait or python but you cant use it as an all around mission runner like the previous 2. Im not trying to change your mind. i was under the impression when i first wrote that you were looking to upgrade to a python and wanted to consider cheaper alternatives. if your able to consistently complete CZ's then by all means if it works for you just keep doing it. Im just pointing out that there is very little the python can do better than a krait. Besides total cargo capacity if you wanted to do PVP, AX combat, and even exploration the krait can do it. Like i said though if its working for you then theres no need to change it; but im serious about that FA Off training in a small ship. get on that asap.

 

[urgeigh]

kM is G (Giga) - and you don't take engineered boosters and Guardian shield reinforcements into account: https://s.orbis.zone/f820 if you go crazy.

Yeah my C++ instructor made us memorize Giga, Tera, kT is Peta and then Exa, Zetta, Yotta. I assume it's the same across the board. I just never heard anyone in the vids I watch use Giga Joules when talking about shield size. But anwho, in theory you could slap even more in those empty slots eh? That's silly.

 

[urgeigh]

Im talking about both. The python has the same hardpoint loadout as a krait but the krait has a far better turning radius. a double shot frag cannon will mess up pretty much anything if you can get close enough but a krait will get you a firing line faster. IMO the Chieftain or Challenger is superior at combat either the krait or python but you cant use it as an all around mission runner like the previous 2. Im not trying to change your mind. i was under the impression when i first wrote that you were looking to upgrade to a python and wanted to consider cheaper alternatives. if your able to consistently complete CZ's then by all means if it works for you just keep doing it. Im just pointing out that there is very little the python can do better than a krait. Besides total cargo capacity if you wanted to do PVP, AX combat, and even exploration the krait can do it. Like i said though if its working for you then theres no need to change it; but im serious about that FA Off training in a small ship. get on that asap.

Oh I have already owned a Python since like my third day playing lol. In my original post I mentioned how I went sidewinder > hauler > python by literally just doing surface scans/road to riches. I am looking to toy around with some other ships, particularly for combat and have definitely been eyeing the Chieftan per your advice, but I've been trying to crank out so much stuff every day to get my engineering up to snuff and unlock a couple pieces of guardian tech and get my emp rank up, etc, I've been busy! I also bought a T9 cus I found some awesome trade routes, I pulled in about 165m credits in the first hour and a half after I dressed up my T9 and took it out and immediately paid for itself. But ever since I finally got an engineer that can do grade 3 overcharged multicannons and grade 3 dirty thrusters a few days ago, and improved my optionals overall, I've been shredding CZs in my Python and even the more challenging assassination missions I can find, or even doing the wing recommended massacre missions solo.

Tbh, I feel like I would destroy someone of comparable skill level and outfitting on their ship if it was me in my Python vs a Chieftan. The Python has one less hardpoint overall, but it has one more L and one more M than the Chieftan, idk, does it outmaneuver the Python? And as far as flying without FA, I have practiced but it's mostly been in the Python and it's definitely something I'm going to master, with a smaller ship, it's good advice, thanks Might actually go work on that now for a change of pace.

Edit: I've had Felicity for a while just hadn't gone back to get grade 3 thrusters. My to-do list is a mile long.

 

[Sensei Jacksama]

Tbh, I feel like I would destroy someone of comparable skill level and outfitting on their ship if it was me in my Python vs a Chieftan.

Im sure you could find someone who could help you test that theory.

The Python has one less hardpoint overall, but it has one more L and one more M than the Chieftan, idk, does it outmaneuver the Python?

Yes. The Chieftain has better armor than a python and the maneuverability is comparable to a Vulture. The challenger also has two extra medium Hardpoints and more armor with a sacrifice to speed and agility. Its more comparable to a krait in that regard. EDIT: I forgot to mention the challenger trades a large for 2 medium. that can be an advantage if you wanted to try a railgun build since they only come in small and medium.

And as far as flying without FA, I have practiced but it's mostly been in the Python and it's definitely something I'm going to master, with a smaller ship, it's good advice, thanks Might actually go work on that now for a change of pace.

techincally you can practice FA Off in any ship. even a type 9. its just that some training exercises like trench running, or dodging asteroids are high risk and will eventually kill you. plus the small ships are more responsive and easier to course correct when needed.

Edit: I've had Felicity for a while just hadn't gone back to get grade 3 thrusters. My to-do list is a mile long.

pace yourself. Dont get overwhelmed.

 

[urgeigh]

Im sure you could find someone who could help you test that theory.

Yes. The Chieftain has better armor than a python and the maneuverability is comparable to a Vulture. The challenger also has two extra medium Hardpoints and more armor with a sacrifice to speed and agility. Its more comparable to a krait in that regard. EDIT: I forgot to mention the challenger trades a large for 2 medium. that can be an advantage if you wanted to try a railgun build since they only come in small and medium.

techincally you can practice FA Off in any ship. even a type 9. its just that some training exercises like trench running, or dodging asteroids are high risk and will eventually kill you. plus the small ships are more responsive and easier to course correct when needed.

pace yourself. Dont get overwhelmed.

Hey it's been a min, just thought I'd come back and let you know I outfitted a Chieftan and put a lot more time into Engineering (plus unlocked the Guardian Power Distributor since I was already doing the FSD Booster until I get access to grade 5 PD engineering at least, it's been a huge help) and it's been a blast. I love this ship. Some of my opponents have become more challenging as I've boosted my combat rank and sometimes while bounty hunting I've ran into some wings, like 2 FDLs and an Assault Ship for example, which my Python was having issues with and made quick work of them with the Chieftan. Even though I have an FDL I've been using the Chieftan pretty much exclusively for bounty hunting, idk I like being able to throw a cargo bay and collector limpets on my bounty hunting ship for gathering engineering materials and I don't like sacrificing the internals for that on the FDL. Now I'm not so sure about what I said regarding taking out any Chieftan w/ a Python Just thought it'd be nice to let people know, who took the time to help me out, that their advice was put to good use. Thanks again!

 

[Sensei Jacksama]

Hey it's been a min, just thought I'd come back and let you know I outfitted a Chieftan and put a lot more time into Engineering (plus unlocked the Guardian Power Distributor since I was already doing the FSD Booster until I get access to grade 5 PD engineering at least, it's been a huge help) and it's been a blast. I love this ship. Some of my opponents have become more challenging as I've boosted my combat rank and sometimes while bounty hunting I've ran into some wings, like 2 FDLs and an Assault Ship for example, which my Python was having issues with and made quick work of them with the Chieftan. Even though I have an FDL I've been using the Chieftan pretty much exclusively for bounty hunting, idk I like being able to throw a cargo bay and collector limpets on my bounty hunting ship for gathering engineering materials and I don't like sacrificing the internals for that on the FDL. Now I'm not so sure about what I said regarding taking out any Chieftan w/ a Python Just thought it'd be nice to let people know, who took the time to help me out, that their advice was put to good use. Thanks again!

I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm a huge chieftain fan. I bought it very early on and it's still my favorite.

If you like it now try going for a biweave resistance build and you'll be unkillable to NPC's.

 

[Trollymctrollerson]

The cheiftain small hardpoints are perfect for dumbfires. Get the advanced ones for the extra ammo, and then engineer them for even moooarr ammo. Throw on a drag effect and FSD inturupt and a penetrator. Drop the enemy shields and shoot them right in the face with a few salvos of triple barrel explosive rage to ruin their modules and their day.

 

[urgeigh]

I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm a huge chieftain fan. I bought it very early on and it's still my favorite.

If you like it now try going for a biweave resistance build and you'll be unkillable to NPC's.

Aye I threw a 6C biweave on it, even though it came with a Shield Gen in the 5 slot that just made sense to me. I'm about to head out to Mel Brandon, finally, maybe tonight here in a few. Unlocking him seems like a game changer, still trying to decide on the most efficient way to do it and get as much Engineering done as I need. Thanks again, and to Ashnak as he appears to be reading this too. I also appreciate the fact I was able to get its jump range up to about 38 Ly for visiting all my engineers too. Creepin up on the billionaire's club too as I've found an excellent system for stacking execute/massacre pirate missions, even without a wing/squad.

Edit: I also LOVE how well the Chieftan handles HEAT. It seems like I've had overheating issues with almost every ship I've owned, I kinda thought it was just a fact of life but I put a little bit of my build towards compensating for heat issues and idk, I just absolutely love this ship. If I have at least 3 pips in systems it doesn't even overheat if I use a shield cell bank, which I used to think was imposssible lol. I'm sure I've done a lot with the ship that's probably not "meta," but that's the best part, it's still fun and I've still just been stomping PvE in it. Now that I've basically filled up on mats from combat, I dropped the cargo and collector limpets and just turned it into a hull tank with one shield bank, one mod reinforcement and basically just tossed hull reinforcements in the rest of my slots.

 

[Mersozz]

This thread is a refreshing one.

 

[CMDR Flavius Funk]

This thread is a refreshing one.

Nica avatar dude.

 

[Tetra Trash]

Hell yeah, that's a really good idea. How far is it to just go without a fleet carrier? Tbh I kind of have a lot of time on my hands right now.

Edit: nvm, I looked it up, the wiki says closest to Sol is 1500 Ly. That's not terrible.

This is a really nice little exploration trip; you can go by way of Barnard's Loop, Orion Nebula, and Witch Head which are all really nice to see up close. You could check out elite dangerous star map (edsm.net) or Canonn's websites to find points of interest, biologicals, or notable stellar phenomena that you may want to visit on the way out. IMO, the shards themselves in HIP 36601 are one of the wonders of the Elite galaxy given the number of sites and variety of materials present - I found several other shard sites when I was out exploring that region but none with such a variety of elements available (not to mention how intriguing it is to have an organism that preferentially takes up and concentrates rare earth type elements). The only wrinkle to this is there's a good-sized permit locked region around Barnard's Loop that you may need to go over , under, or around (which is also the reason that it can be difficult to plot straight out to the shard sites from the bubble without getting an error). If you want to knock out your 5,000 LY for Palin you could maybe keep on going to the Formidine Rift sites or some of the other stuff out that way.