Advice for first time PVE'r, Cobra MKIII or iCourier?

[ajg74]

CMDR's, I want to try my hand at PVE'ing and am not sure which ship to use, I've got about 34mil in the bank and already own a part upgraded Cobra MKIII (currently sat unused). I will soon rank up to Squire with the Empire so the iCourier will be available to me and I have plenty of money to buy and A rate one with plenty for re-buys (will have a fair bit more in the bank by the time I rank up as well).

Which would be the better ship for a novice??

Also advice for loadouts?

All advise and views welcome!

o7

CMDR Grifa

 

[Siobhan]

CMDR's, I want to try my hand at PVE'ing and am not sure which ship to use, I've got about 34mil in the bank and already own a part upgraded Cobra MKIII (currently sat unused). I will soon rank up to Squire with the Empire so the iCourier will be available to me and I have plenty of money to buy and A rate one with plenty for re-buys (will have a fair bit more in the bank by the time I rank up as well).

Which would be the better ship for a novice??

All advise and views welcome!

o7

CMDR Grifa

Courier is slightly faster and has better hardpoint placement.
On the other hand, it's a fugly imp ship.
Cobra is just cool, a lot cheaper and a pretty good trader too.

 

[Threeofseven]

PVE'ing? You mean PvE combat? If so I recommend the Courier, the shields are better.

 

[Arkadi]

I guess you are talking about PvE combat like bountyhunting or combat-zone fights, yes?

I think most will say the Imp Courier is the better becouse of superior shields, better maneuverabilty and three medium hardpoints. But if your shields are down, you better run. The MK3 on the other hand can have a very durable hull with many internal compartments that can be fitted with hull reinforcement plates. The MK3's maneuverability is lacking with very slow yaw - so you'll better roll and pitch. If you like to have direct aiming control you'll be better off with the I-Courier. If you can FA-off, pitch-roll and thrust you might still like the MK3.

I'd say if you take the I-Courier you'll be better off with tanky shields, shieldboosters and SCB until the limit of your powerplant. If you are going with the MK3 you'll better equip Bi-Weaves and Countermeasures - maybe heatsinks for silent running too, what will free you up some energy for heavy weapons - although this MK3 powerplant is quite limited too - but there is this MK3 railgun built, so...

Both ships have considerabel fast speed and good jump range with the MK3 being theoretically a bit better with both - but if you set the MK3 up as heavy hull tank, the difference might be more or less neglectable. Ofc the MK3 is the better all-round ship. But we are talking about fighting, aren't we?

It's just a matter of taste. And maybe the I-Courier is a bit novice-friendlyer becouse of ease of control.

 

[Bod]

Either will do the job well, but as mentioned above, the courier has a lot stronger shields.
Having used both, I prefer the courier, engineered for lightweight with performance thrusters and dirty drive 5.
Great fun, and if the fight goes bad, boost away at 700+.

 

[ajg74]

Courier is slightly faster and has better hardpoint placement.
On the other hand, it's a fugly imp ship.
Cobra is just cool, a lot cheaper and a pretty good trader too.

Fugly Imperial ship!?!?! *faints* lol

I don't the ship for trading, I have an Asp X for that (which is pulling in plenty of cash doing passenger missions), I just want a pure PVE combat ship.

PVE'ing? You mean PvE combat? If so I recommend the Courier, the shields are better.

Yes PVE combat, bounty hunting etc, I am leaning towards the Courier, plus it's pretty!

 

[ajg74]

I guess you are talking about PvE combat like bountyhunting or combat-zone fights, yes?

I think most will say the Imp Courier is the better becouse of superior shields, better maneuverabilty and three medium hardpoints. But if your shields are down, you better run. The MK3 on the other hand can have a very durable hull with many internal compartments that can be fitted with hull reinforcement plates. The MK3's maneuverability is lacking with very slow yaw - so you'll better roll and pitch. If you like to have direct aiming control you'll be better off with the I-Courier. If you can FA-off, pitch-roll and thrust you might still like the MK3.

I'd say if you take the I-Courier you'll be better off with tanky shields, shieldboosters and SCB until the limit of your powerplant. If you are going with the MK3 you'll better equip Bi-Weaves and Countermeasures - maybe heatsinks for silent running too, what will free you up some energy for heavy weapons - although this MK3 powerplant is quite limited too - but there is this MK3 railgun built, so...

Both ships have considerabel fast speed and good jump range with the MK3 being theoretically a bit better with both - but if you set the MK3 up as heavy hull tank, the difference might be more or less neglectable. Ofc the MK3 is the better all-round ship. But we are talking about fighting, aren't we?

It's just a matter of taste. And maybe the I-Courier is a bit novice-friendlyer becouse of ease of control.

I am leaning towards to Courier, it seems better focused for combat looking at it, plus first step in my Gutamaya fleet!

What weapons would you recommend, I know it doesn't suffer from heat issues too badly but it doesn't have the biggest power plant so I guess twin beams are out?

 

[ajg74]

Either will do the job well, but as mentioned above, the courier has a lot stronger shields.
Having used both, I prefer the courier, engineered for lightweight with performance thrusters and dirty drive 5.
Great fun, and if the fight goes bad, boost away at 700+.

I've no access to the engineer yet but G5 DD's (amongst other things) will happen when I can!

 

[Arkadi]

I'd go with 2 MC (engieered however) and the middle hardpoint as rail or missile... or full MC (with corrosive / incendiarcy special effects), to save your energy for the shields and SCB... but there sure are other options.

I am no I-Courier professional. I answered becouse I only recently tried the I-Courier and, well, it seem it really makes the MK3 obsolete in combat. Becouse I still really like the MK3 I wanted to make some points for it. The MK3 has it's qualities in hull tanking. And I think I must correct myself, maybe the I-Courier is also the overall faster ship... Somehow I still rembember the MK3 as king of boost.. but that may be a thing of the past - since light wight builds have hit the market.

 

[ajg74]

I'd go with 2 MC (engieered however) and the middle hardpoint as rail or missile... or full MC (with corrosive / incendiarcy special effects), to save your energy for the shields and SCB... but there sure are other options.

I am no I-Courier professional. I answered becouse I only recently tried the I-Courier and, well, it seem it really makes the MK3 obsolete in combat. Becouse I still really like the MK3 I wanted to make some points for it. The MK3 has it's qualities in hull tanking. And I think I must correct myself, maybe the I-Courier is also the overall faster ship... Somehow I still rembember the MK3 as king of boost.. but that may be a thing of the past - since light wight builds have hit the market.

No engineer access yet (still relative newbie!) but I will be hitting the engineer grind hard when the time comes. I was thinking dual MC's and a single beam might work?

 

[Gorr]

I have engineered Vette, FDL, Vulture and I take my iCourier very often to finish some massacre missions in CZ.

It is an awesome ship properly engineered.

 

[Xani D]

Out of the two, the Cobra Mk3, and the iCourier, for PvE combat I would say the iCourier.

It has better hardpoint placement, considerbly better shields, and I think is a smaller target. Unengineered it can hold its own against most PvE ships once you master flying it, and once engineered, it becomes nigh on untouchable, what you cant circle around, you can out run!

If however you want a more all round ship, the Cobra Mk3 is imho the better choice, its just more of a multipurpose ship than a dedicated combat ship.

Depending on your combat experience, NAV beacons and RES sites are a nice place to start. Stick with the law enforcement vessels, and focus their targets so you have a pseudo wing helping you. And dont carry any cargo, you dont want to be a target of any random pirate in the area. Then move on from there as your confidence builds. Loadout I would say is entirely your choice, remember that PvE is often about duration, take weapons that will see you through many dogfights.

But ultimately, just get both maxed out and engineered

 

[ajg74]

I have engineered Vette, FDL, Vulture and I take my iCourier very often to finish some massacre missions in CZ.

It is an awesome ship properly engineered.

No engineers ATM but it will be getting done once I have access (and done the grind for the mats!)

 

[StiTch]

Courier is slightly faster and has better hardpoint placement.
On the other hand, it's a fugly imp ship.

OP, don't forget: sometimes opinions can be "wrong"

I have a lot of love for the iCourier. Ultimately this comes down to whether you want to git gud at combat or want something more general purpose; the cobra is more convenient and will do multiple roles even with a single loadout. The iCourier has to be locked into the role it does, and requires more precision in the loadout.

The iCourier is, however, a total beast in the right hands. Oh, and it's objectively gorgeous btw.

 

[ajg74]

Out of the two, the Cobra Mk3, and the iCourier, for PvE combat I would say the iCourier.

It has better hardpoint placement, considerbly better shields, and I think is a smaller target. Unengineered it can hold its own against most PvE ships once you master flying it, and once engineered, it becomes nigh on untouchable, what you cant circle around, you can out run!

If however you want a more all round ship, the Cobra Mk3 is imho the better choice, its just more of a multipurpose ship than a dedicated combat ship.

Depending on your combat experience, NAV beacons and RES sites are a nice place to start. Stick with the law enforcement vessels, and focus their targets so you have a pseudo wing helping you. And dont carry any cargo, you dont want to be a target of any random pirate in the area. Then move on from there as your confidence builds. Loadout I would say is entirely your choice, remember that PvE is often about duration, take weapons that will see you through many dogfights.

But ultimately, just get both maxed out and engineered

This is for a ship to use only for killing wanted NPC's, nothing else.

Once I can engineer I will, will just be A rating for the mo.

 

[ajg74]

OP, don't forget: sometimes opinions can be "wrong"

I have a lot of love for the iCourier. Ultimately this comes down to whether you want to git gud at combat or want something more general purpose; the cobra is more convenient and will do multiple roles even with a single loadout. The iCourier has to be locked into the role it does, and requires more precision in the loadout.

The iCourier is, however, a total beast in the right hands. Oh, and it's objectively gorgeous btw.

I know, those Fed scum wouldn't know class and style if it slapped them in the face!

Yeah I'm going Courier for sure, it is my plan to eventually have the full Gutamaya range, for erm basking and other activities!!

 

[StiTch]

I know, those Fed scum wouldn't know class and style if it slapped them in the face!

Yeah I'm going Courier for sure, it is my plan to eventually have the full Gutamaya range, for erm basking and other activities!!

Any specific questions, pop 'em my way. I've been championing the iCourier and iCutter as my main combat ships since the days I unlocked them, PvE and PvP

 

[goemon]

as a beginner ship i'd recommend a viper mkiii.

i have flown and fly both the cobra mkiii and courier in combat. courier is for sure the better combat ship - especially with enhanced performance thruster, which you can BUY in outfitting at three engineer bases. cobra is fun for hulltanking, and requires much more tactical flying. it suffers from its large hitbox in any "more than one enemy"-scenario - it always gains from its speed.

i love to fly my courier with a full frag loadout, but beam + 2 mc, or beam + mc + cannon for large game hunting work well, too.

i usually fly my cobra with beam + mc + small seeker misdiles, as the small hardpoints aren't well placed.

but again - my current viper mkiii outperforms both - all are massively engineered.

generally, both viper and courier require to use lateral and vertical thrusters extensively. the courier has the best acceleration and decelleration ingame.

 

[Xani D]

This is for a ship to use only for killing wanted NPC's, nothing else.

Once I can engineer I will, will just be A rating for the mo.

The iCourier A graded then, its a great place to start. The combination of speed, shields, and excellent hard point placement, will give you a good little combat ship. Use its speed and handling to get behind, or under targets, and stay there, what it lacks in large hard points, it makes up for with pokey constant accurate firepower. Experiment with the different weapons and see what suits you. Try to get it engineered though as soon as possible, as with any ship, the benefits from engineering help greatly.

Just for fun, my courier is setup more as just that, a courier, its as lightweight as possible, engineered for speed, but still has decent shields (Maxed out I think, just D grade boosters) and for some defence has lightweight modded multicannons. I dont use it for combat, but more for fast, fun mission running, she hits close to 700ms and has a jump range of about 32-34ly (Im going off memory). Love the little thing, just wish I could dock it in the Cutter

 

[StiTch]

but again - my current viper mkiii outperforms both - all are massively engineered.

I think you must just prefer the Viper's nuances in handling or have it engineered better, because the iCourier is basically a viper with better internals, better PP, lighter hull, double the utility slots and twice the shields.