And so.. the Federal Dropship

[Deleted member 115407]

So, I'm saving up my ducats now for something that can mine like a butterfly, but sting like a bee (I don't really care about winning the fight, just surviving...). So I've had my eye on the federal dropship.

Any guidance? What's the "real" next step up from a Cobra MkIV?

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I might add that AutoDocking is a must -- because manual docking is for suckers.

 

[thorn-]

(reply deleted. I mis-read the OP)

 

[Julio Montega]

So, I'm saving up my ducats now for something that can mine like a butterfly, but sting like a bee (I don't really care about winning the fight, just surviving...). So I've had my eye on the federal dropship.

Any guidance? What's the "real" next step up from a Cobra MkIV?

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

I might add that AutoDocking is a must -- because manual docking is for suckers.

Presumably the real next step catering towards multipurpose ships
that are customizeable is the python, yet the cost is rather high.
You can mine and run in an ASP aswell, running is harder in the dropship line,
due to the low speed.

If you want to fit a basic python for mining without directly a-rating it
you gotta save up up to 120 mil, so you have some spare for insurance.

Combatwise i advise you not to let python's shields drop when running,
the module protection from above/below/aft is abysmal on the "flat" ships,
the dropship line is well protected, unless c3 cannons and rails come into play.

 

[Mohrgan]

I have had some success with the CMkIV as a miner. It was fun and efficient as a casual miner, but it is a true pig in combat. It has weapons for last ditch efforts, but I just ran when in it. It has a fairly low cost, so for someone coming out of a CMkIII it won;t be priced out. Check it out, if you access to it.

Otherwise, look at the AspX It costs four times what the CMkIV does, but it is more survivable, and combat capable.

The Dropship comes in at almost 75 mil. It does shake out pretty well, but jumping from a CMkIII, and not knowing your credit balance these are the examples I can give.

Note: Each ship is fit out as if you could A rate it. Pick the most expensive ship you can get to A rated. Things are a bit tougher out there, and you'll really appreciate having as effective a ship as possible. The days of tooling around in D rated ships may just be over.

 

[Drachenklaue]

I'd agree with Mohrgan, Asps really are the way to go. Potentially if you wanted more combat focus an Imperial Courier can be very fun, but you're more or less a jet fighter, so don't expect any flexibility in terms of cargo, mining or trade.

 

[Odan Brota]

Clipper makes a very solid mining vessel. Tough enough to deal with many things, but boosts crazy fast to run.

 

[Crazy Jedi]

Next up as a mutli-role ship is probably the Asp. Its quite a flexible ship and with A-rated thrusters is no slouch.

Also manual docking is a fun and exciting way to end your trip, both literally and figuratively depending on how good you are at it

 

[Agony_Aunt]

What's the "real" next step up from a Cobra MkIV?

A sidewinder?

Sorry, i also love the CM4. Depends on what you want really. But it seems that you want module versatility over ability. So yeah, the Dropship is a good choice here. Its jump range, speed, and manouverability are similar to that of the CM4, so you should be used to that, shields are also weak, but you get bigger and more hardpoints and more utility slots.

I wouldn't recommend the dropship to most people, but hey, if you flew the CM4, then the Dropship will fit your style. Another option is the Asp, better jump range, better manouverability, but less firepower.

 

[Starbreaker]

I own both the Cobra MKIV and FDS and I've taken to using the Cobra over the FDS for the time being until I can earn more credits and they fix the weapon bug on Xbox. I'd say the FDS is something you can grow into while playing, earning credits and upgrade modules as you go. My last setup for the FDS was this https://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_...k7j7j0402000305Cb4a20P92tv6.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ== , drop some of the stuff and refit for a 96t miner like this https://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_...m7j7j0402000305044a20C7C7P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ== to earn some credit mining and save up your cash for an A-rated build.