Back in my Asp, and suddenly the game clicks again

rennarda

R
I love the Imperial Courier - just the sexiest ship there is. I've been flying one just for fun ever since I ranked high enough. I recently sold up and upgraded to a Python. I was able to afford a few upgrades (an A FSD not the least), but...it never really 'worked' for me.

It's a big lumbering beast of a ship (compared to what I'm used to) and damn is it expensive to run. I got a bit of a caning in combat and the repair bill was eye watering.

Disenchanted, I sold up and went back to the ship I've spent the longest time in - the Asp. A-rated everything, engineered the FSD a bit, (+ a body kit and gold paint). And all of a sudden, the game starts making sense again!

Running costs are low. Jump range is expansive. Combat is survivable. Cargo is plenty. There's room for a few passengers. The view is unrivalled and it's fun to fly.

In short, the game mechanics all start to make sense again. It makes me wonder if the Asp is the sweet spot for the game balance in ED.

Now, maybe there are other islands of balance up there in the lofty heights of the engineered multi-million credit Pythons and billionaire Anacondas. But I'm not sure I care. The Asp is where it's at for me.
 

fitzsteve

F
Yeah the Asp is a great ship, I'm using mine for the tourist missions, with the jump range it's quick to do these 150/250ly missions and I can even take the high paying Wanted passengers without too much fear of being scanned! Asp is full of Win and even in a light build it still pretty handy in a dog fight.

Edit:
Took a couple of Screens last night on Passenger Missions too:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=845892553

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=845892534

I think you'll like the colour OP :)
 
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CMDR Pugwash

CMDR Pugwash
Agree OP, I went exploring and chose the Asp X for its view and jump range mainly. I have other ships, my beloved Cobra Mk III, a Clipper and a Python but the Asp X is perfect for exploring and I'm loving it.
 

GreyAreaUK

GreyAreaUK
Nothing much to add here except - love my Asp.

jMyOJQW.png
 

OlliM

O
Mine's currently doing a sterling job out in a neutron field carrying me safely to every shiny thing I want to see and giving me a great view in the process. Looks great with the wireframe paint job too.
 

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
You.... You sold, A Python?!?
Blasphemy!


I feel almost the exact opposite to you. Lol

I used to have an Asp, it was good for the odd long range smuggling run, but terrible at anything else. I actually hated it enough to stop using it for smuggling.
I love how my Python handles, pre-engineers, I could still fling that thing through the letterbox at full speed.
Now with dirty drives and FSD range 5, it just outshines nearly every other ship.
Bit shorter range than the Asp, but it handles better, it's faster, can carry more, and do some heavy PvE combat.
And it's not hideous to look at. :p

I sold my Asp long ago, and never looked back. :D
I just have two separate Pythons instead.
 

GreyAreaUK

GreyAreaUK
OlliM said:
Mine's currently doing a sterling job out in a neutron field carrying me safely to every shiny thing I want to see and giving me a great view in the process. Looks great with the wireframe paint job too.
Click to expand...

Oddly enough that's the paint job I went for as well :)
 

Scoopy Doopy

Scoopy Doopy
I am with you!

I have an Anaconda and a Python and although I really like the Python I will be returning to my two AspX's when I get back from the core. Finally decided I don't need anything else (well possibly a Cobra MkIII for fun)
 

Red Anders

Red Anders
Have to say I'm astounded that someone found the Asp to be a preferable ship for combat to a Python. Still, trails are being blazed, that's the important thing.
 

TKensington

TKensington
I hated the Asp. I hated how it flew. I hated how it looked. I own a Python but then I don't fly it in combat. That's what I have a gunship for. I've flown an Asp in combat and will never do it again. I've flown everything except the Corvette and the Cutter. The Python and the Courier are staying put. Working on engineering the Python now. It's A rated except the power plant which is D rated, needed to cut some weight for some semblance of FSD.
 

OlliM

O
Red Anders said:
Have to say I'm astounded that someone found the Asp to be a preferable ship for combat to a Python. Still, trails are being blazed, that's the important thing.
Click to expand...

OP said combat was survivable, not preferable to being in a python.

My ASP is a great ship, but so are my cobra, python, anaconda, vulture, FAS, courier and clipper. All have their own roles and all get called upon at different times depending on what I'm up to. Not demeaning other ships, just agree with OP that ASP is a great one.

Each to their own and all that....
 
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Chevy66

C
I think the small maneuverable are most fun to fly, buy Asp is better for exploring or running missions. I've got a size 6 passenger cabin in mine at the moment and I'm doing sight seeing tours making a 1-5 million per trip
 

Lupin

Lupin
Currently away from the mess that is main systems, doing what Asp does best exploring. Currently on rim edge of known space.
Enjoying cockpit view in VR.
 

Snarfbuckle

S
CMDR_Cosmicspacehead said:
You.... You sold, A Python?!?
Blasphemy!


I feel almost the exact opposite to you. Lol

I used to have an Asp, it was good for the odd long range smuggling run, but terrible at anything else. I actually hated it enough to stop using it for smuggling.
I love how my Python handles, pre-engineers, I could still fling that thing through the letterbox at full speed.
Now with dirty drives and FSD range 5, it just outshines nearly every other ship.
Bit shorter range than the Asp, but it handles better, it's faster, can carry more, and do some heavy PvE combat.
And it's not hideous to look at. :p

I sold my Asp long ago, and never looked back. :D
I just have two separate Pythons instead.
Click to expand...

The only drawbacks I see with the AspX is:

- Acceleration (Engines are a bit slow)
- Maneuverability

It has plenty in everything else and can be made into quite a tank but takes skill to use in combat due to its rather lumbering ways.

Hardpoint placement and the sheer amount of weapons it can carry is damn nice.

Also, a fully equipped multi-role combat able AspX is still cheaper than a base Python.
 
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Lanceor

Lanceor
The Asp is the ship that I currently use the most. Other than combat, it does everything quite well. Its jump range is impressive, it holds enough cargo for most missions and it's nimble enough to not feel like a slug. The only thing that it can't do is fight but with light engineering, it can outrun any NPC. I think it looks horrendous though, and the ship kit doesn't really help it.

The Cobra Mk III, Python and Anaconda are also good all rounders, but they all fall short in some way - the Cobra is too small, the Python doesn't have the jump range and the Anaconda is too big and unwieldy and doesn't fit on medium pads.
 
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d8veh

d8veh
Asp is brilliant. I parked up my fully engineered Corvette and I'm using an unengineered Asp to make 100 million an hour doing legitimate gameplay(no Robigo exploit). Good fun - nearly as good as the old Robigo runs.
 

JuicerPrime

JuicerPrime
rennarda said:
I love the Imperial Courier - just the sexiest ship there is. I've been flying one just for fun ever since I ranked high enough. I recently sold up and upgraded to a Python. I was able to afford a few upgrades (an A FSD not the least), but...it never really 'worked' for me.

It's a big lumbering beast of a ship (compared to what I'm used to) and damn is it expensive to run. I got a bit of a caning in combat and the repair bill was eye watering.

Disenchanted, I sold up and went back to the ship I've spent the longest time in - the Asp. A-rated everything, engineered the FSD a bit, (+ a body kit and gold paint). And all of a sudden, the game starts making sense again!

Running costs are low. Jump range is expansive. Combat is survivable. Cargo is plenty. There's room for a few passengers. The view is unrivalled and it's fun to fly.

In short, the game mechanics all start to make sense again. It makes me wonder if the Asp is the sweet spot for the game balance in ED.

Now, maybe there are other islands of balance up there in the lofty heights of the engineered multi-million credit Pythons and billionaire Anacondas. But I'm not sure I care. The Asp is where it's at for me.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean OP. There's only two ships that ED ever feels 'right' in for me, and those are the Cobra IV and the Fer-de-Lance. When I'm in either, I'm happy as a clam - in anything else it's workable, but I have the constant nagging feeling that I could be doing whatever it is I'm doing in a Cobra IV or FdL >_>

That may change if I ever upgrade to one of the Big Three, because I've never tried them - too space poor :D What the hey though, I can always give them a try next time a huge beta rolls around, and until then I have my FdL [heart]

Balance-wise, I agree on the Asp - it's really the little (medium) ship that could. Long range, lots of fuel, lots of fitting options, well armed, great view and maneuverable enough to tie the whole bundle together nicely. If the cost wasn't so high I could easily see it being one of the most common ships in the Elite universe.
 
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