Best all-rounder

[verminstar]

Gotta be the asp explorer fer me, but I might not be the best qualified to give an unbiased answer considering Ive never owned anything bigger. Ive had it fer bout 8 months now...reasons being it does everything I need it to do when Im in the bubble, is cheap enough to replace when the bubble becomes ganktown and it looks a bit better with the bodykit.

Im also an explorer in game and the asp is second to none, except possibly an annie which is something Ill never own anyway. I literally stopped upgrading ships 8 months ago when I got my first asp, so I literally have nothing in my experience here to compare it with. Apart from a keelback which I use fer slf and short range trips, but its pretty much useless fer anything else unless I engineer it which I dont have the patience for.

I an only answer asp ex because thats literally all I have or need or desire...dunno if that sounds right or if it makes sense...hope it does ^

 

[Mendaharin Tusca]

Agreed. The Python is the king of multipurpose. However, it's much more expensive than the Federal Dropship, Asp Explorer, etc. and has an awful cockpit in VR with its limiting windshield, annoying crossbars and used-car interior. It does have a vintage-80s vibe, which some might like, but the orange accents and scuffed surfaces ruin it for me. But for pure utility with cost not a factor, it wins hands down.

Well granted, the bridge view is limited, while hardly unusual I would have liked a bit larger viewfield above my head. As for the bridge, I find it rather comfy

 

[Verlaine]

Well granted, the bridge view is limited, while hardly unusual I would have liked a bit larger viewfield above my head. As for the bridge, I find it rather comfy

I like the interior space and the various gadgets on the dashboard. I just wish it didn't look so used. Maybe FD will do cabin kits in the future.

 

[thirstyfish]

Cobra 3 or 4 would be good for this.

 

[GJ51]

If you could only fly one ship in ED it would have to be the Python.

The Orca is fantastic and will only get better with the buff coming in 2.3

Likewise, the DBX will need another look-see once 2.3 drops. I recently got a 56% roll at Farseer on a Class 5 FSD in the live game. I can't wait to see what I can get out of the DBX once 2.3 is released. I never thought I'd be giving up my Exploraconda, but it just could happen.

 

[IndigoWyrd]

I'd never thought of the Orca as anything but a passenger ship. But now I'm intruigued. Thanks for the enlightenment!

That's the concept most folk have, largely because it has a number of restricted slots, but it's really an impressive ship, amazingly agile for its size, and completely capable of so much more.
Likewise, the Beluga is also an amazingly capable ship.

Combat:https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...40401B1fm05052d2d5dm529292f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA=.
Freight:https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...40401B10505050404030202022f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA=.
Exploration:https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...--0202---01-3c----0n-v62i2f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA=. (if you explore naked)
Passengers:https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...40401B13cmnmlmhmd0302mbmb2f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA=.
Mining: https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...1B13c050504041vC0C0P92f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw1/gjBpA===.
Piracy:https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...1B13c050504042bC0C06v2f.Iw18ZJA=.AwiMIyraKA==. (Some Engineering required)

You'll fail to realize how big this thing is, once you feel it in motion, though it will set you back some very pretty credits. But this behemoth is a complete joy to fly.

 

[Dutchman141]

Perhaps not the obvious/popular choice for a number of reasons, and if you have access, try to Cobra IV.

As a successor to the Cobra III it's, uhmm... questionable... but if you think of it as a mini-Python, it's actually not that bad!

You'd have to think realy hard to see it as a mini Python though.
Python is the all time best allrounder in the game, I have ten ships at the moment, from Sidewinder to Cutter but the Python is the most versatile imho.
You can outfit it to practically every role except maybe pvp combat, I wouldn't know about that though.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

Cobra
Python
Anaconda

Depending on your landing pad needs and budget.

The Python and Anaconda can be fitted for multiple roles at once.
Combat-Miner
Passenger-Hauler
Surface Mission Runner-Hauler-Combat
Etc

 

[Stealthie]

I think it's kind of funny the way some people are suggesting certain ships are "the best all-rounder" despite having some glaring fundamental inadequacy.

Overall, the Python is almost certainly the best all-rounder, although it's probably not going to be an option for somebody who's looking for an alternative to an Asp.

Personally, I'm rather fond of my Keelback as an all-rounder.
It has great jump-range, does okay in a fight (with NPCs) and can shift quite a bit of cargo.
OP's probably not going to be interested, though, if he's looking for a change of scenery from an Asp.

 

[Khaldur]

I was in the same situation as the OP.
As I had Baron rank in the Empire I opted for an Imperial Clipper. Definitely an upgrade in the looks department. Also has great views through the canopy (though I feel limited views are far less limiting in VR than on a monitor). Hate sitting on the right hand side of the cockpit though.

The jump range is lower than the ASPs but still reasonably ok unless you want to specialize in long range missions or exploration. The large size is a bit limiting though, both in blocking access to outposts and in finding landing spots on planets' surfaces. Massive room for cargo and/or passenger cabins.

Combat wise I am a bit disappointed so far, though I'm not sure if I've found the best fitting yet. Especially on the defensive side I feel more vulnerable than in the ASP. But the main advantage of the Clipper is its speed. It's faster than anything else except a Cobra or other Clippers so you can easily escape any attack you want to.
Interdictions are no longer a thing to worry about.
And somehow I have the feeling that other CMDRs try to avoid me now as the Clipper has the reputation of being a typical pirate ship.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

After going back to 0 credit, and not feeling the need to work up to bigger ships, although I currently have 45million in my bank. I seem to have got stuck on the ASP E as an allrounder for trade, mining, passenger, and other contracts, it's not bad in a fight either.

But I'm getting bored of my ASP explorer interior in VR.

Is there an alternative to the ASP,

and should Fdev's next ships be all-rounders?

Have a look at different ships for different areas. A Vulture for combat, its cheap and powerful and much better then an AspX in combat. Python is also a great all rounder, but I don't have one.

Look at an imperial Courier. Superb cockpit in VR, also nice in combat, and can do some mission running and exploration.

When it comes to engineers. There are very few where grind is an issue. Infact i would say all of them you don't need to grind apart from maybe the mining one. I haven't open that one up yet, so can't comment. Have a look at what you need to open an engineer that has invited you or one you want to open up, most of the stuff you need can be gotten from just playing the game you normally would.

This is how I have done it and have noticed none to very little grind so far. Of course you can grind them out, to get them done in as short a time as possible, but really that is a choice you make yourself.

I have only opened up about five or six with very little change to the way I play the game.

 

[JetsonRING]

After going back to 0 credit, and not feeling the need to work up to bigger ships, although I currently have 45million in my bank. I seem to have got stuck on the ASP E as an allrounder for trade, mining, passenger, and other contracts, it's not bad in a fight either.
But I'm getting bored of my ASP explorer interior in VR.
Is there an alternative to the ASP,
and should Fdev's next ships be all-rounders?

For flexibility, I like a Python. The Python has everything but jump range and engineers can help a lot with that. She's medium landing-pad capable and can carry upwards of 190+ tons cargo, very arm-able and flexible, definitely one of if not the most flexible, capable and deadly medium landing-pad capable ships in the game. In Black Friday skin she disappears into the black, even with all the lights . . .

 

[Bomba Luigi]

Dropship! No really, its my favorite multiroleship, its lovley.

 

[Noctover]

Cobra III

Or Clipper

 

[CMDR Harada]

I'll put my vote behind the Python as well. Great all rounder, medium pad, 200 tons of cargo, well armed/armored. Nothing this ship can't do well ( OK, exploring.. it doesn't really shine at that ).

With RNGineers, it's pretty darn good.

 

[Ophion]

Take a wild guess

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I'll put my vote behind the Python as well. Great all rounder, medium pad, 200 tons of cargo, well armed/armored. Nothing this ship can't do well ( OK, exploring.. it doesn't really shine at that ).

With RNGineers, it's pretty darn good.

A few lightweight mods, and FSD upgrades, and clever outfitting, and you can top 40ly with it.
While my Exploration Python isn't finished, she can easily do 35ly, with all equipment needed for exploration.
And on top of that, she's cool enough to charge the FSD while scooping.

While it's not the dizzying 50+ range of Asps and Anacondas, it's still perfectly acceptable.
Especially since when i last went exploring, pre-engineers, mine only had a 23.5ly range.
That got me to Sagittarius A* and back safely.

 

[Harmoniser]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I think I'm going to go for a python next, and try some engineering. I went out visited the first one and I had enough to jump to level 3 rep from stuff I had already collected, although I had to get hold of metal alloys which was a nice trip. I can see, like many things in ED, if you approach engineers in the right way it does fit my role as a nomad ��

 

[DaggerSnake]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I think I'm going to go for a python next, and try some engineering. I went out visited the first one and I had enough to jump to level 3 rep from stuff I had already collected, although I had to get hold of metal alloys which was a nice trip. I can see, like many things in ED, if you approach engineers in the right way it does fit my role as a nomad ��

I play a single ship game. Just wander where the stars take me. I fly a Python. She's highly engineered. I don't like the mechanics of juggling ships. I find it annoying. I like simplicity, it also made the whole transfer time/cost irrelevant to me. Ah a simple life.

I treat the engineers like achievements. I'm engineering everything on my ship slowly through missions and basic casual play. Some weeks I'll find a nice system with some nice rings for hunting. A booming station with black market paying good cash for weapons and narcotics.

I'll drop down to an 8 ton fuel tank to enjoy the single jump range and speed and handeling from reduced mass.

What would really be nice is a way to group loadouts. I do have a great collection of engineered kit for all roles from PvP to exploring, to a turret/missI.e. loadout ready for a gunner to jump in.

Great choice on the Python, she's an awesome ship. Get those G5 Dirty Drives!

 

[GJ51]

and should Fdev's next ships be all-rounders?

NO - it's time to see a dedicated ship for exploration that doesn't have use for anything else. Scanners built in, no hard points, fast and maneuverable, with great jump range.

And of course - there's the Panther Clipper