Best Long Range Fighter?

Kayin

Kayin
I have 100 mil in the bank and I want to buy/fit a ship that can deliver a lot of firepower / tank and still make 20+ly jumps. How do we do it?

Disclaimer: I'm well aware this ship will *not* be exceed a the fighting capability of short range fighters: Vulture, Python, FdL. I'm not looking for the best fighter, I'm looking for the best fighter with the longest range.

Purpose: I plan to use this ship to play with friends when they sign on and are doing combat activities 200+ly away from me. Most likely PvE, but possible some PvP. I want to be able to hop into a ship and meet them wherever they are as fast as possible.

Ship candidates:
- Cobra:
- DBE
- DBS
- Asp
- Anaconda??


What do you think?
 

xondk

X
Hmm I would probably say Asp in terms of long range. If you use small lasers and big kinetic with asp it can get the job done in a lot of places. Used my mission/misc Asp for a long time before upgrading to python.
Anaconda is obviously going to be able to be such as well, but more expensive by a ton.
 

CorvusDove

C
Cobra is decent, but the weapon positioning is awful.

Definitely recommend the Asp or the DBS. Probably Asp with that much cr to put into it. The DBS has the best hardpoint positioning, is one of the most nimble things you will ever fly, and has decent jump range. The Asp is more versatile (if slower), has a larger potential maximum jump range, and while the hardpoint positions are a little weird on two of the hardpoints, the damage output is great.

DBE will get you killed. Unless you're exploring, which an Asp does better, don't DBE.
 
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Wasp0

Wasp0
Get a Vulture, fit a fuel scoop on to do the distance, bin it at t'other end and fight in confidence that their ain't much else better than a Vulture in good hands!!

PS: have some nice cargo (Say Gold) in your hold, so when you get dicted whilst fuel scooping you will earn the cost of the scoop and more by mashing the silly people who dict you!!.
 
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Bomba Luigi

Bomba Luigi
When it comes to combat I would always recommend the DBS over the DBX, but otherwise all these Ships can do that very well. In theory the Conda will probably do best, when the money for it is there, best jump range, lots of firepower, enough space for some epic fuelscoop and all that. But then again, a Cobra or DBS is in my opinion more fun - In the End its all about preference. Put the DBX off the list and take from the List the ship that makes you smile the most ;)
 

Pinkie

Pinkie
A well kitted DBS has good range and reasonable hardpoints. Asp has six HP, but not as maneuverable.

Combat indicates you might lose your ship often. DBS has much lower rebuy than an Asp.

If you want to do other things and fight occasionally, then Cobra Mk III.

If you want to fight a lot and not do other things. Vulture.
 

Monk

Monk
The DBS is a great long range combatant. I used to take it out to the frontier systems to do a spot of bounty hunting for Sirius.

The DBE can accomplish it but it wouldn't really be suited for bounty hunting (turns too slowly), though the large hardpoint is helpful for taking large ships. In fact, the DBE would probably be better suited as a long range pirate. With a large plasma accelerator or large beam it could wipe out shields fairly easily, then Medium MCs to pop open the hatch.
 
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Bortas

Bortas
Kayin said:
- Anaconda??
Click to expand...

This, definetely. But since you have only 100 mill to spare, there's not much choice beside the Asp. Tbh a 20+ LY Asp is going to suck in combat, though.

Realistically speaking good range and good combat capability are mutually exclusive. The Anaconda is the only ship I can think of making half-way combat capable while still maintaining a good jumprange. You will need at least 300-400 mill, though.
 

cptdavep

cptdavep
Wait and get an Asp Scout, clearly we have a gap in the line up here for a ship with Vulture like combat ability that can still jump 20y+ when A-rated, I reckon that's what the Asp Scout is gonna be. Maybe it will have 4 medium hardpoints, only a 16t fuel tank, and lose the class 6 slot of the Asp Explorer, but gain stronger shields and better speed an agility.
 

Kayin

Kayin
Thanks everyone.

Range and combat stats are absolutely mutually exclusive but sadly that is my need. I'm tired of being unwilling to travel great distances to do combat with friends, or have to refit a ship I haven't really thought out for combat in a hurry. I'll take a look at the DBS until the Asp Scout comes out. Maybe even keep a Cobra handy.

How does the DBS do in CZs? I've never flown one before.
 
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goemon

goemon
the DBE is a ship with "character", but it's a safe choice if you want to face the insurance screen every combat you pick (if you don't start highwaking directly after it has started).

you want to join friends. than an anaconda is a good idea, because it's really great as part of a wing. but 100 mio will not bring you anywhere.

the ASP can get tanky, and will have an amazing range, you can counter it's weak shields with scb. she can fit plenty, 45 mio will buy you everything you can put into an Asp.

but i would, as crimson said, recommend a DBS. you will get the 20+ Ly range easily, it is fun to fly, you can put a decent fuelscoop, and - if you don't want to go stealth - even an scb or FSDI into it. 7-15 mio.

while i'm a big fan of a cobra, flying it every day, it is for sure not the best combat ship in a wing ;-)

- - - Updated - - -

the DBS is my combatzone ship, because fun - i prefer it over my vulture (to boring) and my python (to much insurance if things go wrong).
 
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tiger61378

tiger61378
Nobody's mentioning the Imperial Courier? Fast, decent jump range, decent hardpoints, and wickedly manuverable. I love mine for doing long range CZs, running 2 pulse on the pods and a multicannon on the centerline, plus its got enough power with the top PP that you can have 2-3 SCBs mounted and active. In terms of how it flies...think of it as a big Eagle with heavier guns and slightly awkward outer hardpoints.
 
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Bazorlag

B
tiger61378 said:
Nobody's mentioning the Imperial Courier? Fast, decent jump range, decent hardpoints, and wickedly manuverable. I love mine for doing long range CZs, running 2 pulse on the pods and a multicannon on the centerline, plus its got enough power with the top PP that you can have 2-3 SCBs mounted and active. In terms of how it flies...think of it as a big Eagle with heavier guns and slightly awkward outer hardpoints.
Click to expand...

It´s a nice ship, but unfortunately runs very hot. Fuel scooping with it is not a very nice experience (IIRC).
 

goemon

goemon
tiger61378 said:
Nobody's mentioning the Imperial Courier? Fast, decent jump range, decent hardpoints, and wickedly manuverable. I love mine for doing long range CZs, running 2 pulse on the pods and a multicannon on the centerline, plus its got enough power with the top PP that you can have 2-3 SCBs mounted and active. In terms of how it flies...think of it as a big Eagle with heavier guns and slightly awkward outer hardpoints.
Click to expand...

you will not get it above 20 ly jumprange, though. i run mine very lightweight (class 2 shield... powerplant one clss lower...), and have around 16 ly jumprange.
 

tiger61378

tiger61378
Bazorlag said:
It´s a nice ship, but unfortunately runs very hot. Fuel scooping with it is not a very nice experience (IIRC).
Click to expand...

I don't have that issue...mostly because I swap in an A3 scoop, and have a smallish fuel tank (6t). Mine is never scooping long enough to heat up beyond 80%.
 

rucky

rucky
FAS.
Small Range or Long Range. Doesn't matter. ;-)
Longe Range FAS
Nearly 17 LY jump range, 68 LY max and has a 4A Fuel scoop - much better than Vulture
When in target system change Fuel scoop and ADS to armor and shield bank for even more power!
Fighting FAS Armour 660, Shields 340 MJ
(5B + 2B shield banks get activated simultan (+250 MJ), deactivating 5B when depleted activates 4A + 2A (+240 MJ))
 
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Trafalgar Law

Trafalgar Law
You could try a lightweight Imperial Clipper
.
e.g. Something like this:
[Imperial Clipper]
L: 3C/G Beam Laser
L: 3C/G Beam Laser
M: 2D/G Cannon
M: 2D/G Cannon
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0I Chaff Launcher
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 6A Power Plant
TM: 6A Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 5D Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 5D Sensors
FS: 4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)

7: 7E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 128)
6: 6A Shield Generator
4: 4A Shield Cell Bank
4: 4A Fuel Scoop
2: 1E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 2)
---
Shield: 361.69 MJ
Power : 19.82 MW retracted (79 %)
24.86 MW deployed (99 %)
25.20 MW available
Cargo : 130 T
Fuel : 16 T
Mass : 619.6 T empty
765.6 T full
Range : 19.38 LY unladen
16.09 LY laden
Price : 88,943,380 CR
Re-Buy: 4,447,169 CR @ 95% insurance
.
Plenty of room for more SCBs, cargo racks or fuel tanks as well when you get where you're going.
.
Edit: you can also downgrade the thrusters to 6D which will get you over 20ly in range, but you will drop from around 441m/s boost to 400m/s. The shield cell bank can also be downgraded or not fitted when travelling to save weight. You don't have the cash for this but you could also fit a 7A scoop and refill your fuel tank in seconds which will probably save you more time than a couple of extra ly jump range.
 
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vulkman

V
To me the Python is the best choice if you want punch and acceptable jump range. You'll get about 19 LY out of it and you have plenty of shields, hull and firepower in a slightly below 100 mil. package.

In my opinion your only alternative that's significantly more powerful than the obvious choices (Cobra, DBS) is an Anaconda but you'll need about 500 mil. for that.
 
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