Newcomer / Intro Beyond the Asp.

So I more or less have the Asp how I want it. It can trade with 80 cargo (or 72 if I mount an auto repair), has the advanced scanner and enough weapons and shields to deal with any NPC I've met so far.

Looking at the bigger ships - the Python looks pretty nice but it's 55M credits to buy stock, and kitted out it'll be probably nearer 80M.

However, there's the Clipper. 30M or so less to buy, but is it actually any good? I don't really, at this stage, want a T7, it ties up too many credits in a one-trick pony; right now I could probably afford to buy it if I trade in the Asp, but that means sticking to 100% trade for quite a while...

Looks like the clipper is really the ship after the Asp. Only real drawback I see is it needs large landing pad, which could be an issue for some uses. That's something the Python has in its favour.
 
So I more or less have the Asp how I want it. It can trade with 80 cargo (or 72 if I mount an auto repair), has the advanced scanner and enough weapons and shields to deal with any NPC I've met so far.

Looking at the bigger ships - the Python looks pretty nice but it's 55M credits to buy stock, and kitted out it'll be probably nearer 80M.

However, there's the Clipper. 30M or so less to buy, but is it actually any good? I don't really, at this stage, want a T7, it ties up too many credits in a one-trick pony; right now I could probably afford to buy it if I trade in the Asp, but that means sticking to 100% trade for quite a while...

Looks like the clipper is really the ship after the Asp. Only real drawback I see is it needs large landing pad, which could be an issue for some uses. That's something the Python has in its favour.
out of interest how have you upgraded the Asp and total spend? i am saving up...
 
The Clipper is fantastic! I stripped and sold my 30 million Asp to buy it. You can outfit it for 180 tons of cargo with a Class 6 Shield, 200 tons of Cargo with a Class 4 Shield or 240 tons of cargo with a Class 3 Shield.

Mine is equipped for combat with point defences, Class 3 gimballed burst lasers and class 2 gimballed multicannons, equipped for exploration with Advanced and Detail Scanners and a 5A Jump Drive and can haul 200 tons of cargo. I currently use all D modules except for the 4A Fuel scoop and the Jump drive.

Around 35 millions and around 1.9 millions rebuy cost.
 
And then of course there's the teensy little problem that I started in federation space, so I have zero rank/rep with the Empire. I guess next thing is to go grind some empire ranks... Kind of disappointing in a way that there's no non-imperial ship at this level, but then again, it makes for more interesting gameplay: not only do I have to grind the credits but also the rank to buy the Clipper.

My Asp has:
Power gen D5
Thrusters D5
FSD A5
Life supp D5
Power dist A4
Fuel tank C5
Sensors D5
Cargo E6
Shield gen D5
Fuel scoop B3
Cargo E3
Cargo E3 - this could be auto repair for going long distance exploring
Detail surface scanner
Advanced D scanner

External: Point def, Chaff, ECM, Heat Sink (not sure how much use that is) and 6x E1 gimballed beam laser. Yet to try those out in combat, I may rethink them yet again. There are D2 G lasers, but they're half a million credits and they suck more power, for not much more damage.

rebuy is something around 750K now, I think. It's worth about 13M on trade in.
 
I went with Clipper after Asp. Really like it. Big ship that handles like a good mid sized one, has more shields than Asp and better hull than Python.

Ranking. You can realistically get enough rank with Empire over one weekend. I did it, so it is not just an assumption. First, find a decent trading area, I mean a high tech and extraction economies in relative proximity. Pick up some missions and trade along the way. Run between 3-4 station picking missions and cargo along the way. Once ranked up a couple of times, move to another area - you will likely reach point of diminishing returns with local minor factions by that time.

Over the course of the weekend you will get enough rep and decent cash. Do not forget that positive influence takes time to register. Take some breaks here and there and let your brownie points gestate a bit.

Now about money. You'll need about 36 mil in your account to comfortably get and equip the Clipper for initial use. You will likely need an a-rated FSD and an A-rated power distributor to comfortably navigate the area and hold your own in combat. 36 mil will also leave you with enough money for the rebuy cost and trading.

Fully equipped this beauty is arguably the fastest ship. With a-rated power plant you can start charging your FSD for the interstellar jump at any temp under 80%. Its boost speed in normal mode with a-rated thrusters even with full hold of cargo is at 430-450. You will be able to outrun any opponent.

One drawback - hard point placement. Two large hard points must be at least gimballed and will not bear if the target is close. Your combat will be around using your speed to stay at an optimal distance from the target.
 
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i'm allso goint after the Imp. clipper now have the credits though but stille need some "naval-promotion" missions before getteting the last two ranks to become a "Byron" hoping the'll come during sunday ;)
 
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