DBE or Asp as a combat explorer?

[marx]

I'm wondering which ship would be better as a combat-explorer: the DBE or the Asp? For Commanders who have experience in fighting in those ships, what are your opinions on this?

To clarify: as a combat-explorer, I mean an explorer ship that's good enough for combat. It might not have the best combat loadout fitted, but could still have a decent jump range even with weapons and shields. Basically, good enough to either take care of smaller hostiles, or hold out long enough to be able to get away from larger ones.
From some theorycrafting (via coriolis.io), I concluded that the Asp might be slightly better for this purpose, but I do wonder about how it is in practice. Unless I'm mistaken, the Asp is a considerably bigger target than the DBE, no?

 

[kpmop]

To not answer your question, I'd say DB Scout. You won't get the range of either the Asp or DBE, but still pretty good (mid 20's ly as opposed to 30 odd), but it's much better for combat (IMO). To answer your question, the large hardpoint on the DBE is probably its main advantage over the Asp (that and being about 1/3 the price). It depends what you're trying to do with it. I've only done a little PvE in an Asp and DBE and didn't really like either! - I prefer fast combat: Vipers, Cobra, DBS...

 

[marx]

Actually, I did think about the DBS, since I use one purely for combat. (And a Courier.) However, I'd rather have a jump range of more than 25 ly, which is why I've been considering the DBE and the Asp for this role. Plus with only four internal compartments, the DBS only has room for a fuel scoop, shield generator and the two scanners - no room for an AFMU, or perhaps a SCB.

 

[Ziljan]

The Asp is the best combat explorer in the game. It's not even close. More firepower, more shields, more speed, better scooping, amazing range, more armor and yet somehow less weight. The DBE is a one of the worst combat ships in the game.

The DBS on the other hand is a FUN little ship, but a well piloted Asp is a gun boat that will swat a DBS down like a gnat.

 

[dognosh]

The Asp is the best combat explorer in the game. It's not even close. More firepower, more shields, more speed, better scooping, amazing range, more armor and yet somehow less weight. The DBE is a one of the worst combat ships in the game.

The DBS on the other hand is a FUN little ship, but a well piloted Asp is a gun boat that will swat a DBS down like a gnat.

And you need to spend 50M on it, to take it to the limit(I know)