DBX - exploration build now lacking 1 slot?

jacozilla

jacozilla
Pre 2.1 (and Horizons as I started Horizons+Engineers same time) - used DBX as primary exploration ship. Loved it.

While not as conventional as AspE, I know plenty of explorers used DBX, and big pro (fantastic heat dissipation) outweighed con of slightly lower max LY and lesser internals than AspE.

However, with planetary landings, I find DBX is exactly 1 optional slot short to kit out for full exploration. Any build I try, lacks 1 component that to me is needed for 'full range' exploration.

Forget class size for a moment - just talking sheer number of optional internal slots: DBX has (5) - not including PAS.

What I consider the absolute essentials for 'full range' exploration. This is NOT to say center of galaxy and back isn't possible without all of them - people can get there and back as proven in the sidewinder crazies. Just saying as a norm - this is what I'd consider to be the essential kit needed:

1. Fuel scoop
2. ADS
3. DSS
4. PVB (e.g. SRV)
5. AFM
6. Shield

Again, I know it is possible and many explorers do go out in non-shielded or no-AFM build - but again, as a norm, I'm talking about the usual core list - and then compare to see which ships can actually fit that core list. The DBX used to fit all (because no PVB pre-Horizons), but now it doesn't.

DBX has (5) slots - no matter how I do it, one of these core items has to go. Meaning as practical choice - what it comes down to is drop the shield, AFM safety band-aid, or drop planetary landings.

While theoretically possible - it is highly impractical to drop fuel scoop, ADS, DSS. And if you like exploring, dropping PVB is contrary to going in the first place. So that leaves dropping shields or AFM.

Much as I love the DBX, it looks like any new long range 'way out there' exploration trips I take will need at least an AspE - not because of internal class size, but because of physical number of slots.

If I was forced to take the DBX, I'd drop the AFM as planetary landings would be good insurance to keep shields for scraped landings, as no synthesis can repair hull damage. But between the pyrrhic choices of dropping AFM - Shield - or choose new ship - looks like my beloved DBX has to go into the mothball fleet - or become a glorified bubble taxi.

Anyone else in same boat with DBX?
 

tafkabb

T
Yep. This is the Diamondback Explorer's Achilles' heel. It was my exploration ship of choice pre-Horizons. Now it just isn't.
 

Noddie

N
Mine, too. Loved that ship. Got an ASP Ex now and really don't get along with it, but I wanted to carry all that stuff. As has been said, it was fine until you needed an SRV. Since you can't carry that, AFMU, Fuel Scoop, and a full scanner suite it really isn't a good explorer any more.
 

crushdepth

C
+1. If you want to land you can't give up the shield or your ship will gradually be dinged into a wreck. Which is a shame, because its the most agile exploration ship for canyon flying etc.
 

Bacalao

Bacalao
This has been addressed by the devs, the DBX is a budget explorer so you won't be able to get everything, that's kind of the point. It is a bit of a shame because it runs so cold and it's such an interesting ship design (along with the scout).
 

-VR- Max Factor

-VR- Max Factor
Get rid of the DSS for the DBX. It's not really necessary for exploration except for some extra credits when you get back, but I don't go exploring for the credits. In fact on my current expedition I don't have an AMFU or a DSS and have a small cargo hold instead. I still have 100% in all my modules and not far from Thors Helmet.

I will eventually engineer up a Cobra MKIV for my next exploration vessel. If i'm lucky I will be able to get a Jump range of around 30LY which is fine for me ( I dont like the Asp X).
 
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tafkabb

T
ph1Lt0r said:
I brought an AFM once on an asp, but I've given them up all together in favor of jump range. The only time I had module issues was when I slammed into a planet... the first module to go? The hull.
Click to expand...
I still feel bad for laughing about that. I did laugh, though :D
 

GTwannabe

GTwannabe
ph1Lt0r said:
I brought an AFM once on an asp, but I've given them up all together in favor of jump range. The only time I had module issues was when I slammed into a planet... the first module to go? The hull.
Click to expand...

Better hope your canopy doesn't start to crack. Also, it's a massless module, so...
 

Jpotter

Jpotter
+1...... I took by DBX pre-Horizons on a 70,000 ly trip. Not at all possible to do with both an SRV and Shields/AFM..... I went to build it back up for another trip and never made it out of the hanger.
 

cptdavep

cptdavep
It's really annoying this one, it's already handicapped for exploring vs an Asp due to the lower fuel scooping rate, why leave off a module, it's just intentionally nerfing without any good reason. You could argue they're both Lakon ships so the manufacturer did it on purpose to push people towards the bigger ship, but that's dumb as the Asp is already technically superior in loads of other ways.

And really, where's my engineer who can split modules in two or make a combined scanner???
 

RandomGun

RandomGun
I agree with OP. It is the same with the beginner's exploration ships: Hauler and Adder (I started with these).

Quick fix: Scanners that combine Discovery and Surface Scanners. Basic System Scanner (price 500k), Intermediate System Scanner (1M), Advanced System Scanner (3M).

Actually I would prefer full scanner overhaul that has close range materials scanning too (using DSS or improved DSS). We have seen excellent suggestions for that.

With current DBX, I would drop AFM first. Mistakes and binary-danger are rare anyway. Within 100 kLy of exploration I have only seen one destructive binary and made less than ten destructive mistakes.
 

CMDR Corlas

CMDR Corlas
Max Factor said:
Get rid of the DSS for the DBX. It's not really necessary for exploration except for some extra credits when you get back, but I don't go exploring for the credits. In fact on my current expedition I don't have an AMFU or a DSS and have a small cargo hold instead. I still have 100% in all my modules and not far from Thors Helmet.
Click to expand...

This is what I do. DSS is an optional money-maker. Sure it gives you a little more exploration data, but it's hardly "essential". I've never needed to use a AFMU in my DBX either. I put in a cargo rack instead.
 

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
I have a DBX.
I used it most during the Mobius vs SDC BGS thing in Wolfberg and district back in Feb.

As you point out it's a handy little ship for zipping about the bubble checking up on what is going on.
It wasn't a ship for hostilities or missions, but for running between all the sites to get fresh data. Screen shot-ing the top bounties and traffic reports, getting the state changes looking for the displaced faction.
Useful little ship - I loved it.

And we have them for a whopping 20% discount at Wolf 406.

Sadly though, I'm back to proper work and the DBX is garaged.
The change OP suggests would definitely give the DBX more of a role.
And less of a stepping stone.
 

jacozilla

jacozilla
CMDR Corlas said:
This is what I do. DSS is an optional money-maker. Sure it gives you a little more exploration data, but it's hardly "essential". I've never needed to use a AFMU in my DBX either. I put in a cargo rack instead.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, what do you do with the cargo rack way out there? or is it so it can double duty as bubble space taxi?
 

LKx

L
DBX is an obsolete explorer ship since horizons (if you want experience horizons features of course, for which you're better off with a t6).
So yeah, it's either lacking a slot or lacking a size 3/8T scanner which combines ads and dss
 
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[VR] Enexemander

[VR] Enexemander
It's an issue, certainly. I just don't take the AFM, myself. My original explorer was a DBE, and after I upgraded to Horizons I bought an AspE to go out in the black. I found the AFM got absolutely zero use, and after thinking about it, I'm not sure what use it could ever get?

When I got back to the bubble, I promptly sold the Asp. I'm just not a fan of that ship in general. It felt like a cow compared to the DBE. I'm a sucker for the Diamondback design, though!
 

jacozilla

jacozilla
Guess what I'll do since I like the sound/feel of DBX so much more than Asp - and I am really up to neck in Asps with a dedicated long range mission Asp, a combat/bubble taxi Asp, and now a new long range exploration Asp - is just make my DBX a day-trip exploration ship.

Short range, same day or 1 day hop explorer so I can just drop the AFMU. Going to go fully armed since I'm going this road and kinda make my short term exploration DBX an armed explorer/scout. If it had more cargo ability I'd make it also my bubble taxi but alas, still need Asp for that as I haul eng commodities around.
 
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