Ships Diamondback - first impressions

[Innigo]

After wandering around the galaxy aimlessly for a few hours I finally stumbled upon a station that sold the Diamonback (seriously FD, this is NOT fun gameplay) and spent around 6 million kitting it out (not fully specced yet, but close enough for Pve work) and headed off to farm a RES to see how it handled combat.

I've been looking for a decent upgrade from the viper and this does appear to be it. Just about everything either feels like the viper, or just a bit more. Same guns, similar speed, similar size, similar maneouvrability (maybe slightly better), better jump range, a bit more power, a few more slots yadda yadda and I have to say, as a viper fan, I love it. The viper is getting sold as this is a very solid step up, but with a little more punch and a bit more durability. It's shields might be slightly weaker than the viper's but you've got extra slots to drop in some shield boosters and with the extra jump range you don't mind upgrading the hull (something as was loathe to do on the viper as I was already only slighly above 10ly range) so the shields going down isn't as sphincter tightening as it is in the viper.

Being attacked by 3 npcs was definitely more manageable in the diamondback and taking on a gunship or a python was definitely easier. In fact I took on a 2 ship wing with a gunship and python and came out on top (although my shields did drop, but only took 6% hull damage thanks to my more durable hull. 6% hull damage on a stock viper could be caused by someone sneezing hard in your direction).

So, bottom line, I am one very happy camper. I'm not in any rush to get to the bigger ships. I have an Asp which is tuned for exploration and that'll be staying - no intentions of using the db in that capacity, it seems ideally suited as a long range, light combat vehicle rather than an explorer and I now feel that can more much more freely around human space with the ease of an Asp and the complete confidence I felt in the viper.

So nice job FD, two thumbs up from me.

 

[Ceekay]

Remember there's an Explorer version of the Scout the DB Explorer has 30+ LY range 2xclass 2 + 1xclass 3 hard points for under 2 mil so it's low cost Asp essentially, both are available at Wolf 406 although the Scout is a lot more fun to fly.

 

[Innigo]

Am I reading that right? There's an explorer and scout verions with different internals?

 

[Mephane]

Am I reading that right? There's an explorer and scout verions with different internals?

The exterior model is also different, same lineage but the Diamondback Explorer is longer and heavier, to accomodate a larger FSD, fuel tank, and internals. It is slow in normal flight, however, and turns slowly, too -not an agile fighter like the Diamondback Scout, flying each feels completely different from the other.

For comparison:
http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Diamondback_Scout
http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Diamondback_Explorer

And yes, Wolf 406 is the place to go for both Diamondback ships, the Explorer is even sold there at a 20% discount.

 

[WR3ND]

I picked up the DbS and have it outfitted for exploration and combat. It seems halfway decent at both together, but is lacking at either in particular.

I'm going on a short where-the-interstellar-winds-take-me exploration trip with it, because I got bored making credits more efficiently in my Cobra. Went about 500LY "up" so far and next I'll be heading in and around on the galactic arm spiral.

Other than being a bit bored with my Cobra, I'm using the DbS because I got it for the CG discounted price and haven't found and settled on a home station yet. Maybe Jameson Memorial once they let me into the system, if they ever do. I don't think that's bound to happen any time soon using the DbS though.

I like the look and feel of the DbS and it suits my character fairly well. I am a bit annoyed by the white cable bundle that's overhanging onto my cockpit window view, though. I would definitely move it over if I were really piloting this spaceship.

Here's my current outfitting:

[Diamondback Scout]
S: 1G/G Pulse Laser
S: 1G/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
U: 0A Kill Warrant Scanner

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 4A Power Plant
TM: 4A Thrusters
FH: 4A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 2D Life Support
PC: 3A Power Distributor
SS: 2D Sensors
FS: 4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)

3: 3A Shield Generator
3: 3A Fuel Scoop
3: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
2: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
---
Shield: 140.41 MJ
Power : 10.19 MW retracted (65%)
15.37 MW deployed (99%)
15.60 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 16 T
Mass : 223.6 T empty
239.6 T full
Range : 24.17 LY unladen
24.17 LY laden
Price : 9,868,816 CR
Re-Buy: 493,441 CR @ 95% insurance

- http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70h,5QR5QR5Rr5Rr3wA,2-6Q6Q6Q3m4s3m6k,7Pc4zM2UI2jw

 

[Nerdicus]

She's a great little ship, and I use her almost as much as my Vultue. My T6 has been collecting dust since I got her, as I'm using my Scout for the Poweplay faction cargo/report runs and a bit of RES hunting. Still using the Vulture for crime sweeps though.

 

[Fireclown]

- http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70h,5QR5QR5Rr5Rr3wA,2-6Q6Q6Q3m4s3m6k,7Pc4zM2UI2jw

How long do the lasers last with 4 pips ? I used 2 small beams and 2 medium cannons when flew it.
I was thinking of having 2 class 2 bursts and 2 class 1 pulses but I don't think the capacitor would
handle it for long.

 

[Ziljan]

The DBS can't even handle 4 Pulse with its puny power distributor. You have to slot at least some kinetic if you want sustainable dps. Otherwise it takes much longer to kill something.

 

[WR3ND]

Yeah, about 7 seconds until they're drained, then you have the two small and one of the two medium alternate firing. They take about 9 seconds to fully recharge their pool.

 

[Ziljan]

Two class 1 beams and two multi cannons seem to work quite well. Normally I use regular class 2 cannons against larger targets, but the game has only been spawning small targets at RES for some reason, and multi-C ammunition is cheaper and more plentiful and just as effective vs small targets.

 

[Fireclown]

Just tried it with two class 2 bursts and two class 1 multicannons for hunting courier stuff up to Type7 size in Winters domain - seems pretty effective, nice that the class 2 bursts are back as an option again anyway.
Capacitor doesn't drain fast with 4 pips.

 

[Abulafia]

So, bottom line, I am one very happy camper. I'm not in any rush to get to the bigger ships. I have an Asp which is tuned for exploration and that'll be staying - no intentions of using the db in that capacity, it seems ideally suited as a long range, light combat vehicle rather than an explorer and I now feel that can more much more freely around human space with the ease of an Asp and the complete confidence I felt in the viper.

Agreed completely. I love the Viper, but was always frustrated by its tiny jump range. For me, the DBS is perfect: it's almost exactly like a Viper, but with a respectable jump range.

 

[ColdFish]

Two class 1 beams and two multi cannons seem to work quite well. Normally I use regular class 2 cannons against larger targets, but the game has only been spawning small targets at RES for some reason, and multi-C ammunition is cheaper and more plentiful and just as effective vs small targets.

Exact same setup I was using when I tried the DBS. Works well indeed and is quite fun to fly.
I was actually positively surprised how long you can sustain the two beams with that puny distributor.

But in the end I shelved the DBS anyway (for now at least). My next target is to finally get to Tycoon and the DBS doesn't really help with that.

 

[X-Terminator]

I found it a puzzle how to spec this after the Asp was quite straight forward. I wanted 2 Medium Gimballed Beams + 2 Small Rails, Point Turret, Warrant Scanner, Chaff, on top of A Class essentials (D Life for lighter load). It was 18kW above my available 15kW. In Modules Panel it showed 124%. So I tinkered and got it smack on 100% by switching off Cargo 4% (I have no bays as it's for bounty and assassination missions) and Warrant Scanner 20%. It's now bang on 100% and keeping A3 Fuel Scoop and Auto-Repair always on for convenience and fast switching when I simply need the WS on as it's at the top of the menu and I wouldn't be firing at that time yet. I'm also trying the Hull 40t Reinforcement Kit. I didn't think a Shield Cell would be as effective as big ships can take them out so fast.
.
Only thing is the Point Turret is Forward Only - I think it must go on the cabin roof instead of at the rear to even function? Will try it out.
.

EDIT: it has been noted on 1.3 you must first assign the turret and then start to fire main weapons for turrets to begin! ...Will test.

 

[Nerdicus]

Two class 1 beams and two multi cannons seem to work quite well. Normally I use regular class 2 cannons against larger targets, but the game has only been spawning small targets at RES for some reason, and multi-C ammunition is cheaper and more plentiful and just as effective vs small targets.

This is my setup as well, and it works very well against small targets and transports. Took her to a high intensity conflict zone, and had trouble keeping her shield up, so she's no front line fighter. Works great though for the courier work in Powerplay, as her range gets those jobs done very quick.

 

[Ziljan]

Well I know it's not the courier thread, but I finally bought one to compare it to the two diamondbacks. For combat, it's not even close. The courier is like a vulture, but with stronger shields and higher burst dps. The only advantage to the diamondbacks are range and heat management. But I wouldn't want to go toe to toe with a skilled CMDR in a courier while rocking either DB. Luckily the DBS can flee if they are quick, and the DBE can slot just enough shields to escape to another system with half a ring left.