I played with the Chieftain during the beta entertaining the idea of taking it for a grand exploration tour once Beyond goes live. I managed to get it to 39 LY which is decent and would be fine with me but its small fuel reserve got me worried, there are those regions where scoopable stars are rare and I guess it's not a good candidate for that kind of trip.
Exploration Ship Recommendations? What's Your Favorite?
- Thread starter andylegate
- Start date
Here is the problem with that line of thinking though: some exploration activities are all about high jump ranges. For any type of fringe exploration jump range is a top priority in ship build and choice. It also allows explorers to get to where they want to go faster, which can be a big deal if you want to explore tens of thousands of light years away. So dismissing jump range as an unnecessary feature is far too much of a blanket statement, sometimes it is very much desired.
The very fact that there are many styles of exploration prohibit any one single “best” choice of ship. It comes down to personal preference largely. I prefer ships with the highest jump ranges possible, like the Asp X, DBX, and Anaconda, as they are proficient at any and every style of exploration, be it on the fringe or in the core. They can do it all very well. That said, sometimes when I’m exploring more inward or simply exploring local areas to the bubble I’ll choose a different ship just for a change of scenery. Ships like the Orca, T6, Dolphin, Courier, Clipper, Keelback, even the T10 can all perform nicely for exploration with above average jump ranges and plenty of internal space. I’ve even explored a lot in an Adder and an Imperial Eagle many times.
Which ship do I personally consider the absolute best for exploration? I’d have to pick the Asp Explorer for the winner. Yeah it can’t jump as far as a DBX or the Anaconda, but in every other regard it’s better than both overall. The Anaconda can carry more equipment but you don’t really need more than the Asp can carry, and the Asp is much more nimble in supercruise so it’s quicker at scanning systems. The DBX can jump farther but the Asp X scoops faster and can see downward a bit better too from the cockpit. Honestly if I could get an Asp X to jump as far as an Anaconda I’d be happier than a pig in mud during a monsoon.
Actually I would ike to see a new exploration focused ship, I have used all 3 sizes of ships currently ingame and find that the smaller ships are easier to land during planetfall, finding places that are too small larger ships, Currently I use a Dolphin for explorations, it has a decent jumprange (35+) in this iteration, has enough module slots fo the nessasaries, but lacks a decent weapon loadout configuration, 2 class 1's are not enough to protect from anything, NPC or player attacks, requiring the pilot to perform skills to avoid destruction not usually found in the explorer mode of play,
I would like to suggest another weapon slot added to the available 2 and upgraded from class 1 to class 2's on class 1's listed, With the class 5 core modules, the available power is more than sufficient to handle the upgraded weapon modules suggested.
Using these suggestions as a template for a new exploration ship to be issued during the final phase of the Beyond update would be greatly appreciated by those of us that would rather explore than pew - pew everything in sight.
I would like to suggest another weapon slot added to the available 2 and upgraded from class 1 to class 2's on class 1's listed, With the class 5 core modules, the available power is more than sufficient to handle the upgraded weapon modules suggested.
Using these suggestions as a template for a new exploration ship to be issued during the final phase of the Beyond update would be greatly appreciated by those of us that would rather explore than pew - pew everything in sight.
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This really.
I've taken one to Colonia, SagA*, Beagle Point, Semotus Beacon the Great Anihilator and all the way home. It's a great ship and packed everything I needed. Handles great in SC and normal space, fuels quickly and has a pretty decent jump range. Also quite cheap.
https://eddp.co/u/5fHZlUwY
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For me, I like my 'Conda.
It's got plenty of decent slots available to go out exploring & do other things with it as well eg mining.
Good sized modules for stuff like a big fuel scoop.
Only downside is it turns like an ocean tanker, but it doesn't half fuel up fast....by far my favourite for exploring so far
It's got plenty of decent slots available to go out exploring & do other things with it as well eg mining.
Good sized modules for stuff like a big fuel scoop.
Only downside is it turns like an ocean tanker, but it doesn't half fuel up fast....by far my favourite for exploring so far
My favorite for exploring is the python. The python gives you that whole ship feel. The asp never appealed to me. Dont like the "lakon glass cage" for a cockpit. And the sounds of an asp sound like a lawnmower that needs its spark plug changed. But this is my opinion. SEE you in the BLACK !!!!
I'm waiting for the new planet skins before I head out again, but I'm currently leaning towards either the Python, or the Orca. I've made a few shorter trips in the Asp and never again. That thing just got annoying after a while.
the asp does get annoying after awhileI'm waiting for the new planet skins before I head out again, but I'm currently leaning towards either the Python, or the Orca. I've made a few shorter trips in the Asp and never again. That thing just got annoying after a while.
Asp, even bought a paint job
Dbx close second though
Out of interest, does anyone fly scouts?
Never tried, can't see the point
Dbx close second though
Out of interest, does anyone fly scouts?
Never tried, can't see the point
I bought another account in the Christmas sale to use as a long term exploration commander. I have got it as far as unlocking Felicity and now have to get the mats to mod an fsd.
I am using a Dolphin atm but I am unsure what ship to take once I head out. The Dolphin is a strong candidate but I am not sure on the cockpit view. I do prefer the classic Lakon bubble. It also is limited to a C4 scoop because of the restricted slot. The T6 is one of my favourite ships in the game so I may take that. The Keelback is another of my favourites but equipped with a fighter bay the range goes down. I have done short exploration trips before in the dbx but the slow scooping annoys me after a while and I think negates any time advantage of the longer jump range. Bigger ships like the AspX or Orca would require some credit grinding although that doesn't take long in ed.
So at the moment I am coming back to that old favourite, the Asp Scout......... It is similar cost to the T6/Dolphin, has a similar jump range to the T6 and only slightly less than the Dolphin, super quick scooping as it can fit a C5 scoop with only a C4 tank, great manoeuvrability and it has the Lakon cockpit and view. It will also mean I can annoy people on the 'Asps in front of things' threads.
I am using a Dolphin atm but I am unsure what ship to take once I head out. The Dolphin is a strong candidate but I am not sure on the cockpit view. I do prefer the classic Lakon bubble. It also is limited to a C4 scoop because of the restricted slot. The T6 is one of my favourite ships in the game so I may take that. The Keelback is another of my favourites but equipped with a fighter bay the range goes down. I have done short exploration trips before in the dbx but the slow scooping annoys me after a while and I think negates any time advantage of the longer jump range. Bigger ships like the AspX or Orca would require some credit grinding although that doesn't take long in ed.
So at the moment I am coming back to that old favourite, the Asp Scout......... It is similar cost to the T6/Dolphin, has a similar jump range to the T6 and only slightly less than the Dolphin, super quick scooping as it can fit a C5 scoop with only a C4 tank, great manoeuvrability and it has the Lakon cockpit and view. It will also mean I can annoy people on the 'Asps in front of things' threads.