Newcomer / Intro First Ship Purchase Considerations

[sieraparagon]

~The following is an excerpt from CMDR Alexis Adama's most recent log entry~

CMDR Alexis Adama
Log Entry: 13
Date: 27 Sep 3031
Location: Schneider Relay, Epsilon Indi System

Personal Commander Log Entry: New Ship Considerations

It's been 13 days since I loaned my first Sidewinder. I've managed to reach the Epsilon Indi System, thus being one step closer to my destination - Sol. I still have no recollection of my memories prior to waking up on that god forsaken station in LHS 3447, but the feeling that answers await me in the Sol system continues to persist. Reaching Epsilon Indi was no easy task and I had to engage into some not so legal endeavors. Let me tell you this - apparently there is no limit to what cargo you can be 'asked' to smuggle. I'm still having nightmares after analyzing the data from the blackbox I retrieved from a destroyed freighter couple of days ago.

Anyway, let's get to the topic of this log. This Sidewinder has so far served me faithfully. I even invested a small amount of CR into upgrades after that one job, which had me steal trade data from a rivaling faction. Most notably I got myself a compact on-board freezer, because dang it, some of this frakkin' jobs strain me way too much and I need to pop a cold one to take the heat down. Friendly tip: You can find some real good genuine drought ale at London Relay.

So far I've saved close to 200K CR and have recently entertained the thought of getting my very own ship. Sure, this Sidewinder ain't a bad ship, but I can't fly around forever in another guy's vessel, feeling that I owe everything to him. I need my own big metal box equipped with a fuel engine that's probably gonna be the end of me one way or another. I've been looking over some of the offers at the Schneider Relay Shipyard and can't make my mind if it would be better to buy something cheap like the Eagle for ~50K and invest another 100K into upgrades, or if I should save up to get that snazzy looking Cobra MK III (Note: I do like the MK III annotation. Has a nice ring to it). The later I imagine would be a much significant upgrade over my Sidewinder, but it'll take some more time to get the money.

Ugh, I just wish there was someone I could ask for an advice. I'd even buy that chap one of them lovely pint of ales at the London Relay. But there doesn't seem to be anyone ship proficient enough near my current location, and I ain't trusting that no good treacherous looking seller at the Shipyard.

Commander Out.

~End of log entry~

 

[Hell Razor5543]

First, you need to decide how you intend to play the game (in the beginning, at least), as this will help dictate your first owned ship. Next, before you sell any ship, take it back to stock equipment. This is because you will ALWAYS make a 10% loss on it. This would include any upgrades that you may have done. Taking it back to stock will recover the full amount for the upgraded equipment (minus the cost of the original equipment, but you got that back when you did the upgrade). This will mean that you take a smaller loss when you sell the ship (OK, you won't get anything for the loan Sidewinder, as it was lent to you). Finally, make sure that you have 200% of the cost price of your new ship, to cover the purchase price, outfitting, cargo, and the REBUY cost.

 

[newman1702]

Nice writeup My first ship after the Sidewinder was a Cobra Mk.III - I skipped the Adder and Hauler stepping stones and went straight to it after having saved up about a million, which gave me some room for improving it. Of course, it depends - if you're sure you just want to fight, for instance, a Viper could be a better choice, but for an all rounder I'd go with a Cobra. Some people use the cheaper stepping stones such as Adders and Haulers, and that's a valid approach too.

 

[TheDayman]

Add me in game - CMDR The Dayman. I'm always happy to fly with rookies and show them the ropes.

I'll also add that despite what some people would say, the Eagle is a fine combat ship. It costs about 1.5 mil to A-rate it, and it only has a rebuy of around 60k. My main ship is an FDL - but every once in a while I'll take out my Eagle. I've taken out CMDR Pythons in that thing

 

[Lily from anim.o.v.e]

It really depends on what you do, Cobra is a good allrounder, you cna make it have soem decent wepaon s+ 40t cargo.

tbh smuggling is the easierst and fastest and safest way for beginners to make money. I edned up even having an 72t cargo ASPf illed with various stuff to smuggle.

Just slap some cargo into your sidewinder and make one of these 80k+ slave and illegal gun tradings.

 

[Ian Skippy]

Consider the following:

1) The base price of ships is not too different initially, yet the outfitting varies wildly. A-rating the core components (so no weapons, utilities or internals) an Adder is 2.5 million. Its 7.5 for the Cobra. The 'base ship' is never any good, you always need at least some upgrades. I would not get a Cobra unless you have around 1 million.
2) Play around with http://coriolis.io/ to see what kind of ship you can start with with your current assets. For example, you can have this, which is a great upgrade over the Sidey: http://coriolis.io/outfit/adder/03E3E3E1E2B3E3C1b242400-024401012h.Iw1+kA==.Aw1+kA==
3) Get an Adder. Seriously, it may look daft, but it carries more cargo than a Hauler, it is more Agile than a Cobra, has more weapons than an Eagle and is just great fun to fly. I've used it for Exploration, smuggling and even bounty hunting.
4) Keep an eye on insurance! Its no biggie to wreck a loaned Sidey, dont wreck your first own ship while uninsured.

 

[sieraparagon]

~New transmission~

CMDR Alexis Adama here.

I see that my log entry has been intercepted by some of you and you provided valuable advises. Thank you for that! After reading your suggestions I saved up some more money and got that sweet Cobra MK III. I like it so far. A bit bulkier and not as maneuverable as the Sidewinder, but that increase to the capacity of fuel and cargo I can now hold sure is sweet. I definitely consider myself to be an all rounder right now. I'd like to do a bit of everything, so in the end I decided that going for the Viper wouldn't be a good choice.

I have now set my eye on an Imperial Courier as my next goal for upgrade. It just has a frakkin' amazing design and I feel I prefer smaller, but more agile ships. Had to make my way to Empire space, but I've yet to pledge allegiance to them. Can't particularly decide with which of the 4 Empire factions to go. Do all of them grant access to the Imperial Courier upon reaching a certain rank?

Anyway, feel free to add me in-game fellas. CMDR Alexis Adama is the name I'm using. I'm currently in the Princesses part of the Empire Space and will probably hang around there for a while.

Also, @sleutelbos -that Coriolis is a great tool, mate! Thanks!

~Transmission end~

 

[Dagroth]

Apologies, mind if I hijack your thread a little? (since I have questions about the stuff already touched in it, might be better to join some existing thread, have more information in one place).

First, I've replaced my Sidewinder* in some random system during a longer trip to Imperial space (since I want to start working on my status with them - also needed a ship with longer jump range to be able to get there).
Is there some possibility to move it and get it stored where I am now, without going back there? (as I would always have to leave one ship behind, if doing so)

Second, any suggestions where to go to find some clusters of Imperial systems? The only one I managed to find (looking around the galaxy map some) was Liaedin, everything else around was Independent, Anarchy or Federation.

*with an Adder, sort of accidently (because it had the best range from the ships I could afford), even though I didn't read your advice up there, Sleutelbos.

 

[Martind Forlon]

With Cobra you can go practically asap for more smuggling/delivery missions at once and upgrade this ship quite fast (and still be able flee practically from all troubles). There is also not needed go for A classed equipment right from start (except power distributor) which is cheap. Above was mentioned coriolis web for 'play' with setup ... its rly nice site. "B" classed Cobra may look like: http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_...2o2701.Iw1-kA==.CwBhCYEYxstsQ===?bn=Cobra Mk3

 

[Sapient6]

~New transmission~

CMDR Alexis Adama here.

I see that my log entry has been intercepted by some of you and you provided valuable advises. Thank you for that! After reading your suggestions I saved up some more money and got that sweet Cobra MK III. I like it so far. A bit bulkier and not as maneuverable as the Sidewinder, but that increase to the capacity of fuel and cargo I can now hold sure is sweet. I definitely consider myself to be an all rounder right now. I'd like to do a bit of everything, so in the end I decided that going for the Viper wouldn't be a good choice.

I have now set my eye on an Imperial Courier as my next goal for upgrade. It just has a frakkin' amazing design and I feel I prefer smaller, but more agile ships. Had to make my way to Empire space, but I've yet to pledge allegiance to them. Can't particularly decide with which of the 4 Empire factions to go. Do all of them grant access to the Imperial Courier upon reaching a certain rank?

Anyway, feel free to add me in-game fellas. CMDR Alexis Adama is the name I'm using. I'm currently in the Princesses part of the Empire Space and will probably hang around there for a while.

Also, @sleutelbos -that Coriolis is a great tool, mate! Thanks!

~Transmission end~

Negative, CMDR. You do not need to pledge to a Powerplay Power. You look a bit green still, so I'd say that's something you want to avoid until you're sure that you're looking to see a lot more combat. In order to get your hands on the Imperial Courier you just need to ingratiate yourself with The Empire, completing missions for minor factions aligned with The Empire, until that gets you noticed. Once your noticed you might start seeing Naval Ascension Opportunity missions. Complete those successfully and you're on your way.

Fly fast and take chances, CMDR.

 

[ShimEnki]

Add me in game - CMDR The Dayman. I'm always happy to fly with rookies and show them the ropes.

I'll also add that despite what some people would say, the Eagle is a fine combat ship. It costs about 1.5 mil to A-rate it, and it only has a rebuy of around 60k. My main ship is an FDL - but every once in a while I'll take out my Eagle. I've taken out CMDR Pythons in that thing

I agree!! The Eagle is a sweet combat trainer ...has helped me evolve from smuggler-hauler to grow real talons

 

[sieraparagon]

Negative, CMDR. You do not need to pledge to a Powerplay Power. You look a bit green still, so I'd say that's something you want to avoid until you're sure that you're looking to see a lot more combat. In order to get your hands on the Imperial Courier you just need to ingratiate yourself with The Empire, completing missions for minor factions aligned with The Empire, until that gets you noticed. Once your noticed you might start seeing Naval Ascension Opportunity missions. Complete those successfully and you're on your way.

Fly fast and take chances, CMDR.

Woa, I did not know that! Thank you for the valuable information, CMDR. I thought those ships were locked behind Power Play. It's good to know that I can get access to them just by doing missions for minor factions. I do plan on getting into PP at some point though, as it looks that most of the fun multiplayer stuff takes place there (even if it is combat). Anyway, thank you again and if you're ever in Imperial space be sure to notify me and we can grab some Imperial Red Wine. I hear it has a taste full of a hundred aromas.