Ships Help with options on making a trade ship

[Danspy501st]

I trying to make brain storm in my head about making a second trade ship that is able to have more cargo space.

My current one that Im using only have around 276T worth of cargo space. I had thinking on getting a Type-9 to make into a bigger trading ship.

Something alike this as for starters. I do like to get it as close to the ship's max cargo space as possible, but I dont like to drop the shield generator to fly without shields. But I dont know if I can drop the generator down a notch to get a cargo rack that is bigger. I also dont know if there is other more better/cheaper ships to make into trading ships that will be close to what Type-9 can have as max. I know Cutter is one such example, but just cost alot and with the high rebuy, I dont think it will be so good again to risk flying without shields.

Any help, ideas or options are greatful. Also, for the sake of fuel, as to longer travels, I dont know if it is worth to put a fuel scope on such trade ships. Like a 1 A or E fuel scope

 

[Zannry]

I trying to make brain storm in my head about making a second trade ship that is able to have more cargo space.

My current one that Im using only have around 276T worth of cargo space. I had thinking on getting a Type-9 to make into a bigger trading ship.

Something alike this as for starters. I do like to get it as close to the ship's max cargo space as possible, but I dont like to drop the shield generator to fly without shields. But I dont know if I can drop the generator down a notch to get a cargo rack that is bigger. I also dont know if there is other more better/cheaper ships to make into trading ships that will be close to what Type-9 can have as max. I know Cutter is one such example, but just cost alot and with the high rebuy, I dont think it will be so good again to risk flying without shields.

Any help, ideas or options are greatful. Also, for the sake of fuel, as to longer travels, I dont know if it is worth to put a fuel scope on such trade ships. Like a 1 A or E fuel scope

Your Inara signature suggests you have a Corvette. Why not convert it into a trading ship rather than buy and kit out a Type 9? A long time ago I ran slaves in one (most profitable trading at the time) until I could afford a cutter.

 

[Danspy501st]

Your Inara signature suggests you have a Corvette. Why not convert it into a trading ship rather than buy and kit out a Type 9? A long time ago I ran slaves in one (most profitable trading at the time) until I could afford a cutter.

I rather not get different roles on a ship mix up, and my Corvette is already in the process (Not done) to be outfitted for a more "tanky" combat. My only true multi-role ship is my Asp Explore. The other reason is also to get a new different ship to try them out Im familiar with large ships so I already know they can be bulky when moving around

 

[Zador]

I trying to make brain storm in my head about making a second trade ship that is able to have more cargo space.

My current one that Im using only have around 276T worth of cargo space. I had thinking on getting a Type-9 to make into a bigger trading ship.

Something alike this as for starters. I do like to get it as close to the ship's max cargo space as possible, but I dont like to drop the shield generator to fly without shields. But I dont know if I can drop the generator down a notch to get a cargo rack that is bigger. I also dont know if there is other more better/cheaper ships to make into trading ships that will be close to what Type-9 can have as max. I know Cutter is one such example, but just cost alot and with the high rebuy, I dont think it will be so good again to risk flying without shields.

Any help, ideas or options are greatful. Also, for the sake of fuel, as to longer travels, I dont know if it is worth to put a fuel scope on such trade ships. Like a 1 A or E fuel scope

If you must have a shield you can fit a 5D to gain 32T of cargo space and drop weight
There's no reason to have a maximum size power plant or power distributor, a 4A PP will give you plenty of power and save some CR and a 4A PD still gives 10s boost. With a little engineering you can drop them down even lower
Other than those and the FSD you can D rate all the other core internals to increase jump range somewhat.
If you can I would fit a 3H Guardian FSD booster, 8T cargo lost for an additional 7.8LY jump range
Personlly I always fit supercruise assist on trading ships as it can save a lot of time dropping into stations and worth it for the loss of 2T of cargo.
This is a fully engineered T9 trader I tried out https://s.orbis.zone/l6sd but I have a Cutter which imo is much better for trading.

 

[Danspy501st]

If you must have a shield you can fit a 5D to gain 32T of cargo space and drop weight
There's no reason to have a maximum size power plant or power distributor, a 4A PP will give you plenty of power and save some CR and a 4A PD still gives 10s boost. With a little engineering you can drop them down even lower
Other than those and the FSD you can D rate all the other core internals to increase jump range somewhat.
If you can I would fit a 3H Guardian FSD booster, 8T cargo lost for an additional 7.8LY jump range
Personlly I always fit supercruise assist on trading ships as it can save a lot of time dropping into stations and worth it for the loss of 2T of cargo.
This is a fully engineered T9 trader I tried out https://s.orbis.zone/l6sd but I have a Cutter which imo is much better for trading.

Thank you for the insight, I had made the changes to it now so I have it saved when I getting to make one. I also dont have access to the guardian stuff yet, as I dont want to begin to grind on new things already (I still have engineers that I barely begun on) I also dont use any assists (Docking and supercruise) as I do like to have control of my ship. So thumbs up that I wont get a T9 stuck in the mailslot.

I also thought about getting a Cutter for just that, but I had read on the wiki that because how "hard" it is to be able to get one, plus cost as well rebuy, then I wouldnt risk it too much to try to get like 4 tons worth of more cargo, when it is at max. Plus I dont know how much more I can risk to loose in cargo space if I still choose to keep the shield on the Cutter. As I understand it from the wiki, then I wouldnt be able to drop that to a lower class, like with T9. But Im still not sure if there is other ships that could be cheaper in build and have close to the same ammount, or are able to have more

 

[BradHann]

If you have prismatic shields you can potentially drop down a size and still get more raw shield power, freeing up the larger slot for more cargo.

 

[Kayvan]

If you have prismatic shields you can potentially drop down a size and still get more raw shield power, freeing up the larger slot for more cargo.

Unfortunately Prismatics don't reduce the minimum class required. If you want any shields on a Type 9, it has to be at least class 5, no matter if standard of prismatics.

--

I'd say it depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to do regular trading in the peaceful Bubble, the only thing you need the shield for is docking.

If you intend to join the war effort against the Goids, I do advise against the Type 9 - you're a sitting duck; even if you waste the mats for DD5 thrusters your max boost speed is 330 or something. You will get hurt, and you will suffer.

It may not be strictly necessary to run >500m/s -- but 400 should be the bare minimum, I guess.

Of course, the best solution here is the Cutter, achieving >500m/s boost while hauling 730t of cargo. Of course it's expensive but you get what you pay for.
What would you rather do: benefit from the low low rebuy of 6M for a Type 9 every time you get destroyed, or have a 30M rebuy that you never have to pay?

 

[Danspy501st]

Unfortunately Prismatics don't reduce the minimum class required. If you want any shields on a Type 9, it has to be at least class 5, no matter if standard of prismatics.

--

I'd say it depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to do regular trading in the peaceful Bubble, the only thing you need the shield for is docking.

If you intend to join the war effort against the Goids, I do advise against the Type 9 - you're a sitting duck; even if you waste the mats for DD5 thrusters your max boost speed is 330 or something. You will get hurt, and you will suffer.

It may not be strictly necessary to run >500m/s -- but 400 should be the bare minimum, I guess.

Of course, the best solution here is the Cutter, achieving >500m/s boost while hauling 730t of cargo. Of course it's expensive but you get what you pay for.
What would you rather do: benefit from the low low rebuy of 6M for a Type 9 every time you get destroyed, or have a 30M rebuy that you never have to pay?

I did thought on the shields for when I need to dock, or land on planets (Can be some hard landings) But as for the war effort, I did think to try to make something like a smuggler ship (Saw someone else on this forum too with smuggling ships) where I thinking on to use a Corba for it. I know it might not be much cargo on each trip, but I do hope the cool running and speed, as I understand from how the ship is built up as well what the owner said, will work with me as not to be seen too often. Plus if I mess things up, then the rebuy arent so high too.

I did try to get into the area with my DBE, but I got away the first hyperdiction with around 88% hull (My DBE is not a combat ship, but an exploration, but I hoped the speed could help. I was wrong) but I died in an interdiction. But as for the Cutter, then I can keep it in mind to use it like a combat transport of a sort (Not to fight in, but as to take some hits) to help in that way. But it will still take some time. I can go from rank Master as of now, plus the high price to get a Cutter.

I also thinking on to help with the war effort as to take some people away from the stations, that I could make a smuggler type ship for criminals, which I saw on the same thread of smuggling ships. For engineering wise, then I havent unlocked so many. Especially for thrusters. I more or less had unlocked/using the engineer Felicity Farseer which if I recall only have thrusters to grade 3. Not sure if those will help me much untill I can unlock one that can do thrusters grade 5

But currently all this is in the planning. I do need to make some credits first to begin on outfitting ships like that Heck, I have a Corvetter but it is far from done in outfitting, but I can use it now as for bounty hunting if Im careful (E shield generator and light armour. In other words, if it isnt for the two SCBs and 4 shield boosters, then someone can melt through the armour on the Corvette)

 

[GroG79]

Aye.. Just dont fly the corvette....

T9 is a very controllable ship. If you run illegal cargo make sure you have heatsinks. When approaching the station use them to cool below 20% to avoid the scan. I do suggest a SCA as it can be a time save. I myself prefer a hull reinforcement package (or two) over a shield. Also note how the amor dramatically increases your rebuy and decreases your jump range. You might want to equip a SLF to escape from agressive NPCs as the T9 can be slow vs elite NPCs.

 

[Kayvan]

Ah, I see, so you are actually in the phase where you don't have more money than you know what to do with it, and are only starting out on engineers.
In that case I would recommend to shoot for smaller, cheaper ships that you can actually afford to outfit. Also, keep in mind that Large ships cannot dock at outposts. Currently we're mostly trying to supply / evacuate Wakata, but that will be over soon (one way or other) and next week we may have to focus on an outpost. So a Small or Medium ship will be more universally useful.

A cold runner like you propose in the other thread might actually work. Interceptors can't lock onto you when your heat is <20% (they can still shoot you but if you move sideways they can't lead their shots). However, that requires a lot of engineering, and the one that can do G5 Thrusters (Palin) is a long way down the road. But for the beginning G3 should be good enough.

Generally, the most universal transport ship is the Python. Absurdly large capacity for a Medium ship. A lot more affordable than Cutter or Vette, too. Keep in mind it's not just the ship, it's the modules that really drive the total cost up. For reference, my blockade-runner Python has a total cost of about 74 million, passenger cabins fitted:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

Refitted with cargo racks, it can haul 260 tons, which is lovely.

This one isn't optimized for heat, but for speed and some durability. It's fast enough to outrun the Goids and that's good enough for me. ^^

 

[Northpin]

My current one that Im using only have around 276T worth of cargo space

Why'd you use a T7 for cargo runs?

This Python can do more than your T7 and, being a medium ship, can land at outposts
If you need a large ship, the next stepping stone would be a T-9, but... the T-9 is really bad at winning interdictions from NPC pirates, so you need rather strong shields, eventually a SLF/Weapons to kill pirates (although killing pirates is a drag when all you want is a trade run)

 

[Danspy501st]

Why'd you use a T7 for cargo runs?

This Python can do more than your T7 and, being a medium ship, can land at outposts
If you need a large ship, the next stepping stone would be a T-9, but... the T-9 is really bad at winning interdictions from NPC pirates, so you need rather strong shields, eventually a SLF/Weapons to kill pirates (although killing pirates is a drag when all you want is a trade run)

I cant remember why I got the T7 for it. It had been some time ago that I brought it to outfit for cargo. I guess I thought that it is a large ship and was close to T9 at the time. Not sure when I thinking about it :/

But I do have a Python, but it is outfitted for mining, as because as you said; it can land on outposts, as it was my reason to use a Python for that at the time. Also, if you dont mind me asking, what does SLF stand for?

 

[Kayvan]

Ship-Launched Fighter, the most efficient way to slow down your combat rank progression by half.

 

[Danspy501st]

Ah, I see, so you are actually in the phase where you don't have more money than you know what to do with it, and are only starting out on engineers.
In that case I would recommend to shoot for smaller, cheaper ships that you can actually afford to outfit. Also, keep in mind that Large ships cannot dock at outposts. Currently we're mostly trying to supply / evacuate Wakata, but that will be over soon (one way or other) and next week we may have to focus on an outpost. So a Small or Medium ship will be more universally useful.

A cold runner like you propose in the other thread might actually work. Interceptors can't lock onto you when your heat is <20% (they can still shoot you but if you move sideways they can't lead their shots). However, that requires a lot of engineering, and the one that can do G5 Thrusters (Palin) is a long way down the road. But for the beginning G3 should be good enough.

Generally, the most universal transport ship is the Python. Absurdly large capacity for a Medium ship. A lot more affordable than Cutter or Vette, too. Keep in mind it's not just the ship, it's the modules that really drive the total cost up. For reference, my blockade-runner Python has a total cost of about 74 million, passenger cabins fitted:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

Refitted with cargo racks, it can haul 260 tons, which is lovely.

This one isn't optimized for heat, but for speed and some durability. It's fast enough to outrun the Goids and that's good enough for me. ^^

Well.... In a way yeah. Not sure if you can see it via my INARA profile, but I have around 163 million in credits. I also had a break for a long time (Petty much since the start of Odyssey) I guess Im just trying something new, or have an other way to earn alot of credits XD (Still argueeing with myself of getting a Fleet Carrier, but that is in a waiting list)

As for cold runner, then the one I saw for Cobra will I try, if it is below 20% mostly, then I wont engineer it too much, but if it isnt, I will try to get it under there. But for transport of passengers then I will try to get a Dolphin to outfit for that as well to keep it in a low heat. I think Dolphin is the smallest "passenger" ship we currently get, but if I recall, then it is a small size landing pad. And I know it cant take as many passengers as something like Orca and Beluga can. Plus on the words of Orca, I do have one but I wont run the risk to see if she can outrun a Thargoid. Im petty sure she cant in terms of speed, and she wont be cold enough to avoid their scanners. She is outfitted to fly into damaged stations to help people out from there. That is the time I first made such a ship. I do wish if the devs made a "passenger" ship that can use a medium landing pad

But I will try to help with the war effort when Im able to do so. If I cant directly, then I hope I still can indirectly. Like transporting medical stuff to the frontline on the rescue ships, if it still allows me to do that

 

[Danspy501st]

Ship-Launched Fighter, the most efficient way to slow down your combat rank progression by half.

Ah, I dont think I will equip one when I can. I do have one on my Corvette, but otherwise I dont have it on my other ships that will be able to have it. Not that I think I dont have any beside my Corvette

 

[Kayvan]

Yeah, the problem with SLFs is that you need to have a crew for it, and you have to pay the crew all the time even when they are just chilling in the lounge (but at least they don't leech combat XP for fights they're not involved in).

Anyway, back to the matter at hand -- I think even a Dolphin can't function as a Cold Runner without engineering, but fortunately even the G1 PP offered by Farseer goes a long way. However, the other ships that don't natively run as cold will need considerably more engineering to get them stealthy.

 

[Danspy501st]

Yeah, the problem with SLFs is that you need to have a crew for it, and you have to pay the crew all the time even when they are just chilling in the lounge (but at least they don't leech combat XP for fights they're not involved in).

Anyway, back to the matter at hand -- I think even a Dolphin can't function as a Cold Runner without engineering, but fortunately even the G1 PP offered by Farseer goes a long way. However, the other ships that don't natively run as cold will need considerably more engineering to get them stealthy.

As I would imagine. But beside Farseer I also know I have somewhat unlocked few others. I cant remember them, althrough I remember one of them is more bounty hunt related as he is more focusing on multi cannon weapons. But I will try to get to a ship run cold, especially for smugglering operations. I still might try it out on Cobra first, and try with Dolphin later

 

[Xenogenics]

I trying to make brain storm in my head about making a second trade ship that is able to have more cargo space.

My current one that Im using only have around 276T worth of cargo space. I had thinking on getting a Type-9 to make into a bigger trading ship.

Something alike this as for starters. I do like to get it as close to the ship's max cargo space as possible, but I dont like to drop the shield generator to fly without shields. But I dont know if I can drop the generator down a notch to get a cargo rack that is bigger. I also dont know if there is other more better/cheaper ships to make into trading ships that will be close to what Type-9 can have as max. I know Cutter is one such example, but just cost alot and with the high rebuy, I dont think it will be so good again to risk flying without shields.

Any help, ideas or options are greatful. Also, for the sake of fuel, as to longer travels, I dont know if it is worth to put a fuel scope on such trade ships. Like a 1 A or E fuel scope

If you're really dead set on a T9, and assuming you have it un-engineered, I'd build it like this.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

If you don't have the Guardian FSD Booster Blueprint unlocked you really should try to. The shields are just for minor bumps and scratches. And you're not out running anything in a T9 so maybe put on some chaff and submit to interdiction when an npc interdicts you for faster FSD cooldown.

 

[Danspy501st]

If you're really dead set on a T9, and assuming you have it un-engineered, I'd build it like this.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

If you don't have the Guardian FSD Booster Blueprint unlocked you really should try to. The shields are just for minor bumps and scratches. And you're not out running anything in a T9 so maybe put on some chaff and submit to interdiction when an npc interdicts you for faster FSD cooldown.

I arent set on if I will run it unengineered, as I might engineer some modules of it. Like FSD or thrusters for just slightly better handling.

And on the topic of FSD booster, I had unlocked it a few days ago and it is currently a 5 class on my Corvette. It is a blessing to increase that jump range on the Corvette XD But I dont know if Im sat on leaving there (As I might need the space for a combat build for my Corvette). As of now it is there so I know where it is. Not sure if I end up using the same class for the smuggler like ships that I will try to build as to give a hand with the war effort.

But otherwise, the plan for the T9 is to run in the bubble for transport, where the shields are mostly, as you say, for bumps and scratches, and that I know I can put my ships abit hard down on the landing pad. Just more a mind play for myself as to calm myself down on that I have a shield to take some of my stupid movements XD I dont know why, but I always have this weird tic to slightly pitch the nose up as to make sure the back landing gear touching down first. You know kinda like the real planes does when landing. I know in theory I dont need it, but eh. It is my thing. Heck I already seen someone flying at full speed into a space while turning inside the mailslot

 

[Zador]

I also dont use any assists (Docking and supercruise) as I do like to have control of my ship.

My reason for using SA is not about control, its about reducing the time to arrive at a station by a significant amount.
Select station, engage supercruise assist but fiy at full speed (enable option for manual throttle in supercruise). When 8 seconds left set throttle to 75% to enage supercruise. When 8 ls away max throttle for a couple of seconds then back to 75%. You approach the station at breakneck speed but SA pulls you out onto the station. up to 30 seconds of fairly boring approach flying skipped. Since I learned how to to this I've put SA on a number of ships and always arrive at stations this way.

Also as others have said unlocking guardian FSD booster is not that hard , its one of the first things I did on my alt account after unlocking the pre-engineered G5 FSD. - and once guardian FSD unlocked you can buy as many of them as you like, you don't need to grind the mats for every one.