Hull advice for a potential explorer please!

[Pete]

Hi,

I'm planning to start a long long voyage into the dark with a shiny Asp soon, and I want to balance my jump range with my survivability. I'm currently torn between taking D modules for light weight, or A module for hopefully more durability and integrity - I am leaning towards A modules. I will also take a repair tool of course.

But - one issue I know nothing about, is the hull upgrades - I anticipate most/any damage I take will be from carelessness near stellar/planetary bodies via heat and/or emergency stops, of course I plan to keep such carelessness to a minimum, but I'm not sure if taking a higher grade hull (with the weight penalties it implies) will actually help against this type of hull damage.

Does anyone know how much difference an upgraded hull will protect against this type of abuse?

Thanks,

-- Pete.

 

[Pete]

Never mind - I just saw in another thread that some systems will require 31 Ly jumps to reach, so I guess it's D modules, and no upgraded hull for me then!

-- Pete.

 

[kamenjar]

Never mind - I just saw in another thread that some systems will require 31 Ly jumps to reach, so I guess it's D modules, and no upgraded hull for me then!

-- Pete.

31.8 LY (34.17) on my asp with these that I just mocked up quickly:
(The 34.17 is proly with no fuel or something.)
Thusters: D5
Shield D5
Life Supp: A4
Fuel scoop: B6
FSD: A5
Distributor: A3
4x Pluse C1
Sensors: D5
2x Heatsinks
Plant: A3
Rest standard with cargo racks

I'm in space so forgive if I missed something
Though I would prefer a bit more jump range. Didnt need pulses - I ran form interdictions. Shield was proly too big.

 

[Kayweg]

Any bulkhead upgrade will absolutely murder your range, it's a definite no-no for me.

Currently about 4.500 ly from Sol with the basic light weight bulkheads that came with my Asp, my hull is still at 100%, as are all my modules.

Go with the D modules, but grab the grade A FSD and fuel scoop.

Don't pick fights (in fact sell all your weapons), don't take risks, concentrate when you scoop.

As an explorer, keeping your ship out of harms way is THE top priority.

gl

 

[Pete]

Life Supp: A4

I'll be going for a D-class Life support for sure - even with the 25 minutes the A class gives, I don't imagine I'll be able to get anywhere safe...

Sensors: D5

Ahh, this reminds me of another question - do better classes of sensors help in scanning stellar/planetary bodies faster? If so then I'll go with A here too. Up until now I always got A-class to help with gimballed weapons, but that's not really a factor in long-distance exploration...

Of course, if it makes no difference in exploration scanning times, I may as well take class-D.

Don't pick fights (in fact sell all your weapons)

Hmm - I don't know, it just doesn't feel "right" to be flying without weapons...after all, no knowing who's out there...I was thinking of just taking a couple of medium beam lasers...although I'll hope never to use them. I guess I really should leave them behind though!
I guess I can get away with a lower sized shield generator though? Maybe size 2 or 3? I'm certainly not going shield-less, if I have to run from interdictions, then I cannot afford to have even a few stray shots take chunks out of my hull...

-- Pete.

 

[Kayweg]

Hmm - I don't know, it just doesn't feel "right" to be flying without weapons...after all, no knowing who's out there...I was thinking of just taking a couple of medium beam lasers...although I'll hope never to use them. I guess I really should leave them behind though!
I guess I can get away with a lower sized shield generator though? Maybe size 2 or 3? I'm certainly not going shield-less, if I have to run from interdictions, then I cannot afford to have even a few stray shots take chunks out of my hull...

-- Pete.

There is nothing out there (and if there is, you haven't really reached "out there" yet ), guns are just dead weight reducing you're jump range.

Agreed on the shield, i carry that too. Less because i need it on the actual exploration run, but for the return trip when entering populated space again.

One thing i didn't mention, i sold all cargo racks and fitted 3 field maintenance units instead.