Is it time for the ASP Explorer Mk II (or ASP MK III)?

Phoenix_Dfire

Phoenix_Dfire
As we have the release of the Krait Phantom coming up, that puts the ASP Explorer down to the 4th longest range explorer ship in the game.
(That list being;-

  1. Anaconda
  2. Diamondback
  3. Krait Phantom
)

Maybe it's because I'm an old Forum Granddad (according to Lave Radio) who's got some fondness for the ASP but I would like that ship, in one form or the other, to be back at top of the pile. I was wondering if I could suggest a variant to the ASP Explorer with a Bigger FSD but say less 2 of the class 1 weapons and maybe an internal class 4 slot instead of two of the internal Class 3 slots.

What does everyone else think?
 

moorison

M
What differences on the hull would you propose? A spoiler by default? ;)

I like the Asp and I won't mind if there is a new model coming out. But I don't agree with the reasoning, there is no law saying the Asp has to remain in the top 3. Convince me with a new pitch.

No other ship has the "right" to be top in anything either.
 
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Ian Doncaster

Ian Doncaster
Phoenix_Dfire said:
Maybe it's because I'm an old Forum Granddad (according to Lave Radio) who's got some fondness for the ASP but I would like that ship, in one form or the other, to be back at top of the pile. I was wondering if I could suggest a variant to the ASP Explorer with a Bigger FSD but say less 2 of the class 1 weapons and maybe an internal class 4 slot instead of two of the internal Class 3 slots.
Click to expand...
The problem is that FSD classes are extremely blunt instruments - an Asp with one size higher FSD would jump twice as far.

With all the internals being swappable anyway, the only way to make "an Asp, but it jumps *slightly* further" is to cut the hull mass down a bit, and it's already fairly light.

I think it's okay in 4th (and it's not as if there's a *lot* of a gap) - the Phantom and especially the Anaconda are a lot more expensive, have worse supercruise handling (especially the Anaconda), while the DBX isn't great internally.

Additionally it looks like the new 3.3 exploration will provide encouragement to distinguish explorers by more than just their jump range.
 

Phoenix_Dfire

Phoenix_Dfire
Un1k0rn said:
This.

Your decision to improperly write "Asp" invalidates your proposal, OP.

Soz'.
Click to expand...

My Justification ? I'm a grumpy old sod who says what he likes and likes what he blasted well says, so I'll write ASP any way I want and Yes with spoiler, so we can have the Daft double spoiler with a ship kit. [big grin][big grin]

moorison said:
What differences on the hull would you propose? A spoiler by default? ;)

I like the Asp and I won't mind if there is a new model coming out. But I don't agree with the reasoning, there is no law saying the Asp has to remain in the top 3. Convince me with a new pitch.

No other ship has the "right" to be top in anything either.
Click to expand...

Seriously though, There is something special about flying out there in that cockpit which other ships can't match and, for Lore reasons, I would have thought that Lakon would probably want to have the premium exploration vessel in their portfolio again, which is why they bought the Asp (see did it right this time) in the first place.
 

Deleted member 110222

D
Phoenix_Dfire said:
My Justification ? I'm a grumpy old sod who says what he likes and likes what he blasted well says, so I'll write ASP any way I want and Yes with spoiler, so we can have the Daft double spoiler with a ship kit. [big grin][big grin]



Seriously though, There is something special about flying out there in that cockpit which other ships can't match and, for Lore reasons, I would have thought that Lakon would probably want to have the premium exploration vessel in their portfolio again, which is why they bought the Asp (see did it right this time) in the first place.
Click to expand...

But that is objectively wrong. This is not negotiable.
 

Lucius-Darcia

Lucius-Darcia
Phoenix_Dfire said:
As we have the release of the Krait Phantom coming up, that puts the ASP Explorer down to the 4th longest range explorer ship in the game.
(That list being;-

  1. Anaconda
  2. Diamondback
  3. Krait Phantom
)

Maybe it's because I'm an old Forum Granddad (according to Lave Radio) who's got some fondness for the ASP but I would like that ship, in one form or the other, to be back at top of the pile. I was wondering if I could suggest a variant to the ASP Explorer with a Bigger FSD but say less 2 of the class 1 weapons and maybe an internal class 4 slot instead of two of the internal Class 3 slots.

What does everyone else think?
Click to expand...

And the price tag?

1) DBX for around 15mil
2) AspX for good 40mil
3) KraitP for impressive 90mil
4) Anaconda for huge 280mil

Everything in my prefered Explorer loadouts of course but the line is clear. The AspX isn't bad at all. She is a very good ship for deep space stuff in that price range. The Krait Phantom costs already that much just for the pure empty hull. Just remember sometimes, that not all players are long-day-billionaires ;)

Also...the AspX isn't just an exploration tool. With 6 weapon slots, hardness of 52 and 7 internals she makes a quite good cheap long range combat ship :D
Also as a cheap multipurpose before getting a Python. So many things left.....

The only thing i'd like to see changed is the cockpit. It's so utterly ugly that it can't be described anymore.
I liked it on the Type-6 in the old days. Made sense there.....but seeing this very same cockpit in all but the new alliance variants of the Lakon ships blows my mind. The reason why i prefer ANY ship about the Lakons is the cockpit....
 
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moorison

M
Ian Doncaster said:
the Phantom and especially the Anaconda are a lot more expensive
Click to expand...

That point is an important distinction, even if many players can ignore it. There is a system behind the numbers.
New ships will always fit somewhere between other entries in a ranking (price, speed, range,...), sometimes they will get the top spot. Says nothing about it being an ideal ship for one's own preferences, more ships means more factors to weigh, even if it is just the appearance or engine sounds of it.
 

Speedcuffs

Speedcuffs
It should be an upgrade.

Buy an Anaconda.
Take it to Selene.
She scraps it, recycles the magic hull materials and gives you an Asp shell.

I mean, less magic Anacondas is a good thing, yes?[cry]
 

moorison

M
Phoenix_Dfire said:
Seriously though, There is something special about flying out there in that cockpit which other ships can't match and, for Lore reasons, I would have thought that Lakon would probably want to have the premium exploration vessel in their portfolio again, which is why they bought the Asp (see did it right this time) in the first place.
Click to expand...

Now that is a bid that could work. More emotion, less numbers and an appeal to honour and self-identity of the corporation in question.

But won't change my mind.
 

Ca$hback

Ca$hback
Speedcuffs said:
It should be an upgrade.

Buy an Anaconda.
Take it to Selene.
She scraps it, recycles the magic hull materials and gives you an Asp shell.

I mean, less magic Anacondas is a good thing, yes?[cry]
Click to expand...
By accidentally creating something with negative weight, she unintentionally discovers antigravity and subsequently inertial dampeners.
 

Jaylem

Jaylem
a dedicated large exploration ship sounds better. we currently don't have a 'dedicated' exploration large vessel, although the Conda fits, it is still a multi role. won't even talk about those transport vessels with the jumping range of a drunk kangaroo... :D
 

bluecrash

bluecrash
The Asp v2 was mainly made as a combat ship in lore. Seems the Mamba will be better, though I would like the lore Asp2. If you have 400 million credits the Beluga is actually an amazing explorer than can hold all the recon, fuel, repair, and Srv modules if you accompanying a group of explorers.
 

Zoltah-Talion

Zoltah-Talion
I also can't ever give up on loving my AspX! But I agree that if the appearance of the cockpit could be improved and... if it could produce some cooler sounds (lol) I would love it more!

For the price it's still unbeatable really. I don't think we're ever gonna see an 'Imperial Explorer' (maybe in our dreams) or any 'ideal' exploration ship, but with the recent changes to the Saud-Kruger ships and the advent of the Krait Phantom, the options for creating a luxury exploation ship open up considerably. Not one of them is perfect... but then, you know, in this life... *sigh*

Elite-Dangerous-20180623072123.jpg
 

Cmdr-Wotherspoon

Cmdr-Wotherspoon
I suppose we don't really want an "ideal" exploration ship, or everyone would be using it, which would be a bit boring. The Anaconda is horrible to fly, especially with ting thrusters and no boost, but is essential for exploring the margins of the galaxy. The DBX is a budget explorer with an excellent jump range, but a Spartan loadout (not as Spartan as the Hauler, though)! The Asp Explorer (you're not allowed to write "AspX", that's just objectively wrong, sorry, sarcasm mode disengaged) is currently the best all-round explorer with a respectable jump range, decent handling and enough equipment slots for deep-space exploration.

The problem for the AspX is that the Krait Phantom appears to trump it in almost everything except possibly cockpit view. Will that make the AspX obsolete for exploration? Probably not, but Lakon needs to be aware, and possibly compete with this new threat to their market.
 

Vandaahl

Vandaahl
We have something here that goes like "even if you give a monkey a golden ring, it'll still be an ugly thing". It is time for the Asp to be used as fire wood :D
 

Mo Ronik

Mo Ronik
I was just looking at some builds on Coriolis last night before the sandman was scheduled to make his nightly appearance. I was comparing the DBX to the AspX. I evened out as much as possible with the various modules and even with that the AspX is twice as much in price and has less jump range but does have more boost speed (un-engineered ships). The DBX has that quirky look to it so that's a positive. I have neither in my fleet so I can't comment on cockpit or engine sounds. I do like the idea of a more dedicated exploration ship. I think as it stands right now if I was to purchase an ship to turn into a dedicated exploration ship it would be the DBX but if a new Asp design would be offered in the future that is geared more for exploration then that would be something I'd be interested in. Of course if there is an upgraded or redesigned Asp then it only makes sense to do the same with the DBX. If I were to purchase an AspX today I would immediately make it into a dedicated mining ship.
 
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