Is the T9 overpriced?
- Thread starter DukeIronHand
- Start date
The Python Hauling 272 tons for 56 mil is a lot less profitable than a T9 hauling 500 tons.
I think the price of the T9 is fine.
I do feel the T6 is too cheap though.
As far as the T9 is concerned the only thing I would like to see changed considerably compared to other traders is the base armour strength.
The T9 looks like some primordial prehistoric tank and it should be a tank. That should be its characteristic, its meta. The T9 should be known throughout the human galaxy for its exceptional hull strength.
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I think the Lakon T ships are getting their base armor doubled, IIRC, in the next patch. I welcome it as a trader, plus it's the kind of thing that should further suit a more solid piracy play experience.
As to pricing, I think the T ships are OK. Each T ship is a good first step into larger capacity, with a decent few tradeoffs compared to more expensive ships.
Plus, the T ships have a unique character. I've had the Anaconda and sold it, instead I use the Type-9 for my bulk cargo. The Type-9 is one of the most visually detailed ships in Elite, and the cockpit, view, and sense of scale and weight are outstanding IMO.
Regarding the Cutter carrying more than dedicated traders, I can only shrug. Who knows. Even the general naval description of Clipper and Cutter ships points to a clear decision toward lower capacity in exchange for higher speed. But since the ship progression in Elite seems to have been designed more around the price of the hull determining it's performance (rather than it's intended role/design), then the most expensive ship in Elite does not disappoint.
As to pricing, I think the T ships are OK. Each T ship is a good first step into larger capacity, with a decent few tradeoffs compared to more expensive ships.
Plus, the T ships have a unique character. I've had the Anaconda and sold it, instead I use the Type-9 for my bulk cargo. The Type-9 is one of the most visually detailed ships in Elite, and the cockpit, view, and sense of scale and weight are outstanding IMO.
Regarding the Cutter carrying more than dedicated traders, I can only shrug. Who knows. Even the general naval description of Clipper and Cutter ships points to a clear decision toward lower capacity in exchange for higher speed. But since the ship progression in Elite seems to have been designed more around the price of the hull determining it's performance (rather than it's intended role/design), then the most expensive ship in Elite does not disappoint.
Oh, I know.
I built plans with Reinforced + Heavy-Duty for the T7 and T9 - on Prismatics its a comparison of 1,126 on the T7 with 5A vs the 1,264 on the T9 with 6A and some conservative roll estimations.
On the price difference between the two - ~39 million on the T7 vs ~260m for a T9 I would wager the difference in strength should be at least somewhat better than that.
Especially considering you are comparing a better jump range on the T7, with faster speeds trading off only a rough double cargo capacity - the price vs rewards and downsides barely pays off imo.
Exponential price increments are consistent throughout all areas of Elite. The top tier level of any ship/module/weapon will always come at a huge cost.
I personally agree with this structuring as it rewards longer standing CMDRs with greater time investment into the game and provides a much broader spectrum of ship capabilities out there ... as opposed to everyone running around in Corvettes and Cutters.
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You're no doubt aware that hauling ships are all getting significant armour upgrades in the next balance pass when the 2.2.03 hits the live servers which I agree is needed given there more limited ability to defend themselves.
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The point is to have a richer game world taking into consideration that these assets already exist in the game and the developers took time and used resources to create them. I'm tired of seeing trading CGs in Open populated just by Cutters, and occasionaly an Anaconda here and there, just because these are the only viable ships players can use in these circumstances.
Except when it comes to bounties and fines. Sorry, couldn't help it.
That would be true if it weren't for the money-making-exploit-of-the-month ... ahem... valid gameplay elements which grant people billions in a few days. You'd think that Cutters and Corvettes would be a rare sight, but they kinda aren't. The truth is that FDEV did design ship progress as a huge timesink, but that is being undone by their inability to quickly react to exploits, which are inevitable in a game of this caliber. IMHO, they should just do away with the credit barriers and promote ship diversity through other means.
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There will always be that dominance of best-in-class ship, if not by the Cutter, then the Panther Clipper when it arrives. And you'll get tired of seeing Panthers dominating every trade CG.
There's a discussion in the beta forum to add in cargo specific slots to the Lakon Type X series since they're dedicated cargo ships. Neither the Cutter nor the Anaconda would receive those given they've already gotten Military slots added (with the Anaconda being the *only* multirole to gain those.)
That won't help it's jump range limitations though. Adding in a type 8 slot will undermine a grade 5 FSD boost, making it pretty much mandatory unless you like stock Sidewinder range.
The Panther Clipper should be here soon... likely in 2.4.
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Sure is a lot of "hat hanging"'on the Panther Clipper around here.
If you price it at "one trip = one trip" then you are certainly correct.
However if you figure in things like the Pythons ability to use medium pads, better jump range, and better "docking speed", then the picture becomes a little more cloudy if you use a "credits an hour"'rationale - least according to my rough math. And at a 20 million credits cheaper purchase price plus its way better ability to defend itself and do other things.
If I was to set up a poll of a "free gift of a Python or T9" I suspect we know what the results would be. Hell, I like the T9 and, one to one, I would take the Python in a hot second even for trading.
And, to amplify on the above, the reported arrival of another multi-hundred million credit ship (Panther Clipper) does not really help. All I am saying is that I love the "9", and will buy one again - eventually when I have money to burn, but at 76 million (or 90+ million with bare essential module purchases like an A-rated FSD) I should be a getting slightly more capable ship. Or take the price down. As it stands, in comparison to other ships for the money, the T9 is not a smart purchase IMHO and the money may be better spent elsewhere. The T9 is the only ship, for me, that never seems to make financial sense. A trader is designed to make financial sense. This, to me, indicates there is an issue.
Just my two cents.
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Yes I am aware of that and I believe it is a good decision, but I feel the T9 should stand out more in that respect to give it a special role among the big ships.
I fear doubled armor on T9 won't make a big difference becase now if you are interdiced by some high G-modded ships it's basically instagib. Gaining 2-3 seconds of agony when interdicted won't help much. You still won't escape, you still won't have any chance. Getting military bulkheads is only for diehard fans of this ship because jump range will probably be traders biggest nightmare. Instead of buffing and trying to remedy this stupid situation (super short TTK) maybe they should get back to the source of the problem and balance this engineer nonsense a little. Godlike G5 ships are imo biggest problem of this game right now.
I take it you are talking about PvP? PvE is a non issue.. As far as players interdicting a trade ship, it doesn't matter if the attacker is G5 modded or is flying a non engineered A rated FDL, you will die unless you learn escape tactics. The most important tactic is to not be interdicted in the first place.. Emergency drops/Wide arcs/ Keeping your eyes open.
Contrary to popular belief a lot of freighter guys fly in Open and survive using very basic techniques. Double Armour on the T9 is really there to help people that struggle in PvE, pointless for anyone else, if you know what you are doing you will never lose shields.
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its an out dated ship design that very few people utilize now. most ships after that price range tend to haul better for cost, risk and distance. the T9 is as useful as a chocolate teapot in the desert.
You should probably get back to shooting skimmers dude.. Oh wait they just patched it :/
i beg your pardon? if this is an attempt at an insult you failed. as for skimmers id rather pilot one so i can shove it up your *** you get my point?