Looking for a new bounty-hunter-ship, advice welcome

[Ericlas]

Hey fellow CMDRs,

as the title says, I'm looking for a new ship as more and more of this bounty CGs are turning up.
Right now I'm hunting in an Anaconda, but that is just a pita, as I'm refitting my trading-setup to go hunt and I have to admit I'm kinda bored with it as well.

My outfit right now:

H: 3E/G Burst Laser
L: 3E/G Burst Laser
L: 3E/G Burst Laser
L: 3E/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
S: 1G/T Burst Laser
S: 1G/T Burst Laser
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0E Shield Booster
U: 0E Shield Booster
U: 0C Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0I Point Defence
U: 0I Point Defence

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 8B Power Plant
TM: 7B Thrusters
FH: 6A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 5D Life Support
PC: 8A Power Distributor
SS: 8D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)

7: 7B Shield Generator
6: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
5: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
5: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
5: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4A Fuel Scoop
2: 1E Standard Docking Computer


What experience do I have?

I've flown a lot of ships, but none for very long.
I sticked to the Python some weeks but that was prenerf and I tried out the Vulture and FdL in Beta, but not long enough to get a real experience.
As soon as I could, I would upgrade to the next tier to reach the Annie, as I had such a blast in it in Beta.

I am a trader with combat experience.
I am not able to fly FAOff.
I did ALOT of hunting at NAV-points and only a few times in RES.
I did ALOT of fighting in CZs, as I enjoyed the stronger NPCs there.

Now what do I look for?

I am looking for a sole bounty-hunter-setup with gimballed weapons.
The experience with fixed weapons was fine, but I admit I am lazy and accept the price of less firepower.
A setup with not much juggling in modules would be nice. I'm used to manage shieldcell banks, but I find no joy in powering on/off modules through encounters all the time.
No PVP-elements needed as well, I'm just going to hunt NPCs.

Money to be spend: 350 Mio.


Now I am asking you for some advice, as many of you have much more experience in bounty hunting with different ships, which will hopefully spare me the experience of trial and error and burning alot of money.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dayrth]

If it's just bounty hunting you want to do, get the Vulture. Brilliant for fighting, rubbish for everything else.

Not the fastest ship, but incredibly maneuverable. Very strong shields.

Don't over weapon it though. Power is very limited. Not that you need to, 2 class 3 pulse lasers will chew through an anacondas shields and trash the power core in very short order.

 

[Bortas]

Now I am asking you for some advice, as many of you have much more experience in bounty hunting with different ships, which will hopefully spare me the experience of trial and error and burning alot of money.

I've tried a lot of ships for bounty hunting, and finally sticked with my Clipper, because it has a good mix of useful feats:

- Ability to fit powerful weapons (and you said you wanted to use gimballed anyway) and big enough PP and Distributor to feed them
- Enough room and power for a bunch of SCBs, which help staying in the same instance for hours
- It's agile and fast... this really helps a lot to get to those laser flashes in the distance and claim that bounty, before the police destroys the wanted ship

 

[Metalstardust]

Got to be the Vulcan. Mine cost me about 18mil to fit out. Great fun.

You need to play around with power and if your shields drop run. They take forever to rebuild.

 

[streki]

Yeah - one more for the Vulture.

Its a monster of DPS and maneuverability.

Two large beams, pew pew, dead.

 

[Xodz]

I would say the FDL or the Python. FDL is faster (speed, maneuverability), the Python is stronger (dps).

Against NPC I would have to give the edge to the Python.


*
If you don't want to spend a lot of money, the Vulture works too and is certainly more maneuverable (rotational speed) than either the FDL or the Python. It does lack the firepower and defense that the FDL and Python have, but not by huge margin.

 

[Gramps]

The Vulture, just treat it as a disposable ship since their so cheap to buy, kitted out re-buy cost is less than 1mil.

 

[Ericlas]

Thanks so far for the feedback.
Regarding the Vulture, the 2 weapons seem like a big step back. Sure it's agile and cheap, but having in mind the killing speed of my actual ship, it seems that I'm trading firepower for agility. Am I wrong?
And as it was brought up in the 3rd answer...I don't want to power-juggle.

Again money s no issue. If I need more I'll get back to trading.

The Clipper was not even my list, thanks for that.
Although my take on her during the beta made me sell it quickly due to the pylon weapon arrangement.

FdL and Python seem to be the candidates in terms of punch and quickness.
Does anyone have a decent setup, he minds to kindly share?

 

[uncle bulgaria]

My Vulture with a fixed C3 beam and gimballed C3 cannon shreds NPC Anacondas, the C3 beam takes the shield down pretty quickly and then go to town on the power plant with the laser and cannon.

The Vulture is the best combat ship in the game.

 

[Bortas]

My Vulture with a fixed C3 beam and gimballed C3 cannon shreds NPC Anacondas, the C3 beam takes the shield down pretty quickly and then go to town on the power plant with the laser and cannon.

Now do the same with i.e. a Python and compare how much quicker the Anaconda will go down

The Vulture is the best combat ship in the game.

No. The Vulture is not bad for its class, espcially when you are used only to Vipers and maybe Asps. Once you have flown one of the big ships, though, the Vulture is a huge step back in firepower as well as durability, which is unbearable for many players used to them.

FdL and Python seem to be the candidates in terms of punch and quickness.
Does anyone have a decent setup, he minds to kindly share?

Just note, that with its class 5 power plant the FdL suffers from the same necessary power fiddling as the Vulture. The Python seems to be what you are looking for. It's too slow for my liking, that's why I prefer the Clipper, but its handling and power should feel similar enough to the Anaconda you are used to and it's still a reasonable improvement in terms of speed

 

[Ericlas]

Thanks Bortas, you seem to know my intentions.
I'll give the Clipper a tryout as well as the "new" python.
Mind sharing your clipper loadout? I'll start with that.

 

[dayrth]

Thanks so far for the feedback.
Regarding the Vulture, the 2 weapons seem like a big step back. Sure it's agile and cheap, but having in mind the killing speed of my actual ship, it seems that I'm trading firepower for agility. Am I wrong?
And as it was brought up in the 3rd answer...I don't want to power-juggle.

Again money s no issue. If I need more I'll get back to trading.

The Clipper was not even my list, thanks for that.
Although my take on her during the beta made me sell it quickly due to the pylon weapon arrangement.

FdL and Python seem to be the candidates in terms of punch and quickness.
Does anyone have a decent setup, he minds to kindly share?

Only two weapons, but they are class 3. Loads of killing power. Stick to pulse lasers and/or cannons and you wont need to juggle power. (Though I find it helps to knock down priority for cargo hatch and fsd )

 

[Xodz]

Thanks so far for the feedback.
Regarding the Vulture, the 2 weapons seem like a big step back. Sure it's agile and cheap, but having in mind the killing speed of my actual ship, it seems that I'm trading firepower for agility. Am I wrong?
And as it was brought up in the 3rd answer...I don't want to power-juggle.

Again money s no issue. If I need more I'll get back to trading.

The Clipper was not even my list, thanks for that.
Although my take on her during the beta made me sell it quickly due to the pylon weapon arrangement.

FdL and Python seem to be the candidates in terms of punch and quickness.
Does anyone have a decent setup, he minds to kindly share?

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60O,5TP5Rr5Rr5Rr5Rr0-I3wU0__0_g0_g0_g,2-7_7_6Q6u9Y6u5A,7Sk4_w15O12G10i
[Fer-de-Lance]
H: 3E/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
U: 0E Shield Booster
U: 0C Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0C Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5A Power Plant
TM: 5A Thrusters
FH: 4A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 4D Sensors
FS: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)

5: 5A Shield Generator
4: 4A Fuel Scoop
4: 4D Hull Reinforcement Package
2: 2D Hull Reinforcement Package
1: 1D Hull Reinforcement Package
---
Shield: 836.17 MJ
Power : 15.95 MW retracted (78%)
20.07 MW deployed (98%)
20.40 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 8 T
Mass : 418.3 T empty
426.3 T full
Range : 13.58 LY unladen
13.58 LY laden
Price : 76,112,129 CR
Re-Buy: 3,805,606 CR @ 95% insurance




Few things, this is really only useful for NPC grinding. The Hull armor isn't necessary, could go without it (it would increase maneuverability slightly), it's just there in case you somehow manage to lose your shields. You will have to set your FSD, Cargo hatch, Fuel Scoop to a higher numbered priority. So that when you deploy your hardpoints they shutdown, when you retract your hardpoints they come back on. If you wanted to go with fewer boosters you could improve your sensors/KWS range, but vs NPC I don't find it necessary.

 

[Poseidal]

No. The Vulture is not bad for its class, espcially when you are used only to Vipers and maybe Asps. Once you have flown one of the big ships, though, the Vulture is a huge step back in firepower as well as durability, which is unbearable for many players used to them.

Only the Type-9, Python, Fer de Lance and Anaconda have greater shields than the Vulture. It's the 4th most durable combat-capable ship in the game, and the Python isn't that far ahead. Considering the small size and manoeuvrability, it is also harder to hit than all of those others - if this is considered as part of durability I would rate it very highly in terms of staying power.

---

For the original question:

If you consider that the performance of the 'combat ships' (FdL, Vulture) is often beyond that of multiroles, don't consider not being able to fit so many components as 'power issues', but consider them as options. The FdL and Vulture with a low graded shield and no boosters still likely has more shields than a multirole* with them, along with better thrusters or good weapon options. The only compromise is the number of shield cell modules you can take.

*The Fer-de-Lance with a D4 shield generator is as strong as the Clipper's A7.

For the requirements the OP wants though, I would recommend the Clipper. Since fixed isn't wanted, the wide hardpoint placement is no problem. It can fire two class 3 beams for a respectable amount of time before the capacitor is drained, or run two pulses in 4/0/2 happily and chip away at most things. Then put Multicannon or Cannon gimbals in the Class 2 slots for extra hull/subsystem damage.

Also, Clippers have the most fun.

 

[Briarée]

My Vulture with a fixed C3 beam and gimballed C3 cannon shreds NPC Anacondas, the C3 beam takes the shield down pretty quickly and then go to town on the power plant with the laser and cannon.

The Vulture is the best combat ship in the game.

this, vulture is a beast, and rather cheap imao, even if i'm FAR from what's OP is able to afford (i curretly have around 15M)

 

[DidierDrbois]

Grab the Vulture but be warned. If you don't do PvP, it gets old. Quickly. Seriously quickly. In which case, break both your legs running to get the discounted Clipper.

 

[Ancipital]

I've tried a lot of ships for bounty hunting, and finally sticked with my Clipper, because it has a good mix of useful feats:

Not sure I agree, my Clipper is now fitted for trading, as it's a great medium-capacity trader, but a distinctly mediocre combat ship. It's big, a bit drifty and cumbersome, the hardpoints aren't the best, and the shields need a lot of work out of the box. My Vulture is so much more effective that it's not funny- floats like a butterfly, stings like a crocodile. You can A-fit a Vulture for the base price of the clipper, and use it just for combat (at which it excels), while keeping your other ships rigged for other roles.

 

[Bortas]

Thanks Bortas, you seem to know my intentions.
I'll give the Clipper a tryout as well as the "new" python.
Mind sharing your clipper loadout? I'll start with that.

My Clipper is usually equipped for PvP, but when I go RES hunting, I'm usually using something like this:

[Imperial Clipper]
L: 3E/G Pulse Laser
L: 3E/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Pulse Laser
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner
BH: 1I Military Grade Composite
RB: 6A Power Plant
TM: 6A Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 5D Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 5D Sensors FS:
4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)
7: 7A Shield Generator
6: 6A Shield Cell Bank (disabled)
4: 4B Shield Cell Bank
4: 4B Shield Cell Bank
3: 3B Shield Cell Bank (disabled)
3: 3B Shield Cell Bank (disabled)
---
Shield: 489,60 MJ
Power : 21,45 MW retracted (85 %) 24,85 MW deployed (99 %) 25,20 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 16 T
Mass : 799,8 T empty 815,8 T full
Range : 15,10 LY unladen 15,10 LY laden
Price : 138.942.944 CR Re-Buy: 6.947.147 CR @ 95% insurance


Cargo hatch is of course disabled. The 2 4B SCBs can be fired simultanously. When they are empty you can switch to the 6A SCB or the 2 3B SCBs.
The Pulse Lasers are surprisingly powerful, when fired simultanously and can be fired for quite a long time without draining the distributor.

If you prefer Burst or Beam Lasers on the Large Hardpoints, you have to downgrade the shield boosters.

 

[scorpyon]

Got to be the Vulcan. Mine cost me about 18mil to fit out. Great fun.

You need to play around with power and if your shields drop run. They take forever to rebuild.

I love riding around on Captain Spock's back shouting "I am firing torpedo!"
Hehehe!

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

 

[uncle bulgaria]

this, vulture is a beast, and rather cheap imao, even if i'm FAR from what's OP is able to afford (i curretly have around 15M)

Yup, my re-buy is considerably less than a million so losing it is no great loss. I'm looking to try an FdL at some point but I can't afford one yet, I have my Vulture and reasonable spec multi-role Asp but only about 20m in cash so I reckon I need another 20m plus selling my Vulture and Asp to get a decent spec FdL. No rush though, I've been having too much fun in the Vulture to trade hard (i've done a few rare runs in the Asp). I've got the Asp for odd-jobbing down in Imperial space as I need to rank up so I can get a Courier when it drops or a Clipper as my all rounder. I reckon once I've got the Clipper I'll do some trading in that to boost the coffers - will obviously depend on what 1.3 brings though as I may get distracted by something shiny!