Newcomer / Intro Love my Viper... Multirole Cobra next?

[rockelino]

Hi,

I love bounty hunting and flying FAST in boost with my fully upgraded Viper. All my systems (thrusters, FSD, shields, etc.) are A-grade and my current assets are ~6 million CR (including my ship's value, of course). I wanted to also start exploration (I already bought the advanced discovery scanner, and have to choose between either a cargo compartment OR a detail surface scanner, because I won't give up my fuel scoop), and was thinking about replacing my Viper with a Cobra (if not now, then when I have a few million CR more). I looked at the virtual shipyard website and I kind'a like what the Cobra offers. I wanted to ask commanders who have experience with both the Viper and the Cobra - regarding the combat capabilities of the Cobra (and comparing it with the Viper). I know that the maximum unboosted speed is lower, and they have the same maneuverability. But what is different when fighting in a Cobra? Are the shields overall weaker (I know they're a different class, but the ship is larger/heaver - so maybe the Viper's A3 shields are better relatively?). At this point, due to limited CR, I'd like to either fly a Cobra or a Viper (can't afford both, because I want to fully upgrade the ship I'm flying).

What do you guys (and girls) think?

Thanks for the great work everyone, and always - CHECK SIX!

 

[the100thmonkey]

I understand that the Cobra has weaker shields and a tighter pitch rate to make up for its barn-door width.

Higher grade FSD and power plant (A4) along with the expansive hold (after, say, 8T in all practicality in the Viper).

I don't want to buy a Cobra, after all, I've been flying one for 20 years. I probably will, however, until the Fer-de-Lance comes out.

 

[adoredtv]

There's not that much difference between each regarding combat. To be frank though you could just keep the Viper for bounty hunting and I strongly suspect you'll make about the same money in RES or Assassination missions than you will make if you switch to a Cobra for trading only.

For me the reason most prefer the Viper is down to the superior Shields (they are a LOT better than the Cobras) and the lesser insurance cost. In PVE at least there is literally no reason whatsoever to choose a Cobra over a Viper unless you just prefer flying the Cobra. The Cobras advantages of higher boost speed and much better pitch are basically worthless against NPC ships which turn on a dime anyway. You're mostly just giving up on much better shields. I'd still choose the Cobra over the Viper anyday because the Vipers pitch rate is horrific and it's not enjoyable at all for me to fly simply because of that.

 

[rockelino]

There's not that much difference between each regarding combat. To be frank though you could just keep the Viper for bounty hunting and I strongly suspect you'll make about the same money in RES or Assassination missions than you will make if you switch to a Cobra for trading only.

For me the reason most prefer the Viper is down to the superior Shields (they are a LOT better than the Cobras) and the lesser insurance cost. In PVE at least there is literally no reason whatsoever to choose a Cobra over a Viper unless you just prefer flying the Cobra. The Cobras advantages of higher boost speed and much better pitch are basically worthless against NPC ships which turn on a dime anyway. You're mostly just giving up on much better shields. I'd still choose the Cobra over the Viper anyday because the Vipers pitch rate is horrific and it's not enjoyable at all for me to fly simply because of that.

Thanks for the input, but I mentioned I wanted to do exploring and combat in the Cobra, not trading, if that makes sense (I have a greater jump range and fuel carrying capability in the Cobra).

 

[adoredtv]

Well exploration is really bad for making money - it's easily the worst cr/hour in the game. Obviously if you want to do it then the Cobra is way better than the Viper due to the jump range - that's why I concentrated on the exploration part as nobody tries in it a Viper In this Case the Cobra is far superior. You can use both the Advanced Discovery Scanner and the Detailed Surface Scanner while still keeping the Fuel Scoop.

I started out exploring in a Cobra then I gave up after maybe 10 hours or so, and decided I'd just do it properly once I got my Asp sorted out. The thing about the Cobra is you can just go ahead and re-fit for anything you want. You can throw out your piracy gear, your bounty hunting gear and even your weapons+shield in order to fill up to a decent (52T Cargo) trader if you decide you really need to trade for money eventually.

A lot of people still prefer the Viper for pure combat however. It's really no loss though - just strip your Viper down first and you won't lose the 10% of the outfitting purchases - you'll only lose 10% of the stock ship's buy cost which is what, 10% of 130K? That's nothing. Sell your Vipers upgrades, sell the Viper then try out the Cobra. Even if you don't like the Cobra you can just do the same and you'll only lose out on about 35K in buy cost.

You don't really need to get attached to any of the lower cost ships as they don't cost much when you resell them. I've been flying around in a Cobra then switched to a Type-6 when I've found a good trading route or luxury run. I lost 35K selling the Cobra but made far more than that trading in the Type-6 within the first cargo run. When I got bored trading I just bought my Cobra again.

 

[Faded Glory]

Thanks for the input, but I mentioned I wanted to do exploring and combat in the Cobra, not trading, if that makes sense (I have a greater jump range and fuel carrying capability in the Cobra).

I have both, and for exploring, I suspect the Cobra will be better as it can have a longer jump range. For combat, the Viper's real advantage (and I'm not talking specifics, as some will depend on pilot skill) is that it is cheap as anything to replace. I think my pretty well specced Viper will cost me 81,000 credits to replace, the Cobra nearer 300,000. If you don't mind making lots of shorter jumps, then the Viper will be fine for exploring too, just fit a fuel scoop.

 

[clivewil]

loved my little Cobra <3 - very versatile and cheap to run, and scared of nothing. it's worth trying to see if it suits you; you can always buy another Viper if not.