Sorry Delphis, I’m not trying to hijack your thread but I was going to post a thread with almost the exact same content so it’s probably better to just post it here instead, this thread isn’t too old either.
Let’s talk about the optional internal slots of the Beluga. I chose a medium ship to make a comparison to that has similar internal slots to better illustrate my point. Whether it will actually do that or just make some people think I’m comparing apples to oranges… well, I tried. Even if this makes no sense.
So, Again. This is a very simple and not terribly scientific comparison of one of the largest ships in the game to a mid-sized ship (a bit on the large size of mid-sized though). The Beluga vs the Python. I will not be comparing things like speed vs maneuverability between these 2 ships as that is moot to the point I’m trying to make. Please read this fully before commenting on some bad comparison choices, I point some out myself.
| Categories | Beluga | Python | Difference |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 209.1m x 131.6m x 38.6 | 87.8m x 58.1m x 18m | See next |
| Total Space (m^3) | 1 062 177.8 | 91 821.2 | 970 356.6 |
| Size 6 internals (optional) | 4 | 3 | 1 (Beluga) |
| Size 5 internals (optional) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Size 4 internals (optional) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Size 3 internals (optional) | 4 | 2 | 2 (Beluga) |
| Size 2 internals (optional) | 0 | 1 | 1 (Python) |
| Size 1 internals (optional) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Hull mass | 950T | 350T | 600T (Beluga) |
| Thrusters (Max size) | 7 | 6 | 1 size (Beluga) |
| Power Plant (Max size) | 6 | 7 | 1 size (Python) |
| FSD (Max size) | 7 | 5 | 2 sizes (Beluga) |
| Life Support (Max size) | 8 | 4 | 4 sizes (Beluga) |
| Power Distributor (Max size) | 6 | 7 | 1 size (Python) |
| Sensors (Max size) | 5 | 6 | 1 size (python) |
| Fuel Tank (stock) | 7 (128T) | 5 (32T) | 2 sizes - 96T (Beluga) |
Some notes:
The total space basically means the total volume to contain the ship inside of, not useable internal space (I don’t know where to find those numbers). With the massive wings and fins on the Beluga it is safe to assume those add a lot to the overall dimensions. With that said, the Beluga IS over double the length of the Python and the height of the Beluga isn’t too affected by the fins either making it close to double the height as well. This comparison is probably not very useful to be honest but I think it does help to demonstrate the sheer size of the Beluga. So, How does a ship this much larger have very similar optional internal slots to a ship much smaller?
Let’s take into account the core internals. Each size up is x2 larger than the size before it. Let’s take a look at the biggest difference in core module size for an example, the life support (for all those passengers I guess). The size 4 LS module (A rated) in the Python weighs 10T. The same grade of module in the Beluga weighs a massive 160T (10T x 2^4).
Now, when taking the above into account, does it make sense that the 2 ships have almost identical internals when one is MUCH larger? It is hard to say, honestly. Some internals on the Beluga are monstrous compared to the Python (Fuel tank, Life Support, FSD). The Python does have some core internals that are larger but not to the same degree. Personally, I think the Beluga could use a small enhancement. Something as simple as changing one of the size 3 optional slots into another size 6 (or 5?) would give the Beluga so much more versatility as a passenger ship. Right now the Beluga doesn’t really excel at any one role. It is meant to be a passenger ship but there are several other large ships (Cutter, Corvette, Anaconda) that can actually carry more passengers (if you fit the largest possible cabin into every optional internal that is big enough to house one) and medium size ships that can carry almost as many.
Something the Beluga does do better than most other big ships in the game is maneuverability. I own a Corvette and Anaconda, I do not own a Cutter yet. The Beluga definitely out maneuvers the Anaconda and I personally feel it beats the Corvette as well. While I can’t really comment on the Cutter since I have never piloted one, from various readings it seems that the Beluga would be the victor in this case as well. As for speed, The Beluga will outrun the Anaconda and Corvette in a straight line but not the Cutter (just used Coriolis for that one).
The Beluga does, by far, come in with the lowest price tag. Is this enough to set it apart from the rest of the big ships? Again, it’s hard to say. The Beluga looks awesome and with no military slots it can make the most of the internals it has. With the low price tag, maybe it just shouldn’t be better than the other big ship in some way. Maybe being okay, but not excellent, is just what you get for that price tag.
I made my Beluga into an explorer for DW2 and it did great in that role. It doesn’t get the same jump range as the Anaconda but it does do fairly well (engineered with a FSD booster I had around 51.5 ly range with a full tank). The fuel tank is the largest of any ship in the game, which counts for something. Overall I am happy with the Beluga the way it is but I feel it just needs some tweak to the optional internals given its size. I’m not taking about adding more slots, it has enough, and more would probably be OP, just change a size or two to better represent the size of the ship. I’m also not suggesting bigger slots, it’s supposed to be a passenger ship; keep the optional slots size 6 and under since that is the largest passenger cabin size makes sense. Thoughts? Am I completely out to lunch with this or is there some merit to it? Set me straight everyone.
As an edit to the above, which I wrote earlier before reading this thread, I completely understand that the Beluga is supposed to have those amenities on board for the passengers but what is the point of that right now? You can’t get up to go have a look at these things or interact with them in any way and they don’t contribute to passenger satisfaction. Why take away my useable space with casino’s and pools and restaurants when my needy passengers will still get upset if I don’t find them a ton of fruits and vegetables when they demand it?
