Maxed out Cobra or Average Asp?

[elliesims]

Hi all,

Some thoughts from the forum would be appreciated. I have always liked being a bit of a jack-of-all trades rather than a dedicated trader or explorer. I had a bank balance for an A-rated Cobra (in all the areas that matter) or to trade up to a Asp and mainly afford D-modules with a couple of around FSD and Shields. I took the latter route but am now torn as to whether I should drop back to a Cobra. I am enjoying 6 hard points and can take down enemies fairly fast but it does feel quite sluggish and I never remember being hit quite so much in my Cobra. I never tried the Cobra with all A-Modules as once I had sufficient for an average Asp I traded up (maybe too early). Any views from people who have trod the same upgrade path. And where next if I keep going upwards? Or is a maxed out Asp probably the best all rounder.

Thanks

Ellie

 

[DefiledDragon]

Hi all,

Some thoughts from the forum would be appreciated. I have always liked being a bit of a jack-of-all trades rather than a dedicated trader or explorer. I had a bank balance for an A-rated Cobra (in all the areas that matter) or to trade up to a Asp and mainly afford D-modules with a couple of around FSD and Shields. I took the latter route but am now torn as to whether I should drop back to a Cobra. I am enjoying 6 hard points and can take down enemies fairly fast but it does feel quite sluggish and I never remember being hit quite so much in my Cobra. I never tried the Cobra with all A-Modules as once I had sufficient for an average Asp I traded up (maybe too early). Any views from people who have trod the same upgrade path. And where next if I keep going upwards? Or is a maxed out Asp probably the best all rounder.

Thanks

Ellie

I flew an A rated Cobra for a long time, then when I finally had the money, I bought an Asp and upgraded it a little. When the price was dropped on the Vulture, I decided I wanted one but I knew I would have to part with one of my ships to buy it. I've still got the Cobra

 

[Stormulus]

I would ultimately say it depends what you spend the most time doing. For myself I had a fully decked out A rated cobra for quite a while because I liked to do a lot of combat, and I had a type 6 for trading, with mainly just cargo and FSD upgraded. After the war in Lugh I had about 20 million leftover so I traded both in for an Asp and outfitted her for a mix of trade and combat, and I'm enjoying it a lot so far. I have 17 million currently just sitting around that I could use to finish A-rating the Asp or fit it out for exploration as I feel the call of the unknown growing stronger. If I had to guess I would say you traded in too early and should have saved up more credits, but that's nothing that cannot be fixed by doing more trading or combat in the Asp and upgrading as you go.

 

[The Weasel]

Hi - Current focus seems to be Vulture - I find it better than the ASP for combat - some say too powerful - does seem to shred hulls especially when power plant targeted once shields gone - it is a strange ship from styling - but 2x Size 3 gim pulses can take ships in 60s (and a lot faster if you know how) I like it a lot, but feel it does need a bit of a re-balance - less speed, more armour - drop to 2x Size 2 - or increase price a lot - 25-30Mil - but even then, once you have it - few ships can stand up to it - unless very good pilot in same ship or higher firepower.

So Vulture would be my suggestion - A power plant, C shields, Size 3 Gim pulse, Scoop A or B, FSD C or better - A, power distributor A. You may find price is better than ASP with the Vulture having good mods.

I expect Vulture to be adjusted pretty soon.

For fun regarding the original question Cobra Mk III everytime - A rated and needs to be played well - Gim outside, fixed (if you can play with these) inner hardpoints.

 

[Philip Foster]

Hi all,

Some thoughts from the forum would be appreciated. I have always liked being a bit of a jack-of-all trades rather than a dedicated trader or explorer. I had a bank balance for an A-rated Cobra (in all the areas that matter) or to trade up to a Asp and mainly afford D-modules with a couple of around FSD and Shields. I took the latter route but am now torn as to whether I should drop back to a Cobra. I am enjoying 6 hard points and can take down enemies fairly fast but it does feel quite sluggish and I never remember being hit quite so much in my Cobra. I never tried the Cobra with all A-Modules as once I had sufficient for an average Asp I traded up (maybe too early). Any views from people who have trod the same upgrade path. And where next if I keep going upwards? Or is a maxed out Asp probably the best all rounder.

Thanks

Ellie

I was in exactly the same position and I went for the Asp. I keep taking a sideways glance at the Cobra and I know I will have another one eventually but the Asp is just so damn useful. Yes it does feel a bit sluggish comapred to a Cobra but mine is pretty nicely upgraded at the moment, not all A grade I'll grant you but still a hot ship. I have a single 64t cargo rack and I am still fully combat cabable with internal spaces spare and I know that a 140LY rares trade run will take me about 10 jumps. I'd have to do it in eco routing in the Cobra and it'd be more like 30 which gets tedious. What do I miss about the Cobra? Speed and agility but the Asp is still fast and it is still agile.

 

[Razorwire]

Get some decent thrusters on the asp and it's a different animal. I'd try that out before you go back to the cobra.

 

[elliesims]

Thanks - that is really helpful though I am still a bit torn. If there is another large payday I might buy a Cobra again with A-rated gear to just see what it would have been like. I'll keep upgrading the Asp meanwhile. I hadn't given the Vulture much thought but would appreciate any other views on the next upgrade path if I move on from the Asp.

 

[S~P]

Thanks - that is really helpful though I am still a bit torn. If there is another large payday I might buy a Cobra again with A-rated gear to just see what it would have been like. I'll keep upgrading the Asp meanwhile. I hadn't given the Vulture much thought but would appreciate any other views on the next upgrade path if I move on from the Asp.

You can't have full A grade modules on Cobra without making some sacrifices, power plant can't handle it. Best stick with the Asp.

 

[Nereus]

Since you already got the Asp, I would stick with it.

Load it with cargo modules and try to get the best hyperdrive you can.

You can make pretty good money trading rares flying the Asp, won't be long until you upgrade it to your liking, and then you will be able to make pretty much everything on it.

You can have around 72t cargo space and still be very combat capable and still do some exploring without changing too much on it.

Just be sure to always have money for insurance and cargo.

I had an Asp for a long time, and it is truly a lovely ship.

Excellent view, amazing range, great weapon convergence, and those incredible sounds...

 

[Mohrgan]

I have an very nice Asp and can recommend it highly. If you were still in your Cobra I would say to have enough saved and invested in the Cobra to create a certain level of Asp, but since you already have the Asp keep it and save the 10% you'd loose. I am looking at the Fed Drop/Clipper as a potential replacement for the Asp in the future. It looks to me that is the next logical step for me.

 

[Philip Foster]

I have an very nice Asp and can recommend it highly. If you were still in your Cobra I would say to have enough saved and invested in the Cobra to create a certain level of Asp, but since you already have the Asp keep it and save the 10% you'd loose. I am looking at the Fed Drop/Clipper as a potential replacement for the Asp in the future. It looks to me that is the next logical step for me.

I agree. If you are anything like me, when you had the Cobra you loved it but you kept thinking about the Asp. Now you have the Asp you are missing the Cobra, like I do. My plan at the moment is to make enough to kit my Asp out for my great exploration expedition but also have another Cobra with all the whistles and bells. Plus be able to insure the most expensive ship several times over and have enough to do some rares trading when I need to build up capital quickly.

The Cobra will always be there.

 

[Space Dandy]

Hi all,

Some thoughts from the forum would be appreciated. I have always liked being a bit of a jack-of-all trades rather than a dedicated trader or explorer. I had a bank balance for an A-rated Cobra (in all the areas that matter) or to trade up to a Asp and mainly afford D-modules with a couple of around FSD and Shields. I took the latter route but am now torn as to whether I should drop back to a Cobra. I am enjoying 6 hard points and can take down enemies fairly fast but it does feel quite sluggish and I never remember being hit quite so much in my Cobra. I never tried the Cobra with all A-Modules as once I had sufficient for an average Asp I traded up (maybe too early). Any views from people who have trod the same upgrade path. And where next if I keep going upwards? Or is a maxed out Asp probably the best all rounder.

Thanks

Ellie

Why not have both? Is there some reason people can't buy a ship max it out then move on to the next ship they want and max that one out etc etc.

Then you can fly which ever one strikes your fancy that day.

 

[Marcns007]

I maxed each ship in the recent beta wings.
The Cobra A rated is a nice ship.
But with an Asp and Vuture I dont use the Cobra very much, so no point spending 1.5 million for each piece of A rated kit.
I actually recently A rated a Sidewinder as a shuttle and it is very good.
Every ship A rated reaches it full potential and are very nice compared to when the are stock.
Its a question of value for money and is a close call to A rate a Cobra or have a mediocre Asp.

 

[Blastbeats]

The question I would ask myself in this situation is, what do you want to use the ASP for?

The ASP is great for exploring, and in PVP it is fun to have 4 missiles flying up someone else's butt ( along with two Pules lasers). It also makes for a nice (yet more expensive) T6 replacement.

As far as overall PVE, the ASP doesn't do a whole lot more than what a Cobra can. What I mean by that, is that the ASP can kill ships slightly faster than a Cobra due to it's 6 Hardpoints, compared to the Cobra's 4, however you have a more expensive ship, with more expensive insurance, and it requires a lot more money to have a B or A fit. The Cobra is also faster than the ASP and handles a bit better (unless you like to drift in space, which the ASP does very well).

If you are going from the Cobra to the ASP strictly for combat, I will be honest and suggest getting the Vulture instead. Two Large hardpoints throw down like the hulk on steroids, plus it maneuvers ALMOST as well as an Eagle or Viper, with the mass of an ASP. The Vulture is a big game hunter, and it does it well. Plus, it will cost you less to have a fully fitted Vulture, then it would to outfit an ASP.

Exploration - Hauler to Cobra to ASP.
Rare Trade - Hauler to Cobra to T6 to ASP.
Trade - Hauler to T6 to ASP.
PVE - Sidie to Eagle to Viper to Cobra to Vulture.
PVP - Sidie to Eagle to Viper to Cobra/ASP/Vulture (depends on whether you need speed, a tank, or missiles).

TLDR: The Vulture is sort of the mid-game "end game" ship, as far as combat goes. It is the mini-conda, in the sense that at 4.9m, you get a hell of a bang for your buck, and is a ship I honestly plan to use for a long time. I still have my Cobra docked, as it is still one of my favorite ships to fly.

 

[Space Dandy]

.......
Its a question of value for money and is a close call to A rate a Cobra or have a mediocre Asp.

What else is there to do other than pew pew pew, explore and or makes loads of cash in game so in that regard I feel someone should just do what strikes their fancy and whatnot.

 

[Keljian]

Keep the cobra for a while longer and do some rare trades, then jump to the next tier.

To fit an A grade cobra you need about 10m.
To fit a trader asp you need about 12m.
To fit a fighting vulture you need 22m.
To fit a fighting asp you need about 27m.

To fit a reasonable clipper, you need about 38-40m also

 

[RGS]

My fully A-rated Cobra's just over 7M Cr.

 

[Keljian]

My fully A-rated Cobra's just over 7M Cr.

Mine cost 10, maybe I am missing something?

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=602,7u57u54wt4wt01Q0mI,326Q6Q6Q5K4s4s6k,0720727RA03w12G2UI

9.7 mil..

 

[Ringelschwanz]

The better is the enemy of the good

The Cobra is nice, but an Asp is more versatile, in particular for trading and exploring. And I love the worn down cockpit of my Asp.

 

[Greeba]

I went out in a wing to a high-intensity combat zone on Friday in my 'combat Asp' and had a whale of a time. I was the whale (the Asp makes for a fat target compared to my more nimble wingmen in their Vultures and Vipers), but having 2x medium Beams to chew shields and 4x small Multicannons to inflict damage works a treat, and having 5A shields and military grade bulkheads means I will usually walk away from a fight.

Up until recently this wasn't viable due to the horrific costs involved; I came away with a cracked canopy and 25% hull at one point and that would have cost me 5 figures not long ago; but since they nerfed the repair costs it's now a decent option for a bigger, slower, more capacious Cobra that holds its own in a fight (I killed a few Elite NPCs the other night and racked up about 50 kills overall).

However:

a) This is with everything maxed out on the Asp, which costs about $31M
b) I want to give the Vulture a go at some point like some posters here, looks fun
c) My maxed out Cobra is always parked in my starting system in case I screw up entirely