Medium priced ships.

[Bazziegamer]

Why are there so few mid-priced ships (im talking 10-30 million)? There are some ships you need a naval rank for and the type 7 if im not mistaken. But the gap between lets say a Vulture and FDL is pretty big, and there are only a few ships in that gap.

 

[Hooplah]

That is because the combat progression is for many about the Viper, Vulture, FAS, Courier then the Fer de Lance with a lot of credits to outfit it. Work on being really great with fixed weapons. Then when you get to the FDL and it's additional hard points you will have a serious advantage in the combat game.

 

[Devari]

Why are there so few mid-priced ships (im talking 10-30 million)? There are some ships you need a naval rank for and the type 7 if im not mistaken. But the gap between lets say a Vulture and FDL is pretty big, and there are only a few ships in that gap.

There are quite a few ships between the Vulture and the FDL, the issue is that you're basically ignoring all of the mid-sized Federal and Imperial ships within that range. Using total prices for A-grade ship loadouts we've got the following ships between the Vulture and FDL:

Vulture 25 million
Asp Explorer 38 million
Type 7 Transporter 52 million
Federal Dropship 88 million
Federal Assault Ship 88 million
Imperial Clipper 104 million
Federal Gunship 136 million
Fer-de-Lance 137 million

Not to mention that you can always outfit a trading Python or Orca that falls within that range as well which adds even more options. There aren't many muti-role ships within that price range, only the Federal Dropship and Imperial Clipper really count as multi-role, but there are still several options to choose from.

 

[CMDR Harada]

Bigger/Better ships increase earning potential. You can earn a lot more doing the rares routes in an AspX then a Cobra/Hauler. So there is a bigger gap that balances against that earning potential. Look at the gap between the A-spec FDL and the A-spec Anaconda... hundreds of millions. I think F-Dev was trying for push people into trading and other professions in the mid range. My own path took me thru a bit of bounty hunting, rares trading, pure trading, and then pure combat. Even now, combat and BH'ing pay no-where near to trading or missions. Especially when you factor in time. I can run a passenger mission for 8-10 million in a half hour.. I can't make that even in my totally RNGineered, A-spec Corvette at a CZ, HazRES, or Comp Nav Beacon ( Anymore, I should add. Since they stopped allowing you to stack 20 massacre missions ). Trading supports my combat and exploring. My 200 million credit Python bought my 450 million Cutter, which bought my 700 million Corvette. But that's my philosophy and play style.

As mentioned, there are lots of good ships between the Vulture and FDL. Pure combat ships ? Mmmm, OK, not much there. But there are several that will do pretty darn good.

An AspX is an excellent rares trader or passenger ship and will get you millions if you have rep with local factions. I did a bit of bounty hunting in mine. Engineered it's a fairly tough little ship. One or two corrosive MCs, and a few lasers to strip shields, and it can hold it's own. Just as much damage potential as a Vulture.

Grind rank and get into the FDS/FAS/FGS and they will do the trick. And some trading as well. People swear by them in a HazRES. Very Tanky. And with G3+ DDs, it can actually handle well. More damage than a Vulture, more hull, and better shields.

A Python, at around 110 million, will get the job done until you can afford the FDL of your dreams or bigger. Engineered it approaches it pre-nerf potential.