Ships Need recommendation, Mandalay or Cobra mk5?

Punchdrunk1973

P
Hello commanders,
I'm going to buy myself either a Mandalay or Cobra mk5 as an Xmas present 😄

I'm torn between which, looking for a recommendation.
For reference, my preferred roles are bounty hunting and mission running. Just back to the game after a long break, so might try out the new odyssey content too.

Firepower wise it looks like it's one medium slot between them. The cobra is faster which I like, and apparently more manoueverable which I really like. I'm an ok pilot but not managed to learn FAoff.

What are the cockpits like? I prefer centred, love.the aspX for example, dislike the FDL.

Thanks
 

AlSki

AlSki
I would ask what ships do you already like so people can match to your preferences.

For myself, I've been flying Imperial Couriers for years and making the most of the small hitbox and speed. I didn't like the Krait MkII as it was (comparitively slow), (the messy cabling made question if I had OCD :sneaky:) and lost shields too easily, the Phantom was better, as was the Python MkII but still nothing got close. I quite liked the Mamba, but in practice I could clear a CZ in the Courier without dropping shields and only 20% slower (the mamba took out ships faster, the courier got me into each battle faster). I haven't tried the Mandalay but I am loving the Cobra Mk V. The canopy is almost as good, looking right up does have a blocked view, but almost every other direction gives you a good view, including down (which the Courier's nose always blocks).

Anti-titan comparison
Yes it is 100m/s slower as an Anti-titan build, so I'm finding it harder to get through the caustic cloud, but it is way more nimble, doesn't overheat and gives me an extra Class2 for the Thermal Core. I've yet to try it in other roles, but it feels like the compromises for each role will be better than I'm currently making. Some trial EDSY builds make it feel like it will be power limited on some builds, and while it's going to be impossible to a decent 690m/s theoretical maximum build to actually be useful, builds around 600-650m/s will be really useful.

It's best feature for me, might be its Thruster control (which the Courier was always known for being poor at), but I am loving it.
 
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Punchdrunk1973

P
Thank you.
I love the courier too although it sounds like you're a better pilot than me. I've not taken it into a cz. My main issue with it is lack of firepower. I run 3 efficient PA on it which is great until the endless shield banks go off...

I bought the python mk2 recently and like it, but I miss the speed of the courier.

I have tried most other ships but enjoyed the courier the most. Was about to buy the Mandalay when I heard the rave reviews of the cobra5, leaning towards that now, but I know the mandalay has 1.more medium slot and.much more shield.
 

the100thmonkey

the100thmonkey
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Punchdrunk1973

P
@100thmonkey because then we're getting up to the price of a whole new game, which seems a lot just to get 2 ships a couple of months early...
 

Sheetrock

S
Really hard decision. For a variety of reasons, I felt that I needed to support FDev so bought both at early access (ARX) and the stellar versions.

The Mandalay excels at exploration - so my Krait Phantom and Diamondback Explorer are retired…I would recommend the Mandalay to explorer-type Commanders. As an extra bonus (unless it’s just a bug in my account), Mandalays are now accessible to me for game credits, at Star Ports, so I bought another one for game credits. I set that one up for transporting small amounts of high value cargo - it has enough manoeuvrability to avoid interdictions, enough boost speed to get away if interdicted, and enough firepower to fight if needed.

And I also bought a Cobra Mk V (Stellar) on early access - picked it up Saturday and I’m away for a week, so I’ve only begun to explore its possibilities. But, wow! I have it set up for dogfighting in CZs and Resource extraction zones. Again, I was able to pick up a second one for in game credits. It was $1M plus - can’t quite remember

I haven’t quite compared, but I think both the fully engineered Cobra 5 and the Mandalay have comparable top and boost speed. The Mandalay is very maneuverable, presumably the Cobra is better - hard choice.
 

Vedmo

Vedmo
Doctor Dread said:
Frankly, you'll need them both.
Maybe it would be wiser to buy Cobra now, you will have Mandalay for credits sooner than Cobra.
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I was contemplating which to suggest until seeing this post, which I think is the best advice. Both are great ships I’m sure you’ll enjoy, might as well get most out of your money time wise.
 

DjVortex

DjVortex
Mandalay: HUGE jump range, very maneuverable, good amount of optional module slots, extraordinary exploration ship but very capable multipurpose ship as well. If it says anything it has become the "meta" of the Fuel Rats.

Cobra Mk V: So incredibly maneuverable that it makes the Mandalay feel like a Type-9 in comparison (yes, it is that incredible), a very good amount of optional module slots for a small ship, very hardy. If it says anything, many AX commanders used it for titan bombing.

So... very hard choice indeed.

Personally I would go for the Mandalay, if nothing else because of the huge jump range, which is always nice.
 

Doctor Dread

Doctor Dread
Punchdrunk1973 said:
I picked up the Cobra V today.

Holy crap! it is absolutely awesome, not had much time to really fly, got the engineering done, went with an all frags build at first. Just unbelievably good.

Hands down my new favourite ship by far. I recommend this to everyone. https://s.orbis.zone/qIaY
Gonna try it with 3 PAs and a couple of LR rails next. :D
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I'm sorry I can give only one like to your post (y)

That's the reaction C Mk V deserves, exactly what I felt (and I'm 10 years into this thingy). A spectacular ship in literally every aspect. hmmm... one of my future ones will surely be named "Holly Crap" :D

Enjoy, mate!
 

Pan_O_War

Pan_O_War
For exploration I still like the Asp Explorer as it has the best cockpit view. I know the Mandalay and the Anaconda outperform it in all other catagories for exploration - but when I sat with it - cockpit view was my #1 priority. So I use the Mandalay as a fighter-bomber and for piracy (two dif builds). Cobra Mk5 - looks like to be an excellent light dogfighter, but you could use it for exploration too. People get obssess with jump range - and whilst important - isn't the only factor.
 

Doctor Dread

Doctor Dread
Pan_O_War said:
For exploration I still like the Asp Explorer as it has the best cockpit view. I know the Mandalay and the Anaconda outperform it in all other catagories for exploration - but when I sat with it - cockpit view was my #1 priority. So I use the Mandalay as a fighter-bomber and for piracy (two dif builds). Cobra Mk5 - looks like to be an excellent light dogfighter, but you could use it for exploration too. People get obssess with jump range - and whilst important - isn't the only factor.
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Mate, wait 'till you sit in Cobra Mk5. She has that magic Lakon view™

In the first 60 seconds outside, she sent my beloved AspX under the tarpaulin.
 

Sleepyman

Sleepyman
Pan_O_War said:
I have Cobra Mk5 - it is a good view. I just prefer the AspX view.
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The Asp X was my go to explorer for years. Just taken my Mandy out for her shake down run 4KLy out. Performs flawlessly in every aspect EXCEP the view. There is limited side views, you're blocked from seeing anything greater than 45deg of centre and the down wards view is poor. Still I think I'll stay with the Mandy as my go to explorer as she makes zipping over to that interesting planet 500,000Ls away simple. I've A Cobra MkV its better than the Mandy view wise but not up to the magnificence of the AspX view.
 

Starlanced

Starlanced
I like both, like everyone said the Cobra has a great view, those 2 dam humps on the Mandy drive me nuts, I mean why, why the hell would anyone build a ship like that.

The Mandy fly extremely well for a medium ship but the Cobra is a pilots ship though and though, easily one of my most favorite to fly ships now. It's about as good as it get for bio work and can still jump pretty damn well.
 
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