So at the moment I have an almost fully fitted Cobra (A-grade items in every slot) that I use for combat, light trading, and occasional exploration. The next ship up that seems to have the kind of general-purpose utility that I want is a Python, but I'd ideally like an intermediate ship between the Cobra and the Python - it'll be quite a long haul to muster up the money to buy one and reasonably outfit it. What ships would you recommend as an intermediary, that are also able to do the mix of all three things that a Cobra is? I'm thinking an Asp, but I'm not sure if it'll up my combat ability enough to be worth it...
Next ship up from a Cobra
- Thread starter eugval
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I have similar dilema [i didnt buy Asp yet as i dont like its general appearance and cocpit 
], i suspouse everyone will say Asp, but as for now i wait for 1.3 and check Imp Curier or the other one [forgot the name] and then will take a decision. I was hoped that Imp Curier will fill the gap but as per current info i dont think so
], i suspouse everyone will say Asp, but as for now i wait for 1.3 and check Imp Curier or the other one [forgot the name] and then will take a decision. I was hoped that Imp Curier will fill the gap but as per current info i dont think so 
I love the Cobra but I didn't like the ASP much (which I know is tantamount to blasphemy) so I came at it another way, but this won't work if you want to a be 'one ship' captain.
Get a type 6 and use an Eagle for combat. A spec'd (less than Cr1.5M) within its limits, the Eagle is superb and the T6 will keep the cash flowing. Quickest route to Python (IMO) is is via T6 then T7. I would also suggest then T9 as a 'decent' Python costs way more than the purchase price.
Upgrade the Eagle to a Vulture when you have the cash. Jump in the combat ship for a break from the trade grind.
Having said and done all that I've since learned to love the ASP. Stick multi-cannons or even better standard cannons on every hardpoint! Yeehah!
Get a type 6 and use an Eagle for combat. A spec'd (less than Cr1.5M) within its limits, the Eagle is superb and the T6 will keep the cash flowing. Quickest route to Python (IMO) is is via T6 then T7. I would also suggest then T9 as a 'decent' Python costs way more than the purchase price.
Upgrade the Eagle to a Vulture when you have the cash. Jump in the combat ship for a break from the trade grind.
Having said and done all that I've since learned to love the ASP. Stick multi-cannons or even better standard cannons on every hardpoint! Yeehah!
Look no further. The Asp is an excellent multipurpose ship. You can turn it into a very powerful combat ship and make good bucks at trading too. It also has a very good range. Great ship with a unique sound.
Asp is an awesome multi role ship with tons of character. Buy one, you won't regret it.
And if you got a permit to Alioth (alliance), you can buy the ASP at a 20% discount.
However, if you have the Founders World permit - you can buy it there at a 10% discount, plus everything else (modules, weapons) is also at a 10% discount.
Kitting out an ASP does cost a bit. Which you can check out here: http://www.edshipyard.com/
However, if you have the Founders World permit - you can buy it there at a 10% discount, plus everything else (modules, weapons) is also at a 10% discount.
Kitting out an ASP does cost a bit. Which you can check out here: http://www.edshipyard.com/
Right now it is the Asp hands down, in a few weeks it might be the Diamondhead but it is designated as a exploration fighter, which leads me to think that it won't be able to haul that much cargo. Next step would be a (mostly) D-speced Clipper. Then the Python, again D-speced to start with (of course always A-speced FSD).
After the Cobra, I couldn't get myself to like the Asp as much as an all rounder. Don't get me wrong, I love the ship, but more for exploration or trading. It was too sluggish in combat for me. Beautiful hardpoint placement, it just pitches too slow for my taste.
So after the Cobra I went to using multiple ships. I traded in my Asp until I could afford a Vulture for combat. Now I use my Asp for exploration and a t7 for trading. Last night I made enough money in the t7 to sell it and buy and outfit an Imperial Clipper. Woah. Trading is alot of fun once again.
And I still get out my Cobra often for missions or just general fooling around. For me, no ship is better suited as an all rounder. Maybe the Python is, but it'll take me a while before I can afford one.
So after the Cobra I went to using multiple ships. I traded in my Asp until I could afford a Vulture for combat. Now I use my Asp for exploration and a t7 for trading. Last night I made enough money in the t7 to sell it and buy and outfit an Imperial Clipper. Woah. Trading is alot of fun once again.
And I still get out my Cobra often for missions or just general fooling around. For me, no ship is better suited as an all rounder. Maybe the Python is, but it'll take me a while before I can afford one.
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Depending on your funds and money earning style, you may want to get a Type 6 first until you have a minimum of 12 million (or continue trading rare items in your Cobra). Then get the Asp. It's the best multi-role ship available in that price range.
Once you have earned another 12 million, you could get the Vulture if you want to do combat. Don't do combat in your Asp, this will set you back 40 million in total to get it fully kitted.
After that, you may want to go to the Python.
Once you have earned another 12 million, you could get the Vulture if you want to do combat. Don't do combat in your Asp, this will set you back 40 million in total to get it fully kitted.
After that, you may want to go to the Python.
That discount is not permanent, is it?
It should be permanent (20% off for Orca and Asp), as it is a permit bonus.
In respect to the current player base, there are note many Kickstarter Backers with Founders World permit from the start.
As the OP is looking for a Cobra upgrade, it is plausible, that he is far from being Elite, too.
To answer the OPs question:
If you want to go pure trading for a while, T6 is a nice upgrade to the Cobra. For pure combat, have a look at the vulture.
If you want multi-role, Asp is the current best choice, with the Diamondback a potential alternative (we might know tomorrow).
When I upgraded my ships, the game gave best Cr in trading. Hence I went Cobra->T6->Asp->T7->Python. With current returns for Bounty Hunting, sticking to the multirole ships is more viable: Cobra->Asp->Python.
Couple of days ago, I bought my Asp (and I DID NOT sell my bounty hunting kitted Cobra) and I am happy with my choice. Firstly, I put the 5A FSD in Asp and made it a nice cargo ship which is able to deliver 124 tons of cargo. After some time (trading is boring) I changed modules and voila I have a really nice exploration ship which is currently > 1000 Ly away from the inhabited worlds. When I will return from my exploration, maybe I will try to retrofit it to battle ship. Or retrofit it back to the trading ship (when I will sell those scanners, repair units and fuel scoop, I will have a decent amount of milions of credits for buying commodities). Or I will go for some BH in my Cobra and will put the Asp in hangar for some time.
Thanks for the replies guys, so what you're all basically saying is yes go for the Asp, but under no circumstances sell my Cobra for it. Seems fair enough. Time to grind some community goals and rake in the cash.
What weapons would you recommend on the Asp? For reference to my play style at the moment I run medium gimballed multi-cannons and small gimballed beams. Easily eats through anything short of a Conda in solo mode, which is where I spend most of my time (I keep meaning to play open but I end up getting blown apart by a Vulture within 5 minutes every time I try).
When will we know more about the Diamondback?
What weapons would you recommend on the Asp? For reference to my play style at the moment I run medium gimballed multi-cannons and small gimballed beams. Easily eats through anything short of a Conda in solo mode, which is where I spend most of my time (I keep meaning to play open but I end up getting blown apart by a Vulture within 5 minutes every time I try).
When will we know more about the Diamondback?
Cobra/Asp/Clipper/Python/Anaconda, these are the best ships of ED
the ASP lack speed, so if i were you i would wait till i have 30 million and directly go to the clipper
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tomorrow may 26 begins the 1.3 beta, we will know more about it, but from screenshot analysis we know that it is a small ship (20-60T) that have almost no cargo, with 2 medium 2 small and a good jump range
the ASP lack speed, so if i were you i would wait till i have 30 million and directly go to the clipper
- - - Updated - - -
tomorrow may 26 begins the 1.3 beta, we will know more about it, but from screenshot analysis we know that it is a small ship (20-60T) that have almost no cargo, with 2 medium 2 small and a good jump range
I am in a similar position but am going to take the intermediate step of getting a type 6 or 7 and do some trading to get to the 15 mil point before getting the Asp and by that time we will definitely know what the diamondback is like as that info should come out a couple of days after the beta goes live on Tuesday but that info may change slightly so you may wish to wait til June before deciding to get the Diamondback or Asp.
Get an Asp.