Observation of Ship Choices for smuggling and long range transport

[vindicator jones]

Hey guys,

I have been doing a lot of pondering lately in regards to ship roles and gameplay, and I have always noticed there was a big hole when it comes to long range high capacity transport and smuggling missions that require a medium pad only ship.

Realistically your only choices are the ASP, Python or T7. But I have noticed quite often Long range transport missions of over 140 tons. That's great if you own a python, but then you have to put up with a rather slow top boost speed (for those times you need to run)

Sure you could bring a large pad ship, but then you run the risk of missing out on those lucrative missions that require medium pad only.

I understand that perhaps this could be considered a balancing issue, but I do think there is an opportunity here to have another ship type added to the game.

Basically it is a ship that has the cargo capacity and jump range of a python, but has a top speed comparable to an orca or imperial cutter. The compromise could be low armour and only 3-4 medium hardpoints. So basically you have a ship that was designed to be a medium pad sized blockade runner. with lower armour, shields and defensive fire.

This is just off the top of my head, and of course would need to be balanced, but thought it might be an interesting point of discussion.

Post your thoughts!

 

[Bomba Luigi]

I assume you mean the T6 and not the T7. Smuggling in a T7 sounds weird

And I'm not sure why no love for the Cobra Mk3, its really good for long range smuggling. Hasn't the best Cargo space but its enough to get some missions for some millions and it has a good jumprange and of course Speed. And speaking of Cobra, I also have done a bit longrange smuggling in the Mk4. It lacks the speed but it has a ton of cargo space and while speed is nice to have I find it in the End to not be all that necessary.

Same goes for landing on medium pad, theres more then enough missions to get for large landingpads on Stations and Planets - at least in my experience. But in the End my Favoirite longrange smuggling ship is the T6, not really because he is the best at it or anything like that, I just like the Ship and its the perfect job to do with it.

But I would take a ship like you suggest, more ships would be always welcome.

 

[Ashnak]

Should be possible - to someone who understands the numbers: what would be the outcome if you swapped the slots for thrusters and power distribution on a Python, i.e. increase thrusters to size 7 and decrease PD to size 6? That would give the same total engineering space, an increase in thrust and a limitation in combat worthiness.

But yes, I too am a fan of medium sized ships. Just a pity that neither Gutamaya nor Saud Kruger makes a medium sized ship .

 

[domaq]

But yes, I too am a fan of medium sized ships. Just a pity that neither Gutamaya nor Saud Kruger makes a medium sized ship .

IMO, the answer is here. I've always wanted a med pad Gutamaya ship. They're known for high speed, low armor so why not? Throw a bit of style in there and a ~20ly laden jump range and you're set. Empty, it could be a decent explorer as well if it's near the 30ly mark. Balance that with limited firepower and defense. Job done.

 

[avow555]

Just a lack of ships in game just now, we most certainly need more variety across all types.

Elite lore has many ship types and I hope they all become part of this incarnation.

 

[Weps]

How about we balance smuggling missions and the mission system instead? Having the option to do multiple trips in a small inconspicuous ship comes to mind first. With increased police presence after each delivery. And it still allows players to have the choice of doing it in a larger ship if they feel they can do it.

 

[777Driver]

Hey guys,

I have been doing a lot of pondering lately in regards to ship roles and gameplay, and I have always noticed there was a big hole when it comes to long range high capacity transport and smuggling missions that require a medium pad only ship.

Realistically your only choices are the ASP, Python or T7. But I have noticed quite often Long range transport missions of over 140 tons. That's great if you own a python, but then you have to put up with a rather slow top boost speed (for those times you need to run)

Sure you could bring a large pad ship, but then you run the risk of missing out on those lucrative missions that require medium pad only.

I understand that perhaps this could be considered a balancing issue, but I do think there is an opportunity here to have another ship type added to the game.

Basically it is a ship that has the cargo capacity and jump range of a python, but has a top speed comparable to an orca or imperial cutter. The compromise could be low armour and only 3-4 medium hardpoints. So basically you have a ship that was designed to be a medium pad sized blockade runner. with lower armour, shields and defensive fire.

This is just off the top of my head, and of course would need to be balanced, but thought it might be an interesting point of discussion.

Post your thoughts!

I still don't understand this obsession with medium pads, at least for horizons owners. 90% of my long range bulk hauling and smuggling is done in a T9/Anaconda & Cutter, the split is 80% surface ports 20% stations. The income and missions supply is excellent (at least at Elite trade rank)

Edit - Actually I do understand the obsession, the bulk of people think Robigo is the only smuggling port in the galaxy.

 

[ZenZak]

I like the idea.

 

[Mephane]

I am all for a medium pad sized fast ship of original Gutamaya design with fewer guns, shields and armour but more speed and jump range than a Python.

 

[Kazacy]

To the OP my two eurocents: maybe for FD would be easier to "tweak" the missions to reduce the max quantity of "merchandise"; in this way you can use an Asp or even a better a CobraMK3. No need to put a new ship in game, which in my opinion it's harder and most of the time useless anyway.

 

[Ashnak]

I still don't understand this obsession with medium pads, at least for horizons owners. 90% of my long range bulk hauling and smuggling is done in a T9/Anaconda & Cutter, the split is 80% surface ports 20% stations. The income and missions supply is excellent (at least at Elite trade rank)

Edit - Actually I do understand the obsession, the bulk of people think Robigo is the only smuggling port in the galaxy.

It's not about medium pads, it's about medium ships (for me). I want a decent explorer. The AspX has nice stats, but is a bit short on internals and has a cockpit like a combine harvester. The Python has a bridge I could live in, and is probably the ship I'll take out to the core on my first >10 k expedition (ok, I said that also about the Vulture and the AspX, too - I'll either have to leave now, or I'll change ships again...). But it lacks in jump range. Anything larger I don't have the money for (yet...), and from reports and outside observation flies like a wet sponge.

As for smuggling: I won't trade slaves. Other smuggling goods like landmines I'm still sceptical about.

A medium sized Saud Kruger with a green Synth or Onionhead paint job would be nice.

 

[Mechanist]

Last week I took my Cutter over to Fehu. Found only 2 available long range haul missions because of the landing pad restriction. I didn't bother to wait.
Anyway, it was a nice experience landing my "Moby " among all those Asps and Cobras.

I am all for a medium pad sized fast ship of original Gutamaya design with fewer guns, shields and armour but more speed and jump range than a Python.

^Yes! Bigger than a Courier, smaller than a Clipper (but with the same engine sound)

 

[N79]

quoting bruce lee films 'let me think.....dnt think....f e e l!!!! it is lie a finger pointing away to the moon....slap!!!!....dnt concentrate on the finger or u will........
like your ranks....good work bruvva....holla me Nickwi79 im a deadly almost elite pilot and also i roll with my allies and we r federation alligned..at o we operate on front lines near and in Opet and Concantae and Carpaka and akin systems and stations. pressing home the Federation impression.

 

[SCTrojanbulldog]

I still don't understand this obsession with medium pads, at least for horizons owners. 90% of my long range bulk hauling and smuggling is done in a T9/Anaconda & Cutter, the split is 80% surface ports 20% stations. The income and missions supply is excellent (at least at Elite trade rank)

Edit - Actually I do understand the obsession, the bulk of people think Robigo is the only smuggling port in the galaxy.

The Cutter has ruined all other ships for me. I don't pew pew binge and the cutter can deal with anything 1v1 and NPC wings.

Smuggling, mission running, trading.... Does it all

18 ly unladen 14 ly laden... 448t of cargo, 2.2k of shield, MGC armor, enough weaponry to make short work of an elite Conda.....

Ya, can go on and on.... Oh, 2 SRVs in the event I want to do stupid surface fun!!! One stop shopping in that rig.

Just short of $1B though...

 

[XYZ]

I still don't understand this obsession with medium pads, at least for horizons owners. 90% of my long range bulk hauling and smuggling is done in a T9/Anaconda & Cutter, the split is 80% surface ports 20% stations. The income and missions supply is excellent (at least at Elite trade rank)

Edit - Actually I do understand the obsession, the bulk of people think Robigo is the only smuggling port in the galaxy.

Hi could you please make some screenshots of that famous Maia missions coz i was in Maia both Onsydian and planet port and saw nothing like you said many time in your posts ... ? ... and yes i have elite trading and was reloging there...

 

[SCTrojanbulldog]

Hi could you please make some screenshots of that famous Maia missions coz i was in Maia both Onsydian and planet port and saw nothing like you said many time in your posts ... ? ... and yes i was reloging there...

I left Obsidian Orbital with ~ 20M worth of smuggling after the last CG. 4 drops; three surface and one station.

448t of cargo space in a Cutter.

 

[Ben Ryder]

This got me thinking. I really wish they had some stations with small pads only for local traffic, watch towers / traffic control and so on. It would be a nice touch. Really basic stuff, bulletin board, black market / local security office in some, refuel, repair and restock.

 

[777Driver]

Hi could you please make some screenshots of that famous Maia missions coz i was in Maia both Onsydian and planet port and saw nothing like you said many time in your posts ... ? ... and yes i have elite trading and was reloging there...

Hey XYZ, I've made screenshots in the past, as I have mentioned a few times previously, I have a feeling we share BB missions, every time I post a location it runs dry, others have reported similar findings. At the moment I'm doing runs from fringe systems, currently have a list of 28 systems that provide me with good Elite rank missions to surface ports, I'm not sharing locations anymore, still they are easy to find if you know where to look.. there are potentially a lot more out there.

Btw, I was just at Almagast a few hours ago, refueling a Cobra, I counted a total of 25 million credits worth of missions (Elite/Broker/Tycoon) all going to surface ports and large starports.