Ships Once you have a well outfitted Vulture and Asp Explorer, what more do the "big" ships provide?

[4Corvus]

Once you have a well outfitted Vulture and Asp Explorer, what more do the "big" ships provide?

For what ED has to offer, it seems that a well fitted Vulture for combat, and a well fitted Asp Explorer for everything else is all you really need in this game. Sure you can get something with bigger guns or a bigger cargo hold, but i bet a number cruncher could prove those things aren't really needed in the long run. Are the bigger ships really just status symbols, or do they provide a superior level of gameplay? If they do, how?

 

[Ceekay]

Asp
You'd probably need several Asps as one properly fitted for exploration won't be much good for anything else, so an Asp for cargo hauling an Asp for mining, I've used an Asp for mining and with the mining kit installed and drones loaded the ore capacity wasn't great so it's a decent but limited miner. It's range makes it useful for long range cargo missions but the capacity limits how many you can stack.

Vulture
Superb fighter and with 5A thrusters a joy to fly but the power issues and just two weapon hardpoints limit build options severely, the FAS although not as agile has fewer loadout limitations as does the FDL (not as easy to fly as a Vulture or FAS though).

 

[mistohise]

I loved my Asp, but for simple space trucking credit-earning potential, the bigger ships easily beat it. The bigger ships do tend to be more specialist, but, even then, if you want a multi-role, then there are a few of the large ships that can multi-role without any config changes needed. Also, some of the large-cargo missions from outposts are Python specific.

After switching from an "A" Asp to a mid-range Python, in ~ 1 week I've almost made enough credits to buy back the Asp if I wanted to.

So, you *could* do that in the Asp, but it'd take you longer.

 

[highpsiturbo]

They make the smaller ships feel like Ferrari's when you go back to them.
I haven't seen the point of the Asp apart from exploring since trying out the python- honestly I would prefer 1 python to having an asp and a vulture you can pew pew and also trade, mine or whatever. Just hold the trigger down for at least twice as long as you could in the vulture and you will get it. Had an Anaconda then cutter as well both a lot of fun you don't know how to dock until you have tried these out! Three trips in a Cutter and I am in top 15% for current CG. High cost/risk can get you freaking out and add extra thrill to the experience!

 

[5miley]

Asp
You'd probably need several Asps as one properly fitted for exploration won't be much good for anything else, so an Asp for cargo hauling an Asp for mining, I've used an Asp for mining and with the mining kit installed and drones loaded the ore capacity wasn't great so it's a decent but limited miner. It's range makes it useful for long range cargo missions but the capacity limits how many you can stack.

Vulture
Superb fighter and with 5A thrusters a joy to fly but the power issues and just two weapon hardpoints limit build options severely, the FAS although not as agile has fewer loadout limitations as does the FDL (not as easy to fly as a Vulture or FAS though).

^^^ This


Wise words

 

[Rubbernuke]

More capability and longevity.

A FAS is a scaled up Vulture, and can kill any ship from a Vulture down very easily. In PvE times, I can strip a Vultures shields in about 30 seconds of sustained fire, and take out its powerplant in about 10 seconds using four beam lasers.

Asp killing is even easier as its so big.

The only ship to rival an Asp in exploration is an Anaconda, that can top 40 Ly jump ranges when stripped to the max.

 

[Alex Brentnall]

Bigger ships become less manoeuvrable but more tanky with better damage output.
You can do everything in the game pretty successfully in a Cobra Mk III to be honest but there's nothing quite like flying an oil tanker for the first time... I mean an Anaconda...

Yes the Asp and Vulture will do everything you could want but for the interest of variety and fun you may wish to try a lot of other ships. I have most ships in game now even though I can do everything (and prefer to do things) in my clipper. I do enjoy getting into a DBS or whatever occasionally and tearing it up though

 

[avow555]

I would love to see more mid ranged ships ingame, nothing wrong with a bit more variety like the older games had.

 

[GilliganTX]

So you've piloted the intercept fighter, and the long range, multipurpose light freighter.

Captaining a frigate is a different experience entirely.



What I'm saying is, in my vulture, FDL, and Asp, I am a pilot. In an Anaconda, I feel like a captain. Different feel. Different tactics. Different game.

 

[Kaybe]

Nothing, and I mean nothing, really replaces the Asp for exploration and long range smuggling. Anaconda technically has a better jump range, but you have really have to compromise on it's internals to get it in those high ranges. Plus it turns really slow in supercruise where you'll be spending most of your time. Bang for the buck, the Asp is the single best explorer in the game right now. Plus it has an *amazing* cockpit view.

Vulture ... the Vulture is good value for the money, but there are far too many compromises. Only having two weapon mounts means you can't have the kind of optimized energy efficient setups you would on ships with lots of guns. So in terms of bounty hunting, which is what you would get a Vulture for, there are lots and lots of better options at higher price points. The Vulture has great shields and is very agile, but also takes a long time to kill ships. The only reason to keep the vulture is that you either can't afford better, or you want to keep insurance costs down.

 

[Kayin]

For Combat:
- Bigger ships provide faster / easier killing and more tankiness. Python and Anaconda for example can obliterate wings of large ships in less than a minute.
- The FdL deserves mentioning. It's a truly enjoyable ship to fight in. With the FDL you're going to get faster killing, more variety in combat capabilities as it has SEVERAL fits available to it, as well as much faster speed. The vulture is sort of a 1 trick pony. The FdL, when mastered is unstoppable and extremely fun.


For Trade:
- Bigger ships = Bigger Cargo hold = More money.
- Some missions are also exclusive to the Python. You have to run 150+ cargo to an outpost. A Python is the only ship that can do that at the moment.


For Exploration:
- The Asp is basically the pinnacle right now, I do suspect when Ship Launched Fighters + Multi Crew shows up that the Anaconda will be more appealing. The high jump range and ALL those internals will make the Anaconda great for group exploration, especially group planetary exploration.


For Mining: ( you didn't ask but I'll say it anyway )
- Mining efficiency is about maxing your cargo space against the internals needed for refinery, collectors, etc. The smaller ships just don't have large enough internals to handle a well oiled mining operation. An Asp mining build is *decent* but there's just nothing like a Python running 3 - 5 collectors mining multiple rocks at a time and still over 150T cargo space. That kind of setup makes mining fun and profitable.

 

[Ddraig]

More in big shoes.
Staying in the Vulture and the ASP is fine.

 

[android]

I've been playing around with builds centered around 'how many plasma accelerators fit on the front of this' and for the Vulture the answer is not nearly enough

 

[LegoRobot]

The Vulture and Asp seem to have been put in place as they are to provide a suitable end-game for players who can't afford to put a huge amount of time into the game. Larger ships are generally more effective at what they do that the smaller ones, but cost much, much more. If you have the time and credits to upgrade to a larger ship, you will definitely see the performance benefits in game.

For example, the Vulture can hold its own in a fight against pretty much anything; so if that is the largest ship you can afford, it is more than adequate. However, if you are willing to put in the time to grind out 70 million more credits, the Fer de Lance is the next logical step. In combat, it performs similarly to the Vulture, but ultimately is more effective.

The decision to make the mid tier ships like the Vulture and Asp sufficient for most of the gameplay in Elite was a wise balance choice on the part of FD, as it allows more casual players to to experience as much of the game as possible.

 

[Stargrease]

The Vulture and Asp seem to have been put in place as they are to provide a suitable end-game for players who can't afford to put a huge amount of time into the game. Larger ships are generally more effective at what they do that the smaller ones, but cost much, much more. If you have the time and credits to upgrade to a larger ship, you will definitely see the performance benefits in game.

For example, the Vulture can hold its own in a fight against pretty much anything; so if that is the largest ship you can afford, it is more than adequate. However, if you are willing to put in the time to grind out 70 million more credits, the Fer de Lance is the next logical step. In combat, it performs similarly to the Vulture, but ultimately is more effective.

The decision to make the mid tier ships like the Vulture and Asp sufficient for most of the gameplay in Elite was a wise balance choice on the part of FD, as it allows more casual players to to experience as much of the game as possible.

^ have some rep. i totally agree with this, as i have limited time to play. so in the stable i have a cobra mk III for smuggling, vulture for RES farming, and an asp explorer for mining/hauling. don't need much else.

 

[DreaderThanDred]

How much is needed to kit out an FDL? I have my beloved vibes mk 111 and about 27 mil at the moment , could trade in my a rated cobra but would rather not lol, I tend to smuggle , trade and do planetary attacks on skimmers with a bit of bounty hunting if it presents itself , any recommendations? Other ships are a possible ;-)

 

[puca]

How much is needed to kit out an FDL? I have my beloved vibes mk 111 and about 27 mil at the moment , could trade in my a rated cobra but would rather not lol, I tend to smuggle , trade and do planetary attacks on skimmers with a bit of bounty hunting if it presents itself , any recommendations? Other ships are a possible ;-)

Mine runs to 140 mil:

https://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_l...h0l0404040404B2325e0d66.Iw18aQ==.AwhMIyrZVI==

OP: FDL is a much better combat ship than Vulture, and can take on bigger prey. For trading the anaconda and the cutter (if you are an empire duke) will provide a lot more money than smaller ships. For exploration, the asp is very good.

 

[Starender]

The Assault ship is worth mentioning, it's one of the best heavy fighters (with the FdL), it's a wonder to fly, much more powerful in 1v1 situation, but lacking against multiple ships because of its weak shield, but the decent jump range and the great internals makes it a good multipurpose/fighter hybrid.

Ships we lack the most are alliance ships and dedicated pirate ships.

 

[sbdags]

Defo worth looking at an FAS and Python for better experiences of combat. That Python is an awesome multi-role ship. Just not good for exploring - for that just stick to the Asp.