Out of curiousty, does anyone stick with some of "lower level" ships?

[Ziljan]

Small ships are just fine for solo or PVE play, but for PVP you'll generally want to stay within at least 1 class size of the largest opponent. So med and large ships are almost a necessity if you're going to try to stand your ground against random sized CMDR ships.

If you're ok with fleeing all the time vs an FdL, Python, etc, then a Cobra will still be useful in Open.

 

[Reprobator]

Well untill now i've buy and equiped all falcon delacy ship, an eagle, two asp python, fdl and anaconda (battle stuffed)
sunday we were cruising around in our fdl in a res with a friend.. we invited a third man in the wing when suddenly the ia pop got poorer , only sidy eagle with wanted status... after trying to reinit multiple time the res... we decided to buy a rated eagle and we made some good kills and had fun.
Finally we decided to move into a high intensity cz with our eagles and we killed 'condas python etc... and it was FUN !
we had to cover each other , always stayed in tight formation, checking the radar every 6/7 seconds to ensure we don't move too far from the friendly contacts and get surronded by red contact, we survived and had fun! the eagle is awesome and i can't wait for the imperial eagle to be honest!

 

[despiser]

Indeed, many anaconda owners are piloting those small ships. You can do whatever you feel like without worrying about insurance

 

[CMDR Enceph Sagan]

I really, really, can't fly anything other then the eagle. I just can't man. I hop in my viper and its just, ugh, I feel like a fat kid in a swimming pool with those arm-floaters on. Also no ship looks half as cool as the eagle, not even close.

However it feels like to "progress" I need to set my precious eagle aside, otherwise I'll never be a real big boy in space. So I'm just wondering, are there any of you that feel the same way? I haven't tried the vulture and FDL again, do people find that those ships recreate the magic of the more nippy/small starter ships?

I'm with you on the Eagle love. I even just got a paint job for it so it's sticking with me. It's still only my second ship but I haven't had the heart to move on to something else.

I am contemplating a spate of exploration with a Diamondback but my Eagle is my baby!

 

[Mephane]

Small ships are just fine for solo or PVE play, but for PVP you'll generally want to stay within at least 1 class size of the largest opponent. So med and large ships are almost a necessity if you're going to try to stand your ground against random sized CMDR ships.

If you're ok with fleeing all the time vs an FdL, Python, etc, then a Cobra will still be useful in Open.

Except when the small ship is too slow to even do that. Sidewinder, Eagle, Adder - they are barly any faster than a Python. A Vulture, Clipper, FDL, FAS, heck, even an Asp is faster and more powerful. And yes, what I am saying is that these ships - also the Hauler - should be faster in order to compensate their fragile shields, armour, and very limited weapons. I am thinking of Imperial Eagle and DBS speeds here.

Raw speed alone is the reason why the Viper is the point where ships start becoming more useful, and why the Cobra is still long-term viable (it may however become 100% obsolete if the Cobra MK IV turns out just as fast but more powerful... I hope not).

 

[HeavyGroovez]

I do, but I didn't always.

I've gradually come around to appreciating the smaller ships much more than the larger more expensive ships, there's only really one exception to this; Anaconda. I own one and use it for exploration, currently it's built around the idea of long range jumps and sits at 40.5-ish LY per jump, it can only do two maximum range jumps but for getting across those vast distances below the plane or outside it; nothing can beat it.

For everything else I use smaller ships and I think I can distill why into a few concise points and requirements, that make me enjoy a ship.

• Jumprange. Anything close to 15LY is a no go for me. This means no FdL, I absolutely loathe it.
• Canopy. If it looks pleasing and provides a good view, I'm in my environment.
• Agility. I can work with anything at or above 5, generally. Some of that is misleading, the Imperial Clipper's rating of 2 is a little undeserved; I will admit its lateral RCS thrusters leave a lot for me to yearn for.
• Utility. The Core Dynamics Vulture for example, leaves too much out in terms of utility. I get it, it's a combat ship, it's just a personal thing.

Right now, I'm using two of my favorites: The Cobra Mk.III and the Diamondback Scout.
Because I'm a terrible pilot I'm giving myself training in the Scout, trying to think of the shield as just a first buffer and not sweating it when it drops; mirrored hull armor works wonders. To further up the challenge and try to teach myself to keep my hands steady, they tend to shake a little and I have trouble controlling them on some days; I've picked up four Railguns. I have Lifesupport on low priority so it turns off when hardpoints are deployed; I find the silence soothing.

Of course, it also helps that the cockpit for the Diamondbacks look like something out of Mechwarrior 3.
http://i.imgur.com/5KiFHZL.png

What Resolution/Field of View is that DBS image taken at ?

 

[Harpeizanae]

What Resolution/Field of View is that DBS image taken at ?

FoV: 90 degrees vertical, so somewhere above 120 horizontal I think? But the XML uses vertical.
Resolution: 1920x810 which is a lower end 21:9 aspect ratio. Using driver settings to force scaling to comply with non-21:9 monitor.

 

[noldunar]

I fly small ships exclusively. I play in Open most of the time but I am not into PVP. I role-play as an independent starship captain for hire and do mostly missions. Therefore, my favorite ship is the Cobra MK III, my second favorite ship is the Viper. These are all-time classics for me and the only ships I have skins for. I have an A-rated Vulture parked away, an A-rated Courier parked away and I fly around in my trusty workhorse Cobra MK III.

If I sold all my ships (I got a few Cobras and Vipers parked away in different corners of the galaxy) I could probably afford something bigger but I don't want to, also for rp-reasons. I just don't imagine my one man lone wolf commander flying around in a big Python or Clipper, it doesn't fit the picture I have painted in my mind.

And I don't mind fleeing from PVPers that are just out for the kill. Quite the opposite: I play in Open because of the added risk and excitement and that's why I love my Cobra so much. Her speed gives me a sense of security. I boost 450 and can get away from anybody but I am still outfitted good enough for PVE missions. For me, denying a player killer his kill is a win, especially if I make some wise comments while seeing the range increase and get the "surge detected" info when they realize they can't get me and jump back into supercruise.

Got interdicted just yesterday without prior communication by a Python. When I am interdicted without previous comm contact I always assume the worst and submit, boost, boost, boost. Turns out the player was indeed just after a quick kill (I was clean, no cargo, not aligned to a power, the usual). He couldn't catch me and I just commented "nice try" as he charged his FSD to wake out. That's why I LOVE my Cobra

EDIT: Never one to pass up an opportunity to post a build, here is my mission running Cobra III. It does smuggling and hauling missions, low-caliber assassinations and of course pirate kill missions and RES hunting. It is a little flimsy for CZes, but that's what the Viper is for:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_...335692h55.Iw1-kA==.MwBhEYy6vSSA?bn=Fast Cobra

450 boost is achieved by traveling with the tank only half filled, once I reach my target area.

 

[Kopachris]

The most expensive ship I've owned was an Asp. I still preferred flying my Cobra. That said, I'd love to have a Clipper and maybe even an Anaconda someday for long-range exploration.

 

[K M Butler]

I've been flying for a year, never bothered to switch out my sidewinder. Maybe someday, not now, or maybe go find that eagle stashed somewhere or another.

 

[Philip Coutts]

The largest ship I have is a Clipper. I really enjoy flying the smaller ships, in particular the cramped feeling of the cockpit in the Eagle is excellent. At the moment I'm exploring in a Cobra and it's doing a fine job. There is a whole lot of fun to be had in the smaller ships and it doesn't break the bank when you smash into stuff by accident!

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I really, really, can't fly anything other then the eagle. I just can't man. I hop in my viper and its just, ugh, I feel like a fat kid in a swimming pool with those arm-floaters on. Also no ship looks half as cool as the eagle, not even close.

However it feels like to "progress" I need to set my precious eagle aside, otherwise I'll never be a real big boy in space. So I'm just wondering, are there any of you that feel the same way? I haven't tried the vulture and FDL again, do people find that those ships recreate the magic of the more nippy/small starter ships?

I mix and match depending on my mood.

for the most part i have now moved onto the larger vessels, but like my videogame collection, I never sell an old one, and keep them all for prosperity, so I often jump into my smaller ships for a change of pace.

you can make a lot of money smuggling in a sidewinder and dogfighting in an eagle is immense fun.

 

[streki]

I'm flying a Courier - its a great ship.

 

[M4rt1n]

I have a lot of ships, big and small, but my favourite to date is the Diamondback Scout.
I really enjoy taking it to RES sites, hunt Pirate Lord Anacondas, basically for every PvE action this ship is sufficient, and FUN. That is the main point for me: I enjoy flying it, and enjoy the challenge of having to actually AIM with my 4 fixed multicannons.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

Except when the small ship is too slow to even do that. Sidewinder, Eagle, Adder - they are barly any faster than a Python. A Vulture, Clipper, FDL, FAS, heck, even an Asp is faster and more powerful. And yes, what I am saying is that these ships - also the Hauler - should be faster in order to compensate their fragile shields, armour, and very limited weapons. I am thinking of Imperial Eagle and DBS speeds here.

Raw speed alone is the reason why the Viper is the point where ships start becoming more useful, and why the Cobra is still long-term viable (it may however become 100% obsolete if the Cobra MK IV turns out just as fast but more powerful... I hope not).

I know it is a long way off but i have a feeling when atmospheric flight comes in, the eagle will have found its niche. I do not see any other vehicle we have so far touching it...... ohh and CQC of course, the eagle is very relevant there.

 

[Agent2090]

I've never flown anything bigger than a Cobra until just yesterday when I bought myself an Asp for exploration, though I sold it almost immediately when I got to a station with an Diamondback Explorer because I love the look of it.

Biggest ship I'll probably ever have (when I can afford it) is probably a Clipper. That ship is so sexy. Though an Orca might be fun too.

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

Small ships are just fine for solo or PVE play, but for PVP you'll generally want to stay within at least 1 class size of the largest opponent. So med and large ships are almost a necessity if you're going to try to stand your ground against random sized CMDR ships.

If you're ok with fleeing all the time vs an FdL, Python, etc, then a Cobra will still be useful in Open.

There are more small ships out there in Open than I would have expected. Sure in a Cobra or DBS you will have to run from everything bigger, but at the same time there are enough similar sized ships flying around. Unless you are actively looking for PvP a big ship isn't needed and might even be the wrong choice.


Having to flee from a wing of 4 angry big ships can be a lot of fun, especially if the attacking CMDRs know how to use rails and fixed weapons. In my opinion more fun than endless SCB spam and jousting with gimbaled weapons. The next encounter could be an Eagle or an other Cobra.

 

[Richard Bentley]

I like a whole range of ships to fly, depending on how I feel!
The larger ships have their uses - I use a largely D-rated Clipper for collecting and transporting Powerplay materials and trading, and a Fer-De-Lance for heavier CZ action.

Having said that, I probably enjoy flying the smaller ships more.

My go-to ship for getting across space quickly is a fully A-spec Cobra (my Kickstarter original), and I have a soft-spot for the Type-6 which is my longer-range trader / explorer.

For "normal" close CZs my preferred ship is the Courier, with one Class 2 Beam (gimballed) and 2 Class 2 gimballed multicannons.
For RES sites I like something a bit more nimble and with good range so I tend to go for the Diamondback Scout out of choice. For the recent CG (100ly from my base) it was brilliant. 2 small beams and 2 medium multicannons (everything gimballed) worked a treat. Four trips out to the RES netted 2 million + in bounties, 1 million of which counted for the CG, (which gave a further payout of 7.5 million). Above all though it was FUN!

The new Imperial Eagle looks interesting as a small fast courier ship and with some real power available so it could take a Prismatic Shield Generator. The medium slot would allow for a Class 2 Railgun too....

As for the larger ships, the new incoming Imperial Cutter interests me but I fear it will be horrendously pricey to buy and equip - so I'll probably stick with what I currently use.

 

[znôrt]

I like that I can play in either, big or small, and have fun in either, just in very different ways.

i also keep all(*) my ships around: sidey, eagle, viper, cobra, vulture, fdl, dbs, python, and i switch between them as it suits me, quite often. granted, haven't flown the sidey for a while, but i guess i will.

eagle ftw! the best moment of the python so far is when you can jump back into the eagle and instantly get the real rush of flying again. this is true for all small ships (looking forward for the condor!) but the eagle is really special with the loud howling sound like you were sitting right on top of the engines, the spectacular canopy and the nimbleness. it's pure joy. i'd like to take one out exploring some day. just for fetish, i also keep around some eagles i used in tournaments, in their original outfits.

(*) almost: not counting the adder, t6 and asp i sold because i didn't like them enough. i do enjoy a rusty 'howler' for travelling from time to time though.

 

[Arubeto]

Unless you are actively looking for PvP a big ship isn't needed and might even be the wrong choice.

Exactly. It's the common mistake of people dismissing small ships as useless in "open" that they think "open" equals "pvp". For me, open just means more multiplayer, maybe RP, maybe co-op PvE, maybe PvP.