Ships Purpose

LARY STARKEEPER · Dec 16, 2015

Hi,

Anybody knows the Keelback purpose ?

I mean... take a Viper MKIV. Same jump range, better speed, better manoeuvrability, better shields, better everything... for just 16 tons less in cargo ?

And the Keelback is almost 10 times more expensive ?

Okay, we will be able to launch a "small ship" from a Keelback, but does it worth it ?

Ceekay · Dec 16, 2015

It's got Serenity engines so it doesn't need a purpose!

SeanG · Dec 16, 2015

I whole heartedly believe the Keelback was made because FD just wanted a medium sized fighter-deployable ship in the roster.

Zwajo · Dec 16, 2015

There are a lot of people who are questioning the purpose of any of the 1.5 ships. Stacked against their counterparts they don't fair well to being outright abysmal.

Ddraig · Dec 16, 2015

Nobody knows yet.
Initially everyone though it was going to be an smuggler vessel, but with its abysmal performance it just does not work at all.

Same as most of the 1.5 ships. It tells you something is not right when what you want the most of a patch is the upgrade to an old ship.

Well, I assume that these ships will be adjusted in time.

TheCyanDragon · Dec 17, 2015

It's got a definite 'cool factor'. The rotating engines sold me on it, and it's honestly not a bad ship. Yes, there are ships that do what it does better, but, they don't have rotating engines. And I have a feeling the eventual fighter bay upgrade will give it a much better punch once fully fleshed out.

Either way, I run mine right now as a 'resource raider', set up specifically for hitting up those points of interest on planets that contain goodies. It does very well at that, though I'm sure you could run any ship to do that just as well, it still has the 'cool factor' to it.

Ddraig · Dec 17, 2015

TheCyanDragon said:
It's got a definite 'cool factor'. The rotating engines sold me on it, and it's honestly not a bad ship. Yes, there are ships that do what it does better, but, they don't have rotating engines. And I have a feeling the eventual fighter bay upgrade will give it a much better punch once fully fleshed out.

Either way, I run mine right now as a 'resource raider', set up specifically for hitting up those points of interest on planets that contain goodies. It does very well at that, though I'm sure you could run any ship to do that just as well, it still has the 'cool factor' to it.

XD

This was like.
-Hi, I am looking for a ship, to carry things and have some chance to defend itself.
-THE KEELBACK!
-... well, yes, but I it will be able to do what I need?
-It has ROTATING ENGINES!!!
-Sure, looks neat... But, can it fire weapons and target enemies?
-I only know that its engines rotate!!!
-Sure, aaaand, how much cargo can it carry?
-The rotating engines system took most of the cargo space, but IT ROTATE ITS ENGINES!
-woah... ok... err, but...
-ROTATING ENGINES YOU

!!!
-... Rotating engines yaayy... *walks away slowly*

TheCyanDragon · Dec 18, 2015

Hey, you know, that's my sole reason for flying the damned thing.

In all honesty, I seriously think once the fighter bay upgrade comes out, it will become a much more effective ship. It's in a 'meh' spot right now, but then again, so's the Orca. Both are well-loved ships (if only by a couple of people) and they aren't really fully fleshed out just yet.

Sendraks · Dec 18, 2015

TheCyanDragon said:
It's got a definite 'cool factor'. The rotating engines sold me on it, and it's honestly not a bad ship. Yes, there are ships that do what it does better, but, they don't have rotating engines. And I have a feeling the eventual fighter bay upgrade will give it a much better punch once fully fleshed out.

Either way, I run mine right now as a 'resource raider', set up specifically for hitting up those points of interest on planets that contain goodies. It does very well at that, though I'm sure you could run any ship to do that just as well, it still has the 'cool factor' to it.

You're brazenly going and flying a ship that isn't "best in class" at an activity that doesn't yield the most credits per hour?!?!
What the hell are you doing? You're not supposed to play Elite Dangerous for fun!! Let alone enjoy a ship just because it looks cool!
What madness is this? Playing a game for "fun."

Starender · Dec 18, 2015

i just bought it and maxed it right away, for me this ship is an "armed explorer" in the purest term.
With average shield/firepower/agility, bad speed, good jump range/cargo, and it can carry a small fighter.
It's pretty awesome for such a small ship to be able to carry a small fighter and a SRV, with good jump range and some teeth.

I'm more than enough equiped and i still have 21 Ly jump range.

Ddraig · Dec 18, 2015

TheCyanDragon said:
Hey, you know, that's my sole reason for flying the damned thing.

In all honesty, I seriously think once the fighter bay upgrade comes out, it will become a much more effective ship. It's in a 'meh' spot right now, but then again, so's the Orca. Both are well-loved ships (if only by a couple of people) and they aren't really fully fleshed out just yet.

This is by no means me trying to be a ; but honestly it begs the question: What do you think that a couple fighters that die of 2 shots will do to defend that rotating engines ship?

And as general question, what will these small craft do or serve in any ship that can deploy them?

I am still a bit lost in that one... disregarding the fun of things. I mean for practical purposes.

Yokoshima · Dec 18, 2015

Sendraks said:
You're brazenly going and flying a ship that isn't "best in class" at an activity that doesn't yield the most credits per hour?!?!
What the hell are you doing? You're not supposed to play Elite Dangerous for fun!! Let alone enjoy a ship just because it looks cool!
What madness is this? Playing a game for "fun."

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Sendraks again."

TheCyanDragon · Dec 19, 2015

It's the same mentality I have towards my Diamondback Scout. I fly it for combat religiously, and if you're a decent pilot, you can almost 100% of the time not be shot. I have a feeling the small fighters will sit in a similar niche. Sure, under fire, they'll go down really fast, but the trick will be to not get shot.

Obviously the AI will more than likely be terrible at this, but when multi-crew hits, I have a feeling those fighters will be able to dish out a pretty decent amount of pain, especially for their size.

Undecided · Dec 20, 2015

Try comparing the Keelback to the Cobra mark IV. The are almost identical in speed, shields, armor and hardpoints and the same cargo capacity. And yet one costs 2 million more and requires a medium pad. Will that really worth a fighter bay? For all the talk of sidegrades there really isn't much difference between these two besides aforementioned cost. The Keelback has about 2 light years of jump range on the Cobra (by the way they have the same FSD) while the Cobra is a bit more maneuverable (also same thrusters).

And before anyone mention the fifth hardpoint on the Cobra, it's very hard to make use of it given the class-3 distributor.

Funny things is I still love the Keelback. Those thrusters look and sound beautiful!

[VR] optimal_909 · Dec 20, 2015

I left the bubble for a possibly quite long exploration trip in one, and so far I'm happy with my choice. Sure, the fuel tank could be larger, so could be the jump range (23.7 ly without weapons), but with A-rated power plant, thrusters (and whatnot) it runs very cool, steers decently and sounds great. It also feels quite sturdy. That and the good view from the cabin is all I need.

Oh, and it looks cool with its rotating engines.

Cdr Voorheez · Dec 20, 2015

ENGINES.
It's a lovely ship.
ENGINES.

Phantasma · Dec 20, 2015

I don't really like the concept of ships being deliberately sub-par until some gameplay mechanic might or might not save it in the unspecified future.

Look at the Orca and the constant reassurements that it will shine when those passenger missions are implemented.
Now we're on the brink of 2016 and still nothing on that front.

I say make ships interesting and useful for the state of the game they are released into, not for some nebulous future build.

Regardless, i'm feeling that a single fighter bay won't make much difference anyway unless the deployed ships will somehow more effective than the paper planes, the Condor and Imperial Fighter, are now.
Otherwise it would be a very expensive guided torpedo with hardpoints. And only one reload.

Psycho Romeo · Dec 20, 2015

Undecided said:
And before anyone mention the fifth hardpoint on the Cobra, it's very hard to make use of it given the class-3 distributor.

No it's not. Apply any kinetic of choice and the distributor handles it just fine. Three pulses work just fine with full pips in WEP. A small multi-cannon to complement two mediums handles fine on two pips.

Boff'in · Dec 21, 2015

I had a type 6.

And then I caught a keelback on my scanner and asked what was that.
Something felt familiar about that outline.

Thinking those rotating engines may be handy in planetary flight....like another ship with rotating engines.......
deploying a vehicle.....

http://a141.idata.over-blog.com/500x240/1/12/64/81/Nouveau-2/Dropship-aliens.jpg

I bought one.

with twin medium mining lasers, and a better class of drones and a heavier reactor i was hoping to get some mining done.
But I just haven't gotten that far.

But talking of ships that are awaiting their features to be activated.

I have a lot of love for my old adder, it was a delight to get away from the dreaded sidewinder and get some mining and hauling done......and one day, fly into atmospheres, as it was aerodynamic.......two more years to go??

Kaybe · Dec 22, 2015

I *want* to love the Keelback. It's so pretty.

But it can't use those weapons if it's maneuverability is close to that of the Type 6, while having even less speed and jump range to be able to run away from a fight if things turn sour. Maybe the fighter bays will add something valuable to it, but right now it's a gimped ship, and absolutely not worth the price.