Ships Purpose

[Gran Solo]

People keep saying it has less internals as the Type 6. Well, I wanted to make the best ship that could transport 75t of cargo, so I went to coriolis.io and fiddled around with all ships that could carry 75t of cargo without going over my cost limit (my design goal was keeping rebuy costs down). Comparing the keelback and the type 6, I put 5A shields into the type 6 but only 3A shields into the keelback, and the keelback ended with more shields. It was also slightly better shielded and a bit faster than the Cobra MkIV. So "less internals" is not strictly speaking correct. In that configuration, I was able to build a better ship with the keelback than I would have been able with the baseline type 6.

So I bought a keelback. And I like it so far.

 

[Kaybe]

I'm a touch hesitant to take out the Keelback right now because of the AI buffs from yesterday's patch. With a boost speed hovering around 320 m/s, I don't think it could outrun anything, unlike the T6. Once I can suck up enough to Felicity to get some good speed and agility buffing dirty drives, I'll take her out again.

 

[Farran]

People keep saying it has less internals as the Type 6. Well, I wanted to make the best ship that could transport 75t of cargo, so I went to coriolis.io and fiddled around with all ships that could carry 75t of cargo without going over my cost limit (my design goal was keeping rebuy costs down). Comparing the keelback and the type 6, I put 5A shields into the type 6 but only 3A shields into the keelback, and the keelback ended with more shields. It was also slightly better shielded and a bit faster than the Cobra MkIV. So "less internals" is not strictly speaking correct. In that configuration, I was able to build a better ship with the keelback than I would have been able with the baseline type 6.

So I bought a keelback. And I like it so far.

It really depends on what you are going for. The standard Type-6 has more compartments overall (7 to 6), and more of them are large (5 5 4 4 3 2 2 vs. 5 5 3 3 2 2). For an exploration build, for example, this means I can hold 80 tons of cargo in a Type-6 without refitting it between tasks (64 tons if I want an SRV), whereas the Keelback is cut down to 40 tons (32 tons if using an SRV). That is a build with a discovery and surface scanner, a fuel scoop, and a size 3 shield generator. The T6 is easier to evade interdictions with and has a bit of a better jump range (3-4 Ly, but that is not a big deal if you are not in a rush). Not sure many people do exploration with either of these ships, but that is the niche mine found.

Generally, if you want versatility in loadout, then number of compartments is more important than their size, and if you want unabated hauling capacity, bigger is better even if there are fewer. Strictly speaking, the Type-6 has more of both, but the hardiness of the Keelback can be a blessing that cannot be accounted for by compartment space. It also has a bigger power plant, which definitely adds to its shield capabilities. The T6 has to run (usually), the Keelback stands and fights.

I flew a Keelback a couple of times, and I was mostly disappointed not by the internals but by the speed and agility. I am curious how much the speed can be compensated by engineers. I also was a little bothered by the rotating engine thing, but that is an argument just about everybody makes and it is not that big of a deal to me.

 

[Kaybe]

So while my bigger ships are my main focus, the Keelback has become my pet project. I want her to become a monster when 2.2 launches. So far, I've upgraded her thrusters, and can now hit 380 m/s with a full combat loadout and reinforced armor. There is no price for peace of mind

 

[SushiCW]

Nice!

I've had the same thought recently. It's been clear for a while that my 2.2 "live in" ship will be a Keelback + Condor, so I finally bought one that I can start upgrading.

 

[Kaybe]

Yah, pretty much my thought too. One of my mains is a Federal Gunship. I did a whole lot of High and Haz RES bounty hunting with her.I look forward to fighters.

 

[terrycloth]

I had big hopes for the Keelback but like many others it seems, I was disappointed when the final specs came out and I test drove one in beta. I was hoping the vectored engines would give it some unique abilities for planets.

However, I think I found one use for it - as a mining equipment supply ship.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/keelback/...C0P42f.AwRj5ZQytI==.Aw18UA==?bn=Mining Supply

I like to do a little mining in my Python from time to time but it can be a hassle to re-fit my ship. I outfitted a Keelback to hold all of the mining equipment I need to convert my Python. I just park the Keelback at the nearest station to my mining location that has outfitting for swap gear. It only takes a few minutes.

I picked the Keelback because it was the cheapest ship that had two medium hardpoints for mining lasers and enough internal slots for my refinery and limpet controllers. I was also trying to keep the cost under 10mil (in Li Youg-Rui space). I was pleasantly surprised that it still had a decent jump range with all the gear. No shields but I rarely get interdicted when traveling without cargo or missions.

Oh my god that's awesome. I totally need to get one of those. I've been doing trade missions with all my mining equipment sitting around taking up space because it's such a pain to source it.