Newcomer / Intro PvP - Diving into the deep end

[Nounverber]

Up until now I've been battling mostly NPCs, both for missions and just hunting of Wanted targets, and have reached the Combat rank of Competent. While I'm currently flying a modestly upgraded Asp, I have enough capital to fully upgrade anything cheaper.
I'd like to take the plunge and really jump into PvP, but the question is where I'd be better off starting:

• With a fully upgraded Sidey or Eagle, where I'll probably learn the most, the quickest, and die repeatedly (but cheaply)
• With a fully upgraded Viper or Cobra, which offers much greater survivability but is more expensive to lose
• By getting my butt out there in my Asp, since that's the ship I'm trying to make great anyway

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[MACMAN86]

I'd go with fully upgraded Eagle and only pick on others of similar cost. I dare say most players who are trading don't seek to fight and will not take kindly to a bit of PvP. However, after a player has what he wants and has insurance too then commence at will in Open.

 

[the100thmonkey]

Asp in PvP is a bad idea. The power plant is a well-known weak spot that makes it singularly unsuitable for PvP. You'll die. Quickly.

When you're talking about PvP, what do you mean? Who is your intended target? What do they fly?

 

[Nounverber]

Well, part of me wants to hunt down wanted CMDRs, part of me wants to jump into a conflict zone, but ultimately I just want to play more in Open and figure a trial by fire is the best way.

 

[Chrisfs]

always go with the cheaper ship. Easier to replace, from inevitable mistakes.

 

[Sammy5IsAlive]

How important is FPS in PvP gameplay? I don't play on a very powerful system and only get c.25 fps, how difficult will this make it for me?

 

[the100thmonkey]

How important is FPS in PvP gameplay? I don't play on a very powerful system and only get c.25 fps, how difficult will this make it for me?

While I don't think it's as big an issue as it is in first person shooters, FPS will make a difference, particularly if it's accompanied by stuttering and lag. Hit detection is client side, so if you lag out or drop frames and your opponent doesn't, you'll more than likely take hits and be unable to do anything about it.

 

[Nounverber]

always go with the cheaper ship. Easier to replace, from inevitable mistakes.

This was generally my thinking as well, but would a Sidey or Eagle give me a chance to actually take down another CMDR, or just learn how to file a lot of insurance claims? Or would I be better off flying a Viper or Cobra, in which I'll still die but at the same time have a fighting chance?