[Q4] There will be a new exploration ship ?

[Stealthie]

Well, they're planning a livestream dedicated to new ships, which means they're going to talk about them for an hour. With the themes of the release it could be an explorer, a miner and undoubtedly another fighty ship. And the Panther Clipper, obvs. Fun times

I'm glad you said that.

I was sure I'd seen a reference to "new ships" somewhere, either in the schedule for beta-testing or in the list of features for 3.3 but, yeah.
I think it was in a list of the upcoming livestreams. [up]

 

[Vash627]

Why Imperial? We could have the Alliance Explorer, it would be overweight, ugly and have no rank requirements so you could all buy it tomorrow! It'd also look a bit like a camel, but you can't have it all ways.

I approve of the appreciation of Gutamaya elegance, so why not just the Gutamaya explorer so there is no Empire butt-kissing needed? (i wouldn't even suggest a Federal Explorer...)

My preference would be for a small/medium ship (for planetary landings) with plenty of thrust for fast planet skimming and high G landings, very good visibility, I don't see the need for SLF - but know others have the opposite requirement so maybe a small ship with enough slots for scanners, SRV, AFMU, reasonable size shields and a large Scoop and its medium sized sister with a slot for SLF, exploration Nirvana

I also liked the suggestion that scanners go on utility mounts, 2 scanners and 2 PD would be very nice (or whatever you prefer)

I think the push for the new Imperial ship mostly comes from a few points:

1. The Empire has 3 ranked locked ships to the Federation's 4.
2. The Empire has no medium ships and the Feds have 3 of them.

Those two points stand out pretty strongly in my opinion. So it comes as no surprise that some people are calling for a new medium Imperial ship. With the announcement of new ships coming in the update, I think some (myself included) can't help but hope just a little for that to come true.

edit: And it would be totally okay to place it very low on the rank list to unlock it. So low that anyone who'd already unlocked the current ships would already have access to it.

 

[Sylveria]

I think the push for the new Imperial ship mostly comes from a few points:

1. The Empire has 3 ranked locked ships to the Federation's 4.
2. The Empire has no medium ships and the Feds have 3 of them.

Those two points stand out pretty strongly in my opinion. So it comes as no surprise that some people are calling for a new medium Imperial ship. With the announcement of new ships coming in the update, I think some (myself included) can't help but hope just a little for that to come true.

edit: And it would be totally okay to place it very low on the rank list to unlock it. So low that anyone who'd already unlocked the current ships would already have access to it.

Being an Imperial ship fan, I concur with these points- but feel it must also be pointed out that the Alliance lacks in larger vessels, too. (just sayin)

As Frontier has recently been expanding the Alliance line, (seemingly to give credibility to it as a competing faction) it would make sense that we would not only eventually see a Medium sized Imperial vessel, but also a larger Alliance one, too. Feds are sitting in a rather good spot at present, in comparison to the others.

Of course, what I'd also really love to see is more independent ship manufacturers competing with the "faction lines" by releasing more variety in non-rank locked ships, given that "faction rank" really doesn't have much purpose in the game at present.

 

[Vash627]

Being an Imperial ship fan, I concur with these points- but feel it must also be pointed out that the Alliance lacks in larger vessels, too. (just sayin)

As Frontier has recently been expanding the Alliance line, (seemingly to give credibility to it as a competing faction) it would make sense that we would not only eventually see a Medium sized Imperial vessel, but also a larger Alliance one, too. Feds are sitting in a rather good spot at present, in comparison to the others.

Of course, what I'd also really love to see is more independent ship manufacturers competing with the "faction lines" by releasing more variety in non-rank locked ships, given that "faction rank" really doesn't have much purpose in the game at present.

When they announced new ships (plural) I'm crossing my fingers for Imperial medium and Alliance large, both are possible. It would bring all 3 factions more into balance with 4 ships total and each having one large at least. They'll never be completely even with exactly the same number of ships in the same class, but 4 minimum and at least one massive beast to pick from should work out.

 

[Stealthie]

....but feel it must also be pointed out that the Alliance lacks in larger vessels, too. (just sayin)

Is the T10 not big enough for you?

Both the fed's and the imp's really only have one proper large-pad ship (I know the Imp's have the Clipper too, but it's really just a medium-pad ship that doesn't fit on the correct pad) and, in the T10, the Alliance have the biggest ship currently in the game.

Can't recall, off the top of my head, whether any new rank-locked ships have been created.
Wonder if there's an obstacle with the rank system that'd prevent a player who's already maxed-out naval rank from gaining access to a new rank-locked ship?

 

[Sylveria]

Is the T10 not big enough for you?

Both the fed's and the imp's really only have one proper large-pad ship (I know the Imp's have the Clipper too, but it's really just a medium-pad ship that doesn't fit on the correct pad) and, in the T10, the Alliance have the biggest ship currently in the game.

Can't recall, off the top of my head, whether any new rank-locked ships have been created.
Wonder if there's an obstacle with the rank system that'd prevent a player who's already maxed-out naval rank from gaining access to a new rank-locked ship?

Ah yes, forgot about the lumbering beast. I stand corrected.

Technically the recent Alliance vessels are considered non-rank locked, as the Alliance doesn't have a "rank" system at present.

 

[Jaylem]

Is the T10 not big enough for you?

Both the fed's and the imp's really only have one proper large-pad ship (I know the Imp's have the Clipper too, but it's really just a medium-pad ship that doesn't fit on the correct pad) and, in the T10, the Alliance have the biggest ship currently in the game.

Can't recall, off the top of my head, whether any new rank-locked ships have been created.
Wonder if there's an obstacle with the rank system that'd prevent a player who's already maxed-out naval rank from gaining access to a new rank-locked ship?

The type-10 is a good ship, although it cannot do the thing it was designed to do (kill Thargoids) it can meet up in other roles! I don't believe it should be the backbone however of the alliance fleet. I wouldn't mind seeing something a bit more unique to the alliance (like a Large ship with a simular thrust system to the chieftain) if that were the case, the ship would already rival the Corvette for turning. I don't want to have the Corvette obsolete, just an adequate rival. (wouldn't mind seeing the new ship with a faster speed and turning circle, but less firepower or defence )

Type-10 is a favourite ship of mine in an odd way... I think the ship was a hilarious mistake for Thargoids (hence why I ONLY use it for killing scouts to stick the middle finger to LAKON) but does have some perks, like it's amazing armour, and DPS potential (actually has highest DPS of any ship in game!) it's distributor is a bit sad, and it's speed is hilariously slow. but it makes the ship feel massive when flying !!

 

[Vash627]

Ah yes, forgot about the lumbering beast. I stand corrected.

Technically the recent Alliance vessels are considered non-rank locked, as the Alliance doesn't have a "rank" system at present.

Eh, nah technically it's not an Alliance ship. It's not called the "Alliance Type-10" after all. The other 3 do have "Alliance" in their name, but that one was a joint project with The Alliance and Lakon that doesn't carry the Alliance name tag. Lakon may have been involved for the whole series, but one can't ignore that the Type-10 doesn't bear the Alliance name on it directly. The naming convention with them is "Alliance" and then a name starting with "C". So... "Alliance Crusher" "Alliance Champion" ? Type-10 fits into the same category as the Imperial Eagle, not quite part of the group.

 

[varonica]

I'm elite in exploration and have never flown either.

Same here, it seems people who focus on just a couple of ships for exploration are missing out on a lot of useful ships.

 

[Exeider]

We really need a dedicated exploration ship.

Both the Diamondbacks are combat/explorers so not pure explorer

And the Asp X is actually classed as a multirole ship now. So as it stands there are no exploration class ships in the game.

 

[M00ka]

We really need a dedicated exploration ship.

Both the Diamondbacks are combat/explorers so not pure explorer

And the Asp X is actually classed as a multirole ship now. So as it stands there are no exploration class ships in the game.

Unless this mythical perfect exploration ship comes fitted as standard with the exploration tools, it will be a multirole ship as others will find uses for it you can't image - the same as every other ship in the game. Since the exploration community can't even decide what being an explorer actually means: is it someone who travels, someone who seeks out pretties, someone who scans every body in a system, someone who just enjoys the solitude of space - how can a ship be designed to be called an unique exploration ship? Some here want a large ship to take every conceivable module, some want a small or medium ship to allow them to land anywhere. Some want maximum jump range, some just want to fit the biggest fuel scoop they can, and for some, the cockpit view is the most important aspect! Some here insist it must be capable of carrying an SLF, others couldn't care if they can't even carry a SRV.

So how the heck and FD come up with a 'dedicated exploration ship' that will satisfy even just the majority when the community itself can't decide what they really want!

 

[Kaltern]

Unless this mythical perfect exploration ship comes fitted as standard with the exploration tools, it will be a multirole ship as others will find uses for it you can't image - the same as every other ship in the game. Since the exploration community can't even decide what being an explorer actually means: is it someone who travels, someone who seeks out pretties, someone who scans every body in a system, someone who just enjoys the solitude of space - how can a ship be designed to be called an unique exploration ship? Some here want a large ship to take every conceivable module, some want a small or medium ship to allow them to land anywhere. Some want maximum jump range, some just want to fit the biggest fuel scoop they can, and for some, the cockpit view is the most important aspect! Some here insist it must be capable of carrying an SLF, others couldn't care if they can't even carry a SRV.

So how the heck and FD come up with a 'dedicated exploration ship' that will satisfy even just the majority when the community itself can't decide what they really want!

This is sad but true.

My idea of a 'proper' exploration ship is, quite frankly, the USS Enterprise NCC1701-D Galaxy class. However, such a ship cannot exist in the ED galaxy (apart from everyone hates everyone else) as it is quite simply too big. it DOES, however, have a lot of sciencey scanning stuff that defines it as an exploration type ship, one that can also defend itself very well when needed.

As Elite ships do not have dedicated science modules, apart from the scanners of course, I think the only way you can really 'solve' the exploration ship question is to create 3 new ships, small, med and large, with similar looks, traits and design, that would perhaps give more utility, power, speed and hull, and perhaps FSD range, at the cost of many hardpoints, shield strength and cargo space.

A bit like the Imperial range of ships, but different specs.

This way, they could be named appropriately, say 'Star Gazer', 'Star Roamer' and ' Star Destro..' no no.. I mean 'Star Finder' - terrible names, but you get the idea. (Perhaps they could be offshoots from the Moray Starboat ...)

3 ship sizes, similar design and function that could be used for other things, naturally, but 'marketed' at the frontier explorers for 'endurance, longevity and survival', without giving them the means to become killing machines.

That's my (rather late) take on it.

 

[M00ka]

This is sad but true.

My idea of a 'proper' exploration ship is, quite frankly, the USS Enterprise NCC1701-D Galaxy class. However, such a ship cannot exist in the ED galaxy (apart from everyone hates everyone else) as it is quite simply too big. it DOES, however, have a lot of sciencey scanning stuff that defines it as an exploration type ship, one that can also defend itself very well when needed.

As Elite ships do not have dedicated science modules, apart from the scanners of course, I think the only way you can really 'solve' the exploration ship question is to create 3 new ships, small, med and large, with similar looks, traits and design, that would perhaps give more utility, power, speed and hull, and perhaps FSD range, at the cost of many hardpoints, shield strength and cargo space.

A bit like the Imperial range of ships, but different specs.

This way, they could be named appropriately, say 'Star Gazer', 'Star Roamer' and ' Star Destro..' no no.. I mean 'Star Finder' - terrible names, but you get the idea. (Perhaps they could be offshoots from the Moray Starboat ...)

3 ship sizes, similar design and function that could be used for other things, naturally, but 'marketed' at the frontier explorers for 'endurance, longevity and survival', without giving them the means to become killing machines.

That's my (rather late) take on it.

Very well said and articulated. Although you and I have different ideas on the size as I have a fundamental problem with large ships being crewed by one person (my personal view and one day maybe worthy of a thread about it), I prefer the concept of a small/medium sized ship as the solo commander explorer. For me at least the DBX is the perfect size of the ship I want and yes I am prepared to forgo certain things like an AFMU/SLF but recognise that I am probably in the minority here.

I do like your concept of a range of ships, maybe even by a new manufacturer, two smallish medium and two large or even very large. Each size has two variants, one focused on jump range/fuel scoop, the other focused on more utilitarian roles that will allow good exploration combined with other activities (if you so wish to).

I think this concept is far better than trying to convince FD to make a single Exploration ship that will never been truly accepted in it's role since it will be a compromise of what different groups want.

Thanks Commander!

 

[Factabulous]

Yeah - didn't FD identify 14 types of explorer? So trying to find one 'explorer' ship is a waste of time. Especially since we seem to have a sizeable population in here who refuse to see that anyone could play differently from them

In some ways it would be nice if FD would share their explorer archetypes, but I expect any discussion would devolve into people shouting 'you are doing it wrong!' and would get nowhere

 

[Rat Catcher]

Very well said and articulated. Although you and I have different ideas on the size as I have a fundamental problem with large ships being crewed by one person (my personal view and one day maybe worthy of a thread about it), I prefer the concept of a small/medium sized ship as the solo commander explorer. For me at least the DBX is the perfect size of the ship I want and yes I am prepared to forgo certain things like an AFMU/SLF but recognise that I am probably in the minority here.

I do like your concept of a range of ships, maybe even by a new manufacturer, two smallish medium and two large or even very large. Each size has two variants, one focused on jump range/fuel scoop, the other focused on more utilitarian roles that will allow good exploration combined with other activities (if you so wish to).

I think this concept is far better than trying to convince FD to make a single Exploration ship that will never been truly accepted in it's role since it will be a compromise of what different groups want.

Thanks Commander!

Having followed the Exploration Livestream thread since its inception I agree with both CMDR's - Explorers are an odd bunch who would never accept a 'one size fits all' solution (absolutely no disrespect to anyone there, I spend most of my time 'in the black' having my take on 'fun') as each has their own interpretation on what an explorer is!

Fortunately the beta starts tomorrow so we all get a look at the new exploration mechanics, and next week's livestream should tell us all about these ships, so by the time we can get our paws on the new transporters we should already have been able to decide if we are all explorers after all - there being equally as much consternation over the scanner/probes mechanic as everything else so far revealed

I should have added to my post that the other elegant shipbuilder is of course Saud Kruger... (I'm one of those who also have an Explorca and grumble about dedicated slots, but only a little)

I also really like the DBX (even if it does look like a grasshopper) and wish it could fit a bigger scoop - but the DB ships DO run very cold in comparision to the others so 'fringe benefits' gained in scooping.

ETA: I've been playing around with an Imperial clipper as an exploration build, it has potential, once I've done the round of Engineers to lightweight everything it may even replace the Orca - no, it could sit alongside the Orca and DBX proudly.

 

[Rat Catcher]

Yeah - didn't FD identify 14 types of explorer? So trying to find one 'explorer' ship is a waste of time. Especially since we seem to have a sizeable population in here who refuse to see that anyone could play differently from them

In some ways it would be nice if FD would share their explorer archetypes, but I expect any discussion would devolve into people shouting 'you are doing it wrong!' and would get nowhere

+1 rep! You ninja'd me - but said it with far fewer words

 

[CMDR Pugwash]

Don't know if anyone has said this already but the main feature an Exploration ship should excel in is the cockpit view. Unhindered, dim red lighting and comfortable.

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

Awesome cockpit view, with room for survival gear, some lab equipment, advanced sensors/displays, some auto pilot function and a really good comms array (possibly as a deployable surface antenna to phone home or listern to the local noise.

 

[Stealthie]

Personally, I'd suggest the best way to create a specialised "exploration" ship would be to make it a medium-pad ship, give it a big FSD, mediocre thrusters and a piddling PP and PDist so it can't power a wide variety of modules.
I'd also give it only a couple of hardpoints and a couple of utility slots and I'd give it only 1 big internal slot (for a fuel scoop), 1 C4 slot (so you could fit a big SRV bay if you wanted to), maybe another C4 slot for an FS Booster, 1 slot of whatever size is suitable for a weedy shield (probably C3) and then give it a bunch of C1 and C2 slots.

That way, you end up with a ship that isn't terribly versatile due to the lack of power, slot-capacity and hardpoints but it would have good jump-range and adequate agility.

 

[Wyldwiisel]

More likely to be a new mining ship