[Q4] There will be a new exploration ship ?

Mengy

Mengy
M00ka said:
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?
Click to expand...

There can never be one “perfect” exploration ship just as there can’t be a single perfect combat ship. Individual preference prevents that. However, there can certainly be ships designed with specific roles in mind, and the game already has plenty of these in it. That does not mean the specialized ships can ONLY do that role, but they do excel at specific roles.

Take me for example. My “wish list” exploration ship is a medium sized Gutamaya, an Imperial Explorer. Basically an exploration Python that trades combat effectiveness and cargo potential for range. With these features:


  • Canopy cockpit with Asp X like view, but more B29 bomber looking.
  • Hull is a cross between the Courier and Clipper, but the wings sweep upward like the Imperial Explorer of past Elite games.
  • Jump range to match the Anaconda.
  • Core internals same size as Python, except with size 5 plant and distributor.
  • Hardpoints are at most 2M + 2S, Clipper like but far less than a Python or Krait.
  • (4) utilities.
  • (9) Optional Internals: 6,6,5,5,4,3,3,1,1. This gives it same cargo cap as Krait but one more internals. Also has two C1’s for the scanners and a fuel scoop one size larger than FSD.
  • Typical fast Imperial speed, but make it’s shields very weak compared to Python and Krait.


There we go, a medium sized Imperial Explorer which gives the Imperials a medium sized Python / Krait competitor while not completely outperforming either one completely. Hardly overpowered, very multirole capable, yet clearly designed with exploration in mind.

Now Make It So please! :D
 

Sylveria

Sylveria
I've simply given up on the "ideal" Exploration vessel simply because I believe Frontier in no way intends to validate anything outside of the "combat" protocol.

Instead, I'll settle for a multirole that fulfills the capabilities of those who wish for a decent cockpit view, the ability to equip all modules that are essential to an explorer, like scanners and heatsink launchers, perhaps and AFMU and shields, maybe even a modest cargo bay.

Is it "asking for too much"? Apparently... unless I'm willing to sell my soul to submit to interdiction for a bit of pew-pew pixel explosions... sure.
 

Shnyrik

Shnyrik
Factabulous said:
Yeah - didn't FD identify 14 types of explorer? So trying to find one 'explorer' ship is a waste of time
Click to expand...

Actually, no matter the style, there are important parameters for exploration ship: it is sometimes good for explorer to be able to perform long jumps, and it is always good to have many slots for all sorts of things, that may be needed out in the black, like scanners, AFMU, repair limpets, cargo, little buggies etc. etc. Plus maneuverability and good view from cockpit also matter.

We have DW2 statistics and it is relentless: people like long jump range and many slots.

And here comes the current ultimate explorer -- Anaconda :) It has the best jump range and more slots than all other ships. But it's cockpit is not ideal and it can barely turn. And the statistics say that 39% take condas to DW2.

Still some people think conda is too slow and hard to turn, but like to take a lot of stuff -- and here comes the second almost ultimate explorer -- Asp. It has long jump range (it is number 3 in the list of top-jumpers), many slots and good view. And 29% take it.

There still are some non-conformists, who don't want to take both conda and asp, but who like long jumps and are ready to reconcile with long scooping time. For those exists DBX. It is almost as good at jumping as conda, has good speed and maneuverability, and has one of the best cockpits. But despite all those advantages it has only six slots, which is not quite enough for everything -- and only 9% take it.
 

Mengy

Mengy
Yep, jump range is an important stat for most explorers. I know many people like to argue that it isn’t, but statistically over and over again it is proven that it is.

For example, the new Krait makes for a very capable exploration ship with plenty of internals and a great view out the front, but it’s jump range is 10lys behind the Asp X, thus it sits at 3.6% signed up on the DWE2. That puts it in fourth place on the roster so it’s high on the list, but it’s a VERY distant fourth behind the three best jumping ships in the game (Anaconda 39%, Asp X 30%, DBX 8%). If the DBX just had one more C1 internal then it would get used a LOT more.

What makes for a great exploration ship? Even though many forum posters like to say jump range doesn’t matter, statistically it very much does.
 

Ozmodion

Ozmodion
Love the idea of having loads of optional internal slots in a new ship, but wont that make the game too easy.....

IRL I used to be a tank commander in the British Army and tanks are built with 3 traits to choose from; Armour, Firepower and manoeuvrability. you cant have all 3 but can have 2 of them. British tanks have Armour (probably the best in the world) and firepower. Because they went for upgraded armour it became heavy and that affected speed. The American Tank has Firepower and speed. as they wanted to be faster then they had to make the thing lighter.

What im getting at is you need to apply that to our ships; Speed, jump range, view, armour, firepower etc. yes as this a game we could all be flying around in god ships with everything we want in them, but what would be the fun in that.

My bucket list is View, Jump range, speed. in that order and i think we already have that, anything else is a luxury.

So yes release another ship as it will give us all another option, but please dont make it a Lakon, im bored with their standard dash.
 

Rat Catcher

Rat Catcher
(Devil's Advocate/)

wouldn't it be nice if you could pack the FSD with loads of jumponium and be able to do just one 1000Ly jump out of the bubble (or back if the feeling takes you) thus avoiding the multiple jumps to get out...

(/Devil's Advocate)

I agree with long jump ranges solely because of the above jest, getting out of 'explored' space quickly is preferable for me, once out of the crowded bits then short jumping in the main allows one to 'catch' those systems hopped over by the big jumpers, so if we do have a new ship or more slanted toward explorers I do think jump range matters, if entirely for the wrong reason :)
 

Stealthie

Stealthie
Mengy said:
Yep, jump range is an important stat for most explorers. I know many people like to argue that it isn’t, but statistically over and over again it is proven that it is.
Click to expand...

Saying that an exploration ship doesn't need a good jump-range is like saying a combat ship doesn't need good weapons.

At the end of the day, the more jump-range you have, the more of the galaxy you can explore.
 

Jereaca

J
We will find out tomorrow and next week with the livestream.

My pipedream is 5 ships, med and large explorer and mining ships and for the 5th first guardian tech hybrid ship(multirole)

I am really hoping for something to challanged the Conda, less durable, fewer hardpoints. PP and PD smaller, FSD and fuel tank larger. Not sure on thrusters.

Optional slots. 8,6,6,5,5,4,4,3,3,1,1 or maybe make the 6s down to 5 too.

Front cockpit, good views, 4 or 6 utility slots, better SC maneuverability but more slugish in normal flight.
 

[VR] Mad Mike

[VR] Mad Mike
it does kind of make sense that IF ED is getting new ships (other than the confirmed krait phantom) one would be an explorer and one would be a mining ship.

i actually would be interested to see something totally out there on the mining front, possibly A symmetrical and with a larger vertical axis rather than horizontal
 

Julio Montega

Julio Montega
Mad Mike said:
it does kind of make sense that IF ED is getting new ships (other than the confirmed krait phantom) one would be an explorer and one would be a mining ship.

i actually would be interested to see something totally out there on the mining front, possibly A symmetrical and with a larger vertical axis rather than horizontal
Click to expand...

Type 8 - Mining Barge?
 

Mengy

Mengy
While I'd love to see either a Type 8 Miner or Explorer, we have a lot of Lakon ships already, and the T10 is arguably the best mining ship in the game.

Let's get a new Zorgon Peterson ship! All they have is the FDL, Adder, and Hauler. ZP needs some more practical ships. I'd love to see an oversized medium Hauler looking thing as a full on mining vessel.
 

[VR] Mad Mike

[VR] Mad Mike
Probably beyond the scope of this update but I would love wrecks of some older elite lore ships.

No worries if not flyable.and they could be messed up so no need to spend too long on models but original krait 1.0, adder 1.0, FDL 1.0, . Basically any ships which had a significant update for ED have wrecked versions of the older iconic designs
 

Julio Montega

Julio Montega
Mad Mike said:
Probably beyond the scope of this update but I would love wrecks of some older elite lore ships.

No worries if not flyable.and they could be messed up so no need to spend too long on models but original krait 1.0, adder 1.0, FDL 1.0, . Basically any ships which had a significant update for ED have wrecked versions of the older iconic designs
Click to expand...

Tionisla graveyard fantasies?
 

Besensec

Besensec
Mengy said:
  • Canopy cockpit with Asp X like view, but more B29 bomber looking.
Click to expand...
Had to google it, what can I say, I agree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmDGUzOoqqc

e9511f9199cd240cb5b29abddf2a6ef7.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom