Newcomer / Intro Ship progression for beginners: Analysis and Facts

[Rnin Quarksplitter]

Ship progression:
The controversy over which ships beginners should buy and in what order is famous. I stopped listening to opinions and started doing research into mathematical comparisons and rank ordering of capabilities. What I found is not always what others agree with or advise to others, but here are the facts (please counter or debate with calculated/verified table facts rather than your own opinion if possible)...and yes some experience between individuals are vastly different based on their individual skill level in combat and type of combat strategy (run silent, carry heat sinks, vs shield tanks w/shield boost, compared to weapon firepower with fast pitch rate/ FAO maneuverability run and gun). So my recommendations are for beginners (not experts) to try and decide for themselves how best to save and use their hard earned credits until you can buy anything you want and upgrade all components.

I rank ordered the ships with the greatest weapons/firepower capability (1-30) with Hauler at the bottom (1-1G) and Type-10 Defender (4-3G, 3-2G, 2-1G) at the top.
I rank ordered the ships with longest possible jump range and greatest cargo capacity (1-30) with Anaconda (41.43 LY) at the top and Federal Gunship (19.53 LY) at the bottom for range and Imperial Cutter (792 Ton, 8666555543) at the top for max cargo capacity and Sidewinder (12 Ton, 22111) at the bottom.
I rank ordered top speed with Cobra MKIII (464 m/s boost) at the top and Type-9 (231 m/s boost) at the bottom.
I rank ordered ships with fighters with Type-10 Defender (3 multi-crew) and Keelback at the bottom (2 multi-crew, 1 fighter).
I rank ordered ships with multi-crew weapons capability with Type-10 (3 multi-crew, 1 gunner, 2 fighters) and Cobra MKIII at the bottom (2 multi-crew, 1 gunner)
I rank ordered all 33 ship costs (including the 3 luxury liners) from Imperial Cutter ($208 Million credits) as the most expensive and least expensive Sidewinder (free), (not including Li Yong-Rui regions, [Diaguandri-Ray Gateway] discounts, or Federal Ships from Pikum. Or discounts from 109 Piscium, Lembava, or Lombardi systems.

I put all these factors into tables and plotted charts, then calculated some ratios of Tons/LY distance, and Tons/$ Cost.
The top Ton/LY distance for long distance hauling missions like community missions were:
1. Type-9 35.62 Tons/LY [788 tons, 22.12 LY]
2. Imperial Cutter 29.61 Tons/LY [792 tons, 26.74 LY]
3. Federal Corvette 28.62 Tons/LY [616 tons, 21.52 LY]
4. Type-10 Defender 20.62 Tons/LY [532 tons, 25.80 LY]
5. Anaconda 11.29 Tons/LY [468 tons, 41.43 LY]

This analysis allowed the same decision process to identify the best long-distance, progressive cost haulers for beginners as:
1. Cobra MKIV (789 K) 3.53 Tons/LY [88 ton, 24.91 LY]
2. Type-6 ($1.04 M) 5.82 Tons/LY [112 ton, 33 LY] Fast, outrun pirates.
3. Keelback ($3.1 M) 3.04 Tons/LY[88 ton, 28.95 LY] Fighter protection.
3. Asp Explorer ($6.6 M) 3.35 Tons/LY [128 ton, 38.19 LY] Fast, armed, and outruns most pirates
5. Alliance Chieftain ($19M) 3.47 Tons/LY [92 ton, 26.45LY] Can take on Python, FDS, Imperial Clipper, etc. protect cargo from pirates, outgunned by FGS, Imperial Cutter, Federal Corvette, Anaconda, and Type10 in that order.

If you have to haul cargo really long distances Anaconda (468 tons, 41.43 LY) cannot be beat in jump distance, next most jump capable is Asp Explorer (128 tons, 38.18 LY), Type-6 (112 tons, 33 LY), Python (292 tons, 30.57 LY) and Type-7 (308 tons, 29.75LY). Keelback (88 tons, 28.95 LY) and Cobra MKIII (60 tons, 28.6 LY) are almost identical.

From the above analysis, I fit the various ship capability to different missions:

Recommend the following ship progressions for beginners:

Hauler missions: Adder ($87K, 26 tons, 32.96LY)-> Type-6 ($1.04M, 112 tons, 33.0 LY), -> Asp Explorer ($6.6 M, 128 tons, 38.19 LY) -> Type-7 or Python ($17M, 308 tons, 29.75LY) or ($56M, 292 tons, 30.57LY), depending on hostiles
Type-9 ($76M, 788 tons, 22.12 LY)->Imperial Cutter ($208M, 792 tons, 26.74LY).

Bare minimum shields, non-hauling explorers, maximum distance:
Explorer missions: Hauler ($345K, 16 tons, 37.29 LY) I used this ship to accomplish my first 500LY Thargoid explorer missions. -> Asp Scout ($3.3M, 52 tons, 38.19 LY) I skipped over this to the next ship ->Asp Explorer ($6.6M, 128 tons, 38.19 LY) -> Anaconda ($146M, 468 tons, 41.43LY) To get this you must do $20M in Bounty Hunting (CobraMkIII), then take a Type-6/Asp Explorer to Sothis, Ceos systems to rack up reputations and better than average hauler mission payouts until you have $200M. Note: I personally went for the ASP Explorer, then FGS first to bounty hunt/combat zones w/fighters) before seeking the Anaconda.

Fighter Progressions (Bounty Hunting): Eagle MKII ($44K),-> CobraMkIII($344K), ->Imperial Courier ($2.54M, 50 tons, 33.68 LY), -> FAS/FDS ($14M-$19M), ->FGS ($35M) Note: I personally skipped the FAS/FDS to get the FGS (for High-intensity combat zones) ->Type-10 ($124M, Thargoid killer) -> Federal Corvette ($187M).

Strike/Multi-Role Missions: Sidewinder (Free) ->Cobra MKIV ($789K, 88tons, 24.91LY) -> Keelback ($3.1M, 88tons, 28.95LY, fighter bay)-> FDS ($14M, 164tons, 19.66LY) -> Alliance Chieftain ($19M, 92 tons, 26.45LY, greater jump/weapons than FDS) ->Type-10 Defender ($124M, 532tons, 25.8LY, Thargoid tank #1 weapons)->Federal Corvette ($187M, 616tons, 21.52 LY)

Most controversial:
Mining Missions: Adder ($87k, 26tons, 32.96LY)->Cobra MKIV ($789k, 88tons, 24.91LY)->Type-6 or Keelback ($1.04M, 112 tons, 33.0 LY) or ($3.1M, 88tons, 28.95LY, fighter bay)->Type-7 or Python ($17M, 308 tons, 29.75LY) or ($56M, 292 tons, 30.57LY), -> Type-10 Defender ($124M, 532tons, 25.8LY, Thargoid tank #1 weapons) or Type-9 ($76M, 788 tons, 22.12 LY)->Imperial Cutter ($208M, 792 tons, 26.74LY).

Fuel Rats: Cobra MKIV ($789k, 88tons, 24.91LY) minimum entry level. Note:I have configured a Hauler and an Adder with fuel limpets for practicing a fuel rescue but fuel tanks are limited and thus not effective)->Type-6 ($1.04M, 112 tons, 33.0 LY) -> Asp Explorer ($6.6 M, 128 tons, 38.19 LY) -> Type-7 ($17M, 308 tons, 29.75LY)-> Type-10 Defender ($124M, 532tons, 25.8LY)-> Anaconda ($146M, 468 tons, 41.43 LY)

So for pure money progression per capability and best path to cover all missions? (trade in as you go or keep your favorites...) grinding away at places like Sothis/Ceos and Quince, hopping around community missions and bounty hunting REZ zones...grind to $208M plus another $100M-150M or so for upgrading and insurance buybacks.

Sidewinder -> Eagle MkII (BH) -> Hauler (Exp) -> Adder (local tonnage) -> Cobra MkIII -> Cobra MkIV -> Type-6->
Asp Explorer ->Imperial Courier ->Type-7 ->Alliance Chieftain ->FGS -> Type-9 -> Type-10->Anaconda ->Federal Corvette->Imperial Cutter ($208M).

Hope this helped you like it helped me skip over ships and navigate the mission spectrum wasting the least money.

Cmdr Rnin o7

 

[the100thmonkey]

For BGS work:

Sidey > Adder > Cobra Mk. III > T6 > Python.

It stops at Python as you absolutely need to be able to land at medium pads.

 

[Hossi]

I put all these factors into tables and plotted charts, then calculated some ratios of Tons/LY distance, and Tons/$ Cost.
The top Ton/LY distance for long distance hauling missions like community missions were:
1. Type-9 35.62 Tons/LY [788 tons, 22.12 LY]
2. Imperial Cutter 29.61 Tons/LY [792 tons, 26.74 LY]
3. Federal Corvette 28.62 Tons/LY [616 tons, 21.52 LY]
4. Type-10 Defender 20.62 Tons/LY [532 tons, 25.80 LY]
5. Anaconda 11.29 Tons/LY [468 tons, 41.43 LY]

Okay, so it's monday morning and maybe I'm missing somthing super obvious...but why are you deviding the cargo by the range?
If you want to make a ranking for long distance hauling you'll need to multiply cargo with range. [t*Ly] and not [t/Ly].
Why would a T9 be better then a cutter if it got less cargo AND less range?

 

[aRJay]

A first skim of your efforts spotted the following issues.

First while the Cobra III is the fastest ship using Base Boost the 464 speed you quote is its Max Boost speed where it is eighth fastest.
Secondly as mentioned in one of the posts above your tons/ly metric is wrong, it also uses misleading data while the T9 can jump 22ly and carry 788 tonnes it can't do them at the same time, unengineered laden jump range is 12ly.
Thirdly the Cobra IV is a ship restricted to those who bought the game at a specific point in its history and is unavailable for the majority of players so probably shouldn't be in the mix.

 

[Nero Tacitus]

I'd also argue that the Conda and Cutter are both better Multi-purpose ships than the 'Vette. It has terrible jump range, slow speed and awkward internals for multipurposing. There's also no mention of the Python in this category, when it's arguably the best / second best multipurpose in the game, and a great stepping-stone ship to the Conda etc.

Omitting the Vulture and FDL from fighter progression? Sorry, couldn't disagree more with this suggestion.

 

[Para Handy]

I'm sorry but there is no way this OP is at all useful, it is full of errors, value judgements and misunderstandings and should be excised from the Newcomer's sub-forum before it harms any poor defenceless new commanders.

Move it to the ships sub-forum where it can continue to be ripped to shreds by people who know what they are writing about.

Self-appointed "experts".

 

[Dommarraa]

Yeah but no.
I would have let all the errors and bad judgement calls slide, but telling noobs to use Sothis makes it toilet paper.

 

[Maymo]

I was disappointed, you have to really go out of your way to suck all the fun out of a potentially interesting topic. There’s so much more to ships than these grey statistics.

A detailed review of 5 or 6 of the starter ships would be infinitely more pleasing to read and much more useful to a newcomer. Someone should write that post...

 

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

Thirdly the Cobra IV is a ship restricted to those who bought the game at a specific point in its history and is unavailable for the majority of players so probably shouldn't be in the mix.

Mk IV Cobra? So I can't get one of these anymore? A special one-off were they? That's a shame

 

[Jenner]

I'm sorry but there is no way this OP is at all useful, it is full of errors, value judgements and misunderstandings and should be excised from the Newcomer's sub-forum before it harms any poor defenceless new commanders.

Move it to the ships sub-forum where it can continue to be ripped to shreds by people who know what they are writing about.

Self-appointed "experts".

It is fine where it is now, but that doesn't mean that people can't comment and debate. The Newcomers forum isn't a sanctioned repository of unquestioned wisdom, but a venue for discussion like all other sub-forums.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

Ship progression ends at the Cobra mk3 / Viper Mk4 area. Anything after this is player choice in my view. As those two ships can do most things reasonably well.

 

[GrayBear]

New player here, when was the Cobra IV removed from the game? Could be why I can't find one.

 

[Hans v Martell]

It was not removed, but was only ever available as a special bonus for early supporters of the game

 

[Para Handy]

New player here, when was the Cobra IV removed from the game? Could be why I can't find one.

Cobra mkIV is limited availability, only those players who bought Horizons before a certain date (PC and Xbone) can purchase one. PS4 players never had it available for some reason.

I have 2 accounts that qualify and I use the MkIV for fun, nearby missions. Some people like it, others loath it, it is a sort of mini-Python in my view. I would be happy to see it available more generally, maybe with some restriction, like time played or something, however others say "It was exclusive so it must stay exclusive!" (Nuts to them. )

http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Cobra_MkIV

[hotas]

 

[d8veh]

That's a lot of very interesting statistics. There's lots to discuss there, but anybody that goes the combat route would be very surprised that you missed out the Viper and Vulture. Personally, I'd say that you can't have a bounty hunting list without showing the FDL at or near the top of the list.

For exploring, the DBX should be in the list somewhere. It's now my favourite explorer after many long travels in an Asp and Anaconda. It's just so nice to use and runs so cool when you're scooping. It's the perfect ship for "Road to Riches" planet scanning.

 

[aRJay]

Mk IV Cobra? So I can't get one of these anymore? A special one-off were they? That's a shame

Yes it was I believe only available for those who pre-purchased Horizons before it was released over 3 years ago now. That was before I joined and as I was on a Mac at the time couldn't run Horizons anyway.

 

[Paidtodrive]

Lies lies and damned statistics!

Different way of thinking about it, maybe, but not sure your analysis and conclusions withstand much scrutiny.

Easiest way I found early on to make creds was courier jobs for data etc. No need for a cargo hold or high speed just FSD range and that needn't be high as starter systems have quite close neighbours. So that really is sidey\freagle territory.

After that the galaxy and it's contents are your oyster so to speak. It's quite difficult to prescribe a certain way or route. Some will become adept at the arcane art of the ever changing trade routes. Others will thrill to the deadly bounty hunting game of death. Mining could (and looks like it may almost in Q4) become a game in it's own right. Exploring is a Zen pastime that quietly makes creds whilst you manage to stay alive.

For many of these varied activities different ships will suit different people and at different points in the game. My return for creds invested in an aspx for courier missions/salvage/lightweight cargo runs far outstripped my DBS stealth black market ship or my Vipers mk3 & mk4 for bounty hunting (though they did get me my 100k for "Blaster"). Actually whilst I can't back it up with figures as requested I think I made really good money from passenger runs in a dolphin(not VIPs! bulk business class only). It's just it was a bit dull.

I've just acquired a Python and of course will now instantly and easily become a billionaire. Not!

Ship and credit making activity is wholly dependent on playstyle and ability. Good luck with quantifying those subjective qualities. Fair play for all the effort though.

 

[aRJay]

Lies lies and damned statistics!

Different way of thinking about it, maybe, but not sure your analysis and conclusions withstand much scrutiny.

Easiest way I found early on to make creds was courier jobs for data etc. No need for a cargo hold or high speed just FSD range and that needn't be high as starter systems have quite close neighbours. So that really is sidey\freagle territory.

After that the galaxy and it's contents are your oyster so to speak. It's quite difficult to prescribe a certain way or route. Some will become adept at the arcane art of the ever changing trade routes. Others will thrill to the deadly bounty hunting game of death. Mining could (and looks like it may almost in Q4) become a game in it's own right. Exploring is a Zen pastime that quietly makes creds whilst you manage to stay alive.

For many of these varied activities different ships will suit different people and at different points in the game. My return for creds invested in an aspx for courier missions/salvage/lightweight cargo runs far outstripped my DBS stealth black market ship or my Vipers mk3 & mk4 for bounty hunting (though they did get me my 100k for "Blaster"). Actually whilst I can't back it up with figures as requested I think I made really good money from passenger runs in a dolphin(not VIPs! bulk business class only). It's just it was a bit dull.

I've just acquired a Python and of course will now instantly and easily become a billionaire. Not!

Ship and credit making activity is wholly dependent on playstyle and ability. Good luck with quantifying those subjective qualities. Fair play for all the effort though.

A first Python is all to often the fast track to a free Sidewinder rather then easy billions, without careful fitting out they can make a really good sitting duck.

 

[Gizoux]

While it's nice to lay out information to consider, in my experience if you're after combat:

Sidey (You start here)
Viper III (about 3MCr) or IV (7Mcr) depending on whether you use maneuverability as armor or... um... armor for armor when the shields go down.
Vulture (22MCr)
Chieftain (95MCr)
Corvette (if you gotta ask, you can't afford it)

If trade is your thing

Sidey (you start here)
Adder 1.8MCr - 22 units
Cobra MkIII 5.7 - 44 units
Type 6 4MCr - 104 units
Type 7 30MCr - 300 units
Type 9 125MCr - 750 units

Exploration
Sidey (you start here)
Hauler 3MCr
Diamondback Explorer 19MCr
Asp Explorer 56MCr
Anaconda 330MCr

It's important to note that this is not authoritative, and really, don't hesitate to try out a few vessels not on this list.

Okay, the corvette, about 700MCr when you gear it out.

 

[GrayBear]

Thanks for the information. Guess I will stop looking for the cobra mk IV. Would be nice to see it in the online store for purchase by those of us who did not even know the game existed at that time. Feel like I'm being penalized for coming to the game late.