Ship progression task based "threads"

GraXXoR

GraXXoR
What are you proposed "ideal" progression paths for different careers in ED?

Here are the paths that I currently see as being viable:

Anyone else got a favourite progression path from beginner through game?

What do you guys think about PVP... Base Missions... Mining...?

Here are the actual ship threads I used during my gameplay over the last ten years (updated with modern ships).
  • Combat :
    • Sidewinder -> Viper -> Vulture -> FDL -> Corvette
  • Cargo :
    • Sidewinder -> Hauler -> Type 6 -> Type 8 -> Cutter
  • Explo :
    • Sidewinder -> DBX -> Mandalay
  • PAX :
    • Sidewinder -> Dolphin -> Orca -> Beluga
  • Rares / General Purpose:
    • Sidewinder -> Adder -> Cobra MK5 -> Python MK2
 

Bigmaec

Bigmaec
Combat :
Sidewinder -> Vulture -> FDL -> Corvette

earned enough for an AspX with this...

Explo / Exobiology:
-> AspX -> Anaconda -> Krait Phantom -> Mandalay

From this point in there wasn't really progression... I had enough money.

Cargo :
-> Anaconda (Operation Ida) / Type 9 / Cutter

PAX :
-> Anaconda / Python

PvP :
Dropship, 3 FdLs, PvP Corvette

Multipurpose, mats gathering :
Type 6 -> Orca

Mining :
Python -> Type 10 (junk) -> Corvette
 

Shurimal

Shurimal
GraXXoR said:
What are you proposed "ideal" progression paths for different careers in ED?
Click to expand...
Just fly what you like.

Also, the true "endgame" is going back into a Sidey/Cobra/Adder🙃

My own progress thus far is Sidey> Adder> Cobra> DBX> Chief> Phantom> Anaconda> Corvette> Phantom> Courier> Phantom> Orca> Chief> Cobra> Chief> PII> Manda... And my career is "do whatever I want, in a ship I find interesting at the moment". And yes, I did "organic" PvP in Orca, and didn't die🤪

I think the only "clearly the best choice for an activity" is Cutter for hauling, because it's fast and well-shielded. Everything else is debatable. Even Manda is debatable (Viper IV or Sidey for exobio).
 

aRJay

aRJay
My recommendation for anyone is do and fly what you enjoy/like and ignore advice to the contrary.

GraXXoR said:
What are you proposed "ideal" progression paths for different careers in ED?

Here are the paths that I currently see as being viable:

Anyone else got a favourite progression path from beginner through game?

What do you guys think about PVP... Base Missions... Mining...?
Click to expand...

See above.

GraXXoR said:
Here are the actual ship threads I used during my gameplay over the last ten years (updated with modern ships).
Click to expand...
Here are roughly what I used at the time up to the point where I had access to any available ship..
GraXXoR said:
  • Combat :
    • Sidewinder -> Viper -> Vulture -> FDL -> Corvette
Click to expand...
Sidewinder, Cobra III, AspX, FdL.
GraXXoR said:
  • Cargo :
    • Sidewinder -> Hauler -> Type 6 -> Type 8 -> Cutter
Click to expand...
Sidewinder, Cobra III, AspX, Python, Type 7, Type 9, Anaconda
GraXXoR said:
  • Explo :
    • Sidewinder -> DBX -> Mandalay
Click to expand...
AspX, Orca, DBX, Phantom.
GraXXoR said:
  • PAX :
    • Sidewinder -> Dolphin -> Orca -> Beluga
Click to expand...
Orca, Anaconda, T10, Corvette, Orca. I stopped doing passenger work almost immediately until station rescues came along.
GraXXoR said:
  • Rares / General Purpose:
    • Sidewinder -> Adder -> Cobra MK5 -> Python MK2
Click to expand...
AspX, Orca, Dolphin for rares.
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
GraXXoR said:
  • Combat :
  • Cargo :
  • Explo :
  • PAX :
  • Rares / General Purpose:
Click to expand...
Can't really vouch for the last ten years, and never really got into PvP (when I did, it was an iCourier, or a Krait Mk.II, but that was before the Python Mk.II), but after a recent CMDR reset, for all of the above:
Sidewinder -> Cobra Mk.V

Oh, and you're missing (IMO) in the above list:
  • Mining
Sidewinder -> Cobra Mk.V (-> Type-8)
 

Robert Maynard

Volunteer Moderator
Robert Maynard
As my preference is trade / pax with a side of exploration (but not in the more luxurious Saud Kruger class) my preferred route has previously been Sidewinder > Hauler > Type-6 > AspX > Python > Cutter. I haven't started a new altCMDR since the new ships of last year but it would probably now be Sidewinder > Hauler > Cobra MK V > Type-8 > Cutter. Still hoping for a large SCO-native ship in this years batch of four as that would, I expect, replace the Cutter for me.
 

Greasetrap42

Greasetrap42
This was my general progression

General Bubble Activities:
Sidewinder -> Type 6 (saved up big jump to T6) -> Python -> Anaconda

Exploration:
Sidewinder -> Aspx -> Orca -> Fleet Carrier -> Viper4 (short range from FC), DBX (long range from FC)

Exobiology:
-> AspX -> Fleet Carrier -> Viper4, Eagle (launched from FC)

Trade,Cargo
-> Type 6 -> Python -> Cutter

Combat
-> Python -> Corvette & Anaconda
 

BarFly

BarFly
Hello,

because my choice of playing Elite is running missions with 'High Threat Level', i prefered the Python and lately i share the time between the Python and the Cutter.
My path to the Cutter was:
Sidewinder - doing the first Missions
Adder - with that ship i made it almost to Elite in Exploring. And it was (much) harder then, to get the Elite rank.
AspX - i completed the Elite rank and started to run missions for the Elite rank in Trading.
Python - i completed the Elite rank in Trading & made some billions with trading, mining & exploring (up to Colonia and SAG A) and started to fight with the pirates who pulled me out of Supercruise.
Cutter - i made more billions.
Estimated playing time with each ship:
Adder ~ 5%
AspX ~ 5%
Python ~ 80%
Cutter ~ 5%
DBX ~ 3% mostly for grinding mats
Dolphin, FDL, Cobra MKIII, Krait Phantom- 2%
 

Helmut Grokenberger

Helmut Grokenberger
Let's see how much I remember. My progressions have only been linear up to a point.

For combat my main phases were
  • Sidewinder
  • Cobra III
  • Chieftain
  • Corvette
  • Krait II / Mamba / Vulture
  • now I am mostly fighting in a Mandalay, Krait II and sometimes Python II

For exploration and later exobiology, I went
  • AspX
  • Phantom
  • Anaconda
  • Dolphin and a Beluga, with the Dolphin being my main explorer for the longest time of all

As far as daily drivers/mission runners go, I went from
  • Sidewinder
  • Cobra III
  • had some time in a Phantom,
  • for the longest time a Viper IV was my daily driver
  • now it's either a Mandalay or Cobra V

For mining (predominantly core mining), I did
  • Cobra III
  • AspX
  • a short stint in a Cutter for laser mining
  • Python
  • back to an AspX
  • and now I core mine in a Mandalay

I never was a great hauler, but I did some
  • first in a Python
  • later oscillating between a Cutter (hate it), Anaconda (meh), and T-9
  • today I still have a Cutter and T-9, but do almost all my hauling in a T-8

Today I have only a few active ships
  • a Mandalay in a PP / armed mission runner outfit
  • a Cobra V in the same role
  • a Krait II again set up as heavy PP / mission runner - the majority of my gameplay these days is done in these first three ships
  • my trusty Viper IV as my small "daily driver", but it is being replaced by the Mandalay and V
  • my exploration Dolphin
  • the core mining Mandalay
  • my hauling T-8
  • and finally my AX Krait II

I pretty much don't fly large ships anymore. I own quite a few more ships, but most of them are in a defunct state.
 
Last edited:

Darrack

Darrack
GraXXoR said:
What are you proposed "ideal" progression paths for different careers in ED?

Here are the paths that I currently see as being viable:

Anyone else got a favourite progression path from beginner through game?

What do you guys think about PVP... Base Missions... Mining...?

Here are the actual ship threads I used during my gameplay over the last ten years (updated with modern ships).
  • Combat :
    • Sidewinder -> Viper -> Vulture -> FDL -> Corvette
  • Cargo :
    • Sidewinder -> Hauler -> Type 6 -> Type 8 -> Cutter
  • Explo :
    • Sidewinder -> DBX -> Mandalay
  • PAX :
    • Sidewinder -> Dolphin -> Orca -> Beluga
  • Rares / General Purpose:
    • Sidewinder -> Adder -> Cobra MK5 -> Python MK2
Click to expand...
There isnt really a set path or best ship its preference i think, so for me:

Combat: Sidey, Cobra Mk3, Python, Annie, Vette

Trading: AspEx, Type 7, Annie, Cutter

Exploration: Cobra 3, Asp Ex, Beluga, Annie, Python, Mandy, Cobra 4

Mining: Cobra 3, Asp Ex, T10

For general flying around: Cobra 3, Clipper, Krait Mk2, Mandy

O7
 

Cmdr Snuffler

Cmdr Snuffler
IMO this is the wrong mindset to have when playing ED.
You're implying that bigger, more expensive, ships are better than small ones. More often than not the smaller ships are best. Sure, the Mandalay can jump further than the DBX and the Corvette has more fire power and defences than a Vulture, but it doesn't mean they are better or one should only fly the large ship.
Two examples...

Trade: Depending on what trading or cargo hauling I'm doing, and where, I will use either the T-9 (Large...only large ship I fly), T-8 or Cobra Mk5. T-9 for large bulk in safe systems, T-8 for general day to day trading and CGs, and the Cmk5 when I need to punch through a wing of 3 Python Mk2 ganker murder boats.

Combat: The small Vulture is still my goto combat ship. One of my old PvP squad friends flew a Corvette and they were good at combat, yet I could still solo and clear a high CZ faster than they could as the Vulture gave me more time on target and was more of a scalpel when taking out power plants. The Python Mk2 is a beast. Agile. Fast, Huge fire power...but I still fly the Vulture...why? Because it gets the job done easily and puts a huge smile on my face.

Many other Cmdrs have said this, but I'm going to repeat it...ED has such a variety of ships and loadouts that the best ship to use for any given task is one that works for you and you enjoy flying. For me there is no progression, a ship is just another arrow in my quiver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom