The Future of Exploration Ship Choices

Lodorenos

Lodorenos
Hello to all of you explorers and non explorers out there!

A long thread could be made about this simple question but I'd rather cut to the chase. In Elite: Dangerous, it can be safely said that there are three main ships that most will use for exploration ventures; the Hauler, the ASP Explorer, and for the rich there is the Anaconda with the largest jump range in the game. There are of course exceptions, such as R4nger0 and his Sidewinder and others in their own choice of ships (eg. Clipper for style, but that tiny fuel tank though) but that is beside the point.

Any exploration craft needs to have two main attributes, a large fuel tank and a great jump range.

As it stands, the gap of ships for exploration between the ASP and the Anaconda is quite large! I've looked on sites dedicated towards previous games in the series but nothing really stands out.

Has there been talk/rumors of intermediate exploration vessels in the 20-80M CR range (In between the ASP and the Anaconda)? Perhaps additionally even something beyond the Anaconda?

I love my ASP, but I sure would love to change ships every now and then.
 
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Jim Panse

Jim Panse
One quick & cheap answer... Lakon Type-6. Grab 5 to 7 mill bucks and you get a decent exploration ship with a litte more than 30 ly jumprange... + nice cockpitview
 
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mdlman

M
I was going to go exploring in my stripped down conda. 38ly range. I got 3 jumps in and went back for an asp.

Exploration is a lot of super cruise travel, a lot of turning, and the anaconda feels horrible to fly. I've been using one for trading for a while, which is bearable. Tolerating that feel for even my meager 1500ly planned trip was unthinkable.
 
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Hellhawk666

Hellhawk666
I'm currently flying an Asp for its FSD range, but my heart is always in my faithful Cobra the Mongoose (atm on blocks under a tarp at Founder's World).

Something between the Asp and Anaconda would be sweet. The Clipper handles like the Cobra's big brother in many ways and is a sweet ride, but she's just not that great as an explorer's ship. Darn it.
 

Surly_Badger

Surly_Badger
Jim Panse said:
One quick & cheap answer... Lakon Type-6. Grab 5 to 7 mill bucks and you get a decent exploration ship with a litte more than 30 ly jumprange... + nice cockpitview
Click to expand...

I agree. In terms of cost effectiveness, a Type-6 is probably the best explorer ship. It'd be hard to top it unless FD offers a ship that's cheaper and has better jump range and more space. I don't see that as likely to happen.

Looking for ships between an Asp and an Anaconda: no. And no hint of one appearing (though I had hopes for the imperial courier but apprently the "courier" in its name means it's for the pewpewpew)
 

Tryst

Tryst
I still want the tri-nacelle Liberator style Imperial Explorer brought back into the game. That WAS the original exploration ship from the original Elite games and had the longest range of all the ships.
 

Alvatore

Alvatore
What about a stripped-down Python with the largest FSD and fuel scoop available?

Tryst said:
I still want the tri-nacelle Liberator style Imperial Explorer brought back into the game. That WAS the original exploration ship from the original Elite games and had the longest range of all the ships.
Click to expand...
Maybe not a third ship that requires Imperial allegiance while the Feds only have one and the Alliance has zero, please?
 
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halo jones 101

halo jones 101
While I am rattling around exploring in a Hauler, which while lacking some range does make for interesting journeys I certainly would like something between my ropey old transit and an Asp.

Style wise something between a T9 and Vulture, and with the internal space for scanner surface scanner and fuel scoop.

;)
 

Poy

Poy
Tryst said:
I still want the tri-nacelle Liberator style Imperial Explorer brought back into the game. That WAS the original exploration ship from the original Elite games and had the longest range of all the ships.
Click to expand...

I really hope FD will give us ships that can't fit in the mailslot with retractable parts at the hit of a key.
 

Chris Rosenkreutz

Chris Rosenkreutz
What class friendship drive would it have? The furthest jump ranges are for the lightest ship with each class of hyperdrive. For A2,A3,A4,A5,A6 hyperdrives we have the hauler, adder, type 6, asp and anaconda. So such a ship would have to weigh about the same as an asp or conda with the same class frame-shift drive.

The asp is supposed to be the best explorer which is presumably why the FDL has only a class 4. Considering the FDL is the most expensive ship for its weight, it should have been your best bet.

It seems unlikely that the Corvette would be a lighter than the Anaconda and have a class 6. The Courier is unlikely to have a class 4 and be lighter than the T6 and be more expensive than the asp. Nor can I see it having a class 5 and be lighter than the asp. So probably not.
 

Kitfox

Kitfox
Would be neat if they brought back the Quest ships from First Encounters. Although without such a huge jump range and minus the silly wagging tail.
Make it an Alliance specific ship and maybe unlocked after selling a large quantity of exploration data in Alioth, as if you were working for the Turners.
 

reverendK

R
T6 can fit an A5 FSD and gets a very respectable jump range
adder can get a respectable range on it as well
and i did a LOT of exploring in the cobra. enough, infact, to buy an asp...
 

Lodorenos

Lodorenos
reverendK said:
T6 can fit an A5 FSD and gets a very respectable jump range
adder can get a respectable range on it as well
and i did a LOT of exploring in the cobra. enough, infact, to buy an asp...
Click to expand...

Yes, the Cobra is nice. I went from Sidewinder->Hauler->Cobra->Type 6->ASP but now I'm stuck until the Anaconda. That's the reason I posted this, it'd be nice if there was something in between the ASP and the Anaconda.
 
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