The Orca as a possible passenger ship

[Jumpin' Jack Flash]

Hi All

I'm seriously contemplating purchasing the Orca.
I'm about at the stage where I can afford one, plus the basic insurance, with some credits spare to buy some basic upgrades and an amount of cargo to start trading with.
I've read the 2nd from last? newsletter that hints that the Orca 'may' have some redeeming 'qualities', which I'm guessing means at last some passenger missions/pick ups, sometime in the near future.

One main question I would like to know is, what is the distance possible of the standard/stock frameshift drive supplied with the basic Orca at purchase?
Any other information about this particular ship as regards functions, 'must have' first upgrades etc. and particular traits/advice, positive or negative, would be most welcome.
.
Jack

 

[Don_Von_Hulio]

Its not a possibility, its a guarantee. The only reason it and the Dropship are ingame is because... i honestly dont know why, they decided to put them in but all they are right now is eye candy with no other purpose.

If they dont bring in the ability to have passengers, i suspect more than just a few people on the forum would flip their lid.

 

[Trip]

Its not a possibility, its a guarantee. The only reason it and the Dropship are ingame is because... i honestly dont know why, they decided to put them in but all they are right now is eye candy with no other purpose.

The dropship is eye candy? /Shudder

But am quite curious to see what FD's plans are for both ships though.

 

[Zanten]

I believe that, without cargo and with stock modules, the Orca has a maximum jump range of 6.91LY on a full tank of gas. 1.7 million for a B grade FSD will bump that up to 12.08, and five million credits or so for an A drive bumps it up to 14.79, again, all this without cargo. If you get an Orca, you should upgrade all the modules to D-grade, as they're substantially lighter than E-grade and will give you some more range, for example with an A grade drive and D grade components your range goes up to around 16 light years.

I eeally wouldn't recommend getting the Orca yet, though, not until its eventual purpose is implemented, or not unless you have another ship you mostly plan to use while keeping the Orca in the docking bay, because it isn't really good at any of the current jobs, near as I can tell. As a cargo ship you can only get a cargo capacity of about 172 (with a minimum-sized shield drive installed,) with a laden jump range, with an A drive, of 14.36 light years assuming D grade everything-else and no heavy weapons. (The same loadout on a Python, by comparison, gives you a cargo capacity of 284 with a laden jump range of 15.81.) It only has one large hardpoint and two mediums, meaning a Clipper is likely going to be a better combat vessel, (and vastly cheaper,) and the Python doubly so. As far as exploring, the Orca is larger in base mass by about 130 tons, and yet has a smaller fuel tank than the Python, likely meaning it has less total range and fuel efficiency for exploration. (I might be wrong on that last part, but makes sense. o.o )

 

[QuicksilverJPR]

Its not a possibility, its a guarantee. The only reason it and the Dropship are ingame is because... i honestly dont know why, they decided to put them in but all they are right now is eye candy with no other purpose.

If they dont bring in the ability to have passengers, i suspect more than just a few people on the forum would flip their lid.

The Imperial Clipper is also a good passenger vessel.

 

[Jumpin' Jack Flash]

Okay, thank you all for the reply's, . Well....that's given me some answers to think about. I had an inkling that the stock drive wouldn't give the ship a decent range, glad I asked.
Credits will stay in the bank for now, I shall keep an eye open to see what develops with the Orca though.
It will be interesting to see whether the addition of some type of cabin modules will have an impact on maximum range etc....or whether a 'new' mark of Orca will be created from the base model.

Thanks once again,
.
Jack