I've been flying the Viper for a long time as bounty hunter/explorer. Great ship I think. But now it's time to upgrade to something bigger, and I'm thinking about the Vulture. So I wonder, how does the Vulture compare to the Viper as bounty hunter/explorer ship?
Viper or Vulture?
- Thread starter Zeromancer
- Start date
Huh ... don't hear that someone's using a viper for exploration too often. Interesting. The Vulture IMO is two tiers above the viper. I think the DB Scout is more of a natural progression with the added bonus of very solid jump range especially compared to the viper. The vulture is too good really, kinda boring but it's the go-to ship for RES farming and combat CGs.
If you're aiming to do some exploring, go for the Asp.
Frankly I was suprised. first time I bought it I pretty much only did hauling and exploration. Sold it to fund some other stuff, but I rebought it and just threw together a cheap fit-- and holy hell, it can take a lot of punishment. The armour is much better than I would expect. With FA off it's easy to get those pesky ships in front of your guns and blast them away. It's even got pretty good hardpoint placement.
I used 2 Fixed las, 2 gimballed las and some MCs. Plus it's got a huge amount of cargo space should you need it and a huge jump range.
Kinda expensive to fully outfit.
For pure combat though, the vulture really can't be beat by anything in the nearby pricerange-- and even the much more expensive vessels have to give it some due respect.
Anaconda? Clipper? Python? The vulture's two C3 hardpoints shreds everything. The shields are very strong-- the armour is fairly decent too. Canopy seems to break a little too often for my taste (although to be fair, it's much stronger than when it first rolled out-- lose shields and get hit by a C1 pulse laser or frag cannon and say hello to life support.)
What it does not have though, is speed. It's agile as hell, but don't expect to go over 350m/s boosting unless you can shell out the power for some A-rated thrusters.
Frankly I was suprised. first time I bought it I pretty much only did hauling and exploration. Sold it to fund some other stuff, but I rebought it and just threw together a cheap fit-- and holy hell, it can take a lot of punishment. The armour is much better than I would expect. With FA off it's easy to get those pesky ships in front of your guns and blast them away. It's even got pretty good hardpoint placement.
I used 2 Fixed las, 2 gimballed las and some MCs. Plus it's got a huge amount of cargo space should you need it and a huge jump range.
Kinda expensive to fully outfit.
For pure combat though, the vulture really can't be beat by anything in the nearby pricerange-- and even the much more expensive vessels have to give it some due respect.
Anaconda? Clipper? Python? The vulture's two C3 hardpoints shreds everything. The shields are very strong-- the armour is fairly decent too. Canopy seems to break a little too often for my taste (although to be fair, it's much stronger than when it first rolled out-- lose shields and get hit by a C1 pulse laser or frag cannon and say hello to life support.)
What it does not have though, is speed. It's agile as hell, but don't expect to go over 350m/s boosting unless you can shell out the power for some A-rated thrusters.
this is what i'm using for res farming http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70N,5TP5TP3we,316Q7_6Q5K7_6u5A,7Sk7go12G10i10i
this is what i use for bh http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70N,5TP5TP3we3h0,316Q7_6Q5K7_6u5A,7Sk9tu12G7c610i
this is what i use for bh http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70N,5TP5TP3we3h0,316Q7_6Q5K7_6u5A,7Sk9tu12G7c610i
The Vulture can probably classed as THE BH ship... Credit for credit nothing compares with it's pure firepower against NPCs, and to some extent CMDRs. Cheapish to buy and fully kit out (I.e. you can get a A rated Vulture for approx 26mil CRs) it is better than the Viper in most aspects except speed.
Thing is though, it is rather boring to fly... It is just too good at it's role so that even relatively inexperienced pilots can mop the floor in RESs and to a lesser extent CZs.
Saying that in PvP it's short comings are far more apparent...
Thing is though, it is rather boring to fly... It is just too good at it's role so that even relatively inexperienced pilots can mop the floor in RESs and to a lesser extent CZs.
Saying that in PvP it's short comings are far more apparent...
The Vulture is by far the best pure fighter ship. Packs a really big punch, has good shields, and its manouverability is only slightly surpassed by the Eagle. Its main drawback is its lack of top speed.
You will need a bunch of million credits to upgrade its power plant and distribution to be able to fire those big guns for long, though.
If you're looking for something less expensive, try the Imperial Courier.
You will need a bunch of million credits to upgrade its power plant and distribution to be able to fire those big guns for long, though.
If you're looking for something less expensive, try the Imperial Courier.
Don't get the Vulture for exploration. Just use it to BH in RES or make credits in combat zones.
Then buy yourself an Asp for exploration with the quick millions you will make after getting the Vulture.
My Asp with minimal shields gets 34Ly jump. I have come back from long journeys (between 10-20,000 Ly trips) and logged millions of Ls exploring systems and returned with 100% system integrity.
I am at a loss when I hear that people come back from exploration with 20-50% ship damage. The only thing I can figure is they fly with no shields.
I even have a repair bot that I have never used. If you want, you could buy the Asp first because it's a great all around ship. I'm not sure about the new Diamondbacks, haven't tried any yet.
Then buy yourself an Asp for exploration with the quick millions you will make after getting the Vulture.
My Asp with minimal shields gets 34Ly jump. I have come back from long journeys (between 10-20,000 Ly trips) and logged millions of Ls exploring systems and returned with 100% system integrity.
I am at a loss when I hear that people come back from exploration with 20-50% ship damage. The only thing I can figure is they fly with no shields.
I even have a repair bot that I have never used. If you want, you could buy the Asp first because it's a great all around ship. I'm not sure about the new Diamondbacks, haven't tried any yet.
The Vulture is amazing for bounty hunting. For 20 million or so credits, you won't get better. You will make back all you spend on it very quickly indeed. And it's massive fun.
The Vulture is atrocious for true exploring. BUT... for bounty hunting exploring, it's fine. With a combat loadout, you can still fit a tiny 2A fuel scoop and that will get you from RES to RES very easily, and across inhabited space to CGs and war zones provided you don't mind putting in half an hour or so's travel time to get there (but you don't do that very often).
Here's a sample loadout that will do both very nicely:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60N,5TP5TPmpT0_g0_g0_g,316Q8c6Q5K7_6u5A,7Sk15O4xo10i10i
The Vulture is atrocious for true exploring. BUT... for bounty hunting exploring, it's fine. With a combat loadout, you can still fit a tiny 2A fuel scoop and that will get you from RES to RES very easily, and across inhabited space to CGs and war zones provided you don't mind putting in half an hour or so's travel time to get there (but you don't do that very often).
Here's a sample loadout that will do both very nicely:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60N,5TP5TPmpT0_g0_g0_g,316Q8c6Q5K7_6u5A,7Sk15O4xo10i10i
digitalscream
Banned
It amazes me that everyone seems to spend so much on their Vultures. Mine's a dual-pulse affair with C-rated shields and two A0 boosters, fuel scoop, SCBs and A-rated power, distributor, sensors, FSD etc. 16 million CR.
I am, however, about to head on over to Shinrarta to sell it and re-buy with the 10% discount. Cheaper insurance...and I may pick up a Clipper for storage over there too, while the rank limit has been relaxed.
Anyway...yeah, the Viper doesn't have anywhere near the firepower or agility of the Vulture. I like my ships fast, so I've got A-rated thrusters on mine - top boost is 392, which is usually enough to get me out of trouble. You do have to compromise and spend a lot of time tweaking your module priorities for power, and even on a dual-pulse setup you won't be able to use a shield cell while your hardpoints are deployed.
Just remember - as soon as your shields drop, run like hell. The Vulture is a tank while its shields are up, but its hull is made of paper.
I am, however, about to head on over to Shinrarta to sell it and re-buy with the 10% discount. Cheaper insurance...and I may pick up a Clipper for storage over there too, while the rank limit has been relaxed.
Anyway...yeah, the Viper doesn't have anywhere near the firepower or agility of the Vulture. I like my ships fast, so I've got A-rated thrusters on mine - top boost is 392, which is usually enough to get me out of trouble. You do have to compromise and spend a lot of time tweaking your module priorities for power, and even on a dual-pulse setup you won't be able to use a shield cell while your hardpoints are deployed.
Just remember - as soon as your shields drop, run like hell. The Vulture is a tank while its shields are up, but its hull is made of paper.
For exploration I wouldn't go anywhere near either of them.
The Scout is probably the best choice, similar speed to the Viper, similar weapons hardpoints with better layout, more agile, 2 more utility points, and much better jump range.
The Vulture is a far better/easier dogfighter, but using it for exploration would take a lot of dedication and patience!
The Scout is probably the best choice, similar speed to the Viper, similar weapons hardpoints with better layout, more agile, 2 more utility points, and much better jump range.
The Vulture is a far better/easier dogfighter, but using it for exploration would take a lot of dedication and patience!
The Vulture is an out and out fighter.
Shields are monster right out of the box.
Has issues with power and jump range.
For all-round features, aim for the Asp or a smaller version is the Cobra.
Deleted member 94277
D
A lot of good answers already: Vulture is the best pure combat ship, crap at exploration. If you're really adamant about exploring, maybe upgrade to a Vulture and expend some time RES grinding until you can afford a fully decked Asp. It's the best pound-for-pound BH/explorer ship in the game if you've got the credits.
With that said, my two cent: the main lesson I learned when I switched from a Viper to a Vulture is the huge, immense, gigantic difference between Medium and Large hardpoints. Even with a stock Vulture with just two fixed pulse lasers (or gimballed, if you're lazy like me) you can do short work of anything from competent or lower and even take on the occasional elite Annie if you're careful and skilled.
With that said, my two cent: the main lesson I learned when I switched from a Viper to a Vulture is the huge, immense, gigantic difference between Medium and Large hardpoints. Even with a stock Vulture with just two fixed pulse lasers (or gimballed, if you're lazy like me) you can do short work of anything from competent or lower and even take on the occasional elite Annie if you're careful and skilled.
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Courier.
Like a Viper in zoom'n'boom play, but with more firepower and much better shields.
Vultures just a slow heavily shielded tincan with large hardpoints strapped to it, 90% of the Vulture builds are rendered inert by twin chaff launchers; and once you're past it's shields (it ain't running away) it drops fast.
Courier can be damned difficult to hit if flown well, and if using twin chaff will kill most Vultures any day of the week. Plus it's very stylish and sounds great.
I sold my Vulture and bought a Courier last month, not looked back, Courier is a whole lot of fun to fly I call my'ne "Lightning Bolt" for the twin fixed beams
Like a Viper in zoom'n'boom play, but with more firepower and much better shields.
Vultures just a slow heavily shielded tincan with large hardpoints strapped to it, 90% of the Vulture builds are rendered inert by twin chaff launchers; and once you're past it's shields (it ain't running away) it drops fast.
Courier can be damned difficult to hit if flown well, and if using twin chaff will kill most Vultures any day of the week. Plus it's very stylish and sounds great.
I sold my Vulture and bought a Courier last month, not looked back, Courier is a whole lot of fun to fly I call my'ne "Lightning Bolt" for the twin fixed beams
Actually the Vulture isn't that rubbish at exploration. It has a decent canopy and can reach 20 ly jump range with a full 28 litre tank. Have a link to the outfitting!
Dont bother....
sell up
buy a hauler taxi
jump to lembava and diaguranda check spelling and get it at 15% off
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I've had the Viper for a long time, and then upgraded to Imperial Courier and then Vulture (although I sold everything for my Clipper). While I agree the Vulture is more powerful, I'd say how you want to fight affects your choice.
If you are likely to run when outnumbered or prefer jousting runs vs. going toe-to-toe, the Viper is a better choice for that style of play. If you want to blast away willy-nilly and to heck with the consequences, go with the Vulture.
I've had several close calls in my Vulture and wished for my Viper's speed to cut and run several times ...
Just my two credits worth!
If you are likely to run when outnumbered or prefer jousting runs vs. going toe-to-toe, the Viper is a better choice for that style of play. If you want to blast away willy-nilly and to heck with the consequences, go with the Vulture.
I've had several close calls in my Vulture and wished for my Viper's speed to cut and run several times ...
Just my two credits worth!