What's a good medium-range combat transport ship?

[Stealthie]

I've been using an AspX in this role.

I tend to zip around the bubble in a taxi and then transfer a suitable ship to wherever I need it and the Asp is handy 'cos it's fairly cheap to transfer, has a good jump range, decent cargo capacity, uses medium pads and can defend itself if required.

Thing is, I've already got one AspX rigged as an exploration ship and I'm thinking of repurposing my other AspX as a long-range passenger ship so I really want to get something different for the transport role.

As I say, the key factors are that it needs to be cheap-ish to transfer, have decent jump-range and cargo capacity and be able to put up a bit of a fight.

I'm thinking Keelback.
Anybody got any alternative suggestions?

 

[Captain Willard]

Just my 2cents. All of my cargo, passenger, mission, or explorer ships carry no weapons or slf, just more baggage to slow me down. I have combat ships for combat.

 

[Chris Simon]

Medium range combat transport is the exact role description in the Python pink slip.

But yah, cheap-ish. Keelback is awesome, too.

 

[thirstyfish]

Asp X is your best bet. Carry 90 tons of cargo (about the same as a t6/keelback) and has a decent amount of firepower. The only other ships I would use would be the Cobras and the python for this job. While the Asp X isn't the best thing in a fight, it can do quite well if handled and outfitted properly.

I find the keelback to be a bit unimpressive. Its like a slow and not agile Asp X with even less firepower. The only redeeming quality is the ability to mount an SLF hangar, but even that doesn't make it worth it IMO. Anything the Keelback can do, odds are that the Asp X can do it better.

 

[Gunnet]

Depends what balance between cargo, combat and low transfer cost you're looking for. A Python is the obvious answer if you only care about the first two. The Keelback is great for cost. A Clipper would be somewhere in the middle, but can't do medium pads.

Have you considered a Dropship, or maybe even a Gunship? They fall down on range, but that might not be a deal-breaker if you plan to have it shipped around the bubble rather than flying it long distances.

 

[Spacecat]

Asp X is your best bet. Carry 90 tons of cargo (about the same as a t6/keelback) and has a decent amount of firepower. The only other ships I would use would be the Cobras and the python for this job. While the Asp X isn't the best thing in a fight, it can do quite well if handled and outfitted properly.

I find the keelback to be a bit unimpressive. Its like a slow and not agile Asp X with even less firepower. The only redeeming quality is the ability to mount an SLF hangar, but even that doesn't make it worth it IMO. Anything the Keelback can do, odds are that the Asp X can do it better.

I just went bounty hunting in my AspX last night and made a mil in a short amount of time. It's not the best, but it can do combat ok. Really, a third AspX is probably the boring but right answer. All the cargo ships suck at fighting which is ironic since you'll be interdicted constantly. If you really want to run cargo, go Python, as it's a cargo mission beast.

 

[Lanceor]

The answer to "What's a good ship that can do both XXXXX and YYYYY?" is almost always Python.

 

[Stealthie]

Have you considered a Dropship, or maybe even a Gunship? They fall down on range, but that might not be a deal-breaker if you plan to have it shipped around the bubble rather than flying it long distances.

Thing is, I still have to fly it after I have it delivered to where I pick up a mission.

I haven't really done much with faction-locked ships and I was wondering about things like dropships but the range seems a bit poor.

I was wondering if an iCourier might work but, TBH, I also like to fit oversized fuel-scoops because I really, really, don't like wasting time refueling but once you've fitted a half-decent fuel-scoop on an iCourier you're down to (IIRC) a maximum of 16t cargo space.

 

[thirstyfish]

I just went bounty hunting in my AspX last night and made a mil in a short amount of time. It's not the best, but it can do combat ok. Really, a third AspX is probably the boring but right answer. All the cargo ships suck at fighting which is ironic since you'll be interdicted constantly. If you really want to run cargo, go Python, as it's a cargo mission beast.

Exactly why I have a python in my fleet. It is built for running missions, running cargo, and turning pirates into space dust for some gravy income. Any time I want to do some dedicated combat work, I switch over to my FDL. Don't get me wrong, I love the python, but the FDL simply out-performs it when it comes to combat.

 

[Spacecat]

Exactly why I have a python in my fleet. It is built for running missions, running cargo, and turning pirates into space dust for some gravy income. Any time I want to do some dedicated combat work, I switch over to my FDL. Don't get me wrong, I love the python, but the FDL simply out-performs it when it comes to combat.

I don't have an FDL. I suppose I'll buy one eventually, but I already have a FAS and Vulture that sit unused most of the time. Seriously, my Asp gets more use than any other ship, including my Python and Conda. It's just so good at everything.

 

[thirstyfish]

I don't have an FDL. I suppose I'll buy one eventually, but I already have a FAS and Vulture that sit unused most of the time. Seriously, my Asp gets more use than any other ship, including my Python and Conda. It's just so good at everything.

I use the Asp X in my fleet. It has become my dedicated fuel rat ship. 40 ly of range with a full load of fuel and limpets. And I put a 6C fuel scoop on it. Try it sometime. Watch how fast you go from empty tank to full. It is hilarious and glorious.

 

[GJ51]

Python

Most versatile ship available

Capable of 248T of cargo

Can be equipped for combat

Range is decent depending on how it's equipped.

Right now, the one I'm using currently carries 144T of cargo, has 1600MJ sheilds, can jump 20LY loaded and boost to 450M/S. I can easily swap cargo for Passenger Bays if I want to do that stuff.

Ideal mission boat.

Best hard point placement. Plenty of fire power and the stock power plant is more than adequate for most builds.

And still lands at outposts.


Cheapish? Well, that depends on the size of your bank account.
Not the best at any single role, but can do any role really well.

 

[Hooplah]

A 256 cargo Python with Rail guns and Multi-Cannons takes care of business for me. It can do trading, combat, exploration easily. But the 120M cost will take it awhile to accumulate. If serious combat is desired then its a 250M Python or other ship alternatives.

 

[Stealthie]

A lot of these responses seem a bit over-ambitious for me but maybe that's cos I wasn't completely clear about my requirements.

The idea is that if I'm off doing other stuff (such as a CG, RES hunting or whatever) and I stumble across well-paid or useful cargo missions this'll be a ship that I can call in purely to allow me to complete that one mission.

It doesn't need to have a huge cargo capacity because it'll only ever be carrying one cargo at a time. Say, between 32t and 64t
It needs to be cheap to transfer, or there'd be no profit in actually taking these missions.
It needs to be able to jump at least 30Ly and it needs to be capable of scooping fuel fast enough that I don't die of boredom.

Basically, I'm looking for the smallest, cheapest ship that can carry ~40t of cargo, make 30Ly jumps and have some defensive capability.

I really should probably just get another AspX but I like to try out different stuff where possible.

 

[thirstyfish]

A lot of these responses seem a bit over-ambitious for me but maybe that's cos I wasn't completely clear about my requirements.

The idea is that if I'm off doing other stuff (such as a CG, RES hunting or whatever) and I stumble across well-paid or useful cargo missions this'll be a ship that I can call in purely to allow me to complete that one mission.

It doesn't need to have a huge cargo capacity because it'll only ever be carrying one cargo at a time. Say, between 32t and 64t
It needs to be cheap to transfer, or there'd be no profit in actually taking these missions.
It needs to be able to jump at least 30Ly and it needs to be capable of scooping fuel fast enough that I don't die of boredom.

Basically, I'm looking for the smallest, cheapest ship that can carry ~40t of cargo, make 30Ly jumps and have some defensive capability.

I really should probably just get another AspX but I like to try out different stuff where possible.

The only thing that can get this done is the Asp X. The cobra family (either one), won't be hitting 30ly jump ranges under any circumstances without G5 rolls and being really stripped down. The T6/keelback are simply not going to have that range either. You are looking at another Asp X with those specifications. You are saying this: "I want an Asp X, but don't want to buy another Asp X." There are no other viable options for what you want. Even a python is going to struggle to hit 30 ly jumps. I should know. Mine gets 24 ly when fully loaded and it has g4 FSD range boost on it.

 

[Stealthie]

I don't have an FDL. I suppose I'll buy one eventually, but I already have a FAS and Vulture that sit unused most of the time. Seriously, my Asp gets more use than any other ship, including my Python and Conda. It's just so good at everything.

I wouldn't say the FdL is "over-rated" but it's a ship that's in need of a purpose.

If you are intent on picking fights then there's no better ship than the Vulture.
Find a system in conflict.
Transfer your vulture.
Profit.

The FdL is just as good in combat but it's a bigger target, it's more expensive and it's kinda lousy at almost everything except combat so what's the point?

The AspX, on the other hand, is the sort of ship that you can use for all sorts of other things and it can defend itself (against NPCs, at least) adequately.
It's one of the game's apex multi-role ships IMO, along with the Python.[up]

- - - Updated - - -

The only thing that can get this done is the Asp X. The cobra family (either one), won't be hitting 30ly jump ranges under any circumstances without G5 rolls and being really stripped down. The T6/keelback are simply not going to have that range either. You are looking at another Asp X with those specifications. You are saying this: "I want an Asp X, but don't want to buy another Asp X." There are no other viable options for what you want. Even a python is going to struggle to hit 30 ly jumps. I should know. Mine gets 24 ly when fully loaded and it has g4 FSD range boost on it.

You're absolutely correct, of course.

Like I said, I haven't really dabbled in faction-locked ships because I haven't seen any that appeal to me especially so I was just wondering if one of them might have been suitable.

FWIW, I already have a Keelback (currently being used as a test-bed for mining) which has a 32Ly range so that's my current "benchmark" which any potential candidate has to beat.

 

[Spacecat]

Keelback would be decent. Half the cost of an Asp. Stick a big ol fuel scoop in it and fill it with cargo compartments Isn't totally terrible to fly. Even Cobra can carry quite a bit maybe 30+ tons if you outfit it for cargo only. Maybe try that first, and if you can't get enough cargo capacity, sell it and buy the Keelback.

 

[Draxxen]

DBX then, but AspX is a better boat.

 

[Lucius-Darcia]

I've been using an AspX in this role.

I tend to zip around the bubble in a taxi and then transfer a suitable ship to wherever I need it and the Asp is handy 'cos it's fairly cheap to transfer, has a good jump range, decent cargo capacity, uses medium pads and can defend itself if required.

Thing is, I've already got one AspX rigged as an exploration ship and I'm thinking of repurposing my other AspX as a long-range passenger ship so I really want to get something different for the transport role.

As I say, the key factors are that it needs to be cheap-ish to transfer, have decent jump-range and cargo capacity and be able to put up a bit of a fight.

I'm thinking Keelback.
Anybody got any alternative suggestions?

Python!

Nothing more to say...there is nothing better out there

 

[Stealthie]

DBX then, but AspX is a better boat.

Hmmm...

That might be worth a look too.
I think my DBX has a range of around 35Ly but I'm not sure how much cargo I could get in it.
IIRC, it currently has an SRV bay and some cargo space so it probably wouldn't be that bad.

I really need to print out some data-sheets for the ships I own so I can keep track of their spec's, mod's and loadouts. [blah]