Ships Why are so many still using the AspX and not the Phantom?
- Thread starter Sir Ganksalot
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I understand the cost difference being a small part of it but with mining being so easy and profitable I don't understand why people don't ditch the AspX for the Phantom as soon as possible. Out of curiosity I did a maximum jump range build on both ships and not only does the Phantom have far more optional slots and flexibility but it's ekes out 1ly more jump range than the AspX. So why hasn't everyone made the switch yet?
Phantom max jump range
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AspX max jump range
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Honestly, I haven't even tried the Phantom - but will now ;-)
My own personal Phantom build is nothing like what I posted in here and put a G5 overcharged PP on both ships to get to their MAXIMUM jump range for an example. We can talk ship builds till the cows come home but I was just making an example because I was curious why everyone still uses the AspX when the Phantom is a far better ship in my opinion.
So not only have you completely missed the point of the builds I posted but you didn't even answer the question, which is fine. But I do want to give you props for being one of the few that actually puts decent shields on their exlpo ships in case of gankers.
Ok, the cockpit view I 100% understand and the nostalgia I get, but c'mon, the Phantom sounds 10X better than the AspX, which I will even go so far as to say is one the worst sounding ships in the game.because the Asp has awesome engine sound
I bought an AspX back before I had any real money and used it for my first explo jaunt. It made me Elite and since then had largely been mothballed as I started doing other things. Recently I've been trying to find a use for it so I've repurposed it for shorter hops around the Bubble and out as far as the shards sites in a "do everything" utility role, from passengers to some small trading, to material gathering, both ground and space. I could buy a Phantom for this I suppose, but since I already owned the Asp and wanted to find a use for it, I might as well use it for general purpose stuff like this. It doesn't excel at anything I need, but replacing it with a Phantom isn't going to make much difference in that regard either I think. It's just kinda… there, I guess.
And if I'm gona buy a new ship, I like to have a solid purpose in mind before I buy it. I've toyed with the idea of getting a Phantom, but I'm still not entirely certain what I'd use it for. I've considered it as a variant combat ship to mess around with some railguns, or just as a medium sized long range explorer to head back out with instead of my Anaconda next time I decided to take a jaunt, but I'm a little burnt out on that since my last big pan-galactic crossing anyway, so I'm not planning that any time soon.
And if I'm gona buy a new ship, I like to have a solid purpose in mind before I buy it. I've toyed with the idea of getting a Phantom, but I'm still not entirely certain what I'd use it for. I've considered it as a variant combat ship to mess around with some railguns, or just as a medium sized long range explorer to head back out with instead of my Anaconda next time I decided to take a jaunt, but I'm a little burnt out on that since my last big pan-galactic crossing anyway, so I'm not planning that any time soon.
Honestly, I would say it's probably my favorite ship in the game and I would argue that it is the most versatile ship in the game besides the anaconda. I have two of them that I use for PvP, pirating, mat collecting, exploration and I used to use it for mining.
One of my PvP builds
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s.orbis.zone
Coriolis EDCD Edition
A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone
Coriolis EDCD Edition
A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone
Having flown both for lots of exploration and the long-ish trip back and forth to Colonia I've no longer got an Asp and switched up into the Phantom.
For me it flies nicer and the better module options are welcome. I have mine set up for me at 55ly jump range which is absolutely fine for everything I do.
The Anaconda is OK but I don't like the way it handles in supercruise, which limits its appeal too much as an explorer for me.
I never fit any weapons to my explorer builds, it's not worth it, I'd only be tempted to use them. Given most explorers have a tin foil hull with not a lot of shields that's a bad idea! Dump a heat sink or two and run!
For me it flies nicer and the better module options are welcome. I have mine set up for me at 55ly jump range which is absolutely fine for everything I do.
The Anaconda is OK but I don't like the way it handles in supercruise, which limits its appeal too much as an explorer for me.
I never fit any weapons to my explorer builds, it's not worth it, I'd only be tempted to use them. Given most explorers have a tin foil hull with not a lot of shields that's a bad idea! Dump a heat sink or two and run!
Difference between Asp Explorer and Krait Phantom are not so dramatic.
For example, If we compare Asp to DimondBack or Anaconda, it will terns out that they are in totally different leagues.
But even then, people not always take Anaconda, even if it have best stats and slots for exploring. Sometimes, esthetics matter to people more then raw numbers.
There are also some little details like super cruise maneuverability ,ships size, cockpit visibility and e.t. that people taking into the account.
I love Asp Explorer in all aspects, including esthetics. However, Phantom stats and look took me away, and now it is my GO TO explorer with optimal build. But I know people that simply get use to old good Asp, and they just love it as it is.
It is a personal question of taste at that point. People not always take THE BEST but what they simply like.
For example, If we compare Asp to DimondBack or Anaconda, it will terns out that they are in totally different leagues.
But even then, people not always take Anaconda, even if it have best stats and slots for exploring. Sometimes, esthetics matter to people more then raw numbers.
There are also some little details like super cruise maneuverability ,ships size, cockpit visibility and e.t. that people taking into the account.
I love Asp Explorer in all aspects, including esthetics. However, Phantom stats and look took me away, and now it is my GO TO explorer with optimal build. But I know people that simply get use to old good Asp, and they just love it as it is.
It is a personal question of taste at that point. People not always take THE BEST but what they simply like.
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More agily imo when landing on planets and exploration overall. My phantom, python and other ships just collect space dust in station.... i simply cant get rid of this asp, i had since release of game almost!
If you have a Phantom already, I would highly suggest turning it into a HGE mat collector unless you're out in the black with no plans to return any time soon. The Phantom is great for that at least.
1. Handling. A lightweight AspX with engineered thrusters is snappy, accurate, and responsive. The Phantom sort of slides around and feels...not exactly sluggish, but big.
2. View. I do a lot of planetary landings and love the wide field of view on the Asp. You can see almost behind the ship. The Phantom is front 180 only.
It has all the slots I need and gets 62ly in a usable exploration build that can permaboost. I have a Phantom and like it, but I'm in the Asp 90% of the time.
2. View. I do a lot of planetary landings and love the wide field of view on the Asp. You can see almost behind the ship. The Phantom is front 180 only.
It has all the slots I need and gets 62ly in a usable exploration build that can permaboost. I have a Phantom and like it, but I'm in the Asp 90% of the time.
Moving up to the Krait Phantom from the AspX was one of my first major milestones. Starting off with an exploration focus, getting this ship felt like some sort of graduation present. I've still some engineering to complete but the 65ly jump range on my current build has taken me 4,500ly out on two separate discovery loops, grabbing first discoveries on a handful of ELWs. https://s.orbis.zone/6z01
Yes the AspX has more glass down near the feet which I do miss sometimes, but the Phantom has plenty of viewspace, that internal single-seat red industrial cockpit frame, the sleek flat fuselage and linear engine exhausts, and the minimal internals makes this ship the explorer for me. The snappy thruster response is essential when you're looking at fifty pitch-scoop-jump sequences. I tried a few runs using an Anaconda as an explorer but that was just awful, if felt like piloting a floating casino. Now the AspX is gathering spacedust, it's too sentimental to sell, but too basic to use. The Phantom is my 2nd most used ship.
Yes the AspX has more glass down near the feet which I do miss sometimes, but the Phantom has plenty of viewspace, that internal single-seat red industrial cockpit frame, the sleek flat fuselage and linear engine exhausts, and the minimal internals makes this ship the explorer for me. The snappy thruster response is essential when you're looking at fifty pitch-scoop-jump sequences. I tried a few runs using an Anaconda as an explorer but that was just awful, if felt like piloting a floating casino. Now the AspX is gathering spacedust, it's too sentimental to sell, but too basic to use. The Phantom is my 2nd most used ship.
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There's still a non-technical side.
Some people give names to ships as YOU think for what? Does your car (real life) have a name ?
Don't know like the others but I'm too old, I've played Elite1, Frontier and FFE for a long time before and then waited a long time for ED...
And you can't land Anaconda deep in the canyon or in any other tight spot for that matter. Been there before. You travel thousands of light years just to find some really cool place and to realize that your ship can't actually land there because it just too big.Yeah but an Anaconda can't boost to 590mps
Absolutely. I was actually amazed that I was able to land my phantom at one of the crystal shard sites. Been taking my DBX ever since.And you can't land Anaconda deep in the canyon or in any other tight spot for that matter. Been there before. You travel thousands of light years just to find some really cool place and to realize that your ship can't actually land there because it just too big.
I have both. AspX made it to the Ishum's Reach and back, now converted into utility ship with pretty good jump range, some light weapons and utility modules for materials and data gathering and going to guardian sites. Phantom is outfitted as a pure long range expedition ship. Love them both and I don't think Phantom makes AspX obsolete anyway.
For a moment I was skeptical about whether the distro would be able to keep up, and... wow. I was surprised.
Asp need less fuel per jump. So it is a matter of planning and systems you want to reach. If you go maximum jumprange to reach as far as possible, you would take an Anaconda, but: the Annie needs very much fuel. So when traveling thru systems without fuelscooping and still keep good jumprange, well...there might be no chance for a Phantom. You might need an Asp then.
The Phantom is better with bigger shields if you explore in open. The Phantom can use 2 SRV if needed, easier. (But even my Exploration Adder could ;-). If you use a lot of neutrons, more AFMU are better, so again, the Phantom is better here.
You outfit your exploration ship as the goal of the trip needs it. All ships, Annie, ASP, Phantom, DBX or even others (like the Clipper) depend on this.
I love the Asp and the Phantom. So, simply take what you want.
One thing: the cables in the cockpits of both Kraits and the Anaconda, make those ships feel bad to me. The Asp X is a fine ship of great quality.
The Phantom is better with bigger shields if you explore in open. The Phantom can use 2 SRV if needed, easier. (But even my Exploration Adder could ;-). If you use a lot of neutrons, more AFMU are better, so again, the Phantom is better here.
You outfit your exploration ship as the goal of the trip needs it. All ships, Annie, ASP, Phantom, DBX or even others (like the Clipper) depend on this.
I love the Asp and the Phantom. So, simply take what you want.
One thing: the cables in the cockpits of both Kraits and the Anaconda, make those ships feel bad to me. The Asp X is a fine ship of great quality.