rootsrat
Volunteer Moderator
It's more about the fact that we didn't have a dedicated explo ship in a while now...
Would like a new, different exploration ship from FD:
- Thread starter n13L5
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It's more about the fact that we didn't have a dedicated explo ship in a while now...
That's partly because many players can't agree what makes a good exploration vessel, as this great long thread proves, personally I'd like something medium sized that had lots of smaller module bays for scanners, a couple of medium ones for a hanger bay and shield and huge one for a fuel scoop and some kind of hull configuration that increased scanning range and speed, increased fuel economy and was generally very heat and power efficient, and yes had a medium to long jump range capability.
many players just want a huge jump range and that's all they want when they ask for an exploration vessel they'll take all kinds of other compromises to get that one thing.
Even though many Elite NPCs seem to want to make you think otherwise, eh? lol
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Now hold on. Mining can work with any ship that can fit the requisite number of internals and at least 2-3 small mining lasers. Saying we have "0" ships capable of mining is just false. Typically/naturally, "Multirole" ships suit mining best. The "Type" series are pretty clearly freighters, up until the 'Big 3' anyway. More SRVs would be nice, though.
The Type-7 may have just become the ultimate explorer. Great jump range and enough space for all the exploration things including repair limpets. I am hearing 60ly engineered on this thing? Wowzers!
Question: Why is there so much objection to a dedicated explorer ship?
I see a lot of "Nooooo! you can't have one! we'll all be murdered in our beds if Fdev do that!" I can't see why anyone would NOT want another ship introduced to the lineup, in fact I'll stick my neck out and say it's selfish to deny the explorers a pure dedicated ship.
It seems strange to me that ED shout so much about the numbers and scale of the ED galaxy, and use it to sell the game, yet in fact it is the least loved by ED as regards what to do out there.
Soil/rock samples?
Beacons?
Retrieving data from long range beacon/scanners.
That's 3 without even thinking about it, if Fdev are thinking about deep space for anything other that joyrides, then they should introduce a ship for that job.
Oh and move the scanners from optional internal to Utility !
I see a lot of "Nooooo! you can't have one! we'll all be murdered in our beds if Fdev do that!" I can't see why anyone would NOT want another ship introduced to the lineup, in fact I'll stick my neck out and say it's selfish to deny the explorers a pure dedicated ship.
It seems strange to me that ED shout so much about the numbers and scale of the ED galaxy, and use it to sell the game, yet in fact it is the least loved by ED as regards what to do out there.
Soil/rock samples?
Beacons?
Retrieving data from long range beacon/scanners.
That's 3 without even thinking about it, if Fdev are thinking about deep space for anything other that joyrides, then they should introduce a ship for that job.
Oh and move the scanners from optional internal to Utility !
Not a fan of that. Instead, any exploration ship (dedicated or hybrid) should simply be given sufficient internals to easily carry both scanners at all times.
Then can we agree to make those slots G1 and not completely waste the space by having a G4 slot for a Size1 component?
Actually, I'd like to see a combined ADS+DSS module of class 2 or 3.
Because they can afford an Anaconda?
I like the idea of a range of dedicated exploration ships, and I would consider the ultimate to be very similar to the Anaconda in size, but with a more open bridge and higher class FSD or lower weight, and better SC handling. The net would be able the same range as now, but weight lost from shedding hard points, power distributer, and thrusters would be replaced with weight from additional, SRVs, SLFs, minining laser + refinery, limpets, and other non-combat or hauling equipment. While this is essentially what is being done today, even with lightweight mods, G5 FSD, no hardpoints and no shields, adding much more than the SRV, SLF, and AFMU will significantly impact the max jump range. Again, not essential to exploration but are a big deal when its time to come back home.
Give me an Anaconda with a Beluga's bridge, Sidewinder's hard points, DBx SC handling, minimal shield capacity, 65ly jump range, seven internal slots, minimal power plant, minimal thrusters (no need to boost or go over 200km/s), and maybe some advanced scanners that would be useless in any other ship. And let the SLF and SRV only be compatible with exploration variants, which also have better scanners and recon abilities.
This class of ship would be worthless for combat or trading and only marginally effective for general mission running.
And it should be big. Big enough that upon seeing one depart from a station, one pause and wonder at the far off places that ship must be setting out for.
That's treasonous talk.
No offence, and sorry to bring your post back, but this is the most boring view of exploration I've read in a while, IMO.
The "no need for jump range"especially is simple bad faith - I think an explorer is entitled to reach systems other non dedicated ships can't.
But I'll just try your POV, for fun's sake.
I'll fight in a type 6, because it has 2 hardpoints.
I'll do trading in a a FDL, because it can easily reach 50 tons.
I'll mine in a vulture, because all I really need is a refinery. Limpets are a luxury in a maneurevable ship.
everything will suffice if I want it to, after all.
Going by FDev's record on "dedicated role" ships, an Exploration ship would likely be on the low end of the scale for module weight, lightly armed, lightly shielded, few utility mounts and cramped internals. After all, the closest was a DBX and look how long folks lobbied for an internal increase. That seems to be their design philosophy for both combat and trade specific ships.
The problem is, people what a multi-role internal layout with high jump range which we already have from the De Lacy and Lakon ships. Since exploration lacks any specific modules dedicated to it beyond scanners, there's not much they can do except present a streamlined hull devoid of bells, whistles, speed, maneuverability and the like to make a plausible exploration ship (ie: the DBX and why it turned out the way it did.)
There's also the 1.5/2.0 ship fiasco, most of which are still underused even post engineering.
I'd argue we need exploration expanded and actual modules designed around it to warrant a dedicated ship. Not that I'm against the idea, because I'm not. I'm just more for exploration being expanded beyond what it is now.
The problem is, people what a multi-role internal layout with high jump range which we already have from the De Lacy and Lakon ships. Since exploration lacks any specific modules dedicated to it beyond scanners, there's not much they can do except present a streamlined hull devoid of bells, whistles, speed, maneuverability and the like to make a plausible exploration ship (ie: the DBX and why it turned out the way it did.)
There's also the 1.5/2.0 ship fiasco, most of which are still underused even post engineering.
I'd argue we need exploration expanded and actual modules designed around it to warrant a dedicated ship. Not that I'm against the idea, because I'm not. I'm just more for exploration being expanded beyond what it is now.
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Everyone getting excited about the Type 7 may want to catch up on elitedevtracker, they've changed how they're addressing the Type 7.
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Bad faith? You (and other fringe-explorers) are acting as though the only galaxy that exists for us to look at is out on the rims, when easily 99.99%-repeating of the galaxy exists within easily-accessible jump distance, the minumums of which just drop lower and lower the closer you get to the core.
Exploring interstellar regions does not require being able to get as far away from the rest of the galaxy as possible.
In no way does more jump range help you scan faster, find Earthlikes more often, travel through supercruise faster, or enhance *any* Exploration activity.
All jump range does is allow you to *travel* further using less stops. Nothing more, nothing less.
And already you're demonstrating that you've missed what my POV is, because it is not this:
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Bad faith? You (and other fringe-explorers) are acting as though the only galaxy that exists for us to look at is out on the rims, when easily 99.99%-repeating of the galaxy exists within easily-accessible jump distance, the minumums of which just drop lower and lower the closer you get to the core.
Exploring interstellar regions does not require being able to get as far away from the rest of the galaxy as possible.
In no way does more jump range help you scan faster, find Earthlikes more often, travel through supercruise faster, or enhance *any* Exploration activity.
All jump range does is allow you to *travel* further using less stops. Nothing more, nothing less.
And already you're demonstrating that you've missed what my POV is, because it is not this:
Because the conda is the ultimate expeditionary ship.
Someone doesn't or hasn't tried to get to the far reaching systems. Exploring is that exploring. You go where you want when you want and that means trying to go places that are hard to get to. Why? Because that's exploring. There's even a sector of far flung stars that's impossible to get back once you're there. FDEV even put a poi on one of the planets as the expedition that went had to self destruct back home. So you tell them the far reaching systems aren't meaningful or worth going.
I'd refit the iClipper; It's the "ugly duckling" that moves and wobbles wierdly, one of the least favorite of the larger medium to large ships. And it sticks out like a sore thumb looking odd and disporportioned from most angles. Completely dismantle its "wings" and nacelles, refactor it's cockpit, i.e. refit it like the Enterprise from TOS to ST:TMP, and make it a worthy version of the FFE imperial explorer.
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What is this? Where did you get this wondrous information?