Class B vs Class A

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

Okay... the Short of it is... I'm from the School of Thought that New is Better :). Now with 'A' being an Older version of 'B'... and 'B' and Older version of 'C'... I expect each generation to get better. So... what point am I missing here.

The specifics: I have a ship with an A Class Reactor; but I want to go with a B Class, so I can get Better Everythings (Weapons, Engines, Etc.) However... the B Class doesn't seem to be as good as the A Class.

The Example:
Class A Reactor: Pwr. Gen. 29 / Rep. Rate 2.25 / Hlth. 45 / Hull 820 / Crew 1 / Mass 45 / Req. Skill Pilot 4
Class B Reactor: Pwr. Gen. 21 / Rep. Rate 2.85 / Hlth. 57 / Hull 610 / Crew 2 / Mass 57 / Req. Skill Pilot 3

Of course my biggest issue is the fact that is has less power, but also that is has More Mass.

So... can anyone offer any understanding on this?

Advanced Thanx!!!

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

Awesome... Very Good to know; again... Massive Thanx for the Info Mates.

Just when I think this game is Awesome, it gets Awesomer... uh, or is that More Awesome (grin).

Seriously... Thanx Mates!!!!

[Drake Ravenwolf]

Fairly sure you can't do 12 crew so might be able to save some space there

[StormhawkV]

Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236715

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236678

I could get the mobility higher, but that means sacrificing the already low cargo space. 67 mobility is fine, but i wouldn't want to go much lower...

Looks like the thing my sister uses to shovel the crap out of her cat's litter box.

Anyway, early in the game (and by early I mean before level 50 or so) you get the choice to fly a B-class ship with much better shields or an A-class ship with much more power. That's because early A-class reactors are a lot better while the strongest B-class shield generator is already available at level 24 or so but will guzzle half the energy output of a B-class reactor of a similar level. Once you have unlocked all the parts there's no reason not to fly a B or C-class ship as A-class ships are simply inferior at this point.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

Originally posted by StormhawkV:

Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236715

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236678

I could get the mobility higher, but that means sacrificing the already low cargo space. 67 mobility is fine, but i wouldn't want to go much lower...

Looks like the thing my sister uses to shovel the crap out of her cat's litter box.

Anyway, early in the game (and by early I mean before level 50 or so) you get the choice to fly a B-class ship with much better shields or an A-class ship with much more power. That's because early A-class reactors are a lot better while the strongest B-class shield generator is already available at level 24 or so but will guzzle half the energy output of a B-class reactor of a similar level. Once you have unlocked all the parts there's no reason not to fly a B or C-class ship as A-class ships are simply inferior at this point.

He's *ahem* CLEANING UP the galaxy :-P

[HeyYou]

Originally posted by Drake Ravenwolf:

Originally posted by StormhawkV:

Looks like the thing my sister uses to shovel the crap out of her cat's litter box.

Anyway, early in the game (and by early I mean before level 50 or so) you get the choice to fly a B-class ship with much better shields or an A-class ship with much more power. That's because early A-class reactors are a lot better while the strongest B-class shield generator is already available at level 24 or so but will guzzle half the energy output of a B-class reactor of a similar level. Once you have unlocked all the parts there's no reason not to fly a B or C-class ship as A-class ships are simply inferior at this point.

He's *ahem* CLEANING UP the galaxy :-P

The 'pooper scooper' for spacers and pirates. :D I like it. :D

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236715

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3135236678

Where is the Bridge/CockPit?!?

[jonnin]

all ships should eventually be class C. Class B reactor is a stepping stone if you need more power. But the class is just the reactor. All your other parts will be the ones you want from A,B, or C and sometimes one or the other is better depending on what it is, but it doesn't matter because all ships should be class C, and that lets you slot any piece, regardless of the (apparently random) class label slapped onto the other parts.

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

@Liquid:

That's kind of cool. I don't know about all of the U.S. Space Shuttles, but I know for a fact the X-33 Space Shuttle had no windows.

But I'm curious... what do you see when you look out the window? I always use Far Forward Bridges/Cockpits so there is never anything Obstructing my view; however... if I'm not in the Seat, and I looked out the side window, of the bridge, I can see the Wing of my Ship.

[wendigo211]

B is in weird place because the A reactors are better when you get it. I don't think the B reactors are better until you're level 40+. If you get the Star Eagle from the Ranger quest early, that 29 power reactor it has is going to be best in class until at least the 30s.

The only good B tech is the Vanguard shield generator (technically there is a better C class shield generator). I think the Vanguard Obliterators (class A) are better than any of the class B weapons too, there are some C weapons that out damage them. By the time you have a good enough reactor to mount turrets and a primary weapon, you'll probably have unlocked class C anyway.

Just think of B as a stepping stone to greater things.

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

Originally posted by jonnin:

all ships should eventually be class C. Class B reactor is a stepping stone if you need more power. But the class is just the reactor. All your other parts will be the ones you want from A,B, or C and sometimes one or the other is better depending on what it is, but it doesn't matter because all ships should be class C, and that lets you slot any piece, regardless of the (apparently random) class label slapped onto the other parts.

You could be correct; however... from what I'm reading it sounds like Class A, B, & C may not be advancements in the Reactor... but more of Ship types, Freighter, Fighters, Destroyer, Etc... which accounts for Available Power. I'm only Level 22 (NG+0), so I'm not sure what I'll find later on... but as of now, I get more power from a Class A, than I do from any Available Class Bs... and were not talking a few points; but a difference of 8 Power Generated; that's enough for a couple of Mid-Level Weapons. By staying with a Class A every System has 100% Power, except the Grav Drive & EM Weapons; EM are for 'Just in Case'... and I just swap out 4 points from my Engines when jumping.

But again... I'm still kind of guessing :)

EDIT: ROFLMBO... I was typing this when Wendigo posted the above... I'm flying the Star Eagle - LOL... So like I said, I'm still just kind of guessing :)

@Wendigo... Thanx for the Update Mate ;D

[StormhawkV]

The difference between class A and B ships is intentional just like getting the best B-class shield generator early. You get to choose between a ship with a lot of power and one with much better defenses. Later on A-class ships become useless.

The difference between B and C class ships is much smaller with one pip of power and 100 points of shield energy. Basically C-class ships offer more weight capacity at the cost of being much larger.

[wow]

Doing main Quest give you ship class C
And you can upgrade it if you want

[jonnin]

Originally posted by Skorne Tet'Zu:

Originally posted by jonnin:

all ships should eventually be class C. Class B reactor is a stepping stone if you need more power. But the class is just the reactor. All your other parts will be the ones you want from A,B, or C and sometimes one or the other is better depending on what it is, but it doesn't matter because all ships should be class C, and that lets you slot any piece, regardless of the (apparently random) class label slapped onto the other parts.

You could be correct; however... from what I'm reading it sounds like Class A, B, & C may not be advancements in the Reactor... but more of Ship types, Freighter, Fighters, Destroyer, Etc... which accounts for Available Power. I'm only Level 22 (NG+0), so I'm not sure what I'll find later on... but as of now, I get more power from a Class A, than I do from any Available Class Bs... and were not talking a few points; but a difference of 8 Power Generated; that's enough for a couple of Mid-Level Weapons. By staying with a Class A every System has 100% Power, except the Grav Drive & EM Weapons; EM are for 'Just in Case'... and I just swap out 4 points from my Engines when jumping.

But again... I'm still kind of guessing :)

EDIT: ROFLMBO... I was typing this when Wendigo posted the above... I'm flying the Star Eagle - LOL... So like I said, I'm still just kind of guessing :)

@Wendigo... Thanx for the Update Mate ;D

the top 2 reactors have 40 power and are both class C.
then the next is a 39 class B. So the difference is just 1 point which is mostly insignificant. The top A class has 33, and 7 points is 2 guns worth of juice.

Trust me ;)
The reactor IS the ship class, and if you put on the C class reactor, you can slot any part you want. Its easy to say you don't want any C class parts, but you probably will, eventually, want at least 1.

there are no other ship types. There is no destroyer or freighter. Ships are just a pile of parts and there are 3 racks of weapons, 1 engine, 1 grav drive, 1 shield...
now you can design a ship that is heavy on the cargo space and needs C class engines to even lift off the runway, and that is a 'freighter' conceptually, OK. Or you can use all A class engines and low weight, and its a 'fighter' sorta .. but that doesn't relate because even an A class engine lightweight 'fighter' might want a C class shield or gun... so it needs the C class reactor to slot it. The whole system is a little wonky, but that is how it works.

[Skorne Tet'Zu]

Originally posted by jonnin:

*SNIP*Its easy to say you don't want any C class parts, but you probably will, eventually, want at least 1.

Great Info... Much Thanx!!! However, you lost me at this one part. From what you're describing why would I NOT want any C Class Parts... it's sound like that's All I would want... when I'm able. (With the Exception... if I'm catching this correctly... of requiring better Engines; as (and I'm assuming) A Class Engines are better (somehow; Speed...Tork... Something) than B or C Class Engines).

But ... All-in-All... C Class Reactor has no limitations; I can Slot anything!!!

Originally posted by RAK PAPERS:

Doing main Quest give you ship class C
And you can upgrade it if you want

This is my First Run (NG+0)... I just barely got Level 3 Pilot, so I have a ways to go before I'll have the Requirement and a Spare Point to spend on Level 4 Pilot :(.

[chipartist]

Originally posted by Drake Ravenwolf:

You can get 180 top speed with a specific class A engine - it just limits the ship's max mass or else the mass starts degrading your maneuverability
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3110182473

I've designed a number of ships that had a top speed end of 203 (nominally 150) using the Stroud-Eklund SA model engines with class C reactor, Grav Drive, and particle weapons loadout, at 100 mobility if you keep the cargo reasonable. In my latest and best design so far I use all Class C save for the EM phalanx -- 3 class A projectors with the best compromise of power usage, firing rate and damage specs. With 6 of S-E's biggest engines she can haul almost 11k cargo at 100 mobility and 130 nominal speed that goes to almost 180 with perks. I've found speed is not as relevant as mobility -- she just took down a Legendary Va'ruun Shroudbearer and its four escort ships.

Mixing classes for optimum performance is very useful for balancing power distribution, weaponry, and flight dynamics.