Best ship for each role?

[Vyrex]

Im using the Viper mk4 as a fighter but i hear some people say the Viper mk3 is better i think its because its alittle bit more agile?

I like to hear opinions which ship is better for each role. Opinion wise not what the majority thinks.
Im interessted in these role: Combat, Trading, Exploration.

Anyone who isnt for the Federation is a traitor to humanity. Sol should be our HQ thats the origin of ours. Traitors and a shame to our humanity. Just wanted to get that out lol.

[S-Array 03]

viper 3 is faster while viper 4 is tankier and is a bit better as a multi-role

for trading you're gonna hate me but cutter is love cutter is life, python for medium pads and ASPx for long range trading (rare and such)

for exploration you'll get the best jump range out of an overengineered annaconda, the DBX got a nice vanilla jump range ans the ASX is a good compromise between them

For combat it really depends on your preferences

[C o r i <3]

For Combat, so far my favourite has been the Vulture. It only has 2 Hardpoints, which I equipped with pulse lasers, but they take out anything pretty quickly. And so far I made a good couple millions with it.

My most used combat ship is the Viper MK3 which I had equipped with small lasers and big miniguns, and with that I earned around 125 million before buying my vulture. Safe to say, both are very good at combat.

As for trading, I only used the Type 6 and 7, while shipping slaves in the imperial systems, which usually give great profits. But I lost all my money due to pirates, and me being stupid and buying wares without the money for a rebuy. Then I picked my viper and earned all that money in conflict zones.

[HairballHacker]

Combat - well engineered Vulture (to deal with power issue, jump range, fast beam recharge). I sold my Anaconda as it just isn't worth the cost for much of anything IMO. Sold the Python too. I am playing around with a FDL now but I am underwhelmed by it.

Exploration - AspX engineered for low weight and long jump range (because "exploration" in this game is just about jump range and pushing a button... hopefully Q4 '18 will bring decent exploration).

[Hard Rooster]

I'm beyond happy with my Diamondback Explorer (DBX) for exploration. I have a 50Ly jump range which gets up to 198 Ly with a jet-cone boost. It's engineered to get that range. It's not stripped out either. 4B fuel scoop, 3D shield generator, single SRV hangar, 4A AFMU (which I leave offline until I need it because power issues) and of course, the top tier scanners. I don't even use heat sink launchers because I never have problems with heat.

[dragonmalice]

I'm generally of the opinion that you can't have too many ships - it's a sandbox game, and part of the fun is trying everything.

That said, it's hard to beat the Vulture for combat - price is good, it's tough as hell, and a dream to fly. There are really too many options here, though, and every ship really is different.

For trading, it depends. For combat cabable ships, it's hard to beat a Python for medium pads or an Anaconda for large pads. Lower cost, Asp explorer or Fed dropship for medium pads.

For straight noncombat ships, you can just use the cargo ships. Type 9 is very, very slow and may give you fits avoiding interdictions - if cost isn't an issue, the Anaconda can haul nearly as much and still be able to take on anything the AI will send at you.

For exploration, DBX and AspX are a tossup - slightly better jump range on the DBX, better internals and faster fuel scooping on the Asp. The Asp is faster and the better internals give it multirole options the DBX can't match. The DBX looks cool and has that wonderful large hardpoint if you want to arm it for local work.

If you have the money, the devs didn't bother balancing the Anaconda - it can do everything better than the purpose built ships :P

[Red River]

all you need is a python to do all three!

[M00NSH0T]

I can really only speak for combat since I get bored to tears trading or exploring. I go through cycles on that front. Vulture was the first ship I really loved in this game. Awesome little ship there. Then it was the FAS. There's nothing like ramming an eagle from behind at 530 and watching it pop, and in the FAS with it's DD5 530 boost, that happens a lot. I tried getting into the FDL after that, but it honeslty is just much less fun to fly... it's slower and controls freeze briefly during the boost cycle. Some argue that makes it more fun since you need to master "drift" turning (which I did), but it just messes with my zen.

Ofcourse, there are the big three, but I got bored with the Conda after getting everything G5ed out... it was fun toasting ships in seconds, but there was no challenge in PVE, and I don't do the exploits for rank so I still need 1 more rank for the Vette. So, in the meantime I've since gone back to try out all the ships I skipped.

Been having some fun in a DBS lately with two PAs and two enforcers (both grade 5). With focussed fire on the PAs, you lead the target by roughly the same with all weapons, and the DBS runs cool, so it works quite nicely. You just need charge enhanged distro G5 or else you never get to fire your PAs. FGS is also a go-to of mine. I love the firepower on that thing, but unlike a Conda or Vette, you need some skill to stay alive with it in a CZ, even fully decked out. But, it's a lot of fun, and you get a fighter to play with too. I also roll with a Python sometimes (3 APAs and 2 turreted MCs). Oh - and don't forget the courier or the imperial eagle. My FAS may boost 530, but one of those two ships can hit 700. And the cockpit is awesoe in the courier in VR - feels like a fighter jet. Even the Viper3 can be a lot of fun though... I'm working on perfecting my build for the mkIII still, but even just some basic engineering, the Viper is a sweet little ship.

Long story short... all the ships are fun. I can't really say one is the "best." Best for what? Getting kills per minute? Then I might go with the FAS. I get far more kills per minute both in a haz res and in a CZ with that than even my super OPed Conda, simply because I can get from target to target in the blink of an eye and then kill my target about 60% as quickly. But the time spent acquiring and moving to the next traget kills the kill rate on a Conda, and I'd guess a Vette too. FAS is probably the most all -round fun too. But other ships have higher DPS, other ships are faster, and other ships are better for PVP (though it can certainly hold it's own).

[Personnage non Joueur]

Combat: Corvette/FDL/Vulture (depends on your play style)
Exploration: Anaconda/DBX cos Conda can't turn in hyperspace.
Trade: Cutter period
Passenger: Beluga
Anyone who follows federation is a slave to his corporate masters and is paid a measly amount to say "Fed is great" while starving and dying. All Hail the Emperor.