Hard time deciding on a multipurpose ship

[NULL]

So, a newbie here (if not to the genre or stick games in general). Finally purchased the game on the recent sale about a week back. Hanged about on the noobie zone for a bit, then went to mine overlapping Painite hotspots and did bit of combat and trading to fulfill the recent community goal objectives.

Now that the expansion is free (I decided against buying it for Earth shattering €2.75 so I don't get to complain how the plebs got it for free), I'm looking to go and work on my engineering rep and mats. I have also been eyeing on what ships to use on long term.

For combat vessel I have more or less decided on the Alliance Chieftain. Looks like decent punch (with nice convergence), good durability and agility. Can do both shields and armour to a degree. Not quite the latest cookie cutter meta.

But I have also been looking for a multipurpose ship to do pretty much everything else. Roughly in order of importance 1: long range exploration, 2: laser mining 3: smuggling 4: bulk trade. I'd prefer a medium ship, thought it could be a large one too (in fact I'm currently on Type 7). At the moment I'm most interested in the Krait Phantom I suppose, though it's not clear to me how is this supposed to be particularly stealthy as some say (at least playing around in Coriolis it doesn't seem to have too special resting heat). The Pyhon is another notable contender, but loses a bit perhaps in the exploration department and I'm going to be doing that lot from now for the engineering rep. Money isn't really an issue, I have assets of about 300 million at the moment and could easily mine for more. Rep is, as I have yet to get any rank with Empire and Federation.

[Agony_Aunt]

All of those roles in one ship?

Ooof.... i hope you don't mind at least swapping out modules, because combining exploration with mining would be a stretch.

Krait is a good choice, either the Mk2 or the Phantom.

But just to be different from what most will say (Python), i'm going to say the Imperial Clipper.

[ShelLuser]

I'd forget about multi purpose and instead focus on one ship for one or two tasks. It'll save you a lot of time wasted on outfitting (swapping modules as Aunt said above me) but most of all: general purpose ships are fine, but usually also a bit lacking in every field. They're not bad, but other ships are simply better. Because they're dedicated.

I'd go with the ASP-X for exploration / mining and Krait Mk2 for combat (fighter bay ftw!). Though the Phantom is better at hauling cargo, which is why I ended up with both ;)

[2tone_ls]

the kraits can function pretty well in most roles, the krait phantom has slightly better overall jump range but the mk2 looks much better, youll have to module swap between roles, but it makes for a great multipurpose ship. the python is probably the greatest multipurpose ship in the game, but i dont believe it can get a really good jump range

[GodMan]

Originally posted by Agony_Aunt:

All of those roles in one ship?

Ooof.... i hope you don't mind at least swapping out modules, because combining exploration with mining would be a stretch.

Krait is a good choice, either the Mk2 or the Phantom.

But just to be different from what most will say (Python), i'm going to say the Imperial Clipper.

The problem with Imperial Clipper is that it requires a large landing pad (even though it a medium ship), which isn't preferable in smuggling.

Python always was the best choice if you wanted medium all rounder. It is kinda bland if you think about it, but it has most module slots for its class, great hardpoint placement, ok range and takes medium landing pad which can be found on any starport.
The other similar to Python choice is Krait Mk2, which has 1 less class 6 internal (makes him a little worse trader), but has a better jump range and can fit a fighter bay (python can't).

[Moniboi]

Originally posted by GodMan:

Originally posted by Agony_Aunt:

All of those roles in one ship?

Ooof.... i hope you don't mind at least swapping out modules, because combining exploration with mining would be a stretch.

Krait is a good choice, either the Mk2 or the Phantom.

But just to be different from what most will say (Python), i'm going to say the Imperial Clipper.

The problem with Imperial Clipper is that it requires a large landing pad (even though it a medium ship), which isn't preferable in smuggling.

Python always was the best choice if you wanted medium all rounder. It is kinda bland if you think about it, but it has most module slots for its class, great hardpoint placement, ok range and takes medium landing pad which can be found on any starport.
The other similar to Python choice is Krait Mk2, which has 1 less class 6 internal (makes him a little worse trader), but has a better jump range and can fit a fighter bay (python can't).

And most importantly the krait has the seat at the center of the cockpit.

[Simoko]

python is good for many things.

[Yaldabaoth]

The Python is my medium sized trader of choice. If I want to do combat, I fly there in a Hauler and have my FdL brought to me (bourgeois af, I know). I did some exploration in the Asp Explorer, recently upgraded to Krait Phantom (really dont buy this ship for any other purpose than exploration!) for that but I also have a Diamondback Explorer parked at ShinDez. The Cutter is for mining. All the other ships are basically just collecting dust.

[✚Panzerlang✚]

I have a Krait with cabins, cargo racks and combat stuff that I swap around depending on my mood (mostly combat now, the cargo and passengers became tedious). I tried mining, I nearly fell asleep at the wheel.

[Frazon]

Python - Lasermining - Anaconda - Profit.

The Conda is amazing when you can fit it properly for exploration

[Ad Hominem]

Python or Krait mk2. I use my python for surface mining, I've used the Krait too which has a fighter bay which is in a close second in my book. They can both do some decent hauling or pirating.

For exploration IMO there's no replacement for the Diamondback Explorer. That thing can hop and it's cheap. Just need to get some engineering and the guardian FSD booster.

[Mordegar]

Krait Mk2 or Python, but be prepared to have rebuy costs of 8 mil, if you fit it as combat ships with cargo space.

Cheaper Ships would be the ASP Explorer or the Cobra Mk3.
The Cobra was my entry into Lasermining and boosted my income drastically.

The Anaconda would be the *Endgame* multirole vessel for most players. It really can do everything, except turnfighting smaller ships. Thats (engineered) Krait Mk2 territory.

Originally posted by Ad Hominem:

Python or Krait mk2. I use my python for surface mining, I've used the Krait too which has a fighter bay which is in a close second in my book. They can both do some decent hauling or pirating.

For exploration IMO there's no replacement for the Diamondback Explorer. That thing can hop and it's cheap. Just need to get some engineering and the guardian FSD booster.

Keep the Diamondback Explorer in your mind, in case you ever want to do the 5k LY from Home quest for Sarah ehhh Mr. Palin. It won't hurt you as much loosing this in a Neutron Star Highway (google for it in case of exploration) fustercluck, compared to a Anaconda! ;)

[Ad Hominem]

Originally posted by Mordegar:

Originally posted by Ad Hominem:

Python or Krait mk2. I use my python for surface mining, I've used the Krait too which has a fighter bay which is in a close second in my book. They can both do some decent hauling or pirating.

For exploration IMO there's no replacement for the Diamondback Explorer. That thing can hop and it's cheap. Just need to get some engineering and the guardian FSD booster.

Keep the Diamondback Explorer in your mind, in case you ever want to do the 5k LY from Home quest for Sarah ehhh Mr. Palin. It won't hurt you as much loosing this in a Neutron Star Highway (google for it in case of exploration) fustercluck, compared to a Anaconda! ;)

I'm pretty sure the Anaconda has a higher possible jump range but the DBX is pretty close, which punches wayyyy above it's weight class when you consider the price difference. It's something like 600 million to fully kit out the Anaconda iirc.

[ShelLuser]

Originally posted by Mordegar:

The Anaconda would be the *Endgame* multirole vessel for most players. It really can do everything, except turnfighting smaller ships.

It can do that while you're not even bothering with the thrusters. Don't forget that you can install a fighter bay which can make quite the difference. One or two blasts from my (gimballed) beam lasers and most shields on smaller ships are gone, a good fighter pilot can then handle the rest.

Even if that means chasing the enemy so that it (accidentally?) gets in range of my multi cannons again.

Of course you'll have a harder time PVP'ing against an experienced pilot but even then.... it won't be as impossible as you now make it out to be.

(edit)

Originally posted by Ad Hominem:

It's something like 600 million to fully kit out the Anaconda iirc.

It depends on what you add to it, but it'll take a bit less. 150 million for the ship, approx. 160 million for the A type powerplant, approx. 27 million for the power distributor, 16 million for the A type FSD and then you're looking at approx. another 50 - 60 million for your (general) weapons. 4A multi cannon costs around 8 mil. (iirc) and you'll have 6 hardpoints to fill.

errr, no, 8? I always forget the last 2 because I got turrets on those (at the back). Think it was 8, but turrets aren't that expensive.

So roughly 150 + 160 + 27 + 16 + 60 = 310 + 103 = 413 million, give or take.

But man is it worth it! The Anaconda is plain out the pride of my small fleet and I'm convinced that not even the Corvette is going to change this.

[Ad Hominem]

Plus another 120 or so for A rated bulkhead, more if you go with the laser or kinetic ones.

I've got one, I just can't get into flying that big of a ship. I also got a type 10 fully decked out with engineered multi cannons which is fun for a while, being a flying fortress. But I much prefer flying a Ferdie or Krait mk2. I don't even remember the last time I brought out the 'Conda or Type 10. I am grinding Federation to get the Corvette though, that thing is just too sexy to ignore.

I also feel like I skipped an important part of the game. I had bought this a long time ago and started the normal grind, but then stopped playing until like last year. I had bought a DBX to upgrade my Sidewinder and had no idea what I was doing for the most part. But when I started back up I started with the LTD mining when that was the hot thing and then now with Painite, so it's like money might as well note exist anymore. Just need to make a couple runs to the local ring and I can buy anything I want. But that means I skipped the part of the game where you buy the Viper or Cobra and earn your salt learning how to fly properly. I think I've picked up a lot of it but from dogfighting in my FDL rather than a Viper.

[Agony_Aunt]

Originally posted by GodMan:

Originally posted by Agony_Aunt:

All of those roles in one ship?

Ooof.... i hope you don't mind at least swapping out modules, because combining exploration with mining would be a stretch.

Krait is a good choice, either the Mk2 or the Phantom.

But just to be different from what most will say (Python), i'm going to say the Imperial Clipper.

The problem with Imperial Clipper is that it requires a large landing pad (even though it a medium ship), which isn't preferable in smuggling.

Python always was the best choice if you wanted medium all rounder. It is kinda bland if you think about it, but it has most module slots for its class, great hardpoint placement, ok range and takes medium landing pad which can be found on any starport.
The other similar to Python choice is Krait Mk2, which has 1 less class 6 internal (makes him a little worse trader), but has a better jump range and can fit a fighter bay (python can't).

Smuggling is easy in any ship. Just boost through the slot.