Best Multipurpose Ship?

[GlobusDiablo]

Combat Cobra, hands down.

Bah....

[Telengo]

For multi-purpose ships, your progression should go

Ship: Sidewinder-> Adder-> Viper-> Cobra-> Asp-> Clipper-> Python
cost: Free-> 87,808-> 142,931-> 379,718-> 6,661,153-> 22,295,860-> 56,978,179
cargo: 10-> 26-> 22-> 60-> 128-> 248-> 292

Each of these ships can be easily re purposed, each step increase the efficiency of whatever income stream you choose, and hence leads to the next.

Most ships outside of this progression are specialized to the point of not being useful outside of their roles.

.....well you "could" take a type 9 into combat.....

Just out of interest where does the Fer De Lance sit in this? I know it does not carry much cargo but interested to know how it compares to the Asp and Cobra in combat terms?

[Kal]

Just out of interest where does the Fer De Lance sit in this? I know it does not carry much cargo but interested to know how it compares to the Asp and Cobra in combat terms?

No where near being able to afford one so have never owned one, but from what I have read on the Elite forums the FDL is more in league with the python and has more speed/maneuverability while the python packs more firepower. Basically they said the python would win in a 1 v 1 if the FDL doesn't run away.

[Lancing]

For multi-purpose ships, your progression should go

Ship: Sidewinder-> Adder-> Viper-> Cobra-> Asp-> Clipper-> Python
cost: Free-> 87,808-> 142,931-> 379,718-> 6,661,153-> 22,295,860-> 56,978,179
cargo: 10-> 26-> 22-> 60-> 128-> 248-> 292

Each of these ships can be easily re purposed, each step increase the efficiency of whatever income stream you choose, and hence leads to the next.

Most ships outside of this progression are specialized to the point of not being useful outside of their roles.

.....well you "could" take a type 9 into combat.....

Just out of interest where does the Fer De Lance sit in this? I know it does not carry much cargo but interested to know how it compares to the Asp and Cobra in combat terms?

The FDL is not a multipurpose ship. Its a gunship with power problems, a bad view and a tiny gas tank.

Multipurpose are as listed above minus the Viper which is a dedicated combat ship.

[Raze]

Yea, I finally tooled around with a Viper today finally. Went to Aulin and put almost all A or B modules on it and took it out fighting. It was a survivable beast for sure, but I went back to Aulin and traded it back in for a Cobra and pimped out the Cobra as much as I could afford so now it's Medium/High end and I am liking it much more for combat.

[gapper4]

It's worth considering to upgrade to a Cobra, outfit it for pure Trading (rares are great for making money in a Cobra) and going straight to the Asp as you primary ship for the next few weeks or months. The Cobra is good but the Asp is awesome, capable, with the right upgrades, to hold its own in any fight short of an Elite Anaconda, and also serve as a very capable trader (120 cargo with the best jump range in the game).

Trading rares in a Cobra with max cargo (I think it's 60) can bring you about 1mn CR per 1.5 hours or so, so an Asp is not that far off. You'll need about 9mn to outfit an Asp for basic trading and about 12mn to make it a capable trader. From there, you can do runs that make about 1.5mn an hour and the money starts rolling in.

Something worth considering down the road is aiming for an Imperial Clipper. Besides being the best-looking ship in the game, it is also an extremely capable combat ship that can deal with Anacondas in the hands of a competent pilot. It can also be outfitted for 240 cargo space, making it an awesome trader (although you can't land in outposts). The best part is that it's only 22mn and you need about 30mn to make it a great trader. Far cheaper than a Python, better looking, better handling, better range, and kick-ass in combat.

[iMaelstrom]

Something worth considering down the road is aiming for an Imperial Clipper. Besides being the best-looking ship in the game, it is also an extremely capable combat ship that can deal with Anacondas in the hands of a competent pilot. It can also be outfitted for 240 cargo space, making it an awesome trader (although you can't land in outposts). The best part is that it's only 22mn and you need about 30mn to make it a great trader. Far cheaper than a Python, better looking, better handling, better range, and kick-ass in combat.

Currently flying it. I haven't got the capital to outfit it for combat yet, but for trading it works great. Gapper mentions it having better range than a Python, but trust me, you will cry when going from an Asp to a Clipper when talking about range (I couldn't even find the A-class FSD initially). If you are aiming to trade your way up to a Python or higher, you will want to use this over the Type 7 for sure.

Don't even get the Type 7. Just get 28 million net worth (or 28 million in savings if you want to keep your ships) and then head to Empire space to run missions in the Asp (there will be mandatory combat missions for naval ascension missions. I had to actually assassinate a Clipper for one). You'll earn probably ~4 million working your way to baron. Most important thing for that is to get friendly/allied with multiple groups affiliated with the empire. You can't just stay at the same station. Initially, I went to CPC 22 212. Good mission ring around there with CPC 22 212, Iota Hydri, and LTT 970. You will want the Asp to dock at outposts for this.

[CMDR_Takoda]

...heh, who knew the Viper would be so controversial?

Just wanted to add, that the Imp Clipper was a dream to fly. It fit so many roles that it was a natural progression vehicle.

While true that the Jump range is a painful drop from the Asp, one has to remember that the Asp was designed to be the "dedicated explorer" ship. If you compare the Imp Clipper jump range to almost any other ship, its quite reasonable. (I do miss being able to jump 22 LY fully loaded though...*sigh*)

I've recently migrated to a Python, and can gleefully say that it fits the current top spot for multi purpose ships.

I wonder though now that I have my Python, if ship costs were designed around this path as it seems convenient that the next ship up becomes affordable by the time you have finished pimping your current ship.

ie, I finish pimping out my Cobra, I can now afford an Asp. I finish upgrading the Asp, I can almost afford a clipper, etc....

Oh, and in case someone doesn't know this. When upgrading to a new ship, (instead of buying an additional ship) Sell off ALL of your equipment FIRST, then trade in your ship.

You suffer a 10% value loss on your ship and attached equipment when trading it in, while equipment sales suffer no loss. Not so much of an issue with the lower ships/equipment, but a 10% loss on a class 3 gimbaled beam laser is 239,616 cr.

Count Takoda

[Flip]

Oh, and in case someone doesn't know this. When upgrading to a new ship, (instead of buying an additional ship) Sell off ALL of your equipment FIRST, then trade in your ship.

You suffer a 10% value loss on your ship and attached equipment when trading it in, while equipment sales suffer no loss. Not so much of an issue with the lower ships/equipment, but a 10% loss on a class 3 gimbaled beam laser is 239,616 cr.

Yeah, I checked when I sold my Cobra and selling the equipment first made me 463,500 cr more than selling the cobra as is, which was a bit more than 10% of its whole value. And BTW, for those who wonder, modules that cannot be sold (like power plant or FSD) can be downgraded (just buy the cheapest one available).

[Cmdr Kharma]

Yep.....

Ssssshhhhhh.......Don't tell no one.....

That's how I got the money to fly and fully max out the FDL in beta.......

Bought a type 9 for 100 cr and stripped it.......

Made about 2.6 mill a pop.......

Keep it under ya hat.......