*** The Official Elite: Dangerous Thread ***

[JHeaton]

On my 3 week trip to the core and back I developed a few bad habits such as leaving my ship in supercruise, going to make a sandwich and then coming back 15 minutes later and picking up where I left off; nothing bad ever came of it, but on reflection I probably should have clicked "save and exit" rather than risked leaving my ship unattended

I am also guilty of doing this...even in inhabited space. >.>

'mirin your DK2, it's definitely on my list of future upgrades!

It's good, but honestly, it's not great right now. I would be tempted to wait for CV1 or Vive, really.


Decided to head through the Pleiades nebula and visit Maia along my way. Figured it would be a fun way to spend the day, especially since I love bright blue stars. :3

About to enter the nebula:


Sterope:


Flying away from Celaeno:


Loving the colours in the nebula:


Under Merope:


Dat glow:


Next up:


Quite an interesting system, really:


I expected to see some lensing effect or, well, any sign that I was near a black hole:


To be honest, despite being the attraction of the system, I find myself quite underwhelmed:


Oh well, onwards to VY Canis Majoris! Via some more interesting things in the galaxy, no doubt. :3

 

[SPG]

I do miss my clipper a bit, having gone to a Python.

It's made up for my being able to land at outposts, carry more cargo, and that extra large hardpoint is great. It does feel very sluggish in combat so I'm not sure how I'd feel in a 1vs1 against a good player in a vulture, and I hate how slow it is. I'm also not exactly blown away by its aesthetic, whereas the Clipper was just amazing inside and out.

I think next up is a type 9 once I get the cash together (have enough to buy it, but not kit it out and be able to buy cargo yet), then a wonderful grindfest of trading that I'm dreading. Hopefully then I'll see the Imperial courier, which looks sexy as hell, or I could potentially just go to a Fed Corvette when that shows up.

You need to throw some cash into the Python to make it glorious and i found it a great ship to learn FA off on and then you can turn it on a dime really. Just got mine to fully A-rated and its a beast. 10 mil in the bank to cover ins and max cargo and its time to grind the cash for something else.

 

[Beggs74]

Anyone know where I can pick up an A4 Power Plant near Zaragas?

 

[eyetrip]

Well, worked my butt off yesterday making enough dosh to afford the reduced clipper, and worked my butt off today trying to rank up in Empire.

Well, initially seemed to be ranking up well, doing all sorts of bits to increase rep. Looked once and had moved to Serf before long. Then seemed to move from Serf to Master in the blink of an eye.

Didn't feel like too much longer before I was on Squire, and by this point I had gotten a whole bunch of rank progression missions (all to go kill someone), and figured by the time I had spent ages tracking down five of them and killing them, it would do some good from for my rank....

Well, still on Squire!!!

"Rank progression mission" my butt!

Probably going to miss the reduced cost now, as doubt I will have free time this week, and not sure it's going to be worth the full cost to me.

 

[dirtybeatfreak]

So I bought a Vulture yesterday and kitted it out...beautiful ship but does anyone else feel they are a bit OP??

 

[Devrij]

Well, worked my butt off yesterday making enough dosh to afford the reduced clipper, and worked my butt off today trying to rank up in Empire.

Well, initially seemed to be ranking up well, doing all sorts of bits to increase rep. Looked once and had moved to Serf before long. Then seemed to move from Serf to Master in the blink of an eye.

Didn't feel like too much longer before I was on Squire, and by this point I had gotten a whole bunch of rank progression missions (all to go kill someone), and figured by the time I had spent ages tracking down five of them and killing them, it would do some good from for my rank....

Well, still on Squire!!!

"Rank progression mission" my butt!

Probably going to miss the reduced cost now, as doubt I will have free time this week, and not sure it's going to be worth the full cost to me.

When one pops up, it will pop up everywhere. Only the first one counts.

 

[Captain Fizz]

So I bought a Vulture yesterday and kitted it out...beautiful ship but does anyone else feel they are a bit OP??

After having had a Python, nope, don't find it OP.

Great shields, decent firepower but not over the top firepower.
Definitely best bang for buck, 20 mill gives you a nimble, well shielded fighter.

But prefer moar deeps! (More DPS)

 

[Beer_MonsterUK]

Well, worked my butt off yesterday making enough dosh to afford the reduced clipper, and worked my butt off today trying to rank up in Empire.

Well, initially seemed to be ranking up well, doing all sorts of bits to increase rep. Looked once and had moved to Serf before long. Then seemed to move from Serf to Master in the blink of an eye.

Didn't feel like too much longer before I was on Squire, and by this point I had gotten a whole bunch of rank progression missions (all to go kill someone), and figured by the time I had spent ages tracking down five of them and killing them, it would do some good from for my rank....

Well, still on Squire!!!

"Rank progression mission" my butt!

Probably going to miss the reduced cost now, as doubt I will have free time this week, and not sure it's going to be worth the full cost to me.

To be fair, rank progression should be something you have to work for. It shouldn't be an easy thing to gain.

Saying that, I just got Baron last night and have started kitting out a Clipper. It seems to be a wonderful ship, the only downsides seems to be the weird weapon positions (i had to get gimbals) and the relatively weak shield (coming from the vulture it was a bit of a shock).

 

[JHeaton]

After having had a Python, nope, don't find it OP.

I don't agree. My Vulture cost less than 11m in total and I was taking out ships worth ten times its price with ease. It's so easy to stay behind Anacondas and Pythons, and you can tank pretty much anything that a Clipper or Dropship can throw at you, or negate some of their firepower with chaff, since gimballed weapons seem to be pretty much forced on those ships. I would say the biggest threats to a Vulture are a skilled Viper pilot (once the Vulture's shields are down, a Viper will eat it alive), a Fer-de-Lance, or a player-controlled Anaconda.

At least with a Python, running combat spec is probably going to cost you in the region of 100m credits, if not more.

To be fair, rank progression should be something you have to work for. It shouldn't be an easy thing to gain.

Saying that, I just got Baron last night and have started kitting out a Clipper. It seems to be a wonderful ship, the only downsides seems to be the weird weapon positions (i had to get gimbals) and the relatively weak shield (coming from the vulture it was a bit of a shock).

The trouble is, rank progression is so random. It would be much better to have a clear, well-defined system that presents a challenge, than the current one. Especially since the rep system is mostly hidden away!

On the Clipper, yeah, the shields are definitely weaker than the Vulture, but remember that the Vulture is a dedicated combat ship and much, much smaller, so it doesn't have to stretch the shields as far. That being said, I ran a 7C shield with three B-grade boosters and not once did I lose my shields in a conflict zone or RES. I even managed to ram a few NPCs without breaking them, and when they get low it's easy enough to boost out; the only things which can really keep pace with you are the Cobra and FdL.

If I remember rightly, this was what I could afford for combat spec:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=603,5TP5TP7u57u53wU0_q0_q0_q,2-9i9s8I8S9Y8I6k,7WA7kO4-O

 

[eyetrip]

To be fair, rank progression should be something you have to work for. It shouldn't be an easy thing to gain.

Saying that, I just got Baron last night and have started kitting out a Clipper. It seems to be a wonderful ship, the only downsides seems to be the weird weapon positions (i had to get gimbals) and the relatively weak shield (coming from the vulture it was a bit of a shock).

Yeah, I get that it shouldn't be easy... but don't have oodles of time to put into things. This weekend was the most I have put into gaming for some time, and that was with the express purpose of getting to that clipper.

Honestly thought that with a hard push for many hours straight, that it would maybe be attainable, but obviously not.

The thing that baffled me though, was I was really expecting those "naval rank progression" missions to really be the thing that pushed rank up, but they appeared to do nothing at all, and were far more time consuming than all the missions to gain reputation.

Especially considering had been on Squire some hours already.

Oh well. Hopefully I can find some time during the week.

When does the reduction in price end?

 

[JHeaton]

28th April, if I remember rightly.

 

[Captain Fizz]

I don't agree. My Vulture cost less than 11m in total and I was taking out ships worth ten times its price with ease.

Definitely best bang for buck, 20 mill gives you a nimble, well shielded fighter.

Yes, for the money it is ridiculously good, but I find 2 x C3 hardpoints "OK".

Firepower per credit spent - Maybe bordering on OP.
Overall, not OP in my humble opinion.

Clipper, Python, 'conda, Dropship even all have more firepower.
Yes they cost more... So?
Credits are relatively easy to come by.

 

[eyetrip]

My take on the Vulture is it's a fab little fighter, but I wouldn't say it's over powered.

Against NPC's, yes it can pack a punch against some of the bigger ships. Hell, I can happily take down a dangerous NPC in an Anaconda (Now that I learned to just focus on the power plant - I didn't realise til this weekend taking it out resulted in a big boom!).

I would not want to go up against a human player in those big ships though. Or even a small wing of nimble fighter ships.

It's nimble, but not quite as maneuverable as I feel it could be.

 

[dirtybeatfreak]

It may just be my naivety, it's just I was comparing it to being in a fully kitted out Viper. In RES's with the Viper, I had to at least be careful when against multiple ships or a high ranked Anaconda, but in the Vulture, I just melt through everything with ease. It just seemed a bit too easy and I like a bit of a challenge.

 

[Stelly]

It may just be my naivety, it's just I was comparing it to being in a fully kitted out Viper. In RES's with the Viper, I had to at least be careful when against multiple ships or a high ranked Anaconda, but in the Vulture, I just melt through everything with ease. It just seemed a bit too easy and I like a bit of a challenge.

Vultures are far to over powered and need rebalancing!

Stelly

 

[Captain Fizz]

Hehe, it is much smaller profile than the Python so takes less hits but against NPC's I found even just using 3 x large hardpoints on the Python stuff dies quicker.

That was with a mid specced Python.

Saving 130 mill atm to get a decent specced one, will prob sell the vulture once ready to purchase.

 

[JHeaton]

Yes, for the money it is ridiculously good, but I find 2 x C3 hardpoints "OK".

Firepower per credit spent - Maybe bordering on OP.
Overall, not OP in my humble opinion.

Clipper, Python, 'conda, Dropship even all have more firepower.
Yes they cost more... So?
Credits are relatively easy to come by.

Their increased cost adds to balance. You have to spend more to get what they offer, which in a lot of cases is only just as good as the Vulture anyway, and you risk far more by taking them into combat. They have far more negative aspects than the Vulture does. The Anaconda, Python and Dropship are all slower at top speeds; all four are less agile. Clipper and Dropship don't have good hardpoint placement at all, forcing you to use gimballed weapons (which really aren't fun against a small-profile, agile ship like the Vulture, especially when it's popping chaff and taking basic evasive action).

Top-spec shields on the Vulture are better than both the Clipper and especially the Dropship (which gets a measly 235MJ!), and only marginally worse than the Python. It does have a weaker hull than all of the four you listed, but makes up for it by being able to take so much shield damage and disengage from most fights when things are against it. You can slow the retreat with a Clipper or FDL (Asp can match speed but I don't think it mass-inhibits the Vulture), but that's really it.

It's a great ship, but there are few cons. When you don't have a hard time shredding the bigger, more expensive ships in something that you can run for 11m, I would personally say that's a little excessive. I bought one at its reduced price and basically made that back within a day. It just feels too good for what it costs right now, in my opinion.

My take on the Vulture is it's a fab little fighter, but I wouldn't say it's over powered.

Against NPC's, yes it can pack a punch against some of the bigger ships. Hell, I can happily take down a dangerous NPC in an Anaconda (Now that I learned to just focus on the power plant - I didn't realise til this weekend taking it out resulted in a big boom!).

I would not want to go up against a human player in those big ships though. Or even a small wing of nimble fighter ships.

It's nimble, but not quite as maneuverable as I feel it could be.

It's not too hard to stay behind even player Anacondas, and when you can't, your small target and use of chaff can make it hard to hit you anyway since most Anacondas run some combination of gimballed and turreted weapons. Pythons are much more dangerous to the Vulture in my opinion, as they can move a little better and faster, and bring fixed weapons to bear, but even then they aren't too hard to deal with (they would go down much faster without the wonky power plant hitbox, IMO). With both of these, your biggest worry is less their firepower and more the number of shield cells they can pop during a fight. If you ever get hit by the huge hardpoint on a 'Conda, you're doing something wrong.


On another note, would anybody be up for a bit of PvP fun when I get back from my trip? I'm thinking Eagles, since they're inexpensive. If anyone doesn't really have funds, I'd be happy to finance it for you. Shouldn't take much to kit out and the rebuy cost is minimal. I figure after a huge journey like this, my combat skills are going to be quite rusty.

 

[foster grant]

Forgive my noobness ...but where can I actually buy this game from ?....as I dont really trust steam when it comes to putting credit card details through steam

 

[eyetrip]

Their increased cost adds to balance. You have to spend more to get what they offer, which in a lot of cases is only just as good as the Vulture anyway, and you risk far more by taking them into combat. They have far more negative aspects than the Vulture does. The Anaconda, Python and Dropship are all slower at top speeds; all four are less agile. Clipper and Dropship don't have good hardpoint placement at all, forcing you to use gimballed weapons (which really aren't fun against a small-profile, agile ship like the Vulture, especially when it's popping chaff and taking basic evasive action).

Top-spec shields on the Vulture are better than both the Clipper and especially the Dropship (which gets a measly 235MJ!), and only marginally worse than the Python. It does have a weaker hull than all of the four you listed, but makes up for it by being able to take so much shield damage and disengage from most fights when things are against it. You can slow the retreat with a Clipper or FDL (Asp can match speed but I don't think it mass-inhibits the Vulture), but that's really it.

It's a great ship, but there are few cons. When you don't have a hard time shredding the bigger, more expensive ships in something that you can run for 11m, I would personally say that's a little excessive. I bought one at its reduced price and basically made that back within a day. It just feels too good for what it costs right now, in my opinion.



It's not too hard to stay behind even player Anacondas, and when you can't, your small target and use of chaff can make it hard to hit you anyway since most Anacondas run some combination of gimballed and turreted weapons. Pythons are much more dangerous to the Vulture in my opinion, as they can move a little better and faster, and bring fixed weapons to bear, but even then they aren't too hard to deal with (they would go down much faster without the wonky power plant hitbox, IMO). With both of these, your biggest worry is less their firepower and more the number of shield cells they can pop during a fight. If you ever get hit by the huge hardpoint on a 'Conda, you're doing something wrong.


On another note, would anybody be up for a bit of PvP fun when I get back from my trip? I'm thinking Eagles, since they're inexpensive. If anyone doesn't really have funds, I'd be happy to finance it for you. Shouldn't take much to kit out and the rebuy cost is minimal. I figure after a huge journey like this, my combat skills are going to be quite rusty.

Actually, I have only played solo, and not actually played flown an eagle yet, so depending on when/what you wanted to do this, I may join.

Will have to make sure I get my headset running well. Keep meaning to do it for voice attack anyway - just, got my controls on x52 mapped so well and it's all so familiar now, I don't feel a massive need

 

[JHeaton]

Forgive my noobness ...but where can I actually buy this game from ?....as I dont really trust steam when it comes to putting credit card details through steam

Either Steam, the official website, or you could probably buy a key of something like G2A.

Actually, I have only played solo, and not actually played flown an eagle yet, so depending on when/what you wanted to do this, I may join.

Will have to make sure I get my headset running well. Keep meaning to do it for voice attack anyway - just, got my controls on x52 mapped so well and it's all so familiar now, I don't feel a massive need

Probably in a week or two. I'm currently going exploring and this trip is only going to be about 2000LY or so before I return, as I will be wanting to check out the Imperial Courier when 1.3 drops. Should be easy enough to find a quiet spot to do it without interruptions.