Elite: Dangerous

[Chuck328]

8bit said:

OK so having been grinding credits in a couple of HRES sites the past few nights I've started to build money up with the intention of A-rating my Cobra Mk.III. I got an A-rated shield generator last night so I should be able to take on the bigger stuff a bit more safely.

Then it dawned on me; should I maybe forget the Cobra and just build cash up for something a bit better? Vulture or Diamondback Explorer both have some large weapons hardpoints and don't seem to cost the earth...

I went Cobra to Vulture. Cracking little ship, with decent shields, power,thrusters and weapons you are in a machine that will definitely let you take on much bigger ships. It's a big step up from the Cobra in terms of combat ability.

[RobGT81]

Did anyone else catch the SRV video last night? Looks great, hopefully throw in some base building, fuel mining etc. The ship landing looked awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3jlcPe8cII

[grenpayne]

That does look really cool and awesome fun They repeatedly said that the video didn't highlight the way it integrates in to the gameplay hinting it should enrich things quite a bit which is great news.

Mentioned in the comments was also that at 11:47 the side screens have been updated to show percentage reputation with each faction which is another great tweak. All in all looking really encouraging

[8bit]

Chuck328 said:

I went Cobra to Vulture. Cracking little ship, with decent shields, power,thrusters and weapons you are in a machine that will definitely let you take on much bigger ships. It's a big step up from the Cobra in terms of combat ability.

Thanks, what would you recommend for a weapons loadout for it?

[wolves_wanderer]

8bit said:

Thanks, what would you recommend for a weapons loadout for it?

The Vulture is a great ship but power management is very hard. Your first upgrades should be an A spec reactor and power distributor.

I use a class 3 gimballed beam and a class 3 fixed cannon. They are in different fire groups so if I am RES hunting I just use the laser for anything up to Imperial Courier/Federal Dropship size, switching to the cannon to chew through the hulls of anything larger. The Vulture is really maneuverable so quite easy to stay out of the way of the main weapons of larger ships.

[Baron Greenback]

RobGT81 said:

Did anyone else catch the SRV video last night? Looks great, hopefully throw in some base building, fuel mining etc. The ship landing looked awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3jlcPe8cII

Aye watched it live on youtube, did look fun! Lets hope we can Spa race track on some planet racing! They said there will be alot of contents to come on planet side!

[Chuck328]

8bit said:

Thanks, what would you recommend for a weapons loadout for it?

As Wolves W said, power will be an issue, especially if you go lasers. Beam and cannon would be a good combo if you don't have A rated power & distributor.

I went 2x C3 fixed beams, I've always used fixed to deal with chaff, and with beams I like not having to re load. For the bigger ships targeting their power plant helped, ever more so if you have gimballed. NPC seem to be using more chaff these days as doubtless you have noticed.

[8bit]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I've only ever used gimballed weapons so far, apart from a brief spell with a rail gun which I tried in one HRES session and immediately sold. It's a shame they take so damn long to build up a shot, that should really be shortened a little bit or the weapon offered as gimballed because they're almost useless against combat ships. It's a wonder they're offered in anything except large size.

The Diamondback Explorer sort of appeals because of the two medium mounts and one large; you could have a laser and a (multi)cannon on the mediums and the rail gun on the large for using against bigger stuff. I guess having two large mounts on the Vulture negates the need for that though.

[motorizer]

This looks good


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaV3FP5HJ48&fe...

[MissChief]

I was considering a Vulture upgrade from my Cobra 3 but I got interdicted by an NPC one last night and in all honesty it was a relatively easy fight. Didn't even get my shields down. Sure my Cobra is relatively tricked out and I can't remember the combat ranking of the Vulture pilot but I wasn't impressed. I would have about 3 million left over once bought, is that really enough to do the required upgrades?

Also, would be very useful if you could sell a ship that's stored somewhere without having to actually go there!

[8bit]

MissChief said:

I was considering a Vulture upgrade from my Cobra 3 but I got interdicted by an NPC one last night and in all honesty it was a relatively easy fight. Didn't even get my shields down. Sure my Cobra is relatively tricked out and I can't remember the combat ranking of the Vulture pilot but I wasn't impressed. I would have about 3 million left over once bought, is that really enough to do the required upgrades?

Also, would be very useful if you could sell a ship that's stored somewhere without having to actually go there!

I've found I can take down even bigger stuff than that fairly easily so long as they're NPCs. The other night in a HRES I bagged a Fer de Lance and a couple of Pythons. I guess not all the NPC craft will have optimal weapons and power setups and the AI isn't always that great.

[Chuck328]

For those looking to mess around with weapon load outs, costs etc, this may help. Probably not 100% accurate but it should give an indication of what you can run.

http://coriolis.io/

[Chuck328]

I think I've found what I want for X-mas. Who needs virtual reality goggles?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUgo831-1DU

[Baron Greenback]

Chuck328 said:

I think I've found what I want for X-mas. Who needs virtual reality goggles?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUgo831-1DU

That with trackIR would be awesome!

[FourWheelDrift]

Or 2 iDome displays, one front one behind - http://paulbourke.net/dome/UnityiDome/

[MissChief]

Any opinions on the Diamondback Explorer and Scout ships? I've got a Cobra mk 3 that has some pretty tricked out kit but while helping with the community goal it's the first time I've seen them to buy. Are they decent? Better than my Conra in any way?

[grenpayne]

I've not tried them myself but there's a couple of reviews on YouTube going through the pros and cons.

[Baron Greenback]

Got back into flying again, I see someone had made a website where you can find modules for sale on the nearest station! https://eddb.io/station that was my bugbare as I sold my ship a while back and took ages to get the best modules back!

I see from powerplay there is a shield to get hold of! Are they worth grinding for?

[8bit]

Baron Greenback said:

Got back into flying again, I see someone had made a website where you can find modules for sale on the nearest station! https://eddb.io/station that was my bugbare as I sold my ship a while back and took ages to get the best modules back!

I see from powerplay there is a shield to get hold of! Are they worth grinding for?

That's a great website, thanks for sharing. Just a shame it doesn't list prices

Anyone know where to get a Vulture at a discount at all?

[castex]

Baron Greenback said:

Got back into flying again, I see someone had made a website where you can find modules for sale on the nearest station! https://eddb.io/station that was my bugbare as I sold my ship a while back and took ages to get the best modules back!

Nice find.

I just jettisoned all cargo (448t) while trying to bind a new weapon on being interdicted. Go me!
Key is now unbound. Unbind that key, commanders.