Opinions are like Sidewinders, everyone's got one. To win a reward in this bounty, tell us which of Elite's many ships is the most underrated and why. We're looking for more than just aesthetics here; think about which ship has underused utility or overlooked potential (for any career or activity).
You can enter with video for $4 or text for $2. Whichever you choose, make sure you explain why it's underrated; we will not accept more generalist ship reviews. If you enter with text, you'll be eligible for the $4 reward if youinclude an original image of the ship. There's no minimum word count for this bounty, but we expect at least a couple of sentences.
Remaining$208 / 300
This reward closed to entries at 1:03pm on November 27, 2024 but you can still reply, react, and join the conversation below! If you’d like to enter other rewards which are still open, click here.
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Submissions (26)
AndyRice11/14/2024
Won$4
The Federal Drop Ship (FDS) is, in my opinion, an underrated multi-role ship for beginners. I've seen many comments complaining about this ship, describing it as, well, boring.
Indeed, it is somewhat boring and awkward compared to other ships in the same price range. It doesn't have the jump range of an Asp Explorer, it can't fight as effectively as its sibling, the Federal Assault Ship or the Chieftain, and it can't carry as much cargo as the Type-7. It even requires a Federal rank to unlock for purchase. It seems like FDev themselves have forgotten that they created this vessel, as there are only a few paint jobs and no ship kit available for the FDS, and they even use a Vulture instead of a real 'Drop Ship' for combat zone deployments lol.
However, compared to the Type-7 and Asp Explorer, it offers a tougher hull and a large hardpoint, given its original military design. With modifications, achieving more than 3000 hull points is easy. Additionally, compared to the FAS, the FDS has a grade 6 optional internal slot, which the FAS lacks, making it more versatile. With certain modifications, its jump range can reach over 40 light-years, which, while not extensive, is sufficient for light exploration.
I started studying this ship because I was building a battlefield maintenance vessel for supporting others during combat with the last Titan. Since this is a risky task, I wanted to avoid a high rebuy cost, which ruled out the Python and Krait. I wanted a ship with better survivability, which ruled out the Type-7. I needed a ship that was tough, versatile, and cost-effective, and the Federal Drop Ship naturally became the choice. Here is my build:
This is my FDS, the UES - Nordanvind. 'Nordanvind' means 'North Wind' in Swedish. I chose this name because I initially wanted to name it '北风' in my language, but sadly ED doesn’t support Chinese characters. 'North Wind' sounded a bit plain, and as I am currently learning Swedish, 'Nordanvind' seemed like a fitting choice. I love this name, it gives me a feeling of resilience, endurance and purity.
UES stands for United Earth Starfleet
In conclusion, if you are a beginner looking for an intermediate multi-role ship, consider the FDS. It works.
Verified
Dydo11/26/2024
Won$4
I'm too far away to outfit my Keelback back to its mining form on time - as I've been experimenting with it for a while and now the outfit is all messed up. However, it was my first mining ship, and oh boy, it fits the role perfectly. With a Fighter Bay, you can bring some protection along, and 64T of cargo space is more than enough to get started with the basics of mining - 80T if you're willing to downgrade your shields. It can also handle trading quite well and isn't overly expensive, so you don't feel stuck with a dedicated trade ship like the Type-6 or Type-7. I think of it as a beginner's Python, primarily because of its versatility and multi-role capabilities.
Verified
mypets11/26/2024
Won$4
I think the Diamondback Scout is a very underrated ship.This ship is a very good option for bounty hunting, being very useful especially for beginners, because it's a cheap ship that works very well for those who can't afford better options, and it's possible to put up a good defense even without engineering.Very good for practicing this part!
Verified
yan5743611/26/2024
Won$4
People always want to get the Cobra Mk III, or save money and jump straight to the medium ship. But the Hauler is almost always left out, perhaps the best value for money at the start of the game. I used it to do the delivery missions with a bit more cargo and even started laser mining with it!
Verified
JHenckes11/26/2024
Won$4
I think the Hauler is a great ship, but it's been labeled as a “dull” early-game ship that needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Obviously there are several better ships for specific professions, but the Hauler can sustain good gameplay for a long time when used with the right build!
So let's value the advantages: The first and most important is its price. It's impossible to get a better ship for a lower price if you want transport cargo! What's more, its jump range is excellent, and when properly equipped it can reach unimaginable values for other entry-level ships.
As it's a ship used more at the beginning of the game, its small size is great for new players to practice docking at more challenging stations
So, the Hauler is a great ship that can go beyond the beginning of the game and works very well for both those who use it for exploration and those who want to carry high-value items! So don't discard your Hauler just like that, it's really good!
