The Best Darned Exploration Ship Ever! (Elite Dangerous)

[@Kissamiess]

Adequate internals and downwards view. Assurances that it will fit medium pad, though I would take it if it didn't. It's starting to look really good. It just depends on the Thargoid war and PP 2.0 if I will buy it early or wait for wider release. Also apparently best damn jump range with size 5 FSD. Must be pretty light hull. Made of anacondium, perhaps?

[@austinmartin612]

Jumponium hull confirmed

[@jarekstorm6331]

Should be a near limitless supply of anacondium once the recycling starts after every switches to a Mandalay. 😆

[@the_rat_run]

Wireframe hull?

[@Cooldude-ko7ps]

Yeah, I was expecting a size 6 FSD

@@Cooldude-ko7ps me 2 :/

[@Gailim]

so it is a Phantom with better jump range than a Conda AND it gets SCO well... nobody ever needs to debate "what is the best exploration ship?" ever again

[@enteplays3662]

Yep it clearly is the sidewinder

[@holden426]

@@enteplays3662 Ikr why is this even an issue?

[@enrogae]

Unless it has the thermal profile of the Dolphin, I'll still argue it all day long. I don't want to give up my jump scooping.

[@enrogae]

@@enteplays3662 40LY jumps, excellent handling in normal space and SC, tiny landing footprint for bios... could certainly do worse than a Sidewinder!

[@cmdrreggit]

Power creep 🤷‍♂

[@guhak]

Assuming it can run a shield in size 4, you could run 112 cargo on that with 6 collector limpets (multi + 3D collector), a 2A refinery, 1A prospector, DSS, and have one size 1 slot to spare (could run supercruise assist for SCA Trick or something). The power distributor can support 2 size 2 mining lasers and two size 1 pre-engineered lasers on charge enhanced super conduits just barely, clearing all rocks in a non-haz res zone before stuttering (it’ll potentially stutter on the largest 42 chunk rocks for a second). And still has space to carry a single seismic launcher + abrasion blaster. Two launchers if you dropped a pre-engineered laser (which lets you no stutter in haz-res). This thing will actually be funnily enough a really fun mining ship. Imo it outclasses the asp explorer as a mining ship for sure (AspX is often a stepping stone to Python for mining). Granted, I doubt its price will be as cheap as an AspX haha. Even then it presumably is way more maneuverable than a Python and with half the cargo space could definitely see use for “I want to core/laser mine but I don’t want to core/laser mine for *that* long” playstyles.

[@arha-z1v]

I cant wait to see how it compares to my exploration dolphin (DONT QUESTION IT)

[@austinm5630]

I literally took a Dolphin all the way to Colonia. And that was the first time I ever went to Colonia. The Dolphin is the best small pad exploration ship in the game. Yes, MUCH better than the DBX. Jump range means nothing if you have to spend 3x as long scooping between each jump. A size 4 FSD with a size 5 fuel scoop means you can deep scoop before you can even line up your next jump. A size 5 FSD with a size 4 fuel scoop means I hope you're ready to orbit the star all the way around or risk cooking yourself.

[@ysfsim]

​@@austinm5630Can't cook yourself in a dolphin. You can scoop and charge your fsd at the same time

[@witchman-oy7zb]

i too have a Dolphin set up as an explorer

[@anonymousskunk]

And what better way to get your super rich passenger to their long-distance sight-seeing destination than in the Dolphin's luxury cabin?!

[@enrogae]

Dolphin is the best. Unless this jet fighter wannabe ship has a similar thermal profile, my Dolphin will still be my main explorer. I have 10 of them already though, so what's one more? :P

[@Lambda3141]

This ship is gonna be my main exploration craft to be sure.

[@jarekstorm6331]

Fore sure! It’ll also be my daily driver, with other ships for specific roles like combat and trade. I’ll fly the wings off this beauty!

[@maikelele6513]

Pretty much same for everyone

[@trathanstargazer6421]

It is really damn nice getting all these ships!

[@witchman-oy7zb]

altho lovin my lil DBX for my exploration ship even tho i HATE the fuel scoop(even if it was one size bigger would be great), has lil less jump range than a conda but i can land that dbx on postage stamp instead of a football field for the coda. i have to say the way this ship looks, i think my DBX has made its last trip out into the black..

[@holden426]

I just picked up a DBX for the first time today after having tried the Asp and Krait. It's a joy to fly and the jump range is incredible, but that fuel scoop is a deal-breaker for me. I used it to unlock some guardian tech and zip around the bubble a bit, but I already miss my Krait. Regardless, I'm happy to see a new explorer coming soon.

[@inevs1005]

As always, lightning quick

[@captainyossarian388]

Finally we explorers get some love. Will also double as a nice taxi in the bubble. Love the forward-down window. Definitely picking this up. Sorry AspX, you've been a true explorer workhorse, but you're being retired to the FC hangar bay.

[@turbokadett]

Still looks like a fighter jet with a beer belly.

[@MichaelTheRead]

Gotta admit I'm looking forward to this one.

[@voidseekersarchive]

Goodbye, my dear AspX. You've been good to me.

[@Gailim]

the AspX was already power crept by the Phantom years ago the Mandalay is doing to the Phantom what the Phantom did to the AspX

[@jarekstorm6331]

🫡

[@voidseekersarchive]

@@Gailim AspX's cockpit and view are vastly superior to the Phantom, but Mandalay got both the view AND the technology.

[@PatrickRatman]

Zorgon Yeeterson at it again with another banger.

[@superscott9780]

Elite dangerous / Frontier developments this is an exploration ship The ship's internals 3 size 1 1 size 2 2 size 3 2 size 4 1 size 5 1 size 6 Weapons 4 medium 2 small In Perfect Weapon locations Frontier developments also it's highly maneuverable The community Are you serious this is a combat ship

[@MistedMind]

Well, the Conda is supposed to be a combat ship too, and still has amongst the best jump-range, and hence exploration capability :D

[@GalnetDigest]

It might possibly be a combat explorer!

[@Neo-vz8nh]

C5 distro is not that bad, the Vulture has the same. 4 medium is also quite good. If it is really manoverable, then it will be a decent conbat ship.

[@Datan0de]

​@@Neo-vz8nhSure, but the Vulture's weakness is power availability, and it only has 2 (albeit large) hardpoints. Either way, it'll be interesting to see how the Mandalay performs in combat. Surely it has a shortcoming that isn't reflected in the numbers?

[@Neo-vz8nh]

@@Datan0de I don't see your point, why does it matter for the Mandalay what weakness the Vulture has?

[@Rigel_Chiokis]

I have never been forced to use an Anaconda for exploration. I got my Asp X set up so it could jump about 65 LY and with it's fuel scoop, I didn't have to so much as pause for fuel scooping. Honestly, 65 LY of jump is plenty for exploration. The one video I saw where a pilot demonstrated being able to jump an Anaconda something like 300 LY with a neutron star boost, the ship basically had nothing but a jump drive to eliminate mass. But I look forward to having a Mandalay because it looks really nice (other than it's pigeon toed and the down-thrust engines look a bit silly silly).

[@kylebaryonyx9478]

Very cool. Now I need to haul my sorry ass 400+ jumps back to the bubble to pick it up

[@ysfsim]

You have a month

[@Dr_Tripper]

This looks like a great mission ship. Easier landing and hopefully as quick to get into as the P MkII.

[@petezzzz]

I see a wicked little rail boat on the horizon.

[@draconusspiritus1037]

The hard points appear well suited for options beyond just exploration. AX Combat? check. Mining? check

[@CountArtha]

Well, now I'm going to feel like even more of a Fudd for sticking with my beloved Asp Explorer.

[@Valleystoner]

Don't worry. I'm sticking with my ice cold Dolphin 😂

[@tailsfan11westandwithukraine]

I really hope the ship will live up to all this expectation, and that the promising words won’t go to waste. Doubly so, because I honestly hate using the Anaconda. But what is Zorgon? It’s the one ship manufacturer that is not in the codex knowledge base.

[@GalnetDigest]

Zorgon Peterson. They Make the Hauler, the Fer de Lance and the Mamba.

[@Bean41]

@@GalnetDigest How dare you forget the best ship they make, The Adder?

[@kudosbudo]

@@Bean41 Basically they make fiat's and ferrari's

[@simisoner]

I'm hoping that it won't be made of paper, or at least have a decent shield pool for when accidents occur when landing during exploration

[@daltonferguson7846]

Absolutely gorgeous ship

[@joeschmalhofer6109]

Might replace my plant hunting Asp Exp... but even with a longer jump range, my Exploration Anaconda still has a bigger fuel scoop, and carries more stuff. :)

[@TheJoshMacer]

*whistles* What. A. Beauty.

[@IvagaanimaI]

Okay fine I'll come back again

[@Tamburello_1994]

Welcome back! 🤟

[@flow5tate346]

I somewhat hesitated on the Python MkII. Made a pass on the T8. But this one I will not hesitate. And Exploration isn't even my main gig.

[@Shicksalblume]

Pity the October release will be for Arx, and the screenshot contest requires social media. Oh well, I was going to keep trawling around the bubble helping with the war effort until all the coming ships had been released anyway.

[@pythagorasaurusrex9853]

I wonder if the Mandalay can replace my beloved Krait Phantom explo ship.

[@57thorns]

Still hard to beat the class canopy of the Asp-X. But if that is the compromise I have to make, I guess it will be worth it.

[@wmgthilgen]

Can't seem to find a possible engineered possibility mandalya

[@kruemelfelix]

When will be the wide release? Something around January?

[@owend1453]

0:55 sums it up for me, I'm doing a little jig hearing the good news 🎉

[@azuredragonofnether5433]

It's all good and all, but can it go past 70 lightyears with or without engineering?

[@enteplays3662]

We will see on 22. October

[@skioles]

I just finished building Krait Phantom after realizing DBX is not a good replacement for my ASP despite having slightly better range. And now another contestant enters the ring. Mandalay internals looks great on paper. And it's supposed to be even better than conda while still being a medium sized. I don't really like jumpaconda because of how much you need to strip it down to get that range and how big and clunky it is. The only thing I'm worried about is that the old ships are getting obsolete.

[@thetwentysevenclub_]

know if we got a price yet? Im thinking somewhere in the ballpark of 90 million.

[@HotSocket]

wow i cant wait to use this for bounty hunting

[@GalnetDigest]

It's super-fast, so that might work well!

[@TheScottShepard]

But when are we getting another ship?!

[@Furebel]

probably 6 months after it's "releasing" we will actually get it in game, so don't get excited

[@SgtMajor82]

When does it go on SAAAAAALE! Take my money!

[@the_rat_run]

My Arx are burning a hole in my wallet! I'm only a sightseer, so look forward to a daytrip to Colonia on 22nd October.

[@saffieification]

im not sure about going *anywhere* in the black at hte momment, just 3 jumps from ray in my python when i got hyperdicted ran away but so unexpected so close to home....

[@mpfrau02]

I cant wait!

[@kobaltstaub287]

In October yes but at the end of it which su**ks big time the type 8 was out at the beginning of the month

[@wr0ngel]

Shut up and take my money!

[@Discovery2024-rn8kn]

Reason to chose this over the Phantom?

[@MRxMADHATTER]

Utillity points? I like it.

[@GalnetDigest]

Sadly, we don't yet know about the number of utility slots.

[@grandreefer]

4 utility slots.

[@MRxMADHATTER]

@@grandreefer That's what it looked like.

[@grandreefer]

​@@MRxMADHATTERyeah. Thought fdev said it somewhere but now I can't find it. Maybe it was in a stream. Maybe I'm just completely losing it. Lol. Come back here and tell me how wrong I am when that happens. O7

[@mikewaterfield3599]

Damn she does look good, wings are a bit broad though for a spacecraft.

[@cyleleghorn246]

True, but I would argue this is the one ship where planetary landings were part of the design on the drawing board, rather than requiring a retrofit after the horizons update came out. The wings won't hurt anything in space, but other ships lacking wings would literally fly like a brick in any sort of atmosphere, whereas this ship should actually handle BETTER on planets than in deep space!

[@mikewaterfield3599]

@@cyleleghorn246 eeh, possibly, from a re entry standpoint the Adder is actually partially based on shuttle design concepts. Operating in a zero G environment the keelback actually makes tons of sense with the azipod engines.

[@cyleleghorn246]

@@mikewaterfield3599 based on shuttle design, but the shuttle is also notorious for flying like a brick as well. Every pilot who has ever landed it will tell you the same thing: it's not a plane, wasn't meant to "fly", and is barely controllable enough to guide it to the runway

[@mikewaterfield3599]

@@cyleleghorn246 Actually as an aviator myself I resent that. Unpowered atmospheric re entry is an absurd notion. It all comes back to the same physics. Sure the shuttle was making unpowered S turns at about mach 2. Its was still a glide path.

[@Datan0de]

​@@cyleleghorn246Realistically, the underside of the Mandalay looks like a giant aerobrake. Maybe not a major problem in tenuous atmospheres, but the drag would be trying to pull the nose down hard. I wonder if that could be countered by cutting power to the upper main thruster and relying primarily on the lower one? There are people who do actual aerodynamic modeling of Elite ships. I hope they do an analysis of this one.

[@DanielBradler]

How much kidneys will it cost me to get it?

[@tetiitet]

Will it beat my 65ly dbx?

[@Tamburello_1994]

My DBX beats that, lol.

[@tetiitet]

@@Tamburello_1994 75?

[@Tamburello_1994]

@@tetiitet 78 (no SCO -- With a "pre-engineered" FSD)

[@CountArtha]

Obviously. My AspX can do 70.4

[@ToCoSo]

I need it!!!!!

[@yusufbaskoro5580]

If the next ship also a medium one, I will stop playing. LONG LIVE LARGE SHIP!!!

[@scottgust9709]

the problem is 'explore what'? the game needs content not more ships

[@pete5177]

Exactly!!!

[@catladygames_]

This is most absurd comment one could *ever* make about Elite. Like, literally, of all things you could complain about...

[@jediShutternut]

does it come in righthand drive? don't fancy another left hand drive foreign import

[@wmgthilgen]

The pilot seat is forward and centered, the copilot seat is directly behind and slight above the pilot's seat.

[@colinjarmie8314]

Why not 3 size 6 compartments and 3 size 5 compartments and 2 size for compartments and 2 size to compartments and 3 size 1 compartments

[@grandreefer]

It really wasn't that hard to keep up with. The text is on screen too. Slow it down and you'll understand what each one is.

[@Roytulin]

Frankly, it seems a bit too good and puts existing ships too far behind.

[@delta9775]

if its really as described, this is too good, it will make every other exploration ship obsolete. Obsolete to the point you will be laughed at if you use anything else aside from this for pure exploration. In my opinion, this can be considered power creep and I am not sure I like this. But also truth be told, aside from mybe Krait Phantom, we do not really have dedicated medium exploration ship optimized for exploration. Before you start shouting ASP EXPLORER, which is a great exploration ship, remember that ASP is technically a multirole. ASP Explorer is not only for exploration, while this now ship if it will really be as advertised, is. Lets see how will it turn out.

[@Valleystoner]

I agree to a certain point, but jump range isn't the most important thing in an exploration ship. I don't think I'll buy this, simply because it looks ugly as hell to me. I have my Dolphin set up as my main exploration ship and I plan on keeping it that way. It has a little over 50ly jump range and stays so cool while fuel scooping. Also I can land anywhere I want with it. I love the engine boost sound too 😄

[@Valleystoner]

This ship looks ugly as hell to me. I'll stick with my Dolphin for exploration. The other new ships look cool though.

[@maurizioturnizio]

Sounds like a perfect ship for an explorer like myself, unfortunately my personal boycott for anything made by zorgon peterson must continue

[@Datan0de]

I really want to hear the story behind this. I refuse to ever buy a Gutamaya ship, but I've never heard any real objections to Zorgon Peterson.

[@enteplays3662]

I love Zorgon, why do you hate it?

[@Terminator484]

(Boosts past your pad in a Mamba)

[@anonymousskunk]

Until I can walk through the interior of my ships from cockpit to engines, I don't give a damn about new ships.

[@petewilcox3354]

too bad nothing new to explore. same old elite...but hey, look a new ship to explore the same old, tired, boring stuff from 10 years ago! enjoy lads

[@catladygames_]

Better than reading another boring, uinspired, self-entitled comment from a person that have nothing interesting to say (nor have any idea about the actual topic).

[@deubie0211]

With nothing to explore......

[@heltoncwb]

What do you mean? We've barely scratched that 0,02% of the galaxy currently explored, so there's literally 99,98% left to explore.

[@sideparting6845]

Nothing for explorers again! 😂

[@kennethpaulson6540]

What are you talking about? They released the Python MKII a few months ago....... Methinks they got the press releases mixed up..... I'm dying to try it at a spire.

[@sideparting6845]

@@kennethpaulson6540 I was being sarcastic as a joke haha. It's what everyone says whenever Frontier release anything - "oh nothing for explorers!" or "I don't want to even try this new thing, I demand Frontier implement this obscure idea I have!" and don't try new features like Thargoids Titans or their wrecks or spire sites, and I suspect they'll complain about this new free ship too haha

[@Datan0de]

​@@sideparting6845These are the same people who complained in every single discussion thread about the lack of space legs being the reason why they hate Elite, and then the moment Odyssey dropped replaced "space legs" with "ship interiors" and didn't skip a beat.

[@sideparting6845]

@@Datan0de Affirmative! I don't know what they want about ship interiors. We got carrier interiors but you can't actually do anything in them. I'd want prison breakouts in penal ships, and forced takeover of a specific carrier, or levels accessible by going down in lifts at stations. We can hope.

[@kennethpaulson6540]

@@sideparting6845 I promise, I got the sarcasm. 😆 I also say if they didn't want us to try fighting in the Mandalay, they shouldn't have given it 6 hardpoints and high maneuverability....😆 I figured you catch on that I was implying the Python MkII was the actual explorer.....