Elite Dangerous: Diamondback Scout vs Explorer

Descriptions

The Diamondback Scout is Lakon Spaceway's specialist combat explorer vessel. Unlike its bigger brother Asp, the Diamondback isn't suited as an all rounder vessel. It is popular with elite recon and pathfinder units with navies throughout human space. Its relatively low cost also makes it a popular choice with independent pilots who appreciate its combat and exploration potential.

The Diamondback Explorer was Lakon Spaceways' response to criticism of the original Diamondback ship class. By extending the ship's frame it allowed greater cargo capacity and so greater mission variety and endurance. It also brought the ship more into line as a smaller brother to the successful Asp line although at much more modest price range. The Explorer model can fulfil the same roles as its companion ship type, but also able to operate as a fast transport and resupply vessel useful for supporting deep space operations in a hostile environment.

Let's start with prices - it seems Scout will be priced at around 300-500k while Explorer around 2-2,5m so the price difference is noticeable.

Explorers hull is heavier by 128 tonnes and that affects speed because both ships have same class 4 thrusters - Scout is faster by 50 m/s in regular flight and by 80 m/s in boost.

Top speed for Explorer would be 260 (with boost 340) while Scout can have up to 311 (422), both ships combat fitted.

Explorer has one class higher Frameshift drive and that allows it to have impressive 28 LY (Scout has 22 LY) jump range combat fitted, completely stripped you can jump up to 37 LY in Explorer.

Explorer has maximum of class 4 internal compartment compared to only class 3 on Scout so can have one class higher shields, but because the hull mass is much bigger shield gain is not big, on my combat fitted ships difference is 60 (20%), armor is higher for Explorer as well by 54 (20%), so Explorer is by 20% better protected.

Outfitting

Explorer has higher class fuel tank that allows you to have 32 tonnes of fuel, Scout has only 16, however, in 1.3 you can fit fuel tanks in internal comparments, but still having extra 16 tonnes by default is great.

Because of same thrusters but increased mass Explorer can do 360 degree pitch in 10 seconds compared to Scouts 8 seconds (Imperial Courier can pitch 360 degrees in 9,4 seconds but has much better shields).

Hardpoints: Scout has very common 2xSmall and 2x Medium weapon slots while Explorer can fit 1xLarge and 2xMedium, one large instead of 2 small is impressive addition, especially against medium and large ships.

Utility Mounts: both ships have same 4 slots.

Sadly both ships have same class power plant so Explorer can't shine at it's real potential, but still it has many one class higher modules than Scout.

Class higher modules for Explorer

Power Plant and Thrusters are same class on both ships, which gives to Scout even some advantage because of smaller hull mass, but there are many modules that Explorer can fit one class higher than his "twin" brother:

Frameshift Drive: because of that Explorers jump range is considerable higher, when combat fitted then around 28 LY compared with Scouts 22 LY.

Fuel Tank: obviously bigger the tank more jumps you can make, the doubled tank will not add double range just because of mass difference but it still is an advantage.

Shield: Explorer has max class 4 internal compartment and Scout only 3 allowing Explorer to fit class 4 shield, same deal as with fuel tank - the gain is only 20% because of the ships mass.

Power Distributor: very important for combat and Explorer has one class higher distributor allowing it to fire weapons for much longer because of better cooling.

Life Support and Sensors: it's good to have better life support and sensors but they are not that important, so no real advantage there for Explorer.

Internal Compartments: Scout can fit maximum of 28 tonnes of cargo and Explorer can almost double this amount to 52 tonnes, still not enough for any cargo hauling activities.

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