Like you said in the OP, the 2 are very close. Close enough that there isn't really a general case "X is better than Y" answer.
Personally, I think I prefer the transport frame, because the larger number of expansion bays provides a little bit more roon to customize what this ship is, besides a flying pile of guns.
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I find the extra maneuverability of the explorer frame (turn 1 rather than turn 2) to be worth the downgrade in terms of weapon mounts and HP. You can buy weapon mounts back, but as far as I know, there's no way to improve your maneuverability (unless your pilot takes actions to do so during combat, which stops them from doing other valuable actions).
Ultimately, they're pretty close. I've played with both and they both work out fine.
I like the weapon arrangement on the Transport better. The Transport's two slot turret can cover the sides better then the Explorer's one slot turret can cover the rear.
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From a strictly combat standpoint, the explorer is probably better, as the initial weapon mount layout stops mathe ring very quickly, if you let the party handLe their own upgrades. The incredibly low flat cost of additional turret mounts is, I would say, one of the worse decisions made with the starship building rules.
From a strictly combat standpoint, the explorer is probably better, as the initial weapon mount layout stops mathe ring very quickly, if you let the party handLe their own upgrades. The incredibly low flat cost of additional turret mounts is, I would say, one of the worse decisions made with the starship building rules.
There's a lot of bad decisions in the Starship building rules. But yep, that's one of them.
Thanks for the feedback after consideration I think I'll go with the explorer instead of the transport.
On an unrelated note a tier 20 dreadnaught can't be fully equipped with top grade equipment but a tier 20 explorer can which is odd.
Yes, but the tier 20 dreadnought can mount capital weapons, more weapons, have many engineers and science officers making checks, etc.
It's possible it's because it's much easier to fit out a smaller ship with state of the art technology than a dreadnought. Or that the amount of money the PCs would have to spend to outfit one would be in the realm of them being able to financially compete with AbadarCorp? But yeah the lack of rules for it is hard to justify.
It's possible it's because it's much easier to fit out a smaller ship with state of the art technology than a dreadnought. Or that the amount of money the PCs would have to spend to outfit one would be in the realm of them being able to financially compete with AbadarCorp? But yeah the lack of rules for it is hard to justify.
There's not so much of a lack of rules as they end up over tier 20. So, they could be built, but they would be beyond the encounter building guidelines.