yojimbo

May 2025

Since my previous review of the best jump ranges for ships in E:D (see the previous post [https://read.yjmbo.net/yojimbo/elite-dangerous-max-jump-ranges], we have three new ships to consider: the Cobra Mk V, the surprisingly good Corsair and the newest dedicated exploration ship with the highest stock jump range, the Mandalay.

(I'm not going to wait for the Panther Clipper Mk 2 ... somehow I don't think extreme range will be a feature on this one ...)

Target build

• Hull: Lightweight Alloy
• FSD: The largest A-rated SCO model, with Grade 5 Increased Range + Mass Manager
• Life Support & Sensors: D-Rated, Grade 5 Lightweight
• Power Distributor: The Guardian models, or Grade 1 System Focus + Stripped Down – also remember to consider underpowered units that don't provide any engine boost capability, but will still move the ship in normal space.
• Fuel Tank: The default.
• Thrusters: the smallest D rated that work, Grade 1 Clean Drive, Stripped Down.
• Power Plant: the smallest that works – usually the 2A Guardian Hybrid model, but if not then a traditional model, with Grade 1 Overcharge + Stripped Down
• Guardian FSD Booster

The new results

The Cobra Mk V isn't trying to be a specialist, but achieves a creditable 69.80Ly max, for 10 million credits – 7Ly/mil is a great value, but that's not a max jump worth bragging about. It will get you around the bubble just fine, though.

The Corsair gets a surprising 80.94Ly jump max, coming in just under the DBX's range. At 118.7 million credits, it delivers a healthy 0.68 Ly/mil – a outstanding performance from a multirole/fighter. You could surprise a lot of people out in the black with this one ...

The Mandalay ... this one just takes the distance prize, 91.24 Ly max jump. The laden jump range is just under the Anaconda, though. Given that we're not comparing these ships with general purpose explorer loadouts (i.e. with SRVs etc) I'm going to consider this as a win, especially on a budget of 58 million credits.

I recalculated my original Anaconda build, and got that up to an equivalent spec with 89.01Ly. The recalculated DBX is up to 82.30Ly as well, but that doesn't change its overall position.

Conclusion

The Mandalay finally manages to steal the crown from the Anaconda in terms of jump range. It also has sufficient space internally to be actually useful, unlike the Diamondback Explorer. The DBX still claims an honourable mention for price/performance, as long as you don't need to stretch your legs.

Top Three

• Mandalay, 91.24 Ly max, 83.97 Ly laden, 58 million credits.
• Anaconda, 88.86 Ly max, 85.27 Ly laden, 262 million credits.
• Diamondback Explorer, 82.30 Ly max, 76.29 Ly laden, 14 million credits.

The Anaconda is still the multirole king of the deep, for the range of equipment that it can carry with it, a home-away-from-home ... but the Mandalay outmanoeuvers it by so much that for any pure exploration mission activity this is the clear winner.

The Mandalay is also significantly more fun to fly, which isn't something often said about the Anaconda. Fly safe, commanders!