I just see the X-Type and the B-type as a waste of space. I'd like to see them with more cargo space, and less thrust, and speed.

Kinda like what they did with the Behemoth XC, but with the Atlas.

I love the Atlas X as-is.

Well, ok, but I think there should be additional, cargo only variants... for the new players who want to move more cargo, and don't really want weapons slots.

The Atlas-X is an excellent ship. I love it. I would not love it if it was slower... Want more cargo an less speed? Buy a Marauder or Centaur.

Kragmier's hit it on the nose. New players shouldn't have access to even larger cargo holds anymore than newbies should have access to Gauss Cannons, or Xithricate Mining Beams.

Ok, well then how about a better variant available only to higher levels. It would carry a lot of cargo, but would have more proportional thrust than anyother trade ship?

Can you say quick trade? I mean the thing looks like a bullet, why not make a really really fast version of it?

The point is, I'd like to see more variants for the Atlas, and I'd like to see it around more as a mainstream Trader Vessel.

Obviously you've never encountered the Atlas of DOOOOOOOOOOM!!

Oh noes! A Leper!
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha.

I call shenanigans on tumblemonster.

Indeed.

Well, it would be illogical to make it any better than then the Centaur. There's already an atlas variant that holds 38 CU's, and the Centaur does at minimum 44 CU's. A Centaur is already better at transporting cargo, because it's thrust rates really pay off when you're hauling a full load. Essentially if you increased the cargo hold of the Atlas anymore, you'd have a slower, less powerful Centaur, but with the advantage of a slimmer profile. The only situation I can think that it would be better in is pirating other traders, or slipping through protected areas. The Centaur would obviously be better for slipping through blockades with cargo. The Atlas might be better without cargo though...

In the end, what's the point? The X-type is plenty good.

The point is, I don't see Atlases anywhere anymore. They just aren't around. There needs to be a bit more incentive to fly the damn thing, other than novelty occasions like I'm sure lecter has done. I mean, the only ships I see consistently are the higher level ones. So, I thought, why not make a fast as hell Atlas with no ports? It would be a little Rocket, that could get tradin missions done quicker, and possibly complete them faster than being in a Centaur. There should be some kind of missions geared towards the Atlas specifically as well...

Atlas X is the best cargo runner in VO.
If you want more cargo space use behemoths.

AtlasX is the best Warthog in game

Yea, great.

But seriously, I would like to see more, and possibly better Atlas variants. It's such a simple, but lovable design, and I just never see it.

lol

The only way that improving the atlas would make it more popular in the universe is if it started to become so powerful that it took over the roles of other ships. Rather, the balanced way of increasing the incentive to purchase atlases is to artificially tweak the universe so that cargo trading missions that require 30-ish CU's offer a bigger reward.

I like the Dev's idea better, where the economy mostly drives itself. In that situation, the larger cargo ships would have the greatest risk of being destroyed, but also the more efficient means of trade. Accordingly, the smaller faster ships would have less risk at the price of less efficiency. An atlas would be a happy medium, and a potentially common choice.

Only one problem... it's not. That's why I'd like to see some kind of useful, higher level Atlas with more thrust and possibly more C.U. and no weapons ports.

I think it should definately move in on the Centaur's Role for Trading medium to large amounts of cargo. It would be of the disadvantage of having no weapons, and would be the only other ship besides the Behemoth XC with no weapons. I'd like it to become a pure Cargo ONLY ship. It could be light as hell, because it has no housing for either of the weapons ports, and it has decreased armor plating to make room for bigger engines and reduce weight.

Stats are as follows:

Atlas S-Type
Faction : TPG
Faction Level : 600
Variant : Supreme Cargo Transport
Level : 5/-/-/7/-
Armor : 4000
Cargo : 58
Weapons : No ports
Mass : 7000 kg
Length : 14m
Thrust : 425 N
Max Speed : 70 m/s
Spin Torque : 12.0 Nm
Turbo Speed : 220 m/s
Turbo Energy : 50/s

I disagree with that varient

make it 44 CU, like the 'Taur. Then it might work

Did you look at its armor?

That thing moves way too fast. It's about as maneuverable as an IBG, for reference. What's wrong with the current Atlas variants?