So You Want to Be a Space Cowboy? The Ultimate Guide to Bounty Hunting Ships in Elite Dangerous
Hey, space cowboys and cowgirls! You crave that thrill of chasing down outlaws in the galaxy. You aim to bring them to justice or take their wallets. Bounty hunting in Elite Dangerous means real space rewards. You wonder, “What ship should I start with?” You are in the right place. Let’s explore bounty hunting ships, from your first rust bucket to top-tier combat ships.
What’s the Best Ship for Bounty Hunting in Elite Dangerous? (The Million Credit Question)
This question buzzes in your head like angry space bees. The answer is… it depends. But no worries, courageous hunter, we’ll simplify it. You want a ship with firepower, durability, and good maneuverability. You can’t feel like you are flying through molasses.
If you are new to Elite Dangerous Horizons, choose a ship that won’t make you space-poor before your first bounty. Focus on practicality. Think affordability. The Cobra Mk III fits the bill. This ship is a space pickup truck. It offers versatility, reliability, and doesn’t break the bank. It has decent firepower and agility to escape sticky spots. No soloing Anacondas to start, but the Cobra Mk III is a solid choice.
First Bounty Hunting Ship: Baby Steps to Galactic Domination
You’re not jumping into a Federal Corvette, blasting pirates on day one. A humble start awaits you. Your beginner bounty hunting ship? The Sidewinder. It’s free, it flies, and it can pew-pew. Use it for small bounties at Resource Extraction Sites (RES) or Nav Beacons. Get accustomed to combat. Learn to aim lasers and avoid flying like a drunken space squirrel.
Once you’ve earned space credits and quit colliding with asteroids, it’s time to upgrade to the Cobra Mk III. This step offers increased firepower and survivability. Smaller bounties become easy targets. You can aim for slightly bigger fish now.
Prestigious Bounty Hunter: Leveling Up Your Space Lawman Game
You aim to be a
This license adds ten ranks over the original twenty Bounty Hunter Role Ranks. What does this do for you? More goodies, of course. We’re talking high-level items and skills to outshine other bounty hunters. New weapon variants? Definitely. Improved gear means bigger bounties.
The Prestigious Bounty Hunter License introduces “Infamous Bounty targets.” These are not ordinary thugs; they carry reputations and enormous bounties. Taking them down means prestige and credits.
HMS Bounty: A Blast from the Past (No Lasers Included)
Now, let’s dive into a bit of history. You might know of the HMS Bounty. This is not your ship in Elite Dangerous; it’s a historical vessel from back in the day. Originally named “Bethia,” she was a collier moving coal in 1784. Not exactly legendary.
Then, the Royal Navy took her in 1787, renamed her “Bounty,” and set her on a botanical mission. Yes, plants. Specifically, breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies. They even made the captain’s cabin into a greenhouse, because why not?
The HMS Bounty is famous for the mutiny led by Fletcher Christian against Captain William Bligh in 1789. A tale of rebellion and adventure at sea. While unrelated to lasers and spaceships, it’s a fascinating piece of naval history. “Bounty” sounds cool for a ship!
Ship Comparisons: Picking Your Space Ride Wisely
Let’s move back to the 34th century. We need to discuss ship comparisons for bounty hunting. We’ve mentioned the Cobra Mk III for beginners, but what about a stronger option?
- Vulture: This little beast packs a punch like a pocket rocket with cannons. Its small size is deceiving. The Vulture is highly maneuverable and has two large hardpoints for serious damage. It can dodge bigger ships like Anacondas while delivering heavy hits.
- Federal Corvette: This ship delivers significant firepower. The Federal Corvette is a combat powerhouse. One of the best large ships in the game is dedicated to enforcing law with precision. The turning radius surprises for its size, keeping massive hardpoints trained on unlucky targets.
- Python: Frequently called the Goldilocks ship — just right in firepower and protection. This medium-sized ship excels in combat and fits projects without being too specialized or too expensive.
- Krait Mk II, Cobra Mk III, Anaconda, Imperial Clipper, Type-7 Transporter: These others also have advantages and downsides. Krait Mk II offers versatility like Python but with slight differences. The Anaconda is huge with firepower but lacks agility compared to smaller ships. The Imperial Clipper is swift but fragile while the Type-7 Transporter isn’t ideal for combat unless you are brave or foolish.
Bounty Hunting in Star Citizen: Across the Space Aisle
If you’re considering Star Citizen for bounty hunting, cool ships await you there too.
- Hawk: This ship specializes in bounty hunting. Small and light, it emphasizes weaponry with both lethal and non-lethal options for capturing bounties alive (which yields higher profits). It even has prison cells for your guests.
- Arrow: If agility is your goal, Arrow is your ship. It’s deemed “the most agile ship in its class,” equipped with advanced thrusters for zipping around and dodging enemy fire while taking down pirates.
Earning the Big Bucks: Bring ‘Em Back Alive!
Looking to boost bounty hunting profits? Here’s an expert tip: try bringing bounties in alive. Yes, vaporizing them gets the quick cash, but alive bounties yield higher rewards. It’s a bonus for that effort of mercy.
Bounty Hunter Profession: Real-World Edition (No Lasers, Sadly)
Bounty hunting exists here on Earth. Yet sadly, there are no lasers or spaceships involved. Today, they are known as “bail enforcement agents” or “fugitive recovery agents.” Not as romantic, right?
The pay can be decent. In February 2025, average annual earnings for bounty hunters in the United States is about $98,908 a year. It’s not quite space-millionaire money but enough to cover expenses and perhaps afford a decent spaceship in a video game.
So there you have it, aspiring bounty hunters! From starting out in a Sidewinder to achieving elite status as a space lawman. The galaxy awaits your brand of justice (or your trusty trigger finger). Get out there, choose your ship, and start collecting those bounties. Just try not to explode too often!
