Asp or Python? Anybody done the numbers?

So I'm loving my Cobra - nearly an A class machine. And since getting the A class sensors I have suddenly seen a palpable increase of gimballed weapon accuracy - who knew? But I'm thinking - perhaps I might like the Asp even more and maybe I should work towards acquiring one since people do speak highly of it. But then along comes a Python and I must say I do like the look of it. So - what is your experience? Is the Python a better all-rounder than either the Asp or the Cobra? Has anybody done the numbers? Just curious really - I'm a long way off buying either of them but it's good to have goals right?
 
I've never owned a Python, but I know it can fight quite a bit better than the Asp, as well as haul more cargo. Downsides being, from my limited experience and deductions would be additional cost up front, higher maintenance cost, and even more limited ability to dock at outposts.

since getting the A class sensors I have suddenly seen a palpable increase of gimballed weapon accuracy - who knew?

A fair number of us have known that sensor quality and the accuracy of gimbals/turrets are intimately linked. Makes sense if you think about. It's one of the reasons I stopped mounting beam laser turrets on my Viper, class A sensors are too heavy and too power hungry to make them viable.
 
So I'm loving my Cobra - nearly an A class machine. And since getting the A class sensors I have suddenly seen a palpable increase of gimballed weapon accuracy - who knew? But I'm thinking - perhaps I might like the Asp even more and maybe I should work towards acquiring one since people do speak highly of it. But then along comes a Python and I must say I do like the look of it. So - what is your experience? Is the Python a better all-rounder than either the Asp or the Cobra? Has anybody done the numbers? Just curious really - I'm a long way off buying either of them but it's good to have goals right?

ASP is a nice ship. Not flown a python yet, but it's the next ship I'll get after the ASP.
 
To me the Python is currently the best and most versatile ship in the game. If set up for combat it can be a nearly invincible killing machine, set up for trading it is a relatively fast and maneuverable cargo transport with 250t+ capacity that can still land on outposts.

The ASP is a nice mid range ship, its definitely the best for exploration and probably the best rare commodity trader. At a nearly 50 million credit difference between the Asp and the Python its just an upgrade on the same all around principles of the Cobra and the Asp.
 
Yeah the python is king of combat but mind you, it will cost around 110 million to fit it out with mostly A components and the insurance will be north of 4 million in the combat configuration.
 
Ouch! Expensive! But that's not too surprising really. Seems to me to be a worthy goal, especially since it really doesn't have any limitation of destination - outposts I am mainly referring to - although Morbad seems to think it has some limits there. I'm now wondering if the clipper might not be the better buy - once the funds are available of course. But then - I think this one actually DOES have outpost limits.
 
Yeah the python is king of combat but mind you, it will cost around 110 million to fit it out with mostly A components and the insurance will be north of 4 million in the combat configuration.

Probably closer to 8m+ rebuy in the optimal combat config. Mine is outfitted for trading with mostly D internals other than my A FSD, point defense and chaff as the only utility, no weapons, and no hull upgrades, and my rebuy is 3.4 mil.

Ouch! Expensive! But that's not too surprising really. Seems to me to be a worthy goal, especially since it really doesn't have any limitation of destination - outposts I am mainly referring to - although Morbad seems to think it has some limits there. I'm now wondering if the clipper might not be the better buy - once the funds are available of course. But then - I think this one actually DOES have outpost limits.

The Python can land at outposts, the Clipper can not.
 
Last edited:
For the cash value of a fully equipped Cobra (10-12M) you can get a nice enough Asp. Instead of 2 lasers and 2 multicannons, you can get 3 lasers and 3 multicannons which feels very nice if you put them all on the same fire group.

The only minor problem I had with the Asp is the repair cost. A succesful interdiction will cost you 5-10% hull = 10-20k. I just traded my Asp with 80T cargo, interdictor, detailed scanner and mostly class C equipment back for a Cobra to get some combat rank without the repair cost. But otherwise, it's quite capable.
 
OK - so can I assume then that when people say "combat" they mean dogfighting? Take the 'conda for example - fit a few well-placed turrets and you can pretty much sit in the zone, tell the combat computer who the enemy is and let the ship do the fighting whilst you manage the shields and energy disposition. But dogfighting calls for zooming around and staying on the tail of potentially much smaller ships and aiming straight and so on. Does the Asp and Python have that kind of maneuverability and speed when compared to, say, a viper or eagle? Or even the Cobra I guess.
 
OK - so can I assume then that when people say "combat" they mean dogfighting? Take the 'conda for example - fit a few well-placed turrets and you can pretty much sit in the zone, tell the combat computer who the enemy is and let the ship do the fighting whilst you manage the shields and energy disposition. But dogfighting calls for zooming around and staying on the tail of potentially much smaller ships and aiming straight and so on. Does the Asp and Python have that kind of maneuverability and speed when compared to, say, a viper or eagle? Or even the Cobra I guess.

Yes, with upgraded thrusters the python is very nimble, maybe too much so.
What I meant by combat config was having A class thrusters, shields and power distribution. This usually means an improved generator and finally a better FSD so you can actually get somewhere now that you have all this extra weight.
 
Ha! Nice one!

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

It seems that the consensus is that the python wins out on all counts - except two - jump range and purchase/maintenance costs. It seems to me that the jump range is the real problem - cost is relative and the sheer size of the thing means that a few good trading runs and badabing! we are good to go - which is basically the same in any size ship really. So just how bad is the jump problem?
 
...So just how bad is the jump problem?

I have my "trade python" kitted out to almost 19LY, if I recall correctly, with fuel scoop and about 268 T cargo. That's a decent range, but most of the good trade deals are above it and I tend to do second-jump trades with it to compensate.

350k with two jumps >>>> 150k with one jump

As far as fighting, with 200 cargo it's full combat load, making it possible to get come acrgo runs in between kill missions. Jump range is fine for that.
 
The Python jump range isn't great but the Type 9 is MUCH worse. I'm currently getting a max of 13.06 with the 16 million credit A6 FSD drive and low classes everywhere else.

Trading is more than doable in the Python and the speed and agility make it a fast ship to launch and dock. It can also land on medium pads which means all outposts are accessible (unlike other haulers).

All in all the Python is an awesome ship in combat and in trading. I begrudgingly purchased the Type 9 because I found a very profitable route made for a type 9. If it dries up I'm going straight back to the Python :)
 
Back
Top Bottom