Newcomer / Intro Python vs. Fed Dropship vs. Imp Clipper?

[helmstif]

So, I'm consider my next ship purchase, and mobility is my primary concern. According to Elite Wikia, Python is significantly more mobile than either faction options, with a mobility of 6, same as Viper and Asp, as opposed to Clipper's 2 and Dropship's...0. but I've also heard that the Wikia is outdated.

Anyone who has actually flied these ships would like to share your experience?

 

[BigBadB]

I'm afraid I haven't flown any of them yet, but to judge from these forums the general consensus is that the Python is awesome, a lot of people really like the look of the Clipper (and it's a good ship), and everyone is very underwhelmed by the Dropship.

So Python > Clipper > Dropship.

Personally speaking I dislike slavery, so won't be getting a Clipper.

 

[Tsunamicom]

I personally fly the Python. I'd say if you can afford it, get a Python. If not, get a Clipper... until you can afford a Python...

The Python flies very similarly to a Viper. I'd actually almost call it a Medium-sized Viper... with huge fangs. It has a lot of mass as well, so it rams nicely too.
You can outfit the Python to have 268 Cargo and still have a Shield, Shield Bank, and Fuel Scoop. The fuel scoop is ESSENTIAL on the Python, since the costs are about 3k per 1% of fuel. The Python also has hardpoints that are very close together, and so Fixed weapons are easily do-able if that's your preference. Since it's Medium, it can also land at Outposts, something the other two can't do. The pitch on the Python is great, but the yaw is fairly cruddy. You'll be doing a lot of rolling to get on target.

Python also costs way more than the other two, though. Don't scratch it, it's costly. If you have the money, Python all the way!
If you want a Python, wait until you have at very MINIMUM 70-75 mil for upgrades and insurance (which is easily over the 3 mil mark with a few simple upgrades).

 

[helmstif]

Done. Python it is.

 

[Pyrion]

I agree that python is prolly the best. But the numbers on the clipper on the wiki are very misleading, in fact it's a very agile ship (think cobra), not a slug like the big trader ships. So it's a great vessel while saving for the python. In a traders outfit it can carry more cargo than the T7 and is still a lot safer. Switch some modules and go to town fighting. Those 2 large hardpoints can do some serious damage, but they need gimballed weapons cause they are so far apart. I advice large pulse lasers (everything else heats up too quickly).

 

[Quineloe]

The python is also the ship with the most powerful shields in the game.

Judging by all I've read about it so far, if FD is in the business of ship balancing, I would expect to see a nerf on the python.

 

[L@neWolf]

The python is also the ship with the most powerful shields in the game.

Judging by all I've read about it so far, if FD is in the business of ship balancing, I would expect to see a nerf on the python.

Given the cost of repairs, the powerful shield is a necessity...

 

[InMemoriamSirocco]

The python is also the ship with the most powerful shields in the game.

Judging by all I've read about it so far, if FD is in the business of ship balancing, I would expect to see a nerf on the python.

Posts like this got other awesome ships like the Viper nerfed to the point it can be outrun by a Cobra. Can you people please be quiet and let other players enjoy the awesome ship they have for what it is, instead of asking FD to make it useless?

 

[777Driver]

Clipper is an amazing ship to fly, incredibly fast for such a huge ship, and hauls a massive 248T. It is the second fastest ship in the game. It is insanely expensive to run, but money should be no object if you are getting a Python. I agree with everyone else, get a python, it can land at outposts, carries more cargo than the Clipper. You can make crazy amounts of money in the Python so will easily be able to afford a Clipper if you want the luxury executive jet experience.

Drop ship is a complete dud at the moment, not even worth considering.

A note on pricing, my Clipper kitted out cost around 50 million, that is less than a a stock Python. I hope you have big bank balance

 

[Quineloe]

Posts like this got other awesome ships like the Viper nerfed to the point it can be outrun by a Cobra. Can you people please be quiet and let other players enjoy the awesome ship they have for what it is, instead of asking FD to make it useless?

Pure troll post. I did not ask for it in any way.

But good to know you're one of those guys.

Those guys = fun is more important than a balanced game

Given the cost of repairs, the powerful shield is a necessity...

Shouldn't the Anaconda have even more powerful shields by that logic?

 

[Hamerstein]

A fully tricked out Python will set you back 300 million cr +.

@777 Driver: The Clipper is only listed in game as maneuverability 2, yet anecdotally it appears to be an agile ship. Is the in game data wrong or is it just because it can have those oversized class 6 thrusters for it's weight? If you have more normally sized thrusters (class 5) would it handle more like it's agility rating suggests?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering using one for Haulage. Appropriately equipped it only tunes in at ~5 million more than a Type 7, can haul more and has the same restrictions for pad size (which isn't an issue for me).

 

[Arithon]

Got an Imperial Clipper and it's a great all-round ship, BUT being "large" it cannot visit outposts, so some missions are not possible to complete as a result.

Despite statistics, it is fast and agile. As long as you put gimballed or turreted weapons on the wing-pods, it's pretty tough in a fight.

I didn't bother with the Dropship as it was more expensive than the Clipper and carried a lot less cargo (earnings vs cost fail!).

A Python is more expensive on fuel and a monster for repair costs, but that's outweighed by it's superior cargo capacity and the ("medium") pad downsize advantage of being able to go anywhere. The laden FSD range is good, but not great - comparable with the Clipper and Lakon Type-6 but not as good as the ASP by a stretch.

Overall, the Clipper is sexier, but the Python is a tougher more agile ship with a better earning capacity.

 

[Sams]

Shouldn't the Anaconda have even more powerful shields by that logic?

A human player rammed my anaconda last night in his Type 7. I ALWAYS go very slow through the entrance so I don't destroy anyone but he boosted straight into me. Wrecked almost half my hull and my repair bill was 1.7 million.

The only consolation for me was that if he had just picked the best commodity there it would have cost him 2 million for his cargo plus insurance so he came out of it a little worse than I did.

 

[Quineloe]

curious, did you have 4 pips into shields, and what type of shields did you have?

 

[Sams]

curious, did you have 4 pips into shields, and what type of shields did you have?

2 pips and a lower class shield than I should have (think it is 4 instead of 6). My conda is my trading ship so 436 cargo and light for its 22ly jump fully laden.

I've knocked/bumped/nudged other ships in the past and the shield holds fine. It's only when some twerp thinks boosting into huge ship is fun that I found out the shield isn't twerp-proof

 

[Hamerstein]

2 pips and a lower class shield than I should have (think it is 4 instead of 6). My conda is my trading ship so 436 cargo and light for its 22ly jump fully laden.

I've knocked/bumped/nudged other ships in the past and the shield holds fine. It's only when some twerp thinks boosting into huge ship is fun that I found out the shield isn't twerp-proof

I shudder to think what your insurance bill would have been if you'd been unshielded though...Think of yourself as being dink proof but only twerp resistant

 

[Sams]

I shudder to think what your insurance bill would have been if you'd been unshielded though...Think of yourself as being dink proof but only twerp resistant

Best reply to one of my posts I've seen! +Rep

 

[bitstorm]

So, I'm consider my next ship purchase, and mobility is my primary concern. According to Elite Wikia, Python is significantly more mobile than either faction options, with a mobility of 6, same as Viper and Asp, as opposed to Clipper's 2 and Dropship's...0. but I've also heard that the Wikia is outdated.

The Python is significantly more mobile than the Clipper because it can land at outposts while the Clipper can't.

The Dropship, I have no idea - I bet nobody does! ;-)

 

[Quineloe]

the dropship is terrible at this point. It has very bad shields and no maneuverability.

 

[Pyrion]

The dropship is soo terrible, its totally useless at the moment. I think the orca is the same useless. Makes me think: Maybe there will be a new passenger mechanic soon(TM), making those ships actually usefull. Did anybody ever see a dropship or orca piloted by a human?