Is The Python Worth It?

[Synthetic Frost]

So I've been playing since late alpha, and through the course of the alpha and beta phases, flown all of the ships except the Python. So I know what the bigger ships feel like to fly, etc etc.

When Elite was released in December, I decided to create a backstory for my CMDR, and decided fairly early on that he'd fly a Python. Or at least an all-purpose ship. This last week, I finally got over the "beginner's hurdle" and started making some significant profits in my Type 7. At the moment, I'm at around 30m credits. So I'm a little under half-way if I want to save some cargo and insurance money.

I want to be clear here. Getting the Python would only be the beginning of my journey. I have plenty of personal goals lined up to go for after I get it. I'm just wondering if the Python is worth another week or so of grinding, since I could easily just fully outfit almost every smaller ship up to an Asp combined at this point.

Also, I've heard rumors around the forums that they're considering adjusting the prices of the bigger ships soon. If that's the case, it might be worth it to just wait and save some money.

I guess all in all, I just need a bit of encouragement. Starting to feel the trading burn out a tiny bit.

 

[Derath]

I think its worth it, but I genuinely needed a ship that could do everything because I do a bit of everything I think if you want to trade you should skip it and go from type 7 - type 9.

If your gonna buy one and run it with no shields I think you should just blow up on leaving the dock personally lol don't tarnish the python like that!

Edit: Not convinced they'll lower the price of the bigger ships either as that would be the equivalent of godmode for the traders its much more likely they will address the income holes for the other professions. They will probably lower the maintenance costs though, repair / fuel / integrity etc.

 

[Shads]

best ship in the game by a long way ATM

 

[malicious1]

most useful 1 ship to own i believe..... and a joy to fly,i loved it flown all the trader variant including the conda trader which i also like flying

 

[atomic7431]

I went from a type 7 to my python and its an absolute dream to fly, agile and very capable as both a trading ship or bounty hunter, make sure you have spare cash in abundance though as parts and running costs are not cheap.

As for the devs looking at ship prices/upgrades i hope if this is indeed true, the prices increase not decrease as to be able to buy a python a month after release is IMO too quick/easy.

i presume you have seen the shipyard site here

 

[BaalMoloch]

I don't own one, but even the AI Pythons are really tough to beat. You need a well equipped ship to beat one.
And if I get interdicted by a Python CMDR well... I run. Of course, this will change once I have a better loadout on my brand new Viper.

 

[Synthetic Frost]

I went from a type 7 to my python and its an absolute dream to fly, agile and very capable as both a trading ship or bounty hunter, make sure you have spare cash in abundance though as parts and running costs are not cheap.

As for the devs looking at ship prices/upgrades i hope if this is indeed true, the prices increase not decrease as to be able to buy a python a month after release is IMO too quick/easy.

i presume you have seen the shipyard site here

I have. I've done the homework and figured out it'll take me another week to get a Python with the loadout I want, given the amount of free time I have to play the game. I was just starting to feel a tad blue since there isn't really anything else to look forward to between the Type 7 and the Python or Type 9. They need to put an extra ship in that gap, IMHO.

 

[Roadblock]

I think its worth it, but I genuinely needed a ship that could do everything because I do a bit of everything I think if you want to trade you should skip it and go from type 7 - type 9.

If your gonna buy one and run it with no shields I think you should just blow up on leaving the dock personally lol don't tarnish the python like that!

Edit: Not convinced they'll lower the price of the bigger ships either as that would be the equivalent of godmode for the traders its much more likely they will address the income holes for the other professions. They will probably lower the maintenance costs though, repair / fuel / integrity etc.

I disagree with this, the jump from Type-7 to Python even as a trading ship is a significant gain in profits/hour. You can run a class 3 shield and carry 284 tons, in a ship that handles like a cobra, is significantly faster than a type-7 and can land on outposts. You can also set it up for combat, and it's ridiculously fun, although this costs a fair bit more. I'm in a position now where I could upgrade my python to a type-9, but I've decided to just keep my Python and save for an Anaconda when I want to upgrade to a bigger cargo ship. But, the key here is: don't underestimate the ship's speed and maneuverability as a factor in improving your profit/hour.

If you want more details: You need around 73 million to set up a python the way I have for trading, and have enough credits left over to cover insurance and a full load of cargo. Contrast that to about 112 million to upgrade to a type-9, which by all accounts handles like a brick, is quite slow and restricted to large stations only.

 

[CMDR Cheknov]

the python is so worth it atm, just make sure you have a fuel scoop "A rated" as a 4 ly jump cost 7k in fuel lol.

 

[Scon]

By far the best ship in the game. Never had a bit of regret buying it.

 

[AJ_Impy]

Yes.


Very yes.

 

[Roadblock]

I don't own one, but even the AI Pythons are really tough to beat. You need a well equipped ship to beat one.
And if I get interdicted by a Python CMDR well... I run. Of course, this will change once I have a better loadout on my brand new Viper.

You should probably still run if you're up against even a marginally well fitted CMDR in a python (at least until they nerf the python's handling a bit). It has the strongest shields in the game, 3 large/2 medium hardpoints, and can practically turn and burn with a viper.

 

[atomic7431]

I disagree with this, the jump from Type-7 to python is a significant gain in profits/hour. You can run a class 3 shield and carry 284 tons, in a ship that handles like a cobra, is significantly faster than a type-7 and can land on outposts. You can also set it up for combat, and it's ridiculously fun, although this costs a fair bit more. I'm in a position now where I could upgrade my python to a type-9, but I've decided to just keep my Python and save for an Anaconda when I want to upgrade to a bigger cargo ship. But, the key here is: don't underestimate the ship's speed and maneuverability as a factor in improving your profit/hour.

If you want more details: You need around 73 million to set up a python the way I have for trading, and have enough credits left over to cover insurance and a full load of cargo. Contrast that to about 112 million to upgrade to a type-9, which by all accounts handles like a brick, is quite slow and restricted to large stations only.

agreed, i had 77 million when i upgraded

I must have a look at class 3 shields as i have 210 cargo at present and found an even better trade route and only 8 ly jump.

 

[Synthetic Frost]

Yes.


Very yes.

HA! Rep to you, good sir. That reference made my night.

 

[Logios]

I bought a Python Saturday and it was worth every credit. It's easily the best combat ship in the game and can still have around 200t cargo hold while fitted for combat. It can also land on outposts which opens many more trading options than other ships with similar or more cargo capacity. The best thing about it though is the way it flies, this is a 125 meter long ship that feels just as (if not more) maneuverable than a Viper.

 

[Synthetic Frost]

You should probably still run if you're up against even a marginally well fitted CMDR in a python (at least until they nerf the python's handling a bit). It has the strongest shields in the game, 3 large/2 medium hardpoints, and can practically turn and burn with a viper.

Ugh.. Now you're making it sound like the Python needs a nerf. I don't want to work my butt off for a ship that's going to get nerfed soon... >.>

 

[Flyinpiranha]

I have. I've done the homework and figured out it'll take me another week to get a Python with the loadout I want, given the amount of free time I have to play the game. I was just starting to feel a tad blue since there isn't really anything else to look forward to between the Type 7 and the Python or Type 9. They need to put an extra ship in that gap, IMHO.

I think the Imperial Clipper does a decent job there in the middle. I run it with 240 cargo, up from 216 on the T7, down about 48 from the Python but also incredibly cheaper to fly. It's kind of a stop gap and just the maneuverability shaves a minute or so off of docking and bad lines to the station. And the view of the Clipper is unmatched. Just one big huge window.

I actually messed up with my 'in my head' calculations (accidentally counted my outfitting twice) when trading in the T7 for the Python, lol, dat 7m mistake. Didn't have enough to outfit it correctly so I kept it empty and flew it around a bit, nice ship, but expensive to run.

Doing the math I think about 280ish cargo is the max. Then you have fuel cost (very high) if you don't have a fuel scoop and then remember that if you do have a fuel scoop, that adds time and takes cargo space away, so you have to do the math there.

I will eventually get it, but the Clipper is an awesome break from having the Type 7 (fully upgraded) and it handles like a dream. Actually handles better than my decked out Asp, and you get 240 cargo!

Ugh.. Now you're making it sound like the Python needs a nerf. I don't want to work my butt off for a ship that's going to get nerfed soon... >.>

The devs already mentioned they are looking to downgrade the maneuverability a bit. Not sure why, really. Who cares if it's a great ship? I really hope this game doesn't become "balance fix" after "balance fix" without actually fixing the core of the game. So many issues I can think of outside of "That one ship is pretty sweet, let's tone it down a bit".

 

[Roadblock]

agreed, i had 77 million when i upgraded

I must have a look at class 3 shields as i have 210 cargo at present and found an even better trade route and only 8 ly jump.

This is roughly the setup I run with: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=305,5TE5TE5TE4yH4yH01Q,2-7_A07_6uBaA08I,0AA0AA0AA08c08c07205U7Q403w (note that you'll need about 78 mil to start with this setup, but you can get by with a cheaper power plant to start).

You can drop all the weapons and gain some jump distance, but I like to make NPC pirates regret interdicting me. That said, if I get interdicted by anything bigger than an Asp, the shields I have won't really hold up for long so I'll just run for it. But, I am very rarely interdicted in this thing.

The great part though is: Drop a few cargo slots for stronger shields, fuel scoop, shield cells, etc. and you've got a nasty combat ship (upgrade the thrusters if you can afford it and it gets even more fun - although at this point you're probably looking at needing a bigger power plant too...).

 

[darshu]

Ugh.. Now you're making it sound like the Python needs a nerf. I don't want to work my butt off for a ship that's going to get nerfed soon... >.>

A dev recently said the pythons mobility will be get a nerf in the near future.

The python is by most reckonings, a beast of a ship (a little too beastly, we will be dropping it's manoeuvrability a tad).

 

[Derath]

I disagree with this, the jump from Type-7 to python is a significant gain in profits/hour. You can run a class 3 shield and carry 284 tons, in a ship that handles like a cobra, is significantly faster than a type-7 and can land on outposts. You can also set it up for combat, and it's ridiculously fun, although this costs a fair bit more. I'm in a position now where I could upgrade my python to a type-9, but I've decided to just keep my Python and save for an Anaconda when I want to upgrade to a bigger cargo ship. But, the key here is: don't underestimate the ship's speed and maneuverability as a factor in improving your profit/hour.

If you want more details: You need around 73 million to set up a python the way I have for trading, and have enough credits left over to cover insurance and a full load of cargo. Contrast that to about 112 million to upgrade to a type-9, which by all accounts handles like a brick, is quite slow and restricted to large stations only.

You probably took a different route to me but I used a clipper instead of a type 7 so going from clipper > python was a very small upgrade in profits as the clipper was extremely fast and only dropped 44 cargo, didn't have extreme fuel costs and handled perfectly for trading anyway.

Interestingly you'd have to make ~130-140 runs at 1k/t for that 44 tons to pay for the 10% you'd lose buying a python then selling it during which time both ships would earn you 30mil, assuming you had 80mil when you bought a python this is actually enough to jump straight to a type 9 in terms of raw mula anyway. Though this isn't factoring in fuel costs which would probably drop the efficiency of the python a bit its still pretty much on the line of always being worth buying.

Edit: If they do anything to the python It should be remove a C6 slot from it, Its a medium It really shouldn't fly like a barge reducing its manoeuvrability just changes it into yet another trade vessel why not make it large and give it a C4 hardpoint we could call it an anaconda?