Python vs Clipper

DrakeAurum

DrakeAurum
So, as of the Zaonce discount I can afford a Python - barely. I have 90 million credits in assets, but most of that is tied up in my current Clipper and the Vulture I keep as backup.

I could happily sell the Vulture and strip down the Clipper to afford a basic-spec Python, if I were confident that I'd enjoy it, but I'm not sure.

So far, I've earned most of my money doing Bounty Hunting, I've enjoyed exploring, but while I've done occasional trading it's never been something I felt like dedicating much time to. With that in mind, is the Python something I'm likely to enjoy, or should I stick with the Clipper?
 

Frenotx

Frenotx
I flew a Clipper for a while, but am piloting a Python now. Love it to death. Might not be (nearly) as quick as the clipper, but the versatility and FIREPOWER are wonderful. Definitely my overall favorite ship.

My weapon loadout, if you're interested:
Frenotx said:
I've been playing around with different fittings, and my favorite so far is as follows: gimballed pulse lasers on the top left large hard point, and the left medium hard point. Fixed beams on the top right large hard point, and right medium hard point. Heavy hitter of choice on the bottom center large hard point (cannon, frag, or PA). Having your fixed beams on the same side of the ship gives them phenomenal convergence. An a-rated distributor can run the two pulses forever at 4 pips (it will actually even slowly recharge). The pulse lasers are good for keeping the pressure on smaller / more maneuverable ships, and the two fixed beams are devastating on targets foolish enough to let themselves get in front of the pointy end. Use the center gun when you want a big ship dead NOW (slam the power plant). Been loving this setup. Even when I run out of ammo for the center gun, the lasers alone are extremely effective.
Click to expand...
 
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CMDR Holycow

CMDR Holycow
I felt a bit too vulnerable in the python in combat. I used it as a trading stepping stone to the T9... I think I sold it after a week, and went back to the clipper for general use.

Both ships are good... you just need to ask yourself which is more valuable to you

Python pros:
Medium landing pads
Great hard points
Great hard point placement
Unrealistically amazing cargo capacity
Docks great with powerful vert and horz thrusters
TONS of power. You can run a lot of extras on the ship, no power worries.

Python Cons:
Pitch rate is sub-par
Quite a bit more expensive
Slow. I felt particularly vulnerable to the FDL, which is both faster AND mass locks you
lack luster sound
lack luster interior

Clipper pros:
Not counting A8 shields, very affordable
Great cargo for it's price
Great pitch speed, feels nimble in combat
FAST - While the FDL still mass locks the clipper... it doesn't matter with a boost of 440 m/s
Good mass lock
Sounds amazing
Interior and Exterior are stunning
Best canopy view in the game (us rift users REALLY like this canopy)

Clipper Cons:
It's HUGE... you're a massive target and you use the whole mailslot
Weaker shields
Large landing pads only
while it has good firepower, HP placement is terrible, so gimbles are a must
The entire ship is defeated with a chaff launcher
Terrible low speed maneuverability. Fees like the horz and vert thrusters were taken off an eagle.
 
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DrakeAurum

DrakeAurum
Thanks for that comprehensive summary. You have... well, not resolved my uncertainty, but at least thrown it into sharper relief.
 

Jezzah

Jezzah
I just switched and initial impressions are yes you get a lot of firepower on it and fixed convergence is excellent. But it's just not as fun to fly as the clipper or anything as fast. Disappointed so I think I'll get clipper back.
 

KillingTime

KillingTime
EUS said:
Is the thruster upgrade worth it considering you have no bulkhead upgrade?
Click to expand...

Were you referring to my loadout? Eitherway that's an interesting point and I've not really played around with lower grade thrusters although since I'm not starved for power with my setup there's not really any reason I can see not to have 6A thrusters apart from the slightly lower rebuy cost.

Dual gimb'd pulses can be fired indefinitely and are brilliant for stripping shields and the bursts destroy most ships. The only slight downside to the 3x fixed is the top two are quite far apart so your target needs to be quite close but bursts seem to do higher damage close anyway.

The manoeuvrability of the clipper is really good though, I would wager that a good pilot in a clipper could best most python pilots as they could pretty much literally run rings around them

Python is a great all rounder though and I use that much more regularly than any of my other ships (Including Conda and FDL). It was awesome for gaining naval rank as it was well armed, solid as a tank and can carry 48t of cargo so I could go to any station and do any mission without needing to worry about anything

But... one mans trash etc.
 
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EUS

EUS
KillingTime said:
Were you referring to my loadout? Eitherway that's an interesting point and I've not really played around with lower grade thrusters although since I'm not starved for power with my setup there's not really any reason I can see not to have 6A thrusters apart from the slightly lower rebuy cost.

Dual gimb'd pulses can be fired indefinitely and are brilliant for stripping shields and the bursts destroy most ships. The only slight downside to the 3x fixed is the top two are quite far apart so your target needs to be quite close but bursts seem to do higher damage close anyway.

The manoeuvrability of the clipper is really good though, I would wager that a good pilot in a clipper could best most python pilots as they could pretty much literally run rings around them

Python is a great all rounder though and I use that much more regularly than any of my other ships (Including Conda and FDL). It was awesome for gaining naval rank as it was well armed, solid as a tank and can carry 48t of cargo so I could go to any station and do any mission without needing to worry about anything

But... one mans trash etc.
Click to expand...

Yes, wondering if you found them worthwhile, I had given mine up for the A distributor, and never went back to retry.
 

SilverbladeTE

S
The Python does need better thrusters than standard, with C or better it helps a lot
you DON'T need the best gear
personally it's my fave all rounder :)
gimballed Large pulse lasers, gimballed Large and 2 Medium cannon
shield boosters, I run 2x64 ton cargo for doing trade or faction stuff, and 3 or 4 Shield Cell banks depending on what I'm doing
 

EUS

EUS
SilverbladeTE said:
The Python does need better thrusters than standard, with C or better it helps a lot
you DON'T need the best gear
personally it's my fave all rounder :)
gimballed Large pulse lasers, gimballed Large and 2 Medium cannon
shield boosters, I run 2x64 ton cargo for doing trade or faction stuff, and 3 or 4 Shield Cell banks depending on what I'm doing
Click to expand...
I've said before, the only problem with my python is that I have only 1.
I'd like 2; one for trading, one for combat.
 

edd

edd
Sell the Clipper, keep the Vulture. If you can't quite afford that yet either go all in or work at it longer. If you're that tight, don't sell the very enjoyable Vulture for a lower grade bigger ship and still keep the Clipper.
 

Midian27

Midian27
Ha, all this complaining about the way the python handles... Guess I was in my anaconda too long but I love the way the python handles.

You need to be decent with fa off to really make it shine though.
 

Troa Barton

Troa Barton
It depends on if you're going to do trading.
if you are get the Python.
if not stay where you are.

the Python boasts a lot more concentrated firepower at the cost of speed and maneuverability.
Its tanky as all get out with an almost limitless power supply shield cell banks can be run in tandem.
it can also make a very capable trader with the most cargo capacity of its competitors.
A very good ship to get you to the golden ships of trading.

its a mini anaconda, slow cumbersome with loads of kit and firepower but fast and inexpensive enough for PvP.

the clipper is the ship you rebuy for fun after you've made your millions. Of the two its the one I prefer to fly but it's cost after upgrades doesn't make sense to use it as anything other than a stepping stone to a type 9.
the same goes for a python really, as a good outfit for a type 9 is 100Mill..

practically speaking get the python then get the type 9 once you have the money go back and get either one or both for fun or PvP.
 

Dr Roly

Dr Roly
Having flown both extensively here's my view:
Trading: Python wins. More cargo space and medium size.
PvE bounty hunting: Clipper wins (just). Less firepower, but still more than enough. However, it gets from target to target much faster.
PvP*: Python wins. High firepower, great shields, agile enough and small for its capabilities. The large, thinly shielded Clipper has one option: Run. Fortunately it is very good at this.
Exploring and transit: Clipper. Stripped down with a size 6 or 7 fuel scoop, it is a great explorer and pretty good for getting anywhere fast.
TL;DR The Clipper is arguably less effective overall but I can't bring myself to sell it. Flying it (especially in VR) is just such a great experience.
* By PvP I mean against well equipped players who know what they're going. Of course, a Clipper can pick on small ships and stomp clueless Vulture pilots all day long, but that's hardly sporting.
 
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