Newcomer / Intro Is a top-spec anaconda worth the price?

[Manshonyagger]

I'm considering setting some long-term grind goals in this game - I want to max out my military ranks, then save up for something big, max out my trading rank, then go exploring.

For the latter couple of goals, I obviously want something that can haul major tonnage, but that can hold its own in combat. And of course, bounty hunting enough funds to pay for it will help with my combat rank, too

Does a pimped-out conda kick ass in proportion to its ludicrous expensiveness? What situations are they worst-equipped to handle? A bunch of small fast ships, perhaps?

Are they just silly status symbols, or something genuinely worth aspiring to?

If they are worth it, then how far do I upgrade it before switching from my A-ed up vulture?

Is there any point going via a Clipper or FDL on the way?

 

[Ancipital]

The situation that they're worst equipped to handle is when you have to chase things... it's like a whale trying to chase a blackbird. In other situations, you can tank ludicrous onslaughts with the right setup. Of course, it's a brilliant trader to fund your other, more specialist/fun ships.

The Vulture is so cheap (can A-rate it for under 30M) that it's crazy not to pick one up just to keep parked up for fun times, or a Viper, even, if you swing that way (~4M). Small parked combat ship aside, there's a good argument for going in a fairly linear fashion up through the traders until you get to the 'conda, then fit it for trade, and use it to buy whatever else you want and/or pay for its own upgrades. The progression may as well include a Clipper- fitted for trade.. It's a great way to earn the money for a Python upgrade on the way. It carries a bit more than a T7, and is faster. Fitting a Clipper for trade is really cheap, even if fitting it for combat is pricey. The Clipper isn't a great PvP combat ship, BTW, due to dodgy hardpoint placements.

If you were to go T6/Asp (rares), T7/Clipper, Python, Anaconda, that would get your income snowballing pretty fast. Just keep a Vulture or something parked up so you can take a break from trading to blow stuff up, meantime. Once you get to the 'conda, you can earn enough to do whatever you fancy.

The FDL is indeed a great ship for wreaking havoc, and you might enjoy it. It's not cheap to max out, so maybe it's better to pick one up to try once you have the 'conda as a cash cow.

 

[Klab]

The Anaconda is a great long term goal. As previously stated, it's a monster in every department. Once you have one you will need to kit it out for trading (can hold 450t with shields) and slowly upgrade it. Every module is very expensive, but everything you spend on it is never really lost. Just look at it as a battleship with all your stash inside

 

[Dommarraa]

I have read quite a few Conda pilots who end up with more money than god, then park it and go back to a Python.

 

[TiberiuS]

Looking for some Opinions regarding the Python:

Is it really worth it Upgrading from Clipper to Python before getting enough Credits for the Conda? And when? And Why?
In terms of Cargo Capacity it's not that much more than the Clipper and the Python is much slower and more expensive.

 

[Ancipital]

I have read quite a few Conda pilots who end up with more money than god, then park it and go back to a Python.

Yep, and that's the way to do it. Use your 'conda to get filthy rich, and when funds start getting low, take it out for an evening to make it rain credits. Of course, it can do a lot more, but that's a great use for it. There may well be more fun to be had in smaller ships day to day, though.

Looking for some Opinions regarding the Python:

Is it really worth it Upgrading from Clipper to Python before getting enough Credits for the Conda? And when? And Why?
In terms of Cargo Capacity it's not that much more than the Clipper and the Python is much slower and more expensive.

Personally, I loved switching from the Clipper to the Python. Holds more, lands at outposts, doesn't drift like a greased iceberg, and doesn't have that tiring Tron/Donald Trump/Russian oligarch cockpit. However, you don't have to. It's a long haul from Clipper to 'conda though, and the Python will def. speed it up, and give you a bit of variety. If you're attached to your Clipper, it's no crime to not trade up to the Python- but it is a better trader.

 

[HipToss]

Yep, and that's the way to do it. Use your 'conda to get filthy rich, and when funds start getting low, take it out for an evening to make it rain credits. Of course, it can do a lot more, but that's a great use for it. There may well be more fun to be had in smaller ships day to day, though.

Trade one day, pew pew the next two!

 

[Lupin]

Yep running costs and risk make Anaconda an costly toy.

 

[deathmagnet]

This is the Conda I have been running in the CG in Wolf 406. I feel pretty safe in it. Ya, so it only runs 372 tonnes but it is still good enough to get me in the top 5% and those shields. Man o man, gotta love those shields.

 

[Dommarraa]

For PvE, a Python is ample. I cant remember the last time my shields went down. If I dived into the middle of a HiCZ and ignored people shooting at me, they would go down, but in a RES, impossible.

Clippers suck on so many levels.

 

[TiberiuS]

Clippers suck on so many levels.

Where Clippers Suck:
- lateral Thrusters up/down
- lateral Thrusters left/right
- width of their six

what else?

Clipper is king at:
- Prize
- Maneuverability (idk where the 2 Points come from, but besides lateral thrusters it is agile like a cobra)
- Acceleration
- Top Speed, both 'normal' and boost
- 2 large and 2 med HP are good enough for combat
- no power shortages

Also shields are not that weak in the clipper (Of course not that strong like a Python's). You can also add shield boosters as long as you don't run out of power.

 

[Ancipital]

Where Clippers Suck:
- lateral Thrusters up/down
- lateral Thrusters left/right
- width of their six

what else?

Crappy hardpoint placement, meaning gimbals are more or less obligatory. Suddenly, you have a ship that not's fit for PvP, even if you're happy with the rubbish shields. A good player who knows how to use chaff will be a total nightmare.

Yes, it's fine for PvE combat, but then even an Asp manages that; it's setting the bar pretty low

(Plus the Clipper is quite expensive to fit well for combat, compared to things like the Vulture)

Trade one day, pew pew the next two!

It's vital to have finer-grained control than that:

 

[Scimiter]

The Anaconda is a safe trader I have never been interdicted by a real pirate and A1 pirates including Anacondas are easily dealt with.
Mine is set up to carry 400 tonnes, has the best shields, 6 A0 shield boosters and fully turreted, I have not got the best combat set up yet as I need the A8 power generator an eye watering 150.000.000 credits to power the best turrets!
Its great fun in combat zones, but with my current Anaconda set up, my Vulture makes money quicker in them.
All in all I love the big Anaconda.

 

[TiberiuS]

(Plus the Clipper is quite expensive to fit well for combat, compared to things like the Vulture)

The vulture has terrible power problems and is a designated combat ship with virtually no cargo space and jump range. ... and it's damn slow, too. It can... well fight. But nothing else.
The Clipper is a multi-purpose ship with relatively good combat capabilities (much better than the ASP imo) besides it's actual purpose: trade runs (as is said in it's description)

 

[TMC]

It's worth the price up until you get to a couple of the A-rated parts like the shields and power plant, which are like 150Mil each. But even then, if you got the money, why not? You can always sell or downgrade them back into cash. If you don't have that kind of money, leave those at B-rated. Bottom line is if you have 400Mil in the bank, why not use it to fully upgrade your conda whether its worth it or not.

 

[Scimiter]

The vulture has terrible power problems and is a designated combat ship with virtually no cargo space and jump range. ... and it's damn slow, too. It can... well fight. But nothing else.
The Clipper is a multi-purpose ship with relatively good combat capabilities (much better than the ASP imo) besides it's actual purpose: trade runs (as is said in it's description)

Your right about the Vulture it is a great combat ship with powerful weapons, the shields are awesome, but if you do lose them its time to run, the canopy is easily smashed and the hull seems to evaporate quickly, the recharge time for the shields in so long. Good fighting ship but nothing else in my opinion.

 

[Ancipital]

The vulture has terrible power problems and is a designated combat ship with virtually no cargo space and jump range. ... and it's damn slow, too. It can... well fight. But nothing else.

Yes, the Vulture is a heavy fighter. You expected it to be ideal for something else? I fear that you missed the point back there, somehow.

I'm really unsure as to what your point is, beyond the fact that you didn't read and understand the thread properly.

 

[TiberiuS]

Yes, the Vulture is a heavy fighter. You expected it to be ideal for something else? I fear that you missed the point back there, somehow.

I'm really unsure as to what your point is, beyond the fact that you didn't read and understand the thread properly.

I could say the same. You're talking about how bad the Clipper in PvP is... which is an answer to a queston nobody asked. Plus the Clipper is an armored transport ship that is fast enough so you don't have to PvP a Vulture, because it can't keep up with you.
And yes, the vulture is a fighter. Which was absolutely my point here! It excells at fighting, but can't haul and can't explore. Which makes it totally absurd to compare it to a multi-role craft.

You talked about going from Clipper, to Python, to Anaconda. And my question in this context was, if it is really worth the +50 Cargo space max to go from clipper to python which is factor 2.5 the price of a clipper, instead of going directly to Anaconda. And I really heard nothing to convince me.

 

[Dommarraa]

I could say the same. You're talking about how bad the Clipper in PvP is... which is an answer to a queston nobody asked. Plus the Clipper is an armored transport ship that is fast enough so you don't have to PvP a Vulture, because it can't keep up with you.
And yes, the vulture is a fighter. Which was absolutely my point here! It excells at fighting, but can't haul and can't explore. Which makes it totally absurd to compare it to a multi-role craft.

You talked about going from Clipper, to Python, to Anaconda. And my question in this context was, if it is really worth the +50 Cargo space max to go from clipper to python which is factor 2.5 the price of a clipper, instead of going directly to Anaconda. And I really heard nothing to convince me.

You dont seem to consider the size of the Clipper to be a disadvantage, to many it is a huge one
The extra weapons of a Python are significant
The extra shields of a Python are significant
The 25% Cargo is significant if you trade in your Python (I dont trade in mine)
The extra money isnt much of a issue. You only lose 5% of ship cost (couple of hours trading or RES), and then only if you dont want to keep the Python which many Conda owners do
The money to kit out the Python is not lost, you can always strip the Python if required
What else are you going to do with your savings ? Wouldn't investing in a Python be better than leaving it in the bank?

In fact, unless the OP like trading, I would skip the Clipper altogether. A Vulture for RES and an Asp as a day ship would do perfectly well to get a Python

The Conda question comes later.

 

[Obtuse]

The main point for getting the Python is if your trading you can land at outposts opening up the more lucrative trades routes that are closed off to you sing the clipper can only land on large pads