what to do next

Leper Messiah · Mar 26, 2016

Had an extended hiatus from Elite and recently started exploring again, I have 160 mill in the bank and sort of toying with the idea of getting a python next. Kind of hoping I'll be on 180 million when I get back from this trip. Any ideas on what I should do next and how to equip a python for multirole trading and mining (which is sort of what I'm thinking of doing). Combat isn't my thing I just want to be able to defend myself when doing other activities. Also, is the python good for exploring or not? (in case I get the exploration bug again!)

newman1702 · Mar 26, 2016

Here's my advice: grind about 30-40 million more (smuggling, maybe?) and get an Anaconda. Multirole trading and mining? Great at it. Exploration? Arguably the best at it (best jump range, some prefer more maneuverable ships for it but honestly, it's not a problem and the ship works great).

Python's a good ship, not that great at exploration due to reduced range but the Anaconda beats it in pretty much every activity you expressed an interest in here, and financially you're not that far off from being able to fit an exploration 'conda. With the profits from your exploration trip you should have no problems fitting her for trading and mining alike. Just make sure to buy her at a LYR controlled system for a 15% discount on both ship and modules - and no, you don't have to be pledged to LYR to get the discount. Ray Gateway, Diaguandri system is where I both got and equipped mine for exploration. Right now I'm on Distant Worlds on the other side of the galaxy, over 60kly away and the ship performed admirably.

Leper Messiah · Mar 26, 2016

newman1702 said:
Here's my advice: grind about 30-40 million more (smuggling, maybe?) and get an Anaconda. Multirole trading and mining? Great at it. Exploration? Arguably the best at it (best jump range, some prefer more maneuverable ships for it but honestly, it's not a problem and the ship works great).

Python's a good ship, not that great at exploration due to reduced range but the Anaconda beats it in pretty much every activity you expressed an interest in here, and financially you're not that far off from being able to fit an exploration 'conda. With the profits from your exploration trip you should have no problems fitting her for trading and mining alike. Just make sure to buy her at a LYR controlled system for a 15% discount on both ship and modules - and no, you don't have to be pledged to LYR to get the discount. Ray Gateway, Diaguandri system is where I both got and equipped mine for exploration. Right now I'm on Distant Worlds on the other side of the galaxy, over 60kly away and the ship performed admirably.

Thanks for the reply, didn't really want an anaconda yet at this point, kind of saving that ship for later on! Surely I need more money to get a good rated Anaconda anyway?

Zenith · Mar 26, 2016

I disagree that an Anaconda is the best for mining.
An Anaconda is good at it, but it is slow handling and my mining Python can match a T9, Anaconda or Cutter for mining rate. While it doesn't have the capacity of an Anaconda, I could do 2 runs in the time the Anaconda did 1 and still match the amount of mined materials.
http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/06...AwjMJBGaCYe6E7JkA===?bn=Y Ddraig Las (Mining)

That is purely mining for carving up rocks and hovering up the fragments quickly.

A more measured trading/mining Python might be this...
http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/05...5054a391sC0C0P4.Iw18eQ==.IwBhGYzYYJlmMoXvIA==

I've tried to keep mass and cost down while maintaining the modules you need to be effective.
74.8MCr (63.6MCr from LYR systems), 192t cargo, 22.52ly unladen, 16.67ly fully laden, + all you need for mining as well.

Anuranium · Mar 26, 2016

Here is something that should fit the bill:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/05...eCe03P92i2f.Iw18eQ==.EwBhGYQRi6eBMYBYQLWIA===

True multi-role - not good at anything, but it can do lots of it:

Exploring - all scanners present and has 15,7LY's of range.... not great if you're going to Beagle point, but for some day to day exploring, how much range do you really need?

Trade - a modest 80 ton cargo hold. Equipped for medium scale mining for those nice and juicy metallic rings you find (while exploring?). NOTE: Must turn off 1 shield booster and all weapons for the PP to handle mining operations.

Combat - Able to defend itself with 2 large pulse lasers and a large cannon. Has shields. Even has a KWS just in case you actually manage to fight off that pirate.

Again, not great at anything. Should be in your price range as well.

Leper Messiah · Mar 26, 2016

Thanks both, I'll have a good butchers at those setups in a min. Range isn't all that important for me because I tend to just pick the next closest system to go and see what's there. My Asps 26 ly range is more than enough for me, I'll prolly keep that for exploring (kept all my other ships (apart from a brief spell in a Viper that led to my only death to date....sold it!)) then and use the Python for trading/mining/bh

Ziggy Stardust · Mar 26, 2016

Python can go to 25 ly range or so for exploring. That's shielded but no guns. It's my favourite exploration ship.

Leper Messiah · Mar 26, 2016

Ziggy Stardust said:
Python can go to 25 ly range or so for exploring. That's shielded but no guns. It's my favourite exploration ship.

Good to know Ziggy! Thanks for the info...not sure I'd go no guns though!!

newman1702 · Mar 26, 2016

Leper Messiah said:
Good to know Ziggy! Thanks for the info...not sure I'd go no guns though!!

For exploration, guns will be dead weight in 99.9999% of cases. In case you get interdicted on your way back you want to high wake rather than engage in combat, anyway - an exploration ship with some guns will be lightly shielded, won't have great power distribution which will mean your firepower will suffer, in general it's not something you'll want to fight in. So you can either have a great exploration ship, a great fighter, or something that can kind of shoot but is bad at combat while having lower range. I personally prefer to specialize ships so they're really good at their intended purpose, rather than having something that can kind of do anything but isn't particularly good at any of it.

Leper Messiah · Mar 27, 2016

newman1702 said:
For exploration, guns will be dead weight in 99.9999% of cases. In case you get interdicted on your way back you want to high wake rather than engage in combat, anyway - an exploration ship with some guns will be lightly shielded, won't have great power distribution which will mean your firepower will suffer, in general it's not something you'll want to fight in. So you can either have a great exploration ship, a great fighter, or something that can kind of shoot but is bad at combat while having lower range. I personally prefer to specialize ships so they're really good at their intended purpose, rather than having something that can kind of do anything but isn't particularly good at any of it.

I'm not someone who ever wanted to max out my range though, so that isn't so much of a consideration for me, I'm more of a multi role person I don't want to min max my craft for a specific role to the nth degree. Good job Elite let's us both be happy

I will be getting an anaconda at some point though, I just don't want to get too much too soon! Elite is a slow burner for me and I'm trying not to grind for anything (not always succeeding in that!).

Henkka77 · Mar 27, 2016

Python is by far the best multipurpose ship there is for its price. For me, Conda isnt even an option as i just dont like it.
Im with Python at Distant Worlds with 26Ly jump range. For me, the only choice for exploring as i find Asp a bit boring. And fugly.

So far no problems with Python and exploring, but to reach Beagle Point i do need some materials for jumponium, but i dont mind. Also the Abyss was a bit more challenging than with some 34Ly jump range ship.

Before DW i did quite a lot mining with Python and its really great for that purpose also. You can mine with 230t cargo space and weaponry and be able to defend yourself when attacked.
So its great for mining also.

Trading i havent done that much but i know Python is good to go for that too.

But, to get to the topic, what to do next.

If youre into exploring, take the Python and fit it as explorer.
Heres my setup which i have on DW:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/03...===.EwBjYRnborimIA==?bn=Distant Worlds Python

Cdr Voorheez · Mar 27, 2016

When you can afford it go Anaconda. All other ships are pretenders imho. Conda is good at everything it does. It's just expensive, that's it's only drawback. Been exploring in my Conda since January on DW and can honestly say it surpasses all other ships I've explored in, and I had a real dilemma in choosing between Asp and Conda pre DW.
I'd advise at this point to explore in an Asp. Better range than a Python and more manoeuvrable. Also a lot cheaper. Save those credits for that gold standard Anaconda.

Leper Messiah · Mar 27, 2016

Henkka77 said:
Python is by far the best multipurpose ship there is for its price. For me, Conda isnt even an option as i just dont like it.
Im with Python at Distant Worlds with 26Ly jump range. For me, the only choice for exploring as i find Asp a bit boring. And fugly.
So far no problems with Python and exploring, but to reach Beagle Point i do need some materials for jumponium, but i dont mind. Also the Abyss was a bit more challenging than with some 34Ly jump range ship.

Before DW i did quite a lot mining with Python and its really great for that purpose also. You can mine with 230t cargo space and weaponry and be able to defend yourself when attacked.
So its great for mining also.

Trading i havent done that much but i know Python is good to go for that too.

But, to get to the topic, what to do next.

If youre into exploring, take the Python and fit it as explorer.
Heres my setup which i have on DW:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/03...===.EwBjYRnborimIA==?bn=Distant Worlds Python

Many thanks for the info!

Cdr Voorheez said:
When you can afford it go Anaconda. All other ships are pretenders imho. Conda is good at everything it does. It's just expensive, that's it's only drawback. Been exploring in my Conda since January on DW and can honestly say it surpasses all other ships I've explored in, and I had a real dilemma in choosing between Asp and Conda pre DW.
I'd advise at this point to explore in an Asp. Better range than a Python and more manoeuvrable.

I have an Asp at the moment, but thinking of the next thing and Python seemed the best bet, yeah I can afford an Anaconda, but then I wouldn't have much money for better modules, If get a Python I can get better modules. That's my logic! Next ship won't really be for exploring as I'll keep my Asp. I only mentioned it because I'm lazy and maybe CBA'd to return to my Asp to do some exploring if the bug hit me again.

Ouberos · Mar 27, 2016

Buy a Hauler for exploring and invest the rest in a Gold painted Mining Orca?

Its the only sensible decision.

InDigital · Mar 27, 2016

Leper Messiah said:
Had an extended hiatus from Elite and recently started exploring again, I have 160 mill in the bank and sort of toying with the idea of getting a python next. Kind of hoping I'll be on 180 million when I get back from this trip. Any ideas on what I should do next and how to equip a python for multirole trading and mining (which is sort of what I'm thinking of doing). Combat isn't my thing I just want to be able to defend myself when doing other activities. Also, is the python good for exploring or not? (in case I get the exploration bug again!)

I am using Python myself for missions. I have 700+ gameplay hours.
Python is the best multi purpose ship. Python can land on Outposts if you want to trade or mine. Anaconda can't.
Outposts are important for trading Palladium (rarest tradable commodity in game). There are others more reare but you have to mine them.
Python have sufficient firepower and shields. You just have to change it the way you want.
But if you want to be multirole untouchable unbreakable then you have to go for Imperial Cutter.
I have Federal Corvette. It is unbeatable ship but Cutter will do more because of better jumprange, cargo, shields and more.

Ian Doncaster · Mar 27, 2016

Here's my current exploration Python

Many explorers might feel Class 6 shields + booster are excessive, but they've saved me from a seriously mistimed landing once already (lost 2 rings, though). The AFMU isn't large, but can be refilled with the SRVs as needed.

A lot of the other kit - weapons, distributor, power plant - is to avoid needing to refit when back in the bubble, and just in case something changes mid-trip.

Leper Messiah · Mar 28, 2016

InDigital said:
I am using Python myself for missions. I have 700+ gameplay hours.
Python is the best multi purpose ship. Python can land on Outposts if you want to trade or mine. Anaconda can't.
Outposts are important for trading Palladium (rarest tradable commodity in game). There are others more reare but you have to mine them.
Python have sufficient firepower and shields. You just have to change it the way you want.
But if you want to be multirole untouchable unbreakable then you have to go for Imperial Cutter.
I have Federal Corvette. It is unbeatable ship but Cutter will do more because of better jumprange, cargo, shields and more.

Thanks for the info!
I'd need Empire ranks to get the cutter would I not? I'm waiting for the missions overhaul before I do stuff like that.

Ian Doncaster said:
Here's my current exploration Python

Many explorers might feel Class 6 shields + booster are excessive, but they've saved me from a seriously mistimed landing once already (lost 2 rings, though). The AFMU isn't large, but can be refilled with the SRVs as needed.

A lot of the other kit - weapons, distributor, power plant - is to avoid needing to refit when back in the bubble, and just in case something changes mid-trip.

cheers for the info, Python is my next ship for sure now!

Henkka77 · Mar 28, 2016

Ian Doncaster said:
Here's my current exploration Python

Many explorers might feel Class 6 shields + booster are excessive, but they've saved me from a seriously mistimed landing once already (lost 2 rings, though). The AFMU isn't large, but can be refilled with the SRVs as needed.

A lot of the other kit - weapons, distributor, power plant - is to avoid needing to refit when back in the bubble, and just in case something changes mid-trip.

Sorry but theres nothing in that setup which says "Im made for exploration", its more like "come and get some".