Engineers Rethinking my game plan.

[Nerwan]

Good point. I do have SCBs fitted, but tend to forget they are there, as not fitted to my Cobra.

Are A6 shields enough, or do I really need to fit class 7 shields?

You need to figure it out according to the amount of MJ a single SCB pop will give you. You want your SCBs to fill your whole shield when you hit the bank button. What you don't want (and what many do) is to have a big base shield but crap SCB refills. Sometimes it's better to put the actual generator in the smaller slot and put the SCB in the bigger slot (The FDL is better like this for example) because that gives you a larger total shield even though your base shield is a bit smaller. Look on coriolis for the clipper, I've a feeling the clipper is best with a size 7 shield gen.. because size 7 SCBs will overfill the shield and you'll waste a lot of the energy.

EDIT: Pro tip ;-) Sometimes it makes sense to choose B SCBs, they have more total MJ by giving 1 extra pop but slightly weaker each time. If your base shield isn't that good the weaker pop can make sense because you don't want to overfill your shield and waste energy and the extra pop is handy. You have to weight this against how many heat sinks you can afford to take to use with the SCBs.

 

[StiTch]

Clipper is an excellent combat ship on account of agility, speed and the ability to give it a shocking hull hp without touching half the optimum thruster weight.

Unfortunately where before flying below A-spec was a bad idea, it's basically suicide now in combat. Use the same money to beef the clipper up, get a wing if you can and you'll be rocking in no time

 

[StiTch]

I've a feeling the clipper is best with a size 7 shield gen.. because size 7 SCBs will overfill the shield and you'll waste a lot of the energy.

Yup. Using a 7A shield without boosters the 6A SCB will still overfill, and is more of a relevant situation now missiles merit using utilities for ECM/PD.

Clipper was never a shield tank, but I prefer to run without SCBs, Bi-weaves and a whole bunch of HRPs. Gets some truly high HP levels, and I prefer the natural fast shield regen over using SCBs to get it back in action. Wouldn't recommend until you're comfortable throwing this thing around though

 

[Nerwan]

Yup. Using a 7A shield without boosters the 6A SCB will still overfill, and is more of a relevant situation now missiles merit using utilities for ECM/PD.

Clipper was never a shield tank, but I prefer to run without SCBs, Bi-weaves and a whole bunch of HRPs. Gets some truly high HP levels, and I prefer the natural fast shield regen over using SCBs to get it back in action. Wouldn't recommend until you're comfortable throwing this thing around though

It's a valid strategy but risky in a CZ I'd say, you can get hit hard from all sides at once and without SCBs you're screwed. (More than one active I'd say too). I concentrate on never ever losing my shields. I haven't lost them for a long time now (the last time was two rail-de-lance players in a CZ who caught me by surprise without 4 pips in shields but hey, it happens).

 

[Jezzah]

My better idea is this:

Get a Imperial Courier and tool around in that. I have one set up for combat, planetary exploration/Base assault and general material collecting. Its loads of fun, very cheap to A spec it and get it running like a dream. I haven't modded it much yet due to material issues but it getting there.

I loved my Clipper, its still my favourite ship but the new AI and small ships were tearing it to pieces and it had to go (for now).

 

[StiTch]

My better idea is this:

Get a Imperial Courier and tool around in that. I have one set up for combat, planetary exploration/Base assault and general material collecting. Its loads of fun, very cheap to A spec it and get it running like a dream. I haven't modded it much yet due to material issues but it getting there.

CMDR StiTch always approves iCourier love. Awesome ship for those willing to venture.

 

[Nerwan]

My better idea is this:

Get a Imperial Courier and tool around in that. I have one set up for combat, planetary exploration/Base assault and general material collecting. Its loads of fun, very cheap to A spec it and get it running like a dream. I haven't modded it much yet due to material issues but it getting there.

I loved my Clipper, its still my favourite ship but the new AI and small ships were tearing it to pieces and it had to go (for now).

Yes, I've been doing a bit of that too The imperial courier is possibly the best ship now... I can't wait to put dirty drives 5 on with the enhanced engine it already has.. OMG..

 

[Jakester13]

I voted stick with the Clipper. Main drawback as I see it is large pads only. But I also think the courier suggestion is an excellent one until you/me/we all improve at dealing with the new AI/mods etc..

I enjoyed a brief spell in the Courier - fast, inexpensive, but I really didn't like the cockpit view... that weird blank nose sticking out in front.

 

[StiTch]

It's a valid strategy but risky in a CZ I'd say, you can get hit hard from all sides at once and without SCBs you're screwed. (More than one active I'd say too). I concentrate on never ever losing my shields. I haven't lost them for a long time now (the last time was two rail-de-lance players in a CZ who caught me by surprise without 4 pips in shields but hey, it happens).

Oh heavens yeah, I'd not take that into a CZ. Thinking about it I'd probably never take the Clipper to a CZ. That's what my FDL is for, as well as making some of my bounty hunting monies. Clipper is a RES beast through and through, and if you can take it FA Off and learn to control the inertia it hits hard, has very little downtime and can pull some moves that would make an eagle blush.

 

[Nerwan]

Oh heavens yeah, I'd not take that into a CZ. Thinking about it I'd probably never take the Clipper to a CZ. That's what my FDL is for, as well as making some of my bounty hunting monies. Clipper is a RES beast through and through, and if you can take it FA Off and learn to control the inertia it hits hard, has very little downtime and can pull some moves that would make an eagle blush.

4 gimballed frags... mmmm... speed in and crush..

 

[Ansel_De_Vries]

I lost my Type-6 and a multi-million credit cargo last night that, all told, wiped out half of my assets. At first I was crushed, because I had worked so hard to get the assets to have the ships that I did. But, in the end, I went to the main menu screen and hit "clear save" and started fresh in a loaned Sidey. The game was instantly fun again. I had got so caught up in the grind that I forgot how much fun it is flying around, doing low-level missions was. I also feel it'll give me another opportunity to come up through the ranks and rethink some of the choices I made before (like scrambling to get into my own ship). Have fun with it, its a game.

 

[Jezzah]

Not to turn this into an iCourier love thread but the ship has transformed how I play ED now. I used to be clipper pilot, a python pilot etc big ships but this thing is just so much fun. Its a lot more useable than I thought it would be initially - sure its a crap trader but I didn't much of that anyway.

Think FD need to bring out a middle ground ship in the Gutamaya range - at moment we have 2 large pad and 1 small pad ship. A medium pad courier with a few more home comforts would be awesome.

 

[StiTch]

4 gimballed frags... mmmm... speed in and crush..

Since I first got a feel for what engineers was about, I've been twitching in anticipation at a beefed up PA and three frag cannons on double shot. Oh my, goodbye.

Need to find out what mods the PAs get actually...

 

[Kizbot]

For the activity you describe, I would get an AspX and a DBX. Shadow missions are a breeze in Asp and Combat in the DBX is actually surprisingly good. You have the money for both ships to be well kitted for their tasks and still have some money to eventually get that Python, although I'll be honest the Python was not for me. It couldn't seem to get out of its own way and I found it awkward in combat. Same goes for the Anaconda which is great for trading but disappointing at anything else.

 

[RoLnD79]

Do you have something soley for trading to make money in? That you can park your clipper and trade for awhile to bank up? That's what I would do. I don't like selling any of my ships, the only time I have is when I upgraded to a better trade ship. I keep a cutter for trading, and you can make some major money in that thing fast. I never wanted to trade a lot, but it really is how you make the most money consistently.

Don't feel too bad about your clipper, last evening I was trading In my cutter, I went to undock at an orbital and got a phone call. I forgot all about the game, I got destroyed by security for not leaving the station, 15 million credits down the drain. At least I didn't have a full load of cargo.

Speaking of pythons, I finally bought one and A rated it last night for around 230 million. I seriously think I'll be spending the majority of the game in this ship, it's so versatile, has great firepower and it's a blast to fly. I have an A rated Asp, A rated FDL, A rated cobra and the cutter, and I don't see me flying those much, besides the cutter for making money. The FDL is for sure a better dogfighter, but the python is just so much more versatile, and has just as much firepower, plus the internals are great.I have it set up for gathering materials and scans for Engineers, and for combat, and it definitely can destroy stuff on par with the FDL, it just don't maneuver as well and it's not quite as fast. I can always switch out fuel scoop, cargo storage, limpet controllers for more HRPs and Some SCB's to make it straight combat. Also the A rated power planet gives it plenty of power to run almost anything, and in can fire 2 medium gimballed pulse lasers and 2 large gimballed pulse lasers at the same time, and you rarely have to let up. I have a gimballed MC on my other large Hardpoint.

I was going back and forth between a python and an anaconda, and I'm really glad I went python. I wouldn't ever use the anaconda for trading, I have an asp explorer for exploring, so it basically would be just an expensive combat ship, one that's slow and doesn't maneuver near as well as FDL or python. It would of been of waste of money for me, sure it has a ton of firepower and great shields etc, I just don't think I would enjoy fighting in it.

Sorry for the off topic essay! Lol. I wouldn't sell your clipper, I would get a dedicated trade ship and bank some credits. I've haven't had hardly anymajor losses trading, and I'm 70% tycoon. So make a bunch of money trading, upgrade/buy nice things, go have fun doing combat misisons and blowing stuff up in your nice things, and if you get lower on money, go into trade mode and bank.

 

[Arry]

Not to turn this into an iCourier love thread but the ship has transformed how I play ED now. I used to be clipper pilot, a python pilot etc big ships but this thing is just so much fun. Its a lot more useable than I thought it would be initially - sure its a crap trader but I didn't much of that anyway.

Think FD need to bring out a middle ground ship in the Gutamaya range - at moment we have 2 large pad and 1 small pad ship. A medium pad courier with a few more home comforts would be awesome.

I do have a Courier parked somewhere, with 2 beams and a multi-cannon and in Friday black, it looks awesome. I could use that for the RES hunting and fit the Cobra just for cargo running missions.

 

[Lowievisser]

Dropship ftw drifting!....

 

[Daniel Cloudsifter]

Before I offer my suggested course of action, I need to provide my background. I've been playing since 12/23/16. I'm currently Dangerous/Elite/Ranger with 1.2 billion in assets. I own an almost (lacking armor upgrade) A rated Corvette, a trade conda (waiting to be refitted to mining Anaconda), a trade Cutter (bought 2 weeks ago), an A-rated Python (multi-mission use), an A-rated Clipper, Asp Explorer, A-rated vulture, A-rated Cobra Mk3, A-rated DBS, etc.

I faced the same dilemma a few months ago that your facing now. I wanted a Python, but I loved the clipper; by the time the clipper could be A-rated, I could buy a Python (stripped down for trading). The new AI is something to consider, but my advice will remain mostly the same.

An A-rated clipper is a fun ship to do trading in (though excluded from outposts), in bubble exploring/cruising, and doing missions. Due to the outpost exclusion, planetary bases are your friend, so look for those if your doing missions.

The pitch rate on the clipper is higher (can visually verify now thanks to stats in 2.1) than the Cobra Mk 3 and the Diamond Back Scout. While you will drift and sluggishly change thrust direction, you should almost always be able to keep your enemy in front of you. So you can dish it out in combat. Being on the receiving end? I didn't care for that in 2.0, but managed. I seriously don't know now in 2.1.

What I can tell you is that if you sell your clipper for a low rated python, you will probably hate it. That's what I did. I was so        at the sluggish pitch rate of low end python (which I planned to use for trading with outposts to make $$$) that I resold it immediately and went and re-purchased my clipper. After a couple of days of cooling down, I decided the Python wasn't that bad, stripped (but did not sell) the clipper down and re-bought the low end Python. I then did lots of trading until I had enough for a trade conda, and then the money just flowed in. However, all of this was before the (potentially) super deadly AI in 2.1.

If you enjoy doing missions (as I did), which are even more fun now in 2.1, either do them with your clipper or the cobra. You will not want to do them with a Python until you can get it A-rated. At that point, it can take damage/dish it out/and has an Ok pitch rate. As others have suggested, you may want to pick up an Asp Explorer and use it as a mission running ship (good cargo and great jump range potential). The clipper will work too, but you will probably miss out on a lot of missions because they don't have Large landing pads (this drove me crazy).

I am currently doing missions now in my A-rated python, due to large cargo capacity and ability to land at outposts. But when I get attacked, it's messy; I haven't died, but I've had to continually run a lot. If I were flying a beginner python, it would've died every time.

So my advice is: figure out what you want to do and then fly the best ship you can afford for that job. I advise against selling a ship you really like. Just strip it down (sell what you can, downgrade what you can't) and store it later for refitting when you have the $$$. I'd recommend doing this at the stations that have the !5% discount on ships/equipment (Lembava/Goldstein station, Diaguandri/Ray Station, LHS 20/Ohm City (Corvette discounted), Harm/Gentil Hub (Imperial Cutter at !5% off!!!!) Gunapa\Haber Orbital (Clipper/clipper bulkheads 15% off), etc.).

In summation: the clipper is like a luxury sports car that I just couldn't part with. I could make more money doing missions in my Asp, at the time, then trading in the clipper. Doing missions in the clipper was frustrating because of the landing limitations. Combat in the clipper was ok in small doses, but I didn't want to risk it in a RES field; besides, my vulture was far more efficient killing for bounties. Once you own a clipper, it's hard to sit in the cockpit of anything else. You'll need to decide what you want to do and then pick the right ship for the job. I just don't recommend selling any ship from the clipper on up (unless you hate the ship) - just strip it down and use that money to buy what you need; you can rebuild the ship later and won't have lost any money (the 10% loss on the sale).

Sorry if this was a bit long. It's my first post here and I don't post much in general.

 

[StiTch]

*snip*

Sorry if this was a bit long. It's my first post here and I don't post much in general.

The best kind of post. If you avoid the toxic yet inevitable sea of argumentative banter, you post actual information

Good tips here. And compliments what I said earlier; in the current environment, don't go out to combat in a non-A rated ship. Just don't do it. And yes, remember the light of the LYR systems for discounts.

 

[Kaybe]

I'd say with the new AI, it's pretty important to be able to afford to A-rate as much of your ship as possible.

That being said, I wouldn't sell such a pricey ship unless you never plan on using it again. It's around 2 million lost credits to do so.