Spent years coveting the Python only to get my little bottom handed to me in combat

[Madcowz]

I've always coveted the Python. It's seriously good looking, is multi-roll and is armed to the teeth. In my eyes there is no better ship to fly.

And this is how I've spent my time as I slowly earn enough credits to buy one while flying my A-rated Vulture. I've travelled the stars, mined asteroids, run missions, driven on the surface of planets, explored strange alien crash sites, bought and sold slaves and slowly but surely checked my bank account until I had enough to walk into the showroom, throw down the cash and walk out with a brand new ship that still has that lovely new ship smell and no crumbs and odd stains on the seats.

How cool is this I thought to myself as I had it resprayed in Midnight black and popped into the local galactic version of Halfords to pimp it up a bit with a wicked 12" sub and some fancy kit (3 x 3F/T Pulse & 2 x 2F/G MC).

The Python is multi-roll so lets try out some passenger missions for the first time I thought to myself. I popped in a 1st class cabin as that is how I roll, picked up a passenger who was pretty chilled and unfazed by combat and set off on my short 65Ly journey shake-down flight.

A few minutes later I was interdicted. Cool I thought, lets show this NPC pirate the power of a Python. I submitted, dropped out, targeted the Vulture and let rip with the awesome power of my almighty weapons platform.

A few more minutes later I limped my way to the nearest Starport with 10% hull and that god awful passenger hammering on the flight deck door screaming blue murder at me and threatening to jettison my escape capsule right there and then if I didn't "let him off this f*&king ship right now".

Think I've got some learning to do!

 

[DaggerSnake]

LOL yea she's certainly not an I win button. What was your outfitting?

edit: I didn't realize you added the coriolis link. nevermind. hmmm lets take a look...

 

[goemon]

yes, the python flies very different to any small ship.

just seeing your weapon loadout - change one of two of the medium to one turret (beam, pulse) - or two -, and change the large to gimbals, two of them large MCs. tracking speed of medium turrets is higher - they will take care of pesky eagles and manouvering vultures...

and: flying backwards, boost-flip, basic FAOFF.... enjoy!

 

[Siranui]

Vultures can run rings around the Python due to the difference in agility, and they have the Class 3s to wreck heavier hulls.

Although the Python is a fantastic mission ship, the best way of hauling to outposts and packs a good punch, it's still very multi-role and pays the price a bit against combat ships.

Getting your drives modified and hence boosting the agility will help.

I'd also recommend swapping around the weapons, so the MCs are class 3 while your two class 2 mounts (and maybe the third class 3 mount) are used for (pusle) lasers. This means that your primary hull-smashing weapons (MCs) are getting the armour piercing effect of being Cl3, rather than trying to take down someone's hull with class 2s. As shields don't have any 'armour', it won't matter that your class 2s are laser.

I'd also consider turrets, given the poor agility. I run 2x Cl2 (efficient) pulse turrets, a Cl3 gimbal pulse laser and 2x Cl3 Gimballed MCs (corrosive and emmisive). The turrets chip nicely away at the shields of others, so by the time I get the MCs to bear, much of the shield is already gone.


Edit: Try to at least D-class the life suppot for mass saving, and look to improve the capacitor. I'd consider point defence instead of one of those boosters too, given that they're getting a bit of a nerf soon.

 

[Starbreaker]

yes, the python flies very different to any small ship.

just seeing your weapon loadout - change one of two of the medium to one turret (beam, pulse) - or two -, and change the large to gimbals, two of them large MCs. tracking speed of medium turrets is higher - they will take care of pesky eagles and manouvering vultures...

and: flying backwards, boost-flip, basic FAOFF.... enjoy!

This is good advice, my mining python has 1 medium beam turret and 3 large MCs and I think it works really well. Some ships will pitch really badly outside the blue zone, like the Python and Keelback.

 

[StarJim]

I've always coveted the Python. It's seriously good looking, is multi-roll and is armed to the teeth. In my eyes there is no better ship to fly.

In the past there was a short time period where Python was the best ship in game. But it was nerfed quick. I remember the time, one trigger pull - shields are gone, another - boom !

 

[Shintai]

I use an FDL for combat, I simply cant fight well in the Python. When I move cargo/passengers in my else engineered Python its escape time unless the target is relatively easy compared.

 

[TomP]

I have an asymmetric load out.

Turreted Class 3 beam and gimballed corrosive Class 3 multi on top. Gimballed Class 3 incendiary multi below, with 2 high capacity seeker racks, one with drag, the other with thermal cascade. PvE this chews everything up.

 

[Ozram]

That loadout is not going to do you any favours in combat. At best you can fire those turrets while the fsd cools down, but then you ought to jump. Pulse turrets are weak and you have them occupying your most useful hardpoints.
I see you maxed your shields, but that's only good for buying a bit of time. Often chaff can be more valuable.
You were lucky it was a single vulture. If there had been anything with missiles your chances of survival would have dropped even farther.

 

[GunnerBill]

It responds well with boost/FAOFF turns but if you release FAOFF too early you are just left dead in the water, even with #5 DD upgrades. It handles well but dies if you are not careful. FAOFF is the key as is the ability to chain boost turns.
I've also found that if you are using your internals for cargo/vehicle hangers etc then your defensive capability such as SCB, HRP etc are not enough to survive tough opponents, especially if you are not packing Mil armour on account of boost speed/jump range.

Personally I've given up attempting combat on anything but dedicated combat builds and run my highly engineered Python weaponless. It boosts ~450 so speed is my weapon.

Agreed though it is a great ship and one of my favourites. I suppose the only reason for weapons would be to spoil security scans if you are interdicted by the Polis. But then you'd only need token C1 pulse lasers.

 

[DWorth]

I'd recommend adding armour as well. The unengineered Python doesn't have the speed to run when things turn sour so she needs more survivability. Agree on adding turrets too, maybe some shield boosters also.

What you should be aiming for is a tank that flies.

(Would also definitely recommend upgrading life support from the default one. When I had a Python I found that the canopy had an uncannily frequent habit of getting blown out, possibly because of the cockpit's more exposed position compared to some other ships.)

 

[Adhock]

You really should consider switching the undernose slot with a fixed or gimbled weapon. Turrets are the weakest of the three weapon types in terms of raw damage and make up for this with complete area tracking and mode switching.

While it does work against things like Vultures, in order to hit them, Vultures are strictly combat ships and hardened for combat. Turreted pulse weapons are not going to scratch it's hull.

Also your power distributor is weak. You wouldn't be able to sustain fire for very long nor keep power going to the shield boosters.

Turrets are best used for slower ships and you need to keep rolling to keep the ship in line of sight. At best turrets are meant as deterrents and harassment weapons while you bring the ship killers to bear.

 

[Chrysophylax]

Don't have anything to add to what's already been said except to say that the python was the ship that forced me to learn all the mechanics surrounding combat properly in order to get proper performance out of it.

To give you a goal to strive for, you can make bank in an unkillable PVE python that doesn't need armor with all fixed weapons. Disclaimer: took me a while to get there

 

[Madcowz]

Thanks for the replies and advice.

I will buy some new weapons once I've sorted the damage caused by the passenger. There was sh*te all over the cabins. It was up the walls and on the ceiling. How on earth he managed to get it up there I don't know but I was pulling some High G boost assisted FA-OFF turns so maybe it wasn't all his fault.

Never mind. A couple of hours with a mop and some Dettol and I will have them back to new.

 

[Codger]

Haha, great story! The Python can be a fantastic ship, in fact it's my most-used ship, but it's pretty weak stock. Put a bit of time into engineering it though, and it all changes. You might find this video interesting, it'll give you a few ideas anyway.

https://youtu.be/flCmB8Y3ycw

A little TLC and the Python can be quite formidable and very survivable

Good luck out there!

 

[Mugur]

It responds well with boost/FAOFF turns but if you release FAOFF too early you are just left dead in the water, even with #5 DD upgrades. It handles well but dies if you are not careful. FAOFF is the key as is the ability to chain boost turns.
I've also found that if you are using your internals for cargo/vehicle hangers etc then your defensive capability such as SCB, HRP etc are not enough to survive tough opponents, especially if you are not packing Mil armour on account of boost speed/jump range.

Personally I've given up attempting combat on anything but dedicated combat builds and run my highly engineered Python weaponless. It boost ~500 so speed is my weapon.

Agreed though it is a great ship and one of my favourites. I suppose the only reason for weapons would be to spoil security scans if you are interdicted by the Polis. But then you'd only need token C1 pulse lasers.

At maximum, a Python can go up to 466 m/s boost with DD5 and 5% positive effects, usually under 449. Mine (fully equipped for trading but with military, weapons, boosters) goes up to 436 m/s.

Anyway, I use 3 Large MC/G and 2 Medium MC/T (rapid fire with incendiary or auto-loader recently) and I didn't have any issues with deadly FDLs or FASes NPCs, because even when they outturned me, the turrets were doing their job and while they were unable to fire most of the time, I was firing continuously. Also this was with 4 pips to sys, 1 to eng, 1 to wep most of the time, because MCs are great with distributors. I died only once in my Python back in 2.1 (remember those crazy NPCs?) when ladden I wanted to quickly end a fight so I joust the FDL, rammed it, lost shield and went back for another turn. That turn costed me the canopy in the middle of nowhere, but I stayed, killed the NPC, found on the map the nearest station (Robigo), and almost make it to it (I was interdicted about 2 ls from the station so I remained without oxigen...). About a month after that I used A instead of D for life support.

 

[firemane]

A few things not mentioned before:

- The Python works very well with shield cell banks. A B5 or B6 will keep you in the game for a long time. That what all those extra compartments are for.
- If you are below Dangerous in combat rank, or if you fly in open you should have a chaff launcher. Dangerous and Elites are usually attacked by ships sporting fixed loadouts only so it is less useful there.

- Regarding the Engineers: even a level 1 mod can do wonders for the Python. Farseer can give you a level 1 powerplant and up to level 3 clean or dirty drives. Adding a shield resistance mod and at least one thermal resistance and one heavy duty booster will give you a better protection and free 2 utility slots. Again, even level 1 will do wonders.

- See if you can fit a level 3 beam or burst on that chin hardpoint. As the Vulture demonstrated, a class 3 thermal can burn through most shields.

- Use the medium hardpoints for turreted thermals while you get used to the ship. Later on you can switch them to gimballed or fixed. The Python has plenty of power, but you are eating a ton of it with all of those shield boosters.

- Use the 2 class 3's on top for something kinetic. Multicannons, if you want something with range. If you are a close in fighter, use frag cannons (those may be nerfed on the next patch), that's how I run mine.

- For combat zones only, 1 chin beam, 2x med and 2x large cannons, plenty of shield boosters and hrp's.

 

[Schlack]

Flew a python for PvE for about 18 months - It was fine and tanky - shield cells are a necessity though. Engied up a FDL, and now couldn't go back to the python now for combat. Python is still by far the best multirole ship for BGS work!

 

[IndigoWyrd]

Put some meat on those bones and try again: https://coriolis.io/outfit/python/1...2u2fv6.AwRj4yoo.CwRgDGJROV7xuIA=?bn=Phyton 01

I run a combat python regularly and have no problem taking down Elite Anacondas one on one. I'll even ram them. A Shield Cell Battery and a Heat Sink will do you justice as well.

 

[Shaamaan]

I run a heavily engineered Python. NPCs melt, and it's glorious. The shields, built for resistance and regeneration, are near impenetrable unless I get focused by some really heavy fire NPC fire. Otherwise whatever little damage they take regenerates quickly between engagements. Oh, and if I DO get focused? Dirty drives provide ample boost to get away, and while away those shields go back to full nice and quick. There's also a non-cooled shield cell for when the excrement hits the fan (gentle heat damage is nothing compared to losing the shields and taking REAL damage). There are some unengineered things on it - scanner, fuel scoop, armour. I could work on the armour for more safety.

It does have some minor downsides:
- Relatively low ammo... I can kill any NPC the game throws at me, but I can't stay in CZ / RES forever, as I'll run out of bullets after 20-40 or so kills (depending on target size and armament).
- Runs kind of hot during battle - might be a combination of engineer upgrade (dirty drives, weapon mods), but while I CAN, technically, fire non-stop I do have some minor heat issues. In a pinch a bit of heat damage won't kill me, but it is kind of annoying.