Ships How do you actually fight in a Python?

[Cmdr Nemo]

Alright, I thought I'd just open a thread to get that question out of my system. So often and from so many people I keep hearing how awesome the Python is, and best ship in the game for virtually anything, etc etc.
My problem with this is, I'm not seeing it. Sure, the Python is a great Medium Trader/Miner, but I don't see how it can perform in a fight. The few times I tried it I got my arx thoroughly handed to me. In one case, an iCourier literally ran circles around me without me ever even getting him on the bloody screen. And I struggle to see how it could ever be different against anything but the most harmless enemies.

I reckon you can sink engineering into it til the space-cows come home, but combat-wise, that feels to me like putting lipstick on a pig. Sure you can do it, but you could achieve so much more with the same effort applied to a more suitable base.

Of course this is just a 2nd-week-newbie's opinion, so please enlighten me.

It's not the Python that's giving you issue's in combat it's the last sentence where you stated your own two weeks in. There's a term every noob hates and it's "Git Gud". Once you've gotten that. The Python though not the best (there is no best) is and will be a useful ship.

Assuming that you haven't yet got around to engineering the cores or the optionals let alone the weapons, on the Python or any other ship for that matter. Most any ship you try, is going to present issues.

Be patient, practice practice and when your done, do some more practice. I'm really old and my hand eye coordination to my brain isn't all what young player is. It's taken me a couple of years to finally get to the point where I can fend off any and all NPC's. Haven't tried humans just yet, but when I do. I'll be a contender.

 

[vitiablesoup]

Don't worry too much about what people say. The python is a good combat ship, for both PvP and PvE. I've used it effectively in both roles.

Despite what most people say: The python is not slow, with grade five engineering it will boost over 500 m/s in combat fit. Which isn't a slouch. Mind you, it is a little on the bigger side, so it will not turn as well as other ships (chieftains, FAS, FDL). However, the python has one massive perk: It's tanky as heck and rather forgiving when you make mistakes. Which is great for learning how to do combat!

There's a few things you can do with the Python, but make up your mind, PvE and PvP are truly two seperate beasts.

What is mostly the same is the optional internal setup:
1x 6C Bi-Weave shield generator (or prismatic if you have one).
2x 6b shieldbank => You fire these in tandem. The B-version has one more charge, and both of them going off will reset your shields to full. (be sure to run a heatsink, you'll go hot as supernova).
Add a few HRP's and one grade 3 MRP. Your hull can easily ramp up to 1.5-2k with some engineering.

As for weapons, there's the catch 22:
PvE: Anything really works. Try something that gives you longevity like burstlasers (do modify them for efficiency). You get some real staying power, that doesn't lag behind a corvette or anaconda in the haz-res's in terms of staying power.

PvP: Nimbler ships get Time-On-Target, which means they can use weapons that have a fairly high firerate for sustained damage. The python is not this kind of ship. Going with multi's or bursts/pulses won't do you any favours. Running grade 3 frag-cannons with grade 2 railguns (modified to fry shieldbanks) is a decent setup. You could try plasma's as well. Or put some cascading torps on the mediums.

For PvP you'll want to get the hang off flying with FA-Off. Good thing, the ship still handles fairly well in FA-Off. For the FA-Off theory, have a look at vindicator jones's youtube channel. He has some good instructions for that. If you're adamant about multi's, you'll need FA-Off. It gives you just that edge and extra time on target.

 

[Sup3rfluiD]

Don't worry too much about what people say. The python is a good combat ship, for both PvP and PvE. I've used it effectively in both roles.

Despite what most people say: The python is not slow, with grade five engineering it will boost over 500 m/s in combat fit. Which isn't a slouch. Mind you, it is a little on the bigger side, so it will not turn as well as other ships (chieftains, FAS, FDL). However, the python has one massive perk: It's tanky as heck and rather forgiving when you make mistakes. Which is great for learning how to do combat!

There's a few things you can do with the Python, but make up your mind, PvE and PvP are truly two seperate beasts.

What is mostly the same is the optional internal setup:
1x 6C Bi-Weave shield generator (or prismatic if you have one).
2x 6b shieldbank => You fire these in tandem. The B-version has one more charge, and both of them going off will reset your shields to full. (be sure to run a heatsink, you'll go hot as supernova).
Add a few HRP's and one grade 3 MRP. Your hull can easily ramp up to 1.5-2k with some engineering.

As for weapons, there's the catch 22:
PvE: Anything really works. Try something that gives you longevity like burstlasers (do modify them for efficiency). You get some real staying power, that doesn't lag behind a corvette or anaconda in the haz-res's in terms of staying power.

PvP: Nimbler ships get Time-On-Target, which means they can use weapons that have a fairly high firerate for sustained damage. The python is not this kind of ship. Going with multi's or bursts/pulses won't do you any favours. Running grade 3 frag-cannons with grade 2 railguns (modified to fry shieldbanks) is a decent setup. You could try plasma's as well. Or put some cascading torps on the mediums.

For PvP you'll want to get the hang off flying with FA-Off. Good thing, the ship still handles fairly well in FA-Off. For the FA-Off theory, have a look at vindicator jones's youtube channel. He has some good instructions for that. If you're adamant about multi's, you'll need FA-Off. It gives you just that edge and extra time on target.

Theres just no way in hell you will survive in pvp using these numbers.
You're going to need closer to 5k hull + mrp if your running scb and you wont be anywhere near 500, more like 450.
A decent prismo will net you around 2.5k with reasonable resists.
The biggest problem is just how big your hitbox is.
Some people do ok in them but they sure as hell aren't biginners.

 

[vitiablesoup]

Theres just no way in hell you will survive in pvp using these numbers.
You're going to need closer to 5k hull + mrp if your running scb and you wont be anywhere near 500, more like 450.
A decent prismo will net you around 2.5k with reasonable resists.
The biggest problem is just how big your hitbox is.
Some people do ok in them but they sure as hell aren't biginners.

You're overpricing the hull on most ships, including the vette here and lowballing the python by a large margin.

 

[Sup3rfluiD]

You're overpricing the hull on most ships, including the vette here and lowballing the python by a large margin.

Sorry mate im not quite following you. Didnt mention pricing.
The 450 is mps.
The hull specs are from my own builds so pretty accurate.
I can post my build links when i knock off work.

If you mean im overestimating the need of hull tanking then thats a different issue, but i would take all the hull i could get in either vette or python.
They're both bullet sponges.
Post a build that boosts over 500 m/s "combat fit" as you put it, id love to see it.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

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[Dragsham]

I recently exchanged a blinged up chieftain for a python. Cos of the 7 drive an dizzy. And the extra slots in optional. And it has more firepower. Not as fast as my chief but l can carry more too. Mining prior to nerf was my thang to raise dosh.
Still is.. so she's configured accordingly. But combat wise....umm I didn't buy her for that. Trade and mats farming.
Yeh you could configure for combat but why? Use a FDL or something bigger. She ain't a lugger sheesh.. she's a multi role.

 

[wrmiller]

I recently exchanged a blinged up chieftain for a python. Cos of the 7 drive an dizzy. And the extra slots in optional. And it has more firepower. Not as fast as my chief but l can carry more too. Mining prior to nerf was my thang to raise dosh.
Still is.. so she's configured accordingly. But combat wise....umm I didn't buy her for that. Trade and mats farming.
Yeh you could configure for combat but why? Use a FDL or something bigger. She ain't a lugger sheesh.. she's a multi role.

Not everyone likes the FDL. I don't. Same for the Mamba.

But then we're all entitled to our opinions. You run yours as you see fit, and I and others will do the same.

 

[Kayvan]

Yeah for that matter, I'm not a big fan of the FDL simply because it's what everybody uses... and I don't like those looks too much. I read the term "clown shoe" and while I don't know if that's an established nickname for it, it's kinda fitting. xD Nevertheless I'm gonna buy one soon and see how it performs compared to my Chieftain. I don't want big and sluggish combat ships, so pretty much everything beyond FDL is out for me.

As for the Python, I'm currently using mine for delivery missions... or to make it sound a bit more prestigious, as a blockade runner. xD Because this I can confirm: you don't interdict a Python. So far I've been able to evade everything that was sent after me, easily.

 

[wrmiller]

Yeah for that matter, I'm not a big fan of the FDL simply because it's what everybody uses... and I don't like those looks too much. I read the term "clown shoe" and while I don't know if that's an established nickname for it, it's kinda fitting. xD Nevertheless I'm gonna buy one soon and see how it performs compared to my Chieftain. I don't want big and sluggish combat ships, so pretty much everything beyond FDL is out for me.

As for the Python, I'm currently using mine for delivery missions... or to make it sound a bit more prestigious, as a blockade runner. xD Because this I can confirm: you don't interdict a Python. So far I've been able to evade everything that was sent after me, easily.

I run elite cargo missions in my Python. I really enjoy it when I get interdicted by the four condas. I always submit, as it's more credits and some juicy mats.

Sometimes I get interdicted by Mambas, FDLs, and T10s as well. I kill those too.

I just drew up a Python Fun Gun config on coriolis.io that I'll put together today or tomorrow. I made the mistake of getting rid of my first one, thinking a Krait would be more fun. Big mistake as I don't really need/want a fighter, and the Krait won't tank like the Python will. I already scrapped the Krait.

 

[Iron Golem]

I was in Python for a very long time as my every ship / mission runner. My favorite combat build was two class 2 long range thermal vent beams with three class 3 multi. Blue zone dependent much reverski firing, fa off flip kitting. Never tried to pvp in it. I would park it up in a high rez and turn it into a stationary material collector while blasting away with the system security ships, good times.

Now my Python is just my dedicated miner having been obsoleted as my everyship / combat collector by the Krait mkII. Python is still one of my fav ships in the game. Smooth flying, relaxing atmosphere in the cockpit... She's just right and can take serious beatings. The fire power is no joke and although anything that can manuver can give you troubles she can chew up the bigger girls with those class 3s (The three class 3 multis would make quick work of hulls, sometimes the beams would need a ram slipped in to drop the goliath shields of the larger ships with shield cells).

Fighting in the Python with face tanking brawling tactics is a straight up pleasure and a style I was able to mimic with more finess with FDL. She has good lateral thrusters also.

 

[wrmiller]

Fighting in the Python with face tanking brawling tactics is a straight up pleasure and a style I was able to mimic with more finess with FDL. She has good lateral thrusters also.

I thought a 'face tanking brawling' knife fight was the only way to really have fun in a Python.

As for those pesky wings of fast movers, so what if they manage to get a couple extra passes at me before I blow them to bits. It's like getting mosquito bites: annoying, but nothing dangerous. My favorite loadout is a large efficient beam on the nose, paired with two overcharged beams on the mediums, and two overcharged frags up top. NPCs don't last very long, and there's lots of mats to scoop up while waiting for the next victim(s).

I have a Krait as well, but I have more fun in the Python. Yea, I'm weird.

 

[Hvalreki]

As a self-proclaimed 2 week noob you're probably still a "Sh** Pilot" even in PVE regardless of what ship you're in. I have a lot of hours in but I'm still far from good enough to survive in a PVP fight. That said lots of practice later you get used to how to fly and keep weaps on target. Blue zone, Pip management and learning thruster control is your friend and once upgraded with the best A grade standard modules and decent weapons even a non-engineered Python can handle most of what PVE will throw at you. When I started out I avoided combat completely and I learned maneuvering and thrusters accidentally by mining and using my cargo hatch along with the limpets. Once I got into combat it was a lot easier to stay on target after having spent hours in the asteroid fields picking up rocks. Once you're engineered if you go that route Python has no trouble holding it's own. When I die in combat which is a lot rarer these days it's usually because I pushed it when I should have hauled my behind out of there Brave Sir Robin style. Good luck and keep flying.

 

[Dommarraa]

My mission Python can kill any mission pve ship the game throws at me, and I don't have scb or even Hull buffs except heavy engineering on the standard Hull.

Yes, it's engineered up to the wazzoo.
Yes, an elite Conda or Vette will run the shields pretty close to failing (sometimes the do fail just before the end), but I am never close to death.
No, I am no ninja. Set 50% speed is advanced as I get.

 

[wrmiller]

My mission Python can kill any mission pve ship the game throws at me, and I don't have scb or even Hull buffs except heavy engineering on the standard Hull.

Yes, it's engineered up to the wazzoo.
Yes, an elite Conda or Vette will run the shields pretty close to failing (sometimes the do fail just before the end), but I am never close to death.
No, I am no ninja. Set 50% speed is advanced as I get.

What do you do if a wing of two condas interdict you?

I have no armor save the stock lightweight. But I carry SCBs. They are essential when taking on three condas and a Mamba. But even that matchup didn't bring my shields down. I don't PvP so I have no idea if my piloting skills are anything beyond decent, but I handle NPCs well enough. Even multiple wings.

Edit: I just remembered one interdiction of two wings of condas once. Four condas. When it was over, I'd lost 20% of my stock hull, I had burned through all of my SCBs, and two of my weapons were out of ammo. And that's as close as I want to get to getting blown up.

 

[Dommarraa]

What do you do if a wing of two condas interdict you?

I have no armor save the stock lightweight. But I carry SCBs. They are essential when taking on three condas and a Mamba. But even that matchup didn't bring my shields down. I don't PvP so I have no idea if my piloting skills are anything beyond decent, but I handle NPCs well enough. Even multiple wings.

Edit: I just remembered one interdiction of two wings of condas once. Four condas. When it was over, I'd lost 20% of my stock hull, I had burned through all of my SCBs, and two of my weapons were out of ammo. And that's as close as I want to get to getting blown up.

I have never ever had a wing of 2 Condas interdict me (triple elite for donkeys years). I can't remember being interdicted by a wing of any sort since it was removed several years ago.
Not sure what sort of mission is giving you that except wing assassination (which doesn't meet the criteria I posted), or maybe taking multiple assassination missions in the same system (which isn't a wing, and is your own fault)

 

[Iron Golem]

The most vulnerable part of flying Python is when they are above and below you getting 90 degree shots against your flat surfaces. If you can keep your angled front at them at all times you minimize a lot of pain and module damage. This is why I found the reverski against npcs such a necessary thing. I also found upgraded armor to be the difference between having to hightail it and slugging it out to the death. Its pricey if your still getting established but worth it imo.

 

[Zannry]

This is why I found the reverski against npcs such a necessary thing.

Can't say that's been my experience...in any ship or any NPC.

 

[Zannry]

What do you do if a wing of two condas interdict you?

I tend to favor high apha strike damage followed by a 4 pips in sys ram. Most NPC Anacondas pop in one volley of triple pacifier frags and a ram. Most Wing assassination mission Vettes take 3-5 volleys and a ram. 2 or 3 conda's don't matter that much when your engagement time for each is 1-2 seconds.

 

[Iron Golem]

What do you do if a wing of two condas interdict you?

I have no armor save the stock lightweight. But I carry SCBs. They are essential when taking on three condas and a Mamba. But even that matchup didn't bring my shields down. I don't PvP so I have no idea if my piloting skills are anything beyond decent, but I handle NPCs well enough. Even multiple wings.

Edit: I just remembered one interdiction of two wings of condas once. Four condas. When it was over, I'd lost 20% of my stock hull, I had burned through all of my SCBs, and two of my weapons were out of ammo. And that's as close as I want to get to getting blown up.

I never got Python fitted as a dedicated fighter since I used it as a general mission runner mat collector. That sounds like quite the feat. Two 6A scbs?

 

[Iron Golem]

Can't say that's been my experience...in any ship or any NPC.

I don't know if behavior has changed but I found flying reverse against anything small and nimble sometimes they would just keep pace about 1km in front of me and let me bang. A boost fa off flip should let you get good time on target before they overtake you / orbit. I haven't used Python for combat in a very long time maybe things change or behavior is different?