A combat Python build?

Yes, many have tried but players go with lasers and multi-cannons on a Python. Actually that works pretty well with my engineered trading ship build but being Elite combat in the game I always get an Anaconda or a Type-10 interdicting me. I after 10 minutes of combat in my marginal Python weapons can take them out but the profit isn't worth it as I'm going for a reputation in a system and not profit. Advanced ED game play. Where is an idiot NPC in a Fer de Lance, Vulture or any other combat ship taking me on?

OK, I know this is a little silly but indulge me. I know that other ships in the game are much better at combat and given ED has so many different versions of combat even ships dedicated to this have to be adjusted for a player's current combat interest. If they play with friends in a wing that opens up to more build options to play your part. So I put together this Python build with all the toys and without the weapons to cover the basics.

The question is what weapons would you add and adjust this build with the power and distributor draw to fire them effectively? That is a simple question with a complex answer as every CMDR is different with their combat maneuvering skills, situation awareness in combat, and learning the skills to use the weapons especially advanced ones in ED.

So here is my Python combat build in question plus three more that are awesome for other game play styles in ED always getting the missions done. Yes, they are overkill and at times ED changes the moment and I have to make adjustments. Well that is what ED is all about.

Regards

Combat
Trading
Passengers
Mining

python03.jpg
 
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i used to run a frag python for some time. it is very effective. hardpoint placement for frags is excellent. 3 large ammo increased frags, a overcharged medium corrosive mc and a emissive medium focussed pulse for smaller targets.
 
i used to run a frag python for some time. it is very effective. hardpoint placement for frags is excellent. 3 large ammo increased frags, a overcharged medium corrosive mc and a emissive medium focussed pulse for smaller targets.
I still do, except I use two class 3 frags (both double shot, incendiary/dazzle) and the rest are overcharged MCs (corrosive/autoloader).
 
For any purpose other than combat, I would suggest at least two reverb cascade torpedo racks. The tough part of taking down elite enemies is breaking their massive shields; take those out, and you can disable and kill them in short order. Torpedoes let you take down their shields almost instantly. Normally, torpedoes are ineffective because they only let you kill 1-2 enemies, but for non-combat purposes where you only happen to get interdicted periodically, that's perfectly acceptable. Kill that one enemy, continue on your trade route, and reload at the next station.
 
i know that wasn't the question, but on your combat build
1. i would change that armour to reactive armour thermal resistant
2. throw out one HRP and fit a second MRP
3. change the prismatic to a bi-weave... class 6 is far beyond pythons hull mass, but that recharge rate will do you good.
 
The question is what weapons would you add and adjust this build with the power and distributor draw to fire them effectively? That is a simple question with a complex answer as every CMDR is different with their combat maneuvering skills, situation awareness in combat, and learning the skills to use the weapons especially advanced ones in ED.

Try pre engineered Guardian Shards at the Class 2 hardpoint. Very fun to play and they do great damage to shields and hull. 3 MCs or 2 Beams with one corrosive MC at the class 3.

And yes, Bi-Weaves and one or two 6A or 6B SCB.

 
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Some rather weird builds

A combat build (I'm assuming PVE) doesn't really need a fuel scoop nor an Interdictor. 1A Hatch breakers and 3A collectors? Again little need for them
A prismo shields for a combat build? It's useful for one fight every 15 minutes

A combat Python would look like this. I kept the limpets, but only one 3B operations (collectors, hatchbreakers, recons), better shields able to allow you to get into combat every 2-3 minutes instead of every 12 minutes.
As weapons, all beams in the top arc, corrosive mc under nose. As soon as the target loses shields, target the PP and those 2x large beams will be enough, you dont even need to fire the MC. A full frag setup is also quite nice

My trading build is all cargo racks, SCA and ADC, no shields, 2x heatsinks a wake scanner and a pdt
My passenger build (robigo) has a mix of first class, business and economy, but again no shields, SCA and ADC plus a couple of heatsinks and a pdt
I tried an universal mission runner, but well, jack-of-all-trades means it actually sux at all trades and i actually altered the build as needed (all cargo / no shields for cargo, no shields, lots of heatsinks and hrp/mrp for megaship scan missions with the occasional combat all cold/silent running, combat with better shields and more hrp/mrp, etc)
 
For transporting cargo I used python with two medium fixed overcharged beams + thermal vent; and 3 large gimballed shock cannons: targets are large (anacondas) so not much of sniping skills are required, with boosting you can out run and evade incoming damage. Not many combats on the way usually so shock cannons ammo not a problem.
For BH I use rapid pulse turrets on top and dumbfire missile rack on bottom.
 
3 large pacifiers with overcharged/incendiary
1 medium gimbaled frag with overcharged/drag drives
1 medium gimbaled frag with high capacity/corrosive
 
I built a Python as a medium-pad cargo ship, fitted it with 2xC2 o/c beams, 2xC3 o/c MCs and a C3 PA and, erm, found it could explode pretty-much any NPC ship in the game.

My naughty ship is a Krait fitted with 2xC3 o/c beams and 3x o/c MCs (which would, obviously, also go on a Python) and that can shred an Elite Annie in about 20 seconds.
Course, the thing that makes a Krait better than a Python (for that job) is it's speed and super-economical boost, which allows you to set 4 pips to weps, 1 to sys and 1 to eng and still have the boost recharge quickly.
 
I'm using this duracell Python for combat if I'm in the mood:


It outshields a FdL by a wide margin, isn't as nimble, has long-range and short range weapons and a limpet.
Works well enough.
 
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