About to upgrade from Vulture - Python or FDL?
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'Primarily' combat- python
Solely combat- fdl
The fdl is a great ship but not much use for anything outside of combat.
Python can do any role pretty well.
Solely combat- fdl
The fdl is a great ship but not much use for anything outside of combat.
Python can do any role pretty well.
I just upgraded from a Cobra III to the Python, and my initial thoughts were exactly this: "Oh my god this ship is beautiful, Oh my god I just atomized that Eagle in 6 seconds, Oh my god this thing flys like an blimp." Coming from a Vulture you'll probably have less of a shock with the initial speed and turning radius "issues" than I did coming from the Cobra. HOWEVER, mine was not entirely A Rated to start, now that I've engineered it, it's quite nimble for such a large ship and man, it can do EVERYTHING. If this is your only ship and you still have some desire to do the occasional CG or passenger runs I would highly recommend you go with the Python, just keep in mind that top rated armour alone costs 150 million for this ship. If you have other ships in your stable and you want a strictly combat craft go for the FDL, a little cheaper and it shreds. IMHO
If you were happy with the Vulture, the FDL does everything it did, but more whooshy whooshy bang bang. First time taking it out, put earphones in & crank up the volume.. You will grin like a muppet with that boost noise.
Python does everything, & does it well. Good money making ship.. But IMO its pretty boring. Doesnt really stand out in any department.
Python does everything, & does it well. Good money making ship.. But IMO its pretty boring. Doesnt really stand out in any department.
With only 50 mil I'd save more for either. You can outfit an fdl for about 85mil with discount but if you don't have engineers you might find yourself in a tough spot against high ranked targets. Python is going to cost more, even for general purpose. My python is currently worth more than my conda.
my pve combat fdl, which i made elite in, costs 74 mio without discounts in a very lightweight build.
my multipurpose python 115 mio. and my combat python 235 mio.
so, even for a fdl you are mssing quite a bit.
as for pros and cons in combat. fdl is the largest ship which still handles like a fighter. python handles like a large ship. i enjoy combat in small ships most, and the fdl is more fun for me to fly - on the other hand, the python kills large ships faster, an effect of the armour penetration of large hardpoints. still, it is more of executive flying.
the luxury design of the fdl is amazing, while the python cockpit feels cosy for me.
my multipurpose python 115 mio. and my combat python 235 mio.
so, even for a fdl you are mssing quite a bit.
as for pros and cons in combat. fdl is the largest ship which still handles like a fighter. python handles like a large ship. i enjoy combat in small ships most, and the fdl is more fun for me to fly - on the other hand, the python kills large ships faster, an effect of the armour penetration of large hardpoints. still, it is more of executive flying.
the luxury design of the fdl is amazing, while the python cockpit feels cosy for me.
In general a full combat outfit will cost at least 2 times the price of the ship.
Just look at the price of an A-rated Power generator or military composite bulkheads for the Python.
Still, it is worth it.
Don't forget about insurance ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
As others have said the Python is a very versatile multi role ship and gives you more options to earn money than an FDL. In that respect the Python is one of a kind, without competition on the medium pad.
If I could have only one ship it would be the Python. She rules supreme.
Having said that, when you can buy an FDL later I recommend doing so.
It is an awesome combat ship. I think everyone should at least try one.
I postponed buying an FDL for a very long time, but when I finally did I knew she was a keeper.
I did buy my Python when I did not have enough money to outfit it for combat. I did not regret that at all.
In the beginning I turned her into a lightly armoured trader and with that I earned the money to slowly A rate her.
It is great fun to have a goal to work towards. It was a great moment when I finally could afford that 7A power plant, or those expensive military grade bulkheads.
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I recently bought both and the FDL fully fitted out for combat will set you back around 140/150 million depending on what modules you already have and can transfer. The Python will cost more. You can't really do anything other than combat with the FDL so I think the Python is a better choice as you can get a cheaper multi purpose fit in the Python and use it for missions/rare trading/mining etc. and get the credits you need for a full combat fit.
Think it cost me somewhere between 100 and 120 million to A rate the FDL I bought 2 weeks ago.
I had about 96 million to play with before I got my Python. You can get a useable build for around 90 million. But I highly recommend buying at a discount and keeping at least one other ship in your stable so that if you run out of rebuys you can park the Python and not have to go back to the Sidewinder. I'd say even with engineers you're going to need to upgrade some of the modules in order to make it useful. If you're in PVE and facing mostly harmless you're fine but as soon as someone bigger comes along you won't be able to get away. I hull tanked mine to make up for my tin foil armour and Swiss cheese shield, and that's at a 100 million buy.
you could get a FDL. then do combat.
save up and buy a something for travel and a bit of cargo..
save up and buy a something for travel and a bit of cargo..
If you're coming from a Vulture, I definitely recommend the FdL. They are both combat ships. The Python can be made to be a souped up fighter, but it's going to cost double the ship price or more to fully upgrade it to A spec and you'll need to have it engineered as well. For a Python, the military bulkheads alone runs like 51 million credits. Or you could buy it in Li-Yong Rui space for cheaper but it's still going to cost at least twice as much as the base ship to upgrade it plus need engineering.
OP
here is my build. it ain't perfect weapon wise but I can't aim for poop.
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/fer...18aQ==.Aw18aQ==..EweloBhAOEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=
here is my build. it ain't perfect weapon wise but I can't aim for poop.
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/fer...18aQ==.Aw18aQ==..EweloBhAOEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=
Thanks for all the great replies. I'll probably get the FDL and transfer stuff over from my Vulture until I can get the cash to upgrade to better modules for the FDL. I already have a trade ship but I do very little trading and I want something that handles similar to the Vulture with a bigger punch.
FAS is cheaper, and like a vulture on steroids
Only if you can deal with the hardpoint placement. The top one just never felt right for me.
Same for me, but it does have a huge following