Clipper build suggestions

[StiTch]

Engineered or stock. Don't get me wrong, a Python can be deadly but if two equal pilots in competent builds fight, the Clipper will nearly always come out on top.

I adore the iClipper but I'm not 100% on this.

They're pretty hard to compare on paper as they're basically the polar opposite of each other. iClipper is fast, its agility focuses on pitching well, its firepower is "acceptable" with poor convergence, is a hybrid tank that if modded right has dirty shield regen...Python is slow, pitches like a slug but handles its inertia acceptably, has shield based defenses because when down to hull its modules are an all-u-can-eat buffet, utterly unfair firepower for a "medium multirole ship"...

Unengineered I'd be willing to put my money on the Python, because the iClipper doesn't necessarily have the tools to stop dem triple C3/C2 hardpoints and C7 distributor breaking it down before it can chew through the SCBs, but engineered I'd put my money on the iClipper rendering the Python SCBs moot at will (let's face it, who misses a Python with rails) and chewing it up while frustrating the slower python with resistant/quick recharge bi-weaves.

One thing I'll totally agree on: anyone that suggests the python is better "in every way" has never fought a competent rail ship and watched their python's hull drop like a sack of potatoes.

I'd like to test that! Merely for evaluation purposes of course, terms and conditions may apply etc.

PM me if you are interested.

Totally happy to jump in on this myself. I'd love to know the results.

 

[Darkslayer]

I would say you should expect four forms of response from the community:
1) Money is no object to many players (& many on this forum) because of the years & years of easily available exploits [over the past few months, 200m credits an hour has been possible via several different mechanisms]. In this case, any recommendation could be entirely blind to the costs
2) Players who have reached a certain skill level: rebuy is just not an issue, never really threatened with the right build and perhaps the right engineering
3) Top Trump(tm) players. That is players who diss ships because they are clearly not statistically the best for a certain scenario - no medium pads, not enough hard points, not enough shield, not enough cargo etc.
4) Players who just want to have fun -- rather than sit in an over-engineered hull-tank, with over-flowing cash-piles and absolutely no danger/challenge

Personally - I really enjoy flying the ships others say are useless, pointless, bad. It's just more fun! You go for your clipper!

Yeah, that seems to be about right on the responses. I haven't owened a clipper and just wanted to see what folks thought it was good for. I could grind for more money and fly a big 3 like most do but am pretty happy sitting around the 1,000,000 mark in my bank. There are alot of ships to enjoy. If you could afford a Ferrari would you drive it every day? Not me. Thanks to all for your suggestions.

 

[GunnerBill]

Meh, Python cost significantly more to purchase and to upgrade.

Clipper > Python

It's a while since I actually bought either. So I was surprised by the price difference considering what you get for each... why is that?

 

[DWorth]

Great blockade runner in open. A Rated, even unengineered most other ships of a comparable size won't be able to catch you. When they pull you out of SC, full pips to engines and hit those burners and you can leave them eating your exhaust.

 

[ViperSixAlpha]

The Clipper makes a pretty awesome merit grinder for powerplay as well. More than enough firepower for the transports and small ships you're hunting and plenty of internals for whatever you want to bring. For it's speed and power it jumps pretty well, making a trip to your not-so-local enemy anarchy system less of a chore.

 

[PhanttoM]

I use mine for Conflict Zone farming — Decent firepower, but most importantly it has the speed and maneuverability to kite those dumb NPCs straight into the nearest allied ball of death.

 

[Jakester13]

I approve of this thread! And, like many posters above, I concur: Jack of all trades, master of none. But, boy is it a fun, good looking, great sounding ship to fly!

I just love buzzing through the letterbox at 280, sliding to a halt and slamming onto the pad.

I recently did the Ram Tah Shenanigans. I thought for a moment to grab my long-range Asp X, but decided to use the Clipper instead.

Yes quite a few more jumps. More time scooping. But I got plenty of compliments from fellow CMDRs I met at the ruins (in Asp Xs), so it was worth it.

And every time I SRV'd and the Clipper hove into view I was constantly gobsmacked by it's size, sleekness and Imperial Grace.

As for loadouts, Frag Canon/Beam/Pulse mix-up at the moment. Plus slot 6 cargo, SRV, scoop + ADS/DSS, so a defendable trade-mission do-er that can take out most NPCs. G5 dirty drives, so can outrun almost all known spaceships.

Replace Cargo/SRV/Fuel Scoop/DSS with HRPs + MRPs + SCB and combat readiness nears.

Clipper-for-life!



o7

EDIT: My Clip's approximate current set-up

 

[Jaffz]

Good material collection ship
Good passenger ship, especially if you have illegal passengers and you need to avoid scans: BOOST
Good smuggling ship, especially if you have illegal goods and need to avoid scans: BOOST
Good combat ship
Good miner
Loads of internals
Will outrun everything except for a cobra - and cobras are not going to cause you any problems, because you're in a clipper: BOOST
It's sexy
BOOST

 

[SAB380]

Disagree with the 'jack of all trades, master of none' title.

The Clipper IS the master of speed and agility for med-large ships.

 

[Jakester13]

Disagree with the 'jack of all trades, master of none' title.

The Clipper IS the master of speed and agility for med-large ships.

Agree with the last part of your statement, but I see speed and agility as the Clipper's attributes. In roles like Combat/Trader/Miner/Explorer other ships can work better.

o7