Deciding on next ship: Python or FDL?
- Thread starter Aaronjw
- Start date
Oh most definitely. I've brought and sold ships after minutes and even after a few days but not her. She's the one ship that I can actually count on to keep me alive.
The Python is good if you are a boring person with a boring life and in all likelihood, are responsible for children you wish you didn't have. The FDL on the other hand is for folk who have yet to (or refuse to) consign their lives to the dumpster. They have taken matters into their own hands, leading a life of suspense and adventure. Incidentally that second seat in the FDL isn't for a crew member, it's for your mistress/boy-toy. The FDL has a slim, toned figure so it cannot fit the sort of love handles and Dad-bods professional traders desire, so don't be taking her to a commodities market unless it's to buy a couple of engineering components.
I'd get the Python first.
But absolutely make sure you have enough money for rebuys first.
Unmodded, she can be a handful.
But, she can also do everything, giving you plenty of variety in gameplay.
Where as the FDL is an excellent combat ship, but that's all.
This is my Multi Purpose Python.
With that exact setup, and a few mods, I can do all activities, bar mining and proper exploration, without changing a thing.
And my switching out just few bits, she can mine, or trade in high numbers, or become an even more lethal combat ship.
A 6A shield, +2x 0A Shield Boosters, plus 1 6A SCB(with a heat sink), is simply all you ever need to either escape or win any PvE encounter, and most PvP ones, barring some heavily modded ones.
I have never, ever lost either my Python* or FDL in combat.
They're tough nuts to crack.
*I have however, lost my Python twice to station guns, for flattening smaller ships/skimmerd!
Be careful when docking
But absolutely make sure you have enough money for rebuys first.
Unmodded, she can be a handful.
But, she can also do everything, giving you plenty of variety in gameplay.
Where as the FDL is an excellent combat ship, but that's all.
This is my Multi Purpose Python.
With that exact setup, and a few mods, I can do all activities, bar mining and proper exploration, without changing a thing.
And my switching out just few bits, she can mine, or trade in high numbers, or become an even more lethal combat ship.
A 6A shield, +2x 0A Shield Boosters, plus 1 6A SCB(with a heat sink), is simply all you ever need to either escape or win any PvE encounter, and most PvP ones, barring some heavily modded ones.
I have never, ever lost either my Python* or FDL in combat.
They're tough nuts to crack.
*I have however, lost my Python twice to station guns, for flattening smaller ships/skimmerd!
Be careful when docking
Agreed.
I've kitted my Python (FDL-killer) out thusly:
Drives modded to grade 3 dirty drive tuning (315 top / 410 boost - faster than a stock FDL)
FSD modded to grade 4 long range (25 LY)
Modded reinforced armour with two HRPs to integrity 1205
Modded shield with 4 modded boosters to strength 779
192 cargo
Two class 3 pulse lasers
Three class 2 seeker missile racks
*The secret to extending jump range and increasing speed is to dump the 7A PP and 7A PD as they have way too much mass. Get 6A for both - much less mass (unless you absolutely must have those power-hungry uber weapons...)
Python is the most versatile ship of that size in the game.
It can do everything and at the same time land everywhere.
If outfitted appropriately it is great at combat, trading, mining, bounty hunting and even ecploration is no problemn with a bit of engineering.
This is great for missions in general, ranking and powerplay.
The Python can be outfitted for heavy combat and still have room for 64 tons of cargo and also have an SRV on board.
The Python has power to spare if you fit the expensive 7A powerplant.
I do advise fitting some turrets to make dealing with more agile ships easier.
The FDL is a wonderful combat ship.
If you want to do bounty hunting the FDL is a treat to fly.
It roars like a predatory animal when you fly it.
Personally I would first go for the Python as it is more versatile and then buy an FDL later.
The Python costs a bundle to A-rate though. Do not underestimate the money you need to get the most out of the Python.
And never fly without insurance money.
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If you can afford either, take the Python first, and an FDL later. The Python is much better to do all engineer related things, from missions to just simply keeping engineer commodities. Like, 25 Modular Terminals in an FDL? You must be kidding. 25 Modular Terminals in a Python? Sure, won't even notice.
Python of course unless you plan on a pure combat role and maybe even then there is some wiggle room between the two depending on combat style.
But to the real reason I posted that is one sweet paint job!
Wish the in-game camera controls were less clunky so taking glamour shots was not such a pain.
In other words, Python is a smart challenge and once properly outfitted will have unmatched versatility and usefulness in a range of tasks. FDL is good if you are trying to overcompensate for something.
Jk
. Both good choices depending on what you want.![BigBANGtheory [VR]](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/71/71385.jpg?1644873788){kind=avatar}
but you need Imperial Navy rank for a Clipper which actually takes longer then the extra credits for a Python so pretty much you'd get a Clipper after a Python imho
Also, Large pad only. Clipper is a lovely ship though. I was so glad I pinched one (and a courier) when the rank wall was down.
Think I'll stick with my plan for the Python then, although I imagine I'll wait until I've got around 200 mil in the bank just to be sure I don't end up short on insurance money. Reckon I'll keep the Courier around too in case I need to store the Python to work up some more insurance money. I'll definitely keep an FDL in mind for the future though!
As far as the Clipper goes, I honestly don't like the look of it. Except for the iEagle and iCourier, all the Imperial ships look like glorified jumbo jets, which isn't really what I want. Shallow, I know, but there it is. Also really don't want to deal with ranking up any more; working to Master was enough of a pain itself and I don't really want to mess with that again.
As far as the Clipper goes, I honestly don't like the look of it. Except for the iEagle and iCourier, all the Imperial ships look like glorified jumbo jets, which isn't really what I want. Shallow, I know, but there it is. Also really don't want to deal with ranking up any more; working to Master was enough of a pain itself and I don't really want to mess with that again.
Not shallow. You are right I think.
I do not mind the jumbo jet appearance, but I think the proportions of especially the Clipper are wrong.
I never liked the Clipper's design very much, because of it's Donald Duck nose and far too large empty bridge. The original Clipper had a more hawkish appearance. I regret that this has been replaced by Donald.
I do love the Cutter... for the most part.
It's off topic... but if I could I would redesign the Clipper and the Cutter somewhat. They would not completely lose their jumbo jet appearance, but I would make them more interesting.
The cutter's bridge for example I would move more to the back and on top where there is currently a 'little' dome on it's back.
This would be a much better and more logical place for the bridge of such a large space vessel.
I also would remove the large central thruster and place a large entry hatch there for the cargo hold.
I would replace that large thruster with two extra, somewhat larger thruster pods on the wings, closer to the hull.
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Myself the front end of the clipper looks like an old Dc10 airliner.
If it were me I'd take the front end of the orca and put it onto the engine section of the clipper. IMHO that would improve its looks straight off.
I was about to suggest the same. As for me, I see a battleconda in my near future!
In other words, Python is a smart challenge and once properly outfitted will have unmatched versatility and usefulness in a range of tasks. FDL is good if you are trying to overcompensate for something.
Jk
Oh burn! In a sensible, non-threatening and ultimately well meaning way, of course
Well, got knocked down to top 50% overnight; but, that still means I now have 180 million credits. Which is more money than I thought existed in the universe about a month ago, but bypassing that, would that be a safe amount to get a Python and start outfitting? Or should I wait a while longer to be sure? Don't want to not spend enough at the get-go and then be vulnerable and looking at 7 million in insurance.