Defensive Python Fit-Out

[Flying Penguin]

Hi all,

Decided to pick up a Python to allow me to try my hand at some trading in more "interesting" areas, the idea being to give slave trading etc a go, with the increased likelyhood of being shot at that entails. There are plenty of threads on how to fit out to go bounty hunting, but I'm turning up not much useful if the objective is "be an uninviting target and escape" rather than "pound them into the dirt".

I expect it will take a few encounters to judge what is the optimal shield quality, no point in taking up cargo space with shield cells if I'm not hanging around (and in any case I can't find any good ones for love nor money right now), but a few questions pop up:

• Turrets, gimbal or fixed? I'm inclined to go for gimballed, if I'm pointing at them I'm not escaping, but I also don't want to start shooting cops willy-nilly
• Weapon mix? I suspect that I'm looking at fast continuous fire, rather than one shot wonder weapons (anything requiring them I can probably outrun), which means multi-canons and pulse lasers
• Countermeasure mix? I've got 4 utility mounts, I'm thinking a couple of ECM (are they additive or am I wasting my money?), one chaff and a heatsink launcher (help with any scooping-related drop outs)

As far as internal slots, I need it to be a viable trading vessel, so interdictors and shield cells are an "avoid", and the jump is so appalling so I'm keen to minimise the hull plating if possible.

Any thoughts on what you think the optimum defensive fit-out would be would be welcome

Cheers,

Jamie

 

[Flying Penguin]

Bump 123

 

[AJ_Impy]

If you can afford the power, gimballed beams in the large slots paired with multis in the medium slots is a tried and tested combination. The Python is remarkably nimble for a big ship, and so keeping on target is relatively straightforward, negating the need for turrets. But in all honesty, if you put a high rated shield on, very little threatens to scratch your hull.