Experienced Python pilots: combat shields?

DidierDrbois

DidierDrbois
My Python may still have this distinctive new car smell, but I've taken it for some RES pew-pew over the last couple of days. The loadaout's at the cheapo end (~100 mil) and my question to you is which shields do I take to not lose them to a couple of hacked-off Master Cobras. 6D tends to just disappear, is e.g. 5A any better? 6C? Not a fan of B, they're too heavy, can't afford a 6A yet due to steep rebuy. Also, ahem, power plant :D

Please don't give me numbers, I can find numbers. It's experience I'm really after as we know that may vary from what sheer numbers say. EDShipyard links, if need be, most welcome!

Many thanks!
 

Valethar

Valethar
I have 5A with one shield booster in the Utility slot and can run RES all day long. The only ships that regularly put a dent in the shields are Anacondas, Pythons and Dropships, mostly because they can keep up the pressure with turrets.

This my current loadout. It's not a pure combat build, however. I went with the 5A over the 6A to boost cargo capacity. The difference in shield strength would be welcome in a fight, but I wanted a well rounded multi-purpose ship, so the tradeoff was acceptable.

Link to Shipyard, in case you want it. [Python]
 
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DidierDrbois

DidierDrbois
Cheerio for that!

Nice touch with the down-classed power plant, I'll give that a go!

Also, 6A sensors, any particular reason if you don't mind my asking?

Cheers again (can't rep you right now...)
 

Yank31

Yank31
You'll probably want to look into numbers at some point, but for now :

A4 has been more than enough for trading purposes.

A5, 2*A0 shield boosters and 1*B5 SCB have been good for doing naval rank missions (up to last rank, generals are weak) and general pew-pew. While still having ~200T or cargo. Never had to use a SCB charge when doing missions.

Recently I went overboard with A6, 3 or 4*A0 shield boosters, 2*A6 SCB, 2*A5 SCB. Well. It's very strong, way too strong for general RES hunting.

Be it with A5 or A6 shields, I rarely have to use SCB. So my last setting does feel way, way overkill for NPCs encounters / RES farming.
 
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Valethar

Valethar
DidierDrbois said:
Cheerio for that!

Nice touch with the down-classed power plant, I'll give that a go!

Also, 6A sensors, any particular reason if you don't mind my asking?

Cheers again (can't rep you right now...)
Click to expand...

Edited the original reply after I realized you said don't throw numbers at you. :D Sometimes my reading comprehension takes a nap. LOL

Power plant is down classed, for now, to maximize available power while I work toward the 50+ million I need to replace it with the 7A. At that point, power should never be an issue, unless I switch to some more power hungry weapons.

Sensors are 6A for best performance in combat. I can 'see' further away in a RES, and potentially find some of the better bounties faster. If I'm quick enough, and avoid playing whack-a-mole with the asteroids, I can chase down the Condas and such before the system security forces can finish them off.
 

Steve72

S
Im even cheaper around 70 mill. I use a 5 a power plant as well. D spec everything else except distributor. Use single a shield booster and two cells. Having to turn one off at a time and prioritiseothers.

Annoying when a wing of cobras attack as they do chip the shield. Just keep an eye and use cell occasionally.

Love to try top range shield but funds dont allow. Interested to seed the diff beteeen 5 a and 6 d shields.
 

[HJ]-RedRaven

[HJ]-RedRaven
Valethar said:
I have 5A with one shield booster in the Utility slot and can run RES all day long. The only ships that regularly put a dent in the shields are Anacondas, Pythons and Dropships, mostly because they can keep up the pressure with turrets.

This my current loadout. It's not a pure combat build, however. I went with the 5A over the 6A to boost cargo capacity. The difference in shield strength would be welcome in a fight, but I wanted a well rounded multi-purpose ship, so the tradeoff was acceptable.

Link to Shipyard, in case you want it. [Python]
Click to expand...

Interesting build - I like the downsized powerplant too - it has better heat dissipation to boot!

Would you consider dropping 8T of cargo space?
I'd plonk a 4A fuel scoop in there. The 3A scoop becomes an 8T cargo rack.

3A Fuel Scoop - 176kg/sec fill rate (3min 31sec to fill) vs.
4A Fuel Scoop - 342kg/sec fill rate (1min 33sec to fill)
vs 8T cargo.

Depends if your trading is several hops away (and if you scoop or buy fuel at either end)
 

Valethar

Valethar
The heat efficiency is definitely a nice bonus. I'm usually under 30° with weapons stowed, and with them deployed I can boost and shoot at the same time when chasing down the squirters without overheating as fast. :D

The scoop idea is interesting though. I'll have to take a look at that. Right now I don't have a long distance route, so I tend to just shoot straight for port and top off there. I use the scoop more when exploring, which I don't do a lot of currently, unless there's a CG going.
 

DidierDrbois

DidierDrbois
Valethar said:
The heat efficiency is definitely a nice bonus. I'm usually under 30° with weapons stowed, and with them deployed I can boost and shoot at the same time when chasing down the squirters without overheating as fast. :D

The scoop idea is interesting though. I'll have to take a look at that. Right now I don't have a long distance route, so I tend to just shoot straight for port and top off there. I use the scoop more when exploring, which I don't do a lot of currently, unless there's a CG going.
Click to expand...

Do you explore in the Python? It's been some time since I returned from Sgr A* (in an Asp) and was thinking to take the bigger snake on a tour of nearby nebulae, VY Canis Majoris way.

Re 3A scoop, DON'T. I made a huge mistake taking that god-forsaken thing to the core. Never again. Class 5 or nothing.

Thanks again all, very insightful!
 

[HJ]-RedRaven

[HJ]-RedRaven
Just for kicks I stuck a 6C fuel scoop on my Python, it fills in no time flat!

I'm not carrying any cargo racks as I was trying it out in a RES... wondering if it would replace my Vulture.
 

soma

soma
DidierDrbois said:
Also, 6A sensors, any particular reason if you don't mind my asking?
Click to expand...

I seem to recall a dev has stated on the forums that the only thing the better rated sensors do, is to resolve contacts further away. They do not have any influence on the tracking of turrets or gimbals at the moment. So if you ask me the better sensors are hardly worth it (unless you want to be a bit more efficient when farming bounties).
 

DidierDrbois

DidierDrbois
soma said:
I seem to recall a dev has stated on the forums that the only thing the better rated sensors do, is to resolve contacts further away. They do not have any influence on the tracking of turrets or gimbals at the moment. So if you ask me the better sensors are hardly worth it (unless you want to be a bit more efficient when farming bounties).
Click to expand...

There's a lot of confusion going on about sensors and gimbal tracking, thanks! I however see Valethar's point and it's a good one. Them over-zealous cops are annoying :)
 

HeavyGroovez

HeavyGroovez
DidierDrbois said:
My Python may still have this distinctive new car smell, but I've taken it for some RES pew-pew over the last couple of days. The loadaout's at the cheapo end (~100 mil) and my question to you is which shields do I take to not lose them to a couple of hacked-off Master Cobras. 6D tends to just disappear, is e.g. 5A any better? 6C? Not a fan of B, they're too heavy, can't afford a 6A yet due to steep rebuy. Also, ahem, power plant :D

Please don't give me numbers, I can find numbers. It's experience I'm really after as we know that may vary from what sheer numbers say. EDShipyard links, if need be, most welcome!

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

For an economy PvE loadout just whack a load of shield boosters on it. 6D with 4 A boosters is a reasonable defense.


For PvP combat you need the full works. 6A shield, twin A boosters and twin B6 cells.
 

Derpster Frey

D
For PvE, I'm quite happy with 6D and 3 A rated boosters. Cheap and very effective. More shield power than a 6A for a fraction of the price and a lot lighter.
It rarely goes down and if it does it's most likely because I'm too lazy to get out of the way from the hit squads.
 

Ben Ryder

Ben Ryder
Get the biggest shield you can afford with a small shield bank sell shield boost and D class hull reinforcement. Deal with the weight until you can upgrade. You'll thank me for this. You will be able to stand and fight. Your a big target and less maneuverable than a fighter. Don't try and turn a Python in to one. It's so flexible you can fill the utilities etc with a lot of kit as you get the cash.
 
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Arithon

Arithon
Currently I have Class 6 A rated shields + a Class 0A and 0C shield booster. This is pretty hardened. Coupled with a Class 5B Shield Cell, I rarely lose shields on my Python.

When I had a 6D Shield I had more power, so used more boosters, but Cells and boosters are better in combination rather than relying on one or the other. Obviously it takes a week or two of combat to raise the necessary 16M for that trusty 6A Shield Generator.
 

DidierDrbois

DidierDrbois
HeavyGroovez said:
For an economy PvE loadout just whack a load of shield boosters on it. 6D with 4 A boosters is a reasonable defense.


For PvP combat you need the full works. 6A shield, twin A boosters and twin B6 cells.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I like the swing of 'economy' there haha. Last night I was running 3 0A boosters (need chaff!) with a 6D gen and a bunch of Cobras and Vipers quickly explained it wasn't the best of ideas. Mind you, I've become pretty notorious with Jen Elabog Mafia and these guys shoot first, ask questions later. As many as 6 at a time were attacking. So maybe it's just about change of scenery.

Funnily enough, I could stand my ground easily in a Dropship (6A + a couple of boosters) even with its ridiculous mass. I loved the Dropship but this Python fellow is growing on me unbelievably quickly.
 

Mikey2305

Mikey2305
@didierdrbois... Did the last exploration CG in my python but now off again into deep space in my asp. The latter is way better in my opinion. Python will do it but not as agile and repair costs are higher. Altogether not such an efficient and enjoyable experience
 
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