Python or Vulture, for combat?

The_Quasar

T
So, I've been playing about 2-3 months, but don't always have much time to play. I've got a Cobra for combat, an Asp for exploration, and a T7 for trading. I'm well into Dangerous, but have quite a bit to go to Deadly.

I'm now working on enough to buy a Vulture or a Python, but don't know which to get. Both seem to be pretty good all round ships, but it's combat I'm most interested in. I don't have the fed or imp ranking to get other alternative ships. Both would be a huge investment for someone like me.

Would Python and Vulture pilots please state here why they believe their ship is better, so that I can make a considered judgement on which to go for.

Thank you, in advance, for your replies.
 

generationship

G
well i would say it depends on what your credit balance is if you have enough for multiple rebuys of a fully equipped python that what i would choose if you have a limited amount go vulture its not expensive to replace after 1.4 combat is much harder the enemy ships hit harder and the python can take more damge the vulture is very manoverable if your a acomplished pilot you will do well but post 1.4 im doing much better in the python than the vulture i can stay in combat far longer than the vulture to me that the crux more time fighting = more credits
 
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CmdrMelnik

C
Having flown both, I will say the culture wins hands down for me : cost way less, much more agile. Python has insane firepower but cost 200 millions without armour d'or a good combat loadout, and for me the difference in TTK is not big enough to justify the price.
 

Backelaer

Backelaer
If both ships are a huge investment for you then buy the Vulture. The Python is way, WAY more expensive if you want to outfit it properly for combat.
imo the Vulture is also a lot easier to master than the Python. It's manoeuvrability (with FA on) is probably the best of all ships. And it doesn't hurt your bank account when you lose it. Losing a Python however... you're gonna feel that...
 
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Mephane

Mephane
The_Quasar said:
Would Python and Vulture pilots please state here why they believe their ship is better, so that I can make a considered judgement on which to go for.
Click to expand...

As a Python pilot (tried a Vulture in its beta, but I don't own one in the live game because I don't like its looks, yes I am vain like that), I would say neither is objectively better. Both have strengths and weaknesses of their own. Generally speaking, however, a Vulture is both easier to outfit, repair, and rebuy, and also easier to fly, than a Python. On the other hand, unlike the Vulture where it is basically either dual gimballed pulse or some beam+cannon combination, the Python is very flexible and forgiving regarding weapon loadouts, and has the power to sustain it all.
 

Space Pigeon

Space Pigeon
CmdrMelnik said:
Python has insane firepower but cost 200 millions without armour d'or a good combat loadout
Click to expand...
Took me 120-140 mil, ship included. And that's completely A-rated.

I've flown the Vulture a lot though, and I really love it. In 1.3 it took only a short while to snipe the powerplant out of a ship. With 1.4 it's a bit more difficult as you have to keep shooting until the hull gives in. From that point, I stopped using the Vulture, as it's quite boring to shoot at idle NPC ships after you kill the powerplant.

If you have the rank, the Federal Assault Ship would be my suggestion. Not as expensive as the Python, but quite agile and enough firepower.

I just switched to a Python myself, and I'm liking it. A lot.
 

Backelaer

Backelaer
Yup, what Mephane said.
What I forgot to mention: I own both, they actually are the ships I use most, and I love em. But if you're purely focused on battle, and credits are an issue, this really is a no-brainer. Go with the Vulture. The Python is expensive as it is, but if you want to outfit her for battle properly, you'll need something like 150 million I belive. My Python is mostly outfitted for trading so a bit cheaper than that.
 

Krieger

Krieger
If money is not a factor then look at your combat style. If you like to fight like a dreadnaught (heavy battleship relying entirely on armour and big guns) then the Python is probably your best choice. If you like manoeuvring to avoid (most) enemy fire and get behind him to hit hard at close range then the Vulture is better.
 

generationship

G
Backelaer said:
Yup, what Mephane said.
What I forgot to mention: I own both, they actually are the ships I use most, and I love em. But if you're purely focused on battle, and credits are an issue, this really is a no-brainer. Go with the Vulture. The Python is expensive as it is, but if you want to outfit her for battle properly, you'll need something like 150 million I belive. My Python is mostly outfitted for trading so a bit cheaper than that.
Click to expand...
in 1.4 armor is key my python is 195million with military bulkheads its saved my ass from the odd occasion of elite condas arriving in has res in tripple formation
 

Chainguns

C
Depends on whether PvP or PvE (and then whether CZ or RES).

The Python post 1.4 I think is relegated to trader - the enemy has too much chaff for turrets (plus constant friendly fire, even in HazRes) and you have little hope of pointing that nose at anything other than a Conda as the things weave too much.

The Vulture is hands down better - suggest A4 thrusters and pulses to have a SCB powered up. Alternatively consider a hull tanking FAS.
 

Bret Riverboat

Bret Riverboat
Ive been flying a vulture with a cargo rack for 3 months or so and I love her! Lost her twice ( once due to a shield recharge and boost in station incident and the other in combat against a wing of 3 clippers) and the rebuy was pittence. I'm saving for a python right now but I'll never sell the vulture, she's soo good! Buy one first and use it to get the credits for the python.
 

generationship

G
Chainguns said:
Depends on whether PvP or PvE (and then whether CZ or RES).

The Python post 1.4 I think is relegated to trader - the enemy has too much chaff for turrets (plus constant friendly fire, even in HazRes) and you have little hope of pointing that nose at anything other than a Conda as the things weave too much.

The Vulture is hands down better - suggest A4 thrusters and pulses to have a SCB powered up. Alternatively consider a hull tanking FAS.
Click to expand...
sorry total rubbish post 1.4 1hr 30 mins in haz res 18 million in bounties skill and proper load out also knowing when to disengage a skill many fail to appreciate my shields dropped to 1 bar once in that time
 
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Ceekay

Ceekay
I reckon the FAS is a mix of the Vulture and Pythons best attributes good agility, ample power, flexible weapon loadout, useful cargo space (or SCB space) and decent range all at a reasonable price.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_a...044d040302242h.AwRj4yqA.IwBj4yNI?bn=FAS basic

The Python is an excellent allrounder but even an armed trader build will run to 100+ mil and a combat build lots more!, I run all three ships (and an FDL) and TBH it'd be difficult to pick a favourite but the FAS is a lot of ship for the money.
 

dayrth

Volunteer Moderator
dayrth
If cost is not an issue I would say they are about equal but for different reasons. Vulture packs a punch but nowhere near as much as the python. Vulture is far more manoeuvrable so can put in more hits while taking less damage. Python is slower to turn and a much bigger target so will get hit a lot more often, but it is also tougher so can take it.

I have one of each and swap over regularly. The only time I wouldn't consider the Vulture is when I need to travel long distance to get to the fight.

If cost is an issue then definitely go for the Vulture. To get an A rated Python will cost you more than 200 mil.
 
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racer1

racer1
Vulture is far cheaper to outfit and probably more of a pilot's ship rather than a battle tank.

I have a combat VUlture and love it. Just bought a python too but not outfitted it for anything yet.
 
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Bagel PZC

Bagel PZC
I am a huge fan of the Python since it can do almost everything in the game well (except exploring, unless you're fine with jump range of 20ish Ly.) If you have about 130-140 million credits to spare to outfit it for combat, go for it. You can easily take down any NPC ship in the thing, as long as you don't take on a wing of three anacondas or clippers or something. Now she's not the most nimble ship around but when flown well and with some basic FA off piloting skill she can still stay on target quite well. Give her a couple C3 bursts or beams, and some plasma accs or cannons, and watch every other ship melt until you could pour it on your popcorn. :D

The problem is that if you die, an A-spec Python (without armor) will cost between 8-10 million to rebuy, and those A-ranked thrusters, shields, and power plant ain't cheap. The A7 power plant costs about as much as a Fer-de-Lance for example. This is an endgame-tier ship, frankly. If you don't like the lumbering tankiness of the Anaconda (mine is gathering dust at Mars High), the Python is generally what you fly.

All that said, I also really like the Vulture because it has a lot of firepower for a small ship and great maneuverability, but its power restrictions really limit your loadout, and it doesn't really have as much survivability for a longer fight. A Python can be a little bit reckless while a Vulture is pretty much hosed if it loses shields. It's harder (but not impossible) to fly a Vulture with SCBs, for example, while you can run two A6 SCBs on a Python and still have beam lasers and plasma accelerators.

But I've also flown the Federal Assault Ship for a while and it has the same armament as the Imperial Clipper, but also comes with more maneuverability and the ability to land at outposts. Although it has somewhat weak shields and weird hardpoint placement, I'd say take a look; it's more or less a nice medium between the Vulture and the Python. You can basically just circle around ships using vertical thrusters and completely dodge their fire if they don't have turrets, and they often won't be able to pitch quickly enough to shoot at you.

tl;dr: Python is great but expensive, Vulture is powerful but is tough to outfit, the FAS is a good choice in between the two.
 

Von Shadow

Von Shadow
Very different ships .... Vulture is great for things like undermininig in PP (interdicting), Combat Zones etc
Python is a multi-purpose ship ... can trade well, can run RES well ... but price difference for A-Spec Combat is 15m vs 160m

If you have 160m+ then consider a Python .... if you have <100m then get Vulture
If you have 200m+ get both!!!
 
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