Python vs FDL in pve

[Troa Barton]

If you're looking to upgrade and make money with the ship the answer is simple Python. But not as a combat ship, you get a python so you can trade.
if you're looking to make money as a PVE bounty hunter or warzone combatant there is no better ship for the task than the vulture.. As much as I hate to say that..
the FDL is the better choice of the two for res hunting though as speed means more money per hour but the FDL isn't very impressive in the DPS department nor is its handling.

the Python is the best ship hands down to do everything, it will jump further, tank longer, haul more, and has the most ordinance.
the vulture is the best combat ship to grind money or rank with if that's your goal then that's the ship to do it in.
The FDL is the choice if you don't want to use the vulture or if you're doing PvP as an aggressor.

 

[Dr Roly]

This is for PvE at a RES:
Python - the highest firepower and best endurance thanks to power overhead for SCBs. However, it's slow at reaching the target and can have trouble against wings of small ships.
FdL - Firepower is sufficient but limited compared to the Python due to the poor distributor. OTOH, you'll get to the target fast and can easily deal with many small ships.
And, there's my favourite:
Imperial Clipper - The speed (440 on boost) means you'll always get to the target first. Firepower is arguably better than the FdL as you have 2x large weapons and a better distributor. The great turn rate means you can easily deal with small ships. Its big disadvantages; being a large and weakly shielded target, are not an issue for PvE. Also the Clipper has class and the FdL is for the "Nouveau Riche"
-
I have tried all three in RES hunting and the Clipper always gives me the highest Cr/hour. PvP is a different story but you can always run!

 

[Starender]

This is for PvE at a RES:
Python - the highest firepower and best endurance thanks to power overhead for SCBs. However, it's slow at reaching the target and can have trouble against wings of small ships.
FdL - Firepower is sufficient but limited compared to the Python due to the poor distributor. OTOH, you'll get to the target fast and can easily deal with many small ships.
And, there's my favourite:
Imperial Clipper - The speed (440 on boost) means you'll always get to the target first. Firepower is arguably better than the FdL as you have 2x large weapons and a better distributor. The great turn rate means you can easily deal with small ships. Its big disadvantages; being a large and weakly shielded target, are not an issue for PvE. Also the Clipper has class and the FdL is for the "Nouveau Riche"
-
I have tried all three in RES hunting and the Clipper always gives me the highest Cr/hour. PvP is a different story but you can always run!

nice prescription doctor !

 

[Eros]

Just switched from an Imperial Clipper to a Python with JUST enough money for re-buy and a full load of cargo (100ish tons)

Have to say that I'm impressed, the clipper is fast, and can turn on a dime (sliding like crazy though), its lateral and vertical thrusters seem underpowered, always seems to not quite want to move when i am docking for example.

Loved the Clipper still, it was great for toasting NPCs at RES

But despite only doing a few trade runs in the Python, i have to say, it handles great! I can do the old power slides across the toaster rack and centre the controls and it recovers forward motion quite quickly. Its what i loved about the Asp, I always felt reasonably on control despite my flight direction. For me the clipper as great as it is, felt a little too lumbering. Oh yeah and... medium pad!

Just gotta get the cash to outfit it properly

 

[Serpentis Ictis]

I am very torn over these - I loved the Clipper - fast, looks, trade etc. didn't mind the Large Docking either.

But, I have since upgraded to both the FdL and Python and I think I prefer the FdL, problem is, I'm just not convinced either ship is th'one' for me.

What I do know is I'm on my way to sell my Python back for the FdL.

 

[Morbad]

a better distributor.

FDL and Clipper hold the same size distributor.

 

[Cmdr Bernard]

Well, I currently own the Fer-De-Lance, a Clipper and a Python. Not all fully equipped as I cannot afford that. For PvE in RES I currently find the FDL and Clipper to be the most fun. The Python handles just too slowly for my taste, even with A thrusters, but of course her firepower is best. In RES all three work well, it basically just comes down to personal taste if you prefer the tank with big firepower or the more nimble but weaker ships. In combat zones however I found the Python pretty annoying alone, all those Eagles and Vipers were hard to kill for me in a Python (without turrets, don't like them). In a wing however the Python shines if someone else can look after those pesky small ships.

All in all my favourite is the Clipper, though the FDL is a lot of fun, but that may be because I have it just since a few days and it's just cool because it's new to me. The Python did not convince me as combat vessel, but that's just personal taste. It's certainly good, just not my cup of tea. Still makes a great trader and mission ship.
If I had to decide between the Clipper and the FDL, it would be a difficult decision. Both are great, and even though the hull price differs, the FDL is cheaper to equip than the Clipper. But fortunately one can have all of them. I am currently not really interested in an Anaconda, so being able to afford multiple ships and switching occasionally keeps the game fresh.

 

[Starender]

Well, I currently own the Fer-De-Lance, a Clipper and a Python. Not all fully equipped as I cannot afford that. For PvE in RES I currently find the FDL and Clipper to be the most fun. The Python handles just too slowly for my taste, even with A thrusters, but of course her firepower is best. In RES all three work well, it basically just comes down to personal taste if you prefer the tank with big firepower or the more nimble but weaker ships. In combat zones however I found the Python pretty annoying alone, all those Eagles and Vipers were hard to kill for me in a Python (without turrets, don't like them). In a wing however the Python shines if someone else can look after those pesky small ships.

All in all my favourite is the Clipper, though the FDL is a lot of fun, but that may be because I have it just since a few days and it's just cool because it's new to me. The Python did not convince me as combat vessel, but that's just personal taste. It's certainly good, just not my cup of tea. Still makes a great trader and mission ship.
If I had to decide between the Clipper and the FDL, it would be a difficult decision. Both are great, and even though the hull price differs, the FDL is cheaper to equip than the Clipper. But fortunately one can have all of them. I am currently not really interested in an Anaconda, so being able to afford multiple ships and switching occasionally keeps the game fresh.

yep me to, i would pick the fer de lance if the jump range wasn't so ridiculous (17Ly is enough, 14 is a joke), currently i find the Clipper to be the most balanced ship of ED (extreme speed/good cargo/good attack/max power/jump range), the average shield i don't mind, the big landing pad i don't care too, only the fuel tank is a problem but soon to be solved with 1.3 extra fuel.

all in all, Cobra/clipper are the best ships for me, multi-purpose + extreme speed is so useful

 

[Ichijo]

I just bought an FDL and fitted it with A-rated parts. Spent some few hours with it and have to say it is quite disappointing. The only thing it has going for it is speed. Aside from that, maneuverability compared to the Python is identical except that when pitching, the FDL will draw out a bigger circle.

It is impossible for the FDL to out dps the Python with any configuration. The hardpoint placements are done so that you'll often see only 2-3 of your medium weapons fire instead of all 4 at once. The huge hardpoint is placed so far behind the bottom of the ship that it is very difficult to correctly aim.

 

[puca]

I rarely tracking targets with my FDL's fixed weapons, even fast or nimble ships. It's thruster performance is quite good for it's size and the whole ship can be moved rather quickly to compensate for any deficiencies in rotational performance.

Running an all fixed loadout is tricky though, because the overall spread of the medium hardpoints is quite wide. I ran purely fixed weapons on my Viper, but I normally run 2-4 gimbals/turrets on my FDL. Still, my best weapon is almost always a fixed large laser in the huge hardpoint.

Turrets!?

 

[Synther]

FDL and Clipper hold the same size distributor.

FDL uses class 6 while Python uses class 7.

Turrets!?

Turrets on a FDL is quite fun to watch since the Class 2 hardpoints are right in front of you. If you're going with two turreted beam lasers, be sure to put them on top center.