Engineers Rethinking my game plan.

[Arry]

Last night I lost my Clipper; which was my 1st ship loss in months. I have the re-buy, but 2.4 million puts a dent into my 13million credit balance.

Now: I have about 85 million in assets and I am thinking about liquidating everything I have; including the Clipper and sticking with my A spec Cobra; until I can afford to buy and fit a Python.

My Clipper still needs thrusters, power distributor, class 7 shields etc, to be able to cope with new AI; if I am to fight on a level playing field. So we are talking 50 to 80 million credits to find, which going by my current progress, would take me well into next year.

Originally I was going to save and buy the Python, but around the point I had saved 25million; I got drunk, saw a Clipper at a price I could not refuse and brought it. Now it feels like a mill-stone around my neck. The only thing I like about it, is its speed, in a straight line. I kill things in my Cobra, that I struggle to Kill in my Clipper. Clipper is fitted with 2x mid turreted beams and 2 large multi-cannons.

My game play revolves around: Missions running, mostly cargo, mostly shadow type missions. RES hunting and CZs. Pirate hunting missions. I have dropped power play; due to increased NPC pressure.

So, I am asking for advice: Should I.

1: Liquidate my assets and save for the Python?

2: Stick with the Clipper and persevere?

3; You have a better idea?

 

[Nerwan]

Last night I lost my Clipper; which was my 1st ship loss in months. I have the re-buy, but 2.4 million puts a dent into my 13million credit balance.

Now: I have about 85 million in assets and I am thinking about liquidating everything I have; including the Clipper and sticking with my A spec Cobra; until I can afford to buy and fit a Python.

My Clipper still needs thrusters, power distributor, class 7 shields etc, to be able to cope with new AI; if I am to fight on a level playing field. So we are talking 50 to 80 million credits to find, which going by my current progress, would take me well into next year.

Originally I was going to save and buy the Python, but around the point I had saved 25million; I got drunk, saw a Clipper at a price I could not refuse and brought it. Now it feels like a mill-stone around my neck. The only thing I like about it, is its speed, in a straight line. I kill things in my Cobra, that I struggle to Kill in my Clipper. Clipper is fitted with 2x mid turreted beams and 2 large multi-cannons.

My game play revolves around: Missions running, mostly cargo, mostly shadow type missions. RES hunting and CZs. Pirate hunting missions. I have dropped power play; due to increased NPC pressure.

So, I am asking for advice: Should I.

1: Liquidate my assets and save for the Python?

2: Stick with the Clipper and persevere?

3; You have a better idea?

Well, you'll lose a further 2 million by selling the clipper so I'd think carefully. You can fit out a cobra very cheaply and still have the rebuy many times (for the cobra). So why not buy a cobra, hang out in it for now and then sell the clipper later (if at all). I.e. you don't need to make the descision until you want to finally buy the python. Also I can't help feeling you've just got a bit of ship loss remorse, another day and you'll probably be confidently back in the clipper and not worried ;-) There's no harm in having a few ships in dock anyway, I have 40 ;-)

 

[Arry]

Well, you'll lose a further 2 million by selling the clipper so I'd think carefully. You can fit out a cobra very cheaply and still have the rebuy many times (for the cobra). So why not buy a cobra, hang out in it for now and then sell the clipper later (if at all). I.e. you don't need to make the descision until you want to finally buy the python.

I have the Cobra. I was using it to fit the Clipper, but felt that I needed to get on with using the Clipper.

Clipper cost my less than 18million. Is that remembered when I sell, or do I get the market price, minus the 10%

 

[Derath]

Stick with the clipper would be my vote, engineers is very heavily multi-role favoured xpac from what i've seen and the clipper can do basically everything while still being able to disengage from combat with most ships.

If you hate it however the python is also a great multi-role it just suffers in the jump department when fully fitted, it does cost considerably more than the clipper to fit though so if your short of cash you might actually be best off running your missions in the Asp, its pretty amazing at most aspects of the game, it sucks a bit in RES but it manages alright.

 

[Nerwan]

Stick with the clipper would be my vote, engineers is very heavily multi-role favoured xpac from what i've seen and the clipper can do basically everything while still being able to disengage from combat with most ships.

It's a good point, a clipper with an A-rated engine/distributor (even trade spec in other ways) is unkillable because of it's speed (especially now the NPCs can't use dirty drives). Maybe just make enough in the Cobra to upgrade the clippers engines or some such to give you the confidence you can always get away.

 

[Andovar]

Won't you have the same problem with the python? You will likely need that same 50-80 mil to outfit the python as well.
I guess it comes down to fly what you like. I've tried a bunch of ships (mostly smaller). Some I like immediately, some I sell back immediately.
So if you're not really enjoying the clipper, i say get rid of it and move on.

 

[MottiKhan]

If I could only have one ship, it would have to be the Asp Explorer. It's fast, can jump long distances, can haul a lot of cargo, it can fight and has enough resilience to survive and run when outclassed.

 

[Andovar]

If I could only have one ship, it would have to be the Asp Explorer. It's fast, can jump long distances, can haul a lot of cargo, it can fight and has enough resilience to survive and run when outclassed.

Agreed.
It's been my most used ship. Very well rounded.
I still want a python though... some day...

 

[Muetdhiver]

If I could only have one ship, it would have to be the Asp Explorer. It's fast, can jump long distances, can haul a lot of cargo, it can fight and has enough resilience to survive and run when outclassed.

This, and the superb number of internals.

Really hope to see the large ship equivalent of the ASP E one day. (e.g. Clipper or python type of internals but C6 FSD and bubble canopy like the ASP).

As for the OP question : it is a hard choice : python pros are : medium pad, better internals, better weapons, better cargo. clipper pros are : faster, sleeker looking cockpit, better agility.
My pick would be the python for mission running. (and with the engine mods the speed can be quite nice)

 

[Arry]

Agreed.
It's been my most used ship. Very well rounded.
I still want a python though... some day...

If I brought an Asp; I would 1st take up some rares running, using one of the ring runs posted here. Which is something I have not tried so far. I play for about 2 hours every 2 to 3 days, at the moment. With the Cobra, I make 1 to 2 million per session. Not made anything close to that in the Clipper so far.

 

[PiLhEaD]

Well, I'd be inclined to cash in and buy the Python now.

I think I got mine with about 74M in cash/assets (I had a very well spec'd Asp).

I then did a few loops of quiet trading and picking up tastey missions as they appreared to rebuild my balance, upgrading bits along the way. It's a small shock when you realise just how quickly you can rack up credits with a nice big hold to fill.

Blah blah insurance etc.

Edit: don't forget to head to a station selling the Python at a discount!

 

[Arry]

It's a good point, a clipper with an A-rated engine/distributor (even trade spec in other ways) is unkillable because of it's speed (especially now the NPCs can't use dirty drives). Maybe just make enough in the Cobra to upgrade the clippers engines or some such to give you the confidence you can always get away.

I have popped into RES and CZed over a dozen times in my Clipper. I pick my fights carefully and am a specialist at doing the brave sir robin. Yesterday; I was killed by an Elite Cobra mark 4. I had hit about 70% hull and chose to leave the CZ. The mark 4 started to shoot at me, after I had dropped weapons and was charging the FSD. Boosting, pips to engines, evasive manoeuvring and dropping chaff, running at over 390ms, yet, still did not stop ship destruction and I could not increase the distance between us.

I am thinking that with the new up-dates; the Cobra 3 and the Clipper, are no longer the kings of speed, because of this experience.

 

[PanTast]

The Python is too slow to outrun most of the enemies that interdict you. From my experience, a ship with more than 380 m/s boostspeed will be able to run away. I´ve tried an FDL an succeeded 100% in escaping from interdictors. I´ve used a lightweight iCourier with best results in avoiding hits. Currently I am testing a FAS wich alos is able to run at 400 m/s.

So I suggest to keep the Clipper because of its speed and cargo. To survive I also suggest to always submit to interdictions and then boos out of weapon range and then jump away - supercriuse will do the job. If you want to engage in RES hunting I strongly suggest to use a small fast ship like the iCourier with enhanced performance thrusters.

Fly save
o7

 

[Barking_Mad]

Restart in a Sidewinder

 

[Kazacy]

Firtst time when i bought a Clipper i was disappointed. But after i read the forums and ask people in game i fitted the damn thing with the best thrusters. With A class thrusters it's another ship. Now i used the Clipper for pvp in the past before the armor/silent running meta, very little to none for pve.
Still i prefer the Clipper, for the moment it's gathering dust in my hangar waiting for prismatic shield, but my python was sold long time ago. Speed is the difference between life and death, and with the new npc's i will choose Clipper anytime.

 

[Arry]

Restart in a Sidewinder

Thanks buddy. I have a Aspec sidey and it is a useful as a chocolate teapot. As to re-starting. It has taken me 18 months to get this far.

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Firtst time when i bought a Clipper i was disappointed. But after i read the forums and ask people in game i fitted the damn thing with the best thrusters. With A class thrusters it's another ship. Now i used the Clipper for pvp in the past before the armor/silent running meta, very little to none for pve.
Still i prefer the Clipper, for the moment it's gathering dust in my hangar waiting for prismatic shield, but my python was sold long time ago. Speed is the difference between life and death, and with the new npc's i will choose Clipper anytime.

She is still waiting for the thrusters. D class fitted at the moment.

 

[Nerwan]

I have popped into RES and CZed over a dozen times in my Clipper. I pick my fights carefully and am a specialist at doing the brave sir robin. Yesterday; I was killed by an Elite Cobra mark 4. I had hit about 70% hull and chose to leave the CZ. The mark 4 started to shoot at me, after I had dropped weapons and was charging the FSD. Boosting, pips to engines, evasive manoeuvring and dropping chaff, running at over 390ms, yet, still did not stop ship destruction and I could not increase the distance between us.

I am thinking that with the new up-dates; the Cobra 3 and the Clipper, are no longer the kings of speed, because of this experience.

Did you have SCBs? I think if you're going to RES and CZ sites in 2.1 SCBs are essential and people can't rely on simply using a bi-weave and hull any more. I was in a CZ yesterday in my Python when 6 or 7 ships ganked me at once and they were tough. I'm used to this kind of thing from players so I was ready with 2 SCB banks primed at once, firing them alternately and keeping 4 pips in shields as I escaped I was able to get out (4/5 SCBs later). But much longer and I'd have had to hi-wake instead of low-waking to get out since one of them mass locked me. This is the kind of thing which I've only had to do when shield tanking against players in the past so it's interesting that the NPCs can now force you to do it. Stay safe cmdr.

 

[Arry]

Did you have SCBs? I think if you're going to RES and CZ sites in 2.1 SCBs are essential and people can't rely on simply using a bi-weave and hull any more. I was in a CZ yesterday in my Python when 6 or 7 ships ganked me at once and they were tough. I'm used to this kind of thing from players so I was ready with 2 SCB banks primed at once, firing them alternately and keeping 4 pips in shields as I escaped I was able to get out. But much longer and I'd have had to hi-wake instead of low-waking to get out since one of them mass locked me. This is the kind of thing which I've only had to do when shield tanking against players in the past so it's interesting that the NPCs can now force you to do it. Stay safe cmdr.

Good point. I do have SCBs fitted, but tend to forget they are there, as not fitted to my Cobra.

Are A6 shields enough, or do I really need to fit class 7 shields?

 

[Bostlabs]

My Clipper is in the hanger right now. I'm running around in my Cobra, mostly A rated, running missions and scooping mats. I'm looking forward to having the Eng tweak with my drives. Both are fast right now, I can't wait to see how fast I can get them.

Same with my Viper. I wanna boost that sucker too. My Conda is my warship right now. One I hit Duke I'm going Cutter shopping and then see how close I can get her to the Cutter I had in Beta.

Now, with all that being said, my Clipper is my original purchase from when I hit Baron. I did get it at a discount and I've had to use insurance more than a few times, but I've never sold it. I liquidated anything else I had, but never Crimson Avenger.

Are A6 shields enough, or do I really need to fit class 7 shields?

A7. That was my first upgrade on my Clipper. Now I run bi-weave.

 

[Kurdran]

You have a better idea?

Yeah. Keep the Clipper and get a cheaper ship: iEagle, iCourier or Viper MK3.

The best of the three is the iCourier, with the 3A Enhanced engines sold by Felicity Farseer it can boost to 609 m/s. Add to that the 20 tonnes of cargo it can haul and you can do Fehu runs over and over again till your heart's content.

Edit: It also has a decent jump range: ~19LY fully loaded, ~25 empty. You can play around with a smaller fuel scoop for a bit more cargo and once in Fehu you can be nitpicky with missions and pick those that net you 500k Cr per tonne, to a whopping minimum of 10 million per round trip.

Note: Neither Coriolis nor EDShipyard have updated their formulas for the new engines, but the new UI in 2.1 makes it easy to view the top and boost speeds: the iCourier is the new king of smuggling.

Edit 2: with 609 m/s it's also the best at evading scans from either interdictions or authority vessels near stations.