Ships Should I?

[Troz]

I spent the weekend before 1.3 grinding in my T7 because I wanted to replace it with a Python for use as an armed trader. At the end of that time I stripped the T7 before selling it in order to avoid the advertised 10% module tax which was later abandoned. Since then I have been bounty hunting in my Vulture.

Now I have about 80M credits which looks like enough to buy and equip a Python for trading.

But I haven't bought one, because I've been looking at the reported crazy prices for integrity repair which outstrip its earning capacity and after a while make it cheaper to crash the ship than to repair it.

There seem to be three responses to this on the forums:

1. It's an obvious bug; stop complaining, of course it will be fixed (but no response from ED)
2. It's already been fixed (but no mention in any patch notes)
3. Ignore it, it makes no difference (so why did they change it then?)

I'd be interested in people's views on whether it makes any sense to buy a Python, and why. Has it been fixed? Will it?

 

[damtired]

I read somewhere on the forums that at 0% integrity, your hull is 30% less effective. If thats true then letting it go until you're blown up sounds like the smart thing to do.

 

[faluc]

Just buy a Python because it is an awesome ship to fly. Don't care about the integrity, for traders it is irrelevant. How often do you lose your shields and get shots at your hull? I'm guessing never. You can fly around forever with 0% integrity and won't notice the difference.

 

[Lupin]

I have been playing with my new Python for a few months now due to unintentionally pushing up my combat rating (CZ missions) and when I trade NPC's are now a little harder to kill and most of the time turn up with friends
So like you armed trader needed as well as still be able to land on outposts which rules out T7 (Which I have also owned).

Current setup I have 240t and well armed to deal with combat missions as well as trading.

As for hull integrity this is based on travel and so just keep an eye on it so it does not get more then 1 or 2%, yes costly 60,000+ but of you are doing regular trade runs you will only need to pay this once maybe every 12+ jumps.

Sorry I should keep a better track on how many jumps before hull integrity changes, but yes I think it is worth it upgrade. And you really do not need all A rated modules.
Current setup here:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=705,5...,2-BQ9i7_6kBQ9s8I,0AA0AA0AA7Sk08c0727fE4zM2UI
Working on fitting A class thrusters, to help more on combat.

 

[Fireclown]

Go for it.
Can have a good trading python that is still ok for combat.
Integrity costs aren't much at all if you are just trading short hops.

 

[Poseidal]

Python is an upgrade in terms of profitability, though it is rather dear for the initial cost so you will take some time to recoup that.

As a pure trader, you can run 284T cargo AND have a shield which is surprisingly strong (not amazing, but not as small as you'd think when fitted).

 

[quickr]

i just love this type of topics

[video=youtube;oGIFublvDes]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGIFublvDes[/video]

 

[B33 ENN]

I bought a Python the other day for trading. I would advise going to Li Yong Rui systems to get his 15% discount on the ship and modules. You can outfit the Python as a D grade trader with an A grade FSD for basically the normal list price.

Don't care about the integrity... You can fly around forever with 0% integrity and won't notice the difference.

As for hull integrity this is based on travel and so just keep an eye on it so it does not get more then 1 or 2%, yes costly 60,000+ but of you are doing regular trade runs you will only need to pay this once maybe every 12+ jumps.

All the while I've been flying until just recently, I never even noticed this hull integrity thing in the repair menu. I always use the Repair All function from the main page, so maybe that's why. Has it always been there or is it a recent update that added it?

 

[Draxxen]

Integrity is linked to the hull strength afaik; I don't bother with the integrity in mine for now. When it is fitted out for combat and my 726 MJ shields go - after I have burned through 6 SCB's - I just bug out before the hull goes all the way down; If it goes down a little faster it does not matter much.

Edit: If there are other benefits to integrity, I would love to hear it, and I would reconsider repairing it.

 

[Abulafia]

I would go for it. You hardly ever hear anyone regretting their Python purchase.

I personally love mine. It's the ship that can do everything: you can carry class 6 shields, a full complement of weapons, and 192 tonnes of cargo while still jumping 15 ly (19 unladen) and landing at outposts. I was concerned about the maneuverability (I don't like slow ships), but with good use of lateral thrusters it's surprisingly nimble for a ship its size.

 

[schurem]

Well I am. Frack that tub. It's slow, big gets hit a lot and is too slow in turning and moving to get its own guns into effective range. Coming from a Vulture it's a major downgrade in both sustainability AND killing power.

 

[Cobblars]

Well I am. Frack that tub. It's slow, big gets hit a lot and is too slow in turning and moving to get its own guns into effective range. Coming from a Vulture it's a major downgrade in both sustainability AND killing power.

I feel you, but the Vulture is known for having very good manuverability, as far a straight fighter ship goes the Vulture will have better stats for the job. But that is all it is going to be good for.

Where as the Python allows you to trade, explore and fight, maybe not as well as any ship specific to one of these roles but it isn't going to be too far behind.

Without taking over the thread, this is the loadout I was thinking:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=705,5TP5TPmpV0_g0_g0_g0_g,2-A0A07_6u8SA08I,0AA0AA0AA08c08c0727Pc05U03w
284 Cargo Capacity
Range : 24.78 LY unladen / 15.77 LY laden

Anything anyone would do any differently?

 

[Troz]

I'll reply to my own post for the benefit of others trying to make the same decision...


Thanks to all for the advice. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the Patroclus.



Compared to the old T7 - there is actually no comparison. It is more fun to fly, doesn't have any of the power and heat management issues of the T7, and it packs a punch. The wear and tear costs are not wonderful, but not bad enough to outweigh the positives.

Up till now I've basically had two in-game personalities:

In a trader: "Eek! Run away!"
In a fighter: "Feeling lucky, punk?"

After a few runs in the Python I found myself being interdicted by an NPC. It was one of those tenacious new ones that follows you back into supercruise and interdicts you again. The first time I boosted and jumped out. The second time, I boosted and jumped out. The third time I engaged Clint Eastwood mode.

Now it isn't a choice between trading or fighting - I can have both. I fly along saying

"Here I am with 240t of gold on board. I do hope a nasty pirate doesn't try and steal it!"

<pause>

"I SAID, HERE I AM WITH 240T OF GOLD ON BOARD..."

 

[Cobblars]

Have heard people rarely get interdicted when flying one.

Care to share your final loudout please?

 

[Troz]

Have heard people rarely get interdicted when flying one.

Care to share your final loudout please?

Actually, I've been interdicted a few times. Must be the high-value cargoes that tempt them!

Here's the loadout:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=705,5...,2-7_A07_6uB6A08I,0AA0AA0AA7TC08c0727fE4z_2UI

I wouldn't say it's final but I started with mostly D-rated stuff and I've been upgrading bits and pieces over the weekend as I earn credits. This seems to be OK for the time being. You'll note I only have a 5A power plant. That just covers the current power draw; obviously I will keep upgrading that as finances allow. And the thrusters.

Edit: the five pulse lasers drain the capacitor pretty fast, which is why I shelled out for the 7A power distributor as soon as I could. They still do empty quickly, but with the manoeuvrability of the Python being what it is, I find it best if I can deliver a hell of a lot of damage in the few seconds that I am lined up on a target. The capacitor can recharge while I bring the ship round again!

Edit: if I feel a bit braver I may ditch the 3A shield cell bank, swop the 5A shield generator for a 3A, and fit another 32T cargo rack in the size 5 rack.