Ships T8 - Krait Phantom - Python : looking for a middle range trader ship

SparcT1

SparcT1
Hi CMDRs,

Just having acquired a Fleet Carrier for exploration, exobiology and mining, I think about acquiring a medium sized, middle range trader.
Using my Python designed for mining, or my Mandalay designed for explo/exo, does not make sense to transfer/buy/sell from/to the FC.
So, my requirements would be as follow :
  • Load of 200 T minimum.
  • Minimal jump range of 20 LY fully loaded.
  • To avoid piracy : Fast and agile.
  • No weapons aboard, minimal shielding is OK (just to avoid scratching the paint on an "OOOOPS!!!" landing ;-) )
  • Medium sized.

Engineering will be done for FSD at least, and probably few other things I could not think about right now.
(hints welcome for tuning a pseudo-trader)

I have no experience in pure trading, and in fact, this is not trading, just reselling results of a mining/explo campaign in the vincinity of my FC (as I did from my mining ship before - simply said volumes could not be the same after a several weeks of exploration), or acquiring some materials for it (ie. Tritium).

Currently, I think of three possible candidates :
  • Type-8 : sounds great for most things except agility and speed. Not sure of it being a good choice for the job.
  • Krait Phantom : It seems it could really make the deal, but have no experience about it. It seems it is tuned for FSD super charge (like a mandy?) ? - Could really be the good choice I guess but I do not know it.
  • Python : Lower storage space but I well know that ship from robustness, agility and speed standpoint. I love it as much as my old ASP-X and my Mandy...

What do you think ?
Do you see a better choice I had not thought about to match described role ?

Cheers,
O7,
SparcT1.
 
Last edited:

BelExandor

B

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
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This is the T8 I'm currently using for moving gold and silver. Caveat: I only play in open so more care is taken concerning the build's ability to survive a murder attempt by another player.
If not playing in open, replace whatever you like underneath the shields with quality of life items like a fuel scoop, supercruise assist, ect as NPCs aren't competent enough to pose a real threat.
 

Hugh Jardon

H
I'd use a Python for mining, and each time you sell the platinum, you bring back a full load of tritium, or you put a purchase order for tritium on your FC, while you concentrate on getting loads of money from mining platinum. You can make around 120 mil per hour mining platinum in Paesia and that includes time to travel and sell to the market. Using your FC for selling in bulk, you should be able to get that up to around 140 mil/hr. While you're doing that, unknown mysterious commanders will fill your FC with as much tritium as you want.

For just trading, I think the T8 beats the Python by a small margin, but the Python wins for mining.
 

SparcT1

SparcT1
@Hugh Jardon : So did I. It seems I use my mining python the same way that you do. So far for the precise need related to an FC based mining business, it seems T8 is a very good option (meaning only to do transport/resell/purchase - mining will still be done from my Python)
 

Bigmaec

Bigmaec
As a medium pad trader the Type 8 crushes the competing Kraits and Pythons. I immediately refitted my trading Python when I got my hands on the T8.

  • better cargo capacity
  • better view (I love the Type-x cockpits, especially in VR, so much that I'd rather bulk trade in a T9 than in a much better Cutter).
  • more than enough agility
  • more than enough survivability
  • sco optimized

For mining the T8 is junk though, small distro, one M hardpoint only.
 

Markov Chaney

M
I am using a T8 as a hauler. My top tip: do your pointing in real space, using boost turns, and then jump.

The interdiction minigame in a T8 is... interesting, but doable. The boost in the T8 is good enough to get you out of most situations if that fails so if I was going to sacrifice some cargo space for defence on mine, I'd be thinking about things which help defend me when running away. But as it is, I just risk it with the standard shields and hull. In fact that's been good enough I should probably think about a lighter hull...

I also used a Python for a while and that is now fully fitted for mining, because the T8 is simply better for trading, especially if your trade loops include the B star 100,000 ls out, T8 SCO is great.
 

Rhialto

Rhialto
For just trading, the T8 should be great.
For missions, powerplay, and some trading i use this jack of all trades Python (mk1).
I hate running away from pirates, i usually confront them, which usually goes fairly well with this ship.
The Sco drive is quite a wild ride in this one tough.
 

S0rkvild

S0rkvild
Here are my workhorse class ships. I'm very satisfied of their performance. Been using that Python unchanged for three years. Besides typical cargo hauling/limpet operation tasks Python can handle combat tasks as well; whether it is a kill a pirate lord mission, PP kills, run all ammo on haz res, or with fully stocked ammo go through two courses of low intensity conflict zone. Sometimes I trade one c5 cargo rack into eco passenger cabin to handle more of that bgs stuff. Absolutely hectic to control and fly in sco mode.

T8 can handle multiple cargo delivery missions to/from outposts. Versatile, nice to fly, eye catchy, long range capabilities, good powerplay/bgs potential with exception of combat.
When it comes to combat, I created a thread in this forum regarding T8 armaments. T8 doesn't get close to Python in terms of damage dealing, but with proper loadout you will able to destroy that pesky npc pirate who is chasing you or take down a Conda or two in haz res. I've been testing survabilityof my T8 in open environments of Shinra Dezra where I bait gankers and ~600mj on shields is sufficient to high wake, in most cases I left the interdiction with undropped shields, yet adjusting them to 700mj wouldn't hurt. In two cases out of ten, ganker tripped on a ion disruption mine with disabled engines allowing me to taunt them and fly away safely. Generally if you're not into combat, I'd skip weps on T8 or go with four engineered mines only.

Python

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone s.orbis.zone

T8

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone s.orbis.zone
 

Cmdr Snuffler

Cmdr Snuffler
T-8 all day long. It is agile enough to avoid a lot of direct incoming fire if interdicted before you high wake out of there.
For a dedicated medium trader, with no weapons, the order for me would be:

T-8 > Python > Krait Mk2 > Krait Phantom

Plus the T-8 is an SCO friendly ship, which is a massive plus.
 

SparcT1

SparcT1
Done now.
I own a T8 for that role. I first used him to refill/restock my FC with Tritium past week-end in preparation for the exploration trip that has just started.
It's true it is pleasant to use.
I think I will really like it.
He has not been engineered so far, so is just waiting for the end of the trip as I will have lot of mined stuff to resell after (will be his job).
In case I would need him, he will be there, but as I will go deeper in the void, I doubt this happen.
Back in the Bubble, first halts will be for engineering him before being really used as a trader to resell results of the mining part of the exploration.
 

Anticon

Anticon
On a slightly different note : I use a dedicated T9 Heavy (756 cargo capacity) to refill my FC with Trit; far fewer return trips! Just keep it stashed aboard, unused most of the time, but very handy when needed.
 
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