The Clipper. Not sure what all the fuss is about...

[Harley001]

They should let the clipper fold its wings and land on medium landing pads. Than it will have a purpose again. The problem is, it can't compete with most other ships for its price and landing pad limit. Why get a clipper for cargo runs when you can get a python that can carry just as much AND land on outpost?

If they let it land on outpost it's role would be better defined.

 

[CMDR Pugwash]

I went from a T7 to a clipper back when I was trading. It couldn't carry as much cargo but it was much more fun to fly. So I used her as trader for a while and then outfitted her as a sort of fighter bomber. I would approach my enemy at speed, hit them hard at close range and then boost out before they could inflict much damage on me. Great fun.

She's still docked somewhere in the bubble.

 

[Kaybe]

They should let the clipper fold its wings and land on medium landing pads. Than it will have a purpose again. The problem is, it can't compete with most other ships for its price and landing pad limit. Why get a clipper for cargo runs when you can get a python that can carry just as much AND land on outpost?

If they let it land on outpost it's role would be better defined.

Well, you sorta hit the nail on the head there. "In her price range". Clipper is MUCH cheaper to purchase and A-Rate than a Python. And she's quite cheap when you compare to end game ships. Her large landing pad restriction takes into account the fact that she can do so much and carry a decent amount of cargo compared to other ships in her price range. For example, FAS is a great combat ship that can land on medium pads, but her jump range isn't as good, her speed isn't as good, her shield strength is worse, her carrying capacity is MUCH worse, and she carries the same amount of firepower. Make no mistake ... landing pad access is very much a balancing factor. If she could land on medium pads and still do all she does, her cost would be greatly pushed upwards to compensate.

 

[RadiKyle]

I got my Clipper rank-free from a 2015 CG that gave access to Empire ships without rank. Bought every iShip I could. Couldn't afford to outfit the Clipper so I left it parked.

In mid-2016 when I began playing again I realized the Clipper was the biggest trade ship I could afford. In almost every respect it beat the T-7 (before the T-7 got the big cargo boost), so I used it for trade CGs, Sothis runs, etc. Fast and manoeuvrable, especially with eng'd thrusters. Not at all like a cargo ship!

I think that's the niche it fills (or used to). It's an alternative to the T-7 for those who have the Empire rank, and of course more versatile than a T-7. I suspect though that by the time you rank up you can probably afford something larger, or get the Python. Personally I don't compare it with a Python much. Price puts them in entirely different class.

 

[SCTrojanbulldog]

Well, you sorta hit the nail on the head there. "In her price range". Clipper is MUCH cheaper to purchase and A-Rate than a Python. And she's quite cheap when you compare to end game ships. Her large landing pad restriction takes into account the fact that she can do so much and carry a decent amount of cargo compared to other ships in her price range. For example, FAS is a great combat ship that can land on medium pads, but her jump range isn't as good, her speed isn't as good, her shield strength is worse, her carrying capacity is MUCH worse, and she carries the same amount of firepower. Make no mistake ... landing pad access is very much a balancing factor. If she could land on medium pads and still do all she does, her cost would be greatly pushed upwards to compensate.

The thing is, and I agree with everything you wrote, the clipper as A LOT of advantages for it's price tag. The only ship IMO that has more "value" is the python. The only ship that has an edge in overall capability is the Cutter.

Sooo, in other words, for the price and entry cost (rank), it's about a good as it gets.