Newcomer / Intro The Python - beware slick salesmen

HurstLlama

H
For some years (even before engineers) various people on this forum have been recommending the Python as the acme in available ships. I'll mention no names the people concerned will know who they are, won't they Para Handy. I have always been sceptical, taking the view that, yes, it was probably a very nice ship but far too expensive for the use that I would get out of it. Anyway I found myself with 100m credits in the bank that I had no real use for and the idea of an new expedition bubbling in my mind so I thought that this might be the time to get myself one of the ships people make so much fuss about. So I bought one.

The first thing that smacked me straight between the eyes was the jump range. As delivered without any modifications or engineering it cannot even jump 10 light years when empty. 48 million credits it costs and can't manage even 10 light years, what gives?

Still with the idea that for so many experienced players to be so keen on it it has to be good I thought I had better get on with outfitting it. The use I am plotting for it will see it away from home facing all sorts of situations, not just those to be found in the black, so I thought I had better get it decked out and A rated from the start. So with the exception of the power plant (a 7A would cost 33m cr) I spent 10s of millions getting everything else A rated and buying ancillary equipment. I then engineered the FSD to level 3 with the Farseer woman. The maximum jump range is now 26.43 lys. I haven't even started on the load carrying elements of the ship.

It seems that the Python cannot do heavy loads and reasonable jumps, it is one or the other. Either I am missing something or the Python no longer has a role having been surpassed by newer better ships.
 

Stabby_Dave

Stabby_Dave
The Python was never meant to be an exploration ship. The Annie aside, ships with "Explorer" in the name are the ones to look for. The Python is good for everything except that.
 

Dragsham

Dragsham
Hehehe...sorry but the python isn't good at anything.
It dosnt excel. Like say the fdl for combat.
The python is a multirole ship. Capable of doing almost anything but not very well.
Can jump g5 30+ ly with almost 200 tons of ore. Other ships carry more and jump the same or better distance.
The python is an excellent miner ship especially deep core as she's agile. Apart from that she's designed in my view to be ok at all and excel at nowt.
I own one and she was my 2nd ship I bought after a dbx. I only ever use her to haul now .... sad really
 

sinisalo

sinisalo
Python is a really good ship. But I sold mine and replaced it with several Krait IIs. The Kraits eliminate everything I didn't like about the Python, while still performing all the tasks I used the Python for. It served me well for a long time, but it no longer was the right choice for me.

What the Python does better than the Krait is bulk haulage. That extra C6 optional is significant. If stuffing it as full as it can be is the thing, then it can't be beat as a bulk hauler for medium pads. But I don't care about that, I'm not a trader, aside from running boom-times, and the Krait easily handles the biggest of these.

The Krait is faster, more agile, jumps farther has a better cockpit view (and can carry a fighter if that's your bag). The overhead cockpit visibility is something I really didn't like about the Python, and while a fully engineered Python is a good combat ship, it wasn't right for me.

I was pretty disappointed when I first took my new Python out of the station, but outfitted properly and engineered it's a very capable ship, and for some, one of the best in the game.
 
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CMDR TYG06

CMDR TYG06
Dragsham said:
Hehehe...sorry but the python isn't good at anything.
It dosnt excel. Like say the fdl for combat.
The python is a multirole ship. Capable of doing almost anything but not very well.
Can jump g5 30+ ly with almost 200 tons of ore. Other ships carry more and jump the same or better distance.
The python is an excellent miner ship especially deep core as she's agile. Apart from that she's designed in my view to be ok at all and excel at nowt.
I own one and she was my 2nd ship I bought after a dbx. I only ever use her to haul now .... sad really
Click to expand...
it is a good combat ship, trade ship. I would say best medium ship
download (1).jpeg
 

tremor3258

T
The Cutter costs 200 million and can't jump 8 light years stock with a full fuel tank. That's an odd standard for ships looking at straight pre-modification, they're all kind of bad.
 

fishevi

fishevi
I did my first 60k ly trip with Python.
55 ly jump, with all explo toys and tools on board. Had 1294 first discoveries.
I say it's good enough for deep space exploring.
 

Para Handy

Para Handy
fishevi said:
I did my first 60k ly trip with Python.
55 ly jump, with all explo toys and tools on board. Had 1294 first discoveries.
I say it's good enough for deep space exploring.
Click to expand...

You need to post the build for that because that does not sound right at all - 55ly - never seen anything close.

Edit - builds below - I stand corrected.
 
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Para Handy

Para Handy
The Python has one solitary advantage - it can ship biggest load to an outpost. Hence it is my equivalent of the old Clyde Puffer that could deliver goods anywhere (even where there was no pier it could beach and load / offload at low tide).

It has one major disadvantage (not so prevalent now the Kraits are around and credits are like dross) - people buy it too early and get stuck on a rebuy.

My Pythons all carry engineered weapons and can wipe the floor with any foolish pirate scum NPCs that interrupt my cruise. (Wouldn't PvP or CZ with one though.)
 

Iskariot

Iskariot
HurstLlama said:
Either I am missing something or the Python no longer has a role having been surpassed by newer better ships.
Click to expand...

You are missing something.
People who recommend the Python always recommend it for specific reasons and usage.
I personally have never seen anyone recommend the Python for exploration, but I could easily make a case for that too.
Some people think that exploration is about making big jumps and skipping all kinds off stuff along the way. Too me that seems a nonsensical approach. An earth like 100 ly away is not more important than an earth like 17 ly away.

As a medium trader the Python always trumped every other ship. This still is the case.
It also used to be the go to ship for taking on cargo missions and stuff like that, if you did not want to skip outposts.
And on top of that it is quite a sturdy combat ship.
So, if you owned a Python you could be sure that you could take on any mission, no matter the size of the station.

When you use a Python as a cargo/mission ship the jump range is more than sufficient for the task.

For some tasks the Krait is now a very good alternative. Combat missions, limited cargo missions, limited medium trading etc. The Krait has you covered.
But if you want to maximize trading profits on the medium pad, then the Python is still the way to go. There sadly is no alternative on the market.
I have always wanted an Imperial medium trader with the same internal capacity as the Python, but imperial Gutamaya seem to be content with letting their competitor taking all the profits in this niche.
A cool large capacity, boxy, medium pad Lakon would be cool too, but Lakon designed the joke of interstellar transport... the T7, a medium freighter that can only use large pads.
 
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McGyverCP

McGyverCP
I agree with Para here...My Python is currently outfitted as a mining vessel. I can carry 160 tons 30.57 lys and 36.15 unladen. Yes, my FSD is currently at grade 4 (didn't have all the mats back then to go to 5), and the current value according to Coriolis is just over 135M credits. I have "A"ed out the important stuff, and when it isn't used for mining, I using as my freight hauler. As was stated, I have NEVER been interdicted (knock on wood) while hauling with it. It breaks NPC interdiction beautifully, now, as for a PvP interdiction, no clue. Also as Para stated, it can Land at any outpost loaded to the gills (if I pull out the mining stuff and add more cargo holds) where as any ship requiring a large pad is out of luck.

Between my FDL, my Conda (which is a glorified RES trash pick-up truck), my DBX, and the Python, these are the ships that I fly regularly. Yes, each one has its designated usages, but the Python in its mining config, has been my biggest earner next to the DBX (exploration money).

Your mileage may vary, see dealer for details, do not spray Gorilla Glue in your hair, Fabuloso detergent is NOT grape kool-aid, etc, etc...

Take Care and Check Six Commanders! o7
 

fishevi

fishevi
Para Handy said:
You need to post the build for that because that does not sound right at all - 55ly - never seen anything close.
Click to expand...

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone s.orbis.zone
This is the build that took me around.
One could put 4G srv bay, and 3A AFMU, i took 1srv and didn't fool around much with it.

Edit: this is build with access to all relevant engineers and mats.

Python was just my personal choice and I had all means to build it.
Did the job beautifully.

For new players, without access to all engineers and mats, dbx and later asp explorer are obvious better choices for exploration.

But with engineers and some experience, any ship can be explo-ship.
Just depends on personal preferences.
 
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Mitch Brewer

Mitch Brewer
I don't know who sold you your Python, OP. Mine carries 280T and jumps 24.19LY. It's made me over 4x what I paid for it. Best medium ship in the galaxy other than the AspX but I only use that for trips into the darkness. I wouldn't take my Python into the darkness but any medium pad is cool.
 
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