Newcomer / Intro The Python - beware slick salesmen

Deleted member 38366

D
The Python is literally the Medium workhorse of the Galaxy....

Be it Missions, Combat (okay, that got nerfed quite a while back - but it can still fight) or picking up those juicy Boom-time Delivery Missions upto being the No.1 Passenger Ship capable to operate off Outposts...
... it is known for mainly one thing : it'll get the job done, even in hostile environments!

But like any other Ship these days, Engineering and an unlocked Guardian FSD Booster is what makes all the difference.
 

Mike Reacher

Mike Reacher
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
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Hey man, you are forgetting the small mission jobs it excels at.
Fully engineered it will take out the Anacondas of pirates. NPC pirates to be exact. I have never been interdicted by a CMDR in it.
Those small missions netted my first Billion.
Then the Corvette took over, but can't land on a medium.
Then the Cutter. What more can I say? 19 billion credits from hauling and mining and missions.
But that Python can jump 39 LY with Guardian module. Now that is perfect for "Collect Black Box" missions that pay anuthing up to 8 or 10 million.
And sometimes the box area lets me take out an Anaconda, a Python and two lesser ships. Again, only NPCs.
 

Northpin

Northpin
HurstLlama said:
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.
Click to expand...

Wait!
What?

You got it all wrong.
You need to to D-rate everything except for FSD where you have to use the maximum A-rated size and for the power plant where you have to use the minimum A-rated PP that can provide enough power to your ships.
Depending what you put on your ship, you might get the job done with a 4A or 5A PowerPlant. Most of the time a 7A PP is overkill

Now, regarding the Python, it's the best medium hauler and the best mission runner.
That does not means it has the longest jump range.
 

d8veh

d8veh
HurstLlama said:
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.
Click to expand...
It's the best ship for Robigo passenger missions, which is the easiest fast way to make credits in the game. It'll earn what you paid for it every 50 minutes. It's also a good ship for core mining.
 
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Gauntlet

Gauntlet
I have 3, each outfitted for their own niche
1 Robigo runner
1 Deep core miner but I carry all the tools so will laser mine, ssd etc
1 for npc combat, 2 med beams and 3 large plasma

love them all
 

HurstLlama

H
Lots of interesting comments and I am grateful to all of you who took your time to share your views.

It seems to me that the Python has two things going for it, it can carry more than the Krait MkII and it can land on a medium Pad. Other than that it is outclassed in just about every category by more modern ships. Two further thoughts occur.

Firstly, the fan base for the Python reminds me very much of that for the Cobra and a common theme links the two. Talk to a fan of either ship and they will almost certainly say that it is a great all-rounder. When Elite Dangerous was first released a lot of us who had played the original game made a bee-line for the Cobra, it was the great armed trader of the 1984 version, a ship that we all used. In my first playthrough of ED I naturally went the Cobra route and there was virtual unanimity that it was the best way to go. The Python shares an almost identical pedigree and provenance. I wonder, therefore, if there is not a danger that both ships are famous and recommended because they are famous and recommended? I certainly haven't touched a Cobra since that early first play through for whatever I have wanted to do there has always been a ship than can do it better than a Cobra.

Which brings me to my second thought, the need for an all rounder. When cash was tight and saving up to buy another ship was hard then perhaps it made sense to use one ship and swap out modules as needed for the task in hand and accept the compromises in performance that this entailed. However, the game has changed considerably since those early days, money is now so easy to come by it is silly (& on the point of spoiling the game). Additionally there is now a much larger range of affordable ships that one can be found designed for just about any purpose. Thirdly, the decision taken with the release of Horizons to make non-PVP combat an entirely optional activity.

When playing PvE one only needs to fight if one wants to. I have not been successfully interdicted in years and if I can beat interdictions when flying Lakon's behemoths then they can be beaten by anything. The ability to go about ones business in perfect peace has removed the NEED for the armed trader and thus the need to accept the performance compromises that go with an all-rounder.

If shifting large loads to and from outposts is your thing then I can see a role for the Python.
 

Northpin

Northpin
HurstLlama said:
If shifting large loads to and from outposts is your thing then I can see a role for the Python.
Click to expand...

Python is the best medium cargo runner, the best medium passenger runner and can also make the best medium miner. It's combat abilities are not that bad.
If combat is involved, then Krait mk2 has the edge being more maneuverable, having better weapon placement and the SLF.
But if you try to use the SLF and run missions/cargo/passengers, than the Python has 2 extra internals and thats 128t extra. And if you dont use the SLF, the Krait is still one size 6 internal short.

That's the reason i have 3 Pythons (passenger runner, cargo runner and multi-mission runner) but only 1 Krait mk2 (a combat one).
Had a core mining Krait too, but it was replaced by the Clipper.
 

Dommarraa

Dommarraa
If you are running missions, and dont want to change ships or outfitting all the time, then Python is the ONLY choice.
My mission python carries the obligitory 180t, has a big enough jump range to go 300ly without a scoop, ignores planetary defences to do Base Scans, and is still combat ready enough to take out any Elite NPC I might run in to including Assassinations or to clear out a LCZ. What more can you ask of a Mission Runner ?

Have a FC with a META ship for every possible purpose ? Bet you still have at least 2 Pythons, so it cant be that much of a compromise.
 

Esteban

E
Umm, who A-rates to build a serious exploration ship?

When I first got my Python (I now own two), I felt like it was really expensive - and it was at the time. The stock price tag plus 2x MORE to outfit it. But...

I love this ship. The Python isn't good at anything? Come on, that's ridiculous. There are reasons why this is the single most popular ship in the game.

In my 'armed-trader' Python, I routinely take on and dispense all manner of NPC foes, including Anacondas, Corvettes, FDLs, and small, nimble ships. I run missions with it. I "solo" wing-assasination missions with it. I haul with it. My explo/miner Python can do both surface and deep-core mining as well as what I would call non-long-range exploration and can defend itself against NPCs - if I choose to engage them. The key is: it's my choice, and I don't like to lose my stuff. I can evade or engage based solely on MY choice, not theirs. Using that Python, I got to top 25% in this latest mining CG with just four mining runs. Just four. I did one more on the last day and remained there. Beautiful.

I have a Chieftain for combat. It's really good at that. It's a lot of fun. It's incredibly maneuverable. ...but can't do much anything else. The Python? It's a bruiser, a brawler - while being able to do something else practical (many things). Yes, I have heard many great things about the Krait and have yet to try it (and I will). I went from a Cobra Mk III to my first Python and that's the ship I'm in most of the time BY FAR.
I should take the time to get myself the Guardian FSD goodies for it - that would be cool!

I wish I could have experienced this ship before it was nerfed!

Happy travels, CMDRs.
 

CMDR TYG06

CMDR TYG06
Esteban said:
Umm, who A-rates to build a serious exploration ship?

When I first got my Python (I now own two), I felt like it was really expensive - and it was at the time. The stock price tag plus 2x MORE to outfit it. But...

I love this ship. The Python isn't good at anything? Come on, that's ridiculous. There are reasons why this is the single most popular ship in the game.

In my 'armed-trader' Python, I routinely take on and dispense all manner of NPC foes, including Anacondas, Corvettes, FDLs, and small, nimble ships. I run missions with it. I "solo" wing-assasination missions with it. I haul with it. My explo/miner Python can do both surface and deep-core mining as well as what I would call non-long-range exploration and can defend itself against NPCs - if I choose to engage them. The key is: it's my choice, and I don't like to lose my stuff. I can evade or engage based solely on MY choice, not theirs. Using that Python, I got to top 25% in this latest mining CG with just four mining runs. Just four. I did one more on the last day and remained there. Beautiful.

I have a Chieftain for combat. It's really good at that. It's a lot of fun. It's incredibly maneuverable. ...but can't do much anything else. The Python? It's a bruiser, a brawler - while being able to do something else practical (many things). Yes, I have heard many great things about the Krait and have yet to try it (and I will). I went from a Cobra Mk III to my first Python and that's the ship I'm in most of the time BY FAR.
I should take the time to get myself the Guardian FSD goodies for it - that would be cool!

I wish I could have experienced this ship before it was nerfed!

Happy travels, CMDRs.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you just said that you don't A rate and explorer ship sep the fsd and I have an Armed trader python too. Its a great ship but a pricey price tag for new commanders but just don't use it to travel long distances in the galaxy

Stay safe CMDRs

CMDR TYG06
 

Para Handy

Para Handy
Esteban said:
........
I wish I could have experienced this ship before it was nerfed!
.......
Click to expand...

Although you can be glad that you missed the time it spent as a toaster oven. It was a great shock when a change yonks ago suddenly found that what had been one's battle-wagon of choice now started smoking and sparking at the slightest excuse. Lots of toys flew from prams until that got sorted.
 

Gauntlet

Gauntlet
Gibby3 said:
I agree with everything you just said that you don't A rate and explorer ship sep the fsd and I have an Armed trader python too. Its a great ship but a pricey price tag for new commanders but just don't use it to travel long distances in the galaxy

Stay safe CMDRs

CMDR TYG06
Click to expand...
I would say that depends largely on the style of exploration you decide is right for you though. Sure if you want the longest single jump range in a self sufficient exploration ship then lightweighting, undersizing and d-rating is the way to go, however with engineering and GFSD boosters its fairly simple for most ships, even weighty A-rated ones, to achieve jump ranges of 35lys+ which is perfectly adequate for getting around most of the galaxy.
I have a variety ships outfitted for sightseeing, long range exploration or guardian archeology. Some are entirely self sufficient and others operate better from a Fleet Carrier, take my 'Exploramba', 36ly range, boosts to 642m/s and carries SRV and surface scanners. She's a nice little grand tourer for exploring the local space around my carrier
 

HurstLlama

H
We now seem to have reached the point where people, in defence of their favourite ship, are inventing arguments that nobody has made so that they can destroy them. That way leads to insanity, so full respect to all but I am off
 

sinisalo

sinisalo
Circling the wagons a bit, eh?

That's cool, and I'm a big advocate for having ships that you connect with. I might not agree with the stout defense of the Python, but not much harm in it either. Someone said above that the Python was Elite's most popular ship, and my reaction was, OK, now we've gone a little too far. But before sticking my foot in my mouth I went to Inara, and it is indeed the most popular ship! Took over that mantle from the AspX.

All those people can't be too wrong :)
 
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Northpin

Northpin
The Python needs no defense.
It's one of those crazy ships that for one reason or another are massively overpowered (along with Anaconda, iCourier, the Kraits and not at last the FDL)

Now if we would be talking about Asp Scout or Alliance Crusader...
 

Simon Templar

Simon Templar
I don't like the Python, not at all frankly, don't like the offset view out and it's all a bit boring. But I needed to run outpost cargo missions for a squadron effort a while back, so got one for that. It hauls 240T, jumps almost 38ly, boosts to almost 500 and easily evades interdiction. So I grudgingly kept mine on for those 'must haul to outposts' moments. I sacrificed some cargo for the Guardian FSD booster, to keep my time in the thing to the minimum, and fitted a small fuel scoop for the same reason. I still hate it, but can't justify not having one for those specific moments, it's great for supporting expansion etc. Those numbers I'm getting suggest that it'd also make a good explorer, although personally I'd rather never leave space dock than spend 25l light years' worth of jumping in it. But it's a capable if overrated ship, and does have the one USP all the greats have.
 

Topheron

T
The GLORIOUS python...

Is mentioned several times in Commander Hawkes best start or best moneymaking videos.

My experience with the game started on a Commodore 64 a long time ago. I had a printout of the keyboard with all the ELITE keyboard shortcuts taped to the side of my monitor, and getting my first Cobra was one of the best moments of my gaming life.

When I finally purchased Elite Dangerous I watched some 'best start' videos and within the first day or two I had gone from Sidewinder combat in RES to Adder mining to Asp Mining to Python Mining. Then I spent a remarkably short time getting 3 billion credits. This was in the days (you know, last year...) when a single mining trip of LTD's made you a ton of space cheddar.

During last year's mining meta times, the python was a good enough ship to make BILLIONS of space cheddar. So Python? HECK YES! Best ship ever... during the mining meta for a new commander who was willing to grind.

I'm home based in Shinrarta Dezhra at Jameson Memorial because of how GLORIOUS the python is.

I used my Asp to get FSD engineeering early. Once I had enough cheddar I did the Guardian Grind, the unlock the Engineers grind and the Engineering Materials Grind. I have spent more time in the cockpit of my ASP than any other ship. I love my Asp!

But I bought a bunch of ships, needed some money. So I have a python for Robigo Runs. The python is THE ship for Robigo runs, and while I was doing them I did as many Empire runs for reptutation as I could. Then I needed a ship to do the actual mission to level me to Duke, and I found the Python was a GREAT mission runner. I didn't need an optimized ship, I just needed a 'good enough' ship to run a variety of missions, and for me, the Python was the easy answer... I already had it, I could easily outfit it, once again, the Python was the right tool for a specific need.

So I've got my Cutter now, I've got my Kraits for combat, I've got my jumpconda, and my DBX for exploration. I still use my Asp for material gathering, but when I want to devote a play session to missions for Fed rank, (still working for my Corvette)... it's the Python I reach for. It is there, it is 'good enough'.

Versatility MATTERS. Being able to rapidly outfit a python for lots of different tasks makes this game more fun. Eventually I'll have a specific ship optimized to the maximum for every task in the game...

But the Python shows up early in your choices... and when you don't have all that much money you can use the python for everything you want to do.

When you get lots of money you will STILL use a Python for Robigo Runs (currently the meta for moneymaking), Mining runs that you don't want to invest as much time in (Love my Cutter, but not leaving until I'm full makes for a longer play session... when I mine with my Python it's drop in, fill up and get out. Python makes a great miner for shorter sessions!). Hauling in the current mining meta seems to favor the Python also... Selling as much cargo as you can carry to a medium pad outpost for best prices is best done in the Python.

The GLORIOUS python is an important ship in your progression as a new player. It is particularly important if you want to make money effectively to afford all the other shiny ships in the game. There are no reasons to avoid buying a Python as early as you can afford the outfitting and rebuy.

Your salesman didn't steer you wrong in the long run... You might not do those things that the Python is particularly good at today, but the odds are high that you'll do some of them in the future. I spend more time in my Asp, but my Python has been the ship that made everything else in the game possible.
 
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