Trade advice for the Imperial Clipper

gapper4

gapper4
Hey guys,

Finally grinded my way to the right to buy an Imperial Clipper. I currently own an ASP maxed out for Trading (120 cargo) and was doing brisk business making about 300k/10mins with a metals/tech one-jump route. I really want to buy the Clipper but the fact that it can't land on outposts makes me wonder if the extra cargo space would be worth it. I'm not asking for anyone to suggest an actual viable Trade route (although feel free to do so if you wish :) but would like some advice on what kind of commodity pairings are viable and profitable when you have to use only orbitals. Essentially, what kind of systems economies should I be looking for. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks !
 

Poseidal

Poseidal
Going from an Asp, you lose out on that and the jump range.

That said, the jump range fully laden is a decent 15 LY and having double the space really makes up for it. It was annoying going from one hop in the Asp to two hops, but it is still much faster than doing double the runs. And there are some that required two hops for the Asp and will still be two hops for the Clipper.

Just be wary of what stations you will be getting to. The biggest problem is how quickly you empty your fuel tanks if you're going somewhere unknown and it doesn't have a Coriolis or larger; not a problem if you know your trade route in advance.

The same trade goods basically apply, just there is a more limited selection.

You also get to trade in style. Not that the Asp is that bad, but this is Gutamaya's Clipper we're talking about.
 

Mephane

Mephane
The Clipper also as the unique advantage that it is as fast as a Cobra, so other than Cobras and other Clippers, it can simply fly away from everyone.
 

Masoboshi

Masoboshi
The most annoying thing when getting a Clipper is to search for a reasonable trade route.

I finally found one, deep in imperial space, with Imp. Slaves one way and some metals the other. Nets about 2,5k/t/roundtrip when markets are not farmed, can go down to 2k when there is competition. However I had to strip the Clipper in weight to make it a one-hop-in-between-route with 232t cargo space.

You HAVE to learn to handle the galaxy map and its customisation for finding such routes, also the elite trading tool is fine.
 

CMDR Beltane

CMDR Beltane
Basically what Poseidal said. I would like to add only one thing. While he is right regarding forfeiting ouposts and jumprange fore sure, if you don't want to stay in the midrange trading volume - you will fly bigger ships one way or the other. But so far, and i have done trade for a long time in my Clipper, i never missed outposts that much. Find yourself a pocket of space where you have big stations of all sorts where you can trade different stuff with about equally equal profit and where the systems are not much more than 2 jumps from each other and you should enjoy it no less then the ASP.
 

FatteusTwerpage

FatteusTwerpage
All I've got to add is this - don't wait till you've got the Clipper to find your route, do it now in the Asp.

Pfft, I haven't even got the Clipper yet, but that's what I'd do!
 

S~P

S
If you are worried about docking with outposts then maybe you should save up for the Python instead. The Python can dock at outposts and has 224 ton cargo bay, more if you want to down scale the shields.
 

Whiterose

Whiterose
FatteusTwerpage said:
All I've got to add is this - don't wait till you've got the Clipper to find your route, do it now in the Asp.

Pfft, I haven't even got the Clipper yet, but that's what I'd do!
Click to expand...

Precisely. I trade in my Clipper and dont have a problem with just Large pads, the system map will show you. Also if you get interdicted you can soon squidge them in a Clipper. Trade Imp slaves and metals back, but most of my routes are four system routes.
 

CMDR Beltane

CMDR Beltane
S~P said:
If you are worried about docking with outposts then maybe you should save up for the Python instead. The Python can dock at outposts and has 224 ton cargo bay, more if you want to down scale the shields.
Click to expand...

Yea... if thats the thing he should really skip Clipper. Otherwise OP might find himself vastly dissapointed about his investemt coming from a Clipper. For me it was like "Eat Clipper, remove parts that make it a big ship, suck out of all the fun it was flying it and wait for the endresult" -> Viola, you have gotten yourself a Python. Not that the Python is good at trade, going up to 280 cargo with 3A SG. You earn higher profits. But thats about it. For me the Python was a pretty large dissapointment overall.
 

S~P

S
CMDR Beltane said:
Yea... if thats the thing he should really skip Clipper. Otherwise OP might find himself vastly dissapointed about his investemt coming from a Clipper. For me it was like "Eat Clipper, remove parts that make it a big ship, suck out of all the fun it was flying it and wait for the endresult" -> Viola, you have gotten yourself a Python. Not that the Python is good at trade, going up to 280 cargo with 3A SG. You earn higher profits. But thats about it. For me the Python was a pretty large dissapointment overall.
Click to expand...
Disappointment how so? It's agile and fast for a trade ships and it can hold it's own in a fight with just about anything else. I would also imagine it has better weapon placement than the Clipper from what I've read, although I haven't flown the clipper and don't plan to.
 

CMDR Beltane

CMDR Beltane
S~P said:
Disappointment how so? It's agile and fast for a trade ships and it can hold it's own in a fight with just about anything else. I would also imagine it has better weapon placement than the Clipper from what I've read, although I haven't flown the clipper and don't plan to.
Click to expand...

You not having flown a clipper is the explanation. Compared to a clipper its rather sluggish, not agile. And especially not fast with the Clipper beeing able to boost 380 with D thrusters. Also the Interior looks somewhat better. But sure, that depends largely if one cares about such things. Weapon placement might be better, but though that is nice - its rather secondary for a trader. And the Clipper is also more than able to kick some rears as well. In essence, coming from the Clipper - besides raw stats nothing felt like i would have expected it. Therefore the disappointment.
 

gapper4

gapper4
Hmmm.. thanks for all the advice. My head says to wait until I can afford a Python (although grinding the cost in an ASP will take ages) but my graphics- eyes REALLY want a Clipper.
 

Poseidal

Poseidal
Get it. Trading is much more efficient thanks to 200+ cargo, and even if you just want the Python it will help you get there faster at the very least.
 

Super_Duty

Super_Duty
I've been really enjoying the Clipper. Mine is configured as a multi-role ship with 208t cargo, A-class power and distributor with a smaller A-4 shield generator, A-3 fuel scoop, so as not to worry about the 16t fuel cell, two class 3 and class 2 hard-points. I equip a small shield cell if I'm in the mood for a fight, discovery scanners if I'm exploring. Right at 20ly unladen, great speed and very inexpensive to run compared to the Python I had (post 1.2). I thought I would miss the smaller stations at first, but have found that I really don't, except for the occasional station mission that sends you to an outpost you can't dock at (look before you leap). I did upgrade to military grade armor/bulk heads for a minor hit in jump distance. I've found that 3-stop trade routes result in good coin/hr. As stated previously, find systems with high populations and scout well. I've had no issues finding good routes in many systems.
 

BaronDeKalb

BaronDeKalb
I'm building my rep up for a clipper now, i shan't trade with her but may install a bar (maybe it already has one?) Beauty inside and out.
 

CMDR Beltane

CMDR Beltane
gapper4 said:
Hmmm.. thanks for all the advice. My head says to wait until I can afford a Python (although grinding the cost in an ASP will take ages) but my graphics- eyes REALLY want a Clipper.
Click to expand...

A wise decission, as it comes down to this. If you want to listen to your head, its the Python as you can't argue the advantages it has when it comes to raw trade stats (more cargo space, option for outposts). If you want something thats not only something for the head but also for the heart, its the Clipper you might want to aim for. You might wanne build both ships on ED shipyard to get a better opinion before you decide:

http://www.edshipyard.com/
 

Super_Duty

Super_Duty
I would add that the Clipper is just elegant compared to the ASP, you really can't go wrong imho.

gapper4 said:
Hmmm.. thanks for all the advice. My head says to wait until I can afford a Python (although grinding the cost in an ASP will take ages) but my graphics- eyes REALLY want a Clipper.
Click to expand...
 

Bad Nooz

B
I followed the same progression route as OP. From Asp to Clipper. I've now had the Clipper twice, I've had the T9 twice, I'm now back in my third Python. Overall, for me, the Clipper was the most fun to fly, the Python is the most versatile and the T9 made the most money but really put the 'Grind' in grinding. It's all about enjoyment. Both the Clipper and Python can easily be adjusted for different roles. If you wanna fly with a big silly grin on your face then go Clipper for now and you can smile while you grind.
 
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