Ships What Python load-out would be a clear step up from a A rated Asp Explorer?

[karl napf der abwaschbare]

I'm currently flying an Asp Explorer with A rated modules for the things I care about (FSD, Thrusters, Shields, Power Dist, ...). No engineering worth mentioning.

I have been saving up a bit of money (about $80 million in cash, $10 - $15 million in stored modules, and not quite $30 million in other ships including the Asp) and started at looking at potential ways to step up. I'm playing PvE only and mostly doing all kinds of legal, non-combat missions. The Python seems an obvious choice, but I suspect in its basic form it's not a real step up from an A rated Asp Exp.

What would a minimal viable Python look like and cost that would be a clear step up from my Asp? Obviously it would automatically come with more internal space. I also assume, no matter what I do (apart from engineering) I will never be able to match the Asp Exp in range and jump distance. I would hope to be slightly better positioned for combat should it become necessary though (also playing PvE might mean I just get stronger NPC ships sent after me for flying a Python?).

 

[GJ51]

I'm currently flying an Asp Explorer with A rated modules for the things I care about (FSD, Thrusters, Shields, Power Dist, ...). No engineering worth mentioning.

I have been saving up a bit of money (about $80 million in cash, $10 - $15 million in stored modules, and not quite $30 million in other ships including the Asp) and started at looking at potential ways to step up. I'm playing PvE only and mostly doing all kinds of legal, non-combat missions. The Python seems an obvious choice, but I suspect in its basic form it's not a real step up from an A rated Asp Exp.

What would a minimal viable Python look like and cost that would be a clear step up from my Asp? Obviously it would automatically come with more internal space. I also assume, no matter what I do (apart from engineering) I will never be able to match the Asp Exp in range and jump distance. I would hope to be slightly better positioned for combat should it become necessary though (also playing PvE might mean I just get stronger NPC ships sent after me for flying a Python?).

Much depends on what you want to use it for, but I'd suggest working on ranking up with Engineers and modding your FSD, Thrusters and Shields on the Asp before moving up. 80 Mil is a bit low to have stepping into a Python, You can do it, but even in PvE it's a bit more dangerous than in the past and you'll be up against a stiffer re-buy.

Once you get into modding, your perspective changes and your risk go down.

I have a few Python configurations and one involves using 5A Thrusters that are modded to level 5. I use those on both my Asp and my Python. When used on the Python in a Trading configuration, it performs surprisingly well and allows for greater jump range.

There's just so much more you can do once you get access to Engineers and an Asp is a great ship for building your rep to access higher levels.

If you have a specific use case in mind I'll be happy to share some of the builds I use.

 

[Ceekay]

Here's a slightly modified version of mine (cheaper power plant) but I agree with GJ51 in it's unengineered state there'd be a fair bit of risk involved using it in the current game, with higher level mods it becomes significantly faster with much better shields and a tougher hull.

https://coriolis.io/outfit/python/0...429272f24.Iw18eQ==.IwBj4yvYg===?bn=Python ERC

One thing to remember is if it carrying a full load of cargo (around 200T) the speed and agility are noticeably reduced.

Another ship worth considering is the Federal Drop Ship with some engineering it becomes a rather good all rounder at a much lower cost than the Python

https://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_...0403292f24.Iw18aQ==.IwBj4ypYg===?bn=FDS CT 6D

 

[karl napf der abwaschbare]

If you have a specific use case in mind I'll be happy to share some of the builds I use.

I'm playing very opportunistic at the moment: Running missions from a station until things dry up and then move on to find the next one. Generally just having a ball flying around and making some money on the side. Doing legal, non-combat missions such as transport of data/cargo/passengers, salvage operations, surface scan etc. Also doing CGs in the bubble as they seem to pay well and are compatible with doing missions on the side.

Tried various other things such as trading, or fighting, but wasn't really my thing (trading just wasn't my thing, fighting too hard and expensive to be worthwhile). I doubt I'll get into engineers. I tried it a bit and engineered a few parts, but can't really see myself spending a lot of time hunting down particular, required items. If I happen to come across the right ingredients I'll pay a visit to the engineers, but not the other way round.

 

[karl napf der abwaschbare]

Here's a slightly modified version of mine (cheaper power plant) but I agree with GJ51 in it's unengineered state there'd be a fair bit of risk involved using it in the current game, with higher level mods it becomes significantly faster with much better shields and a tougher hull.

https://coriolis.io/outfit/python/0...429272f24.Iw18eQ==.IwBj4yvYg===?bn=Python ERC

One thing to remember is if it carrying a full load of cargo (around 200T) the speed and agility are noticeably reduced.

Another ship worth considering is the Federal Drop Ship with some engineering it becomes a rather good all rounder at a much lower cost than the Python

https://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_...0403292f24.Iw18aQ==.IwBj4ypYg===?bn=FDS CT 6D

Thanks, much appreciated. Would that Python load-out be holding itself in PvE combat similarly well as an A-rated Asp Exp? Bit of a petty that engineering seems to be a must have these days even in PvE since getting the right ingredients seems a bit of a chore.

I was looking at the Drop Ship (or the iClipper for that matter), but with my current play-style I'm likely to reach the money for an A-rated Python long before getting the necessary rank for the faction ships (currently sitting at recruit and serf). Would be nice to have a non-faction ship at that tier.

 

[goemon]

85 mio without discounts will buy you a functional trading python, which will turn like an Adder.

A step up would need ~115 mio cr without discounts - the python really wins from a class thrusters.

 

[mistohise]

With the python to asp move, you'll get a ship that has much more combat power, but somewhat less chance to bring that power to bare on a target.
The python with stock thrusters is a brick, and with a class thrusters it's a slightly more movable brick. But with just farseer engineering mods like l3 thrusters and l5 jump range alongside a class thrusters it's a complete beast in pve. The engineered thrusters make a world of difference.
I think I switched from asp to python at around 120m credits, but that was pre 2.2.
However, whether it's good enough for you or not might depend on what combat rank you are - higher rank means higher rank NPC interdictions - and how capable you are at knowing when to run away. At basic load out, you'll need to run away from some encounters, and the encounters you get in a python are more capable ships than you tend to see in the asp.

 

[JetsonRING]

I'm currently flying an Asp Explorer with A rated modules for the things I care about (FSD, Thrusters, Shields, Power Dist, ...). No engineering worth mentioning.

I have been saving up a bit of money (about $80 million in cash, $10 - $15 million in stored modules, and not quite $30 million in other ships including the Asp) and started at looking at potential ways to step up. I'm playing PvE only and mostly doing all kinds of legal, non-combat missions. The Python seems an obvious choice, but I suspect in its basic form it's not a real step up from an A rated Asp Exp.

What would a minimal viable Python look like and cost that would be a clear step up from my Asp? Obviously it would automatically come with more internal space. I also assume, no matter what I do (apart from engineering) I will never be able to match the Asp Exp in range and jump distance. I would hope to be slightly better positioned for combat should it become necessary though (also playing PvE might mean I just get stronger NPC ships sent after me for flying a Python?).

Thing about going from an Asp-X to a Python is, enduring the abysmal jump range of the stock Python. Once you get numb to that, just do what you did with the Asp-X and your cargo cap should about double, maybe a bit less than double depending.

 

[karl napf der abwaschbare]

Thanks everybody for your advice. I came into $30Mio extra cash through some luck in the last round of CGs and a passenger mission on the very thin end of the bell curve (> $3Mio for a ~300ly sightseeing round-trip for an unwanted, non-secretive VIP). So I went ahead and bought this:

My new Python (Empty slots depending on what I'm doing at the time)

With 15% discount I could afford this with a bit more than 3 buy-backs left in the bank.

First Impression: Very happy. Jump range was a pain, but by coincidence I had the right materials for a grade 4 FSD range upgrade. Didn't have the best of luck with RNG, but the range is bearable now (integrity however is another story - I had to implement a strict no-sneezing policy for passengers). Didn't have a reason/opportunity to do battle yet, so still have to see how it will hold up.