Ships What ship is between the Asp and Python?

[CashewCraft]

I've been flying around in my bounty-hunting Asp for a good few weeks now, and I've accumulated quite a few credits (10m) but I'm still wayyyy off from the 57m needed for the python. So I was wandering, what ship is there to bridge the gap? The gap between 6,000,000 and 57,000,000 seems a bit much to be inhabited by empty space. So far the only to ships I've seen inhabit this boundary is the federal dropship (which I could get, if I wanted a ship that handled like a brick) and the orca (not as bad, but my asp is still a direct upgrade). So is that gaping price range just filled with mediocre ships or is there something I'm missing?

 

[newman1702]

Price-wise, the Imperial Clipper falls right between those two (a bit over 20 mil for stock, iirc). It's the Imperial counterpart to the Fed Dropship, though it's generally thought to be a more capable ship than said dropship. You need the imperial rank of Baron to get it, which is the imperial equivalent of the fed rank of Ensign, required for the Dropship.

Whether or not you should get the Clipper depends on what you intend to use it for, as far as I understand it's more of an all-rounder, so if you want a pure bounty hunter it may honestly be better to just kit out a Vulture for that. Certainly a lot cheaper..

Though personally I intend to eventually get the clipper, and I'll admit a large part of that is just it's looks

 

[CashewCraft]

I also considered getting the imperial clipper, but by the time I reach Barron in the imperial navy (considering that it took me the best part of a month to get to petty officer), I'll probably already have enough to by the damn python

 

[quickr]

You'll need much more than 57M to buy and equip python. Much more. And than there's an insurance issue.

My suggestion is, don't look at ships like some ladder you need to climb. Play the game, enjoy yourself, next big ship will come, eventually.

 

[CashewCraft]

Ok, I guess you're right . I guess I'm just eager to move on since I had my asp within a week of getting the game. I think I'll get fighting in RES until I get enough to buy a vulture and use that, it seems like more fun.

 

[Guidebot]

I was in my Asp for a looong time, for a number of reasons. Neither of the Clipper or Feddy Dropship were for me, I loved the Asp. That pretty much left the Python as my next ship.

Here's my advice, if you're set on the Python: Wait until there's a decent discount on the Python, either via a CG or something else. Save up at least 90Mcr (my usual rule of thumb is twice the price of the ship to allow for rudimentary outfitting, but I found the Python quite flyable with just 25Mcr or so spent). Then make the jump. And take those first few days easy son; I've never lost a Python but damn, I know I'd feel sad if I did. That insurance is quite a lot.

In the meantime; Enjoy the Asp! It's a great ship and you'll always miss it when you move on.

Finally, give the Clipper a proper look. If you're hellbent on moving up, it's a great ship that will teach you a lot. I wish I'd considered it properly before now.

 

[quickr]

That's the spirit. I was rushing too when i started the game. Wanted to move from viper as soon as possible to next big ship. Made it to vulture. Now I have enough credits to move on, to a clipper or FDL but i'm flying in a courier. In a cheaper ship and Only 'cos it's fun.

I no longer look at ships as a game's goal. They are just means for me to enjoy the game. If I'll enjoy a game in eagle than i'll fly in eagle. Simple as that.

 

[Cmdr Bernard]

I'd also recommend the Imperial Clipper. It's a great ship and so far one of my favorites.
The ranks seem to go pretty quick, my wife started the game 4 weeks ago and is already Viscount in the Empire. From own experience, it felt more tedious.

However, as others have said, don't see the game as a ladder of climbing up to the next ship. This is not a MMO with "levels", where the next level is better in all areas than the previous level. The small and cheap ships outperform the big expensive ships in some areas. I still have my Asp and will never sell it, just because it's the damn best ship for long-range jobs (except the Diamondback Explorer, havn't tried that yet). Each ship has it's place, bigger and more expensive is not always better. The Python is not better than the Clipper in all areas, as the Clipper is not better than the Asp in all areas. In my eyes, that's what makes this game beautiful and well designed.
Some people just play the game to grind money and buy the next expensive ship. I firmly believe that type of gameplay makes you lose interest in the game quickly.

 

[Thoris]

I've been flying around in my bounty-hunting Asp for a good few weeks now, and I've accumulated quite a few credits (10m) but I'm still wayyyy off from the 57m needed for the python. So I was wandering, what ship is there to bridge the gap? The gap between 6,000,000 and 57,000,000 seems a bit much to be inhabited by empty space. So far the only to ships I've seen inhabit this boundary is the federal dropship (which I could get, if I wanted a ship that handled like a brick) and the orca (not as bad, but my asp is still a direct upgrade). So is that gaping price range just filled with mediocre ships or is there something I'm missing?

Have you actually tried the FDS? It is slow, true. And it loves to drift if you're careless. But it is also fairly agile, and turns quicker than a Python (I think its low maneuverability rating comes from its weak horizontal/vertical thrusters). And you can get it fully A-equipped at a price range where the Python just starts.