Python sucks for combat.

[Samoth]

I'm not saying he's pathetic. I'm saying he needs to take a step back and evaluate why his tactics aren't working instead of blaming the game.

The very same thing happened to me when I first got my Python. I got interdicted by two Eagles and an Elite Diamondback Scout with a plasma accelerator, and that Scout burned me down to 65% hull in a turning fight before I was finally able to kill them all. I was incredulous, just as he was. But I took a breath, thought for a second about what I did wrong, researched what I would need to be more agile, and corrected it. I was in a D-rated Python at the time.

Charlie, I'm not saying you're terrible or you suck, I'm just trying to help you realize that this game is a lot easier than you may think in PvE, and you don't need A-rated stuff to do what you want to do. PvP is a different story. Just because you can sit in the cockpit doesn't mean you can effectively fly the ship in combat. Study it a bit and you'll get there. Don't be afraid, they're only NPCs. Like I said, it's better to skimp on the defenses and have good thrusters for the Python in the beginning. You just need to find that balance.

[Samoth]

And by the way, while the Python may be a tank, you don't have to treat it like a sitting duck and just soak up damage while the enemies come to you. I fight just as close with my Python as I did with my Vulture. I'm never outside 1 km when I'm firing, and I'm even using gimballed weapons because I'm lazy. I kill every ship smaller than a Cobra in one turn, in the turn at close range.

My insurance on my Python is 3.9 million credits, so you know it's not very highly-rated. I'm telling you, the Python will do much more than you think.

[Rodgeirr]

Feel free to take my post with a grain of salt. It's all just my opinion.

I went from Sidewinder to Cobra, To type 6,7 straight into a Python. We'll ignore the later ships for now.

Each of the ships are different in their own way. They have their strengths and their weaknesses. What you need to do is figure out how to incorporate how the Python handles into your current playstyle. I personally found the Python to be a little sluggish. But, if you are proactive, you can use turn the pythons sluggishness into an advantage. Start your maneuvers sooner. Plan ahead. That's the key to piloting a Python (and some of the heavier ships as well.)

If you came from a ship that is snappy and quick to respond you will have a hard time in a Python. You can't expect it to whip around the second you need it to. Granted the last time I played in a Python was just after it was nerfed for the first time...

If you need any tips, there are plenty of people that will be willing to help any way they can, as some have already done by posting loadouts on Coriolis. Maybe you should wing up with someone. I'm sure there are folks around that mine full time, and having two people mining at the same time could be a big help.

[Samoth]

I'd like to re-iterate just how badass the FAS is. In my Python I kill Anacondas without losing my shields, but I nearly lose my shields every time (and sometimes lose them completely) I square off against an FAS. They're not A-rated shields, but still...

The only difference the Python has over the FAS' firepower is it has one more large weapon. That makes a difference, but not that much of a difference when the FAS is much faster and more agile than the Python. The FAS has two large and two medium weapons while the Python has 3 large and 2 mediums. The FAS is a monster ship.

[Cmdr Kharma]

FAS's don't seem to be a problem for me in my Asp.......Gunships on the other hand are a complete pain.....

Oh and a good point you made...Which a lot of people seem to forget, is learn to fly what you are in......Spend some time with it....Get to know it...What it can and cannot do...How fast it pitches/rolls/yaws etc.......What impact the thrusters have....With FA on and FA off....

I have been in my Asp forever.....Got to it and just stopped because I love it......I know it inside out....

[Unserene]

Just to contribute to this conversation.
Yes, like John Luke said after flying the Vulture, the Python is a brick. And I almost sold it.
However, I persevered. Those of us who regularly use and beat almost all in our Pythons, are also making sure that we're in a good position (e.g behind our target) before we fire a shot. The only advice I can give you is when using FA off, don't just rely on your stick. Use your manoeuvring thrusters as well. For instance when doing a hard pull-up, I'm using FA off and using my manoeuvring thrusters in the opposite direction to try and "slingshot" around my own centre of gravity. Takes some practise but can also be used on other larger ships, such as the FDL. I certainly rarely use boost in a fight.
That said, the Fed Assault ships and Gunships tend to give me the most trouble.

Don't give up on it, it's a great ship once you put the time (and money) into it.



*This post is brought to you condescension free. If you feel condescended to, then this is purely unintentional and any and all similarities to other condescending posts (whether they are or not) is purely coincidental*

[Cmdr Kharma]

don't just rely on your stick. Use your manoeuvring thrusters as well. For instance when doing a hard pull-up, I'm using FA off and using my manoeuvring thrusters in the opposite direction to try and "slingshot" around my own centre of gravity.

Exactly the same tactic I use......With FA on most of the time though as Asp not that big......

In combat my thrusters are seldom off for long.....

I sorta slide nose up and close in under big ships......

Seems to work for me....

[Krow]

I think you should rename your thread to "Python sucks for Mining".

Because my Python is a premium Combat ship.. I'm yet to find anything that rivals it for prowess and sheer devastation.
You ask how it defends itself?
By melting anything that get's in it's way.. it's an attack ship, and a very beastly one at that.

For me it's definitely the bad boy on the block.

While I'm sure this is not helping your frustration, I assure you, it's not the Pythons combat ability that is at fault. Maybe it just sucks as a mining vessel. Spend some time and money on it and it will reward you handsomely.

I suggest x3 Large beam lasers, x2 Med Pulse (all gimbled) - Focus the rest of your Power set up into shields.
Then hit a low intensity RES and practice on some smaller ship (e.g. Eagles, Haulers) - It's quick way to earn money and kit that ship out properly.
Good Luck Commander

[Hrdina]

I recently bought my first Python, and like a number of others here I had previously been in a Vulture.

After the Vulture, the Python's turn rate (particularly the pitch rate) was a bit of a surprise the first couple of times I had it in combat. I think I still had D-Rated thrusters at the time due to money, but the ship was definitely good enough to take into a Haz-RES after a little practice.

I'll second the mentions of flying backwards and using thrusters. I have CH Products gear, which really makes those two things easy. In particular, the CH throttle has a little thumb stick that I use for lateral thrusters. That's really convenient for adjusting thrust without having to take my hands off either the stick or the throttle.