Elite: Dangerous PvE - Mobius

I’m grinding along to my next ship and would like to hear what people think about the two I am most interested in. On paper the Python looks hands-down better though ugly as sin. Thing is, though the stats show it as having better maneuverability than the clipper (by a fair margin) from a lot of YouTube videos I watched the Clipper seems to turn a good deal faster. Maneuverability is a major selling point for me. What are people’s experiences regarding these two ships?

I have both and like you was stuck, but my first purchase was the clipper because well it looks so good.

As a trader it is good, as a PvE combat machine it is good. Although I felt the shields were very weak and would often get into fights that I would have to withdraw from because I took on more than I could chew. Also a large pad so not very good for mission running.

I now have a Python as well, and I think overall this is a better combat machine. Although completely different. It is a tank more than a fast interceptor. Stronger shields, better weapons and weapon placement. But no where near as fast or turns anything like a Clipper. Fair to average jump range but better fuel can go anywhere and lands on medium pads.

You will reach the Clipper first as it is only 22mil where as the Python is something like 50mil. So if you are using it as a trader there is no reason why you can't get one then upgrade to the other. That way you will have flown them both, which I really would recommend you do.

Regarding your manoeuvrability, the stats in game are wrong, the Clipper is way more agile than the Python. But unfortunately it has weak thrusters giving it a lot of slide in a turn. I found this out by being given the first docking pad in a station and basically pointing my nose down at it and still sliding well past it vertically due to the momentum I had. Once you are used to it, it is not an issue.

I love my Clipper and will never sell her, but as my daily run around I use the Python currently. Fitted with a bit of cargo, shield cell banks, SRV. Can do everything with it. I am taking the Clipper exploring....going to do it in style with the best view of any ship cockpit.

For me the key distinguishing factor was that the Python can dock on a medium pad (i.e. outposts) and yet has more firepower and larger carrying capacity.
I love the look of the Clipper though.

It's a little unfair to compare the too but most often do, but as always it boils down to what you want to do.

They are very different ships, especially in combat.
The main drawbacks of the clipper is its weak shields at least when comparing the modules, it can use a class 7 shield generator but gets less than half the shield strength than the anaconda or better still the corvette that both uses a class 7 module, a bit disappointing since the regular A rated generator costs 51 mil and gives you less shields than a vulture, at the same time presenting a much much bigger target to whomever is shooting you.

As for manoeuvrability, yes it turns a bit quicker but if you flip around during combat you will be going backwards, so you will find yourself drifting a lot more in the clipper (it is a bigger ship. Suprise)

In res site's. . Well I don't see ANY reason to use a clipper over a vulture.
The vulture has more shields, seriously and it will evade most incoming fire.
The clipper will not, it's a giant white target almost at the size of an anaconda, and no amount of chaffing will really help that.

So the clipper will be like a graceful figure scatter sure, but you are not in an open space you got asteroids to contend with and you will hit them OFTEN and since you are so big. And the shields so thin.
Well you get the idea.

Pythons main caveat is its cost it will easily cost twice of a clipper but it is the do anything ship. And in combat there are things I can do, like engaging wings of three that you can do in the python but if I was in a clipper I wouldn't attempt.
The python can land at outposts and this is a much bigger deal than you might think, at least for running missions and carry more cargo.

So while the clipper is a neat looking figure skater and that certainly has it's uses (some use it for great success as a smugler, it's very very fast for a large ship) the Python is the brawler, takes twice the pounding and gives even more, and as you move from smaller craft to larger, especially those requiring large pads, manoeuvrability becomes lesss and less important, no matter what the smaller ships will be quicker and you are an easier target so shields and hull strength is what makes you stay alive.

AJStoner wrote: On paper the Python looks hands-down better though ugly as sin.

Have to disagree here. I consider 'Monty, of Course' to be WAY better looking than most ships, especially any F*S variant. Yes the Empire ships have an attractive aesthetic, but only in a pampered, luxury-over-practicality kinda way.

BTW Clippers are my absolute favourite targets in PvE, in terms of reward over difficulty to kill

Very subjective, I went for the Clipper.
Cobra-Asp-Clipper-Python-Clipper-Annaconda
The python while it has better shields, cargo and weapon mounts was just too slow both for trading. I found the extra time at each end outweighed the extra cargo capacity, and was irritating.
I also am fussy about cockpit views, which is another reason I dont enjoy flying the FDL and Python, DBE/DBS
Most of my exploring was in a Cobra, Trading in the Asp, Clipper, Python and Annie, and fighting in the Cobra and Clipper.
That said, Ive been running missions in the Asp. Best all rounder, even though it means agreeing with Kharma.

Edit: How could I forget the T9!

Cobra-Asp-Clipper-Python-T9-Clipper-Annaconda

Best forgotton really.

It comes down to money and your ability to juggle power pips. Cost wise the A rated Clipper sans life support and sensors is 74 mill while the Python is 124 mill in comparison.

Full pips in engines the Clipper is faster so it can run away, but when turning that just means that it travels a longer distance. This often gives the look and feel of turning more quickly, but in reality when in the top of the blue zone they both turn very well with A rated engines. But Static, what if I drop the throttle to the bottom of the blue zone in the clipper? Well that will make you turn tighter, but it is time consuming to slow the Clipper down before a turn because she likes to go fast.

The Python is going to have about 100 more MJ in shields, has the ability to have more armor, has a longer jump range, larger power distributor, and more powerful hardpoints, but some peripherals come with a premium cost. In particular military composite on the Clipper is 18 million compared to the Pythons whopping 46 million credit price tag. Equally, using the term loosly, equippedPythonandClipperare worlds apart in price meaning the re-buy is also vastly different.

TL;DR Don't settle for an under equipped Python when you can buy a well equipped Clipper.

I agree (almost) to everything that is said by the previous posters in this thread, mostly well balanced and true views.

But I choose the Clipper
It is very fast, incredibly sexy looking, and has good view from the cockpit.
The weaker shields are balanced by the better speed and turn rate.
It is more affordable.
The only drawback is the use of Large landing pads IMHO.

But regularly I am in doubt, should I change it for a Python because of the M-pad and better shields?
The relatively slowness really puts me off however.

And I also agree that the best all-rounder is the Asp, I keep one stored because of this and use it at times when needed.
And my favourite NPC-opponent is the FDL, easy to kill and big rewards.

LionOfNarnia wrote:

AJStoner wrote: On paper the Python looks hands-down better though ugly as sin.

Have to disagree here. I consider 'Monty, of Course' to be WAY better looking than most ships, especially any F*S variant. Yes the Empire ships have an attractive aesthetic, but only in a pampered, luxury-over-practicality kinda way.

BTW Clippers are my absolute favourite targets in PvE, in terms of reward over difficulty to kill

I have yet to fight an NPC Clipper and worry about anything. The AI that I have thus far is pretty pathetic for the Clipper. I've taken on, and easily killed them, in a Cobra, Viper III and IV, Vulture of course! They blow up really nice as well

I found the clipper was better for legging it if needed but overall the Python is the "all rounder" The Clipper needs a large pad, whilst the Python only a medium. Both sweet ships but if I had to take one or the other, it would be the Python.