Elite: Dangerous PvE - Mobius

As some of you know, my main ship is a Federal Dropship (related thread) which ran me around 50M (I'm actually running with a 45M configuration). I'm now up to about 60M worth in trade value + cash. I'm planning on earning another 10M (hopefully 2-3M from the recent CG), and am now seriously considering getting what I call a my ...

[Config 67M] D-List Python

BTW, are the Li Yong-Rui 15% discounts still going on? If so, it would drop it to 58M, of which I'll need less, more like 62M (cost + enough for insurance).

The configuration is one huge compromise, but usable, starting with ...

D-rated components by default, for size and power

Frame Shift Drive (5C start) gives me a 15/11 range/loaded (160T)

Refinery (4B start) for 9 bins (can hold all metals from Delkar 7's inner ring), plus Collector (3E) as I actually prefer short-ranged, short-lived Limpets

Class 3 Gimballed Beam in the center, with Class 3 Turreted Pulse on the extremes for outside arcs, should protect well enough, plus a Class 2 Gimballed Multi-cannon for adding some armor shredding for safe measure

The idea is to use this to ...

Mine Delkar 7 and sell in the surrounding systems

Slowly upgrade, in order ... Power Plant (7D start) -> Thrusters (6D start) -> Frame Shift Drive (5C start) -> Shield Generator (6D start) -> Shield Bank (5D start), over several cycles

After upgrades, increasingly use for RES combat, possibly look at more Class 3 Beam or other weapons (especially with 2.1)

After fully A/B-spec upgraded ... upgrade to Advanced Scanner, use two (2) Class 6 Components (currently cargo, leaving 32T cargo) for Hanger (4x SRVs) and Fuel Scoop (<<1 min) and the replace the Class 3 Component (Collector Limpet) with an Auto-Field Maintenance, and do some short-range (<1,000ly) exploration, even though I'm limited to 20-22ly max (with 5A Frameshift Drive)

Thoughts?

For added suspense, fit your Python with cargo racks and look for missions that require you to haul stuff for longer distances. Places like Wu Guinagi offer those missions (and Robigo and Sothis etc). Some might require high ranks, some don't, and pay really well (1M per mission for example - the payout is of course determined by your rankings).

You can try a build like this >> http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/07D6D5 ... gglingthon
Which is a bit of a compromise - I recommend A class thrusters and distributor for speed and efficiency, but that should work.

Look for missions that don't fail on scanning. Anarchy factions give out juicy missions, especially outside the bubble - some missions also inside the bubble, if they are the governing power in the system (and it's also random chance to find those missions elsewhere). They might not be this hot anymore, but still lucrative http://i.imgur.com/LRaqFOu.png

I think the discounts still apply. If not I've been wasting a lot of light years!

Yes, the Li Yong-Rui 15% discounts on ships and modules is still valid.

I recommend using Inara to search. Plug in the ship and all of the more expensive modules, search "discount only" and see which Li Yong-Rui is closest to you that has everthing that you need. I *love* one-stop-shopping at a discount!

Bonsaipanda wrote:For added suspense, fit your Python with cargo racks and look for missions that require you to haul stuff for longer distances. Places like Wu Guinagi offer those missions (and Robigo and Sothis etc). Some might require high ranks, some don't, and pay really well (1M per mission for example - the payout is of course determined by your rankings).

I was going to go with 160T (64+64+32), and then reconfigure with 32T (reusing 2x Class 6) as desired. I might flirt with 192T or more too.

Bonsaipanda wrote: Look for missions that don't fail on scanning. Anarchy factions give out juicy missions, especially outside the bubble - some missions also inside the bubble, if they are the governing power in the system (and it's also random chance to find those missions elsewhere). They might not be this hot anymore, but still lucrative http://i.imgur.com/LRaqFOu.png

I haven't run into any of those missions yet. I'll check outside the bubble. I just like the idea of having one ship so I'm not running back to change or trying to find modules buying a new one for another role.

JohnLuke wrote:Yes, the Li Yong-Rui 15% discounts on ships and modules is still valid.
I recommend using Inara to search. Plug in the ship and all of the more expensive modules, search "discount only" and see which Li Yong-Rui is closest to you that has everthing that you need. I *love* one-stop-shopping at a discount!

Much appreciated tip. I need to get more familiar with Inara and the tools out there. Sigh, if I only knew even just half of what I do now than when I first played. Seems like every time I play I find out something new.

thebs wrote: Much appreciated tip. I need to get more familiar with Inara and the tools out there. Sigh, if I only knew even just half of what I do now than when I first played. Seems like every time I play I find out something new.

I'm not sure that feeling ever goes away. I've been playing since Premium Beta and still keep coming across bits of information that make me go

As to Python build, just be careful how much you try and tackle until you have gone further down the upgrade path. In the past I've been surprised at the struggle I had at RES sites until I had some decent shields etc, having come from a Vulture for combat.

At the moment I have an explora-Conda and a kitted out Vulture. I've also got about 170 million in cash.
I've just decided to go from the Vulture to a Python so that I can have more flexibility on missions with greater storage and have that Swiss Army knife of a ship ready for whatever 2.1 brings. The build I'm looking at is about 120 million and that's without maxing out the power plant! So, you can see the sort of range in costs in order to get to the more 'complete' build.

thebs wrote: Seems like every time I play I find out something new.

heh, there's always something new - even for people who have played from since ED came online the first time.

de Carabas wrote:As to Python build, just be careful how much you try and tackle until you have gone further down the upgrade path. In the past I've been surprised at the struggle I had at RES sites until I had some decent shields etc, having come from a Vulture for combat.

I'm in a Federal Drop Ship (related thread) at the moment, so even D-list shielding for a Python is over double what I have with my A-spec shielding on Mr. Full Retard.

I've had an A-spec Vulture before, and even a "mining Vulture" that could hold its own in any RES -- short of a wing that had a Python or Anaconda for that matter. But having only 32 cargo in the mining Vulture configuration was always an issue, whereas 96 cargo in the FDS works better, while the armor toughness let's me escape.

So even a D-list Python now means my shields can last longer, and I no longer have to run in several situations.

de Carabas wrote:At the moment I have an explora-Conda and a kitted out Vulture. I've also got about 170 million in cash.
I've just decided to go from the Vulture to a Python so that I can have more flexibility on missions with greater storage and have that Swiss Army knife of a ship ready for whatever 2.1 brings. The build I'm looking at is about 120 million and that's without maxing out the power plant! So, you can see the sort of range in costs in order to get to the more 'complete' build.

I've actually had a lot of fun with the FDS, the challenge, the drift (which I've gotten quite used to), but it's time to move on. Once I put together a D-list spec Python, I quickly realized it's better than an A-spec FDS in most cases.

Hence the question.

I think it sounds like a good idea.
I would perhaps consider two burst lasers in the top large slots and a pulse laser in the bottom.

It runs less energy out of your weapons and less heat. But still enough punch to eat most npc ships.

No considerably cheaper than a gimballed large beam.

TorTorden wrote:I think it sounds like a good idea
I would perhaps consider two burst lasers in the top large slots

I think that's what I did, (2) 3E/T Burst Laser
Having not own a Python yet, I'm not familiar with the layout and arcs of fire for the hardpoints. But I like having Turreted Lasers on the spread (or side) hardpoints, with at least one (1) often picking up an enemy in firing range and a decent arc. I figure the Python has the Power Plant to keep at least one (1), if not both (2), Class 3 Burst Lasers going. Beam might be another story, hence why I went with Pulse for the Turrets.

TorTorden wrote:and a pulse laser in the bottom.

Ever since I put a 3C/G Beam Laser in the woefully under-powered (even with an A-spec Power Plant) Vulture, I've loved having one (1). I always Gimbal it, so I control it, and I fire when it has the most effect, especially for taking down shields. Hence why I'm thinking 2x Burst Turret (spread mounts, firing when they can) + 1x Beam Gimbal (center mounts, firing only when I tell it), when it comes to the Class 3 hardpoints.

TorTorden wrote:It runs less energy out of your weapons and less heat. But still enough punch to eat most npc ships. No considerably cheaper than a gimballed large beam.

I don't mind paying 2M for a solid hitter in a Gimbal. For taking down shields, I just always want one (1) 3C/G Beam Laser. I can also use it for targeting the Power Plant, along with the Multi-Cannon, one the shields are down too.