Vulture vs Fer-Der-Lance; Is it just me, or is the FDL weird?

Shaamaan

Shaamaan
I've used the Vulture for a while for PvE - both bounty hunting at res points as well as conflict zones.

Now the Vulture, while not easy to build due to power constraints is pretty straightforward to pilot. Forward speed is somewhat decreased, but it's turn rate and maneuverability is superb. Its two C3 hardpoints are well placed and pack a serious punch.

Now I got myself a Fer-Der-Lance yesterday. Far more expensive and it seems... strange. It's a bit easier to build (slightly less power restrictive), with better top speed and superior shields.

But, the hardpoints! The 4 C2 feel like they're doing less damage than the 2 C3s on the Vulture - I think it's because rarely do you get to fire all 4 on one target. Sure, the FDL also has a huge C4 (preferably for a cannon), but it's... Placed on the bottom! This makes it incredibly difficult to aim and hit, as I'm shooting blind 90% of the time.

The most surprising thing about the FDL is this - the shields are far stronger than on the Vulture, and I even had slots to put in some shield cell banks (usable only when weapons are retracted, but it works)... but despite this I seem to have my shields stripped faster than before! I don't feel threatened, because of the fast top speed, but it's really weird that I even have to use those shield cells!

At this point I don't know if it's my build, my piloting skills, or both.

Any tips regarding the FDL (build, strategies) would be welcome.
 
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CMDR Kolibri

CMDR Kolibri
My tip is: sell it, get both a Vulture and a Python. Best of both worlds - problem solved. ;)
FDL is (mostly) for PvP only.
 
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Raf von Thorn

Raf von Thorn
Now FDL is much better than a Vulture, both in PvE and PvP.

As for PvP, im not a greatest FDL pilot in the universe (well, I can stand my ground), but so far I killed EVERY player Vulture with ease. Well, Vulture is an "easy mode" ship, as FDL forces you to develop your skills and tactics. If you dont find a proper way to use the mighty C4 slot, or cant be bothered to use FA OFF tricks, you will suck in FDL.

As for PvE... FDL kills anything, escpecially big targets, much faster than Vulture:

[video=youtube;dBGplNaIXK4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBGplNaIXK4[/video]
 

Troa Barton

Troa Barton
The FDL has character flaws, but that's what makes it better than the perfect vulture.
The vulture is the better ship, the FDL is the better experience.
yes those C2 weapons do less damage mostly because of the damage modifier reduction.
yes you do technically have better shields but you aren't going to get shot in a vulture since most weapons fire forward..
but the FDL takes a degree of skill, tight weapon convergence and a pension for FA off in tight circles, a shot glass for a fuel tank, and that rediculous bar directly in front of your face. But it has that rasp and fierce aggressive stance that can dictate a fight beginning or ending at you command.
the FDL for me took the longest time to figure out how to pilot, you just have to think of it like a python that goes like a cobra. And it does fly like a cobra, more to the tune of a jouster than a bar brawler. A civilized weapon for a more civilized age.
 
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Dominico

D
EUS said:
I can't find a screenshot of the cockpit and the infamous bar, any owner care to toss one up?
Click to expand...

Its in the video he posted. Its not bad.

Also the lost above yours makes no sense, where he sayss the vulture is perfect, yet the fdl is not and takes skilll. Yet you can dictate any fight in the fdl....

Whut? Fdl is the better ship, if you get beaten by a vulture in an fdl you are just terribad. There is no contest. However the vulture is cheap and gives a skilled pilot a chance to make bigger ships with bad pilots run with their tails between their legs. (Even a viper can do that.)
 

Poseidal

Poseidal
EUS said:
I can't find a screenshot of the cockpit and the infamous bar, any owner care to toss one up?
Click to expand...

Here:

Screenshot_0393.jpg
 

Zephyriel

Zephyriel
Man I hope one day FD find it in their heart to "fix" the FdL's cockpit... the pilot really needs to be centered in that ship, or at least make the bar in a way that doesn't come in the way like it does now...
 
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ColdFish

ColdFish
Troa Barton said:
The FDL has character flaws, but that's what makes it better than the perfect vulture.
The vulture is the better ship, the FDL is the better experience.
yes those C2 weapons do less damage mostly because of the damage modifier reduction.
yes you do technically had better shields but you aren't going to get shot in a vulture since most weapons fire forward..
but the FDL takes a degree of skill, tight weapon convergence and a pension for FA off in tight circles, a small fuel tank, a shot glass for a fuel tank, and that rediculous bar directly in front of your face. But it has that rasp and fierce aggressive stance that can dictate a fight beginning or ending at you command.
the FDL for me took the longest time to figure out how to pilot, you just have to think of it like a python that goes like a cobra. And it does fly like a cobra, more to the tune of a jouster than a bar brawler. A civilized weapon for a more civilized age.
Click to expand...

Very apt description!
Covers pretty much my experience with the FDL up until now. Given, I only bought it 2 hours ago and didn't take it to a REZ yet, but the performance in a CZ reminded me a lot more of my Python (which I left in Jameson) than of a Vulture (which I flew for a short time during Lugh), Viper or similar nimble craft. I do find that quite hilarious though, as I initially picked up the FDL since I was getting a bit tired of the Python...

Let's see how long it takes for me to come to proper terms with her.
I have to say though, the engine sound and massive boost speed did sell me almost immediately. It's such a fun craft to fly. But it helps that I don't really mind the off-centre seat position and windshield bar.
 

marktay

marktay
Raf von Thorn said:
Now FDL is much better than a Vulture, both in PvE and PvP.

As for PvP, im not a greatest FDL pilot in the universe (well, I can stand my ground), but so far I killed EVERY player Vulture with ease. Well, Vulture is an "easy mode" ship, as FDL forces you to develop your skills and tactics. If you dont find a proper way to use the mighty C4 slot, or cant be bothered to use FA OFF tricks, you will suck in FDL.

As for PvE... FDL kills anything, escpecially big targets, much faster than Vulture:
Click to expand...

+ Rep to Cmdr von Thorn - a perfect description of the virtues of the FDL.
The OP mentioned a cannon in the C4 slot and the fact it is on the bottom - I don't bother with it for anything smaller than a Dropship. For the big stuff I just target the power plant, get in close, tip the nose and boom. 2 will kill a Dropship, 3 a Python and 3 or 4 for an Anaconda. I have an A rated Python and a tricked-out Vulture but they are gathering dust since I got the FDL.
 

aRtFuL

A
IMO it feels weird probably because it has no c3 hardpoints and there is no lasers or other variety of weapons available for c4 hardpoints. So it takes longer to kill your opp, thus your shield feels weaker.

I think once they introduce c4 laser or something all that will change.
 

Ahriakin

A
Not a lot to add really, I also found the FDL to be the ship I had the longest learning curve with. It flies quite differently to the other combat specific ships, pretty much it's Lateral+vertical thrusters, boost and FA-Off in various sequences. You just don't have the pitch speed to use a vanilla turning arc effectively.

As for hitting power while the C2s do suffer against larger targets they are fine on their own for anything medium and lower, also the (A6) power-regulator is just so big when it comes to larger targets you can fire until even an Annaconda's A shield will fall. Then you go to work with that nice big sniper rifle hugging the bottom of your ship. When you can take out the Power-Plant of the largest ship in the game in ~10 seconds you really learn to appreciate it, though yes it takes work to learn to use it well. All the while the godlike shields mean you can take every single punch it's throwing at you while you line up your shots, you control the battle.

TL;DR
It's a great ship if you put in the time to learn it's idiosyncrasies. That's something I love about it, it takes a bit more skill (and initially patience ;) ) to get the most out of it than anything I've flown before.
 
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CMDR RAY-ZOR'SHARP

CMDR RAY-ZOR'SHARP
Been using a Vulture for a few weeks, but I thought I would give an FDL a try, upgraded it, took it out for a spin and honestly hated every moment in it, a waste of an hour and 5 mil cr, but everything is worth a try,I just love the Vee.
 

Synther

S
It's worth noting that if you want similar DPS with 4 C2 hardpoints vs 2 Large Pulse Lasers, having 2 beams up top and 2 pulse on the sides really help. You'll get the Vulture like dps with the added cannon below once you learn to use it.

That being said, the flight style is very different. I can't wait to use the Plasma Accelerator.
 
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obliterator

O
If you fly a FDL the same way you would fly a vulture, you're basically trying to use katana techniques with a sledgehammer. Ain't gonna work.
 

OxKing

OxKing
I like the cockpit.
Because it has a unique character this way.
Like a classic car has over a new one with just streamlined minimalistic plastic fff design inside.
Having all thing centered and balanced is a thing for the masses. True ship lovers enjoy a more unique design. :p
(Its a ship for CEOs and people with money. The equivalent in our time is a Rolls Royce. They are no commonly beauty cars either, but are classy and exclusive. I think this is what the FDL should be. Or more of a Bentley. ;) )
 
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