Ships Imp Clipper handling v. FDL

PhoenicianSon

PhoenicianSon
I have a A class build FDL, and now that the Empire has released the Clipper to Ranked PP participants, I was considering purchasing the Clipper, and I have more than enough money to make up the difference in the investment to purchase the necessary modules for an A-class Clipper. I currently fly the Courier as well, but I don't really think the comparison is linear irrespective of the shared name with its larger brother. However, I don't feel the need to have the Clipper and the FDL, feels a bit redundant. I could sell off the parts from the FDL, buy the Clipper, and equip most of the A parts into the Clipper, but for a few that require searching the stars for the additional components.

I did notice that the Clipper had a very low Manuerverability Rating of 2 (and I know I spelled it wrong compared to the game's spelling of the word - I just cannot recall the spelling), and before I spend the time and money I thought I would inquire about the Clipper from everyone who has tried both ships. I am very proficient at PvE, but with such a huge disparity in the way the two ships handled, I am a bit apprehensive over the purchase of the Clipper.

Anyone out there tried both ships, for a good period of time, especially in bounty hunting in RES and could attest to the differences in the handling between these two ships so I am better informed? Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 

DnAuK

D
PhoenicianSon said:
I have a A class build FDL, and now that the Empire has released the Clipper to Ranked PP participants, I was considering purchasing the Clipper, and I have more than enough money to make up the difference in the investment to purchase the necessary modules for an A-class Clipper. I currently fly the Courier as well, but I don't really think the comparison is linear irrespective of the shared name with its larger brother. However, I don't feel the need to have the Clipper and the FDL, feels a bit redundant. I could sell off the parts from the FDL, buy the Clipper, and equip most of the A parts into the Clipper, but for a few that require searching the stars for the additional components.

I did notice that the Clipper had a very low Manuerverability Rating of 2 (and I know I spelled it wrong compared to the game's spelling of the word - I just cannot recall the spelling), and before I spend the time and money I thought I would inquire about the Clipper from everyone who has tried both ships. I am very proficient at PvE, but with such a huge disparity in the way the two ships handled, I am a bit apprehensive over the purchase of the Clipper.

Anyone out there tried both ships, for a good period of time, especially in bounty hunting in RES and could attest to the differences in the handling between these two ships so I am better informed? Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Had a Clipper on the way to an FDL and couldn't go back. It's a HUGE ship - read easy to hit. And it's shields are pretty pants at the side of the FDL - even if you go for the REALLY BLEEDING EXPENSIVE A7 variety. And, to be honest, if you can afford that you can afford to kit out a Python with lots of nice things and STILL have more cargo space than the Clipper. And still be able to dock at outposts...

It is pretty tho. I actually considered one as well as the FDL for cargo missions. But in the end put the money back into a Python.
 

skiboot

skiboot
I believe the maneuverability rating of 2 given to the Clipper is misleading (a bug?)

I own both ships (both A fitted) and the Clipper is much more responsive than the FDL. The FDL has better hardpoint placement, but 4 x medium and 1 x huge (that is difficult to use) does not feel better than 2 x large (gimballed) and 2 x medium on the Clipper. The Clipper is faster and has ample power for Shield Cells, while the FDL suffers from a lack of power and poor shield cell capability. The FDL does have stronger shields, but if you take into account the Clipper's ability to recharge using shield cells then it's close.

Personally I would take the Clipper every time - it's a much more versatile ship in my opinion.
 

Richard Bentley

Richard Bentley
In terms of manoeuvrability the Clipper is surprisingly good as it is only meant to be a 2, whereas the Fer De Lance seems sluggish for a 6.

The ships are very different though. The Clipper is a good armed trader. The Fer De Lance is for toe-to-toe combat.
In terms of outfitting, I wouldn't worry about going A-grade for the Clipper. A-grade modules (especially when you're looking a Class 5, 6 or above) are very expensive and I only find them necessary where performance is an issue. In my Clipper I only have an A-grade FSD. C-grade power plant is fine and everything else is D-grade to keep weight, power and cost down. It works absolutely fine like this. I use a 4A Prismatic Shield generator to give it a bit more protection, but the Clipper will never have a fantastic shield strength, so I didn't compromise its cargo carrying capability. Mine has 200t of cargo space as a result. A fuel scoop, docking computer and small shield cell bank for emergencies, makes it very versatile, and capable of handling longer and risky trade runs.
 
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CMDR Malkov

C
skiboot said:
I believe the maneuverability rating of 2 given to the Clipper is misleading (a bug?)
Click to expand...

AFAIK it's not a bug. People get fooled by these numbers as they don't refer to the simple pitch speed so much as the lateral and vertical thrusters.
The FDL comes into it's own when you use these in conjunction with FA off, whereas they are truly awful on the Clipper.
 

Zap T. Rowsdower

Zap T. Rowsdower
CMDR Malkov said:
AFAIK it's not a bug. People get fooled by these numbers as they don't refer to the simple pitch speed so much as the lateral and vertical thrusters.
The FDL comes into it's own when you use these in conjunction with FA off, whereas they are truly awful on the Clipper.
Click to expand...
Yeah even with FA off the clipper flies like a brick, high pitch rotation speed, poor yaw capability and weak vertical-lateral thrusters. It's a super fast brick of death that will ram your shield to nothing then kill you up close but still a brick. And there is nothing bad about that, you just need to know what you are going to fly: a space bull that only a few can outrun.
 
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Nerdicus

Nerdicus
The Clipper is the F-4 Phantom of the ED world, it has tremendous versatility, gets there quickly and is tough as nails, but don't dogfight with it. For the latter, I prefer the Vulture to the FDL.
 

PhoenicianSon

PhoenicianSon
I apologize for my delay in responding to thank all of you for your input. Unfortunately, while working, I just don't have the time for leisure, even if that is the simple check of the responses to a post I made such as this one.

Clearly, there is a bit of a preference behind the choices between these two ships. After all of your input, I guess I will buy the Clipper on top of the FDL, I have a pretty solid build I want to work with to see how it performs. If I like it, I will 86 the FDL, but it appears that since my primary function in the game is dogfighting that the FDL may be the best choice based on your collective input.

It is pleasing to hear that the consensus for the most part is that the Clipper has better handling than the 2 rating that the stats afford the Clipper. Here is my proposed build for combat and small trades for PP:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_...58586b2o.Iw18aQ==.IwBhrSuzSA==?bn=Clipper v01

input always welcome!
 

Poseidal

Poseidal
Ironically, the Clipper is one of the ships that has the easiest times keeping a fixed weapon on target, especially for its size.
 
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