FDL or FAS

[Sylar N7]

First off, let me apologize if this is a topic that has been belabored or tread over many times previously. However, in curious what the community thinks about these two heavyweights, especially in comparison to each other.

I have a FAS, currently worth about 70 million with everything on it. I love it's maneuverability, but I really love how much of a beating it can take...mine currently has something like 2,200 armor or something near it. I mainly use it for bounty hunting and have also gotten used to the odd weapon hardpoint placement. So basically, I'm a big fan.

Now obviously the FAS is also considerably cheaper than the FDL. However, if money were not an issue, here's my question to the community:

Why would I want a FDL over an FAS?

Basically, what makes it superior to the Assault Ship? What separates these two? There's a lot to love about the FAS, so I'm asking those who love the FDL to more or less sell me on it. I also don't like having too many ships at once, so the underlying hypothetical here is that I would only keep one

 

[DustyArne]

I prefer the FAS because i like hull tankers..

the FDL NEEDS its shields.

also, 2 large 2 medium hardpoints deals more damage then 4 mediums. (im not counting the HUGE because while it hit as a sledgehammer, its DPS sucks compared to 2 large hardpoints.)


Now with the new huge weapons coming in 1.6 this will change. A huge multicannon, and 4 medium bursts is really something im looking forward to.. But still, i do prefer hull tankers over shield tankers.


But then again, 2 large multi cannons and 2 medium rail, or beams, on the FAS in 1.6, is also lovely.

 

[Kenneth McGrew]

First off, let me apologize if this is a topic that has been belabored or tread over many times previously. However, in curious what the community thinks about these two heavyweights, especially in comparison to each other.

I have a FAS, currently worth about 70 million with everything on it. I love it's maneuverability, but I really love how much of a beating it can take...mine currently has something like 2,200 armor or something near it. I mainly use it for bounty hunting and have also gotten used to the odd weapon hardpoint placement. So basically, I'm a big fan.

Now obviously the FAS is also considerably cheaper than the FDL. However, if money were not an issue, here's my question to the community:

Why would I want a FDL over an FAS?

Basically, what makes it superior to the Assault Ship? What separates these two? There's a lot to love about the FAS, so I'm asking those who love the FDL to more or less sell me on it. I also don't like having too many ships at once, so the underlying hypothetical here is that I would only keep one

a HUGE plasma accelerator, no rank requirements, insane shields , although i didnt keep a FDL long term.. it lasted a day before i got back into a courier

 

[glimmerman]

Both ships have their pro,s and cons. The FAS was the first affordable BH ship for me, it made me a fortune in the res zones, it was quite formidable against most ships and you didnt have to worry if your shields failed. The FDL is a hot rod, its fast, agile, hardpoint placements arent fantastic in my opinion but its a dam fun ship. Both have lousy jump ranges but the FDL does have stronger shields, especially with boosters, and with a cell bank/heatsink can last a while in the zone.

While the FAS made a massive difference to my progression in the game, when i upgraded to the FDL i saw no further need for the FAS except to add it to my collection of shiny things.

 

[Hordriss]

I personally much prefer the FDL. I didn't like the FAS when I had it, although I am going to buy one again and see if my opinion on it has changed.

The FAS does have a much better jump range than the FDL though, so it is definitely better if you're going to travel around to find places to bounty hunt. And I will say I am in the minority when it comes to the FAS, most people love it.

 

[Divine Cerinian]

I personally much prefer the FDL. I didn't like the FAS when I had it, although I am going to buy one again and see if my opinion on it has changed.

The FAS does have a much better jump range than the FDL though, so it is definitely better if you're going to travel around to find places to bounty hunt. And I will say I am in the minority when it comes to the FAS, most people love it.

Don't feel bad, I don't dig it either that much. I prefer the styling, hardpoint placement, and flight characteristics of the ferdie myself. Helps that I'm pretty good with a huge plasma accelerator as well.

 

[UnhappyDev]

I find the FDL a high maintenance ship to fly - it seems to need more pip management and throttle adjustment than other ships to get it to manoeuvre (FA off is useful too). But that's what's great about it! If you can find the sweet spot with the FDL it is great fun and very deadly.

Also, don't underestimate the huge hard point - a C4 PA needs practise but does a lot of damage.

Is it a better ship than the FAS? I don't know

 

[Hordriss]

That was my main problem with the FDL. I struggled to hit with the huge PA, but that's down to me not the ship.

 

[UnhappyDev]

That was my main problem with the FDL. I struggled to hit with the huge PA, but that's down to me not the ship.

Yes, you really have to put in the hours with the PA But if you just put something like a C3 beam on the C4 hardpoint you're not really exploiting the potential of the ship - might as well get a FAS

 

[Hordriss]

Yes, you really have to put in the hours with the PA But if you just put something like a C3 beam on the C4 hardpoint you're not really exploiting the potential of the ship - might as well get a FAS

I am going to get the FAS again and give it a try. I do have enough now to fully kit it out and have a few rebuys so next time I'm on I'll probably go find one and start killing stuff.

That said, I am looking forward to the huge lasers which are coming. I'm thinking of possibly getting a huge beam and putting either railguns or multi-cannons on all four medium hardpoints on the FDL.

I realised the potential of the railgun yesterday when I got interdicted in my Asp by a NPC Vulture who stripped out my shields with one shot and had me down to 49% hull before I managed to high wake out.

 

[HBK]

The FAS is a shieldless turret which can take a ton of a beating while dishing out heavy damage non-stop.

The FDL is a heavily shielded hit&run fighter with a huge gun.

Different strokes for different folks.

Edit : PAC isn't the only option. Huge cannon (either fixed or gimballed depending on your play-style) also works wonders. Dem power plants puffs.

Edit 2 : Also for RES farming Shields > Hull. You can last way longer especially with a bi-weave. You'll only have to restock your main gun ammo (and SCBs is you use them, which you should in my opinion) every few hours.

 

[Hordriss]

I was thinking this loadout for the FAS. Seems like this would be good for killing stuff.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_a...e1e2727000404044a2d2b2t272f.Iw18cQ==.Aw18cQ==

 

[tafkabb]

I was thinking this loadout for the FAS. Seems like this would be good for killing stuff.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_a...e1e2727000404044a2d2b2t272f.Iw18cQ==.Aw18cQ==

Very similar to mine but I have 4 A0 boosters (no chaff) and 4 pulse.
With the A0s it shield tanks all day but when they drop you just carry on like nothing has happened.
The medium pulse are on a seperate fire group so while they're firing the large are recharging.
It can keep firing literally forever and I never have to reload anything. Hull repair is the only reason I have to dock.

 

[UnhappyDev]

Edit : PAC isn't the only option. Huge cannon (either fixed or gimballed depending on your play-style) also works wonders. Dem power plants puffs.

Yeah, I was surprised at how good a C4 gimballed cannon was for RES work. I had always thought that cannons were a bit underpowered

Also for RES farming Shields > Hull. You can last way longer especially with a bi-weave. You'll only have to restock your main gun ammo (and SCBs is you use them, which you should in my opinion) every few hours.

It looks like the FDL is getting a heat nerf in 1.6 so SCBs may need heat sinks

 

[Hordriss]

Very similar to mine but I have 4 A0 boosters (no chaff) and 4 pulse.
With the A0s it shield tanks all day but when they drop you just carry on like nothing has happened.
The medium pulse are on a seperate fire group so while they're firing the large are recharging.
It can keep firing literally forever and I never have to reload anything. Hull repair is the only reason I have to dock.

Hmm, interesting. I may have to bear that in mind. Thanks Bongo.

 

[StiTch]

a HUGE plasma accelerator, no rank requirements, insane shields , although i didnt keep a FDL long term.. it lasted a day before i got back into a courier

+1 rep for the iCourier love!

Edit 2 : Also for RES farming Shields > Hull. You can last way longer especially with a bi-weave. You'll only have to restock your main gun ammo (and SCBs is you use them, which you should in my opinion) every few hours.

^ this. In my view, hull is one bank of HP and your shield is another bank of HP - but a bank of HP that recharges. If you can have a recharging HP buffer that enemies can hardly get through, you're winning, and protecting your modules in the meantime.

Now, for PvP/assassinations and other single engagements rather than combat farming, the score is different. But at least in a RES, I can't see why poor shields and letting your hull and modules take regular chip damage (or worse) is preferable.

Now, as to the original question...it doesn't stop the FAS being a better bounty hunter if that's your play style, and there's definitely no doubt that the FDL has some awkward handling in areas. It just so happens my end I prefer decent shields (six utility slots? Yes please) and some actual speed for manoeuvres.

 

[DustyArne]

I was thinking this loadout for the FAS. Seems like this would be good for killing stuff.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_a...e1e2727000404044a2d2b2t272f.Iw18cQ==.Aw18cQ==

I edited it a bit.. this is my CZ / Res only build, if im doing Bullitin board missions i make it A grade again, and will use PA's or Rails instead of the MC's

B graded all cruicial modules because they are better armored, swapped the shield for HRP, and use Militairy bulkheads instead of reinforced. Use 4c Bi-weave to absorb the first beatings form behind. Shields recharge in seconds. And because of that i dont want to use Boosters.

Me personally, i can stay in a CZ or RES till my MC's run out of ammo.. But i have to say that im fighing with hull tankers since the Vulture.


EDIT:

Forgot the link..

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_a...51527270003020h2d2dB329276b.Iw18cQ==.Aw18cQ==

 

[Kenneth McGrew]

+1 rep for the iCourier love!




^ this..

as a non PVP person all i ever equip is bi-weave, when they get to 1 ring i'll take on some smaller ships and they're back to 3 rings in no time.

and i fly a paper hull courier for RES combat, so it shows the confidence i have in them...

 

[StiTch]

as a non PVP person all i ever equip is bi-weave, when they get to 1 ring i'll take on some smaller ships and they're back to 3 rings in no time.

and i fly a paper hull courier for RES combat, so it shows the confidence i have in them...

Snap, I guess! Got a lot of love for the iCourier, and a lot of love for Bi-Weaves. Though I strip weight from wherever I can and use a couple of HRPs, so it can actually take a few shots with shields down and stay in the fight.

Keep doing your thing

 

[JustPete82]

Is the FAS rank locked?