Which one is better for combat FDL or Python
FDL or Python for combat?
- Thread starter Jason Sefer
- Start date
FdL.
FDL is faster, and generally better, more fun to fly, makes short work of anything.
All for 120~m CR.
But.
It has terrible heat issues, and can't jump worth a damn, so you're basically stuck using the transfer feature, and you're stuck just doing combat with it.
And the cockpit layout sucks. Lol
Python isn't quite as good, but doesn't suffer from heat as much, and can still be outfitted to do whatever, aswell as combat.
But it does cost about 50-70m more, if you go with armour (I don't, too heavy), and a 7a Power Plant. (Which I also don't, modified 6a is better. Lol).
Mine costs a modest 130m CR.
It also has a bad "pitch stall" after a boost.
All for 120~m CR.
But.
It has terrible heat issues, and can't jump worth a damn, so you're basically stuck using the transfer feature, and you're stuck just doing combat with it.
And the cockpit layout sucks. Lol
Python isn't quite as good, but doesn't suffer from heat as much, and can still be outfitted to do whatever, aswell as combat.
But it does cost about 50-70m more, if you go with armour (I don't, too heavy), and a 7a Power Plant. (Which I also don't, modified 6a is better. Lol).
Mine costs a modest 130m CR.
It also has a bad "pitch stall" after a boost.
FDL, not even a debate.
I have a Python now, it's basically the ship I use for everything, including combat. I've been thinking about getting an FDL the last few days, after getting blown up. My replacement cost is almost eight million now, so I want to lose fights less and have a lower replacement cost for when I do lose.
In on this thread for opinions.
In on this thread for opinions.
Bob Lighthouse
Banned
FDL hands down.
The Python is a huge, slow target by comparison.
The Python is a huge, slow target by comparison.
The difference between a Fer-de-Lance and Python is this:
A Fer-de-Lance is like an F-16. It destroys a ground target by dropping a precision, GPS-guided bomb onto its target, then uses its superior speed to get away from danger.
A Python is like an A-10. It destroys a ground target by spraying it with depleted uranium rounds, then flies away hoping the anti-aircraft fire doesn't penetrate its armor too much.
Both do the exact same job, just in different ways.The decision comes down to which combat style is preferred.
A Fer-de-Lance is like an F-16. It destroys a ground target by dropping a precision, GPS-guided bomb onto its target, then uses its superior speed to get away from danger.
A Python is like an A-10. It destroys a ground target by spraying it with depleted uranium rounds, then flies away hoping the anti-aircraft fire doesn't penetrate its armor too much.
Both do the exact same job, just in different ways.The decision comes down to which combat style is preferred.
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I'm gonna be the odd one here and say it depends on the situation.
Everyone is saying the FDL because it is the most powerful combat ship in the game (except for certain 1v1 duels where the big 3 are best). HOWEVER - and this is a very big however - it needs maximum engineering and the correct build to pull this off, while also being flown by someone with a lot of experience. The FDLs power shines when constantly boosting around its target and using vertical/lateral thrusters, with excellent pip management. Your average player won't be doing that.
I personally found that for my first 1000 hours of the game, the python was a lot better. Strap on 5 gimballed multicannon and watch it shred any NPC ship - works great.
Everyone is saying the FDL because it is the most powerful combat ship in the game (except for certain 1v1 duels where the big 3 are best). HOWEVER - and this is a very big however - it needs maximum engineering and the correct build to pull this off, while also being flown by someone with a lot of experience. The FDLs power shines when constantly boosting around its target and using vertical/lateral thrusters, with excellent pip management. Your average player won't be doing that.
I personally found that for my first 1000 hours of the game, the python was a lot better. Strap on 5 gimballed multicannon and watch it shred any NPC ship - works great.
If you've not even tried the FDL I reckon you'd be more interested in the Alliance Chieftain. Much better than a FDL IMO and I've flown both. Engineered of course
I've always wondered what to call that!
Pitch Stall* on the Python goes away quite nicely if you G5 Dirty the Drives and G5 Charge Enhance the Power Distributor after this you can just keep on boosting.
At this point it's actually quite a nimble ship and a great fixed weapons Python.
However if I was answering OP strictly between FDL and Py I'd go for Py every time. I think I've bought and sold about 4 FDL's and only keep one now as a handy place to store 4 medium Multi's and a Huge laser. The Python is still the first I owned.
Just get the Chieftain
* You can actually use that effect, if you are boost turning with FAOFF then release the FA when you are on target it stops dead, which is good provided you are on target. If not just boost again.
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Maybe you've been doing it wrong with the FDL 2 fixed class 2 beams and gimballed multis in the other hardpoints wrecks anything for meIf you've not even tried the FDL I reckon you'd be more interested in the Alliance Chieftain. Much better than a FDL IMO and I've flown both. Engineered of course
I've always wondered what to call that!
Pitch Stall* on the Python goes away quite nicely if you G5 Dirty the Drives and G5 Charge Enhance the Power Distributor after this you can just keep on boosting.
At this point it's actually quite a nimble ship and a great fixed weapons Python.
However if I was answering OP strictly between FDL and Py I'd go for Py every time. I think I've bought and sold about 4 FDL's and only keep one now as a handy place to store 4 medium Multi's and a Huge laser. The Python is still the first I owned.
Just get the Chieftain
* You can actually use that effect, if you are boost turning with FAOFF then release the FA when you are on target it stops dead, which is good provided you are on target. If not just boost again.
I've actually garaged my main ship, my combat Cutter to try out the Chieftain, FDL, and Python. I've been in the Cutter for almost a year, so going backwards was fun. I did mess around with the Chieftain during beta and had fun with it. My findings are:
I enjoy the flight model of the Chieftain the most. The FDL is decent and has the best Alpha strike capabilities. However, for straight killing speed, Against PVE Corvettes, Cutters, and Anacondas, I find the Python the best. However, its flight model is like a school bus compared to the other two. My favorite load out seems to be: 1 C3 Burst Laser (Turret) on top, 2 C3 MC's (one on top and bottom) and 2 C2 rail guns.
All ships are with Biweave Shields and boost speeds are: FDL 575 ish M/S, Python 454 M/S and I forget the Chieftains.
Bottom line, I garaged the FDL and Chieftain and I'm flying the Python for now.
The hard points are lacking on the Chieftain, there is just not enough alpha strike to drop shields quickly. I have a C4 Beam laser that I use on the Cutter, I put on the FDL and medium ships and small ships are toasted rapidly.
I enjoy the flight model of the Chieftain the most. The FDL is decent and has the best Alpha strike capabilities. However, for straight killing speed, Against PVE Corvettes, Cutters, and Anacondas, I find the Python the best. However, its flight model is like a school bus compared to the other two. My favorite load out seems to be: 1 C3 Burst Laser (Turret) on top, 2 C3 MC's (one on top and bottom) and 2 C2 rail guns.
All ships are with Biweave Shields and boost speeds are: FDL 575 ish M/S, Python 454 M/S and I forget the Chieftains.
Bottom line, I garaged the FDL and Chieftain and I'm flying the Python for now.
The hard points are lacking on the Chieftain, there is just not enough alpha strike to drop shields quickly. I have a C4 Beam laser that I use on the Cutter, I put on the FDL and medium ships and small ships are toasted rapidly.
No. The FDL is both the F-16 and the A-10. The Python is the hopes and dreams the FDL just blew to smithereens.
EDIT: CMDR Luke Murphy (the pilot in that video above) is bad and should feel bad. He will cause people to choose the Python and die because of it.
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Big FdL fan here, so I'm going to say: "whichever you like".
I have an FdL is in the top 1% of combat ships out there - nothing that NPCs can throw at it can defeat it. Retreat, yes but my FdL has never suffered ship destruction before. But combat is the only thing that it can do.
I also have a Python that's configured as a "combat capable all rounder". It can fight in Combat Zones or RES's for hours on end as long as I don't try to be a hero... all while equipped with a fuel scoop, a limpet controller, advanced discovery scanner, SRV hangar and still having the capacity for 160 tonnes of cargo or 80 economy passengers.
If you have money for both, get both. If you have money for only one and plan to do a variety of missions, get the Python. But if your index finger is permanently glued to the trigger on your HOTAS, then the Fer de Lance will serve you very well indeed.
I have an FdL is in the top 1% of combat ships out there - nothing that NPCs can throw at it can defeat it. Retreat, yes but my FdL has never suffered ship destruction before. But combat is the only thing that it can do.
I also have a Python that's configured as a "combat capable all rounder". It can fight in Combat Zones or RES's for hours on end as long as I don't try to be a hero... all while equipped with a fuel scoop, a limpet controller, advanced discovery scanner, SRV hangar and still having the capacity for 160 tonnes of cargo or 80 economy passengers.
If you have money for both, get both. If you have money for only one and plan to do a variety of missions, get the Python. But if your index finger is permanently glued to the trigger on your HOTAS, then the Fer de Lance will serve you very well indeed.
Personally I love a Python, it holds sentiment. But objectively, my gosh an FDL can be OP.
All those flippin' utility slots, great shields, firepower and the ability to move it.. Did I mention 6 flippin' utils!
All those flippin' utility slots, great shields, firepower and the ability to move it.. Did I mention 6 flippin' utils!
Just to add to this thought, if you are only able to afford one I agree the Python should be first, but once fully kitted out & engineered, the FDL wins out (and is a joy to fly).
I'd say that it kind of depends on what you want to do in the game. The Python is the largest of the ships I care to use and currently my only medium sized ship for its versatility. In general, I prefer the small ships. For combat though, I'd have to agree that the FdL is the way to go, even if I personally don't care to use it.
The Python can manage well enough, at least to get out of some sticky situations with a decent build, and for PVE, just about any ship can hold its own well enough. From what I've seen and messed around with in fairly limited capacity, the FdL is more capable as a combat focused ship in general.
2 cents worth.
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I suppose I rephrased the question as would I rather fly a D-rated Python or D-rated FDL but yes, it depends on a lot of things
At every level of upgrade until it's fully engineered, personally I'd take the Python for every task. But a fully engineered FDL is a special thing to fly that the fully engineered Python just isn't imo.When I first reached this level of ship choice I bought the FDL and soon regretted it (this was well before engineers, probably in 1.2 or 1.3), I took the hit & traded it in for my first Python hull and never looked back. I have a PvP FDL stored somewhere, gathering dust. I own several Pythons I think, and a Python got me to Combat Elite in CZs (in 2015), but the game has changed so much since then my own experience is of limited use now.
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