What to do with my FDL?

khaos526 · Apr 4, 2018

Finally have all my important Bubble ships converted and up to max in the new engineering system and am trying to figure out a place for my FDL before I convert that over to the new system.

I used to use it for all my combat needs, but now I have my Corvette for all REZ and CZ's, and my new Chieftain for all combat mat collecting and random Weapon Fire/Distress USS's, I'm trying to find a role for the FDL before I get it converted and re-leveled up to max.

So since I haven't flown it for ages, is it good for Assassination missions? I'd just have to swap out the Hull Reinforcement I have for a FSD Interdictor, but just curious if there are any other good uses I haven't thought of as well?

Arthur Shappey · Apr 4, 2018

The place for the FDL is when you get bored for how easy the whole game is with a Corvette. And when you are bored of the FDL, you can downgrade to an Adder or something and have even more fun. Or if you want to do PVP.

There is no role for FDL in the top-trumps version of ED in PVE.

Bortas · Apr 4, 2018

Stuff it into the scrap press when you get angry about its ridiculously low jump range combined with a similarly tiny fuel tank and no room for a fuel scoop (unless you want to cripple yourself).

Fendalton · Apr 4, 2018

Thargoid content. It's the perfect ship for soloing Interceptors. There is a station you can have it sent to near Maya so you don't have to fly it there yourself.

khaos526 · Apr 4, 2018

Fendalton said:
Thargoid content. It's the perfect ship for soloing Interceptors. There is a station you can have it sent to near Maya so you don't have to fly it there yourself.

Well at least there's one use for it I guess. Though won't be doing the Thargoid stuff for a long while as it's not a huge interest to me at this point, but down the road it probably will be.

I'll just leave it un-modded for now and put the dust cover back on it until I'm ready to kill some bugs...

GunnerBill · Apr 4, 2018

Use it to store modules?

Chieftain is the new FDL.

Phisto Sobanii · Apr 4, 2018

Don’t listen to these numpties. FDL is one of the finest and most rewarding combat ships in the game.

What do you want to do with it? Fight Commanders? Bounty hunt? Fight NPCs? Something different?

UnhappyDev · Apr 4, 2018

If you want easy mode PVE, stick with the Corvette. If you want a bit more challenge and interest, learn to fly the FDL FA-OFF with fixed weapons. Difficult...but more rewarding than the cheap point-n-shoot thrills of the 'vette.

GunnerBill said:
Chieftain is the new FDL.

I disagree with the above statement.

IndigoWyrd · Apr 4, 2018

khaos526 said:
Finally have all my important Bubble ships converted and up to max in the new engineering system and am trying to figure out a place for my FDL before I convert that over to the new system.

I used to use it for all my combat needs, but now I have my Corvette for all REZ and CZ's, and my new Chieftain for all combat mat collecting and random Weapon Fire/Distress USS's, I'm trying to find a role for the FDL before I get it converted and re-leveled up to max.

So since I haven't flown it for ages, is it good for Assassination missions? I'd just have to swap out the Hull Reinforcement I have for a FSD Interdictor, but just curious if there are any other good uses I haven't thought of as well?

That's what I use one of mine for, the other I use for fighting Thargoids.

pzykozomatik · Apr 4, 2018

GunnerBill said:
Chieftain is the new FDL.

Exactly my experience so far. I have only once touched my FDL since I got the Chieftain, and it felt rather sluggish in comparison. The FDL's uber shields are nice, but I never felt fragile in the engineered Chief either. I've now outfitted the Ferdie with 5 PAs for the lulz of one-shotting smaller ships, but my standard RES BHer is the Chieftain for the time being.

jasonbarron · Apr 4, 2018

Equip it with 3x PA's & 2x High Cap Packhounds, install a g5 Fast Scan KWS and then start hanging out at CG's to bring some justice to a very needy bubble.

Bryan K · Apr 4, 2018

GunnerBill said:
Use it to store modules?

Chieftain is the new FDL.

Pfft...PWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Seriously, no.

khaos526 · Apr 4, 2018

I'm good with my loadout on the FDL, and I don't need more of a challenge. I also have storage room (after finally cleaning it out) so don't need to use it for that either. But I have a nice paint job for it and right now it's all pre 3.0 G% engineered and ready to be updated, but there's no point in me wasting the mats when I could use it for other side non priority ships I have that I might use more.

I just hate to leave it collecting dust, but that jump range has always been a pain to deal with. Maybe I'll just upgrade the parts to 3.0 engineers and then store all the modules in storage. Leave the FDL sitting there looking pretty until I maybe down the road I do the Thargoid hunting or something then...

wrmiller · Apr 4, 2018

I was just recently having similar thoughts about my FDL. Couldn't come up with a good reason to keep it, so threw it away.

Pendergast · Apr 4, 2018

They really need to increase the FSD size on the FdL, Corvette, Gunship etc. Jump range is not a good balancing feature.

khaos526 said:
Finally have all my important Bubble ships converted and up to max in the new engineering system and am trying to figure out a place for my FDL before I convert that over to the new system.

I used to use it for all my combat needs, but now I have my Corvette for all REZ and CZ's, and my new Chieftain for all combat mat collecting and random Weapon Fire/Distress USS's, I'm trying to find a role for the FDL before I get it converted and re-leveled up to max.

So since I haven't flown it for ages, is it good for Assassination missions? I'd just have to swap out the Hull Reinforcement I have for a FSD Interdictor, but just curious if there are any other good uses I haven't thought of as well?

The wing missions often have phasing sequence weapons so may want the hull reinforcement. Don't need a interdictor as the target shows up in USS Mission Target.

Phisto Sobanii · Apr 4, 2018

It’s a fine balancing feature.

Pendergast · Apr 4, 2018

Phisto Sobanii said:
It’s a fine balancing feature.

In what way? What other ships are used for combat instead as a tradeoff? All it does is punish a player that wants to use a combat ship. 1/3 of the game is supposed to be combat, yet no other activity is punished as much as combat is: hardest to do, hardest to rank up in, and pays the least -- then the cherry is 16ly jumps. It is frustrating.

Phisto Sobanii · Apr 4, 2018

I usually run my FDL light, cool, and with a fuel scoop so I can enjoy hustlin’ a 19 light year jump range. Will I possibly be weaker than another FDL? Yes, but that’s a calculated risk.

If I know I’ll be somewhere for a while I’ll roll heavier and without a fuel scoop. ‘Full battle rattle.’ However, mobility is more limited.

See? Good balancing feature.

khaos526 · Apr 4, 2018

Pendergast said:
The wing missions often have phasing sequence weapons so may want the hull reinforcement. Don't need a interdictor as the target shows up in USS Mission Target.

You know it's been so long that I've done the assassination missions, I didn't even realize you could do them without the FSD interdictor. I have one that I've used on one of my Colonia fighters, but it's been quite awhile since I've been back there using it, that I can't even recall what I used it for...

Pendergast · Apr 4, 2018

Phisto Sobanii said:
I usually run my FDL light, cool, and with a fuel scoop so I can enjoy hustlin’ a 19 light year jump range. Will I possibly be weaker than another FDL? Yes, but that’s a calculated risk.

If I know I’ll be somewhere for a while I’ll roll heavier and without a fuel scoop. ‘Full battle rattle.’ However, mobility is more limited.

See? Good balancing feature.

works the same with 19 as the low and 25 as the high.