Don't get an FDL (unless engineered it seems)

[sb413197]

I hear you TS, I got a FDL fairly early in the game and despised it. Now that I've logged 1000 plus hours and know how to use FA off, thrusters, boosting while using the thrusters, pip management etc better however I'm planning to buy a few and engineer them for different purposes.

I also now see why they say to buy a courier and learn to fly in that. Really helped me.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

You need to be much busier on the pips in the FdL - the thruster performance difference between 0 and 4 pips is the widest in the game. Turning with less than 4 pips to ENG in the FdL is more accurately described as "not turning much at all."

That was my tought as well, even more so since the op said hes doing fine in the Vulture. The Vulture won't care much when you have 0 pips in engine but its a diffrent story in the FDL.

At the End of the day the FDL is better then the Vulture but he needs some more work to really shine.

 

[thirstyfish]

If the vulture is like a MiG-21, then the FDL is like an F-4. At least when both are stock.

Engineering changes this a bunch, c3 clean drives on an FDL does wonders.

 

[o2thaZ]

No worries cmdr.
Never flown my fdl..its collecting dust at a station nearby.
Its fully engineered with some wicked rolls..to bad i cant give it away.
I would have gifted it without looking back, piece of junk.
Annie and cutter all the way

 

[CookieJarviz]

You'd think an FDL would rule the roost in PvE when A rated, right? That's what I thought. So I spent all my money on equipping this beast, bar engineers, and....

Anaconda and Pythons out turn me whatever I do, bar FA off, which yes, I don't do but still, I should be out turning them. Then, they have twice my firepower, oh, and my shields mean nothing. Waste of money of money if you ask me.

My old Vulture could at least out turn them, so think I'm going back to that. Why do you need to engineer an FDL to be good in PvE I'll never know.

Rant over.

Thats your problem my dude. How do you think FDL pilots fought BEFORE engineers were a thing

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I have and FDL, Python, and Anaconda.

The FDL is lethal in PvE.
It's fast, agile, that huge mount can rip up anything.
With a touch of engineering it's a monster.

That said, so are my Pythons and Anacondas. Lol

The only thing I hate about the FDL is its fuel tank and jump range, or lack thereof. Lol

My advice, is load up on shield boosters, take a class 4 PA, they're fun, if you can hit anything (I can't. Lol).
Then mix up with multicannons or pulse lasers, and maybe throw in a Packhound Launcher or two.
You'll dominate PvE with that.

Assuming you can fly.
The FDL isn't designed to face tank your opponent like an Anaconda or Python can. Speed is your friend.

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

 

[SP45M]

You'd think an FDL would rule the roost in PvE when A rated, right? That's what I thought. So I spent all my money on equipping this beast, bar engineers, and....

Anaconda and Pythons out turn me whatever I do, bar FA off, which yes, I don't do but still, I should be out turning them. Then, they have twice my firepower, oh, and my shields mean nothing. Waste of money of money if you ask me.

My old Vulture could at least out turn them, so think I'm going back to that. Why do you need to engineer an FDL to be good in PvE I'll never know.

Rant over.

Space combat is not atmospheric dog fighting, If you are in a turn fight you are doing it all wrong. Go back to basics and learn to fly with thrusters.

Edit - Learn to "Hug the Donkey".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNGFcE2JEes

 

[Mav359]

When i first got my FDL way back when, i A-rated it & couldn't believe how good it was, i was able to stay in the fight longer and kill more ships at a faster rate..... that was before i brought it to the engineers

EVERYTHING has been god rolled G5, i have spent so much time on it and it was worth every minute & im not finished yet, i reckon i can get even better rolls on the Beams. It brings down shields turbo quick and the huge multi canon rips up the hulls. I don't PvP but against NPC's it decimates all.

Combat ships always have terrible Jump ranges and fuel tanks & the cargo scoop is like trying use a straw at warp speed but other then that its epic i love it

 

[Dakron Nova]

i refuse to buy one because the vantage point is off center. lol

I've never got used to that .... still bugs me now when I fly mine.

 

[Morbad]

Sounds like the FDL loves PAs and railguns, not lasers and multicannons, but correct me if I'm wrong.

I still use a laser and multi-cannon FDL, and made even heavier use of them before engineering.

Is it really that much better for the price

No.

Yeah it is strange, but Vulture to FDL is a really difficult vertical upgrade. They fly completely different.

They do.

However, the FDL and the Viper Mk III are remarkably similar in flight model. If you like the Viper III or even IV, you will almost certainly like the FDL.

 

[Father Cool]

I've never got used to that .... still bugs me now when I fly mine.

I've never understood the issue with this. Can you not drive your car because the seats off to one side. The ships are so large on elite that as a percentage of ship size the offset may as well be smack in the middle. Try flying the millenium falcon, now that has an off centre cockpit to die for! Haha.

I never had a single issue with the pit when I flew the FDL.

 

[Threeofseven]

Personally I hate the FDL--the looks and the fact everyone flies one.

But to your issue, it has a steeper learning curve than most ships so you probably just need to take some time too get a feel for it

 

[Jack Schitt]

Agree with pretty much everything in this thread. First time I tried an FDL (unengineered) I hated it and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Tried one again a few months later with some basic engineering and still couldn't see what all the fuss was about. It was fast, and the weapon options off the chart, but it didn't "do it" for me. So that one went too.

More recently I've tried for a third time, now I have the cash and resources to A-rate and properly engineer the beast, and I've come to the conclusion that it just isn't for me. Getting the best performance out of it is like flying the TARDIS; you are constantly having to juggle something just to keep it doing what you want. Kind of fun, but exhausting. But my biggest disappointment was that the TTK for my preferred general loadout -- a mixture of beams and MCs -- was no better than my partially engineered FAS. Being able to stick to the back end of an Anaconda loses its appeal for me when I have to apply an insane amount of brainpower and manual dexterity to stay there, and stay there for longer. I'm sure with practice and patience I could come up with a combination of weapons and engineering that would minimise this, but the general improvements for PVE that the FDL offers just don't make it worth the effort IMO.

I'm sure for PVP, properly outfitted and engineered to the current meta, the thing is an absolute beast. But for PVE it's probably overkill unless you really enjoy the challenge. I went back to my FAS, spent the last of my Engineer time bolstering its shields, armour and utilities (fast-scan KWS FTW) and never looked back.

Having said that, this was the first time I didn't actually sell the FDL. Stripped it and mothballed it, but I've kept the hull. So maybe there's something in there that speaks to future possibilities. But right now it's FAS all the way.

I would recommend the OP give the FAS a try. The rank grind isn't too onerous once you find a good cluster of Federal-aligned systems offering missions, and it's relatively cheap to buy and outfit. Certainly cheaper than a FDL, and more versatile than a Vulture. Mine is totally geared for bounty hunting and PVE combat these days, but if you're short on resources and can't specialise your ships the FAS makes a great mission runner and light cargo hauler too.

 

[mbar]

The Vulture is easy mode.
It ask little of you to kill stuff.
The FDL requires a bit more skill to flight in a decent manner...
I really suck as a pilot by the way.

Yep. Pretty much this. The transition from Vulture to FDL requires a pip and throttle management upgrade. I'll be the first to admit I find the Vulture more fun to fly.

 

[InlineSix]

Rant over.

Take a biscuit and talk to combat cmdrs in here. Major problem is thinking of space fights as World War 1 triple decker dog fights.

You will wreck everything PvE wise in an FdL without fear of destruction outside of combat zones. You just have to let go the idea of "having to be behind your enemy". It's completely sufficient to dodge major weapons and leave the line of fire when the undersized power distributor's empty. Plus: Don't forget a reverb rail so the braindead NPC conda can't make use of its truck load of SCB.

 

[Cosmos]

An A rated FDL comes with everything you need to succeed in PvE... Except a pilot.

Ouch.. [haha]

 

[InlineSix]

An A rated FDL comes with everything you need to succeed in PvE... Except a pilot.

I despise gitgud advice, even if it's as funny as this one. So Kudos and meeeeeeh at the same time.

Why? 'cause OP is spoiled by an agile little critter he was flying for too long, by playing too many aerial combat simulators and by reading over and over again what a monster the FdL is. It isn't It has some really weak points one needs to know for constant success, no matter if PvE or PvP. You wish to win every PvE fight? Get a cutter. Fly reverse. Go all-efficient-pulse with 1 corrosive multi high capacity and a class 6 fighter bay. Prepare to die of boredom.

 

[Ian Skippy]

When I can succeed in a vulture, but not an FDL, I don't think my piloting is the problem.

It is. The vulture pitches faster. The FDL is still much more agile than pythons and condas, but you dont get away with as many mistakes. Fdl makes you work harder, and rewards you when done well. Vulture canbe flownwith one hand.

 

[goemon]

When I can succeed in a vulture, but not an FDL, I don't think my piloting is the problem.

the thing is, that a vulture is easy to fly.

1. it has the best "0PiP speed Ratio", means it handles with 0 pips in engines 90% like with 4 pips in engines. the FDl needs constant pip management.

2. the vulture is crazy manouverable, only beaten by an eagle. in effect you can fly a vulture without taking advantage of its strong lateral and vertical thrusters (but you shouldn't...), while you can't do the same thing with a FDL.

3. vultures hardpoint placement is foolproof, but not so much with the side- and the huge downward hardpoint of an FDL.

as usually, i recommend getting into an eagle for some time ... this ship teaches you good manners for any combat ship up to a FDL (the largest ship still fighter like). once you have trained on pip management, evasive flying, and thinking ahead (the eagle needs it all), give the FDL a second try!

or you stay with your vulture. if you love that ship, there is nothing wrong flying it (i have a similar weak spot for the DBS... but i wouldn't claim that the DBS is stronger than a FDL).

 

[N3rd Murd3r3r]

Don’t get an FDL?!

That’s up there with saying ‘don’t make love to a beautiful *insert gender of choice*’