Ships FAS Now Useless since 2.1 Nerf

plutoniumbob

P
Just downloaded 2.1... Loving most of the mods, looking forward to interacting with the wizards (err engineers) and stuff...

However...

<rant mode>

My wonderful FAS has been nerfed BIG-TIME...
I have been having lots of fun kicking ass in Solo/PVE CZ's for the past 5days (@Neitz CG) taking on all sorts of ships for the FEDS...
On Wednesday night I turned over about 4.4mil for the feds and about 2mil for the imps, enemies of all shapes and sizes :)

Since 2.1 on Thursday evening, I just can't seem to catch a break, I'm getting my ass kicked by PVE Eagles, Vipers and Asp Explorers, anything bigger that that and I'm toast!!! :mad:

My pulse lasers only seem to do a fraction of the damage they used to...
And my FAS now flies like a brick, thrusters seem to have very little effect so I can't 'vector' my thrust and stay behind my
enemies or dodge cannon/plasma accelerator blasts like I used to!!! :mad:

I'm now being out maneuvered by Asp Explorers, Vultures, Clippers and Pythons all of which used to be easy meat for an a-rated FAS...
(hell, I used to eat Clippers and Pythons for breakfast in my Vulture until the FAS came along)

The FAS used to be a highly maneuverable tank, now it's just a bullet magnet that flies like a brick.

As if the nerfing of the FAS wasn't enough:-

It now seems that every single CZ NPC craft has plasma cannons, beam lasers and an infinite supply of energy with no distribution issues;
and NPC pilots of every rank (Novice, Competent, Master etc) flies like an Elite!!!

</rant mode>

I really love this game, I have spent many happy hours exploring, trying out ships, weapon load-outs, etc.
slowly progressing through the ranks to Elite.

I hope Frontier address this imbalance but even if they do I'm sure it wont be in time for the end of the Neitz CG later today [sour]

What are your opinions / experiences ?

(Thanks for listening... Bill)

<edit: 5/6/16>
Wow: just my opinion guy's :) (don't have a cow)

The above comments express my first impressions of 2.1 after frustrating 3hr session on the eve of the release.

At that time I dived straight in to a High Intensity CZ (just like I did the night before) and got my ass whupped 'real-guud'.

In hindsight (after a cool-down) the FAS hadn't been nerfed per-se BUT the killer AI and totally OTT weapons loadouts
prevalent at that time did give me that impression.

Many thanks to all who took the time to reply with positive comments.

(fly-right commanders... bill)
</edit>
 
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Duncan McMannus

Duncan McMannus
Last night I experienced a similar situation with my fully A-rated Python.
I had filled only half of my loading bay with 100 tons of material and I was intercepted by an Elite Python.
I have been completely out maneuvered by the AI, also disabling flight assist.
My large beam lasers suddenly seemed a small pulsed laser while his plasma cannon smashed my shields (6A Prismatic Shield Generator and 3 0A Shield Booster) in a moment.
I saved my ass only with the help of the police...
 

Kyokushin

Kyokushin
So everything is fine. You want to kill Elite Python in combat build by trading builded Python?
In that situation a one logic solution is RUN, not fight.
 
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Ashnak

Ashnak
I don't think it's the FAS, and changing the FAS also wasn't in the patch report.

On the other hand, the AI has finally learned to fly and an Elite AI pilot doesn't run their 'conda like a newbie any more.

I only had one encounter so far against a Cobra III, and didn't notice anything different in the handling of my FAS. If anything, the large MC chewed up the little one really fast. But then again, I'm not a specialized FA off/BH/PvP pilot.
 

Duncan McMannus

Duncan McMannus
Kyokushin said:
So everything is fine. You want to kill Elite Python in combat build by trading builded Python?
In that situation a one logic solution is RUN, not fight.
Click to expand...

Ashnak said:
On the other hand, the AI has finally learned to fly and an Elite AI pilot doesn't run their 'conda like a newbie any more.
Click to expand...


You are right commanders: the game now is definitely more interesting!
Now I feel like when I flew the sidewinder for the first time.
Fortunately I have experienced this improvement of AI without losing my ship...
 

who?

who?
Yeah, as above - the FAS hasn't been nerfed, it's just the NPCs are much smarter now; and many have upgrades.

I haven't flown the FAS since 2.1 betas started, but based on how fast and agile a fully upgraded Asp is, a fully upgraded FAS must be [expletive] insane!
 

Snakebite0923

Snakebite0923
I know what you mean,,I had to out fit my Python with gun turrets topside to deal with the ships that out turn me . Which seems to be almost all of them now I fly in a circular pattern drink a beer till I hear boom. I should get the Fer De Lance again perhaps. But that's why I'm writing here it appears that any ship of a certain size will now be out maneuvered . Whether they be a FAS a Python so on an so forth .
 

Dozer.k.a.o.

D
Why people need less time to write a post than to adapt and learn.

Is well known that AI now is more dificult... you just can't expect to have the same results two days ago than today.. is over... people complain about they are bored doing the same day after day and ask for content.. THIS is new content.. now you need to have imagination and improve your skillls, choose your enemies and double check your decisions.

I hope Frontier doesn't change anything and wait three or four months for real feedback. Time will tell if this is bad or good.

in my case i was fighting With my FAS yesterday with a couple of ships and notice the improved AI, i could defeat them anyways, what i wouldn't do is to get into hard rez sites or conflict zones without knowing first what is going on...
 

RoninCahill

R
Frontier needs to accommodate players of all types. I like the older version, I found it hard enough as I am not a great pilot. The game with a difficulty slider (for solo) would allow those of us who like the older elite to continue to enjoy that experience while those who are hot pilots to enjoy the new experience. As it is I have lost 26,500,000 credits in the last day to insurance claims. I have died every single time I have left my base. I simply cannot think or react fast enough to the new AI. my most recent loss was my fed gunship (A rated) 488 shields 800 plus armor, to a viper mk4. I think I tickled his shields before I died..It was fast.
Now I have no more cash for insurance claims, and am afraid to leave my base....so I love the game but log in and just enjoy being at my base cause I cant leave.
Ronin
 

TuxedoSteve

TuxedoSteve
I think this is a fairly good example of the power a modded FAS can get, that's not to say an unmodded one isn't incredibly powerful to begin with.
[video=youtube;Hjwzmtz4cYg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjwzmtz4cYg[/video]
 
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racer1

racer1
I took my FAS into CNB and Haz RES today and it was more difficult sure but FAS was still very capable ship.

FA off more often and I was thinking of switching my pulses to beams since your time on target is now greatly reduced.

Seems like a big improvement to me. 2.0 combat was just farming for rank/credits in the end.
 

Varrag

Varrag
I`ve also noticed that FAS has suddenly became a lot less efficient in HazRes. As first, she cannot stay there nearly as much as before because almost every NPC will cause the damage - it racks up pretty quickly and I have to return for repairs. Second, my favorite loadout (one c3 fixed plasma, rest gimballed pulses) is not so good against these new slippery NPCs.

But it's not the FAS that was nerfed or something, it's the improved AI and magic weaponry given to NPCs so I suppose all bigger ships are affected to some degree.

I am currently experimenting with c3 beam and multicannons (everything gimballed), we'll see how it goes. I have few other options on my mind as well. Basically, I am looking into greater alpha. Ammo is not an issue because, one way or another, staying for hours in HazRes is not an option any more.

Note: I am running 1.6 ED, hence no mods for me.
 
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Starender

Starender
The Op is right in a way, because IA is very more agile and capable than before, ships that are highly dependant on agility and have a bad shield are especially vulnerable now.

This is exactly why i won't use much my Assault for rez hunting, and why the FdL is now my go to ship for fights.
 

Cdr Voorheez

Cdr Voorheez
Nothing wrong with the FAS, spent all last night killing things to my hearts content in mine.
Just noticed better enemy AI, which is good.
 
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