Ships FDL = Python agility

[Tripfy]

Hello I'm cmdr Tr!pfy,
I have fully outfited Python, FDL, Clipper and Vulture for High RES bounty hunting (clipper was a test, I didn't enjoy the combat in it)

My prefered style of gameplay is staying on back of the enemy, the only ship that has decent dps and let's me do this, is Vulture for me

It's strange that FDL has same agility as multipurpose Python, which has better DPS, masslocks almost all ships except conda and has no power issues
Also Python has faster pitch up which is crucial for me, yet it's slower in terms of reactions then Vulture

I'd like to ask, why isn't FDL more agile, even if only for Solo mode bounty hunting? I'd like a proper upgrade from Vulture, high agility ship with more then 2 HPs and better dps (Fed Dropship MK2 could be the next Vulture, it's prime oponent of Clipper with 2 medium 2 large HPs and it's made by Core Dynamics)

I've tried lightweight Python, with armor without armor, same for FDL but it doesn't seem to affect the ships at all

Links to all my builds:
Vulture : http://coriolis.io/outfit/vulture/04A5E4A3D5A4D3C1e1e0l0404-4b5d6b082f.AwRj4zyA.IwBhrSrZSA==
Python: http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/27...l4f5i5i5i37030i6g2f.Iw19gDJ5A===.IwBhrSutWUg=
Clipper (I've tried C3 Beams, drained power in 4 sec): http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_...40l4k5o5d5d58586b2o.Iw18aQ==.MwBhEYy6fcCZ5yA=
FDL shield test: http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...b0l04040404044c5d5d6b2f.AwRj4yrI.AwiMIyo1yA==
FDL normal: http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...404--4a5e5e6b2j.AwRj4ypYg===.EwBhEYy6bd2MIA==

 

[Aleksej]

But you are probably comparing manoeuvrability at 4 pips to engines. The huge difference is when you have less pips to engines.

 

[Tripfy]

But you are probably comparing manoeuvrability at 4 pips to engines. The huge difference is when you have less pips to engines.

No I'm comparing it with style that I play on Vulture, 4 pips weapons 2 systems, if I'm in front of target 4 pips systems 2 weapons
It works on Python and FDL as well but like I said, I've expected FDL to be much more agile then this

I've tried even 4 pips to engines on FDL but it's still slower pitch up then on Python, and ofc even slower then on Vulture, for chasing 2 systems 4 engines

 

[CATPAIN KIRK]

The strength of the FdL is in its thruster performance - try to fly it like a bigger Viper.

 

[Tripfy]

The strength of the FdL is in its thruster performance - try to fly it like a bigger Viper.

Any specific tip on pips for FDL in combat?
When facing enemy who fires at FDL =
When flying at back of the enemy =

And would you say that the FDL normal build is worth using?
http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...404--4a5e5e6b2j.AwRj4ypYg===.EwBhEYy6bd2MIA==

 

[CATPAIN KIRK]

Any specific tip on pips for FDL in combat?
When facing enemy who fires at FDL =
When flying at back of the enemy =

And would you say that the FDL normal build is worth using?

Hard to say - I don't have any specific rules on how to distribute my pips and just shift them around as needed - e.g. if I'm in front of the enemy who is firing at me, I want to stay there and he's big enough to hurt my shields and is using fixed weapons, I put full pips to sys obviously. If he uses gimballs/turrets, I continuously double-chaff. If I want to get out of there, more pips to engines etc..., etc...

My fit is quite different from yours though and I hardly need more than one pip in weapons over extended periods of time(one large fixed beam, 4 med fixed multicannons).

Anyway - I'm hardly an authority on FdL fits - bought it the day it came out, but hardly fly it - it's too underwhelming in too many regards (power starved, lack of internal slots, lack of fitting options for the huge slot and the abysmal jump range).

 

[Tripfy]

Anyway - I'm hardly an authority on FdL fits - bought it the day it came out, but hardly fly it - it's too underwhelming in too many regards (power starved, lack of internal slots, lack of fitting options for the huge slot and the abysmal jump range).

I guess you fly Python then, I enjoy that ship much more then FDL, still it's not agile on level of Vulture or at least I didn't find a way to make it so (build wise)

 

[CATPAIN KIRK]

I guess you fly Python then, I enjoy that ship much more then FDL, still it's not agile on level of Vulture or at least I didn't find a way to make it so (build wise)

Actually, I switch a lot (like every hour) between Courier, Python, Anaconda, DBS, DBX and FdL, but the FdL is simply getting the least time - especially the Courier practically replaced it for me.

 

[Starender]

OP is mostly true, the FdL lack a little agility for a high end fighter, especially regarding how many things it sacrifice and the price

if you use lateral thruster you will counter that a little, but it's not enough (personal opinion of course)



Edit: just like kirk i'm desperatly searching for a remplacement ship, and i'm tempted to go back to a Clipper or maybe do some tests in the Courier

 

[Alex Brentnall]

If what you say is true then I'd say its because the Python costs 200mil fully A rated whereas the FDL can come in under 90mil.

Combine that with the FDL has that huge hardpoint (1H, 4M whereas python has 3L, 2M) - Personally I dislike but I've seen some do great with a Plasma Accelerator in there.
I would agree though a bit more agility wouldn't hurt it against other high end ships like Python etc but it would become overpowered against smaller ships in my opinion.

 

[Night Hawk]

OP is mostly true, the FdL lack a little agility for a high end fighter, especially regarding how many things it sacrifice and the price

if you use lateral thruster you will counter that a little, but it's not enough (personal opinion of course)



Edit: just like kirk i'm desperatly searching for a remplacement ship, and i'm tempted to go back to a Clipper or maybe do some tests in the Courier

As an FDL owner, I can highly recommend the Courier as a great little PvE combat ship - it has reasonable firepower and really good shields.

Mine is packing 2 Beams and a Multicannon with 535mj of shields. This little baby is a joy to fly especially if you need a break from lumbering around in an FDL. Biggest NPC I have taken out so far was a "Competent" Anaconda in an assassination mission.

 

[PhoenicianSon]

Any specific tip on pips for FDL in combat?
When facing enemy who fires at FDL =
When flying at back of the enemy =

And would you say that the FDL normal build is worth using?
http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...404--4a5e5e6b2j.AwRj4ypYg===.EwBhEYy6bd2MIA==

I have both the Python and FDL, and I love the FDL, but mostly fly the Python only because I need the cargo space for missions, PP cargo, and it jumps further as well. However, the FDL was a bit of a learning curve coming from the Vulture. Nevertheless, I have become very proficient with the FDL in dog fighting. The reason, I believe, that the FDL does not pitch as well as the Python is because of its speed and tendency to drift. Yet, you can master the ship and become proficient with dogfighting if you can learn to integrate the use of the forward and reverse thrusters with your flying. The ship literally turns on a dime when utilizing reverse thrusters. The last major benefit, without naming the many others, that is notaable is the shields. The ship has the highest shield capacity in the same, save the Anaconda, which when you consider the difference between the two ships, that is a great trait for the FDL.

I think you can work a little on your build. I have milked the powerplant both for hardpoints retracted and deployed with this setup, and it is light considering the A grade set up in the ship boosting over 400 and easy to hold with the A6 distributor. Hope this helps:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...4a335d5566.AwRj4yrI.EwBhEYy6bZ3kA===?bn=FDL 1

 

[Night Hawk]

Thats a nice build, I will have to try it out when I park the Courier.

As you pointed out the shields on FDL's are very strong and against NPC's in RES, you could almost get away without Shield Cell Banks to save power. They are nice to have though, if you take on wings of 2 or 3 and you get those pesky Eagles and Vipers gnawing away at you!!

In my most recent build, I have opted to drop a Shield boost so that I can have an SCB available without having to retract weapons - especially in Hi Int CZ. I found that often when I started to lose shields I was engaging multiple ships and having a SCB ready to allowed me to push on with the fight.

I totally agree with your comments on the handling, you summed it up very well. The first time I took my FDL into a RES after trading up from my Vulture, I was initially very concerned about its ability, especially against small ships. It took me a couple of days to come to grips with how to handle these beasts - reverse thrust, FA off and using thrusters along with pitch and roll. Once you get the hang of it, the ship really performs well.

I think a lot people buy an FDL and use it once or twice then give up saying its doesn't handle properly. In my experience you need to have those 5A thrusters then learn about ship handling.

I notice that your choice of weapons for the class 2 hardpoints are G Pulses - I have tried a lot of combo's (Beams/Burst and Multi's), but these just work very well and are quite destructive against shields and modules. The Huge hardpoint really comes down to some sort of cannon, as you suggest, so that you dont have power issues.

Thanks for the advice.