Ships FDL vs. Python for my needs

[-Ice]

I currently have a FDL kitted out as follows:

Spoiler

[Fer-de-Lance]
H: 4B/G Cannon
M: 2F/G Multi-cannon
M: 2F/G Multi-cannon
M: 2D/G Beam Laser
M: 2D/G Beam Laser
U: 0F Electronic Countermeasure
U: 0I Point Defence
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0C Frame Shift Wake Scanner
U: 0I Chaff Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5A Power Plant
TM: 5B Thrusters
FH: 4B Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4C Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 4A Sensors
FS: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)
5: 5A Shield Generator
4: 4A Shield Cell Bank
4: 4B Frame Shift Drive Interdictor
2: 2A Fuel Scoop
1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 475.10 MJ
Power : 15.89 MW retracted (78%)
21.80 MW deployed (107%)
20.40 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 8 T
Mass : 455.0 T empty
463.0 T full
Range : 10.43 LY unladen
10.43 LY laden
Price : 83,783,156 CR
Re-Buy: 4,189,158 CR @ 95% insurance

With a 10.43LY jump range, it gets nowhere very fast. It also has very limited power for what modules it can carry so at the moment, my FSD, Wake Scanner, Interdictor, and Fuel Scoop are turned off once I deploy hardpoints.

I'm really looking for a reason to keep it. I like the firepower but it seems that it's only good for PvE on Resource Extraction Sites or Nav Beacons. Hunting down assassination missions or going after a player on PvP and the short jump range just gets in the way. Heck, even just going from Point A (high tech system for upgrades) to Point B (system with lots of RES'es) is a pain!! Mounting a Fuel Scoop is now essential as it has very short legs and a tiny fuel tank. Does anyone have a loadout for the FDL that gets more jump range but also keeps a decent amount of firepower?


I've also had a Python before and I really liked the layout of the weapons. The FDL is odd because the biggest hardpoint is on the belly which means the target needs to be on "the waterline" or even slightly below, and the bars in the canopy frequently get in the way. The 4 other hardpoints are best used with the target 30 degrees or even higher above the waterline, that way the body of the FDL doesn't get in the way very much and the guns can track much better. From my limited Python experience, it's hardpoint layout means it doesn't have this problem.

Currently, my FDL is valued at around 75M Cr. and I know stripping it before selling it would net me another couple million credits, so here is a roughly similar in value Python fit:

Spoiler

[Python]
L: 3C/G Cannon
L: 3C/G Cannon
L: 3C/G Cannon
M: 2D/G Beam Laser
M: 2D/G Beam Laser
U: 0I Chaff Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0A Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0A Frame Shift Wake Scanner
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 7C Power Plant
TM: 6B Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4E Life Support
PC: 7B Power Distributor
SS: 6E Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)
6: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
6: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
6: 6E Shield Generator
5: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
3: 1E Basic Discovery Scanner
2: 1E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 2)
---
Shield: 299.48 MJ
Power : 12.10 MW retracted (48%)
22.95 MW deployed (92%)
25.00 MW available
Cargo : 82 T
Fuel : 32 T
Mass : 731.2 T empty
845.2 T full
Range : 16.14 LY unladen
14.57 LY laden
Price : 83,175,963 CR
Re-Buy: 4,158,798 CR @ 95% insurance

The Python does not have the same amount of Utility slots so I'm losing out on Point Defence and ECM. How many human pirates carry missiles? I've yet to find out, so I hope this doesn't bite me in the rear. I can either go for 3 big cannons and 2 smaller beam lasers or a more expensive fit of 3 big beam lasers and 2 smaller multi-cannons. However, even with a 6A Shield, the FDL seems to have a more powerful shield coverage with a 5A Shield. On the other hand, the Python isn't as prone to power problems and it is surprising what an extra 3-5 LY jump range can do to shorten jump routes.


All in all, I'm really looking for a good reason to keep the FDL. The canopy obstruction does not help, the off-set seat is a little odd everytime I sit down, and the jump range is pathetic. It does have good speed, good maneuverability, and an awesome array of weapons though. If only the targets would stay in the same system or ones within 10LY jump distance. Please, can anyone help?

 

[Cmdr Basskicker]

On your current build you look to be missing out on ~3ly worth of range by simply not having A rated thrusters (which are really heavy at 5B) or an A rated FSD. Also A rated thrusters on an FDL make it feel like an entirely different ship.

Other things I would change:

That interdictor could stand to be reduced to D rated to save on weight if your goal is to have better jump range. A 12 ton drop in mass, which helps with the already poor range of the FDL.

The life support could be dropped to D to save an additional 6 tons.

Changing just the FSD will boost you to around 13 ly. Changing everything I mentioned will put you around 13.7 ly.

I have never owned a Python. So I can't tell you whether you should dump the FDL for one or not. Maybe someone with more experience with both ships will chime in.

 

[-Ice]

Yeah, thanks for that. I think I reduced them to lower-rated stuff to lower the power demands. I'll go back and up them again and see if I can get the power to feed all necessary stuff.

 

[-Ice]

I've now got the FDL to a 13.72 LY jump range which makes it slightly more useful in my current haunts... I just might keep it and save up for a Python so I can have both. Or if it disappoints, then it'll go on Space eBay and I'll be going for a Python.

 

[Arsen Cross]

Hey Ice, my apologies this is a little wordy!

I'm not big on the FDL as I've never flown it so I can't give you advice on that ship through experience. The fitting options of the FDL however are rather limited.

I however currently own and fly exclusively a Python fitted out to a purchase cost of 280 Million. I'm a big fan of this ship and the only thing right now with potential to replace it for me is the Diamondback, but that's entirely dependent on where they class that ship.

I looked at your Python fit and mimicked it a little bit into my own for that budget. Unfortunately I go over your 75m budget a little bit at an 82.9 mil purchase cost for the Python with all fittings.

A quick overview is a 20.42ly jump range, (Laden @160T Cargo, 16.14 range), triple shield cell banks (Keep the pair of 3A's powered off, and use the 4A until depleted then switch.) Heavily armed. This is definitely a hybrid cargo/killer.

This fit is equipped with 6D thrusters. I Absolutely recommend that if you fit this Python this way, that your first purchase is 6A thrusters. If you also get a 6A power plant at the same time you'll bust through to a whole new level of fitting possibilities.

The Fit on EDShipyard.com

Just keep in mind, using an A-Class powerplant is an absolute must for the Python. With three large weapons and two mediums you will have a lot more heat to bleed off between firing bursts. Lower class power plants will make you very reliant on heat sink launchers.

If you are curious, this is the fit I use for my Python with it maxed out.

 

[Morbad]

I currently have a FDL kitted out as follows:

That is one hideously overweight FDL. The swiss army knife build is also overly general and wasteful.

You don't need an ECM or PDT and you probably don't need that wake scanner either. You probably want a few shield boosters in there.

Avoid B rating modules, too heavy. I generally keep everything A except life support and sensors which can be left at D. Better sensors are marginally useful, better life support almost never is.