Fer De Lance -> Alliance Chieftain?

[Mistress Athena]

Is it worth selling my Fer De Lance for an Alliance Chieftain? With how little I play this game with the extreme lack of any meaningful content, extreme need of 3rd party programs/sites to get anywhere or any info you need.. I simply don't play this game much. Fer De Lance to make it anything worth combat at my combat rank with the random NPCs, and crap I go up against in missions.. it gets torn apart like paper, and is going to take me way to long to upgrade into a proper fit.

So is the new Alliance Chieftain with how much cheaper it is worth getting instead?

Also can it be outfitted well for long range deep space exploration and replace my Asp Explorer? (my Asp is fully 100% kitted for extreme long range exploration)

Thanks in advance. <3

 

[[VR] scipio_77]

They're fairly similarly priced. Chieftain is cheaper to buy in base form, but when you upgrade both will hit the 80-100 mill mark (before composite, if you use it).

I think Fer-de-lance is easily the more capable fighting ship with its oversized power plant and huge hardpoint. Chieftain does get much better jump range though. Perhaps the Chieftain can be set-up to do a bit of everything, I don't know.

For pure exploration, Asp is still superior to both.

 

[Mistress Athena]

Thanks for the reply.

Though Are you sure about the pricing? Fer De Lance is 51 million while Chieftain is only 20 million in price, (at least thats what the website shows, I may be wrong). That's still an extra 20ish million to play around with in upgrades before costs.

To put things into perspective, it takes me weeks to make 20 million with how little time I get to play. With the Chieftains superior maneuverability as well I figured it'd be a better fit. Would you say they are still similar?

 

[GunnerBill]

I already prefer the Chief to the FDL. But then I never did quite like the FDL flight model.

 

[sedilbur]

Hi CMDR,

I am not an owner of Fer de Lance ... but the combat style is completely different. I tried the Chieftain (beta) and it is more like FAS playstyle. Don't expect to have a shield tanking.
The jump range was good if I remember correctly. And the look of the engine is awesome (great for picture). But I remember explorer having complains with lack of internal ... don't know if it was really blocking for a long range explorer.
For running the new wing mission (solo), I think you will have full of fun =) But Fer de lance can be more easy I think.
I would suggest you also to have a look at Python (even if I am out of topic now). For a shield tank at least.

If you really have problem with money, Chieftain is cheaper to outfit. But you have to be sure the playstyle is fitting with you.


I hope I helped you a little. Personally, I am fully happy of the new contents.

 

[Mistress Athena]

Hi CMDR,

I am not an owner of Fer de Lance ... but the combat style is completely different. I tried the Chieftain (beta) and it is more like FAS playstyle. Don't expect to have a shield tanking.
The jump range was good if I remember correctly. And the look of the engine is awesome (great for picture). But I remember explorer having complains with lack of internal ... don't know if it was really blocking for a long range explorer.
For running the new wing mission (solo), I think you will have full of fun =) But Fer de lance can be more easy I think.
I would suggest you also to have a look at Python (even if I am out of topic now). For a shield tank at least.

If you really have problem with money, Chieftain is cheaper to outfit. But you have to be sure the playstyle is fitting with you.


I hope I helped you a little. Personally, I am fully happy of the new contents.

What type of Combat should I expect with the Chieftain? Or how should I pilot it? Weapons? Trying to get a good idea of the differences, etc. You said not to expect much shield tanking with it, but I see in the description its supposed to tank pretty well for its size? I'm a little confused. Thanks again for the info

 

[Darth Llama]

It depends on how you like to play..

The Chieftain has a very high hull but very low shielding for it's size.

The Fer-De-Lance has top of the line shielding with average hull strength.

For most players, the Fer-De-Lance will probably be a better option for general PVE combat as your shielding will hold up much longer then the Chieftain. When your shields drop, the FDL is fast enough to make a run for it. If you're struggling to win fights in the FDL, my guess is that moving to a Chieftain will not help you. The FDL is pretty much the 'top dog' combat ship without going to something like an Anaconda.

 

[GunnerBill]

What type of Combat should I expect with the Chieftain? Or how should I pilot it? Weapons? Trying to get a good idea of the differences, etc. You said not to expect much shield tanking with it, but I see in the description its supposed to tank pretty well for its size? I'm a little confused. Thanks again for the info

I turns on a dime.

An Eagle will fly past and you can turn and still be a few hundred meters behind it no problem. It'll stick to the rear of a Conda and any big ship like glue.

Top Tip if you get motion sickness use vJoy to damp the yaw down!

With 3 Class 1 Long range rails I sniped a Anaconda to death last night and it never got closer than 4km as I was in reverse all the time.

A truly awesome ship.

 

[Mistress Athena]

It depends on how you like to play..

The Chieftain has a very high hull but very low shielding for it's size.

The Fer-De-Lance has top of the line shielding with average hull strength.

For most players, the Fer-De-Lance will probably be a better option for general PVE combat as your shielding will hold up much longer then the Chieftain. When your shields drop, the FDL is fast enough to make a run for it. If you're struggling to win fights in the FDL, my guess is that moving to a Chieftain will not help you. The FDL is pretty much the 'top dog' combat ship without going to something like an Anaconda.

This was very helpful thank you.

 

[Tanith Low]

Proud owner of both and I have to say I prefer the Chieftain. They're about the same money fully kitted out - Chieftain has larger internals so the A grade fit out is more expensive.

Flight profile of the Chieftain is like a marriage of the FAS and the FDL. It turns like the FAS but is "slidey" like the FDL. I really like it but it won't be for everyone.

For me though I like the Chieftain because it can easily be fitted out to do more than just combat while still keeping its combat edge. The FDL is a pure combat ship and nothing else. The military compartments in the Chieftain mean that you can effectively hull tank while at the same time having a cargo rack and an SRV bay. Obviously this will suffer against a pure combat build but it still packs plenty of punch.

Also if you like heavy shields and not taking hull damage it is not the ship for you. This is far more like the FAS and you will come out of fights having taken hull damage.

Either way there is not downside to giving it a try. I love it, you may too.

 

[Necronaught]

If you don't do PVP just get the trusty Python. Problem solved.

 

[Hooplah]

If I want to take out any ship in the game my engineered Fer de Lance can deal with it. But an A-rated Chieftain that can fire two class 3 beams without overheating and your choice of cannons is pretty darn fun to fly...and I haven't engineered the thing yet.

 

[MUSKETEER]

I think Chieftain is more of a FAS alternative that FDL alternative... FDL's position in unchallenged.

 

[Darth Llama]

I think Chieftain is more of a FAS alternative that FDL alternative... FDL's position in unchallenged.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[sedilbur]

What type of Combat should I expect with the Chieftain? Or how should I pilot it? Weapons? Trying to get a good idea of the differences, etc. You said not to expect much shield tanking with it, but I see in the description its supposed to tank pretty well for its size? I'm a little confused. Thanks again for the info

What I wanted to say is :

- Fer de Lance has a pretty strong shield value (MJ) with can be extreme once you fully engineer it.
The outfit is pretty far different. With Shield tank you can avoid HRP and MRP and probably the Armor. (this is what I do for PVE when I know my shield will never go down). You probably fit some SCBs (as a Oh button )
I am not an expert in pure combat build but probably you use an armor military (even if your shield won't go down).

- A.Chieftain (like FAS) don't remain on strong shield value. This is the opposite. You have pretty low. But very strong hull value. So you probably goes for a hull tank or hybrid (fast recharge shield + hull).
The outfit I generally use for these is military armor, full HRP and 2 MRP. But you can adjust to your needs. You also want a repair module (for well module xd) but this is not mandatory.
The hull repair limpets are unfortunately very limited as it requires the limpets module itself and well ... a cargo bay. (I still hate you Frontier for that).

But I do love this playstyle a lot. Your shield go down quickly but ... your hull remains longer. I think it make you feel a little more stressed but I completely enjoy this.


The (new) krait should be more like a shield tank as per some spoiler =)

 

[[VR] scipio_77]

Thanks for the reply.

Though Are you sure about the pricing? Fer De Lance is 51 million while Chieftain is only 20 million in price, (at least thats what the website shows, I may be wrong). That's still an extra 20ish million to play around with in upgrades before costs.

To put things into perspective, it takes me weeks to make 20 million with how little time I get to play. With the Chieftains superior maneuverability as well I figured it'd be a better fit. Would you say they are still similar?

Yeah, the Chieftain has bigger internals so kitted out they are about the same price.

I'd say the Fer-de-lance is to the Chieftain what the Vulture is to the Asp; a much more focused ship that sacrifices all-round versatility and jump range in favor of a pure combat capability.

If you're having money troubles, the rule of thumb in Elite is that the best ship is the one you can max out in outfitting. A topped out Asp will be better than a mediocre Chieftain, a topped out Vulture will be better than a mediocre Fer-de-lance. As for money, if you grind out max rep in a system, you'll get fairly short missions rewarding you with 4-8 millions a piece. The path to a topped out FDL or Chieftain (before engineering) isn't that long then.

But in short, the FDL is superior to the Chieftain in combat... but worse in everything else. When we count modules, they're about in the same price range.

 

[Mistress Athena]

Just wanted to say thank you for all the feedback from everyone! I decided to keep the Ferdy since I am all about shield tanking. (Even in EVE Online I hated playing Amarr, and always played Caldari for the pure shield tank). So I think Fer De Lance will be the best for my personal tastes.

However, when I get enough money I'll get the chieftain too because it sounds super fun regardless.

 

[nosleepdemon]

Just wanted to say thank you for all the feedback from everyone! I decided to keep the Ferdy since I am all about shield tanking. (Even in EVE Online I hated playing Amarr, and always played Caldari for the pure shield tank). So I think Fer De Lance will be the best for my personal tastes.

However, when I get enough money I'll get the chieftain too because it sounds super fun regardless.

Just remember you have to trick it out with a heavier hull and hull reinforcements. The FDL can get away with reinforced or even light alloys as you don't fight when your shields drop, the Chieftain on the other hand spends a lot of time with its shields down, so a military or equivalent hull is a requirement. This will significantly inflate the price of making the ship combat worthy both in terms of engineering visits and raw credits.

 

[Fyren]

Thanks for the reply.

Though Are you sure about the pricing? Fer De Lance is 51 million while Chieftain is only 20 million in price, (at least thats what the website shows, I may be wrong). That's still an extra 20ish million to play around with in upgrades before costs.

To put things into perspective, it takes me weeks to make 20 million with how little time I get to play. With the Chieftains superior maneuverability as well I figured it'd be a better fit. Would you say they are still similar?

I think your skepticism is founded.

My A-rated Chief comes up to +/- 60 mil, outfited it in a LYR system. (That would amount to +/- 66 mil outfitted in another system.)

I doubt you can get an A-rated FDL for that price.

EDIT : and that cost includes swapping out the level 5 shields for level 6 shields.

 

[Crank Larson]

Never flown an FDL, but I love the Chieftain. I did get destroyed by an FDL on my way into Jameson, but it wasn't an even fight as I didn't have any hull enforcement, little engineering, and hadn't yet sorted my power so that as soon as I deployed hardpoints everything shut down.

I did have a couple of PvP encounters in the beta in my fully engineered Chieftain, and was very impressed there. I've now got reasonable engineering applied to my ship in-game, so am looking forward to my next encounter.