Ships Fer-de-Lance Fer-de-Lance Owner's Club

Faster than Jesus [VR]

Faster than Jesus [VR]
Adeptus Kaze said:
The main problem that I have is that despite the A6 Distributor, Shield recharge is soooooooo sloooooow. :( I like being able to see the enemy from a distance, and not having to panic when my canopy gets blown, so I am fighting the urge to D Class Sensors/Life Support in order to increase Shields and Weapons further as I have seen in so many other successful Builds. I am considering a drop to B Class thrusters though... How badly do You think that will hamper me?
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Personally I'd stick with A thrusters as other than the distributor I would say it's the most important module. Of course, just my opinion and your style may vary. A grades will help you get in position faster and stay in position, so they have both an offensive and defensive benefit.

Do you find the higher rated sensors helping much? I used to use A class sensors until the claim of them benefiting gimbals was finally debunked (which I think would have made a good mechanic). I didn't see much of a downside to going to class D and the extra power and lower weight more than made up for it.
 

Mephane

Mephane
Faster than Jesus said:
Do you find the higher rated sensors helping much? I used to use A class sensors until the claim of them benefiting gimbals was finally debunked (which I think would have made a good mechanic). I didn't see much of a downside to going to class D and the extra power and lower weight more than made up for it.
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A-grade sensors let you resolve objects at greater distance, which is very useful for example when hunting in RES, so you spend less time flying around only to find that the distant blinking blip was another minor, or a police ship.
 

Faster than Jesus [VR]

Faster than Jesus [VR]
Mephane said:
A-grade sensors let you resolve objects at greater distance, which is very useful for example when hunting in RES, so you spend less time flying around only to find that the distant blinking blip was another minor, or a police ship.
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Yeah, I get that, I just found that wasn't as beneficial as the lower weight and power. Obviously, play style and personal preference dictates that as much as anything.
 

Adeptus Kaze

Adeptus Kaze
Faster than Jesus said:
Personally I'd stick with A thrusters as other than the distributor I would say it's the most important module. Of course, just my opinion and your style may vary. A grades will help you get in position faster and stay in position, so they have both an offensive and defensive benefit.

Do you find the higher rated sensors helping much? I used to use A class sensors until the claim of them benefiting gimbals was finally debunked (which I think would have made a good mechanic). I didn't see much of a downside to going to class D and the extra power and lower weight more than made up for it.
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I find that the ability to resolve targets at longer ranges is constantly either saving my bacon, or allowing me to get the jump on my opponents. It makes me a better coordinator in CZs and Res zones for my wing. So unfortunately they are really useful. It was painful to drop them to B class... :(
 

Lowe1978

L
I'm getting the hang of my FDL now, and have gone for the huge PA/Pulse laser combo. Loving the huge PA, causes absolute havoc when it lands. :)

[video=youtube;P1BIe6TZ1Us]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1BIe6TZ1Us[/video]
 

Faster than Jesus [VR]

Faster than Jesus [VR]
Adeptus Kaze said:
I find that the ability to resolve targets at longer ranges is constantly either saving my bacon, or allowing me to get the jump on my opponents. It makes me a better coordinator in CZs and Res zones for my wing. So unfortunately they are really useful. It was painful to drop them to B class... :(
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Fair enough. It all comes down to play style in the end.
 

puca

P
Cyberguts said:
So, would you say its better than the G/Cannon?
As on my previous ship (FAS) I was a lover of the PAC but I've been told that the Cannon was the only way to go with the FDL....
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Opinions differ. You need to sacrifice shield strength to run the class 4 PA on the FDL. You might also consider a class 3 PA, as it is a more efficient weapon:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=140240

(note specifically the comparison of damage per energy and damage per shot of class 3 and class 4 PAs). Class 3 PAs need less power plant also.

The nice thing about PA is that it is good for the alpha strike on shields, which in a hazardous RES you can always line up since you generally start fights. I run a class 4 cannon, because I like extra shields, and I find getting through armor of large ships more problematic than getting through shields. I feel that 4 gimballed pulses are more than sufficient for stripping even anaconda shields.
 
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Lowe1978

L
I think the PA is the better choice now that NPC's are using Shield Cells properly and more regularly. There's times when you'll see the glowing rings start up, and a single PA hit wipes everything out - this is especially handy with Anacondas and other big ships that have lots of shields to regenerate since you put them on the back foot near instantly. I don't think any other weapon does as much damage to shields in a single hit. Plus the subsystem damage is often insane - as per my video above.
 

Adeptus Kaze

Adeptus Kaze
Lowe1978 said:
I'm getting the hang of my FDL now, and have gone for the huge PA/Pulse laser combo. Loving the huge PA, causes absolute havoc when it lands. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1BIe6TZ1Us
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A little trick to indulge in even more dps:
When your opponent chaffs, deselect them as a target and your lasers will shoot straight. Since You don't have to lead a target with lasers - You can just keep on pounding on them while they chaff away. :) Reselect when chaff ends to continue to enjoy your Gimbals. :D

puca said:
Opinions differ. You need to sacrifice shield strength to run the class 4 PA on the FDL. You might also consider a class 3 PA, as it is a more efficient weapon:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=140240

(note specifically the comparison of damage per energy and damage per shot of class 3 and class 4 PAs). Class 3 PAs need less power plant also.

The nice thing about PA is that it is good for the alpha strike on shields, which in a hazardous RES you can always line up since you generally start fights. I run a class 4 cannon, because I like extra shields, and I find getting through armor of large ships more problematic than getting through shields. I feel that 4 gimballed pulses are more than sufficient for stripping even anaconda shields.
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I agree with your assessment of the PA's capabilities, but You don't have to sacrifice that much in the way of Shields to use it. My current Build (above) is runnin close to 700mj, and can keep them healthy for quite awhile.

I supplement my 4pa with 2 Pulses and 2 Multicannons, becasue You are 100% spot on about needing something to deal with the hull of ships; particularly small well armored ones like the Vulture. I am thinking about going back to the 4 x Pulses though, just because it extends my combat durability due to the lack of reliance on ammo; and so I can use the trick that I mentioned above...
 
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puca

P
I think your build does not let you shield cell in combat without weapon retraction, which I feel is a bit dangerous. Perhaps PA makes it ok. It definitely hits hard...

I find the ship that gives me the most trouble in Haz RES is the FAS. It's hard to kill it (lots of hull) like an anaconda, but it is fast and maneuverable like a vulture (so its hard to PA it and it always faces you), and has decent firepower. A vulture I can just melt even if it fires on me a bit. An anaconda I can hug so it never hits me, and just slowly murder it in safety. The FAS just makes me burn resources -- I avoid them now unless they are occupied.
 
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Kayin

Kayin
I just bought and fit my first FdL. This thing is amazing! There are soooo many build possibilities. As an assassin 1v1 this thing is unmatched. I took it out for a spin and 1 on 1 I ate every ship I encountered no problem. Then to a high RES and again no problems. I actually performed better than I do in my Vulture. I'm hoping to encounter some bigger Elite NPCs soon so I can really give it a test.

I fit out a pretty tanky build:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70O,A725Rr5Rr5Rr5Rr01Q3we0_g0_g0_g0__,2-7_7_6Q6u9Y6u5A,7Sk7gy7gy9qI10i

I'll upgrade to mirror or military armor when I can afford it.

I'm a decent shot with the PA so it really adds that middle finger to the fight. Though it is not a Vulture in terms of maneuverability it's much better than a Python. Pretty darn close to an Asp / Cobra, which is much better than I was expecting.

It handles a swarm better than any of the smaller ships, though not as good as a Python so it probably won't survive a CZ very well.

I may never fly my Vulture again. I love this ship. Anyone have any tips on CZ builds?

-K
 

Cyberguts

C
Well, I gave the FDL a week.....
It's a great ship, BUT the manoeuvrability is a major issue for me when in dogfights. And, as I'm on Xbox One; the controller cannot be full mapped to make use of all the thrusters for FA off.

My main issue was that an NPC Anaconda could out turn me, thus constantly chasing my own tail to get back on target even when throttle was in blue; an issue I never had with the FAS.

So, I've cannibalised it for parts, and have placed it into storage.... Shame really, as the look and the sound of the ship was great
 

Stressfest

Stressfest
Well I bit the bullet.. again, and bought the red rocket over at GA GU for the usual 15% discount less my Elite 10%. Spent a few days mulling over loadouts, trying everything I could think of.. mixtures of kinetic and thermals, shield boosters, chaff, heat sinks. My god, I've not had to mess with power priorities so much since my vulture. Finally settled on a fixed 3G Beam and 4x F2 Gimbaled Multicannons.. and they shred the bejesus out of just about anything and everything!!
Very happy with this ship. Maybe time to retire the Python to mining duties.. ;)
 

joyrex

joyrex
Stressfest said:
Well I bit the bullet.. again, and bought the red rocket over at GA GU for the usual 15% discount less my Elite 10%. Spent a few days mulling over loadouts, trying everything I could think of.. mixtures of kinetic and thermals, shield boosters, chaff, heat sinks. My god, I've not had to mess with power priorities so much since my vulture. Finally settled on a fixed 3G Beam and 4x F2 Gimbaled Multicannons.. and they shred the bejesus out of just about anything and everything!!
Very happy with this ship. Maybe time to retire the Python to mining duties.. ;)
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i'm gonna try that too, i think it's the only thing i haven't tried yet :)

PS. i'm a terrible shot with cannon/PA, i should really train myself :(
 

Stressfest

Stressfest
I've been trying a few more loadouts and doing a shootout *excuse the pun* between that and the courier. Both ships I can throw around Haz RES and go for hours on end but there's something pretty unique about the FDL.. Think it has something to do with the way you can hang the rear end out while you hit boost. Feels like I'm taking Gambon corner in a Pagani Zonda... :D
 

newman1702

newman1702
Adeptus Kaze said:
OK team, Who is ready to go Exploring in Style? :D

http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...f5320d2i2f.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==?bn=Exploring FDL
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A few modifications. A little less fuel but much better scooping capabilities and more range. You don't need all those HSL's, they're just weighing you down. They can't really help you when scooping, anyway, so you need a good scoop and not overheat without HSL's, otherwise you won't get far no matter how far you go. The two HSL's left are just for emergencies - you shouldn't really need more if you're paying attention :) 5D thrusters were also downsized to 4D since you'll spend 99% of your time in SC, anyway.

Also not sure why you'd mount a c2 AFMU when you can get a bigger one. They're made of this new wishfulhinkium/fairymagicdust alloy, making them have no mass, so there's really no penalty to taking the largest one you can get. You also won't need to boost out there, so out went the 4D power distributor. (boy oh buy even with all these compromises the jump range is still just a smidgen short of 19 ly on a full tank..)

Now you just need a small cargo rack so you can pack enough expensive wine, cheese, caviar, smoked salmon, you know - the essentials :)

All that's left is to find someone crazy enough to actually take it out exploring..
 
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