Ships From Vulture to FDL. Combat comparison

[Sgt.Barnes]

I have been causing trouble around the galaxy for a while in my Vulture and I have to say I love it. For the size and class it actually feels O.P. I run one gimballed Multi cannon and one gimballed beam with a tanked hull. This setup allows me to run cool and keeps the beam constant. I have no problem killing 99% of foes although it does struggle a bit against a good FAS as it can out circle me. Then last week I met a CMDR in a decent FDL and he pwned my ass good 2 or three times (I salute you CMDR). He seemed to out turn me and seriously out DPM'ed me. So what to do. Simple buy a FDL too

My first impressions are it really nice. It turns well, its really fast even with only 1 or 2 pips and the firepower is good too. I am running x4 multi cannons, and a big gimballed beam on the lower hard point to burn off shields. My general test for ships in combat is to find a Distress call and get stuck in. The Vulture seems to have no problems finishing the job against multiple foes quickly. I focus the smaller ships first (eagles, sideys) then focus the larger ships down. Even the final Vultures/Conda wave is easy pickings. The Vulture for me seems weaker though in one on one PVP if outclassed by the other ship although not totally helpless and can bloody a nose before bugging out.

The FDL seems to be the opposite. My first impressions are that its not as strong as the Vulture in a multiple target engagement in PVE but seems to be stronger in a PVP one on one or two on one at best (more of an assassin that an all out heavy fighter) Are my first impressions correct or is there a particular setup that rocks this ship ?

TLDR: My first impressions are Vulture is better 6 vs 1 PVE and weaker PVP 1 or 2 vs 1 and FDL better PVP 1 or 2 vs 1 weaker for multiple targets at once. FDL is assassin, Vulture is a brawler. Is this correct or can I do a better FDL setup ?

 

[Jon flint]

To be honest I found the opposite, the FDL was near invincible in pve unless you do something really silly! I found my FDL groove with this loadout...

http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...44a32f42725.AwRj4yrI.Aw1-gjKQ?bn=Time's Arrow

Get their sheilds down with the pulses, then use the class 4 PA to snipe their power plant

Edit* You could probably swap out the additional fuel tank for either more hull reinforcement or an scb. I chose more fuel just because I was trying to get somewhere when I made the loadout.

 

[Ceekay]

I'm running a similar build to Jon's and had been using a fixed m-cannon in the huge slot (in preparation for the upcoming class 4), I'm currently testing a class 3 PA and I'm slowly getting the hang of it and when you land a PA shot it does serious damage, I'll be trying the class 4 next

http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...a03v62724.AwRj4zNEg===.AwiMIyogmHiA?bn=FDL 5A

 

[Kayin]

You can't compare the ships so simply. Mileage varies greatly depending on how you fly and how your build complements your flight style. The FdL has dozens of viable builds. Even if they seem troll they're still viable in the FdL.

5 Rails
4 frags + 1 beam
4 frags + 1 PA (try it, it's hilarious and fun)
5 PAs
4 multis + 1 beam
2 beams + 2 multis + 1 PA (my preferred build)
3 beams + 2 Frags
3 beams + 2 rails
etc.

The build variations really make the FdL a special snowflake. To me and my flight style, the FdL is an assassin. I can jump into a wing of 5, surgically take out my target, and get out wihout losing a ring of shields and not incur any more bounty.

My vulture is more of my "honourable combat" ship. I'll bring that out when I want to dogfight for an extended period of time.

-K

 

[timpelo]

Like people say FDL seems to be more interesting ship. So much you can do with loadouts and it looks damn cool. That glass canopy might make you want to stop for a while in RES and just look beautiful planet near you.

I am flying Vulture. It is a killing machine. With its manouveriblity you can easily go 1v1 on any ship, kill it really fast and never get even scratch. Staying behind Anaconda and just blast it is really easy. Bad side is that it only has one great load out imo (2x large pulse lasers). But it gets job done very easily and I think you won't get more profit in hour with FDL.

So go what you want. You can always switch to other. I personally will get fully geared FLD if in upcoming multicrew update it will be mutlicrew ship. Would be awesome bounty hunter with friend

 

[Moritz Norman]

The FdL has a learning curve. Check out Vindicator Jones Youtube tutorials.

I rarely lose shields in PVE except particularly brutal wings.

 

[Cdr Voorheez]

To be honest I found the opposite, the FDL was near invincible in pve unless you do something really silly! I found my FDL groove with this loadout...

http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...44a32f42725.AwRj4yrI.Aw1-gjKQ?bn=Time's Arrow

Get their sheilds down with the pulses, then use the class 4 PA to snipe their power plant

Edit* You could probably swap out the additional fuel tank for either more hull reinforcement or an scb. I chose more fuel just because I was trying to get somewhere when I made the loadout.

Thats a really nice build I may try that.

 

[Sloan Kettering]

You guys really need to switch to fixed pulse lasers to get the most out of the FdL. It's speed allows you to dictate the range of the engagement and fixed are accurate enough to easily hit with all four lasers out to the full 3km range.

 

[Davadin]

I'm a long Vulture fan too and now switching to an FDL. PvE build for now.

I got the opposite effect with OP too. My Vulture seems invincible, but the more wings I take, the higher the risk of being outgunned. A wing of 2 ViperMK4 and a Clipper? Yeah. Kinda tough for my little Vulture. But 1-on-1? There is no NPC in existence that can outmatch it. Love it.

The FDL? Once fitted as per my signature, can take on multiple ships wings no problem. It's a tanker. The shield tanks quite a bit, and I put some extra HRP coz I'm crazy like that. But that's just MY first build. The problem with this build?       in Elite 'condas. They turn tighter and arguably tanks better. And Dangerous+ levels all have PA.... they're a pain to deal with. I'm fairly new with the FDL (literally last night was finally I got the build as per signature), and I usually lost 5% or so Hull when going toe-to-toe with an elite conda.

Overall, Vulture is a very capable little fellow. It can go toe-to-toe with no worry, and a great little workhorse in HazRES. Outside of PvP-specific Commanders, not much can scare this little guy.

FDL.... is like LEGO. You can build some batsh*t crazy stuff and be awesome with it, but it takes some time to learn and test. And everyone's preference is difference. But yes, it's very capable to do specific tasks very VERY well...

All current build in my INARA (NOT in my sig. sorry. forgot to update that. http://inara.cz/cmdr/19604

update: Sig updated.

 

[Zeta Legion]

You guys really need to switch to fixed pulse lasers to get the most out of the FdL. It's speed allows you to dictate the range of the engagement and fixed are accurate enough to easily hit with all four lasers out to the full 3km range.

You really ought to keep it in close with the FDL though.

Getting far away only makes it easier for your opponent to train their guns on you. Instead you should stick on top of them and match maneuvers such that they never get a shot at your FDL.