Is the Fer-de-Lance boring?
- Thread starter OHMSS
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Relatively new player here; I have fully A-rated and engineered Vulture, ASP Exp, iCourier, Python, Clipper, with the latest buy being a fully engineered and A-rated FDL sporting 4 efficient pulses and a long-range mod'd C4 PA with plasma slugs; currently my go-to combat ship. Great top speed and turn rate. All other modules are light-weight mod'd, get a bit over 20ly jump range; not not too shabby. The small tank is the real limitation, requires storing one SCB and hull reinforcement for a tank and scoop, but the ASP (44+ly) gets the duty for long range missions anyway. The FDL is this rookie's in-system (or one jump away) dedicated fighter.
Part of the current FDL preference for combat is the C4 PA, which is more of a challenge than my Vulture's ability to just melt stuff, but landing shots with the PA is the most satisfying thing I've done in ED. Has taking me through Expert and now half way through Master. Having 6 util slots is also a bonus for 2 boosters, plus KWS, chaff, and sinks (which the Python should have.
For my developing flying style in zero grav, the FDL is less forgiving in turns than the Vulture or iCourier (will stall and drift more if cranked/banked), but the FDL is (IMHO) anything but boring. I've been a flight sim fan since the mid-90s starting with Falcon 3.0 and have have flown many of the DCS aircraft, so dogfighting has always been my main point of interest.
Well worth a try, especially if you have another ship with the same class thruster that's already DD5-mod'd.
PS - Oh crap, the above Chieftain post has me checking available credits. Never ends....
Part of the current FDL preference for combat is the C4 PA, which is more of a challenge than my Vulture's ability to just melt stuff, but landing shots with the PA is the most satisfying thing I've done in ED. Has taking me through Expert and now half way through Master. Having 6 util slots is also a bonus for 2 boosters, plus KWS, chaff, and sinks (which the Python should have.
For my developing flying style in zero grav, the FDL is less forgiving in turns than the Vulture or iCourier (will stall and drift more if cranked/banked), but the FDL is (IMHO) anything but boring. I've been a flight sim fan since the mid-90s starting with Falcon 3.0 and have have flown many of the DCS aircraft, so dogfighting has always been my main point of interest.
Well worth a try, especially if you have another ship with the same class thruster that's already DD5-mod'd.
PS - Oh crap, the above Chieftain post has me checking available credits. Never ends....
Still flying mine, wreaking havoc in RES sites. I've been able to engineer the FSD to squeak out just a hair more than 20 light years per jump, which makes it somewhat less cumbersome getting around. Thinking about looking at a Chieftan, though, now that the canopy doesn't shatter when you sneeze on it.
I have one I use for Assassination missions, one I use for shooting thargoids.
I just don't do either very often.
It would be a great ship if it had something other than a thimble for a fuel tank.
I just don't do either very often.
It would be a great ship if it had something other than a thimble for a fuel tank.
First the FAS displaced my FdL. I never did like the flight characteristics of the FdL. Then the aChief came along. and pushed the FAS aside. I keep the FdL simply because it is roughly Engineered, and payed for. I can find no reason to fly it, nor sell it. It's a tain't. It tain't an FAS, and it tain't an aChief...
I like mine for combat missions, with a 4a fuel scoop you can take it anywhere, gets about 18 ly jump range. I like it especially for the NPC fed corvettes and anacondas that have been showing up with wings in asassination missions, the ones with PA's, still takes a while to whittle them down tho.
I fly mine. Its a blast, no combat ship i had ever felt as good to fly as the fdl.
That is the primary area where the Chieftain always seems to win out when I am trying to decide between the two. I think I have my FDL up to 19Ly, but that is after pulling out all the stops with light weight mounts, maxed G5 FSD and all that jazz.
I think if FDEV ever decided to give the ol girl an Optimized Mass Buff or something that would bring the FDL more into range with the majority of other jump ranges we have today in 3.0, you would see an immediate resurgence in the number of FDL owners revisiting their mothballed gem!
I really hope it gets some love this year! It most definitely deserves it!
Oh! And I am also one of those players who "tolerates" but really doesn't like the "Offset Pilot Seat"! That ship really needed a centerline pilot position, and I still don't understand why FDEV thought Offset was the way to go. ?? [wacko]
I find myself bouncing back and forth between my Corvette and the FDL for haz res or CNB fun. The Corvette just kills everything by the boatload. My FDL makes it personal.
Currently using four G5 efficient beams and a G5 efficient PA and having fun with it.
Gluttony Fang soloed two Thargoid Cyclops Interceptors in an FDL, using the new Guardian railguns. He not only killed both, he did it with style! See for yourself:
[video=youtube_share;Szo2ASB6_HM]https://youtu.be/Szo2ASB6_HM[/video]
Literally the reason I play the game. FDL driver for life.
He's what 5 will do to it thermal-wise in static testing (i.e. not in combat, but it shouldn't be hard to extrapolate):
[video=youtube;6eYbJaGfEwg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eYbJaGfEwg[/video]
Other than that, I've seen them featured in what seems to be well over 90% of all PVP videos out there with the exact same build to the point where Fer-de-Lance equates to "Emergent Content" and PVP for me. Hopefully I'll learn to take out a player-flown FDL soon... It can't be that hard, right? [noob]
Cheers
I have a pair on a Cobra MkIV and love them, as you have a lower effective ROF in combat due to distance and oppertunuty and making use to the auto loading, just haven't got around to trying them in the FDL as currently dealing with an election so no point seeking combat
Would love some size 1 shock cannons for my Sidewinder but that is a different thread
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I think I'll add that the Python may be supremely useful, but it's like driving an SUV. It's boring to fly. The FDL on the other hand is a joy to fly. It's fast, maneuverable, and sounds like a TIE fighter. It's got those stylish string lights and leather dash detailing, and for someone who'd never lift a finger to help the Empire, a Zorgon Peterson FDL is as close to Gutamaya styling as you're going to get.
I've used it extensively in combat zones, but I've also spent nights using it for data delivery and planetary scan missions, or wake scanning for DWEs. Occasionally I get hassled and I jovially ask them how their health plan is.
I've used it extensively in combat zones, but I've also spent nights using it for data delivery and planetary scan missions, or wake scanning for DWEs. Occasionally I get hassled and I jovially ask them how their health plan is.
I’ve never had a dull moment in my FdL. Its flight model is sublime and it’s gorgeous. Even flying around looking for POIs is fun in the FdL. It’s easily my most fun ship.
My Python, on the other hand, is in mothballs right now. It has one function: trade CGs at outposts. That is the only thing it can do that my Anaconda cannot do better.
My Python, on the other hand, is in mothballs right now. It has one function: trade CGs at outposts. That is the only thing it can do that my Anaconda cannot do better.