I was trying to figure out what the Fer de Lance is supposed to be good for. It's being advertised as a ship for bounty hunters and businessmen who got into some money.
The Fer de Lance has far too little cargo capacity to suffice as a ship used for trading. It is also way too expensive, as for 4mil less you get a Type-9 complete with trading outfit (example). A trade fitted Python is way cheaper (example) and has greater range.
That leaves only one sensible profession the Fer de Lance can be used for: Combat. Bounty hunters require two things. They need the firepower to take down a target. That's where the Fer de Lance delivers. They also need a ship that is able to track down another ship through several systems. And that's where the Fer de Lance fails miserably. With a full combat loadout you can only get about 13.3ly jump range out of it. Something that might make the pilot of a fully laden Type 9 sweat, but most of the others will just c**k a snook at you, knowing full well you won't be able to keep up.
Buying a Fer de Lance and a full combat loadout along with it costs around 134 mil. A combat fitted Python is around 176 mil, ~30% more. For these 30% more you get
- better jump range
- higher fuel capacity
- better defensive capabilities
- some cargo space
- never need to refuel at stations
All while offensive capabilities are about the same.
Long story short, the Fer de Lance is a dedicated short range fighter. That makes it a "shoot first, ask questions later" type of ship, because if you start asking questions your target will be out of your jump range and you be left standing. Quite literally. So what's the purpose of such a ship?
Well, this might be it: http://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/2xtsim/possible_13_spoiler_warning_may__off_certain/
At the moment, the Fer de Lance isn't viable in scenarios outside arenas. Since we don't have arenas, the Fer de Lance is left without a purpose. To remedy the situation, it would need two tweaks:
- jump range at least ~17ly at 435t mass
- fuel tank class +1 so you can get more than three jumps out of it
Without these changes, if people managed to grind to 134mil without going insane, they might just as well grind to 176mil and get the far better deal with a Python.
With these changes it would still not be able to keep up with exploration fitted vessels and their 20+ly jump range (examples: Cobra, Asp). Even some trading fitted ships have a larger range (examples: Cobra, Type-7). Combat fitted vessels however would need to be on guard.
The Fer de Lance has far too little cargo capacity to suffice as a ship used for trading. It is also way too expensive, as for 4mil less you get a Type-9 complete with trading outfit (example). A trade fitted Python is way cheaper (example) and has greater range.
That leaves only one sensible profession the Fer de Lance can be used for: Combat. Bounty hunters require two things. They need the firepower to take down a target. That's where the Fer de Lance delivers. They also need a ship that is able to track down another ship through several systems. And that's where the Fer de Lance fails miserably. With a full combat loadout you can only get about 13.3ly jump range out of it. Something that might make the pilot of a fully laden Type 9 sweat, but most of the others will just c**k a snook at you, knowing full well you won't be able to keep up.
Buying a Fer de Lance and a full combat loadout along with it costs around 134 mil. A combat fitted Python is around 176 mil, ~30% more. For these 30% more you get
- better jump range
- higher fuel capacity
- better defensive capabilities
- some cargo space
- never need to refuel at stations
All while offensive capabilities are about the same.
Long story short, the Fer de Lance is a dedicated short range fighter. That makes it a "shoot first, ask questions later" type of ship, because if you start asking questions your target will be out of your jump range and you be left standing. Quite literally. So what's the purpose of such a ship?
Well, this might be it: http://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/2xtsim/possible_13_spoiler_warning_may__off_certain/
At the moment, the Fer de Lance isn't viable in scenarios outside arenas. Since we don't have arenas, the Fer de Lance is left without a purpose. To remedy the situation, it would need two tweaks:
- jump range at least ~17ly at 435t mass
- fuel tank class +1 so you can get more than three jumps out of it
Without these changes, if people managed to grind to 134mil without going insane, they might just as well grind to 176mil and get the far better deal with a Python.
With these changes it would still not be able to keep up with exploration fitted vessels and their 20+ly jump range (examples: Cobra, Asp). Even some trading fitted ships have a larger range (examples: Cobra, Type-7). Combat fitted vessels however would need to be on guard.
