Rock an epic Vulture with 2 Large Beams for pretty much since they were released. I absolutely love the vulture but I always felt my next step up the ship tree was a Python or the Fer-de-Lance. The FDL seemed much better suited for a pure combat ship over the python so bought one, loaded it up, and proceeded to do test runs in RES sites. Gimballed Class 4 cannon and 4 Gimballed Beams. The beams drain the hell out of the power and cause some heat issues but they eat shields quick and I can follow up with cannon shot.The FDL is great at taking down large ships but since the changes to RES site spawn the bulk of my targets are small craft. The small craft are the issue. I dont know if I was just spoiled by the Vulture's agility but I cant seem to get a handle on the FDL and keeping small craft in my sights. Thinking of going back to the Vulture but if anyone has any piloting tips or build suggestions for the FDL im all ears. Cheers!
Tips for the FDL?
- Thread starter Demascus
- Start date
FA off and liberal amounts of thrust will allow you to turn pretty quickly, but takes a bit of practice. You'll never be as nimble as a Vulture, but you can bring more firepower, speed and shield strength. Also, for smaller craft the huge hard point is best equipped with a large laser. I like the FDL a lot, but it's a harder ship to fly. Vulture is pure "easy mode" in comparison, except against bigger, slower moving targets. But it's a love-hate thing with the FDL for many - there seem to be as many who dislike it as there are those who enjoy it.
I bought an fdl several days ago and here is my opinion :
1. It's basically a pretty agile heavy tank
2. Don't bother with a rated thrusters, you won't out turn the more agile ships like vulture or eagle and yet it suck so much of your precious power
3. Instead maximise your shield with 4-6 shield boosters and class 5 shield gen, that way you can have 700-1000 mj of shield, outclassing most other ships
4. With such setup (and lower grade sensors and life support) you can still equip 2 class 2 gimballed beams, 2 class 2 gimballed pulses and one single class 3 gimballed pulse (my setup), yes they eat many power and cannot sustain fire that long but still annihilate vultures and bigger relatively fast while not wasting any money on overpriced class 4 guns and ammo; and it's also very tanky, can withstand assault from like 4 vipers at once for a while and still have room for shield cells
Basically what I said above, an agile heavy tank
1. It's basically a pretty agile heavy tank
2. Don't bother with a rated thrusters, you won't out turn the more agile ships like vulture or eagle and yet it suck so much of your precious power
3. Instead maximise your shield with 4-6 shield boosters and class 5 shield gen, that way you can have 700-1000 mj of shield, outclassing most other ships
4. With such setup (and lower grade sensors and life support) you can still equip 2 class 2 gimballed beams, 2 class 2 gimballed pulses and one single class 3 gimballed pulse (my setup), yes they eat many power and cannot sustain fire that long but still annihilate vultures and bigger relatively fast while not wasting any money on overpriced class 4 guns and ammo; and it's also very tanky, can withstand assault from like 4 vipers at once for a while and still have room for shield cells
Basically what I said above, an agile heavy tank
Thats what i use atm
[Fer-de-Lance]
H: 3E/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
U: 0I Chaff Launcher
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0D Frame Shift Wake Scanner
U: 0C Shield Booster
U: 0D Shield Booster
U: 0D Shield Booster
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5A Power Plant
TM: 5A Thrusters
FH: 4A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 4C Sensors
FS: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)
5: 5A Shield Generator
4: 4C Fuel Scoop
4: 4B Shield Cell Bank
2: 2A Frame Shift Drive Interdictor
1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
Doesnt kill als fast aus my python but its much more fun to fly
[Fer-de-Lance]
H: 3E/G Pulse Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
M: 2F/G Burst Laser
U: 0I Chaff Launcher
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner
U: 0D Frame Shift Wake Scanner
U: 0C Shield Booster
U: 0D Shield Booster
U: 0D Shield Booster
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5A Power Plant
TM: 5A Thrusters
FH: 4A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 6A Power Distributor
SS: 4C Sensors
FS: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)
5: 5A Shield Generator
4: 4C Fuel Scoop
4: 4B Shield Cell Bank
2: 2A Frame Shift Drive Interdictor
1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
Doesnt kill als fast aus my python but its much more fun to fly
Along with F/A off try this for smaller ships - when they are out in front and closing head to head go reverse thrust and throttle up using thrusters to keep target in front. This helps to keep your target in weapons gimbal longer as they can't get behind you. If you still have your Vulture try practicing in that first.
I'd also give advice to test the C4 PA. Sure, it drains energy like a black hole, and sure, there'sa 400 cr cost per shot. Sure, this won't you allow to go beyond one or two shield boosters. Sure, you will end up with B5 thrusters to keep everything you need infight online while shooting. However, there's so much fun with it to be had! Besides, it looks darn cool.
Without the C4 PA my advice, indeed, would be to just get the Python. It may cost about twice as much to fully fit for combat, but it just is so much more versatile. Then again, you apparently weren't driven mad by the Vulture, so that may be not as important for you.
Without the C4 PA my advice, indeed, would be to just get the Python. It may cost about twice as much to fully fit for combat, but it just is so much more versatile. Then again, you apparently weren't driven mad by the Vulture, so that may be not as important for you.
Did some more testing, Pulse lasers are a good replacement for the beams, much less strain on the power. Now if they just didn't sound like a dinky little bb gun we would be groovy. Also
a new first, while testing out in a RES, local Federal Police just starting killing each other....? No pirates spawns sooo I guess they got bored?
a new first, while testing out in a RES, local Federal Police just starting killing each other....? No pirates spawns sooo I guess they got bored?
Oi! I'll have you know the Vulture is a beautiful machine of death!... just with a really crappy canopy