Would I be crazy to go exploring in this? (FDL build)

CMDR Eryn Liamson

CMDR Eryn Liamson
Yes, you're completely bonkers. But as that's a job requirement for explorers, here's my recommendation for an FDL explorer.

A rated power plants will help with heat management when refueling. And SHIELDS! Landing without shields is a very quick way to the insurance menu.

Otherwise, have fun with it!
 

Jackie Silver

Jackie Silver
I would change to a 2A power plant - better heat dissipation while scooping - and perhaps add a single heat sink launcher, but otherwise it looks workable to me, though without shields you'll have to be very careful on landing. Speed and shields are major perks of the 'Lance and you'll get neither, though - it's a real hard trade off because you definitely need the extra fuel tank so you'd have to drop either the vehicle bay - which is why you need shields in the first place - or the DSS, which is essential to exploring. You might consider upgrading the engines but then you'll also need to upgrade the powerplant and distributor to match.

Basically, land very gingerly - practice in the Bubble! - avoid high-g worlds, and be very wary of pirate interception when in the Bubble. But you'll look good... :)
 

iain666

iain666
Probably... I've nothing to add to the outfitting advice already provided but the key thing is that going exploring means flying that ship for a long time - if you enjoy flying your FdL then take it out there and have fun.

Unless you're after some kind of record distance or time or desperate to reach a specific and hard to get to system there is only one absolute requirement in an exploration ship - you have to enjoy just flying it and want to spend time doing exactly that.
 

Ziljan

Ziljan
I don't know if the lower class power plant even matters on a FDL. That thing is so heat resistant, you could run a full combat build and stay in the deepest part of the corona indefinitely.

This makes it a pretty nice short range explorer, and perfect for meandering. But beware, it takes about 60-80 jumps to go 1000 LY. So straight line exploration is going to be a slog.
 

Cmdr Frawd Digger

Cmdr Frawd Digger
Nah OP...that's not crazy!

This is crazy:
l5GvKPG.jpg

Landing a Sidewinder in a 6.5km deep canyon with no shields, 65,020LY from Sol...that's crazy!

Ok, taking an FDL exploring is also pretty nuts and I admire your daring...go for it!!

Frawd

PS...sorry, can't comment on your build as I know nothing about such things (the sidey build is VERY limited) ;)
 
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Cdr Voorheez

Cdr Voorheez
Yes you are bonkers:)
Yes you have style.
Yes I'm also a lucky FDL CMDR
(I use mine exclusively for bounty hunting though).
No build for exploring is "wrong" look at CMDR Frawd Digger's exploits in his sidewinder and go proud in your explorer FDL :)
 

[VR] optimal_909

[VR] optimal_909
A Fer-de-Explorance will be the prize if I make it back to the bubble, that is the carrot hanging in front of me. :)

It may be very well May, so hopefully with the engineers I can tweak the FSD, but I'm okay with 19ly jumprange. My next trip would be exclusively to the core, that's where 90% of the exciting stuff is.
 
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Ashnak

Ashnak
Don't know much about the FDLs strengths and weaknesses, but on general principles this would be my suggestion if you want to go shieldless. Otherwise swap the AFMU for some bumper shields for those planetary landings (and the mail slot, when you return ;-) ).

If I were to go for a longer journey, I'd take along a bit of firepower with respect to the evolving background story - we don't know yet what surprises 2.4 will bring, and I'd hate to have to run a Thargoid blockade on speed and shields alone.
 

Ziggy Stardust

Ziggy Stardust
You'll be fine :)

Point your boat towards Barnard's Loop. Lots of nebulae close to each other so you'll have a great view. Great first place to visit is the Pleiades. It's not too far away so when everything goes south, you're still well within getting back to safety distance.

A smaller jump range isn't a problem that close to the bubble, you'll just have more systems to visit.

Downside is that most systems will be tagged, but getting first discoveries is of later concern.
 
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PANTHER STARFORCE

PANTHER STARFORCE
Let me just say I'm humbled by all the great responses and build suggestions. You all have certainly motivated me to pursue it :)

Also agreed that CMDR Frawd taking a Sidewinder 65KLY out makes my proposition seem conservative :D

After taking in to consideration all of your suggestions I think the best thing to do is leave the SRV at home to buy a little more elbow room for kit. Seeing as I'm such a Junior grade explorer I think sticking to parts of the Galaxy with dense star-fields is safer and also I don't plan on making my first journey 65K out. But maybe I can use the FDL to learn the ropes with a few 10KLY jaunts and earn some healthy credits (provided I scan ALL THE THINGZ) And then come back to the bubble and outfit a clipper or a cutter and head way way out to neverland.

Very excited about this! I feel like all the work I've been doing thus far... smuggling, Bounty-Hunting, etc... has all been a means to an end so I can fund my ultimate pursuit of star chasing. I see so many amazing screens and vids from the Distant Worlds expedition that it's calling to me!

-EJIRO
 

goemon

goemon
the exceptional heatmanagement of a fdl makes it an amazing explorer - nevertheless i'd fit a class a powerplant (i don't think you'll need a heatsink then ever).

and downsize the second fueltank to class 3 - with 16 tons of fuel you'll have 5.3 jumps, thats more than enough.

enjoy your luxury trip!
 

[VR] optimal_909

[VR] optimal_909
Good heat-management, maneuverability on high G planets and sheer speed to escape interdictions upon returning to the bubble are all great assets. For me more valuable than jumprange.
And it looks great, stylish but without the imperial bling. :)
 

goemon

goemon
optimal_909 said:
Good heat-management, maneuverability on high G planets and sheer speed to escape interdictions upon returning to the bubble are all great assets. For me more valuable than jumprange.
And it looks great, stylish but without the imperial bling. :)
Click to expand...

also the sound-design is amazing ... no ships runs as quite... no echo ins the cockpit.... pure luxus. a good explorer, definetly.
 

PANTHER STARFORCE

PANTHER STARFORCE
Torquemada said:
You know, it didn't look that bad until I noticed you had a vehicle hangar and no shields. Yeah that's... optimistic.
Click to expand...

Totally agree... it was dumb and thanks to the feedback from you lot I've dropped the SRV from the build. :)

Again I really appreciate all the build suggestions. I was just going to write off my dream of road tripping in the Ferrari of Elite, but you all have made me excited for it!

Now it's just a matter of grinding out enough credits with my local smuggling missions (I'm too scarred to try Robigo :D)

-EJIRO
 
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