Topic: I Could Use Tips on Flying Federation Frigates.

[Alphageek]

I'm beta testing the new Evil Dave missions, and one of the campaigns I'm flying is an early Federation one.  I'm in a basic FF.  I can't seem to compete with most of the enemies I'm meeting.  Thank God for saves, otherwise I'd be starting over again constantly.  Can I prevail on the experienced Federation pilots to give me some tips on getting the most out of the F-FF? 

[Dizzy]

http://mu.ranter.net/sfc2/fedtricks.html#decoy

[KBF MalaK]

stay close to the 'lifeboats'

[Bartok]

http://mu.ranter.net/sfc2/fedtricks.html#decoy

A Nice Read  thanX Dizz

[FPF-DieHard]

Follow Kirk and cheat.   Edit the single-player .gf files so you get a better starting ship than a Frigate. 

[Alphageek]

I've been flying an NSR on the Evil Dave Hell server to get a little more accustomed to the Federation again.  Like the FF, it has only two photons, although it does have 34 power and 6 phaser 1's.  So far I'm getting that I should keep my distance, and keep my speed high.  Proximity torpedoes are your friend.  Occasionally getting in close with overloads and a hit and run will slow down the bad guys enough to give you a little more edge.  Use mines sparingly as you never know when you'll REALLY need one. 

Dizzy, nice tactical tips.  I hope I get to try them out at some point. 

[Commander Maxillius]

I didn't click Dizzy's link, but this is good for nearly all underpowered ships.

1. Turn down the phaser capacitor slider.  A lot of times you won't want to have continuous full power to the phasers anyway, since your FF doesn't have true mizia capability.  You can get away with using the full alpha strike and using the extra time to slowly charge the phasers as your photons charge.  Half rate will get the photons and phasers charged at the same time, and free up something like 4 points for movement.

2. Don't use overloads.   if you don't want your shields chewed up, use proxies at a distance, turn off missile defense so your phasers won't fire at stupid speed 16 drones, and just plink away at the opponent using proxy torpedoes until a shield goes down.  Photons can be switched between proxy and normal modes at will with no delay.

3. The point of 1 and 2 is to free up power to keep moving.  Speed is life! 

[Nemesis]

4. Remember that at times it is useful to turn off some of your heavy weapons.

5. Set your power priorities (and save them using shift scroll lock)

6. Watch your opponents ECM and don't fire against a shift that is avoidable.

Actually I disagree partially with Commander Maxillius' #2.  Overloads are useful but you need to be careful when you use them and remember that not all your torpedoes need to be overloaded at once.  One mount overloaded and 1 normal loaded significantly improves  your "punch" while keeping speed up.  I rarely use proxies unless striking an already downed shield as the damage vs shield regeneration levels is not very good.

[Julin Eurthyr]

Other tips:

Pick your front carefully.  A damaged FF can't outrun Mirak missiles, so you're dead.  You also don't have a lot of PD, so anti-hydran actions aren't good.  In a circular fight, the Gorn out-phaser you, and the ISC out HW you.  You're best bets are Klink, Rommie (with good plasma avoidance tactics) and Lyran.

Practice your photon skills, and pick the style that works for you.  That's the versatility of the photon in action.  It can't be stated enough, always watch your ECM status with photons!  It sucks to get the perfect fire solution and whiff because one ECM shift robbed you of 16% of your chance to hit with it.

Pray you can get a FF with drones and AMD soon...

[Alphageek]

So far I've found that an initial alpha strike and hit and run, followed by hanging out around range 15-20 and plinking them with proximitiy photons has worked.  The occasional high speed raid is thrown in to keep things interesting.  I've kept the speed high, and I'm only getting close on my terms.  Fighters and droners have been the toughest so far.  There have been times I've been forced to switch off torpedos and run hell bent for leather with phasers charging.  This has helped me cut down on the fighters quite a bit. 

[Age]

I've been flying an NSR on the Evil Dave Hell server to get a little more accustomed to the Federation again.  Like the FF, it has only two photons, although it does have 34 power and 6 phaser 1's.  So far I'm getting that I should keep my distance, and keep my speed high.  Proximity torpedoes are your friend.  Occasionally getting in close with overloads and a hit and run will slow down the bad guys enough to give you a little more edge.  Use mines sparingly as you never know when you'll REALLY need one.

Dizzy, nice tactical tips.  I hope I get to try them out at some point. 

You are thinking of the FCA as no Federation Frigate has 34 power and 6 times phaser 1s.

Posted by: FPF-DieHard
Insert Quote
Follow Kirk and cheat.   Edit the single-player .gf files so you get a better starting ship than a Frigate.

Pestalence as well does this.

[Commander Maxillius]

Oh, don't get me wrong, overloaded photons are great!  But in the F-FF, it's just not worth using 4 of your 15 points to hold a weapon that has that high of a probability to not hit.  You'll end up wasting enough time to fire 2 or three times at range in the time it takes to get an optimum firing solution for overloads.

Larger ships I'd say go for it, especially the F-CL, but you need your speed in the FF.

[Alphageek]

I've been flying an NSR on the Evil Dave Hell server to get a little more accustomed to the Federation again.  Like the FF, it has only two photons, although it does have 34 power and 6 phaser 1's.  So far I'm getting that I should keep my distance, and keep my speed high.  Proximity torpedoes are your friend.  Occasionally getting in close with overloads and a hit and run will slow down the bad guys enough to give you a little more edge.  Use mines sparingly as you never know when you'll REALLY need one.

Dizzy, nice tactical tips.  I hope I get to try them out at some point. 

You are thinking of the FCA as no Federation Frigate has 34 power and 6 times phaser 1s.

Posted by: FPF-DieHard
Insert Quote
Follow Kirk and cheat.   Edit the single-player .gf files so you get a better starting ship than a Frigate.

Pestalence as well does this.

No, I meant the NSR had 34 power and 6 phaser 1s.