Orion vs Fed CA - what ship?

cnuzzi · Post by **cnuzzi** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:31 pm

I do not have a ship card for an Orion CA, however I do have the Orion DN, BCH, BR, CR, MR, and LR (along with some "specialty ships" like the salvage ship, etc.). What ship would be a good opponent for a Fed CA (or a CA in general)?

I'm aware, of course, that the optional weapons mounts make this an inexact science, but as I'm just getting into Orions in FC, I'm curious if anyone has any insight into this.

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:48 pm

Point values can be your guide, in a general-sense.

The Orion CA is the most direct points-value matchup.

It's been my own personal experience though that the Orions' gimmick (engine doubling) makes them very difficult opponents and they "punch above their weight class". I (again, I, being a mediocre tactician) would only have a 50% chance of success fighting the smaller CR raider cruiser in a Fed CAR.

cnuzzi · Post by **cnuzzi** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:40 pm

This is what I heard - that the engine doubling and stealth made the BPV a poor indicator for Orions. Maybe I'll try a BR against a Fed CA.

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:23 pm

There's a reason Battlegroup Murfreesboro calls it the 'cocaine effect'

Being able to double the engines makes you feel go about your power levels and abilities.
Unfortunately, new players tend to use this too often and too early in a match.
Once you start depending on it, it becomes a self-sustaining addiction.

You can't fly the ship the way you want too without doubling the engines, and doubling the engines causes even more damage that negatively impacts performance - making you need to doubling the engines just to maintain the power curve... and so on.

mjwest · Post by **mjwest** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:52 am

The Orion BC (effectively the "CA+") was published in Orion Attack, and the Orion CA was published in Booster Pack #22.

The most even match up for a Fed CA is probably the Orion CA. However, you can give the BR a try as it should be able to stand up to a CA for at least a couple battle passes. (Though it will probably have to win quickly or give up.) But the BR is probably the best bet with the ships you have. Maybe give it more optimal weapons to try to give it somewhat of an advantage?

cnuzzi · Post by **cnuzzi** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:35 pm

Thank you - I'll probably check out that Booster Pack at some point, especially if it has other ships I want.

Lol "the cocaine effect" - I like that!

ncrcalamine · Post by **ncrcalamine** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:44 pm

With turn mode A, 3 photons and a gattling a properly flown BR should beat a fed CA probably 9 times out of 10 there is always the very lucky 3 or 4 photon hits at rang 5-8, using stealth and evasion and range 5-8 while the fed has OL photons. The orion should dictate the battle.

IMHO

Nicole

Klingon of Gor · Post by **Klingon of Gor** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 6:34 am

ncrcalamine's estimate of a BR's chances with that weapons loadout is probably pretty accurate, but I think a lot of choosing options mounts comes down to a choice of playing style. Disruptors can be pretty nasty on an Orion because if they manage to work in close, they can double engines and overload. Or they could go with photons or what have you.

Orion stealth lowers the Fed's chances to connect with photons, and that can be a game changer even if the Orions ever double engines. If you fire at them with photons, and miss because of their stealth, then they might close and rip you up with overloaded disruptors and/or a phaser G

Orions are ugly customers, period, end of story, and they have more than one way to ruin your day.