If i would have bought this FAS sooner i'm sure i would have skipped FDL, Python and only use Anaconda for trading/exploring.
My honest opinion is that this ship is way too good (not that im really complaining, i LOVE it).
Now i understand why AI piloted FAS is the only ship that sometimes gave my conda a hard time
It's armor can take unbelivable punisment (i just rammed Python with my shields down and it took way more damage than my FAS)
It almost feels more agile than a Vulture
It's pretty fast compared to smaller ships
With 3 pulses on the bottom and one large plasma on the top i think this ship can take out enemy ships as fast as my battleconda. Enemy just can't escape the FAS
and the list goes on...
I cant' actually think of any real downside for this ship, maybe that poor shield strenght, but then again it really doesn't need shields anyway so..
Jump range is pretty poor too, but this is a combat ship so it was expected.