Federation Commander

Backwards Speed of 24? That much power, and it looks like the game is yours.

The Orion LR is an amazing little ship...

Mike wrote:I've only tried playing an Orion "phaser boat" once, but from that experience I found that while the Orion has a lot of inexpensive, longer range firepower, it did not have the "knockout punch" that secondary weapons such as disruptors, photons, or even Pl-Fs can give.

I could reiterate what ScoutDad said, but I would like to point out that if you are using an Orion, especially the phaser boat, do not get in the forward arc of your enemy if you can prevent it. Get on his a$$ and stay there, range five or closer. If you are running a BR, let mount B be a PH-G. At range 5, every phaser hits. Save the PH-G for any seeking weapons or for firing on impulse 8. Do not double your engines as this will negate your stealth bonus and at that range, if anything is fired at you, you will, I repeat, you will need the advantage!

The phaser boat is a good option to take in a tournament, with a SAL with drone options, and you can always load PL-D in the wings of the phaser boat to increase its defensive fire power and/or its offensive fire power, depending on your enemy. (Think enemy Hydran as compared to enemy Feds)

Personally, I like phaser boats due to the extra power left over even when not doubling my engines, which gives me more options. I can pick at shields and wear them down at sabre dance distance or rip someone when I close to knife fighting range.

The only problem is...you got to be goooood! Not good, but goooood!