Have FD's been rebalanced on UAT? On live there isn't really a reason to take Fire Dragons over Hawks, but I think this is such a glaring issue I'm sure the devs are well aware
Fire Dragon is definitely faster at killing vehicles. You must use all 10 grenades to destroy a Rhino and it will take you 12-15 seconds to do so. Fire Dragon slaps on a melta and lets rip one full blast from gun. The rhino is gone in 6 seconds?
You start from both FD & SH being in range of the Rhino.. SH will have it easier spotting the rhino, approaching it, and grenading it.. I can see the point; On the other hand: if there is a second vehicle, the hawk will have to go resupply, respawn,.. Fire Dragon steps in with some burny melta attention to vehicle nr2. I personally think melta should be better at anti-infantry; (for all factions), as anti-high toughness weapon; then the fire dragon can act as "short ranged plasma" for the eldar, fitting with the short ranged DA weapons too. Plasma still has an advantage in range, and the secondary fire mode of "plasma mortar".
I've played Fire Dragon and Hawk extensively on the latest patch and definitely feel like there's still a place for Fire Dragons, particularly with the Melta Bundle being a thing. Haywire grenades aren't a ton better than the fusion pistols anyone who isn't a hawk can take, anyway. They're handier than fusion pistols because of the wings attached to them, is all.
Yeah I agree, Melta should do more damage to infantry, just not to the level it did during that one build where it was insta death lol
You're saying that fusion pistols kills a rhino as fast as the grenades? I've not tested the pistols, but I'm very doubtful of that fact. Hrm, for me it's not faster, or at least I feel that way. I mean, you've to get close, then attach the melta, then step back a bit, then fire. The hawk just lands and starts throwing. Seems about equal, maybe? Yet the ease at getting to the vehicles, and finding them especially, makes the hawk vastly superior. You can swoop in, get a rhino, restock, find another vehicle across the map and kill it in less than a minute if you're near a base (which are where the vehicles are usually parked anyway). Plus your utility and easier ways to kill characters just expands the difference between them. Maybe changes are coming to the live server though
Are you able to unload all your hawk grenades quickly? I can't, it's throw, pause, throw, pause, throw, pause. It takes me "forever." You're right though, the Hawks speed makes it an excellent support class with varied abilities and it's a good vehicle hunter. I still would give the edge to the Fire Dragon for it's ability to vaporize a vehicle quickly and keep on doing it. To be most effective I'll pick my Fire Dragon and load into a Wave Serpent with one other person for speed and reaction time and just go hunting Rhinos and Predators. I cannot stress how well this tactic can make a dramatic impact on a battle. Killing the enemies mobile spawn is paramount.
Fire Dragon will destroy a vehicle much much faster than a Hawk will. The common tactic of Dragon driving around in a vehicle means he has resupply after every explosion, it's in his benefit to utilize vehicle for getting in and protection, as well as adding protection to keeping his vehicle alive. For a Hawk, there is no point in riding shotgun. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my Hawk, 2nd fave right after the Warlock, but they really do feel like a good compliment to a Dragon as the Hawk distracts / scouts, and the odd haywire here and there. I think the two pair better than say two Dragons. Also a defended tank won't be nearly as approachable for a Hawk.
Firedragon and Hawk also synergize very well, the Hawk can spot for the Firedragon and immobilize the Vehicle. That allows the Firedragon to close in. With the time it takes to throw all your 10 grenades right now, it doesn't make the Firedragon absolete. But I can certainly see them getting nerfed a bit (point cost, or damage) but then they really should be easier/faster to throw.
