Lots of little changes and improvements, and they'll get a second beta testing phase soon. Just a heads up for those who enjoy testing these kinds of things and thought that it was over until the v2.3 beta.

Started today, for any beta players interested in the latest updates ahead of 2.2.03:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php/147-2-2-03-Beta-Feedback-and-Discussion

Lotsa big changes in the combat department.
Seems like a bone thrown to the PvP'ers.

Did you see the new Horizons trailer released today? It's a lead-in for the upcoming PS4 version, but it's also got little teaser bits of the future mixed in throughout. What strikes me most significantly, is the fairly strong emphasis on Federation vs. Empire combat. And given how some of the backstory has been moving, it well could be heading that direction.

So I am wondering... If a stronger emphasis on a superpower war comes forward (even at a PvE/Combat Zone level), could the combat tweaks we are seeing now be serving as preparation, to iron out some of the rougher combat related elements introduced by the Engineers updates?

I just bought an A-rated (shield boosters, HRP, everything) FdL.
Be somewhat depressing if the new "meta" does away with shield heavy ships.
Course I do PvE...the NPC's don't follow the Engineered path and the latest, greatest "meta."

The FdL is an interesting ship... I presume you're going to use it for combat? I had been considering getting a FAS for the rare PvE combat roles, but the FdL also is a titan.

Be sure to post back what you think of it.

Looked closely at both and had some friendly advice (joined a player group) and both the FAS and FdL are THE medium combat ships and the choice between the two seems to be on how you wish to play.
The FAS is sometimes called the "Vulture on steroids" and you use the hull/armor "meta" for defense primarily because of the way she is designed.
The FdL is a "shield tanker" for defense. Ultimately I prefer shields so it made the FdL choice easy plus she is just a little bit faster.
I find in ED a fast ship solves many problems and bad decisions!

Very true on the speed. And I too lean heavily toward shielding.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Still haven't made a decision on this yet.

Guys,I'm confused (as usual),is the next beta out? If so how do I get it?

Yes, it's ongoing now. Does a beta option appear in the list on your Elite Launcher?

I see Guardians Beta (2.2) when I scroll down the list. I really must try and keep up at times

The changelog for this beta is mostly testing proposals for combat balance. Frontier are concerned that more ships are now able to have heavily engineered shields, and essentially become invincible in PvE play.

BTW, while in the current beta, there is an "easy" way to get access to all ships, modules, engineer mods (which only cost 1 fish each), and 1 billion credits:

Simply get destroyed and choose that option on the rebuy screen.

Note that you will be hostile to the Engineer base where you respawn. Simply sell him 1 ton of fish from your hold, and this will make you friendly (IIRC). He also sells fish there, so you can do infinite engineer mod testing.

Have fun!

Posting back on this, I went with the FdL for my Combat ship build. By the time I had found a shipyard and outfitted it, the local war I was interested in had ended. But I'm loving getting acquainted with the FdL, and will likely refit the hull for peacetime operations. It has a character beyond what I had expected.

This latest beta looks pretty neat, any idea when it's going live?

After the first of the year was the last thing I read.

Oh ok. Not too far I guess.

Just because I am a Corolis junkie here is my current build:

http://beta.coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/fer_de_lance?code=A0pktfFalidpsif30x272727270l04040403044a2b32f22f.AwRj4yrI.Aw18aQ%3D%3D.

The spare fuel tank to be replaced by a FSD Interdictor as needed.
Also if you have any stick time in the FdL you will find a quality fuel scoop is not a luxury item!

This is my current build, very similar to yours, same armament (only fixed mounts since I'm working on my aim).

http://beta.coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/fer_...I.IwBj5YqzTU5A.

Still learning the ropes with it. Mainly getting a feel for maneuverability and shield durability.