I actually tend to go for the Lasher, it seems to have more late game use and the system makes it really powerful early game. The wolf tends to be good as well, but it dosnt have the massive devastative power of the Lasher. Put 2 dual mgs and you will devastate any frigate and some destroyers up close. Combine that with some HG and the enemy will die in the blink of an eye. The wolf dosnt really have the staying power and pure firepower the Lasher has. The Wolf is usually easier to survive with, but the Lasher is super lethal in the right hands.
I guess it comes down to opinion , i prefer the wolf because it has really good shield , and the phase skimmers give it the mobility edge over the other frigates , which i guess matters more to me now since the beggining of every battle is basicly "cap the points ,cap the points ,cap the points ,cap the points ,cap the points !!!" i also disagree withlate game use , a close support wolf will tear fighters apart , the only reason i lost my beloved wolf i started with was because the ai though it was a good idea to make it take on a dominator on it's own
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@Lazy wizard
the wolf has PD , it has three small slots that come with tactical lasers if i remember right , but i have to agree that it is less effective with the default setup agaisn't shielded target due to over-reliance on beams , ship system was so useful for me , the number of times a slasher though it could get away from me to vent because i was slower , then be quite surprised when i appeared right next to it and unloaded all of my missiles. :p
i'd guess for someone new to the game the lasher is more forgiving , it's play style being resumed to " shoot until shield over load , then fire missiles". But i'll always have the sweet spot for the try tach ships.