Like Torps and other burst/spike damage dealing attacks, it's best fired at an exposed hull. Might also be worth putting the target in a tractor beam.

Best targets are cruisers and capital ships. It'll probably one shot a frigate, but it's a bit of a waste.

I know, but it'd be more amusing and probably more effective my way

Arent cruisers "capital" ships???

From its description the lance seems to be like a heavy torpedo against shields and at least damage the hull some because it is a heavy weapon and a large cannon. And give it not only a large cooldown but a power drain from everything.

No offense, but have you actually used the lance?

The weapon in practice is the exact opposite. IMHO the cooldown is too long. The energy drain is already 50 weapon power. Not considering the firing arc limitations. The weapon is far from an "I win" button.

Very True..but against a 40% hull and no shields = boom! when it hits!

Just got this ship, tried in CnH tonight..its effective. I think I had seen way too many Dreadnaught pilots who looked to be very squishy to get a good, honest look at the ship. I'd be happy if it didnt have the PSL and just had the cloak, I'd still be able to make it perform like my other cruisers in terms of tanking, healing and damage output.
With the cloak and PSL, I have 2 more options when flying an assault cruiser, fed side.

Cheers!

Not from the games perspective.

The game generally has five types - fighters/shuttles, frigates, escorts, cruisers (warbirds, Breen cruisers, the obvious etc) and the rarer capital ships (like the Romulan Scimitar, tactical cube and Breen capital ships)

Yeah, but those should be classified more like B.F.C., Big Friccin' Cruiser.

The really big ships should follow what Babylon 5 Wars did with big ships, they classified them as "enormous" vessels. The Scimitar and Breen Captial ships aren't THAT big. The Scimitar gave a "larger" appearance because of the more "spread out" design it had. it was big, but it certainly wasn't ginormous.