The Delta Flyer is just a small craft/shuttle. The NX is much more powerful. It has more BOFF abilities, more Hull, and more Weapon choices.

but the flyer is so adorable flying through space! it goes pewpew and things go boom. like a baws!

My Fleet does shuttle/small craft events every couple of weeks just for fun. It is cool to see a team of small craft fighting off foes and the like, but the NX is still tougher.

i wont deny that. the NX is meant to be used in that manner, the flyer is for giggles. though i did make it from Lt to Lt Com in the flyer. good times. . . good times. . .

I'd take the NX because as Cosmic_One already said, you have far more options and abilities you can use. You could use the Flyer for some Missions too but I think you will be better off by useing the NX.

Tier 1 play - from level 1 to 10 - is viable in a shuttle. Back when I was testing Season 5 over on Tribble, my test character purchased and used the Peregrine fighter to fly around and accomplish mission objectives. You have a smaller margin of error and you will be playing at an handicap, but it can be both doable and enjoyable.

The Delta Flyer is a good craft, nearly as good as one of the Starter Vessels and fairly nimble in its own right. If I was going to do this myself, I'd go over Earth Space Dock the first time I got there, claim the Delta class shuttle for myself, then pry off its phaser beam array! Discharge the shuttle, then claim it again and use the beam array-S I obtained previously to replace the torpedo launcher. Torpedo launchers on shuttle don't seem all that much worth it to me.

Then flit around, zap the opposition... and try to pack up on some good recovery powers: they'll help you survive.

BUT - if the goal is just to breeze through the first 10 levels... you're probably better off with the NX class.

I tried the NX on Tribble. I am very glad I didn't waste any of my real CPoints on that piece of garbage. Yeah, the grappler console is nice, and others say it is worth it, but as an escort, the NX class is useless. Weapon setup is the same as the Miranda, and so is the BOFF configuration. It may turn better, and fly faster, but that's it. I buy an escort for it's offensive capability, and the NX falls sadly short.

iirc the NX has an additional tac console over the miranda. Anyways it's a starter ship, you can't really expect a huge performance boost...

Overall I'd say: If you felt the lt missions too easy, go for the Delta Flyer, it will increase the challenge. However if you just want to go fast through the early levels none of the ships is a huge improvement and I would suggest you to save your cpoints for later.

If you want one anyways go for:
- the TOS Enterprise for your alt if you felt to blow up too easily in the miranda.
- the NX if you want a minor increase in firepower due to the additional tac console.

All three ships come with more or less interesting long term perspecitves:
-Delta Flyier: Best shuttle, will be an asset in the shuttle mission contained in the Romulan/Reman Arc; and whenever you feel about using a shuttle.
- NX: The Grappler console can be equipped on any ship you acquire later. It's basically trading a console slot for a special animation tractor beam with long cooldown.
-TOS Enterprise: Allows you to get an infinitive amount of retro phasers that level with you. If you'd go with beam weapons you wont have to worry about weapons until you reach endgame.