Does FAR reduce Delta-V needed for orbit?

[sporkafife]

I have 2 versions of KSP installed right now, one with the FAR mod, and one without it.

I spent most of my time in the base game, and I developed a launcher with just enough delta-v to put a satellite in orbit. Then I decided I would try FAR because of its FAR superior aeroplane and atmospheric mechanics (that's why they call it FAR, right? ) and suddenly my basic launcher with about 4600m/s delta-v was able to reach orbit with over 1000m/s to spare!??!

I know that FAR improves the atmospheric flight portion of the game tenfold, so is it that my launcher is extremely aerodynamic and slices through the atmosphere like a hot knife through butter, or does FAR just generally decrease the amount of delta-v required to get into orbit?

[Mercy]

Well, FAR is mostly designed with spaceplanes in mind, so it's a bit OP on rockets if you slap nosecones on it.

[asmi]

Well, FAR is mostly designed with spaceplanes in mind, so it's a bit OP on rockets if you slap nosecones on it.

It's actually the other way around - stock drag is insanely overpowered since it simply sums up drag of all parts without checking if those parts are actually exposed to airstream.

[Gus]

Apparently, if you build tall instead of wide you see an advantage. If you build wide, you'll have problems.

[AmpsterMan]

Yes it does in most cases. It also allows one to fly faster in the atmosphere. The end result is that serial staging becomes more attractive than in the original game because the delta-v to get to orbit is so low.