Noisrevbus
Caldari Breams Gone Wild
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Posted - 2010.02.27 03:13:00 -
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A common denominator of the problems shared by the Cruiser sized Hybrid platforms and their weapon systems is that neither of them have the fitting options to capitalize on their bonuses...
... or are otherwise impaired to reap full effect from their ship bonuses, in how they are incompatible with the weapon system itself.
Downgrading tiers within your weapon class tend to affect range bonuses far more than other bonuses, as your bonuses stack against the comparison of the top tier weapon and the tier you are limited to.
The potentially half-decent 1600mm Blaster Deimos is forced to downgrade to Electrons and can't fill it's last highslot with a medium neut. It also can't really fit Rails with much options, and when it does it's falloff bonus is worthless, while with Blasters it remains fairly insignificant. The same goes for the Eagle, a double range bonus without much room to capitalize on it, while it has horrible fitting options. As a Sniper you are forced to choose between damage @ 100 optimals and/or giving up your range advantage. As a Blaster boat it will deal less damage with Blasters than an unbonused weapon system at common point ranges despite a double range bonus. You might as well fit lasers to it, and have optimal out to point range.
I know people in EVE are very touchy when it comes to balancing into similarities, they don't want everything to be "the same". Personally, i've always belived that similar is not the same, and that something can maintain a nische and flavour even if you broaden it's scope. In terms of engagement range, the changes there over the past year, or year and a half, has proven combat much more flexible and fluid with less extremes. Something i belive alot of people today consider fun. With that, i belive Blasters could get a touch up in both range and tracking. Range to tweak it into the current playing field and engagement ranges and tracking to maintain somewhat of a nische, for what is still a short-ranged weapon.
Blasters will still be the closest range weapon type, but i belive allowing the Hybrid ships with range bonuses to capitalize on them will weigh in better than ripping everything up and turning blasters into an extreme short range - high damage weapon system. That either makes or breaks, which won't change much of the current situation. With a slight touch up, they will still be the shortest unbonsed system. Yet if the Eagle could have an optimal up towards 25km and the Deimos getting a bit improved performance between optimal + falloff, in a mobile 25km + option to swoop in for high damage role - with slightly better tracking, they could be half decent ships. Especially if that involves being able to fit their weapon size of choice and fill their slots without stacking fitting mods, in both their short range and long range roles.
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