Dallenn
Minmatar
Jericho Fraction
The Star Fraction
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Posted - 2009.03.30 15:06:00 -
[1]
Edited by: Dallenn on 30/03/2009 15:13:18
 Originally by: Ranger 1
I really, really wanted the 1000m/s speed while cloaked.
I hope people are happy. They have their covert ops cloak now which requires no brain to use, and have gotten rid of potentially the most unique tactical advantage given to a ship in this game in exchange.
My feelings are pretty mixed WRT bombers, but I lean this way too. The speed change would make bombers more useful in one of their niches - providing a quick warp-in point and thus making the enemy very uneasy whenever they appear.
A covert ops cloak would make them slightly easier to use, because the enemy is less prepared. But it'd also make them a bit too good in scouting as well, they'd be just like recons and covops proper. Some people might replace these with the bomber for scouting role. Admittedly it'd be good if somebody flies bombers, but I fear a covops cloak might make the bombers overpowered, or then the combat capability would have to be so badly nerfed they'd (still) only be useful as a scout.
What's wrong with bombers might just be the whole glass cannon concept. A ship needs to be versatile and robust to be flown in PvP. If you need 10 buddies that are max-skilled in the ship and willing to work hours to set up a trap for the ship to be viable, it just won't be flown. If you want people to fly bombers, they need to have a profile of mobility, survivability, affordability and effective threat to fit into a mixed gang. There needs to be at least some options for solo PvP, and preferably PvE as well. The problem is that there is a plenty of ships that are superior to bombers in all of these respects, yet bombers are extremely fragile, making them a non-option to all but the die-hard bomber fans amongst the PvP crowds.
The suggested changes would make the bomber even more a niche ship than it is currently. Current bombers can deal missile damage to pretty much all targets; switching to torpedos would make them useful only against a very limited set of targets. What if the enemy is flying HACs and lighter ships? Bombers would be almost totally useless.
Has CCP really exhausted the balance space for the bombers' current general role and equipment? Don't really think so - the speed change would be worth testing, for once. Why not introduce a greater variety of bombs: t2, faction... even t3? Have high-intensity bombs with small radius of effect for taking out battleships, precision cluster bombs for taking out frigate swarms, etc. How about a special cloaking device that can only be activated in warp, thus you will arrive cloaked but cannot recloak in the battle? A module that boosts your cloaked velocity +400% but kills your maneuverability, so you can close into combat range but can't stalk MWDing t2 frigates?
What I'd work with is increasing survivability and versatility. There are a lot of simple options: more HP, more PG, more slots, higher speed/agility, smaller sig radius etc. If bombers could tank weaker interceptors, outrange AFs, survive bursts of fire from heavier ships (not counting close range fits or high-damage snipers), etc they could excel in general roles like fending off enemy frigates and recons. Bombers are frigate class vessels, so they don't need to be able to kill battleships (well maybe with expensive bombs), but they could work wonders as a unique, complementary ship class that has both fighting and scouting abilities.
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