Originally by: DigitalCommunist

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Edited by: DigitalCommunist on 14/11/2009 21:42:39
WHAT

1. The Ion Siege, Dual Giga Pulse and 6x2500mm should be removed from the game.
2. Their role should be partially replaced by Siege Module scripts.

WHY

1. If you commit to taking down a POS you risk being hotdropped by an enemy who will decide the engagement range. Even if your newly-improved Ion Siege can hit a large POS at optimal, no one would trade a slight damage bump for the complete inability to do anything at range.
2. Large fleets will still idle in front of a tower for 10 minutes in siege mode even if they have the DPS to raze it in 5. Past some point, short range weapons have zero purpose even when there is absolutely no risk of hotdrop.
3. There are no point-blank capital engagements where everybody is in optimal of short range guns because capitals will bump and spread wide even if both sides don't want them to.
4. Long range guns can hit other dreadnaughts at short ranges perfectly fine, since they're both stationary.

HOW

1. Create three scripts for mandatory use with Siege Module 1.
2. First script makes ship and siege perform the same as it does now.
3. Second script +15% damage, 2x strontium cost, 20 minute duration timer.
4. Third script +25% damage, 2.5x strontium cost, 30 minute duration timer.

BENEFITS

1. Dreadnaughts have more flexibility within their specific role while reducing the fitting variations that complicate the balancing process.
2. Lowers barriers to entry like excessive siege times for smaller groups without lowering consequences and risk.
3. Lowers the effort and time needed to clear out a broken alliance's infrastructure, while simultaneously giving said alliance an easier opportunity to strike back.

If you can't tell by now, I am not really a fan of these changes because the concept of short range dreadnaught guns is pretty dumb to begin with. Scripts would move tactical decision making to the field, away from the paper-rock-scissors gamble of the fitting screen.

And no, this isn't a new suggestion either, nor do I expect it to enter Dominion this late. But I've asked for it many times, and I feel its worthwhile to repeat better options even when they're not taken. People on both sides of the fence should never start assuming that a change made with good intentions will actually yield positive results. CCP's hit rate is under 50% and I imagine these tweaks won't be anything terribly relevant for improving cap warfare.

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