. . but truthful. Shield tanking got an op new module. Shield buffers were actually already doing better than armor buffers (even though the shield crowd likes to whine about 1600s v LSE) and continue to if you look at the monthly eve-kill top 20. Now active shield tanking is proving to be a necessity in small gang. This month is shaping up even more extremely tilted toward shield http://eve-kill.net/?a=top20 .

Meanwhile armor tanking got a ****** active hardener that as many have said makes laser and hybrid users even more susceptible to cap warfare, and just got a change to the tech II 1600 plate that is a "say what?!"

I thought CCP had talked about making close range gunned armor tanking viable, but here we get more mass so congrats you are even more of a brick that can't apply your damage to buffer shield kiters or the new close range shield brawlers fittings asbs (merlins, hookbills, feroxes . . .). As some attempt at balance they propose an increase from 7.5 to 10% per level on active armor tanking. That will mean nothing except for pve (incursus and proposed for brutix - hyperion). It does not fix the necessity for mutliple (even 3 ) reppers with multiple cap boosters hoggin up all the grid and cap. The mass additions do nothing to fix the brick **** I can't get in range to apply damage buffer fits.

Overall I'm baffled by the continued racial blinders the dev team seems to have on. They apparently feel that only Caldari ships should get an optimal or range bonus, or two (cormorant etc.) and fail to see how range bonuses combined with asbs allows those ships to not only reign supreme at kiting but also in some cases outperform the armor close range setups.

They need to start giving range bonuses to non-caldari ships. They need to do something quick about armor tanking and the penalties they are only exagerating with their attempts to buff it.

The game should continue to have racial flavors, but unfortunatley they are making it even more pidgeonholed for roles. Lasers should have sniping options. Gallente ships should not all have to be blaster fit when they can fit rails. And minmatar should get some range on arty as well. It should not become a game of shield tanking missile and rail kiters, or asb fit brawlers, with no viable armor tanking schemes. If they do not do some corrections fast armor will be joining the dodo, and everyone will be flying Caldari and Minmatar.