Marius Giarc
Giarc Innovations
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Posted - 2013.09.03 02:14:00 -
[1] - Quote
So finally got round to reading the proposed re-balance to the Marauder class...
I am... disappointed, to put it politely.
Ever since they were released in Trinity back in December 2007, Marauders have always been first and foremost a PvE boat.
Marauders were never PvP ships. Reasons for this were simple. Beyond the obvious intensive SP and ISK cost which made their use in for PvP prohibitively expensive, the Marauders were plagued with:
1. Weak Sensor Strength, usually ~60% of the Tech 1 hulls. "jam me now and forever":
2. Huge Signature Radius, usually ~40% greater than T1 and Navy variants:
3. Lack of Power grid for Cap Warfare or Shield/Capacitor Transfers or Remote Reps in Utility Highs. And finally;
4. 7.5% bonus per level to local Reps, whereas PvP vessels utilized Buffer Tanks and Remote Reps.
Not to mention there are simply so many more cheaper, better and more specialized hulls to choose from.
Marauders have always been a niche PvE boat. They offered 50% reduced ammo consumption, a slight increase in DPS over Navy Issues back then, bonus's to local Reps for Active Tanks, and the 100% tractor bonus allowed you to loot/salvage as you went.
The alternative option to loot/salvage back then was a Salvage Destroyer fit (remember those?). The Tractor bonus has become much less useful since the advent of the Noctis back with Trinity in 2010, bar edge cases such as the Epic Arc's.
But again, loot/salvage during with Marauder or after with Noctis is personal preference.
Personally, I've been able to fly Marauders for 5 years, mainly the Golem and Vargur. I've always fit them for a mix of Firepower, Protection and Mobility. DPS Projection and the ability to Tank damage has never been an issue. With a Tech II fit you're good, with Faction you're great.
Dependent on the Marauder and the fit, they can pull over 400 m/s, allowing the ability to close with or disengage at will. Fight at range or grab them by the throat. Didn't matter which. Light Drones for those Elite Frigate bastards.
But that's just me, I like a fast, flexible approach to my PvE boats. Fly the Marauder how you want to. Or a Faction BS, or Pirate. Your Choice.
So when I heard about a Marauder 'Rebalance' I was quietly hopeful the Marauders weaknesses in Powergrid, Signature Radius and above all, Sensor Strength, would be resolved.
Powergrid. Buffed.
Signature Radius. Buffed.
Sensor Strength. Still borked. Ugh.
Wait...
Drones Bay & Bandwidth. Nerfed.
Base Velocity. Nerfed by 19-23%... WTF?
So basically the Marauder rebalancing proposal is to take a fairly fast, flexible PvE boat in line with the Attack Battleship it's based upon, and turn it into a brick... actually slower than the current T1 Combat Battleship bricks like the Rokh.
Then you add the new 'Bastion' module...
And a Micro jump Drive...
Okay, let me see if I'm getting this right... the new re-balanced Marauder is now designed to work purely as either a completely immobile brick in Bastion or 'Tortoise' mode, where you just sit there and take a beating while pressing F1, before 'Transforming' and performing a MJD 'hop' 100km away, or 'Hare' mode, which with the cut in base mobility, seems designed as it's new primary mode of mobility.
Tortoise, Hare... Tortoise, Hare... **** that's annoying.
Instead of a Sensor strength rebalance (Still Borked) to alleviate the Perma-jamming Guristas bastards & other EWAR issues, now I simply activate Bastion mode for EWAR Immunity, as apparently the concept of EWAR versus reasonable Sensor strength wouldn't be doing it right...
Instead of killing Elite Frigs with my Light Drones (Drone Nerf) I simply 'Hop' 100km away then kill them with my Guns/Missiles as they re-approach, as apparently Light Drones isn't doing it right...
And finally, Instead of simply lighting a Propulsion module and burning directly to a gate (Mobility Nerf) now I simply perform two MJD hops, utilizing my Degree in Advanced Trigonometry, as apparently select gate hit 'Approach', light prop mod isn't doing it right...
Unless you fit both MJD and MWD if you ever want to get anywhere, which is going to **** your capacitor...
Okay... One final question.
Are you ****ing kidding me?
And yes. I have read CCP ytterbium's post #1512 on using a Marauder in PvE post changes. And it sounds soooo... boring.
Marauders. Push (Bastion) Button. Receive (PvE) Bacon.
Well... I've had some fun with Marauders over the years, but with these changes,.. I think I'll pass, Thanks. I'll stick with the fast, flexible and above all FUN Attack Battleship option and Fly Navy. Or pick up a Pirate. Yarr!
Fly safe... or sit like a brick. Your choice I guess. |