Mithrandere
League of Gentlemen
Intrepid Crossing
0
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Posted - 2011.11.06 17:41:00 -
[1] - Quote
Hey guys, I know many of us are still excited about the new Tier 3 BCGÇÖs due out soon. But I want to take you back to the days when we were all salivating at the prospect of modulated ships. Now I know it took a long time to normalise, and that many people still say that they are overpriced but they are here now- and at a price that people are starting to make use of them, even in PvP.
Anyway, when these ships came out, we were told that there would be a gradual increase in available subsystems and even hulls in due course GÇô well I think 2 (or is it 3) years is plenty of time for due course GÇô so what happed, distractions like dust, ambulation and the lag monster aside?
We all know that there are many subs currently available that simply donGÇÖt get used (we know who you are  ). Perhaps a good first step would be to remove and replace, or simply add a new layer of subs based on any current GÇÿgapsGÇÖ in the strategic cruiser subs list (I appreciate that this may well be a very limited gap).
But, on a more interesting note for us all GÇô what happed to the new modulated T3 hulls we were promised? Perhaps now, with the tier 3 BCGÇÖs out the way, it might be time for CCP to revisit the idea of a new modulated ship hull. But which?
These are my reasons for eliminating the following:
- Capitals GÇô Erm........
- Industrials GÇô there is scope in this, but I think the whole isk per hour thing with mining might need to be addressed first (another day and another thread please) - T3 industrials should not be a solution to this problem.
- BS: Well I admit modulated BSGÇÖs would be amazing, and may even answer certain crys for a semi/hybrid capital (like an orca) for DPS in fleet fights. BUT, letGÇÖs be fair, at this stage cost would be far to prohibitive and people are only getting past using strategic cruisers in a fleet fight. Not sure how people would feel about fielding a 1-2bn BS that would be everyoneGÇÖs favourite primary. So no, not yet my friend, not yet.
- BC: Well I think this horse has been well flogged lately, so we shall leave this.
- Frigate: Almost the reverse of the BS. I think there is more than enough scope for a strategic frigate, but I think that the interest in flying a 100-250mil isk frigate that is likely to die VERY quickly is, for now, limited.
So this leaves destroyers. IMHO, a hull type that has not been shown much love by CCP over the years. Originally designed to be an GÇÿanti frigate platformGÇÖ in its T1 state, we saw that flop and become everyoneGÇÖs salvage monkey- that is until the noctis. There is of course the T2 interdictor, and it is a much valued ship in 0.0 fleet fights GÇô but thatGÇÖs all, and only coz of the bubbles.
So, here is my thinking. Lets give the trusty old destroyer one last throw of the dice- as a strategic destroyer. Cost would be in the range of 200-300mil isk (half, or a little under the price of a T3 cruiser). It could fill any or all of the following rolls:
- GÇÿFlyswatterGÇÖ, subs with bonuses to tracking and range out to say 30-50k, and specific bonuses to signature against frigates. With a DPS against frigs of say 125-175ps, it could finally fulfil its role as an anti frigate platform.
- GÇÿYe olde faithfullGÇÖ, well, we have all done it, got rid of points, speed, cloakyness and maxed out our T3 cruisers ehp and DPS for larger fleet fights. I figure 40-80k hit point buffer and DPS of say 200-300DPS. It might be able to outfight a drake, but then itGÇÖs like 3-5 times the cost.
-GÇÿSneaky peakyGÇÖ, I think we all love flying our T3GÇÖs with cloaky set ups and interdiction nullifiers. This should be continued with our destroyer outreach programme. But in addition to the naturally quicker align speeds, I am thinking that it should have a warp speed of say 6-12AU, making it the fleet scout that strategic cruisers canGÇÖt quite match due to their slow warp speeds.
- Fast tackle, something we have all done with our T3GÇÖs at some point. Used faction specific bonuses to get longer point/web ranges and fast lock times. Well this could be a home for our destroyers too.
- Interdiction. Perhaps this should continue, perhaps not (at risk of the loss of T2 destroyers). But how about being able to fit a 10-15k hic bubble? What about if said bubble could be used in high sec? GÇô Just a thought
-Ewar- ItGÇÖs been done on cruisers, perhaps it should be done on our destroyers?
- Cov Ops cyno GÇô Just a thought
- Ninja salvager. LetGÇÖs bring the it back to its old stomping ground. Bonuses to range/speed of tractor beams/salvagers and gets to fit cloaky/nullifiedGÇô fun fun fun. But, downfall against the noctis would be only 4 or 6 top slots (for only 2 or 3 tractorbeam/salvager combos) and say half or a third of the cargo bay space of a noctis.
Anyway, thatGÇÖs all folks. If there are any devs reading this (or anyone else that had any insightful info), its there a word on if/when there will be more modulated stuff?
I would love to hear any thoughts, tolling, love below. |