Mike Atropos
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Posted - 2006.06.30 06:36:00 -
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It seems to me that stealth bombers need to scrap any intention of behaving like frigates. They are bombers, not multipurpose ships. Further, they are stealth bombers, so they shoudnt be as tough as even regular bombers would be...
1) Bombers arent the type to attack fast targets. They go for the vital, large, immobile targets like instalations or capital ships. Cruise missiles make no sense for them. Give them torpedos, and get rid of the explosion radius reduction. Instead, switch that to a damage increase. Siege launchers already have a long enough reload that you wont get a second volley in before your locked. And once locked, your dead.
2) Remove all non-launcher hardpoints from them. Even the non-missile races can use missile launchers, espically on a ship designed for them.
3) Give them a 25% increase to PG, then decrease their shield and armor resists. Their sole defense lies in their cloaking.
4) Increase their cloaked speed bonus. They should be fast, near AB frigate speed while cloaked. This is espically true with the Kali sensor probes that can detect cloaked ships.
5) Finally, 5, they need additional role bonuses:
A ) 200% Increased Warp Speed, 200% reduced Warp Energy Cost
B ) Can Passivley target 1 ship while cloaked
They can now preselect a target, manuver into position while cloaked, launch their torpedos, and reposition. If they are locked, their even weaker hull strenth and complete lack of anything BUT siege launchers for offense leaves them absolutley helpless. They can't warp cloaked, so they must either be at the battlesite prior to the conflict, or pick their warp in time with great care.
This would, IMHO, allow them to operate as a stealth bomber should. Racial differences could come down to slot arrangment, maybe even auxiliary defense systems like light drones or rails, or stronger shielding. There would be no more of this Manticore > All due to alpha striking with a whole launcher more. They would all be worthwhile, and could in no way even come close to stepping on an AF or Intie's toes.
I can't fly SBs, yet, so if this is off in terms of practical application, dont flame me too bad. Just going off what i've seen and heard, they need to be jump-started into their role.
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