I think that missiles deserve a balancing pass

To compensate for these severe nerfs I propose new modules that mimic the functionality of tracking computer / enhancers.

To complement this I also propose changing the missiles themselves similar to the change in sentry drones, so that say EM missiles do the most damage at the shortest range up to kinetic doing the least damage at the longest range.

This should make sure people have the option of sniping as far as they could before

People don't snipe with missiles because turrets utterly eclipse them in that role, but I notice you've not addressed that issue anywhere in favour of just nerfing them into the ground for no coherent reason instead.

You don't pve do you? Because probably half the mission runners out there snipe with cruise missiles.

Anyway if you don't snipe with missiles you should be happy: you'd be getting ammo types with extra dame at short range and a single scripted Missile Guidance System would get you 30% explosion velocity if we're taking our cue from tracking computers, so you'd already have better damage application than before.

Also I have no idea where you get the idea that half the missile systems are useless, they all have their purpose. If your goals don't match those just don't use them.

But I stand by the skill changes. As long as you can afford to double anything it's probably not balanced. And as long as you can double the stat with skills you can't really balance it either. Nerfing the skills is essential to getting the balance right. But it's a starting point, not the endgame.

I did have PvE in mind when I started this.

But you have a point PvP should be considered as well.

So I would like you to state what the missile types you don't like should do different and I'll gladly work that into my approach.

Well ideally PvE would have better rats, that are more similar to PvP fits with stupid pilots. That way the gap between PvP and PvE would not be as big

But still I'm pretty sure the PvE pilots outnumber the PvPers.

I think that missiles deserve a balancing pass. They're able to deliver long range dps without sacrificing dps or tank, something turrets can't.

- Keep the skill nerfs about range

- Get rid of the damage reduction factor.

- Heavy missiles still need about 25% damage bonus to rival long range turrets.

- Cruise seem to be on equal footing dps wise, so I'm not sure what to change there.

only nerfs needed are too HAM and rocket range as they are effectively a size higher on range than they should be and cruises.
HAMs - same range
Torps - same range
cruises - still too long range at over 140km's

in exchange we should get those mods we were promised too allow greater options for buffing range and tracking.

also some slight buffs here and there for some of them, rockets and HAMs could use more damage

LM's and rockets could use an exp rad nerf especially if you add the tracking mods.

Why does short range large missile have worse application than long range large missile when every other weapon feature better application on the short range/high DPS version?

Why does short range large missile have worse application than long range large missile when every other weapon feature better application on the short range/high DPS version?

Please name me one frigate that needs TEs or TCs to actually do DPS.
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If we keep the drf as it is my point about the skills being overpowered stands. At the very least the skills should be nerfed and the base stats bonused to balance it out.

I don't understand why you think a skill needs nerfed on a weapon system that is lackluster. Just because the skills don't match turret skill progressions does not mean that they are broken.

Missiles are a different weapon system, they behave very differently. The skills and how they scale are built around their own uniqueness and there is no need to compare them directly to turret skills.

What needs compared is the effectiveness of missiles to turrets. And as you can see from the feedback so far in this thread, missile users could use more of a buff than a nerf.

If you want to overhaul the system to buff some areas and nerf others in order to fix a broken system that is fine. But make sure it is a broken system to warrant design time for an overhaul not just because it is better at 1 thing vs another system. Not all weapons need to have the same benefits. Variety and being different are good. The weapon system could use a balance pass I agree, but I think existing numbers could easily be tweaked without adding/removing or drastically changing one the skills.

As a missile user, I also think that application modules are sorely needed. Right now there is no way to improve damage application of a larger missile to a smaller target other than skill points. While turret and drone systems do have tracking enhancers. This means that lower skilled pilots can use equipment to offset lack of trained skills, while a missile pilot can only wait to train up their skills. This alone could really bring heavy missiles into a much less niche fitting.

There are mods that improve missile performance against smaller hulls. The problem is they use mids or rigs. Being that most missile ships are shield fit, this generally doesnt jive well.