Jinx Barker
GFB Scientific
Interstellar Corporate Alliance
   |
Posted - 2007.04.29 19:31:00 -
[1]
1) Freighters were designed with large cargo-hold in mind.
The Statement: "Do not haul billions of ISK" then, is a fallacy. Since it ignores the logic and the intent behind the Freighter in the first place.
2) Freighters used to NOT drop loot. Now that they have been fixed, they are open game to anyone with means to kill them for the loot.
True, and is 100% correct, no arguments there.
3) "Suicide" ganking was always an accepted means of making ISK, and is a legitimate tactic.
True, and it is 100% correct, no arguments there.
4) Freighters were always killable.
True, and it is 100% correct, no arguments there.
5) Industrials and Transports - are only worth killing if they carry enough precious loot, like: BPO, Mega, Zydrine, Faction or Officer Mods. If they carry just regular equipment and basic minerals or components, they are really not worth that much; or rather - they are rarely worth an organized gank.
True, and it is 100% correct, no arguments there.
6) A properly stocked freighter, lets say 800k M3, even with the second least expensive mineral, Pyerite, is ALWAYS worth killing. Since the gankers stand a chance of taking at least part of the 850 Million ISK cargo, and I am pricing it conservatively, as a reward for their trouble. It is always worth an organized gank.
Again, true, and 100% correct, no arguments there.
Taking all of the above points into consideration, we must ask ourselves, is it worth it? To run a freighter Half full, to run a freighter with anything above 400 Mill in the cargo-hold? To run a freighter in anything other than 0.0, with good escort?
Follows a logical deduction, that freighters are the victims of their own success.
Their large capacity, and now - the newfound vulnerability - prevents them from transporting 100% full cargos. The initial design for extra large capacity just went .... flop.
The fact that freighters did not drop loot was a BUG, and an oversight. But it worked, the attacker of a freighter, when at war, in Low Sec, in 0.0 was inflicting a severe blow to their enemy, to their infrastructure. They did not get to keep the loot, but at least they knew it was extremely painful to their enemy.
So, it follows, that the BUG FIX when it comes to freighters, effectively turned into the NERF.
To fix this I propose the following:
1) Insurance Canceled - when one is destroyed by CONCORD.
2) Freighters' cargo-hold is reduced by (BALANCED amount).
3) Freighters' agility increased/and their mass decreased by (BALANCED amount)
4) Freighters' are given Low/Med Slots.
Main reason why freighters are so vulnerable now is their ability to carry massive amounts of even least precious "stuff" that in its entirety makes it worth killing. Coupled with the fact that they are "glass" boats, slow, and are unable to defend themselves - represents yet ANOTHER broken game mechanic.
I was always against freighters in the first place. Rather I was arguing for a "Small" freighter, with an ability to defend itself, moderately, for a short period of time, against an attack. Now, a couple of years later, I would say - "I told you so" CCP.
Guys an Gals, Gankers and Freighter Pilots, lets scream at the top of our lungs, fling dirt, flame and insults at each other, and make matters worse now!
Good Luck.
|