Player Features and Ideas Discussion

I recently upgraded from Destroyers to Cruisers and being fond of using drones, was looking into getting either a Vexor or an Arbitrator. The choice was not hard. Arbitrator is seriously inferior when compared to Vexor.

The reason I am writing here is that Arbitrator is such a lovely design, and it has some nice distinguishing features such as joint missile / turret bays. However, as-is I can see no reason why anyone would choose it over Vexor (except maybe the looks).

Let's look at the most significant imbalances between the two ships one thing at a time.


Fitting:
Vexor has 800 power grid vs 575 on Arbitrator. This makes it very tough if not impossible to fit decent medium sized weapons on the Arby.

Arbitrator does have 325 CPU vs 300 on Vexor, but the impact is nothing compared to the seriously underwhelming power grid.


Capacitor:
Arbitrator recharge rate is 490s
Vexor recharge rate is 482.5s

Arbitrator cap size is 1375
Vexor cap size is 1450

Granted, the difference here is not that large, but it is in favor of the Vexor on both aspects.


Tank:
This together with the lacking power grid is my main gripe when it comes to the imbalance between these two ships.

Arbitrator Structure HP: 1600
Vexor Structure HP: 2000

Arbitrator Armor HP: 1500
Vexor Armor HP: 2000

Arbitrator Shield HP: 1100
Vexor Shield HP: 1100

So all in all Vexor wins by quite a large margin. And what does it say in Arbitrator's description? "The Arbitrator is unusual for Amarr ships in that it's primarily a drone carrier. While it is not the best carrier around, it has superior armor that gives it greater durability than most ships in its class." When compared to all other Amarr cruisers it actually has the least amount of armor.


Please, giver Arbitrator some much needed love. I can't see how that would be difficult or unreasonable, considering that the qualities that differentiate it from other same level drone boats are already there.


With love,
Janes

Apples to oranges.
The arbitrator is a E-war ship the vexor is a combat ship.

Compare the Arbitrator to the Celestis. The arbi is an e-war ship, with its bonus to tracking disruption. The vexor is a combat ship. e-war ships usually have less of everthing except cpu compared to a combat-oriented hull.

Got to agree with the others, as someone who flies the arbi - it's really quite good compared to many of the other ewar ships like the celestis.

The pilgrim on the other hand... would be a totally different story.

I think the strength of Arbitrator is the flexibility it has to function as EWAR or combat type vessel, but then again for those who see it mainly as an EWAR platform, this role is completely neglected in the ships description. It says Arbitrator is primarily a drone carrier. That's it. EWAR is not mentioned at all.

If you look at the combined shield + armor HP of the EWAR ships of all nations, all but Celestis have 2600 total HP. Celestis has 2500, so Arbitrator - once again - does not have "superior armor" or "greater durability" when compared even to other EWAR ships, even though this is what the ship description claims.

When it comes to EWAR abilities, it seems that both Blackbird and Celestis are more specialised on that particular aspect. Bellicose and Arbitrator seem to have less clear identity.


If you ignore my initial argument and comparison to Vexor, one way to look at Arbitrator would be to consider the bonuses it gets to drones. The EWAR role would be much clearer if there was a bonus to the abilities of EWAR drones, but right now the only benefit comes from increased drone hp.

Give back the middle engine the arby used to have. Then it will be happy again. Other than that, it seems pretty alright to me.

Unless that engine was only on the Curse.

Pretty much what everyone else already said. Aside from sharing the drone bonus, they really aren't much alike.

Both are natural progressions of a frigate, however. Tristan -> Vexor. Crucifier ->Arbitrator.

If you think about it that way, it makes more sense.

actually the arbitrator is not that bad compared to the vexor

vexor may hold a bit more tank and DPS

but a well trained and skillfull pilot in a arbitrator will eat a vexor alive.
it wont take long for a arbitrator to nuetralise a vexor to be honest
wich will break the tank and the ability to fire guns. wich greatly forces to go full drones
wich the vexor is not better then the arbitrator.

this cruiser is better in nuetralising then a vexor fitted with nuets to make an example
plus a tracking disruptor bonus will allready hurt any gunship.

arbitator will win a brawl with a vexor for sure
only way a vexor can be coming out on top is keep range to stay away from the nuets
kiting with ranged ammo can give the vexor a control situation.
sensor dampening might help in this case.

but brawl and you will lose the vexor in torment.
both ships have advantages and weaknesses.

vexor relies on brute force, arbitrator relies on Electronic warfare.
The fit and the range between the to upon landing on grid is what mainly will dictate the fight wich is almost with every ship in eve but these 2 in particular are a interesting match.

i both fly these ships in PvP myself and i love them both.
both good ships

The reason to use an Arbitrator:

Balmer Series Tracking Disruptor I

CCP says it is a disruption Cruiser.

With a 3 TD fit it can cut the tracking of 3 Battleships in more then half or cancels out 3 gun kiters. A single TD drops a 425 Cane with 2 TE's and Barrage to 6 Kilometers. Next up for it she will be affecting missiles with TD's. The Vexor can have its bit more damage and skimpy slice of extra tank, it needs it.

People who say buff the Arby, I say you have an already awesome EWAR platform on its own and then they put a f**kin Drone Boat on top of it.