Player Features and Ideas Discussion

I think that the discussion of changing our in-game and out of game intel tools should be a completely separate discussion, and giving Combat Recons invisibility to DSCAN should wait until we've had that discussion and there's a solid plan and policy around what intel we want to reliably be provided from Dscan, Local, Combat Probing, etc. When you look at DSCAN/Local parsing tools and Killboards, a lot of the intel generated is very automated and fast.

Fixing ECM should be another discussion as there are lot of options on how it could be changed to be more balanced with the other EWAR choices.

That said, looking at the Falcon and Rook as it stands out now, there are two main problems.

The Rook seriously needs more Powergrid to be able to mix enough tank in the midslots to survive, as well as have a few jammers. Bringing it up to 750PG and reducing CPU by a bit in trade would make fitting it properly a lot easier. This is something has has been lamented for years.

In addition, I really feel the Falcon and Rook are missing a secondary role for fleet fights. A corp mate came up with this progression for how things work now for the Electronic Warfare line of Frigates and Cruisers:




You frequently see Huginns and Lachesis in large fleet fights acting as long range points and webs. You frequently see Curse helping neut out targets of interest or capitals. But there is no secondary role for the Rook except for Jamming.

The bonuses CCP Rise has suggested for the Rook are:



So ECM has two of the role bonuses for Strength and Cap usage. Is this really necessary? Part of the fix will come when ECM is rebalanced, but as it stands, without a second role it really puts the Rook in a one dimensional place for fleet fights, which is why you don't see it a lot. It'll still work fine in solo and small gang fleets, but the Falcon is almost always preferable in those cases.

I honestly don't have a good answer for what the Rook's secondary role would be besides Jamming.

• Potentially something to help counter Drones, Missiles, or Bombs. That would probably fit more under a replacement/change for ECM.
• Giving it a bonus to Rapid Light Missile Launchers so it can help screen light tackle, and have the tank and resists to stay on field isn't a bad idea, but this role is easily covered by newer players in cheaper ships.
• The fact that it has bonuses to Heavy Missile rate of fire and velocity means it should be able to do decent DPS. The new Rapier is going to be a lot better at applying missile damage since it gets bonuses to both Web range and Target Painters - both factor favorably into the missile damage formula. The Orthrus already gets an interesting bonus to apply missile damage better - I don't think it would make sense to introduce it here.

Thoughts? Discussion?

Btw this change will end all solo PVP in this game. Literally and completely, all the activity that FW brought to lowsec will die.

I don't like pilgrim nos/neut new bonus - this ship really doesn't need such a change. Rook unfortunately seems still to be a useless crap. Rest is interesting.

Wow

You don't need combat probes to find targets in anomalies.

But after this change, you will need combat probes on every ship to see attackers, unless you are in nullsec. Dscan becomes worthless, and local even more important.

Force Recons are dscannable.... for the few seconds in which they decloak before they point you and cyno in friends.....

This just gives combat recons some parity with force recons. without also giving them a covert cloak. It's not a completely new mechanic, just half of an existing mechanic being applied.

It is like a Second Christmas... This is going to be the gift that keeps on giving.

You seem clueless of the basic game mechanics, which is no surprise since you are still in kindergarten, learning this game.

Covert ops ships aren't cloaked or hidden from dscan all the time, they will show up on dscan whenever they use wormhole, stargate or acceleration gate.

... or while fighting or waiting uncloaked to fast-tackle someone with the help of (remote-)sensorboosters (avoiding sensor delay).

the time to buy rooks was 2012 when they were 85mil

2 slow

Rise you need to listen to this guy :)