Player Features and Ideas Discussion

With the exception of the Paladin I noticed that most of the amarr T2 laser boats are vastly underpowered compared to the other races in the same class. This is mostly apparent of the ships that uses medium energy turrents where range is limited. The problems lies with the 10% reduction in medium energy turrent comsumption skill which takes up a skill slot that could be use for range or tracking. To compensate for this skill, CCP should double the damage bonus using only one skill slot as oppose to 2 slots. That would put the ABsolution on par with the rest of the Command ships and make the Zealot a more viable ship for soloing since it doesn't have a drone bay. To clarify these balance changes should be made to the Absolution and Zealot.

Absolution
Command Ships bonuses (per skill level):
20% bonus to Medium Energy Turret damage
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turrent optimal range
3% bonus to Armored Warfare and Information Warfare Links effectiveness
Amarr Battlecruiser bonuses (per skill level):
10% reduction in Medium Energy Turret activation cost
4% bonus to all armor resistances
Role Bonus:
• Can use 3 Warfare Link modules simultaneously
* -75% reduction to microwarpdrive capacitor consumption


Zealot
Amarr Cruiser bonuses (per skill level):
10% reduction in Medium Energy Turret activation cost
7.5% bonus to Medium Energy Turrent Tracking Speed
Heavy Assault Cruisers bonuses (per skill level):
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret optimal range
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret damage
Role Bonus:
50% reduction in Microwarpdrive signature radius penalty

I read the title as "Zealot and Absolution = Overpowered". I was about to say Yep.

Alternatively: have flown Zealot and...NOP

Just the same, I don't consider swapping cap cost reduction for damage to be a buff. If it makes it better, it didn't need the cap cost reduction.

Sigh.... I only wish to get feedback and hopefully support from the pilots who actually flown the absolution and zealot who understands what the word balance means. THe zealot has no drones so to compensate it needs the tracking speed bonus to kill frigate tacklers. The Absolution needs range to complete with the other COmmand ships that gets fallout bonuses along with the superior damage compared to the Absolution, hence my proposed changes.

If you think the Absolution is underpowered, you should see what alliances like Shadow Cartel or SnuffBox do with them. Then come back.

Mmmmnnnnoooooooooo... the whole point behind not having drones was to make the Zealot vulnerable to frigate tacklers at close range.

Every HAC has a glaring weakness "built in."

The Vagabond is paper thin.
The Munin has a frustrating slot layout.
The Cerberus is slow-ish and has a thin tank.
The Eagle is has anemic damage output.
The Zealot is extremely weak against fast-moving, close range targets.
The Sacrilege is very slow.
The Deimos is very vulnerable to energy neuts.
The Ishtar's theoretical weakness is its over reliance on drones (and their weaknesses).



I'm looking at an Absolution fit (2 Warfare Links, 2 Heat Sinks, Focused Mediums)... its engagement envelope is between ~7 to 20km dealing ~600 to 500 dps respectively.

For a more combat focused fit... trade the warfare links for energy neuts and the Focused Mediums for Heavy Pulses. Its engagement envelope is ~8 to 23km dealing ~700 to 580 respectively.

A similarly fit Damnation has better overall range... but MUCH less dps. The Astare... more dps, MUCH less range, and less tank too.
Looking through other Command Ship fits I am still failing to see how the Absolution doesn't compete with the others. In fact... it seems that the Absolution comes out ahead in many respects since it has a very good balance between defense and offense (in addition to its large range envelope to offset its lack of mobility).

And therein lies the problem with CS in general. With the exception of the Sleipnir they all need a lot of work or CCP needs to add a new branch of T2 Battlecruisers exclusively for combat. But with a few tweaks they can make CS's a viable T2 Battlecruiser fit for combat that's worth the annoying training time that is almost the same for Marauders.The absolution has the shortest engangement range which makes it vulnerable to nuets because it has no range bonus like the other CS's do. And since the Absolution is totally reliant on capacitor it absolutely needs that range. And I'm talking about it having the ability to use other ammo type besides scorch that can hit 17-25 km.

absolution has the problem of the damnation too overcome .. sadly it fails every time..

I would actually like to try a solo zealot, been dicking around with omans with **** skills and even than I like the results. anyway I think its only deficiency is the lack of a drone bay.

and the abso, Isn't that the ship that can reach a near Napoc buffer? The Sleipnir either has a weak buffer or damn near no buffer with the good ol' dual XL-ASB fit.

I have flown the Zealot in a pvp fleet as it was intended (I think) or maybe I was in an Omen, anyway most of us were in Zealots. I've also flown in a good variety of other skirmish cruiser fleets. Let me tell you, the drones are overrated. They will be used when we have them but really I think we just need more ships without drone bays. The Zealot has its drone power rolled into the hull. It's got raw power to a high extent, excellent damage projection. Not having drones means less TiDi and it also means I don't have to fuss over drones when I'm trying to skirmish. You know what we do when tackled by a frigate? We pop it. I mean you can switch to gleam ammo if you really need to but with more than 5 fleet members you really don't need to. I'd say what we fear more is....hmm....actually I can't think of anything a Zealot fleet fears. Is there a counter to a Zealot fleet? I can't think of any. I mean sure, you can brute force through one with multiple heavy interdictors and enough cruisers to blow em up, but I can't think of any actual counters. Maybe Ishtars, but those are a counter to everything.

As for flying a Zealot solo, well yeah you don't have drones and you need to be prepared for that. I'd probably use pulse lasers solo, and a navy web. Then you won't have much trouble with t1 frigate tacklers. Interceptors might be an issue but you're flying solo which is already kind of a bad idea.

As much as I like having a few swiss army ships available, I want to see more specialized ships that do a role well in groups when others have their back. Too many drone ships means nobody is on frigate duty because everyone just uses drones. That's more stress for everybody and less variety in fleet.

I will admit I do miss the glory days of sniper Zealot gangs