Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Sounds like a nice focus group. I would have enjoyed applying for it but I am too busy traveling at the moment.

I've read a lot about T3s and enjoyed Gorski's CZ article. While I usually agree with the author, I don't completely buy in to the idea that they are overpowered this time. I would like to defend the T3s at their current stage and I hope that some others will agree with me. I hope that these topics are raised, however.

1. Cost. I'd like to see each T3 destroyer cost about 50-100% more than an Interdictor. The reason for this is that T3 cruisers are more expensive than their T2 counterparts when fully fitted with subsystems, etc., This cost change shouldn't be made if you decide to nerf-bat them. Which you shouldn't.

2. Instant warp glitch due to mode-switching. When done right, T3s can align about as fast as a shuttle. This needs to be taken care of somehow.

Regarding the individual ships... Please don't nerf the T3 destroyer class into the ground. They should not be turned into glass cannons or specialized junk that sits around in hangars.

3. The Jackdaw and Hecate shouldn't be changed (aside from 1 and 2). Either of them are in a great place. They have vulnerabilities, handle like their respective races' ships, and are strong enough that they aren't a joke.

The main issue that people raise regarding T3s is the idea that the Confessor and Svipul are killing frigate gameplay. I'd like to defend both ships. Any changes made to either should be light - otherwise you're going to end up with more high priced garbage sitting around.

4. Please don't nerf the Svipul's Sharpshooter mode. A variety of ships are used for instalock gatecamps. Live with it. HTFU. The Svipul loses a lot of its tank in order to be fit for instalocking.

5. Please don't make the Svipul predictable. The best thing about the Svipul is its versatility. Yes it can be heavily tanked. But it typically uses two mids to do so. That leaves one mid for a point or scram - and one for a prop mod. The days of untouchable uber-tanked 10mn ab 280mm T2 artillery Svipuls ended with the last nerf to power grid and speed. Much of the Svipul's strength lies in the easily projected alpha of artillery fits or the huge buffer/double ASB tank of autocannon fits. But an increase of cost should justify its power. What is the point of the Svipul if the ubiquitous Thrasher will do more DPS? What is the point of the Svipul if a Sabre has more tank?

6. If you're going to do anything to the Svipul, make small stat changes. You could reduce the damage per T3 Destroyer level skill to 7.5% per level. This would slightly reduce the enormous alpha and the amount of damage that is projected in the Svipul's huge falloff. You could lightly reduce the shield EHP. But don't do all of this.

7. If you have absolutely have to nerf it, make a light change to the Confessor's damage output. The main gripe that people have with the Confessor is that it moves too fast with low sig while projecting too much dps. But these 10mn kiting fits are very high skill. You won't project well without constant mode-switching. You won't be able to handle cruisers with long-range weapons without propulsion mode. You can't have that much of a tank if you are using 10mn ab. I argue that messing around with these bonuses will turn the Confessor into a big Punisher. It should continue to be like a mini Omen Navy Issue, with less damage. Drop the damage per T3 Destroyer level skill to 7.5% per level, if you have to.

8. I would argue that the real change needed here is a speed buff to Assault Frigates. T1 frigates can catch up to T3s and mob them. Interceptors should have trouble with T3s because T3s should be a hard counter to them. Interdictors should not have the full strength of T3s as their main job is bubbling and catching those who are trying to escape. Assault Frigates should not do as much damage as T3s but should have similar speed to a Svipul or 10mn AB Confessor.

A T1 cruiser can counter T3s pretty easily as long as it isn't fit with larger weapons. A single web means the end of a Svipul or Confessor. I agree with you and I hope that their abilities are mostly not tweaked at the moment.

Love it.

Sorry for angrish, in order to do that you need to spend consideral amount of isk in blue modules that cost as much as the ship itself.

Explain in your narrow point of view why a ship should under-perfom with such modules on? Why do we even have blue modules in the game? Can I haz your stuff?

The major changes that I would like to see are an increase in price and a decrease in the effectiveness of oversized afterburners. I don't use oversized afterburners, as a matter of principle mostly, but most of the complaints about the Svipul and Confessor could be solved by that.

I think the Hecate is a thing of beauty and should pretty much be left alone.

I really hope this focus group works out to improve the game significantly.

I think fixing the insta-warp trick should be a big priority.

I really like it when I'm flying them, but it feels weird that T3Ds are harder to catch than normal frigates.

An option to do it is to have the speed bonus only apply to prop mods on the svipul and confessor (like the hecate). This way the base speed is unaffected with props off and speed mode just gets a bonus to align time. It stops the mode switching trick from working unless you have your prop mod on, but having a prop mod on increases align time, so it should even out.

Personally it feels fair enough on the jackdaw because the ship is designed to be slow but agile. A fair trade. In speed mode their agility is so good they pretty much don't need to bother with the mod switching trick anyway.

Off Grid Links break a lot of ships, It just so happens that for a ship with no other resistance modules fitted, links from a CS provide an 82%~ Boost to Active Tank amounts, which is obviously crazy, and the Skirmish links are really broken too in a mathematical sense they provide better than 2 HG implant sets and upgrade all tackle mods to near-best in slot faction for free.

This is definitely a good idea.

Totally disagree.

If frigates can escape gate camps, why should a tactical destroyer, in propulsion mode not be able to follow?

Destroyers are Frigate hunters, I know it is a bit of a shock to suddenly feel that as frigate pilots we are Prey, but there we are, it is going to take some getting used to, but overall a good shake up.

Gate camps are not entitled to be provided easy kills.

If players use the right ship, fitted well, and flown well, they ARE entitled to pass them.

And If this refers to TD3 in combat? Put a point on them! Then there is no insta-warp anything.

That linked T2 point beats an unlinked RF/low officer point by almost 10% range.