Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Seems reasonable to me, supported.

even as a missile-fanatic (the 'w' word being a no-no here), I support this idea. now, to figure a way to get signal suppressors back into the game...

Oh, and yes, I am a fan of ideas to bring other forms of electronic warfare into relevancy without sacrificing existing forms, like jamming, energy vamp and target painting.

Came here to say this. Only way it'd be balanced IMO really.

There is a fundamental difference between the mechanics of missiles and turrets.


Missile Mechanics

Missiles typically do less but consistent DPS, have a constant range, can use FoF's, can be partially mitigated with defenders and smartbombs, can select their damage type, don't apply damage instantaneously, and are vulnerable to fast ships and low-sized targets.

Turret Mechanics

Turrets apply damage instantaneously, but randomly. They typically do more DoT, Moreless do fixed damage types, have vulnerabilities to fast orbiting ships, and can be mitigated with tracking disruptors.

They are purposely different, with different pro's and con's. Just because the hookbill can use a tracking disruptors and range to take advantage of a turret ship's limitations doesn't signify a problem. Hookbills die just fine against properly fit opponents. Its part of the rock/paper/scissors game.

Additionally, tracking disruptors are already powerful forms of EWAR (second only to ECM). I seriously wonder about the repercussions of expanding their area of effect to include missiles. Turrets can counter TD's with tracking computers and enhancers, while missiles have NO such modules. I'm sure we could create missile equivalents, but is homogenizing the weapon system's worth CCP's time and effort to implement this?

Duh!

Have the Tracking Disruptor fire anti-missile missiles! With Ammutioning and everything! Problem solved!

1.) I don't see what is "stale and predictable" about the current environment, even before the new assault ship changes!! I play mostly in solo and small gang nullsec PvP, but I do occassional sov crap too. Outside of ganks, rarely are my fights stale and predictable.

2.) I really don't think the TD needs the boost your suggesting. Given the underwhelming state of sensor dampeners and lack of counter to TP's, I would think allying this mechanic with minmatar or gallente is more appropriate. We don't need a 1-module to disrupt all weapons... The mechanics of how missiles and turrets function are very different, why should one module affect the very different attributes of all these weapon systems? Think about the effect his would have on your Hookbill example... Now, the hookbill can use its TD against Kestrels and Crows as well as turret ships. While preparing for the alliance tournaments, deciding between turret boats vs Missile ships was an important decision. When I fit a TD on my jag, I know there are certain classes of ships that such a module provides no benefit... and that is a good thing! It keeps the Rochambeau balance! I'm not so much against a new counter mechanic to missiles (assuming its properly balanced with available modules). However, I really do NOT think it should be merged into the TD.

I should probably provide the context that I am thinking of Complexes in FW for most of this, this is an awfully overreaching "solution" but it's what I came up with. It's good that we're having this inspection so we could find a real problem instead, not that I think treating missiles more like turrets is a bad thing.



I agree, but here is my rationale for this and why I feel turrets and missiles should not be treated separately...

The sources of damage are drones, missiles, turrets, and smartbombs.

Most ships can use drones and smartbombs, they are on probably equal grounds.

The biggest and most universal threats are turrets and missiles. Most ships have one or the other to maximize damage mods.

Turrets and missiles can be similarly tanked or outrun.

Turrets can be disrupted and even defeated with a single midslot.

The only defense against missiles is better tank or speed, as the others sacrifice damage output with no real benefit in application.

Tracking disruptors often reduce the effectiveness to Gallente, Minmatar and Amarr ships, popular Caldari ships are often unaffected.

If a mid-slot module were to be provided against missiles specifically, it would probably see rarer use, particularly in 1v1 frigate combat where a tracking disruptor really can make all the difference and it's just a battle of mid-slots and range control.

Again, a lot is sacrificed to defend against missiles, while defending against turrets is relatively cheap.

I support this 100%. It is not at all hard to imagine a sort of missile-disrupting midslot thing.

They have chaff and flares in real life. It is incredibly difficult to imagine why a futuristic society wouldn't have something similar.