Player Features and Ideas Discussion

I would like to add another previous nerf to smartbombs:

As with the new warp speed changes, cycling the smartbombs doesnt kill the firgats anymore because the yare getting faster out of warp (pods yes, untanked firgs maybe just, everything fitted and more than 1200 (4sb) hp before resist > you wont kill).

Lots of people seem to like the idea, but there seems to be universal agreement that the sort of buffs you get from normal damage mods would be OP, with the combined (ROF x damage multiplier) DPS increase of ~21% for a single t2 damage mod. Similar things have been mentioned with increasing the range too much leading to even more ways to use these as a tool to **** in the sandbox, by doing things like bombing the jita undock hard enough to kill the legions of frigates and cruiser that are constantly there.

Thus the damage modules having a range malus, and the range modules having a damage malus. Given stacking penalty does NOT apply to penalties in almost every case, this should strongly discourage more than 2 of any given module type, should all other things be equal. If done right, you would end up with more damage by 3-6% and more range by 3-6% if one tries for a balance of both with the ones I am currently theorycrafting. They also, because of the non-standard nature of smartbombs, have higher CPU and PG requirements than comparable weapon upgrade modules.

Initial numbers for refined proposal, with 2 of the new "meta" tier variations, as well as the lower tier faction:

Omni-directional projection enhancer, low slot:
T1: 7.5% bonus to smartbomb range, -7.5% smartbomb damage 20 CPU 1 PG
Scoped: 9% bonus to smartbomb range, -7.5% smartbomb damage 30 CPU 1 PG
Compact: 7.5% bonus to smartbomb range -7.5% smartbomb damage 15CPU 1 PG
T2: 10% bonus to smartbomb range, -7% smartbomb damage 35 CPU 1 PG
low tier Faction, scoped equivalent : 11% bonus to smartbomb range, -7% smartbomb damage 33 CPU 1 PG
low teir Faction, compact equivalent : 10% bonus to smartbomb range, -7% smartbomb damage 25 CPU 1 PG

Omni-directional Burst amplifier, low slot:
T1: 7.5% bonus to smartbomb damage, -7.5% smartbomb range 30 CPU 1 PG
Enhanced: 9% bonus to smartbomb damage, -7.5% smartbomb range 35 CPU 2 PG
Compact: 7.5% bonus to smartbomb damage, -7.5% smartbomb range 20 CPU 1 PG
T2: 10% bonus to smartbomb damage, -7% to smartbomb range 45 CPU 3 PG
Low tier Faction (enhanced equivalent): 12% bonus to smartbomb damage, -7% smartbomb range, 40 CPU 2 PG
Low tier Faction (compact equivalent): 11% bonus to smart bomb damage, -7% smartbomb range, 30 CPU 1 PG

Practical breakdown of possible combinations: (assuming t2)

1 Module: see above tables.


2 modules:
2 damage, 0 range: +19.6% damage, -14% range
1 damage, 1 range: +3% damage, + 3% range
0 damage, 2 range: -14% damage, +19.6% range
Ends up with a reasonable set of choices, with 1 of each module providing a VERY slight buff to both stats.

That is some very good input James!

I was thinking. The risk of making improvements OP, lies indeed in the stacking and/or fitting posibilities.

Maybe another possible solution to bypass this is to make it the numbers fixed. Like, as in.. eeh.. 1 module with +X amount of range or damage, with restriction to fit only 1 per ship; as in example the cloaks. Than it could be devided in small, med, large.

Like
Small rig: + 500m range
Med rig: + 750m range
Large rig: + 1500m range
Capital rig: +1500m range (=-tank + nerf to interdictoes + buff to use of hics)

Small rig: + 25 damage (current 70)
Med rig: + 50 damage (current 140)
Large rig: + 100 damage (current 300)
Capital rig: + 100 damage (current 300)

Same for module, with matched cpu and power requirments (with only 1 able to fit restriction):
small module
medium module
large module

Thas is very good and interesting point of view, i h'vnt looked at it this way. The numbers are again pulled out of the magic hat and by "single" module is meant "a single and the only module of that kind that could be fitted". But yeah, looking at this, i tend to agree with you, it is quet a (maybe too big)significant buff.
For the numbers i have looked at T2 smartbombs. But i could imagin when this get's applied to (example) a true sansha, 9km would indeed be too much. (Looking top-down) What do you think, what would be the maxed range increase a potential buff could be, before it go's too OP? And what about the damage? (without range buffs/and maybe with range buff)

Maybe a key to finding the max possible range buff, before it go's too OP, could lie in relation of officer sb's on supercaps. (im just thinking out loud here). Im convinced most supers pilots find their tank and fitting mods more inportant than a relative small sb buff to the single sb they have fitted, but assuming: 1 erebus with a chelm sb, could nowardays wipe out any interdicter bubble within 10,5km of his ship. Meaning there is a 9,5km margin for a dictor to trap that titan. Theoraticaly, when 1 dictor with 1 bubble, bubbles a titan at exacly half that marging (titan could approach or pull off, range is the same) = 4,75km = 15,25km; What are the chances for that erebus pilot, with any increased range, to blow up any interdiction bubble and simply jump out? (A avatar moves 88m/s, and 138m/s with overload cormack mwd). I tend to think that any range buff would be too OP on officer sb's in this theoratical situation.
I could draw the conclusion that maybe just a whole new revamp is needed for all ranges? (Every meta and diferent damagetype has differant ranges) with a slight inclease in damage only? And/or this, plus only a damage mod and/or rigs?

I submit that a lone titan should be a lumbering giant, incapable of killing the tackle on its own, and thus either dependant on a subcap support fleet to get it out of the bubble and/or very good piloting, barring a mistake on the part of the other pilot.

Smartbomb range on titans is already much much larger than the official size of the model or the official range of the smartbomb would indicate. I am far more worried about pipebombs being able to drop into an ongoing fight and remove one or both sides subcap fleet and their pods for a much much smaller investment.

Range dropping damage means you then need a second smartbomb in the bubble trap. Range dropping damage means that you can't get all of the subcap blob in a major battle. Damage dropping range means less through coverage in a pipebomb, meaning lower applied damage per ship in total, while allowing faster kills with more ships at risk, and more chance of accidentally killing your own ships if the warp bubble drops you too tightly clustered.

Very good input James!

I tend to agree with you. What there must come is a guarantied slight option or buff for damage. That is for sure.!

AI do would like to add another dicovered nerf issues!


Did you knew that you can not smartbomb a faction frigat in 1 cycle of 7 smartbombs?

I find this a very good and valid qustion! What is actualy the purpose of smartbombs?

To know the real true answere, i think we must go back in time, and ask the DEV that came up with the idea 10 years ago. Does anyone has perhaps a dev friend who he could ask?

How is smartbomb ratting even a thing? many rats don't even get within 30km of you.

Oh well don't punish the sub caps ;)

Certain Havens have all the rats spawn in a nice tight spot. 3 smartbombing Machs and a gunship for stragglers makes great ISK/hour.