SE4 Stock Balance Mod

[Phoenix-D]

"True, but I've never seen anyone use them... The extra damage it has now isn't worth the loss in versatility. It is basically a niche weapon (warp-point defense), and so it deserves to have some (more) punch."

Its a -pain- to use them because of the upgrade issue (having to unselect "show only latest" and scroll..and scroll..). Stick them on a WP or base with an extended-range mount.

[spoon]

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Stick them on a WP or base with an extended-range mount.

Still leaves them as mainly a defensive weapon, so an increase in damage seems ok to me. Maybe even reduce the range to 2 to compensate for a larger increase in damage...

[Captain Kwok]

Torpedoes should have a greater range, not an increase to hit modifier.

Regarding niche weapons - I think those are fine. In a real life situtation not all weapons are going to be equally effective in all situations. Some weapons are suited to only one specific task, while others are good for a range of things. Unlike the torpedo etc, most of the niche weapons still have functional uses in the late game phase and can be considered fine.

[spoon]

Originally posted by Captain Kwok:
Torpedoes should have a greater range, not an increase to hit modifier.

I think there should be a weapon to counter the max-def/bezerker combo, and torpedoes seemed a good choice. However, having low-tech, long-range weapon might be neat as well. What kind of range were you thinking? Would maybe Meson BLasters be a better choice for this niche?

[Andrés]

I guess we'd all fix things differnt ways.
I'd increase damage in torpedoes.

[Captain Kwok]

Beam and bolt weapons are short to mid range since you'd expect them to decrease in energy the further they travelled.

I think a torpedo is like a missile - except that it travels much faster and hence cannot be targeted by point-defense, but lacks the accuracy you'd get with the missile - also why they are listed as direct fire weapons. I'd just like to see their range boosted to a max of about 10. This allows them to be a great secondary weapon although their damage ratio (damage/kT/fire rate)is less than APB etc, their extended range helps to overcome this shortfall.

[spoon]

Originally posted by Captain Kwok:

Regarding niche weapons - I think those are fine. In a real life situtation not all weapons are going to be equally effective in all situations..

I agree completely - I think every weapon should have its role - and that is where the problem comes in for SE4 - too few weapons fill up too many roles. The APB has both great range and a great damage ratio. The PPB both skips shields and has a great damage ratio.

Might be a valid approach for this mod to seperate each weapon into its own niche, and then balance it from that perspective.

Here is a list of some niches, and which weapons might best fit in that niche:
- long range (Meson BLasters)
- close range only, high damage (rippers)
- skips shields (PPB)
- bonus to hit (torps)
- versatile (APB)
- high damage, low reload (WMG)
- cheap (DUC)