We still have a number of outstanding issues, so I thought I'd try to summarize a few to see if we can reach a consensus, then move on to the next batch of issues.
PDC. The majority seem to think these are too powerful vis-a-vis missiles. Suggestions include:
1. Reduce or eliminate current bonus to hit.
2. Reduce range.
3. Change reload rate to 2.
PPB. What many see as a niche weapon is instead the primary DF weapon of the early and mid game.
1. Smooth out damage progression (I believe this has been agreed to).
2. Reduce range.
3. Impose a penalty to hit. 10%?
4. Increase supplies used. Double?
5. Improve armor.
6. Make phased shields easier to reach on the research tree.
Armor. No real consensus that there is a problem here, but some feel armor should be more equal to shields in protection per kt. Also, there are concerns that the AI is not using armor effectively.
1. Remove Chemistry I as a requirement to research Armor.
2. Add several levels to armor research, with improved components at the higher levels.
3. Improve armor protection somewhat for the current armor types.
4. Reduce the weight of the current armor components.
5. Add redundant requirements to armor to help the AI use it properly.
6. Add Skip All Shields to other weapons, which indirectly boosts armor relative to shields.
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My personal preferences - until someone convinces me otherwise...
PDC - Leave as is, but change reload rate to 2.
PPB - Reduce max range to 5 (same as DUC), make phased shields easier to reach, improve armor slightly.
Armor - My first choice would be adding more tech levels (as in DevNull) but I think that will cause AI problems. If so I'd settle for boosting the amount of protection for each type of armor by 10-15%. This still leaves shields noticeably better for overall protection, but there are more shield-skipping weapons to balance that. Either way, I'd still like to eliminate Chemistry as a prereq, making it much easier to research armor early.
All IMHO, of course.
[ August 03, 2003, 17:50: Message edited by: Sir Whiskers ]
Re: SE4 Stock Balance Mod
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