Currently, bigger ships can't really hull tank. A newly buffed 6A SCB gives 4400MJ of effective shield strength with 4 PIPs to SYS. The newly buffed 8A SCB gives 14100MJ of effective shield strength with 4 PIPs to SYS. Even without 4 PIPs to SYS, the SCBs give far more protection than the 390 armor of the largest HRP.
There's also been concerns about small ships excessively hull tanking. Whilst I think it makes sense for small ships to hull tank, you shouldn't have Vipers having a stronger hull than a stock Federal Corvette.
What I propose is extending HRPs into the higher classes, and reducing the protection of the smaller armor classes, as follows:
Note that HRPs at all levels are still more than triple what they were in 1.4.
But now HRP are an option for big ships. Probably not a great option, as indicated, you can get much better protection from SCBs, and also, with hull reinforcements you're vulnerable to module damage. But at least it's now an option.
A Viper however, still can hull tank. It can add an extra 430% to it's armor using this system, it just can't add 650% to it's armor. I think that's more balanced and a fairly moderate change.
For comparison sake, here's all the effective shield values and hull reinforcement values, from 1.4, Horizons, and what I propose for HRPs, all in one table:
I don't think this change makes HRP overpowered, but at least it brings them into play. More practical options for outfitting is better I think.
There's also been concerns about small ships excessively hull tanking. Whilst I think it makes sense for small ships to hull tank, you shouldn't have Vipers having a stronger hull than a stock Federal Corvette.
What I propose is extending HRPs into the higher classes, and reducing the protection of the smaller armor classes, as follows:
| Class | 1.4 Armor | Horizons Armor | Proposed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 110 | 50 |
| 2 | 30 | 190 | 100 |
| 3 | 60 | 260 | 200 |
| 4 | 120 | 330 | 350 |
| 5 | 240 | 390 | 600 |
| 6 | 1000 | ||
| 7 | 1650 | ||
| 8 | 2700 |
Note that HRPs at all levels are still more than triple what they were in 1.4.
But now HRP are an option for big ships. Probably not a great option, as indicated, you can get much better protection from SCBs, and also, with hull reinforcements you're vulnerable to module damage. But at least it's now an option.
A Viper however, still can hull tank. It can add an extra 430% to it's armor using this system, it just can't add 650% to it's armor. I think that's more balanced and a fairly moderate change.
For comparison sake, here's all the effective shield values and hull reinforcement values, from 1.4, Horizons, and what I propose for HRPs, all in one table:
| Class (A rated) | Cells | 1.4 Per Cell | 1.4 Total | Horizons Per Cell | Horizons Total | Horizons Total (4 PIPs to SYS) | 1.4 Armor | Horizons Armor | Proposed Armor |
| 1 | 3 | 70 | 210 | 25 | 75 | 187 | 15 | 110 | 50 |
| 2 | 4 | 105 | 420 | 52 | 208 | 520 | 30 | 190 | 100 |
| 3 | 4 | 135 | 540 | 91 | 364 | 910 | 60 | 260 | 200 |
| 4 | 4 | 160 | 640 | 157 | 628 | 1570 | 120 | 330 | 350 |
| 5 | 4 | 185 | 740 | 248 | 992 | 2480 | 240 | 390 | 600 |
| 6 | 5 | 205 | 1025 | 352 | 1760 | 4400 | 1000 | ||
| 7 | 5 | 225 | 1125 | 653 | 3265 | 8162 | 1650 | ||
| 8 | 5 | 245 | 1225 | 1128 | 5640 | 14100 | 2700 |
I don't think this change makes HRP overpowered, but at least it brings them into play. More practical options for outfitting is better I think.