Hauler too expensive, reduce to 36k

[clinton]

I'm getting the feeling that with the introduction of the Adder the Hauler is no longer particularly sort after. The Hauler at 53k and the adder at 88k you're almost 2/3rds of the way to an Adder when you can afford a Hauler, which at best makes it a very short lived stopgap.

I think there's two solutions to this:

(1) Improve the Hauler's cargo capacity such that it is better than an Adder.
(2) Reduce the Hauler's price.

I'm inclined to support the second one. I also think it's easier to implement. The Hauler should be cheaper than the Eagle. Whilst the Eagle is a sleek small fighter, the Hauler is basically a thinly armored box.

A Hauler at a price of around 36k gives people a few options:

Trading: Sidewinder -> Hauler (36k) -> Adder (87k)
Combat: Sidewinder -> Eagle (45k) -> Viper (143k)

Notice the gaps between the second and third ships are now both reasonable sizes, about 150% more for trading and 200% for combat. Instead currently the Adder is only about 50% more than the Hauler.

As much as possible I think ED should ensure all ships have their place. It would be a shame to waste their good design. And unlike Eagles, I don't think Haulers are used by anyone can afford something bigger. So the only way they'll get significantly used is if they're cheaper and hence available earlier in the game.

As a transition, those Haulers previously purchased should retain their sale price so people who bought them at the higher price don't lose out.

 

[jersey_boy]

Don't see a problem personally. The Hauler was the ship I got after getting rid of the free sidewinder. It's a great little trading ship with a decent cargo hold and if you intend just to grind credits on your way to the Cobra it's a better option than the Adder as those 30.000 credits might just be your first full cargo hold.
The only reason I can think of to get the Adder instead is if you plan on using it as a multi-role ship, but if intending to do that your better off waiting for the Cobra instead.

 

[Gameassassin1020]

I thought the hauler was only 50k? That's like stealing 2 anaconda kills in a nav beacon.

 

[Red Hermit]

Looking at their stats it seems to me the hauler should be cheaper and the eagle more expensive.

 

[Marikc0]

I thought I had seen it all. I was wrong.

You have to be trolling.

Yea, Eagle probably should be more expensive, but come on, the Hauler? I think we've got better things to care about.

 

[Remiel]

I thought I had seen it all. I was wrong.

You have to be trolling.

Yea, Eagle probably should be more expensive, but come on, the Hauler? I think we've got better things to care about.

He actually brings up one of the first valid points on the forums that I've seen in a long time, and you're going to dismiss it? The Hauler should be an entry-level trade ship much like the Eagle is an entry-level combat ship. This is worth talking about given the Adder's far superior haulage, range, and defensive capability for not that much more. Someone mentioned earlier 50K is two 'conda steals on a nav beacon - well that would make an Adder only four at most, maybe even two or three if you can score one of those 84K bounties.

I disagree though, OP, I don't think the Hauler should be cheaper, I think the Adder should cost way more than it does. The Hauler is a great entry-level price given the revenue stream it can potentially grant a pilot, but it seems to me the Adder is rather cheap for what it can do, and not just haulage. The Hauler is a one-trick pony, the Adder is not. Think of it in terms of the gap between a Hauler and an Adder, and now from an Adder to a Type-6.

 

[sqzbox1]

Why does it matter? We are all playing in exactly the same situation - there is no advantage or disadvantage over anybody else. I just don't see the point of the point.

 

[clinton]

Why does it matter? We are all playing in exactly the same situation - there is no advantage or disadvantage over anybody else. I just don't see the point of the point.

If you're only interested in putting everyone in the same situation, they should just make ED a blank screen which exits when you press a key. Then will all be in the same boat.

Some people are interested in good gameplay, just not seeing if they can be personally better than others.

 

[clinton]

I disagree though, OP, I don't think the Hauler should be cheaper, I think the Adder should cost way more than it does. The Hauler is a great entry-level price given the revenue stream it can potentially grant a pilot, but it seems to me the Adder is rather cheap for what it can do, and not just haulage. The Hauler is a one-trick pony, the Adder is not. Think of it in terms of the gap between a Hauler and an Adder, and now from an Adder to a Type-6.

I'd take that. But the Viper is 143k. All the Adder has on the Viper is an extra size 2 compartment. You can put a class 2 shield gen in a Viper, and carry 16 tons with better shields and armor than the Adder, and only 4t less hull space.

Perhaps all the small ships need increases in prices. Increase the Adder, Viper and Cobra. Say:

Adder: 130k
Viper: 250k
Cobra: 500k

The Cobra is still more than 12 times less than an ASP, and half the price of a Lakon 6 if that's the way you're heading.

 

[sqzbox1]

Good gameplay? What has the price of a ship got to do with that? And saying a blank screen is equal to putting people in the same situation is just stupid! That's not what I meant at all and you know it! You want everything to be perfectly symmetrical. Where's the "good gameplay" in that?

 

[Eagle Eye]

I agree that they need to rethink the Adder / Hauler / Eagle balance. Which reminds me that I should buy one, kit it out for long range jumps and put it on my starting system. You never knew when you screw up the insurance screen and need a fast ship to get back to your fleet at the other end of the galaxy...

 

[clinton]

Good gameplay? What has the price of a ship got to do with that? And saying a blank screen is equal to putting people in the same situation is just stupid! That's not what I meant at all and you know it! You want everything to be perfectly symmetrical. Where's the "good gameplay" in that?

Things aren't meant to be perfectly symmetrical, but everything should have it's place. The Hauler's place with the addition of the Adder is now very short. The more usable ships the better, the more variety there is.

I don't think people want "one best ship" and so no others are used. The Hauler needs a niche, which I think can only be achieved by lowering its price or raising the price of other ships.

I tend to think raising the price of the Adder is probably the best approach, but then you'd also have to bump up the price of the Viper and perhaps the Cobra.