How to Fix PP Modules

[Ziljan]

OPTION 1) Give them all the PP modules the same power and functionality and diversity of normal modules (fixed/gimbal/turret), but give them a special graphic (different colors explosive effects, etc) which looks cool but has the same effect as standard weapons. This would make them far more useful than they currently are and people would actually have a reason to slot them on their ships: style. They currently lack any substance anyway, and there is little point pretending otherwise anymore.

OPTION 2) Apart from the Prismatic Shields, every PP module feels like a punishment rather than a reward. It's hard to take pride in your power when your weapon is a piece of junk that can't compete with a standard issue module. If FD wants to make weapons special, then why not make them truly powerful and make it so you CAN'T take your module with you after you defect, and once you die or respec, it's just gone until you earn it again. This way modules won't be OP because they will be balanced with every other module. Remove the cooldown so that all you have to do is earn rank 2 or 3 to get it once you join another power. Redesign the modules so that you can't slot more than one at a time. Even if you take it to a new power and manage to keep it, you will just have one module.

 

[CMDR Sun]

The current PP modules at least have the advantage of slightly different functionality - even if it isn't a direct upgrade. Several of them are also at least equal in effectiveness to their standard counterparts.

 

[J.P.Kingpin]

The current PP modules at least have the advantage of slightly different functionality - even if it isn't a direct upgrade. Several of them are also at least equal in effectiveness to their standard counterparts.

which game are you playing Cmdr Sun? because from what i have seen from the modules is that they suck,
the AA is cool but does for hull damage compared to the basic PA,
the pack hounds while intimidating cant breach shields no matter how many you fire,
the imp hammer seems cool but are far less effective at sniping modules,
the prismatic shields are too bulky for use on a fighter ship,
and of course the coupe de crap.. the CytoScrambler is so far beyond B.S. that my typing skill level can't quite express my outrage with this "Weapon" if it can even be called a weapon, The CS is useless beyond the definition of the word useless, it can only be used against the three largest slowest most unmaneuverable ships(Conda,python,type9) in the game and only within the range of 50-400m,(Which i admit i wouldn't mind as much if it came in class 2 gimbled,but for a class 1 fixed with an insane power consumption)

 

[Crimson Kaim]

For some modules yes for others no. The Hammer for example has a ridiculous high heat gegeration. One alone is able to melt every ship (not the enemy's ship...). The prismatic shield can stay how it is.
Some other weapons need some love for example Hudsons Frag cannon (or the shotgun in general). Additionally, offer the weapons in different classes (seize) and maybe here and there gimb. and turr. versions.

But a general weapon rework would be quite nice. Currently lasers are the best weapon choice. I mean they even do more hull damage than rockets amd torpedos.

 

[Ziljan]

Agreed, the prismatic shield is fine, but every other PP weapon is a joke. Even the lasers are HORRIBLE. Winters laser looks good on paper but it does the 2nd worst damage in the game of ANY weapon and it's fixed mount. The only system it can disable is thrusters, but how are you supposed to drop shields with a pen laser? I'd take a standard "purple/green" gimbaled medium Pulse laser over that nonsense any day.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

which game are you playing Cmdr Sun? because from what i have seen from the modules is that they suck,
the AA is cool but does for hull damage compared to the basic PA,
the pack hounds while intimidating cant breach shields no matter how many you fire,
the imp hammer seems cool but are far less effective at sniping modules,
the prismatic shields are too bulky for use on a fighter ship,
and of course the coupe de crap.. the CytoScrambler is so far beyond B.S. that my typing skill level can't quite express my outrage with this "Weapon" if it can even be called a weapon, The CS is useless beyond the definition of the word useless, it can only be used against the three largest slowest most unmaneuverable ships(Conda,python,type9) in the game and only within the range of 50-400m,(Which i admit i wouldn't mind as much if it came in class 2 gimbled,but for a class 1 fixed with an insane power consumption)

Oooh, now do the Combat Mining Lance!!!

 

[LittleJP]

Make them come in a variety of class sizes.

 

[Lazerus Artificial]

OPTION 1) Give them all the PP modules the same power and functionality and diversity of normal modules (fixed/gimbal/turret), but give them a special graphic (different colors explosive effects, etc) which looks cool but has the same effect as standard weapons. This would make them far more useful than they currently are and people would actually have a reason to slot them on their ships: style. They currently lack any substance anyway, and there is little point pretending otherwise anymore.

OPTION 2) Apart from the Prismatic Shields, every PP module feels like a punishment rather than a reward. It's hard to take pride in your power when your weapon is a piece of junk that can't compete with a standard issue module. If FD wants to make weapons special, then why not make them truly powerful and make it so you CAN'T take your module with you after you defect, and once you die or respec, it's just gone until you earn it again. This way modules won't be OP because they will be balanced with every other module. Remove the cooldown so that all you have to do is earn rank 2 or 3 to get it once you join another power. Redesign the modules so that you can't slot more than one at a time. Even if you take it to a new power and manage to keep it, you will just have one module.

Thats basically what they did, or tried to do.
Advanced Accelerator for example has the same DPS, just twice the RoF with half the Damage per hit.
Enforcer does it the other way around, more damage per hit with less rate of fire.
Pack seems to deal the same damage, its just better at overwhelming Point Defense.
Pacifier trades Damage per hit for better Accuracy.

of course...there are then some that are either utterly garbage, or direct upgrades.
The Prisma Shield for example CAN be an upgrade, not for everyone, but a trader can profit from it.
Disruptor is the Pirates dream, just shoot the engine and disable it, would be interesting to see what a malfunction does on a cargo hatch.

And downgrades?
Well...
Obviously the Cyto. Less damage than a beam with less range - why using it?
Lance. More Powerdram, more heat generation, but slower and deals less damage that the individual parts.
Hammer looks nice in theory...but isnt the Railgun used as a module sniper?
Retribution...a small fixed beam that cant even deal shielddamage...

The main problem is not the function of them (well...besides Cyto, Lance and Retribution), its simply that there is just one size with one aiming-type.
Fixed weapons are garbage with our current system where they all just aim in a straight line - there are a lot of ships who simply cant hit with more than one weapon at once (for example the Clipper)
And the size limitation is another point...why should i use a small beamlaser, if my ship doesnt even has small slots? Why should i use a Large accelerator if i could use a Huge one?


I was supporting Torval in the first month, just to learn that her trading bonus is garbage, and the lance is just a fancy looking laserpointer.
Now im supporting Sirius to get access to the Pack (i totally love missiles), i just hope that there will be some more sizes.
If there would be a Medium or Large Gimballed Mining Lance - i would totally use it, if it has atleast the values of a beam + mininglaser, and not worse than the individual parts.
Currently im only playing Powerplay for the weekly credit bonus...

 

[Snarfbuckle]

Remove them from PP

Seriously.

-For some reason 10 select political organizations with some military clout has aquired never-seen-before military hardware that no other major faction or arms manufacturer has ever heard of.

-No spy agency for any other faction or military/private group has EVER managed to steal or otherwise aquire said blueprints

-No Organization has ever managed to reverse engineer said module.

-Oh, and your PP faction can dictate laws in areas outside their major powers jurisdiction by "controlling" it.

Really FD? That's your living breathing somewhat realistic universe?

EDIT:
-Said factions decided to sell it to any random dude or dudette that does some trading and transport jobs for them during a month and then promtly forget about them a month later.

-And they decided that this super secret weaponry would only be fitted to some ships because a larger or smaller version of them was simply not useful...regardless of what their customers thought.

-And even factions whose main goal is TRADE dont put these things out on the market???

 

[Snarfbuckle]

Retribution...a small fixed beam that cant even deal shielddamage...

I would have been ok with the followwing:

Cytoscrambler: A weapon that shoots straight with overwhelming shield damage but no armour or module damage (AND fix so armour and hull mods actually PROTECTS modules.)
Retribution: Regular shield damage but no armour or module damage in exchange for increasing target heat - if it could just function on NPC's...