Okay, so I already completed the grind and earned myself the Imperial Courier. However, as I got further in rank and funding, I realized a massive gaping issue with these ships:
The Imperial Clipper, which is a LARGE vessel is far more maneuverable than the iCourier (and the Viper Mk III, since it has the same rating as the Courier, even when unladen) which I find particularly frustrating, especially when fighting AGAINST a Clipper. If I am in a Courier, I should not be out-turned by a ship nearly TWICE its size. A ship the size of the Courier should AT MINIMUM be as maneuverable as the Core Dynamics Eagle. Same with the Viper Mk III. If the smaller ships are supposed to be combat viable, why are some of them as sluggish as steering a Prius through a foot of mud while also being poorly equipped and lacking in mobility?
I also think the CD Eagle, while being a very basic ship, could potentially carry slightly better internals, or be a little more resilient either in hull or shield, doesn't matter which (though a bit more resilience would be a better choice), just SOMETHING to make it a bit more viable for people who fly fast when they fight. I am a "Speed and Finesse over Brute Strength" type, and my iEagle is pretty viable as long as I don't open fire on the wrong ship. But the CD Eagle is made of glass, but has nothing to offset its fragility. The iCourier is "supposed to be" a highly maneuverable, if slightly heavier, ship in the same vein as the other lighter combat craft, and from what I have read and researched when TRYING to better outfit the damn thing, the iCourier was something of a shield tank once upon a time. But I tried loadouts based on that a few times and it's like steering a rock in water and the power draw is ridiculous. Not to mention my next biggest issue with it. the Power Distribution is horrible. At least the Viper Mk III has a decent functionality when it comes to that, even if it's as lacking in maneuverability as the iCourier. Hell, even the CD Eagle has better Power Distribution than the iCourier. That is sad.
Now, while I did complain that the Courier is less maneuverable than a Clipper, I will also point out that I own both. Aside from the intense rebuy cost of the Clipper, it's my preferred ship at this point in time. But when running CZs, losses gets expensive. This is why I own 7 ships. Take a lower cost one out, get combat bonds, rinse and repeat. However, in doing so as my funding has been dwindling due to overuse of the Clipper, I am finding glaring flaws with several of the smaller ships. I'll put a TL;DR below with my suggested adjustments for simplicity.
CD Eagle
A little more toughness or slightly higher-end internals somewhere. And if you want to maintain the balance kinda like it is, maybe bump the CD Eagle to 7/10 if you still want it to outmaneuver Couriers and Viper Mk IIIs (since the iEagle is an 8/10 and runs circles around nearly anything I have fought in it)
Imperial Courier
Make it maneuver a little better, (4/10 is not good for its class or size) or possibly boost the shield capacity again. (Primary speed is fine as is) Maybe make the maneuverability a 6/10?
And/Or throw a Size 3 weapon under the fuselage?
And Please, for the Love of the Universe, if you don't do ANYTHING else, fix the power distribution functionality of it. As I mentioned above, the CD Eagle has better power distribution. And that is one of the most basic ship upgrades in the game. It's pathetic.
Viper Mk III
Maybe increase the Shield Class or Powerplant capacity or boost it's mobility a couple pips. (It's a 4 out of 10, like the iCourier. Otherwise a nice platform) IF the mobility is boosted, go 5-6/10 for the Viper
Aside from the glaring flaws I mentioned here, from what I have seen of the game, most of the other ships are a bit better balanced. The ones above feel like they were neglected in the patches that have come since I started playing compared to MANY of the others I have flown.
The Imperial Clipper, which is a LARGE vessel is far more maneuverable than the iCourier (and the Viper Mk III, since it has the same rating as the Courier, even when unladen) which I find particularly frustrating, especially when fighting AGAINST a Clipper. If I am in a Courier, I should not be out-turned by a ship nearly TWICE its size. A ship the size of the Courier should AT MINIMUM be as maneuverable as the Core Dynamics Eagle. Same with the Viper Mk III. If the smaller ships are supposed to be combat viable, why are some of them as sluggish as steering a Prius through a foot of mud while also being poorly equipped and lacking in mobility?
I also think the CD Eagle, while being a very basic ship, could potentially carry slightly better internals, or be a little more resilient either in hull or shield, doesn't matter which (though a bit more resilience would be a better choice), just SOMETHING to make it a bit more viable for people who fly fast when they fight. I am a "Speed and Finesse over Brute Strength" type, and my iEagle is pretty viable as long as I don't open fire on the wrong ship. But the CD Eagle is made of glass, but has nothing to offset its fragility. The iCourier is "supposed to be" a highly maneuverable, if slightly heavier, ship in the same vein as the other lighter combat craft, and from what I have read and researched when TRYING to better outfit the damn thing, the iCourier was something of a shield tank once upon a time. But I tried loadouts based on that a few times and it's like steering a rock in water and the power draw is ridiculous. Not to mention my next biggest issue with it. the Power Distribution is horrible. At least the Viper Mk III has a decent functionality when it comes to that, even if it's as lacking in maneuverability as the iCourier. Hell, even the CD Eagle has better Power Distribution than the iCourier. That is sad.
Now, while I did complain that the Courier is less maneuverable than a Clipper, I will also point out that I own both. Aside from the intense rebuy cost of the Clipper, it's my preferred ship at this point in time. But when running CZs, losses gets expensive. This is why I own 7 ships. Take a lower cost one out, get combat bonds, rinse and repeat. However, in doing so as my funding has been dwindling due to overuse of the Clipper, I am finding glaring flaws with several of the smaller ships. I'll put a TL;DR below with my suggested adjustments for simplicity.
CD Eagle
A little more toughness or slightly higher-end internals somewhere. And if you want to maintain the balance kinda like it is, maybe bump the CD Eagle to 7/10 if you still want it to outmaneuver Couriers and Viper Mk IIIs (since the iEagle is an 8/10 and runs circles around nearly anything I have fought in it)
Imperial Courier
Make it maneuver a little better, (4/10 is not good for its class or size) or possibly boost the shield capacity again. (Primary speed is fine as is) Maybe make the maneuverability a 6/10?
And/Or throw a Size 3 weapon under the fuselage?
And Please, for the Love of the Universe, if you don't do ANYTHING else, fix the power distribution functionality of it. As I mentioned above, the CD Eagle has better power distribution. And that is one of the most basic ship upgrades in the game. It's pathetic.
Viper Mk III
Maybe increase the Shield Class or Powerplant capacity or boost it's mobility a couple pips. (It's a 4 out of 10, like the iCourier. Otherwise a nice platform) IF the mobility is boosted, go 5-6/10 for the Viper
Aside from the glaring flaws I mentioned here, from what I have seen of the game, most of the other ships are a bit better balanced. The ones above feel like they were neglected in the patches that have come since I started playing compared to MANY of the others I have flown.
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