I'm not sure I agree that pax missions are comparable to commodity trade if the basis for that argument is the very best routes for commodity trade.
I did trading extensively way back in the day (first year of release) and the sheer level of effort required to build up your credit balance, ships to trade with, route finding (something that never ends due to the BGS) to the point of absolute trading perfection is huge.
Conversely, finding lucrative missions that pay large value payouts is much less demanding (certainly these days). The route to the perfect ship and missions isn't nearly as long a curve and the acquisition of the best missions is much less demanding once you're there.
You also never need to invest capital (required in commodity trade), though that is moot for many players now (but I think it's a bad idea to focus on game balance without considering the impact to new players).
I've seen, played through and sometimes used most of the game's get rich quick "events". It's been a long, long time since commodity trading was one of them. It was the original grandfather of them, certainly. At launch, it was the only way to make serious credits.
None of that changes the fact that these new enhancements were and still are desperately needed. I am not sure if pax missions totally eclipse commodity trade right now but I do know that the players who would benefit from the new trade tools are probably not the same players who will always do the very best credit generating activity (or flavour of the month).
It'll benefit new players and players who like trading. It might persuade some players to try trading out. But I doubt the get rich quick bracket of player would be willing to invest the time into these new tools unless it guaranteed the best payout available (and it won't do that, even if pax was reduced in payout to be more in line).
So, I agree that all careers and missions need to be rebalanced (there's never yet been a time that hasn't been true) but I don't think eliminating the current flavour of the month will encourage anyone to drop their career to pick trading just because it has new in game tools.
I only did trading because it was the best (only) way to make good money at launch. I stopped doing it as soon as combat rewards were good enough; I found it fun, particularly building up my capital and trade ships to get bigger rewards. However, these new tools won't get me trading again because I still remember how much I had to invest into it time-wise and I prefer to do combat orientated things.
Regardless, these changes are excellent. They're great for new players and existing traders. They're maybe a little late but they're great nonetheless.
I just don't think any shine is lost just because of what the op raises. Balance is essential. Not just because of enhanced QoL features FD introduce. If pax is the ultimate credit generator bar nothing else, that needs to be addressed, full stop.
But, and I feel this is the most important thing that I've not yet said... Commodity trade and pax/trade missions should be way, way down FD's list of priorities when it comes to career balance. Trading has always been a functional career (this update improves it further). Missions have quickly become the easiest route to cash (the level of effort is minimal). Smuggling, piracy, exploring and so on... These are in much greater need of balance redress.
Trading just got one. I don't think it's necessary to reduce pax just because we want more players to trade. We need all careers to get tools and enhancements so they're more fun and lucrative enough to be viable choices.
My hope (as a potentially returning player) is this upcoming series of updates is going to do that (and that's what Sandro suggested it may do).
