Alexandra Stormwing
Blood Money Inc.
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Posted - 2010.10.21 14:39:00 -
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Originally by: Don Pellegrino How can the Drake be nerfed without compromising it's small gang capabilities?
I haven't flown a Drake in large fleet, just some solo and small gang work. I don't really like it because of the reasons Andrea mentioned earlier, but...
I'm not convinced that damage projection is really the issue, since any ship that mounts heavy missile launchers has excellent damage projection. Perhaps heavy missiles should be looked at. I don't use heavies so I can't provide any real input there.
As far as EHP goes, the drake does have a nice amount of EHP which - in my opinion - makes up for all of its failings. If the Drake is to be viable in small gangs, but less viable in large fleets, then I would propose:
1. Cut the base shield amount. This obviously directly affects the amount of total EHP, which will cause them to die faster. 2. Adjust the shield regen rate so that it regenerates at a slightly faster rate than the current Drake. In blobs, shield regen isn't that big a factor because it doesn't help when 20 people are shooting at you. In small gangs, some extra regen will make up a bit for the cut to EHP. 3. Speed increase, sig radius decrease. Another boost in exchange for a cut in EHP, allow a HAM Drake to actually close in on targets.
Another option is to give the Drake a larger drone bay. This will NOT help blobs much at all since they're often at range, but will give the Drake a little extra edge. 75m3 for 3 flights of lights would be a nice touch.
I don't see the "Gank vs. Tank" argument as being viable for Caldari missile boats in general. For shield tanking ships, the choice is between "Tank vs. EWar/Tackle" which is just as important - and one of the reasons why Caldari ships are already unpopular with solo/small gang PvP.
Aside from ECM. If there's one thing that Caldari does well, it's that, but that's about ALL Caldari does well. Everything else is at best mediocre, but in general subpar.
Also: If these Drake blobs are so incredibly popular... ...Why aren't alliances grabbing large Artillery or Beam ships to hit the Drake's worst resists, fitting a bunch of plates, and loading up on the Kinetic resists? (Obviously I don't understand blob warfare, otherwise people would already be doing this)
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