A collection of thoughts as to what might help rebalance the game and deal with the issue of the Frigate Ball. The intent is not to render the Guard “useless”, but ensure that a ball of Guards and Engineers cannot be so powerful that no ship can hope to break them.
Anti-Missile Shield:
Jericho Torpedoes struck by this module will temporarily lose all navigation - they will fly straight forward for 2-3 seconds. The missile can still be detonated at will. After 2-3 seconds, control is restored.
Anti-Missile Shield will target Jericho Guided Torpedoes over other ordnance as a priority.
Anti-Missile Shield will also fire upon Attack Drones, Mines and Minefields that enter range of the Anti-Missile Shield as though they were Missiles.
Mass Propulsion Inhibitor:
This module is now only active for a set period of time after activation. Duration and cooldown based on Mk of the module.
Pulsar:
This module must now be targeted, and will only hit the target the Guard has locked onto. It cannot be activated until a target has entered range, but once active it will continue to attack the target even if the Guard selects a new target.
Pulsars will not hit an enemy that is outside of range or line of sight, but will continue to attempt to fire upon them until it runs out.
Ships cannot be hit by multiple Pulsars at once - if a ship is being hit with a Pulsar, no other Guard Frigates can fire their Pulsar at the ship until the previous Pulsar has worn out.
Mines and Minefields:
These weapon types now take 3 seconds to arm after deploying. Once deployed they will detonate on any ship that enters their radius - friend or foe! However, the mines will only damage enemies, or the player that deployed them. They will not damage allied ships; the mines will simply waste a charge and explode harmlessly.
The lack of friendly fire, but the presence of self-fire, is there to punish careless or reckless mine placement, but prevent griefing (ie: dropping mines on your own captain). Because mines will be wasted if allies fly through them, spamming beacons with them is no-longer a valid option; your allies will waste your mines long before the enemy enter range.