This is tied in with the idea of fixed tiers again… But I think doing this would solve some problems and make fixed tiers valid again.
Put simply, Rank 4 should become Tier 1, and all other tiers should then move up by one; T2 becomes 5 - 7, T3 becomes 8 - 10, T4 11 - 13 and T5 14 - 16 (you can spread T4’s existing Rank 12 into two ranks to achieve this).
This should give the ships within each tier a closer distribution of available module slots, which is the main reason Rank 4 and 7 feel so weak.
It also means more grinding.
More ships to designed.
More ships to max synergy.
More module slot.
More ship/weapon modifier slot.
More gap between ships in the same Tier.
What else?
Edit: More implants
More loyal levels
More contracts.
…
…
.
It also means more grinding.
Only at the very top of the ship tree. Most players won’t see a change.
More ships to designed.
More ships to max synergy.
The new rank is filled by better spreading out of existing T4 ships. No new assets required.
More module slot.
More ship/weapon modifier slot.
More gap between ships in the same Tier.
Existing ships are not to be changed, save their options will change if they are moved down a tier.
What else?
Edit: More implants
More loyal levels
More contracts.
…
…
.
Only one additional contract per faction required. No need to change loyalty or unlocks. Only one more set of implants needed for the end of the tree.