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This is a beta test. Tweaking weapons is a big part of that.
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Equalizing weapons is by definition ‘balancing’ weapons
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Choosing damage type is only one part to choosing weapons but it is not the only one. Shot mechanics still plays a role.
- international forum has a reputation for noise sans constructive feedback. it’d be nice to prove them wrong once in a while.
Interceptor Weapons:
RFB vs Pulse
Dev seemed to have focused on tweaking Pulse as the alternative to RFB. Your option is this:
Target with large HP = RFB
Target with small HP = Pulse is a viable option
Thing about RFB is, pro inty pilots have no trouble shooting fast moving targets even when using Supernova
So this Pulse vs RFB choice is only relevant to low - average skilled pilots.
And given higher tier meta, RFB is still prefered.
Consider tweaking further:
lower RFB base projectile speed or higher minimum RFB spread but lower maximum spread
AND
Lower RFB base crit damage, Raise Pulse base crit damage
This will make RFB as the better weapon for sustained damage on large targets while Pulse the better dogfigther with high spot damage but not over time.
Plasma Gun vs RFB + Pulse
I will echo what Eviscerado said above. DPS not Range. Specifically … damage per shot value.
You need to decide what Plasma Gun is for. Lowering range by 750m will not change the way people use Plasma Gun
Lower it further and you get a second RFB weapon so what is the point ?
Decide what special function Plasma Gun can be used for and restat everything to fit that function. Right now it is a playstyle choice that doesn’t need to be there.
Personally I would like to see a mechanic tweak to Plasma Gun shooting style geared towards killstealing sniper rifle aka Interceptor version of the Positron.
Shrapnel Cannon
All the ammo options for Shrapnel is irrelevant or useless.
Projectile speed is irrelevant at the range you are forced to work with
Rate of fire is again less than relevant unless you are shooting at a static frigate and need the DPS. Other damage ammo options are better.
Damage ammo vs Crit ammo … honestly, people build inties for crit and you only use damage ammo if you cannot raise crit chance for whatever reason
Crit chance … is probably the default choice and still less effective than RFB. Simple boost would help.
Personal opinion - Shrapnel mechanic still needs tweaking.
If you don’t want the Alpha strike charging mechanic anymore the other alternative is rising DPS over time mechanic like Frigate’s Heavy Blaster.
The higher the overheating, the higher the damage. This way you improve anti frigate performance but limit effectiveness against smaller targets.