Ok, before I start I want to list the things I like about this ship (don't want you thinking I'm all negativity):P
So here goes:
+ points:
Agility - I LOVE the way this ship flies, turns on a dime and looks great doing so.
The model: Looks awesome, and continues with the design ethos evident in the other zoner ships.
Twin mine launchers- Havent had a chance to use them yet, but I expect they'll come in handy.
Ok, so here's my issue and request with the Zoner gunboat:
It is, as I understand, more intended as a well armoured, well armed transport yes? It states in the info-card that this vessel was intended to replace more of the dromedary trade ships, and so it is intended more for trade and perhaps exploration rather than combat.
The Zoner GB has a hold of 560. This isnt bad, but I would like to see it increased for the following reasons:
As stated above the zoner GB seems to meant as some kind of low-key transport ship, 560 hold doesnt really enable this (as it stands thats more on a par with most cheap freighters, not a vessel costing 30m.)
The zoner GB is quite large: For a GB its pretty chunky, very wide indeed. I would like to see its hold representative of its in-game size.
Along with its large size, the GB only has 4 weapon hardpoints. To me this means there would be less capacitors, relays, etc etc needed internally for powering the guns - thus more space available for cargo.
I have listed some other gunboats and their cargo capacities below:
Rheinland GB: 440
Bretonian GB: 480
Corsair GB: 480
Dragon GB:480
IMG GB: 420
As you can see, for difference in size between the zoner GB and some of these, but mainly the big difference in firepower, 560 hold is only a very modest increase for that trade-off.
However, my main reason for requesting an increase in the hold is the following: The zoner GB is a great RP ship, however like some other RP ships its quite hamstrung by being mediocre in certain ways. What I would like is for the cargo space to increase to give the zoner GB another use other than just flying around/exploring. If the cargo space was upped to say, 1000, that would make the ship capable of some semi-worthwhile trading.
This would be especially cool as it could be a kind of halfway-house in terms of zoner supply ship, something between the Dromedary and the Whale. A kind of medium-haul vessel that also has roles in diplomacy and exploration.
Some would say that this would give it a bigger hold than some cruisers. To that I say so what? Cruisers are massively armoured and have large reactors and internal systems to take up space. Not to mention crew accomodation.
Remember that the zoner GB is a pretty chunky ship for its class, I dont think 1000 capacity hold would be out of order. In any case, who's going to abuse it? Nobody - it wouldnt be good enough for any 'decent' trading and on the other side its not a PVP monster.
This is something I would really like to see happen.
Anyone else have any thoughts? Agree? Disagree? post away.
agreed. this was one of the first new ships i bought, i love it. one of my favorite ships. though, i have also noticed the same thing, and i actually think that the new dromedary models have more cargo space then the zoner GB. i am for this ship either getting the cargo increased to 100 or adding two more GB turrets to make up for its lack of trading capabilities, as it only has four GB turret slots.
I would like to see it get much more cargo - perhaps 800 or 1000... don't know whether it'd unbalance the ship, but it should be a mixture of weak gunboat and weak (low capacity) transport.
I would like to see some modification, either adding more cargo or adding more firepower (or both? >_>). As it is the Armoured Transport probably has more firepower than it, despite the fact that the Zoner Gunboat is supposed to be similar to a Mk. II version, and the AT is much smaller and has even better handling (and more cargo now too, I think). The Zoner GB has more armor, but is much easier to hit, and 4 gunboat turrets instead of transport turrets + class 10 fighter guns (unless that's been changed), but whether or not that's actually an advantage with only 4 and only 2 which fire forward-side is highly debatable. The AT also has a 199 thrust speed, a big plus.
All-in-all, the Armoured Transport is better at what the Zoner Gunboat is supposed to be than the Zoner Gunboat is.
My personal preference would be to increase the firepower of the GB rather than the cargo, so that it would actually be useful in Zoner/Freeport defense, rather than just a large target waiting to be destroyed by a passing bomber/gunboat/couple of fighters/anything with guns.
I'm not sure I'd like to see the firepower increased too much, maybe one more hardpoint at a push (under the nose seems the logical place, nice spot for a razor i guess).
I would like a lot more cargo space though, at least 1000 to make it interesting.
Oh, and Drake, I agree with your points regarding the Zoner GB vs the Armoured Transport. At the moment the Zoner GB doesnt have much going for it apart from looks.
I heard the AT got nerfed. Down to 140 thrust, and maybe other things too. The energy requirements of high-end transport shields will definitely hamper it a lot as well. Don't know any of that for sure though, I sold mine quite a while ago.
' Wrote:I heard the AT got nerfed. Down to 140 thrust, and maybe other things too.
Yes, now max thrust is 140, but cargo is 801.
I thought to replace it to Zoner Gunboat, as I read ZG is AT mkII, but I decided not.
AT is still better ship as exploration vessel. That is pity, that the thrust speed is down now, it is much difficult to escape, but AT is transport ship, civilian, neutral, with good armour, shield and enough firepower, and its agility is huge better, so it gives safety in most areas.
Zoner Gunboat is capital vessel, so someone could not like to see it. It is big, but with small cargo, and it costs 30mil. 7 x more than AT.
If someone thinks about exploration vessel, I think better buy AT or a freighter, if someone thinks about trade, it is better to add 10mil and buy BW transport. The same armour, same mass, 7 x more cargo, enough firepower, neutral ship. If someone thinks about war ship, better to choose another.
Zoner Gunboat looks wery well, but its stats make it little useful.
(no offence, if it looks like, sorry, language problems)
I'd be interested to know on which side you folks think any imrpovement should fall, firepower or cargo space?
My own preference is a lot more cargo space, as at the moment there wouldnt actually be any economic reason for zoners to build these ships, as they excel at neither combat or hauling.
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