Frigates

[Di'taraAlpha]

Couldn't agree more. Although I'd like to see more Salvager-type Salvage frigates in Disco (I'd be nice for other factions, ALG maybe to have an equivalent), an entirely new subclass is not going to do disco any favours, expecially with a pirate ID fitted.

Piracy is in a weird spot though. A good bomber will shred most small convoys (as it should), but once you start getting bigger a gunboat isn't ever going to cut it (I'm sure we've all seen battletransports eviscerating gunboats before). Since individuals who fly pirate ID often fly solo when pirating, the current system rewards teamwork between traders. Throwing in a pirate IDable heavy salvager (that's effectively what's being suggested right)? Would create an entirely new piracy dynamic, one where the pirate would be able to take on bigger prey but not nessarily more individuals. Of course, this is all situational and none of this would probably apply in practice.

In theory, pirates would love it. But they might also hate it. I can't see a situation where it could be ballanced fairly between the needs of the traders and the needs of the pirates. Hrrm...

However I'd generally conclude that giving indie pirates bigger ships is not the answer. Cap proliferation is already becoming nonesensical (ask any Zoner who doesn't buy a Nephillim as their first ship), so we don't want to perpetuate this problem by bringing out a whole new class of more easily available sub-caps.

However frigates (throughout history, as pre-mentioned) have always been fast, light warships, not cargo ships. A fast interceptor gunboat with a cruiser shield but light armour and a bigger hull and less steering? Now that would be food for thought.

Don't let me discorage you, all ideas deserve to be developed .