well - the carrier, when 4.85 was released, was mostly an average but rather large battlecruiser... one might say... a weak RP ship.
i don t say that i m not happy with the added power ( cause i am ) ... but by buffing it up.... it did of course become more attractive. - so yes, it is one of the most powerful ships that is publicly available ( in its shipclass ). - before... it was merely average or a bit below average.
at the same time - most BHG warships were nerft down. - they all had 360 degrees turrets in 4.84 - and now they got logical arcs ( which means, they have less firepower ) - players that only care for stats will of course check out other ships.