My understanding is that it is a compromise between the two camps of "anyone should be able to fly/use anything, so long as they have a decent reason for doing so" and "factions ought use the equipment that they have, for reasons of roleplay, and to keep everyone from using the ship they consider to be the "Best"
However, the tech-nerf chart goes 90%, 75%, 10%
90% I get, that's reasonable. 10% means we have decided that no one can survive a fight if they do this, but what does 75% mean?
Is anyone flying a ship with 75% powercore seriously? That is so hobbling that, in my mind, no one would do it.
Which I think is a shame, because...why even include those equipment types in the tech-nerf chart, at 75%, if 75% is effectively not a real thing?
Now, going back to the compromise at the top.
How about, as an idea, we reward people who are using faction equipment with faction guns?
105% powercore if you are a corsair, in a Titan, using only Corsair guns, engines, thruster, and an undock message like "power distribution optimal" 100% if you're using any of the non-corsair, but perfectly plausible things, like an eagle with code-names or flashpoints. 95% if you're using second-tier from "pure" equipment (note that this is 10% less, so nearly equivalent to the current 90% mark) 85% for the unusual but plausible equipment, rather than 75% (20% lower than pure, but, I think, still usable in many cases) 80% for the equipment deemed the less than easy to get, 10% still for for the things that just make no sense.
That's my "simple" idea for making the tech-nerf chart more reflective of the compromise that I think it is trying to hit.
This being a FLHook thing, the tech-nerf can be tuned to a much higher level of complexity, of course.
I used to have a mercenary group which used 75% VHF/HFs exclusively. That was during .87 as you'd understand how wild those times were.
Even at such core it was pretty much doable.
Oooh, I like the idea of a 105% powercore. Sort of a reward for "Staying true to type."
I also like the idea of the 75% nerf being bumped up to 80 or 85%, with 105% being a possibility. 75% is really hard to work with on most ship types, especially on anything larger than a fighter. Even then, the only time I don't notice a 75% efficient core is when I run with 3/3 deb/hull guns, since such a setup is so awesomely efficient on its own.
This would also be nice to see on the Freelancer ID in the case of those sticking with purely generic Sirius-wide civilian tech (flashpoints, chain guns, non-house-civilian ships, codenames, etc.). Yes, the FL ID has the widest tech usages in the game, but it would also be neat to see a few sticking with the most generic weapons/ships in order to receive an edge in the power core department.
Given that I only have a vague notion of how complicated the work behind such a re-work would be however, I could see such a change not being implemented. Unless of course, it's easier than one might think.
Actually 75% core isn't that hobbling. Sure you need to keep an eye on your energy but by no means is it unplayable, the Lich at 75% feels like a slightly faster Sabre with it's regen. 90% it's better. 100% you're god. You have almost immediate core regeneration as long as you don't just hold down right click when there's no reason too you should have no problems.
Same with Super Heavies, the Plier and Osprey are terrifying even at 75% because of how massive their cores are, and they refill pretty quickly at 75%
Gunships are in a similar boat as well, I've run the BHG gunships with FL ID's to check how they handle and they are still great ships to fly.