Barge Defenselessness

[TLI-Inferno]

At the moment, barges are ridiculously defenseless. Since they're so big, missing them is pretty much impossible. Their huge size also allows bombers to fly circles around them and use them as shields against anyone trying to chase the bomber, while the bomber turns occasionally to fire a SNAC.

Barges have a transport shield. 100,000 shield capacity on a ship that size? Really? The barge should have a stronger shield. Either a battleship shield mount, or a unique shield for the barge.

Barges have 7 transport turrets spread across a huge ship. That's nowhere near enough for it to defend itself. Not even against NPC's. Barges should have twelve cruiser turrets spread around the ship, and a larger power core in order to use them. Your first thought might be: "Twelve cruiser turrets on a transport? OP!". Think again, because they're spread across a huge ship. It would only be firing a few of those at a time, so it would still actually have less firepower than a shire transport would, but equipped with Solaris it would at least be able to tickle hostile bombers, forcing them to stay a bit further away rather than flying around it, using it like a shield against anyone trying to defend it.

At the moment, barges are defenseless. What I propose won't give them enough firepower to actually defend themselves, but it will be enough firepower to force bombers to fly further away from the barge when attacking it, so that people escorting the barge can actually defend it.

Even with 12 cruiser turrets, killing barges would still be pretty easy, but at least defending them would be possible.

[Miranda]

Barge shouldn't even have guns. If you're hauling that much cargo you can afford a few more escorts. Barges have enough HP to take a lot of SNACs if you spring for some decent armor.

The sad truth is even if the barge had 100 BS chain solaris guns on it because the way targeting works in FL and the size of the barge you'd still never hit anything. It's too big.

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[AeternusDoleo]

The barge is a specialty ship. If you end up facing a pirate, you've already lost. They are not meant for solo trading/hauling. They therefor do not -need- massive weaponry or shielding. A battleship shield would make a barge immune to the solo gunboat or bomber that might be on a lane somewhere - and those kinds of encounters is all that prevent the barge from becoming the standard heavy transport of the power trader.

TLDR: Barges should be defenseless. Their perk is 8 times the cargo space of a heavy transport.

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Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.

[Duvelske]

U think Its good As It is. Like The fact it has to be used with some escord is good for rp and Its indeed 8x heavy transport. So turrets are useless even The cm with is removed only balances out THE barge more.

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[Camtheman]

Its fine that its defenseless but seriously the cruise nerf is ridiculous -_-

why nerf something already so challenged ...

[blubba]

Not sure it's a viable transport really. Not unless you like trading at the speed of a glacier...
I'd love to see a barge up gunned and up shielded but I can see why there is (probably sensible) opposition.

Designed and manufactured to serve in dark corners of space where the closest friendly base is but a memory; the Barge is a mobile factory, station and refinery designed to operate independently of external support

"Where the closest friendly base is but a memory..."
With all the pirate activity in Sirius, not to mention nomad, I'd say it might be worth a look. Whats the harm in trying it for the next update or so?

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[Ursus]

My guess is that nothing will be done for transports as long as jumping stays like it is.

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Discovery 24/7 Negotiating Tactics:

[JayDee Kasane]

as were said - barge dont need any more defence. It just would be OP ship, if 2 bombers wouldnt be able to kill it. you have cloaks now, so our barge is already immune.

I actually think that all transports, exept pirate based ship, should be more vulnerable. 5000ker with cau8 can make his way to base from almost any place in lalwul territory if engaged by 1 bomber. this is kinda wrong...

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[Ntei]

Barges should be immune to solo pirates, i agree with the BS shield

[stardust47]

Just bring an escort or two. That's what I'd do.

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