So, let's have a look at the numbers this gives us.
Assuming new complex shields are 99 HP:

Caldari Assault, new shields

Duvolle Assault Rifle
M209 Assault Submachine Gun
Core Locus Grenade

Complex Shield Extender
Complex Shield Extender
Complex Shield Extender
Complex Damage Modifier

Complex Shield Regulator
Complex Shield Regulator
Complex CPU Upgrade

X-3 Quantum Nanohive

With skills and the Caldari assault bonus, each shield extender gives 120 HP (99*1.10*1.10). We have three of these, so 360 HP. The base shields are 262 (with skills), the normal shield delay with this fitting is 2.76/4.41 and the normal recharge rate is 31.25 HP/s.

We end up with 360+262 = 622 shield HP. This does, however, penalise the shield recharge and shield delay by ~30%.

(2.76/4.41*1.10*1.10*1.10) = 3.67/5.86 seconds shield recharge delay.
(31.25*0.90*0.90*0.90) = 22.78 shield HP/s when recharging.

There is no movement penalty, so it moves at 5/7.35.


Let's look at a comparable Gallente assault.

GEK-38 Assault Rifle
Submachine Gun
M1 Locus Grenade

Enhanced Light Damage Modifier
Enhanced Light Damage Modifier
Complex Light Damage Modifier

Complex Armour Repairer
Complex Armour Repairer
Enhanced Armour Plates
Enhanced Armour Plates

X-3 Quantum Nanohive

The weapons had to be downgraded because otherwise they would not fit. This is, however, compensated for by the better damage modifiers, so we can consider that department approximately equal (though it still loses out on the grenades and SMG).

This gets 532 armour and 12.5 HP/s regen, albeit with no delay. The movement speed is 4.64/6.82.

Let's compare this to the shield tanked suit.

HP: 622 vs 532 = Shields win handily
Regen: 22.78 vs 12.5 = Shields win with almost twice the regen
Recharge delay: Armour wins.
Speed: 5/7.35 vs 4.64/6.82 = Shields win.

Additionally, when comparing these fittings it should be noted that the Gallente assault uses an inferior grenade and an inferior SMG. The damage gap from the GEK-38 to the Duvolle is compensated for by the damage mods.

I suspect the natural response to this is to think that you can fit the Gallente assault better so that it isn't outclassed - if you think that, I invite you to provide an example where it is not inferior in most aspects.


Having looked at these numbers, I strongly disagree with your idea. This would not be balanced and would catapult shields back to the point where it is the de-facto superior tank. I agree that lower tier shield extenders could scale better, but what you have suggested here does not work and is fundamentally flawed as a suggestion that would homogenise the tank types at best and break the balance completely at worst.