This is 1.7 thread, January 2014.
(Disclaimer: For sake of simplicity, I'm writing the whole text as if I knew DEVs' intentions as a fact while that information is collected from various sources and derived from module functionality itself.)


We see a lot of tanks and number of militia tanks have multiplied.
The reason is that militia tanks are all isk-cheap, SP-cheap and viable by performance.


They are powerful because CCP design philosophy changed at this vehicle reboot:

• Active modules are new foundation of vehicle operation, they are supposed to be powerful and have long cooldowns.
• The active modules of all tiers have identical power effect (eg hardener -60% and damamod +30%)
• Module tier difference is the cooldown time - and fitting cost.

Therefore CCP vision on differences between tanks and different level players (vehicle juniors vs veterans) is that

Minimal SP tank has quite comparable performance with modules active - this means militia tanks have use and they are not automatically trumped by slightly better tanks. Smart MLT HAV operator can truly wreack havoc - while modules are active.
This all functions as planned and is good.


Standard tier tanks have slight improvements fitting-wise. One extra slot and extra PG+CPU, even though amounts are conservative, are a big advantage. This enables STD tanks utilise higher tier modules better.
This seems to be okay - tiericide is good and MLT tanks are acceptable exception.


The big supposed difference between tanks is that cooldowns are way higher on MLT tanks because of lower tier modules fitted there.
This is supposed to defince MLT tank roles as having limited usablitity as they have to spend half or more of match recovering, meaning MLT tanks cannot be a tool for total battlefield control. They are supposed to be extra help, temporary and even disposable.
This is NOT the case, militia tanks are practically as usable as general use tanks on field as specced tanks. This is what's wrong.


What is wrong is that lower tier (MLT) module cooldowns are too short. Maybe for all tanks and modules enabling them to keep on rolling and dominating, but MLT tanks with zero investment are able to come back killing way too soon.


Note: Currently MLT and STD modules' only difference is their fitting cost.
On many cases the experienced tanker happily uses MLT module if he has extra room.
And, with zero SP can MLT module user get standard performance.




[SUGGESTION:] Increase cooldowns of all active modules, especially MLT.
a) increase all active module cooldowns by amount comparable to +50% or +30s.
b) Differentiate MLT and STD modules more than just fitting costs: add more cooldown.
c) unrelated possible nerf need: 10% efficacy amount reduction to active hardeners and damamods. Not necessarily needed, first the above should be implemented.



SUMMARY:It is great that militia tanks are not automatical losers and they can not be popped by looking at with AV/tank.
All tanks have too little need to hide in cover vulnerable. This is most blatant on MLT tanks.
Increase cooldowns to fix this.