Da Intro
If you don't know me, my name is Tebu Gan(20mil SP). I'm a rather active player, and I frequent the forums quite often. In fact, I think I spend more time here than I do in game. My main role is a vehicle user. I've also recently taken to swarms and forge guns to help give me clarity on the Tank vs AV imbalance. I'm certainly not one of the most popular or overly vocal members of the community, but as an introvert(INTJ to be exact), that is how I like it.

I struggled through pre 1.7 with my gunnlogi, giving as much positive feedback as possible, while trying to remain objective to the problems at hand. And at times doing a complete 180 when given another point of view from fellow players. We can't be right all the time!

Even with the advent of 1.7, while I enjoyed the nice change, it didn't take a rocket scientist to see that tanks were OP. Anybody that would like to call me a "crybaby" that asked for this, I will kindly direct you to my sig, then to the post linked within that one. If you know me at all, you would know that all I've ever "cried" for is balance. It's not just a mantra to me in game, but a mantra I carry with me for life.

Life is about balance. A balance between work, my hobby here on the forums, with my girlfriend, and family. (My girlfriend calls these postings, my essays)

But you know, after attempting for over a year now to provide good solid feedback, I give up. It really doesn't matter. I tried to explain this to fellow corp mates last night as they were blaming the people on the forums for everything OP. Like tanks, how was this even the forum goers fault? I calmly explained that often CCP takes your feedback and shoves most of it through the paper shredder like the worthless trash it clearly is. ( I know, being a negatude right now)

I visit these forums often, and while most of it is absolute garbage, there are many very constructive threads that really hit on the issues at hand. There are many people on here I've seen make some very good postings, and much respect always to them. While I don't expect them to actually do exactly what is being said, at the very least I expect them to take notice of the problems being brought up.

Not just that, but putting it in context with what and how it was said, then going out there trying to reproduce the same results to get a clear picture of the problem.

Now, I'm really trying to be calm here, and I know that they do take notice of the feedback provided, but it seems often times they are unwilling to take directly from said feedback and apply it to the game. I know they have their own ways of tackling problems but sometimes I have to question the logic behind their actions.

TANKS
So let's get down to it! I drive tanks, it's what I know best, nearly inside and out. No I don't makes spreadsheets, and the such to determine good fits. I simply make them, and drive them to their strengths. Finding what works and what doesn't and why. Improving my fits in the process.

Which is why I question the current train of thought CCP is following with their tank "Nerfs". Yes, tanks need SLIGHT adjustments here and there. Not just that but certain AV weapons need some attention(SWARMS). So let me just mention the current round of changes they are/have implemented.

Rails
Railguns range reduced from 600M to 300M.
I actually suggested this EXACT thing several weeks ago. So I totally agree and am happy with this change. But again, the problem isn't so much the railgun directly, but the lack of variety for railguns. I understand it's not something you can hotfix but well done for what I consider a smart change in the meantime. Read my sig for more information on that.

Armor Hardeners
For a maddie, it doesn't lose much in way of this change because you really didn't address the TRUE issue with them.

Armor hardeners reduced from 40% to 25%.
Is it just me, or does 25% seem WAY low to anyone else. Yes maddies rely heavily on armor reps for survival, but how in the world did you determine that the armor hardener itself was the problem? Obviously the armor hardener wasn't the problem to me but the reps themselves. I'm able to out rep most light AV WITHOUT the hardener. If it wasn't for CPU/PG restraints(I'm heavily shield invested) I would run 3 reps ALL DAY LONG.

A simple change of how often the tics tic, would do the trick. As in, rather than repping every second, they do it once every 5 seconds, slowing the rate of recharge, and putting more importance on the need for that 40% hardener (now at 25%). See, currently it's nothing to pop behind some quick cover and come out few a few seconds later ready to rock.

See, you really missed the core of the issue here, Armor (and Shield) tanks are not following your, "waves of opportunity" philosophy. There should be a time when a tank can take on the world, changing the course of the battle single handedly. But after this short period has ended, tanks become vulnerable to destruction. Your proposed changes though do a complete 180.

EXACTLY. Which is why I say, they really missed the issue here.