Jakar Umbra
Altyr Initiative
566
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Posted - 2014.04.01 11:26:00 -
[1] - Quote
One of the issues currently plaguing Dust is dropsuits being used in ways they weren't intended, while this itself is not a problem, the fact of the matter is a dropsuit should follow its intended role. A Scout tanked out with more health total than a heavy frame has base for example is an issue, especially given that because of the base speed of a scout they are still nimble beings. The slayer logistics issue as well, where plates are much rather used rather than utility would also be helped by this, (though not completely solved until certain medium frame issues are resolved).
What I propose mainly revolves around health modules since these are more 'physical' modules as opposed to the more utility oriented modules such as codebreakers or cardiac regulators.
Both armour and shield modules should be categorised as being able to be placed only specifically on certain sized frames. The shield extension and armour plates skill would unlock the ability to use these modules for all frames, however light armour plates would be able to be placed on a light frame, or perhaps medium and heavy if the mercenary is so inclined, though there would be virtually no advantage over using one for the suit's frame size. Medium armour plates would be used with medium frames and perhaps heavy frames, but not light frames, while heavy armour plates would be used with heavy suits only. The same set of rules would apply to shields as the suits accordingly would be designed for more shield generation output as you increase in frame size.
Now there are a few issues with this, as there are with every idea ever conceived. There's the issue of, if this were to occur why shouldn't everyone spec into heavy suits so they could use the most health. Well for one CCP has recently toyed around with the idea of reducing the heavy frames' healths by about 20%. While 20% is drastic, a decrease in heavy frame HP may be a necessity. Further the scaling of modules from standard to prototype would need rescaling on the part of these modules, to aid in preventing that.
All modules for each category of frame I would suggest have the same fitting costs ie, a standard shield extender would have the same fitting requirements for a light, medium and heavy frame, though they would be different in HP gain according to frame size, this would prevent people from using a lower frame's HP module so they could use a better weapon or stack more health. Movement penalties and the shield regen delay penalty would also be the same throughout the frames. Armour plate movement penalty will need an increase over its current numbers.
Ferroscale plates should become a percentage armour increase instead of a set number, making it useful to use for any suit, and it would not fall under the same frame size categorisation.
Another way to prevent such a ridiculous power creep would be to use this opportunity to add damage resistance modules for specific damage types to dropsuits. These modules would not follow the same frame size categorisation and would have a one size fits all set up for the suits.
I believe that this set up would help to add a little more diversity to the battlefield, as well as aid in reducing the brick tanking issue. As said before, this idea is not without holes and help in removing those holes to make the idea more concrete would be appreciated. I really hope CCP gives at least a little consideration to this.
Author of Umbra's Short Stories
Boundless Creations Shareholder.
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