Basic frames are laughably underused currently. IThey are inexplicably more expensive than there specialized counterparts, and they offer nothing that the specialized suits cannot do better. This needs rectifying. I have two proposals to make basic frames better than sp sinks to unlock better suits.
First, a price reduction. I believe they should be minimum 10% less than their specialized counterparts, although up to 25% less wpuld better emphasize the trait of economy. Basic frames have no bonuses, so a reduction in price would help offset that handicap.
Second, a versatility upgrade. I said this in a thread earlier today:
Quote:I thinkscouts should be limited to two sidearms. Here is my logic.
A specialization like scout or assault should give up something from the base frame in exchange for their bonuses. For example, logos give up a sidearm in exchange for more equipment and slots. The same should apply to all specializations.
Sentinels could lose a sidearm slot.
Assaults lose the equipment slot.
Scouts lose the lght weapon slot for 2 sidearms.
These are possibilities, but the idea is that the specializations lose the versatility of the basic frames to do better in a particular area. Sentinels gain a fitting and damage resistance bonus at the cost of a backup sidearm. Scouts gain a massive cloak fitting reduction and ewat bonuses at the cost of light weapons. Assaults gain weapon fitting reduction and rifle bonuses at the cost of equipment.
This, coupled with a decrease in basic frame cost to be lower than the specializations, could see basic frames be more widely used than they are now. Scout is no longer an upgrade from light frames, but a side choice. You can have your speedy shotgun, or your cloak fitting and ewar bonus, but not both.
This change makes basic frames more desirable to run. They should be the jack-of-all-trades suits, while the specializations lose that versatility in exchange for their bonuses. You can have a backup sidearm with your HMG, or you can have a damage resistance, but never both. This stops basic frames from being a downgrade, and coupled with the price reduction would see their use rise especially in pubs, and would definitely help out newberrys who struggle to be competitive while they build up their sp to high levels.