Fittings improvements seem like the key area that needs to be looked at from what I am 'hearing' so far.
The how of that is a bit in dispute but most seem to agree that something needs done with it.

@ Cross

To what extent do performance statistics suggest that Commandos are hurting?

@ Cross

1. To what extent do performance statistics suggest that Commandos are hurting/underperforming?
2. Is the goal here to buff Commando performance or to more clearly define its battlefield role (or both)?

I'm willing to guess they're about where I'm guessing. Not horrendously underused but really not used as much as more specialized suits.

I would suggest that the slot layout be normalized to sentinel. Trading the grenade slot for the equipment slot seems ok, and honestly grenades are gimped anyway. The PG/CPU might need to be a bit looser because there is no 25% fitting reduction for weapons on the commando.

Universal role bonus: +Damage to racial weapons. I'd go with 3% per level as 10% is more or less negligible as far as output goes.

Defensive bonus: Significant bonuses for recovery following racial themes. Gallente: Armor rep mods, Amarr: Plate speed penalty reduction, Minmatar: regulator bonus or on-board ammo nano-regeneration systems (slower than hives/supply depots, but perhaps 1 bullet per second per level, mass driver shells at a rate of 1 every 6 seconds minus 1 per level, same for swarms), Caldari: boost to recharger/energizer/regulator efficacy.

Offensive bonus: a unique attack bonus that will allow the suits to be used in sustained attacks This is where i think we should dip OUTSIDE normal racial thematics.

EG gallente might get a flat bonus to speed by incorporating minmatar movement tech.

Amarr might gain a bit of range by incorporating Caldari tech into their laser optics and targeting systems. (think long range suppression and counter-sniper)

Minmatar might gain a bonus to biotics and become even MORE obnoxiously fast attack to complement the gallente allies.

Caldari might seek to emulate amarr laser utility by deploying smaller, higher density ammunition allowing longer sustained fire and better battlefield longevity by carrying more rail ammunition.

give them high scan range and precision, so the commandos can see everything on a battlefield. dont make their passive scan shared. and give them terrible scan profiles so they cant hide.

this lets the class react to threats as they emerge, but its balanced by their inability to to use cloaks, dampen effectively, and their lack of mobility.

I wanted to comment on why I find commandos sub par.

I believe that the main problem is the "negative speed/easier to hit feedback-loop" that is caused by high rate of fire weapons slow down effect and commandos big hitbox. Let me illustrate:

You get hit -> Move slower -> Easier to hit (big hitbox)/apply damage to/slow down even more-> Repeat geting hit.

I actually die quicker on my untanked gallente commando than on my tanked gallente scout (not fully brick tanked, 1 complex plate usually). Dont know if this is intentional or not.

Heavy/sentinels offset this issue with higher shield/armor, resistances and naturally slower movement speed (Im guessing slow down effect is a scale factor rather than a subtracted value).

The solution to this problem is to either remove the slow down effect or tone it down on heavier frames with the motivation that heavy objects moving in a certain direction with a velocity is not affected as much as light objects by small arms gunfire.

I would not be surprised if this was not considered when designing the commando role/introducing the on hit slow down effect since it seems like an impact that is very hard to predict.

Nor would I be surprised if removing the slow down effect would actually solve many other issues and improve QoL for those who play.

Cross Atu: What's a good way to buff the Logi?
El Operator: Nerf Scouts.

Cross Atu: What's a good way to buff the Commando?
El Operator: Nerf Scouts.

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Scouts have jobs too, cupcake. Cloak was intended to help us do those jobs. It was not intended to replace those jobs.

I'm just pointing out the obvious.

And what might that be?

Grenades would be nice BUT me personally I'd rather have the second equipment slot from Scouts over the nades. Commandos DON'T and CAN'T have the speed or profile advantages Scouts do so the 2nd equipment ability being moved to this group would very much help them fulfill whatever specialized niche the fit is crafted for (AV, reinforcement, location offense or defense etc) without it being the same imbalance just on a different frame.

You know you like this post.

Besides, most anyone who isn't drunk on whatever they serve in the barbershop can see that the fastest, lowest profile suit class with some of the best regen stats and the ability to tote a light weapon, grenades, a sidearm AND 2 equipment sets just on paper is imbalanced, let alone the gameplay that actually stems from it.