Thaddeus Reynolds wrote:@Alena Asakura. Caldari don't fight up close in space? Guess my HAM Cerberus, Tengu, and Drake are doing it wrong despite their success...same goes for my rocket frigs, torpedo Raven...and that's before we go mentioning that rails and blasters utilize the same underlying technology, and are used interchangeably in all contexts by both Caldari and Gallente, so my typical Naga, Rokh, and Merlin fits are disqualified because blasters are too close range, and obviously too Gallentean.
Yes, Caldari generally avoid close combat, that doesn't mean they don't pack or create the tools to do so. The Nova Knives are very clearly visually Caldari, their only (ISK) producer is a Caldari corporation (note, Ishukone does manufacture non-Caldari equipment as well, but that is because the Ishukone Watch doesn't have as much of a stigma within its ranks on using non-Caldari engineered tech, so they use the best tool for the job see the 'Dren' equipment line). Let us combine that fact with the nova knives having properties of hybrid weaponry (projecting a contained, superheated plasma edge) which narrows down their architect to being either Gallente or Caldari (The contained part of the plasma edge disqualifies Projectile Phased Plasma ammo)...all that's before the Word of God knowledge thanks to the fanfest slide with all the proposed racial knife types.
lol Yes, of course you can get up close in space, but the Caldari way is kiting. I have all three of the ships you named, and the HAM Cerb is my favourite. Most people use HMs on their Cerbs so they can kite at more distance, but I find that the HAMs just rip into the enemy at a blinding rate, and with high enough skills, you can still get them out to a reasonable distance.
I'll actually agree that you're wrong with the use of blasters. I know it was stated tongue in cheek, but in my experience, they should only be used on a very fast ship, like an interceptor, because you need to get in so close to use them. The ships you named are all Caldari, and theoretically not designed for Gallentean tactics, because shields and little armour. That doesn't mean you can't do it with a really fast repping shield tank, though.
And there is a really interesting Scorpion armour fit, that basicly allows all the medium slots to be used for ewar mods. So there's always exceptions to the "rules"... ;)
You can have your Nova Knives. I'm not stopping you using them. But just because Ishukone makes them doesn't make them Caldari tech to my mind. I'm going to fight the Caldari way, and that means minimal to no extreme close range. If that doesn't fit this game, tough. I like it less and less every day. :)
CCP have botched just about everything they have put their hands on with this game from what I can see. I'm not surprised they would also have a go at severely stuffing up the lore aspect of it as well.