??? Where is the point? The weapon prize depends on the complexity of the weapon. Requirement SP are based ont he rank of the skill. Simple as that: A weapon for every class (like SMG or Scrams) are the lowest rank, while specialised weapons need more experience. Why is this difficult to understand?

A complex specialist weapon costs more isk and SP. That's why a sniper rifle costs more than a Mass Driver. That's why a gun that can take down a tank in three shots costs more than a pistol that would barely scratch the paint.

??? Where is the point? The weapon prize depends on the complexity of the weapon. Requirement SP are based ont he rank of the skill. Simple as that: A weapon for every class (like SMG or Scrams) are the lowest rank, while specialised weapons need more experience. Why is this difficult to understand?

A complex specialist weapon costs more isk and SP. That's why a sniper rifle costs more than a Mass Driver. That's why a gun that can take down a tank in three shots costs more than a pistol that would barely scratch the paint.

??? Where is the point? The weapon prize depends on the complexity of the weapon. Requirement SP are based ont he rank of the skill. Simple as that: A weapon for every class (like SMG or Scrams) are the lowest rank, while specialised weapons need more experience. Why is this difficult to understand?

A complex specialist weapon costs more isk and SP. That's why a sniper rifle costs more than a Mass Driver. That's why a gun that can take down a tank in three shots costs more than a pistol that would barely scratch the paint.

*SNIP*

I have to agree on the arugment about the isk damage from heavy weapons is unbelivable in the new build.

Also another thing to consider training multipliers is how difficult the gun is really to operate.

Its much easier to train people to use weapons that where very familiar with before they became immortal.

How often did the non dusters get thier hands on a man portable HMG? probably never. Forge gun was recently made as wellt here isnt anything else in the known eve universe that operates like these guns. Where as rifles and pistols have much lower powered versions regular security forces are quite familar with.

Also price per gun is semi sensible.

Vulcan cannons are typically vehicle weapons costs waaaay more than any sniper cannon ever did.

What you're ignoring is that in the world of video games, choosing these "difficult...to operate" weapons is an inferior choice for the player. If my 10m SP doesn't get me as many levels in ARs as it does in SMGs, but the two weapons are otherwise equal, then I am fool for training the AR and an even bigger one for training the HMG.

The guns should not all be equal on open terain. The SMG should be great for close Q, Assault for medium to ranged, HMG slow to move around, but devestating if you get hit HMG's should need to be supported by others to cover his flanks or the scout with SMG will sneak up on him and cut him down. If a SMG can go toe to toe with a HMG then something is seriously off.

Honestly, I think it's waaay too early to chime in on weapon balance.

Cost will eventually be set by supply and demand with market manipulations thrown in. Prices now are almost irrelevant.

I think you're presenting a solution to the question I presented. But I'm not actually looking for a solution...I'm looking for an answer. The way I see it you either

A) Make every weapon balanced against every other weapon. Everything costs the same ISK, every weapon skill has the same multiplier. Every weapon is a good choice to make, with differences largely based on the preferences of the player. This is the standard approach an Arcade Shooter takes.

B) You make weapons that cost more ISK and SP better than weapons that cost less. This has the disadvantage of not feeling as "fair" to the casual observer, however it seems to be more in line with the Skill system and ISK cost of items in DUST.

The problem is, if we're intending B, we're also listening to people that call for a damage nerf to HMGs because they're better than ARs or a charge slowdown nerf to Forge Guns because they're better than Swarms, we're increasing the range on SMGs because they're inferior to ARs, the list goes on. We're moving towards an equilibrium of weapon balance because we have a bunch of players coming to this game from other FPS titles that believe that inherent unbalance of a weapon is simply bad game design instead of an intended mechanic.

What I'm asking is simply, "Which is it?"