BGoat wrote:To me, it's simple: Increase the ISK cost of Prototype level gear to a point that significantly prohibits the continuous, uninterrupted use of said gear.
I've put many, many hours into this game, so I could finally have access to the Prototype level gear that gives me a decided advantage on the battlefield. Take that away and I (along with a huge chunk of the foundation of the already dwindling player base I suspect) would immediately stop playing the game.
Is Prototype level gear a "crutch" for me? No, it is not. I've been playing FPS games for 15 years and have always had the level of skill to consistently dominate on a level playing field. To me, proving how much skill I have (in a game with horrible hit detection and shooting mechanics nonetheless) on an even playing field doesn't keep me engaged. Like someone else said, there needs to be that carrot to chase, and the carrot is earning the ability to use gear that is superior to all other gear in an obvious way.
However, using this gear should be something that is done in moderation or only in certain situations. Much like one's decision to use a fitting they have equipped with their limited supply of officer level weapons, the decision to run Proto-gear should come with the realization that running it indefinitely is not sustainable. Right now, I can run proto-gear 100% of the time and still make money or, at worst, tread water with my wallet, because my deaths in any given match total 0, 1 or 2 about 95% of the time.
I think those players who have put enough time into this game to get to Prototype level gear should get to enjoy the advantages of said gear, when they want to use it and take the hit to their wallet. My Gallente gk.0 fit right now costs about 120k ISK per fit. That may seem like a lot to some players, but I don't think it is nearly enough. I honestly think it should cost me 300k ISK to run that fit, meaning that even if I play an entire match without dying, I would still be losing 50-100k ISK on an average Ambush match. If I did happen to die a few times, I would be going 1 million ISK in the hole. If that were the case, a lot more players would embrace/be forced to use Advanced/Standard/Militia level gear a reasonable amount of the time.