Looks like the weapon spread is going to be reduced, making it a big easier to hit targets at distance.
Make them fly like a Doritos chip in a rainstorm!Let the light fighters die if they insist on flying alone in combat. But the Ion and Inferno should be standoff fighters, not dogfighters.
From a game design perspective, I cannot argue and they may even have a necessary role. I certainly put mine to good use before the nerf, and enjoyed having the option regarding how to solve game problems.I just gotta remember where I parked mine, so I can test it out. They both stayed in my hangar, just under dusty tarps.
Ultimately, I want my long range back for attacking big ships again. Having these stand-off fighters knife-fighting is BS.
From a game design perspective, I cannot argue and they may even have a necessary role. I certainly put mine to good use before the nerf, and enjoyed having the option regarding how to solve game problems.
Having said that, CIG created the drama and balance problems by introducing them into the game in the first place. In the real world there are no 'stand-off fighters' - the best of the lot is craft like the F-14 and F-15. The Tomcat carried the Phoenix missile specifically to engage Soviet bombers at over 110nm (unclassified range). It was a superb dogfighter in the hands of a trained and experienced pilot (well beyond the hollyweird legends) because the designers understood that closing to knife-fighting range was a fundamental aspect of aerial combat. The F-15's combat record is unmatched in modern aviation (although mostly missile kills).
Could rattle on about the subject at length; I'm retired US Naval Aviation with years on carriers. Bottom line in my thinking is that CIG needs to accept that they created the monster. They should get the other game systems working which are needed for the ships to function as truly intended and *then* reconsider the capabilities of the ARES.
We get that next pirate swarm in with 3.20 and it's on!!!Maybe it's time again to do duo runs with Ion combined with Eclipse to torp some big ships :P
I have been flying my ION as well, and it is actually fun now. Bounties have been fun with it. It is viable for even the low-end ones, not just the HRT + ones. I'm loving it!For those who haven't tried it yet... reporting back that the improvements are real, AND apply to the AD-4, 5, and 6 gatlings as well.
They've said this isn't the final iteration; even so it's good to have the Ion and Inferno useful again.
It's fun to run bounties with an AD-4B strapped to the nose of an Avenger