Discovery 4.79 beta features

[f2k]

Well, Ive got two characters with gunboats, one Liberty and the other Rhienland. And having tested them for a few days, all I can say is that I agree with Jamez.
Gunboats handle as a ton of brick now especially the Rhienland one.

Im kind of wondering: whats the point of gunboats? They don't have the power, shield or firepower to survive as a true capital ship. And now they dont have the agility to dogfight either. So, what is it?

I remember how terrified I was in SP when I first meet Rhienland gunboats. These things were big, tough and bristling with firepower. And to make it even worse, they handled nearly as well as I did in a HF or VHF. More than once Ive been on the tail of a gunboat, only to have it turn sharply and unleash a broadside at me. Man, those things were nasty

But now I cant really see the reason to fly a gunboat. Its too small to be a capital ship and its too sluggish to be a fighter. So why even fly a gunboat when a cruiser or VHF would do the job so much better?

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