I agree that the barge is unbalanced in many respects. and something needs done. But I dont agree as to what. I wrote an artical that I was hoping to make it to the Dev team.
In this I purposed to make it a mobile base .. not sure if that can be done but with all he disadvantages of the base also..
1) no docking -requires people to unload it
2) jump capable itself -- too big and bulky to move through gates and JHs.. but will have to have someone to get its coordinates for it.
3) 5K fuel hold -- the reset requires docking ships to buy or sell to the barge
4) base guns - currently everyone can pirate a barge except a fighter
5) base like shields - make them like a base that require materials to use and maintain.
6) Speed ' leave it at 25/90 ' it can't run fast but what base can? even make it abit slower -- its already pirated by everyone so much that its mainly being used as storage
7) Docking - allow upto the gunboat and transports to dock on it like a base.. -- if the barge jumps while your docked.. be some interesting roleplay
8) /base and /shop commands - agian allow buying selling of commodities when dock but cap how much it can hold to 60K or so.. even with these items noone could plan a cash run anywhere
--and finally do not allow it a cloak...
not sure how much of this you can do quickly.. but right now its so bulky and slow - no guns to defend to speak of.. and no shields worth anything as they are the same in a 5K transport --anyone with a Gunboat or better --even Ptrains can pirate a barge.. the only thing cant is the fighter..and then thats iffy
If I only can pick from your list....
increase its cargo and increase its shields
and 6) do not allow it docking on anything
if you only do 6 it will kill the barge..as its an open target for everyone
