Capital ship balance Propasals

[NonSequitor]

I tend to have a sceptically and a slightly cynical attitude concerning these kinds of "balance the ships" -posts.
We are human beings and thus our ability to be objective is often undermined by our own perceived interests.

Lately, there has been some talk about the BHG gunship as being uber and too effective in what it does. Much of the critique has come from players who pilot unlawlful chars, which ironically tend to have the best ships and equipment in the game.

I have a gunship and in spite of my own interests I can agree to some of the critique being leveled at it.

Even though it is a gunship (thus smaller than the gunboat), it definitely is on the petite side. Small ship, good powerplant and conveniently placed hardpoints. A bomber pilot's headache and a light cruiser pilot's reason for concern.

My suggestion: Deep-six the Orca completely. The ship doesn't resemble any of the other BHG ships (as was pointed out) and the front gun hardpoint location makes a good weapon nearly useless. Increase the size of the BHG gunship - make it a gunboat. Maybe a 15% size increase would do it. Decrease the turning rate a smidgen. Give it the Orca front gun. The upper bow turret hardpoint would be a good hardpoint for the front gun.

As for monkeying around with the powerplant, I would say "no". I assume the powerplant is as robust as it is due to the front gun. Firing the FG and all turrets drains the powerplant in rapid fashion. Of course the BHG gunship and IMG gunboat don't possess FGs, but many pilots just substitute with dual cerbs, energy-hogs in their own right.