So in the end, Barge / Corvo changes - useful or no?

[Mercarryn]

Ok, it`s been a long time, that I was actually flying anything on the server. I stopped so more then 2 years ago, only roaming the forums for the sake of nostalgia.

Well, I`d like to put in my opinion on this, but keep in mind, I do not have any personal experience regarding the current ships.

Bustard: From what I understand, the Barge has been removed and instead you now have a civilian utiliy cruiser, that is intended for RP. Some of you want the Barge back, but let me tell you that people like Garret, Nomnom and Snak are right.
Apart from a few tiny examples, most Barges were used for powertrading, especially back in the days of jumptrading. With the latter being fixed - from what I have understood - you still want the Barge back.

For what reason? RP? If my old accounts were not auto-wiped long ago, I`d bet 1 billion, that the RP done by the Barges would be inferior to the silent powertrading at a rate of 1:100, especially when you want them to be sellable for the public. My advise is to remember the old Barge and let it rest in peace. Instead, praise that new Bustard, so we do not have to see Zoner Aquilons "helping out" house trade factions. Do not blame it if there are some bugs on the hook, that is not the Bustard`s fault.

Corvo: A reasonable balance to my mind. Back in my days, I could witness Corvos being "stolen" and abused as combat ships by various players for pvp. Indie Outcasts were a shining example for this. Hell, when I was leading the order indie faction 141|, I had access to an Order ID Corvo, though not tagged. And it performed better in many cases then the Resheph because of its hitbox, and firing arcs for the cruiser heavy turrets. Was the nerf heavy? Yes, but absolutely necessary to my mind.

TL;DR: Both changes useful and necessary.