Balance Changes notes

[pillow]

Discovery Freelancer 4.93.0 Patch 3 Balance Changes

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Hello everyone and welcome to me stealing Antonios format for the balance part of patch 4.93.0. This is a big one; it focuses mainly on Heavy Fighters, with a few VHF fixes sprinkled in because some ships truly needed it, such as the Starblazer or Eagle. It overhauls how Heavy Fighters work, allowing them to keep being fast, low eHP (effective health) ships while remaining competitive but most importantly, not being annoying to fly or encounter. Some of the changes below might scare you at first glance, so make sure to read the note attached to each ship. Some might not as their changes may be self explanatory. To not clog up the patchnotes below it is worth noting that all heavy fighters were brought up to 150 mass, meaning they don't have ridiculous strafing anymore. Weirdos like the Centurion and Saboteur with 120 mass and 21000 strafe force were also brought to more reasonable numbers. The majority of changed ships were given quality of life changes such as a better camera or bank angle/speed changes without really affecting them in any way. In general things should feel a lot better to fly regardless of their stats.

To tie the paragraph above in a cute little bow, the main function of base armor is to define what bursts of damage a ship can survive, be it a nuke or a loadout of 2.00s and a Mini Razor. An Irezumi has 11625 armor, yes, but most of its effective health is stuffed into its 67 nanobots: 40200 HP, 51825 total. By comparison, a Black Dragon isn't that much different at face value: 10425 base armor. However, 49 nanobots only counts for 29400 HP, giving the BD a total of 39825 armor. That is a 12000 armor difference. Keep this in mind as you look over the stats below.

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Heavy Fighters

Bayonet

-Changed: Armor increased from 8100 to 10820.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 51/51 to 56/56.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 80.21 to 76.02.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4375 to 0.5405.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 35 to 40.

The Bayonet much like the Falcon is a pretty big boy. Big boys coupled with big turn usually end up as bullies that are particularly annoying to hit in duels but die in 8 seconds in a groupfight; to try and find a middleground, we made the Bayonet a ship that banks hard and fast, allowing it to wiggle out of danger in groupfights, and at the same time showing its massive top more often in a duel. We think this makes for interesting gameplay, making ships like this more difficult to master but ultimately very rewarding.

Falcon

- Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 10925
- Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 49/49 to 56/56.
- Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
- Changed: Turn rate decreased from 81.05 to 77.00.
- Changed: Response time increased from 0.4717 to 0.5023
- Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 45.
- Changed: CD arc improved.

If there's one ship I doubt anyone expects to be good after a patch, it's this one. I'm happy to douse those doubts in holy water because the Falcon is about as viable as you can get. During testing we've found that this ship can potentially be very powerful, but its shape and the stats we've given it keep it grounded (no .30 response Sunbeams here) meaning it has a pretty high skill gap. Ships that are hard to master and that get better as you learn to use them properly (instead of simply getting better at the game) are very interesting, and pretty rare. Have fun with this one. Its turret is also forward firing now!

Black Dragon

-Changed: Armor increased from 7650 to 10425.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 44/44 to 49/49
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 73.37 to 76.53
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4661 to 0.5459.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

I know what you're thinking: "Increased turn rate? On a ship this small?! Incompetence! How dare you!" Worry not; the ship comes with an upscale by 15%. The focus of this update is to increase the amount of ships people can fly unironically or without the intent of pissing someone off, and the Black Dragon with its comparatively tiny health pool and increased size is quite comfortable to duel. Groupfight wise, like all heavy fighters, its response rate keeps it in check away from any potential spastic wiggling.

Blossom

-Changed: Armor increased from 7650 to 10620.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 45/45 to 51/51.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 72.67 to 75.49.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4606 to 0.5173.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Another Kusari ship scaled up, properly statted to fit in with the rest of them. Not much else to say.

Bull Dog

-Changed: Armor increased from 9400 to 11145.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 66/66 to 60/60.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.08 to 68.86.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4717 to 0.5040.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Ah, the Bull Dog. A ship so thin and small it passed through the Ethereal Realm and forever sat in spirit form, unable to be hit by any projectile. This thing got a scale-up by 15% and its mass increased from 100(!!!) to 150. Jesus Christ.

Carabela

-Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 10775.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 46/46 to 54/54.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 72.34 to 73.08.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4605 to 0.5584
-Changed: Gun/Turret Mounts: 6/0 from 4/0.
-Changed: Scaled up by 10%.

In our search for the smallest ship the Freelancer game engine would allow we found the Carabela. A four-gunner with two cd slots and virtually zero volume. After we scaled it up to have the same proportions as the Rapier (meaning 10% upscale), we also gave it six guns; 4 gunners unfortunately don't work very well. However, due to that, it became too strong with its duo cd potential, so we decided to cut that feature off it.

Centurion

-Changed: Armor increased from 8200 to 11900.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 50/50 to 60/60.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn decreased from 74.04 to 71.30.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4490 to 0.5614.
-Changed: Max bank angle decreased from 30 to 25.

The Centurion finally feels like it belongs in the Corsair family. A slow, hunky ship with little agility to speak of. What we aimed for when statting this ship in particular is making it feel like an earlier model of the Titan, and I feel like we've accomplished this while still keeping the ship unique.

Gladiator

-Changed: Armor increased from 9200 to 12300.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 55/55 to 64/64.
-Unchanged: Powercore left at 1240/12400.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 70.57 to 68.06
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4493 to 0.4860
-Changed: Gun/Turret Mounts: 6/0 from 4/0.

I know what you're thinking; compared to everything else we've covered so far, this doesn't smell very Heavy Fighter-y. The Gladiator compared to the Centurion has an incredibly wide top profile, hence the extra armor and nanobots. The turn rate, however, again: not Heavy Fighter-y. Why? Because this ship keeps its two CD slots and gains two guns aswell, hence the powercore. However, what it doesn't get is a VHF class 10 shield. In summary, this is now a particularly easy to hit ship that dies really fast in groupfights due to its decreased response and class 9 shield (and relatively low EHP for a ship this slow and unresponsive), but it can also dish out a large amount of damage due to its two CD slots, medium VHF powercore and six guns.

Loki

-Changed: Armor increased from 8400 to 10740.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 49/49 to 54/54.
-Changed: Powercore decreased from 1240/12400 to 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.29 to 73.42.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4016 to 0.5299.
-Changed: Gun/Turret Mounts: 6/0 from 4/0.
-Changed: Crosshair improved a fair bit.

The Loki can now finally be undocked without fear of automatically exploding the moment an enemy appears on scanner. Still a relatively small ship, however, with substantial turn rate, which is why the powercore had to be nerfed to not turn it into an OmegaBully. Otherwise the rest of the changes are Heavy Fighter Module™️ standard. Its two CDs stay with it.

Phantom

-Changed: Armor increased from 8800 to 10325.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 50/50 to 53/53.
-Changed: Powercore decreased from 1240/12400 to 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 70.57 to 75.94.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4774 to 0.5474.
-Changed: Gun/Turret Mounts: 4/1 from 4/0.

Similar to everything else, the Phantom is now a proper ship. A forward facing turret given to it to give it a tad bit more damage potential, powercore decreased due it its vast turn increase. It keeps the two CD slots.

Switchblade/Wight

-Changed: Armor increased from 8000 to 10600.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 44/44 to 54/54.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn increased from 74.06 to 74.78.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4663 to 0.5419.
-Changed: Wight given a turret to match the Switchblade; didn't have one before for some reason.

I will not be making a separate entry for the Wight due to it and the Switchblade being functionally identical gameplay-wise, for now.
This is a good time to talk about hitboxes; courtesy of @Haste the Switchblade now actually has a hitbox! Wow!
The powercore should keep the ship in check from being too much of a bully in duels, and like all Heavy Fighters it will be kept in check groupfight-wise by the response time.

Kingfisher

-Changed: Armor increased from 8200 to 10400.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 50/50 to 54/54.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 75.50 to 75.02.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4118 to 0.5477.
-Changed: Crosshair improved a fair bit.

Much like many (many) other ships, the Kingfisher was ignored for a very long period of time. Now that its crosshair is actually on the ship itself and not outside of it, we were able to give it actual stats so the ship can be competitive with everything else.

Moonbeam

-Changed: Armor increased from 8600 to 10610.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 56/56 to 51/51.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 75.50 to 76.09.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4118 to 0.5302.
-Changed: Scaled up by 20%.

Like many others, this ship's been a bit of a meme for a long time. After scaling it up (by 20%) to be proportionally identical to the Sunbeam but with less parts, vanilla style, we were able to give it some fun stats, since the ship is now actually hittable.

Serval/Serval NG

-Changed: Armor increased from 8900 to 11070.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 58/58 to 62/62.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 76.08 to 72.47.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4381 to 0.5332.

Not much to say here, besides noting that the Serval has essentially the same shape as the Lynx from the top and bottom, with a slightly better front due to the fuel tank being missing. Fits right in with the new style of HFs. Excellent matchup against the Agama.

Agama

-Changed: Armor increased from 8200 to 10750.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 55/55 to 60/60.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 81.65 to 75.62
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4490 to 0.5526.

Like with the Cuirassier below, the Agama is no longer a silly meme of a ship. It has been properly statted and is now a great matchup against the Serval and can hold its own just as well against the Lynx.

Cuirassier

-Changed: Armor increased from 8500 to 10875.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 55/55 to 53/53.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 72.67 to 74.39.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4717 to 0.5257.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Has this ever been an actual ship in the past? Well, now it is. Boasting an actual powercore, real armor, a proper hitbox and shieldbubble, the Cuirassier can now be undocked and thrown against lawful Servals and Lynxes without being severely underpowered. Hopefully this will motivate people a little bit to play in Gallia now that pirates have real ships they can use.

Cuirassier Noir

-Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 10235.
-Unchanged: Batteries/Nanobots stay at 52/52.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 73.37 to 75.28.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4661 to 0.5140.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 40.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

The ship has the exact same model as the Cuirassier with different textures, but I wanted to do something different here to give more identity to the Unione Corse as a faction. More agile, banks harder and faster, but overall similar powerlevel to the regular Cuirassier due to the decreased health pool.

Chimaera/Tora

-Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 10975.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 44/44 to 51/51.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 70.78 to 75.25.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4334 to 0.5409.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Similar to the Serval and Serval NG, I don't think it's necessary to make two different identical entries for these two.
Kusari ships have for the longest time been a complete nightmare to balance due to them being sizeable to a grain of sand. Thanks to the hitbox_men, this is not an issue anymore, meaning that the ships are now allowed to have real stats, making them fun to fly and encounter as a result.

Katana

-Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 10850.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 44/44 to 50/50.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 70.78 to 75.94.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4334 to 0.5461.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Unlike the Cuirassiers who have more distinct shapes and profiles that allowed me to mess around with their stats to make them more distinct from eachother, I couldn't quite reach a point where the Katana and Chimaera were at the same power level but also played differently. Still, the Katana is ever so slightly faster with ever so slightly less HP (725 to be exact) simply so you can't say the two ships are completely identical.

Chameleon

-Changed: Armor increased from 8200 to 10230.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 55/55 to 49/49.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 78.78 to 75.66.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4334 to 0.5769.
-Changed: Scaled up by 10%.

Now the Chameleon is special for multiple reasons. I am aware of only one: it's the only Bananashape ship in the game (the Anaconda is a myth and doesn't actually exist). Shockingly, this makes it absurdly annoying to hit, hence the scale-up and significant slowdown in turn and response. However, we don't nerf things into the ground because they're too powerful: we balance them. The ship is still competitive with its peers.

Paladin

-Changed: Armor increased from 8600 to 12100.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 56/56 to 66/66.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 71.97 to 69.17.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4268 to 0.5323.
-Changed: Crosshair improved.

The Paladin is quite interesting. Due to its nature of being slow (for a Heavy Fighter) it has a particular feel to it as it picks up speed, allowing it to feel properly Bretonian, fitting right in with big brother Templar, while providing a totally different playstyle aswell. I know that many people tend to dislike the Templar due to it being so slow; I'm glad to present them with a viable Bretonian opportunity, finally.

Executioner

-Changed: Armor increased from 8300 to 11360.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 54/54 to 58/58.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Unchanged: Turn rate stays at 73.37
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4861 to 0.5529.
-Changed: New model!

The new Executioner is @Haste 's baby in particular, him in collaboration with @Treewyrm made it happen and it is a beauty. A stripped down Juni's Defender, it fits in perfectly with the Avenger and Guardian, providing a proper Heavy Fighter Module™️ playstyle to a house that otherwise hasn't had a heavy fighter for a long time. I tried to mix in some Guardian with sprinkles of Avenger for the stats, frankensteining something that feels different, but familiar.

Marauder

-Changed: Armor increased from 7900 to 11060.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 46/46 to 58/58.
-Changed: Powercore decreased from 1240/12400 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 75.92 to 73.48.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4317 to 0.5225.

The Marauder is more on the heavier side of open use HFs with strong powercore and armor due to its shape and size, still with a very good turn rate however. We feel it's in a good place.

Jackdaw

-Changed: Armor increased from 9800 to 10940.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 46/46 to 58/58.
-Changed: Powercore decreased from 1240/12400 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 69.87 to 72.60.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4717 to 0.5066.
-Changed: CD arc improved.

Similar to other 4 gun 2 CD Heavy Fighters, the Jackdaw was thoroughly unimpressive. Because of this, it now sports two (2) new extra guns, while keeping its dual CD ability. Relatively large, maneuverable and thoroughly enjoyable to fly. Another viable choice of ship for people to use, as this one is open use.

Saishi

-Changed: Armor increased from 8000 to 11115.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 50/50 to 55/55.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 76.86 to 74.08.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4717 to 0.5263.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

Renzu Corp. presents you with a Saishi that isn't total aids to encounter! Turn rate and response significantly toned down coupled with 150 mass and this ship is suddenly actually bad. However, since we don't do things halfway anymore: the Saishi was given real stats that make it as another viable choice on the open market. Fast and speedy with a very large side profile, this ship is no longer something to roll your eyes at when you see it as a red on scanner.

Sunrider

-Changed: Armor increased from 8200 to 11125.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 52/52 to 60/60.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 85.94 to 78.22.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4861 to 0.5373.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 50.

Bit of a silly goose this one; the very definition of fat, with 7 guns. Seven guns and 78.22 turn is bound to be very scary in a duel, but we applied the same thought process here with the Sunrider as we did to the Falcon and Bayonet. It banks, shows its top or bottom: gets damaged. It also is able to wiggle out of fire, sort of, in groupfights. It still is absolutely enormous, bank can't save everything.

Hammerhead

-Changed: Armor increased from 10000 to 10960.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 61/61 to 57/57.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1200/8000 to 1200/10800.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 71.27 to 76.76.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4212 to 0.5216.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 45.
-Changed: CD arc improved.

The Hammerhead got some love here. Proper Bounty Hunteresque turn rate coupled with serious banking to give it more of a chance in groupfights, its seven guns, all class 9 (no mini razor) make it scary in duels but its shape and total health keep it grounded.

Karasu

-Changed: Armor increased from 8400 to 10170.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 54/54 to 53/53.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1140/9800.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 78.78 to 75.96.
-Changed: Response time significantly increased from 0.2878 to 0.5298.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 40.

The most out there aspect of the new Karasu is that it got a lot of bank angle. I know, it's a needle- but it also only was able to fire only two guns to the side on a turn. Had to be fixed; plus, it looks cool when it rotates without affecting the ship shape much if at all. Very entertaining ship to fly.

Labraid

-Changed: Armor increased from 8700 to 10875.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 58/58 to 52/52.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1200/8000 to 1190/11900.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.29 to 72.62.
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4016 to 0.5034.

The Nomads have had terrible ships for a while now. This is not the final version of the Labraid but it should hopefully help it a little bit. Still has 4 guns.

Greyhound

-Changed: Armor decreased from 11600 to 11480.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 64/64 to 56/56.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1240/12400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 69.78 to 75.16
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4605 to 0.5545.

Due to the Hyena now being a proper VHF, the Greyhound is able to be what it was always meant to be. Still keeping its 5 class 9 guns but with more HF-esque stats, the Greyhound is pretty unique compared to everything else in the sandbox. About time Rogues and Mollys got some love.

Bastet

-Unchanged: Armor stays at 10800.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 60/60 to 54/54.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1120/10400 to 1200/10800
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 68.21 to 72.86
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4605 to 0.5543.

Since the Order would've been one of the few factions to lack a HF after this patch, the Bastet was modified to fit that playstyle. Still keeping its 6 class 9s (no MR, though), the Bastet remains powerful. By far the best part about it is that it now has a real powercore.

Saboteur

The Saboteur is pretty much unchanged besides it being brought up to 150 mass and brought down to 20k strafe force. There should be plenty of ships that can reliably keep up with it now.

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Very Heavy Fighters

Eagle

-Unchanged: Armor stays at 11700.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 66/66 to 67/67.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 11400/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 69.87 to 70.00
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.4717 to 0.4268.
-Changed: Max bank angle from 30 to 40.

Fitting we start with one of the most iconic VHFs in Freelancer.
The Eagles new significant response increase coupled with fine tuned banking should finally bring this ship back up to speed with everything else. No need to be afraid to undock Eagles anymore.

Starblazer

-Changed Armor increased from 10000 to 10825.
-Unchanged: Batteries/Nanobots stay at 60/60.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 11400/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.03 to 69.46
-Changed: Response time increased from 0.4201 to 0.4406.

The Starblazer gets further help in this patch aswell. I always found it sad that such an adorable ship would see next to no use from anybody because how painfully terrible it was; hopefully these buffs will encourage people to use it more.

Anaconda

-Unchanged: Armor stays at 12200.
-Unchanged: Batteries/Nanobots stay at 70/70.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate decreased from 72.01 to 71.25
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.5041 to 0.4782.

The Anaconda was only altered to fit the new Chameleon, increasing its response for better groupfight capacity and lowering its turn to be a little less annoying in duels. The speedy identity of this ship kept intact, however.

Sunbeam

-Changed: Armor decreased from 11600 to 11110.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 68/68 to 66/66.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.82 to 69.18
-Changed: Response time signficantly increased from 0.3007 to 0.4531.

The 0.3007 silliness has to come to an end, unfortunately. This infamously frustrating to hit ship has finally been brought down to more regular numbers, but don't worry; it's still a good ship.

Wyvern

-Changed: Armor increased from 11100 to 11800.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 64/64 to 68/68.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 67.08 to 68.41.
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.4998 to 0.4535.
-Changed: Scaled up by 15%.

The Wyverns main shtick before this patch was to be small, like all Kusari ships. With the proper scaling of the Chimaera, the Wyvern fattens up and is now allowed to have fun stats, as you can see above.

Irezumi

-Changed: Armor increased from 10400 to 11625.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 61/61 to 67/67.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1120/10400 to 1140/11400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 69.19 to 69.58.
-Unchanged: Response time stays at 0.4606.

The Irezumi didn't get many changes besides (vastly) improved camera and increased overall health. It and the Black Dragon go hand in hand.

Iris

-Changed: Armor increased from 10900 to 11375.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 63/63 to 69/69.
-Changed: Powercore increased from 1180/11400 to 1240/12400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 68.02 to 68.59.
-Unchanged: Response time stays at 0.4417.

An overall straight buff to the Iris was needed after the improvements to the Wyvern and Irezumi, with the medium powercore setting it apart from the two.

Sichel

-Changed: Armor increased from 12100 to 12220.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 68/68 to 71/71.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1240/12400.
-Unchanged: Turn rate stays at 69.03.
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.4883 to 0.4308.

I wouldn't blame you if you didn't even know this ship existed. I didn't a couple months ago.
The Sichel is a beautiful ship; it was given proper stats before but we didn't quite get there. We buffed its survivability further so it actually is a viable choice that one can make. Fast and relatively tanky with proper bird-like banking.

Hyena

-Changed: Armor decreased from 15500 to 12330.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots decreased from 82/82 to 70/70.
-Changed: Powercore decreased from 1722/38200 to 1300/13400.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 58.73 to 68.33.
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.5756 to 0.4738.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 45.
-Changed: Scaled down by 15%, is now a VHF.

We talked about Haste's baby, now it's time to talk about mine.
The Hyena's new role is to be a ship that can now properly put up a fight against Guardians, Avengers, Templars, what have you. The previous VHF Greyhound was completely unremarkable- this was fixed, but we can't leave the Rogues without a proper frontline fighter. Boasting a large powercore for Sammaels and Trefoils, strong armor count to withstand Magma Hammers or Sunrails pummeling its fat side (that it can properly hide due to banking if the pilot is skilled enough, too) and generous turn rate to not leave it helpless against the new powerful Xeno Eagle™️. Have fun with it; I sure will.

Avenger

-Unchanged: Armor stays at 14000.
-Unchanged: Batteries/Nanobots stay at 74/74.
-Unchanged: Powercore stays at 1360/14400.
-Unchanged: Turn rate stays at 65.68.
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.4717 to 0.4493.
-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 35.

The Avenger recieves a small buff to its groupfight ability, since the Guardian pretty much steals the show everywhere besides duels- and even then most times the Guardian was a better choice. We hope to see more Avengers flying around after this buff.

Prosecutor

-Changed: Max bank angle increased from 30 to 45.

Not much happened to the Prosecutor besides banking. Helps with two things: the first, the ship can now fire more than two guns to the side on a turn; the second, it can wiggle a bit more in groupfights, as this ship is quite big and needed help there.

Rabisu

-Changed: Armor decreased from 11400 to 11100.
-Changed: Batteries/Nanobots increased from 64/64 to 67/67.
-Changed: Powercore changed from 1300/13400 to 1240/13910.
-Changed: Turn rate increased from 65.89 to 67.32.
-Changed: Response time decreased from 0.4720 to 0.4427.

The Rabisu was given a few helping hands to help it with the extreme case of suckass that it's been going through for a while now. Still, a 7 gunner with full class 9 and that powercore was a bit spooky, especially with the buffed response and turn rate, so we made a custom powercore that has a bit more capacity (just flavor, really) but less regen. Overall, though, the ship is much better now.

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Conclusion

They won't be rebuilding here anytime soon
Now get out of there before more of them show up
Mission commission signing off

thanks to @Venkman for Irezumi, Executioner, Labraid, Saboteur and Jackdaw images