PVP balance - problem(s) and solution(s)?

[VaevictisAsmadi]

There is no way a game like Freelancer can be balanced. There are too many variables:

• Various ships classes
  
• Ship Loadout
  
• Player count due to player preference to play a certain faction
  
• Player skill, which includes not only steering, shooting and positioning, but also teamwork, communication and focus
  
• Limited amount of players. There aren't thousand people you can pick to match make a team of similar skill.
  

When I started back up a few months ago, I wanted to focus mostly on PVP. In one raid two LF picked off several bombers due to their skill and ship capabilities. None of us could do anything to them, the capital class ships, didn't make a difference too, none of them could hit them. I think there is no possible way to balance group PVP. It could be quite discouraging to a new player to get destroyed. Could be more so with the upcoming 5.1. changes, where snubs can deal a lot better against capital ships. Imagine spending a few hours farming for your expensive capital ship, only to be blown up by a rust bucket.

The only thing I can see that would make a difference is adding a simple ELO system. That way when you get booped by somebody, you will know his relative level compared to you. "Oh, I see. I lost because that guy is in the top 10 in the server." But again, this will waste time and energy, that could be better spent elsewhere. Best course of action is for players to reach out to one another, say their "gg" and maybe offer to teach/learn in Conn.