Yeah, definitely no need for increased shields on those things. I have a Slipstream LF (which will probably get changed to a Griffin here soon, since we aren't allied with the HF anymore.) for one of my AW. In a past fight with LSF/SA, I killed 3 fighters, and drove a 4th one to running. The entire time, I lost one bar, all of one bar, of hull to the 6 enemy fighters, 2 GBs, and cruiser we fought. My team had my LF, 1 VHF, 1 bomber, and a GB. Our bomber went out early too (isn't that right Lohin.;)). I've found them to be perfect capital ship escorts. Better than VHFs. A VHF has a hard time getting another to break off an attack on a capship, since you don't turn much better than he does.
An LF can dance all over the place and pound enough shots into an enemy VHF to get it to hesitate and/or break off an attack. It kept our GB alive. True, you don't have the damage capabilities (and I don't use missiles or shield busters) of a VHF, but it can land alot more hits than a VHF can, and in total can do more damage to another fighter than it can do to you. All it takes is more time than traditional VHF fights. (One piece of advice, take a nuclear mine with you, fully stocked. They can kill almost any VHFs in a single hit, so it helps balance out your firepower.)
They don't need any more firepower either *Glances at Blunt.* We had LFs with more firepower before (anyone remember the Slipstream with 6 class 9s?:mellow:) and they turned into uber-fighters. They could down VHFs, bombers, and capships with impunity, as none of those three could land any blow, but the LF was dealing out as much damage as a VHF could. If ANY get an increase in firepower, it should be in the form of only 2 class 7 guns at most. Any more than that and VHFs lose their purpose, with LFs to completely replace them. If you want a balance between firepower and agility, try some of the high-level HFs.
Only LF (I have flown) that could do with an upgrade (more firepower, better shielding or somthing) is the Bretonian Hussar as it turns almost identicaly to an Eagle but has a smaller gen, lower shield, less weapons, lower hull, weaker weapons, no torp, though it is slightly smaller.
Though I am probaly biased on this one so other opinions might be a good idea.
Kiggles:mellow:
I've been mildly miffed by one-shot weapons since their implementation, oh so long ago. I remember the days when fights were a matter of who could aim better, rather than who could aim a single shot. - Virus
Most LFs are actually only slightly more agile than the eagle... but the size differnce is huge... once they loose their shields you can never hit them.
Igiss says: Martin, you give them a finger, they bite off your arm.
My Corsair char never will use the Decurion, but he will stay with the Centurion. Ok, today i have lost a fight, because was beeing stupid to go in chat, while in engine kill modus. Additional i had a horrible connection. Somewhat around a Ping of 800, but in short times the ping was better i was able to outmanoeuver the Ravens Claw. He was dropping Nukes like hell. Not only one hit. All Corsairs, which complain about the Titanbrick should really give the Centurion a try.
Also every lost fight will give me more and more experience. This is for all fighter classes.
Maybe i will build up another KNF char with a Wyrm. Then i can have some training with blunts Hussar.:D
Concerning the non mountable equipment like LF shields class 9 and 10. Same goes for heavy fighters.
To remove them completely would safe much space, but i don't know how many of them are vanilla equipment.