Both ships are very sexy. The first one, I agree, doesn't fit with the Zoners very much... But I can see it used as a much-needed 'research liner'. Maybe made by Ageira?
The second one is very nice for the Zoners... But I think it'll be waaay too big if it's made for 5000 cargo. Unless it's designed as something of a 'Whale mk. 2', a bit larger than the current Whale, with 5000 cargo and only 1 gun. And a lot more expensive, and Zoner-exclusive.
On the other hand, if the 4400 cargo limit for Zoner IDs is really a 'done deal', rather than just a suggestion, there's not much point making a Zoner transport with more than 4400 cargo. In that case, I'd say the second could still be a Zoner-exclusive 'Whale mk. 2', except with only 4400 cargo (300 less than the current Whale), about the same size as the current Whale, same maneuverability, a single forward turret (or maybe two, just to make it different), but more armor and maybe a CM dropper (unique in that it breaks the no-CMs on large transports rule). Very similar to the Whale, since Zoners don't generally need a lot of guns on their transports, but upgraded for long-distance transport through the border worlds. The loss of 300 cargo makes room for living spaces and the extra armor/CM dropper.
Edit: If the cargo-cap is going to happen, the Zoners will need a replacement 4000-4400 Whale-esqe ship. The Whale is the only ship in its 'niche', that is a high-cargo transport with no real guns, but smallish size and decent maneuverability. It's the perfect ship for Zoner traders, and fairly popular among them from what I've seen. It even looks very 'Zonerish', in my opinion. But with a cargo-cap, no more Whale for Zoners, so they'd need something different.
limit - limit - limit... who the frell came up with limiting zoners to 4400 cargo?!? ... that makes NO sense at all. - whats the POINT of that... ( other than not liking zoner IDed powertraders ) - but like i said, to base an ID limitation on THAT idea would be really .. lame.
zoners are traders for like 99% of their whole point of existance. - i really don t understand why they would be limited or why anyone would agree to that.
but on topic... if that was finished and submitted, it would indeed by something like a whale 2 ... a smallish transport with .. well, whatever max cargo zoners can haul... and only a lvl 1 or 2 turret for the greedy wreck-shooter.
Reckon he's going to amend the Zoner Guard to 5k so long as they abstain from the core worlds, or something along that noise.
I think a lot of it has to do with the Zoners having access to every kind of ship out there, while the commercial giants such as Republic only have fighters/bombers along with 5k transports.
I would switch my adv. train for that first ship the minute it's available if the cargo hold is comparable.
Excellent job as usual designing a amazing looking vessel. My whale would also be scrapped for the
second model, i love that new zoner design, hope to see a few ships utilizing it.
ON a smaller note. Hey Jinx mind if I get a peek into that garbage folder. If you have more ships like the first one.. well lets just say. Possibilities.
' Wrote:oooookaaay, i ll texture and hardpoint the second one then..... - first one goes into the "garbage can" folder where all the unused but finished models sit:crazy:
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