Testbed Patch Notes Update: The Cost of Fourth Rates

[Aether]

Fourth Rates are intended to be great ships for port battles, but they’re not supposed to be all-around superior and cheaper to other standard level 50 ships. Part of their low cost comes from mechanics that have gradually changed over the past few months, such as the other line ships and the rate of commendation drops. There are a variety of changes in 1.2 that impact the cost of the Fourth Rates.

First, as you can already see on Testbed, we set the durability on all Fourth Rates to two points per deed, reflecting Design's original intent for these ships.

The next change we’re making replaces the royal commendation turn in for a Mordaunt with a Mastercraft Defiant. Originally, the Mordaunt was handed out in those turn-in missions because that reward was on par with Third, Second and First Rate ships. Now that those ships are no longer in direct competition, the impact of the Mordaunt reward increased significantly. That’s why we changed it to a high-end frigate instead of a Fourth Rate. Customers will be able to see this change on Testbed later this week.

At the end of the day, Fourth Rate ships are intended to be moderately more expensive than the other level 50 ships. While this change does impact Naval officers, it is meant to address the issues of the strength and availability of Fourth Rates overshadowing the choices available to the Privateers, Pirates and Freetraders.

We invite your comments on the adjustment to the cost of Fourth Rates, and look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Best,
Aether

[Sally Sue]

seems a fair adjustment and will not have a major inpact on NO's i think. atleast imo as a 50 No it would not.

[P. Pete]

Does it still cost more to make a MC cap deed [required for the intrepid refit] then it does to make an alexander?

[Seraphel]

similarly for the herc variants.

[Ged Bligh]

Originally Posted by Aether

First, as you can already see on Testbed, we set the durability on all Fourth Rates to two points per deed, reflecting Design's original intent for these ships.

Thanks for the hands down; bagged myself 3 Fourth Rates for future profit.

[bluefish]

This and other 4th rate changes should've been done before release.

[Xaphod]

I still reckon at least one bundle should be in the recipe.

[logicstrike]

what the hell are you crazy, this is utter bs

you going to continue on flip flopping game everytime because some people like to troll forums instead of improving their skills? you know that privateer can sink fourth rate in mc mediator how about putting bundle for mediator then? You can't constantly keep on changing game it would just make people quit game, im tired of adjusting to every change, what about other people that dont even read forums, how angry they would be..

[Sundown]

This is in reply to logicstrike. Your not the only player in the game save your anger for somewhere else. They are trying to balance a game that needs balancing badly. Sure your a NO and your going to complain. But you still get your big ships. No one is taking them away from you. Why do you think people should be able to stock pile 4th rates, actually im not so sure this will really keep it from happening.

And since the DEV is on this post. Any news on pirates having an alternative way to win a port. Every week more sols show up. Next time prob around 24, so i just want some advice, please Aether, in your oppinon what can we do to fight 24's sols. I mean as pirates alot of us on guad in the least would still like to participate in port battles. Yes, yes we have won a few, no doubt.

I would still like a reply as to how or what you are doing to help balance port battles. Or do you not really want pirates to take part in that part of the game. Please i want a devs reply. Not more crap from NO's or privateers who dont even have a lvl 50 pirate. All of your oppinons are valid, but this question goes out to the devs please. Thanks

Once again my question is what did the devs have planned for the pirates in the first place in terms of port battles and their abilities, and what are you doing now so as the nations build up their stockpiles and they are. How on earth are we going to be able to really participate in port battles. There are a few tatics that half *** work and never will work with 24 50's.

[ChitLin]

It's really hard to get 50 royal commendations imo. Personally, I prefer the Gallant > MC Defiant. But I don't really care, in a lot of cases, population of a Nation increases the economy as increased supply decreases price. On Morgan, we've beaten nations outnumbered by people (24 v 17, comes to mind), SoLs (7 to 1)...a lot of it has to do with tactics...I'm not saying SoLs don't help...but they aren't everything.

I think what really needs to happen - is Pirate's need to be able to hold a port (ie. no flipping after 3 days). This would encourage more cooperation, and an overall victory goal.

My thoughts.