I think they should be switched up some.

It seems to me that the Atlas X is supposed to be a combat variant of the Atlas, and the Warthog Mineral Extractor is a cargo variant of the Warthog.

The problem that I have with this is that given that the Atlas and the Warthog have the same weapon ports, the Warthog is essentially a combat variant of the Atlas. This means that a combat Atlas and a cargo Warthog are somewhat redundant. On top of that, the Miner Hog has far less cargo space than the Atlas, and the Atlas X has far less armor than the Hog. This means that they're trying to fill each others' roles and not doing a terrific job about it. Well that's not totally true, the Atlas X is a pretty good combat ship, but the Warthog Mineral Extractor is an absolutely crappy cargo ship.

I think that the Warthog Mineral Extractor should be renamed and restatted and given to a faction (like Xang Xi) as a special combat Warthog, and the Atlas X be toned down a bit, and cargo space increased to be a special Mining Atlas.

Combine that with these:
http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/9877

I think that we should re-name all the warthogs to CrippledPidgeons.

Thats exactly how I use the two of those CP and it's a great suggestion. I ALWAYS use the Atlas X-Type for mining in sectors that have bots. It has great hold for the model already, but an increase would be appriciated but not necessary.

I wouldn't want to see the X-Type nerfed too much though because then it's not good for using as an ambulance, which is the other reason I fly it. Has just enough room for a small laser and a repair gun, and has the manuverability that is needed for trying to hit a RevC with a Charged Cannon/Repair Gun while in combat. Although, it would be cool, if nerfed, to make a new variant that was specific for medics, that kept the current config and make it always fly a repair gun and an open small port.

Also, I only know less then a hand full of people that actually use the Mineral Extractor Warthog as a mining vessel. It's used for combat only as far as I've seen. This variant was a mistake from the beginning, and should finally be put to pasture. Either get rid of it completely or make a new variant and make it combat oriented.

Fighter models should not be make into cargo variants and same goes for transport ships and Mining Ships, They should all have there own looks and feels.

I think, and this has been said before, the problem with cargo/mining ships being fighters and vice versa is all mining beams fit into a weapons port and that weapons port can be and is used for things other than mining.

Correct, and anytime someone mentions adding or modifying the port system, everyone sceams bloddy murder. It's going to have to be done sooner or later, or this game is not going to progress in avenues other then FPS style action.

i think the best way to make cargo ships limited for combat (aside from seperat equipment slots) would be to reduce their spin tourque. after all they may still be able to strafe, but unless they can point they will have a hrad time in combat.

Worry about the Atlas in combat when you see someone besides me flying it. Yeah, the numbers look good but go ahead and fly it against some other ships. The Atlas X is good for combat if you have to do it, but not so good that you'd want to. It's not like b-8 is full of them. Then again it's hard to find anything besides a rev c or skycommand in b-8 so maybe that doesn't mean anything.

Also, the Atlas and the Warthog get compared all the time, cause they have the same ports. I have to say having flown both extensivly since Alpha, they really don't have the same feel (IMHO). Different center of rotation or at the very least my over-active imagination seems to come into play.

Your right Hoax, people do compair them too much, One is supost to be a midsized transport and the other a midsized attack ship. They are not the same. They end up acting the same due to the inability to distinquish a transport ship from a combat ship. Sure the Atlas can't stand up to a lot of ships but in the right hands it can do a lot of damage, and that is what everyone is complaining about. And rightly so, transports should not be able to take out a fighter in a fight, unless they are extremely good and are using unusual tactics. They SHOULD however, be able to escape a fighter, via mines, infiboost, possible stealth add-ons, etc.

IMO there is nothing worng with a transport ship being usable in combat. it should be less usefull than the dedicated warship, but it can still be good. i think the bigest reason people compare the hog and atlas is because the atlas is desined the way it should be nut the hog doesn't actualy fufill it's desine function:

http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/10046

in case you are like me and hate reading threads within threads i will sumarise the point i made in this one:
The hog is a light fighter that thinks it's a gunboat, it is basicly a medium fighter chasis with heavy weapon loadout. as such it shouls be the ship most afected by the mass of it's weapons. when fully loaded it should handle like it does now, however when relieved of it's bulk it should become extreemly manuverable. this will make the hog one of the most versitile ships available, but it will only be able to performe one funchtion at a time and you have to know what you are doing to optimise it for a given application.