The Marauder really is out of proportion to the other trade ships. For example, the base Atlas masses 10000kg and has 325kN of thrust. The base Maurauder masses 4800kg and has 200kN of thrust. The most advanced Atlas (TPG Type X) masses 8500kg and has 375 kN of thrust. The most advanced Maud (TPG Type X) masses 4000kg and has 210kN of thrust. A base mass of 8000kg and a base thrust 330kN would be in proportion to the current mass/thrust statistics, and would allow for higher performance while carrying cargo. For the more advanced models, I can see base masses in the 7000-8500 rangewith thrusts in the 330-375kN range.

Yes? No? Maybe-so?

yes

I'd prefer the Marauders have cargo mass reduction: http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/10737

I think it would make them actually unique and interesting.

Beolach, the only thing that bothers me about that suggestion is: why the Marauder? No other ship has any kind of "special effect" built in to it, what makes the maud so special that it and no other ship can mount this technology?

I definitely think mass reduction is a cool idea, and I could see it as an equipment add on... but I just think (and I could be wrong) that it would be incongruous in terms of game design to have one ship type with a special rule.

Because the Marauder is supposed to be the UIT special ship, analogous to the Itani Valkyrie and the Serco Prometheus. The Itani and Serco ships are intended to be amoung the best combat ships, and they are: the Marauder, on the other hand, is supposed to be one of the best combination cargo/combat/pirate ships - and it's not. It's half decent, but the moment it gets full of cargo - you better not try to fight. The Prometheus would actually make a better pirate ship, thanks to its largo hold and easy handling of additional mass. I don't think that's right.

Well, how about doubling the thrust and mass of all Marauder variants? This would have virtually the same effect, except that weaponry would also be affected. However, with the absence of an L-port the Maud still wouldn't be able to match the firepower of the Prom, so I don't think this would be an issue.

Marauder w/ 2x mass & thrust would be too good in combat, IMO. Probably wouldn't be extremely uber, but would be a bit too good. Even if it wasn't too good, I'd still prefer cargo mass reduction, because I think it'd be more interesting. The Mauds would still have to worry about weapon mass, but not so much about cargo mass.

Double mass and thrust would only change combat when very heavy weapons were mounted, and even then not significantly...

Maybe, maybe not. I'd have to actually see it in action, but I still prefer cargo mass reduction for Mauds over increasing the mass & thrust.

i think the idea behind the marauder is that it's a good combat ship when it's empty, but once loaded with cargo (and it can hold a fair bit) it handles like a rock.

the problem is it is a generaly balaned ship (less firepower than a prom, less manuverable than a valk, and lower cargo capacity than a moth). it would be a very popular ship if Vendetta were like may other games where players only have one ship and rarely change to a different designe (usualy a result of high ship prices and/or permanent death).

i've heard that mauds were used hevily in CTC when that was more popular, and untill the bohemoth it was on the top tier for moving large quantities of cargo.

the problem is just that there is no need for a balanced ship. you can always do better by using a min/max type ship.

"the problem is just that there is no need for a balanced ship. you can always do better by using a min/max type ship." -Lord Q

This is exactly the problem. Why would you use a ship that was "ok" for the job when there is something MUCH better available. And really WHO uses the "Maud Mk1" the UIT version. I haven't see on in months. The Mineral is more popular but even that is not great. It's too bad too, the ship is one of the coolest in the game.

you would use a balanced ship if you didn't have the option of trading in your ship every time you changed missions.

also balanced ships are good for situations where you don't know what you will have to do. i'd expect mauds to become popular as a utility vessil for player/guild owned cap ships. (why have a bohemoth, a valk, and a prom, when 3 mauds can do the same thing but can also cover each others jobs?)

TPG and Corvus mauds are quite common in B8. Well at least when Yoda, Mystic and Bojan are on.

I use the Maud Mk I on Vault. It's one of the few ships that doesn't require any combat levels to own. :P