Yah I noticed that scatter PD's gained a rather large flux cost with them now, it still didn't stop the standard sickle from being a devastating close range assault frigate. I just destroyed a battlecruiser with one. I can outpower it's shield.
High flux will never offset weapon damage, because you get more for your hardpoint.
There's also another thing. People compared the cutlass with the pulse laser, but there's a destroyer with a forward battery of 3 pulse lasers, it's not THAT effective (pretty effective though). How can the cutlas be so devastating in comparison?
I've sussed it. Two factors:
1. The cutlas rotates fast, shoots fast, it's spread makes it effective at hitting anything. Huge utility.
2. The cutlas has about equal flux to damage ratio. This is a BIG point, it means if you get into a shooting war, firing a cutlas will always put you ahead. It get's worse as your flux rises and the thing does more damage.
The scatter PD has taken a step towards reasonable, it's still terrifying, but some close assault weapons are that good (though they DO use ammo)
The cutlas still kinda crazy though.
again, my opinion, but:
- clam needs buff. It's kind of hilarious as it is.
- hammer is basically perfect.
- carrier is perfect (i think)
- some sickle variants are horrifyingly deadly.
- langoustine costs too little to field. Larger ships are expensive to field, not because of their fleet cost, but because of their speed. They take a long time to really make a difference. Langoustine gets to the field fast, and changes things faster.
- the cruisers seem reasonable.
- dugong is fast
I could be wrong. *edit. Cutlas is a MEDIUM mount
Compare and contrast: Mining Blaster.