I personally think it needs some major rebalancing, the overpoweredness makes the game mighty fun though.
I managed to destroy an entire Xox Main Fleet using just one Jerusalem Cruiser Class, netting me 11M from mission and loot, and things got boring...
I think the way the missiles work and the Shotgun anti-missile just make it a bit unfair. The missile's range is far greater than any of the main armaments of the Hierarchy and since the shotgun never guns down all of the missiles, each salvo shot is essentially a risk free attack. Plus, infinite missiles since they regenerate! (I like this bit though so don't remove it please)
How I beat the Xox Main Fleet is pretty much kiting them around into a large group whilst firing missiles at them, occasionally going in to destroy a destroyer or cruiser that's detached from the main group.
I personally think the Hierarchy ships should be tweaked so that they are much faster than the IDF to counteract this, since from my perspective they're a faction that would prefer to run head on and guns ablaze (maybe add burners? the ones that increase speed temp?). Slower ships tend to fortify themselves with shields so they won't get gunned down before getting to the opponent.
Anyways, sorry for the essay, I just liked your mod and wanted to point out a few things. I'll be waiting for your next release since the universe is quite barren right now :p
For you information, I will provide some lore-related examples:
IDF Frigate "Hesed", controlled by skilled pilot can obliterate 100 ship Hierarchy's cruiser-size fleet and be undamaged.
IDF Destroyer "Malkhut" can easily rip apart Hierarchy's battleship without a scratch.
IDF Cruiser "Negev" can easily wreck havoc and disrupt infrastructure for years deep behind enemy lines with it Cover Ops configuration.
IDF Battlecruiser "Jerusalem" can easily break solo through tough enemy defense perimeter and survive with minimal damage.
IDF Battleship "Samekh" can easily decimate and crack up entire planet or even cause supernova by destroying star's core with it's main cannon.
IDF Freighter "Akko" doesn't needs escort, because any raiding pirate party will be dead by the time they will try to lock it on.
IDF Fighter "Nesher" doesn't need any carrier ship to resupply or refuel, it completely independent and can support pilot life and fly for centuries.
IDF Bomber "Shiry" can easily raze cities and crush any capital ship on it's way due it's anti-capital and bombing weaponry.
IDF Gunship "Keter" can easily fight head-on big ships as well transport troopers to the planet surface through thick enemy anti-air defense unscratched.
But for the sake of the balance, lore-related power of IDF ships almost completely ruined.
What you will see in next release of this mod:
1. I will add to every IDF ship specific subsystem:
IDF Frigate "Hesed" will be equipped with Lambda Drive
IDF Destroyer "Malkhut" will be equipped with Rift Drive
IDF Cruiser "Negev" will be equipped with Oblivion Drive
IDF Battlecruiser "Jerusalem" will be equipped with Swarm System
IDF Battleship "Samekh" will be equipped with Tavor Weapon (Tavor Main Caliber Multipurpose Weapon)
IDF Freighter "Akko" will be equipped with Hazard Drive
IDF Fighter "Nesher" will be equipped with Infernio Rockets
IDF Bomber "Shiry" will be equipped with Particle Emitter
IDF Gunship "Keter" will be equipped with Interdictor Drive
2. I also thinking about what to add to Hierarchy ship, its probably will be some analogue of Burn Drive/Maneuvering Jets that will be active for limited amount of time.
3. I also will try to complete TimCORP branch for mod.
P.S. UPGRADECAP! IF YOU WON'T TELL ME WHAT SUBSYSTEMS MUST BE ON TIMCORP'S SHIPS I WILL PUT ON THEM COMPLETE TRASH!