I appreciate the feedback re: the large ballistic destroyer; some stuff to consider for sure.
Regenerating ammo ballistics were very good, and I think they got given up on *way* too quickly. It provides so many interesting levers for balance and ways to differentiate ballistics more than the current stats. You run into a lot of "what is even the difference between these small kinetics" without it.
It's just a fairly massive balance undertaking, since adding this to ballistics is a baseline nerf, so would need to come with some corresponding buffs, and changing an entire lineup like that... balance things get extremely complicated if trying to do a broad swath of things at once. I think if - if I was going to do this - I'd look at a few weapons where it makes good sense and could be handy. For example, I could see doing this with the Thumper, which could use a bit more help anyway (which adjustments offer a good opportunity to provide), and the clips mechanic fits with its general theme of being bursty.
Not actually sure about the small kinetics - to me they're all very distinct. There's the pretty bad one, the one that'd be ok if its accuracy wasn't terrible, the solid reliable one, and the burst one. (And, hopefully, the first two will be more usable now. I forget if I mentioned it, but the Light ACs got a flux efficiency boost, too.)
And they happen to also combo very nicely with damper fields and provide a good outlet to stop the traditional low-tech face-hugging technique from being unstoppable.
(That last part is more an SO thing, right?)
These are really cool, I'm looking forward to using and fighting them! Starsector is the best, no contest, I do attest.
Hopefully those side turrets on the new frigate can aim behind it, else Salamanders gonna have a fun time with it.
Indeed they can. But with DF and Insulated Engines - not to mention RFC - it can actually also just tank them.
Another thing I didn't mention about the Vanguard is that the missile-holding slots are currently composite. I'm not 100% sure on sticking with that, but it might be interesting for a few builds (probably mainly SO), but still.