Just as a disclaimer because I won't talk about it too much, HAC's across the board are getting a boost to their sensor strengths to bring them in line with t1 battleships in the 20-24 range it appears. Now this is a huge improvement across the board in response to EWAR so it does make a big difference, but I just don't want to have to circle around and mention it every time. They are also receiving a role bonus that provides a 50% reduction in MWD signature radius penalty (bloom). This is also quite significant, but mostly brings into question if AHAC doctrines will become MWD doctrines instead. Additionally HAC's got a bonus to their capacitor recharge rates and capacitor amounts in order to hopefully allow more cap hungry setups.
Heavy Assault Cruisers
SACRILEGE
Role Bonus: 50% reduction in MicroWarpdrive signature radius penalty
Amarr Cruiser Bonuses:
5% to Heavy Assault and Heavy Missile damage (added heavy missiles)
4% to all Armor Resistances
Heavy Assault Cruiser Bonuses:
10% bonus to Heavy Missile and Heavy Assault Missile velocity (was capacitor recharge time)
5% bonus to Missile Launcher rate of fire
Slot layout: 6H, 4M, 5L; 1 turrets(-3), 5 launchers
Fittings: 1100 PWG(+70), 420 CPU(+20)
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 1100(-293) / 2250(+162) / 1690(+2)
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / cap/s) : 1700(+75) / 255s (-80s) / 6.66s (+1.8)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 200(+2) / .567 / 11750000(-540000) / 9.24s(-.4)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50(+35) / 50(+35)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 70km(+20km) / 312 / 7
Sensor strength: 22 Radar(+7)
Signature radius: 135(-5)
The Sac is now not a dedicated HAM platform, and has gained bonuses to HML in addition to the already present HAM bonuses adding to it's utility and removing three turrets (which went unused) for the convenience.
A slight nerf to shield HP is followed by a buff to armor HP, with a 2hp addition to structure, for all the good that does. THe most significant change is the loss of the capacitor recharge time, which used to allow the Sac to fit a massive active tank and have the capacitor recharge to run it even under the most adverse conditions.
CCP has stated that this change was partly in response to the overall capacitor changes for HAC's, and that this bonus was mostly getting rolled into every HAC as a matter of course with this update. However the bonus would make the cap stronger than this slight change to recharge time that is in this version of the Sac. So the extra bonus, as a replacement, to heavy missiles and HAM's has changed the amount of DPS this boat can put out, and perhaps even prompt the dropping of the usual 2 BCU's in favor of more cap recharge or an even stronger active or passive tank.
A slight nerf to shield HP is followed by a buff to armor HP, with a 2hp addition to structure, for all the good that does. THe most significant change is the loss of the capacitor recharge time, which used to allow the Sac to fit a massive active tank and have the capacitor recharge to run it even under the most adverse conditions.
CCP has stated that this change was partly in response to the overall capacitor changes for HAC's, and that this bonus was mostly getting rolled into every HAC as a matter of course with this update. However the bonus would make the cap stronger than this slight change to recharge time that is in this version of the Sac. So the extra bonus, as a replacement, to heavy missiles and HAM's has changed the amount of DPS this boat can put out, and perhaps even prompt the dropping of the usual 2 BCU's in favor of more cap recharge or an even stronger active or passive tank.
ZEALOT
Role Bonus: 50% reduction in MicroWarpdrive signature radius penalty
Amarr Cruiser Bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret capacitor use
5% bonus to Medium Energy Turret rate of fire
Heavy Assault Cruiser Bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret optimal range
5% bonus to Medium Energy Turret damage
Slot layout: 5H, 3M, 7L; 5 turrets, 0 launchers
Fittings: 1180 PWG, 320 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 980(-4) / 2250 / 1670(-18)
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / cap/s) : 1500 / 285s (-50s) / 5.26/s (+.78)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 210(+1) / .553 / 12580000 / 9.64s
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 0 / 0
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 75km(+20km) / 306 / 6
Sensor strength: 21 Radar(+8)
Signature radius: 125
The Zealot has long been one of the most used HAC's in game because of both it's small sig radius AND large native resists and tankability. It is to the armor tanking world, what the "Fist" or AHAC doctrine was centered around. I'm not expecting any huge changes to the Zealot and unsurprisingly we see very little change here but it's the role bonus that brings up a good question. Is the MWD Zealot going to replace the AB Zealot in AHAC doctrines?
With the built in 50% reduction in MWD sig penalty, the extra speed afforded by a MWD over a AB could make this already fearsome doctrine, even more aggressive, mobile and deadly. Sure the 125 sig radius will still see some bloom, but the addition of the extra speed will more than make up for the radius increase. This is a little unusual, because previous "kings of their class" ships while being left alone actually suffered quite a few nerfs, looking at the Minmatar ships that suffered a loss of usability caused by the balancing of other ships up to their level, the Zealot doesn't suffer similarly and remains in one of the strong positions in the HAC lineup.
With the built in 50% reduction in MWD sig penalty, the extra speed afforded by a MWD over a AB could make this already fearsome doctrine, even more aggressive, mobile and deadly. Sure the 125 sig radius will still see some bloom, but the addition of the extra speed will more than make up for the radius increase. This is a little unusual, because previous "kings of their class" ships while being left alone actually suffered quite a few nerfs, looking at the Minmatar ships that suffered a loss of usability caused by the balancing of other ships up to their level, the Zealot doesn't suffer similarly and remains in one of the strong positions in the HAC lineup.
Command Ships
Absolution
Amarr Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
4% bonus to all Armor Resistances
10% bonus Medium Energy Turret capacitor use
Command Ships skill bonuses:
5% bonus to Medium Energy Turret rate of fire
10%(+5) bonus Medium Energy Turret damage
3% bonus to strength of Armored Warfare and Information Warfare links
Fixed Bonus:
Can fit up to three Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7 H, 3 M, 7 L, 5 turrets (-1), 0 launchers (-1)
Fittings: 1500 PWG (-75), 400 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 2900(-463) / 5300(+695) / 4600(+276)
Base shield resistances (EM/Therm/Kin/Exp): 0 / 20 / 70(+7.5) / 87.5(+6.25)
Base armor resistances (EM/Therm/Kin/Exp): 50 / 35 / 62.5(+9.38) / 80(+10)
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3375 / 750s / 4.5
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 150 / 0.71(+0.006) / 13300000(-200000) / 13.09s(-0.09)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 25 / 25
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 75km (+25) / 210 / 7(+1)
Sensor strength: 21 Radar (+5)
Signature radius: 265
Cargo capacity: 375 (+25)
Laser shows are pretty and having 6 medium pulses used to be the short route to putting off an impressive display. Sadly, with the loss of One turrets, it loses he extra "cool factor." If there ever was such a thing. Truth be told the Abso never saw much in the way of combat but could always tank, actively, very well thanks to it's impressive armor profile and huge base resists. Now with a buff to it's armor resists up to the Damnation's level of resists the Abso might see a surge in use in armor gangs that the Damnation and it's three links used to long hold.
Truth be told I don't see this happening as the Damnation still holds the advantage in huge tank with the bonus to HP per level, but the Abso could be a very effective and strong addition to smaller <20 gangs.="" man="" p="">
Truth be told I don't see this happening as the Damnation still holds the advantage in huge tank with the bonus to HP per level, but the Abso could be a very effective and strong addition to smaller <20 gangs.="" man="" p="">
Damnation
Amarr Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
4% bonus to all Armor Resistances
10% bonus to Heavy Assault Missile and Heavy Missile velocity
Command Ships skill bonuses:
10% bonus to all Armor hitpoints
10% bonus to Heavy Assault Missile and Heavy Missile damage
3% bonus to strength of Armored Warfare and Information Warfare links
Fixed Bonus:
Can fit up to three Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7 H, 4 M, 6 L , 2 turrets (-2), 5 Launchers
Fittings: 1300(-290) PWG, 500(+25) CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 3600(+137) / 4700(+95) / 4400(+76)
Base shield resistances (EM/Therm/Kin/Exp): 0 / 20 / 70 / 87.5
Base armor resistances (EM/Therm/Kin/Exp): 50 / 35 / 62.5 / 80
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3375 / 750s / 4.5
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 150 / 0.7(-0.004) / 13500000 / 13.10s(-0.08)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 (+25) / 100 (+75)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 70km (+20) / 210 / 7(+1)
Sensor strength: 22 Radar (+6)
Signature radius: 265
Cargo capacity: 645
Another ship that was king of it's class was the Damnation. Long used as a link support ship and the designated "cyno carrier" in most fleets, now the Cynonation can share that dubious honor with the Abso, but will still be mostly dominant in larger fleets mainly because of the huge 50% at level 5 bonus to armor HP that continues to make the Damnation such a huge flying brick.
With it's changes to damage potential, the Damnation might actually become a much more capable combat BC than it was prior and might see use in roaming smaller gangs because of it's increased DPS output as well as a hefty tank.
With it's changes to damage potential, the Damnation might actually become a much more capable combat BC than it was prior and might see use in roaming smaller gangs because of it's increased DPS output as well as a hefty tank.
Recap
Overall the Amarr were the kings of both the HAC and CS tree's in the meta before Odyssey 1.1 and look to continue that trend by providing options that their t1 counterparts are unable to do. Main reliant on their t2 resists to have an improved rep profile for Logstics and large enough DPS numbers and utility to continue to be the mainstays of large armor fleets, especially the improved Damnation's damage and the Zealot's new ability to fit a MWD with just a fraction of the signature radius.
Source links
HAC changesCS changes
Armor Rep Changes
Domi Tracking bonus change
Gang bonus changes
Rail/Arty Changes
I think you meant to say the sacrilege lost 3 turrets instead of 3 launchers?
ReplyDeleteWhy make useful on topic comments when I can point out potential errors in the article instead!
Herp, yeah I did. =) Thanks, fixed.
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