It is as the title says it. I play this game casually from time to time and enjoy it a lot. For example, in the last game I found out that you can actually roll over an enemy using mercenary ships (I'm playing on "hard" so I guess it's possible).

However, part of my strategy was to amass a number of support ships having the accelerator module, and then having huge fleets zip around clearing everything in their way. But now this strategy is obsolete (sure, I can put this module on a hero, but then I'd only have one "super-fleet" like this, and it won't be nearly as fast, considering that a hero ship can only hold so many support modules)...

Basically, now I'd have to install an engine on each ship, which would axe the whole min-maxing approach (install the max number of weaponry on offensive ships, use support slots for damage enhancers) I had goes down the drain :(

Anyhow, can anyone advise an alternative to having such an approach for constructing ships?

It numbed my playstyle a bit too, but I see it as something good. Really didn't make sense since ES1 to have some cheap ships speed up my cruisers like that. Way too useful, if you ask me. Still having the option is good, but again we should ask for hero ship upgrades. They're good at the start, but irrelevant later on. Now they are necessary, but even more limited. It's odd. I'd like to be able to make a hero ship with more modules, maybe a bit bigger. Maybe it could occupy CP when improved. IDK. These are just ideas I'm throwing out.

This also gives vaulters a huge advantage, since they're able to move forces between their systems instantaneously, whereas most other races lack such ability (yeah, the unfallen have vines, which speed up fleets a little bit, and some races have ships with more support slots etc), but now it's literally like Vaulters are playing Heroes 3 while being the only ones with access to Town Portal...

jiallombardo wrote:

...but now it's literally like Vaulters are playing Heroes 3 while being the only ones with access to Town Portal...

Could be more useful now, to ally with Vaulters and Unfallen, for to make use of their abilities, not?

True that, but what if you, say, play against a couple of Craver enemies or something? :D

Anyway, I haven't really been constructive in my comments, so I'd like to suggest -- perhaps the modules itself could be strengthened (if there is no intention to put them back onto support ships)? Like, they could give +3 / 4 / 5 speed buff instead of +1 / 2 / 3 (depending on material)? Or perhaps multiple copies could at least be installed on hero ships?

It is true that +1 movement (not multiplied 40 times afterwards) is a fart in the wind.

BUT it does make it feel more as it should be.

Racial movement bonuses and maluses? Relevant once again!

Movement skills and abilities? Those were always relevant, they are only more OP now, it's not as if hissho and vodyani and sophon heroes with their balanced damage bonuses were ever obsolete.

I tried rushing the +3 mod, but it still feels like more or less nothing.

Vaulters, Unfallen and UC movement bonuses? Relevaaaaaant!

Speed is now a thing again, and I would also like to treat that as a good thing.

Arkon portals mod  in the worshop. Gives you portal access to a custom faction option. Just sayin

Why do that when you can force everyone to play Vaulters