Cheka

In my opinion, a solution to this problem without modifying the DLC ships in any way would be to... 1.)Make them ineligible for PVP marks, players who want to grind against AI ships can continue to do so, while PVP players would be rewarded for PVP marks based on the risk they took entering combat with a crafted ship. 2.) Disallow DLC ships in fleet, just as you can't have a fleet of basic cutters (as far as I am aware). 3.) Lower the cargo space in the DLC ships slightly, this keeps them an interesting novelty ship but (as per making them ineligible for PVP marks) would lower their appeal for ruthless trader hunters. The Req (or a fleet of them) has become a top tier-high speed trade ship -and nobody is going to mess with a traders fleet of 4 Hercs. Leave the trading to the trade ships such as the Lynx, etc. I absolutely love the DLC ships and I am more than happy to support the developers, it is important as a community to keep the game alive. My complaint about the DLC ships personally is that they take away the early game and majority of the midgame. I felt forced into buying the DLC after my first few hours in the game because I was getting absolutely crushed by them, and the game was a whole lot more enjoyable being able to cruise around not being a target. I missed out on experiencing playing the privateers, pickles, and even the early frigates because they just weren't relevant. I don't blame players for 'seal-clubbing' in them, let's be honest with ourselves -only a fool enters a fair fight. My last points are more controversial... 4.) Allow DLC ships to capture AI ships, but don't allow them to capture player ships. I have used the DLC ships to amass a fleet of great ships I neither had to craft, save my gold for, or risk losing a crafted ship for. 5.) Consider disallowing 'permanent upgrade' slots on DLC ships, I think this is a good trade off for getting to pick your trim types. The ships are great from the time that they roll out of the shipyard, they don't need mod stacking -which is what really puts them over-the-top. I hear a lot of people say that the timer needs to be increased for DLC ships, I disagree -it's not the timer that makes the DLC ships overpowered killing machines, and if they are that overpowered the timer is a non-issue because the ships wouldn't need to be constantly redeemed (as they would not be getting sunk.) With all this said, I'd like to see more DLC ships released under the right circumstances I believe they add to the game and provide a good continuing source of funding for development.