Kibitt's Ship Balance Suggestion Grab-bag
My 10-month-old post had most of the ships in it changed recently in a short time frame, and I do like the direction of those (though I do still wish for a Shield Amplifier fitting buff...), so have a few more mild takes:
Ares: Overshadowed by the other fleet interceptors, and by Malediction in almost every single relevant statistic - PG, CPU, targeting range, armor buffer/resists for ancil rep to work with, base velocity, explosive resists vs warriors as the most common threat vs interceptors, and its weapon type being inferior as well as requiring more fitting space and capacitor. Interceptors as a whole can be frustrating to interact with and it does still perform its duties, it's just obviously overshadowed. Gallente identity is agility, but it's not meaningfully more agile than other interceptors.
Suggestion...
(+) Inertia from 3.45x => 3.25x
(+) +1 PG, +5 CPU
Dramiel: While it fights other frigates and destroyers somewhat well with control and speed, Factional Warfare has long since removed pirate frigates from novices and its speed won't carry its lack of kiting damage and its tank+dps is mediocre when going 2v2 or larger. Many frigates get around these downsides by applying utility at range and using their speed to keep themselves safe, but the Dramiel is hamstrung by awful lock range on top of brutal fitting restrictions, so improving lock range is the main way to make the ship flexible without making it overbearing in other situations.
Suggestion...
(+) Lock range from 28km => 38km
Mekubal: CCP got the Khizriel right in its description, range and power. Mekubal currently has... neither. It's got less range than other destroyers, and also less raw dmg potential than other minmatar destroyers. This is fixable somewhat with the typical angel drone complement and a slight range increase. It's not worth investing into lock range with precious slots and the ship definitely needs a bit more of it.
Suggestion...
(+) Small projectile falloff bonus from 10% => 15% / lv
(+) +15mb/30m3 drone bay
(+) Lock range from 36km => 40km
Mamba: Rather durable for a destroyer and also has a fair amount of damage. Its speed combined with lack of range bonuses absolutely kills the idea that it actually hunts frigates though, the frigs just fly away from you. You can't even use rage rockets to edge of scram range, and fast frigates will outrun the light missiles.
Suggestion...
(+) NEW +25% velocity role bonus to drones and 50% for missiles
(+) Lock Range from 45km => 48km