I am ambivalent about this (I wouldn't advocate using this 'tactic', but it also doesn't effect me), but TT wrote some stuff that I'd like to respond to:
Shuttle dropping is exploiting existing software code. I wouldn't call it a bug - but an EXPLOIT, which is why some might call it cheesy. The fact that with the simple stroke of a button you invalidate a fighter swarm's alphastrike - at absolutely no cost of power, is what makes this so powerful.
You can't call it a tactic. Star Castling is a tactic. Saber Dancing is a tactic. The Knife Fighte is a tactic. Plasma Ballet is a tactic. Maneuvering your opponent for a Trac-n-pac is a tactic. Using the Admin Drop is an exploit. If you can't tell the difference, I think you're goofy.
Add to this it's race specific benefits and impacts:
Klinks, Feds and Mirak might be inclined to NOT use this EXPLOIT, as they would be sacrificing Scatter-Pack capability. Additionaly, they have better than average active anti-fighter defenses.
Hydrans and Lyrans are probably less inclined to use this EXPLOIT, as they have fairly decent anti-fighter defenses. However, they have little other use for their Admins, save as Weasels or Suicides. If the right situation dictates (an opponent whose main thrust of firepower relies on it's fighters) they might use it.
Plasma races are very much inclined to use this EXPLOIT, as they typically have poor anti-fighter defenses and little additional use for their shuttles (Roms can Cloak to avoid seeking weapons and many ISC formations have the power curve to outrun seekers)
In terms of how this EXPLOIT impacts races, it overwhelmingly effects Hydrans, as only this race has ships that rely on fighters for a good portion of their firepower.
Most other races carriers retain the main armament of their non-carrier base class. In action, I've see most carriers flown as direct combat ships with the fighters deployed only to deliver the coup de grace. Under PBR, they are usually taken as an excuse to get escorts on the field. The fighters are an afterthought.
With Hydrans, this is a totally different situation. For their Fusion ships, their fighters are their offensive weapons. This EXPLOIT neuters their offensive armament.
Of course, they could always take nothing but Hellbore ships, but even some of those include fighters - and so a portion of their BPV is neutered when this EXPLOIT is used.
How is this different from pushing off the map:
this is an omnipresent part of the game that effects EVERYBODY. Everybody knows about it. Everybody knows when they are being driven too the map edge. Everybody has the abillity to make choices concerning this situation. Sure, from a reality standpoint, it is goofy, but this doesn't negatively effect any race more than the others. If it's that big of an issue, get everybody to sign up for Large Maps going forward.
How is this different from pushing somebody into roids:
I don't know about you, but this is a realistic part of the game for me. What's more, when somebody turns the tables on their opponent and sneaks a trac on them and drives them into a roid - I think that is just brilliant.
Topic: Hand Shake Rule - UBERThreat Shuttles (Read 30450 times)