because mines are a pain and there isnt a ship that is especial good at clearing them. plus it would make things more "reallistic" (oximoron i know but anyway) since in real life mines are cleared not attacked. though i think it should just be a really big cruiser not a cap as that would further limit the number of caps ur able to build.

Scouts are needed. Just not when the fighting starts. They're very useful in random map games so you don't waste initial movements to get to a crap planet.

It's not necessary to make them useful throguh the whole game, whiich is what the mine detection is an attempt to do. Instead scouts should be recognized as playing a minor role. There are a few uses later (eg the vasari cloack ability is nice).

Realistically mine detection should be a fairly common ability on ships, probably universal, or at least purchasable on capital ships. They would still play a delaying role as ships burn through them, and frigates would be more endangered. (I think the Flak Frigate should get mine detection, it's already playign a defensive role, let us research that ability for Flakkers.

i think a minesweeping ship like a frigate is a gd idea but a capship,,,,bit excessive i think

Not a specfic cap ship for mine sweeping, but we could use my suggestion and give cap ships a researchable external ordinance rack, filled with missiles to target mines. After all, why spend 6000 credits, 600 metal, and 250 crystal on a mine sweeper that has no use in combat?

I think it's a good idea- but perhaps it should be a high-level ability for support capships only. It would make sense, plus it wouldn't overpower fleets much against mines, without at least compromising for firepower and other abilities: If a player wants to have Dunovs for all their capships, let them