How about a mine clearing cap ship?

Why?

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.

I would gladly pay the price of a whole scout frigate on top of a capital ship's cost just to get their mine sensors installed on the cap ship... Logically thinking all caps should have mine sensors. But then scouts would no longer be needed.

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 also think Flak should get a mine sensor upgrade through research. Fighters already do the anti-strikecraft job better. Flak could do with a unique twist and they're perfect for the job being tough and heavily armored.

I'd still make mines invisible and give Caps mine sensors as well simply because it doesn't make sense them not having those.

It would still make more sense sending a few flak to clear minefields instead of using caps that probably have better things to do with their time.

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

Unless all caps automatically get mine sensors. Would be reasonable 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?

well it would add a new aspect to think about and force u to decide what you would rather do build a sweeper and clear a path or just blaze through with a few repair ships on ur butt. on the bright side anything you dont like once it comes out u can mod to ur liking, thats what im gonna do especially since i dont play multi.

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

the robotics cruisers should get a mine clearing upgrade thus also improving a currently underused unit