Official SE:IV Gold Patch 2 thread...

[steveh11]

But that depends entirely on the need for escort/support ships. For example, in the age of sail, the only need for smaller ships was for scouting duties (they were faster) not for stand-up battles. The battleship ruled supreme until the advent of the fast steam-powered torpedo-boat.

Support ships I can still see requirements for:
Mobile shipyards, repair facilities and tankers;
Mine warfare ships;
Scouts - especially well-cloaked ones;
Planetary Assault ships - both troop transports and bombardment vessels.

How does this all affect Proportions Mod?

Steve.

[Atraikius]

Atrocities - increasing the cost of larger hulls isn't going to change that the AI only builds dreadnoughts, getting the AI to build smaller ships and various support ships has to be done by who writes the AI for that race. Some of the races are getting a bit better on this.

[oleg]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
As far as small ships being uselss, you are missing what in my mind is one of the most important changes in the new patch. The addition of the MAXIMUM tonnage allowed for certain mounts means a modder could make a mount that only works on ships below a certain size, or by using min and max you could make mounts that are only allowed on ONE size. This has the potential for great mods allowing small ships to be kept viable well into the late game.

Geoschmo

Hmm, I did not miss it because I did't even know it exist ! Very nice feature indeed.