by controlling outfits
This is what comes out of making a Battle Arena plug-in that Ravens can dominate too easily...just wondering if anyone's done any trials of controlling the difficulty level of Nova or a TC by preventing the player from actually buying any weapon outfits.
Imagine what Nova would be like if CPL's indeed only came on the Scarab, Arachnid, and Raven. If you couldn't shove four QLBT's on your Raven to protect yourself from fighters (or Nanites).
For some reason this idea appeals to me immensely. Not just using the Control/Require Bits to prevent certain outfits from going on certain ships, but preventing the player from buying any weapons at all.
I would make an exception for weapon "loadout" kits that replace all of the weapons on your ship with another set, for instance changing a long range missile carrier to an interceptor, or a railgun toting fire-support Cruiser to a mini-carrier. (probably easiest implemented by using the "Variants" system and just replacing the player's ship)
Won't SFA be using this in some fashion? Can't remember...
Anyways, just thought I'd share.