We need in T2 air transport.

But we have interplanetary fighers now; it's MORE risky to keep your com in a pelican than it is on the ground

I'm +1 for a T2 multi-unit Transport that can lift commanders

It's like you don't even know me. I wonder how many times this will happen when my computer ordeal is finally over and I start playing PA again.

People forget one thing, we cant have units that fill the same role, but better. T2 is not for that.

I think we need T2 transport, many units, but lets make it like T2 fighter. Expensive, not as useful on planet as T1 transport, but can travel between planets and put in more units. Make it slow, more health, can travel between planets, but expensive, and not good at what T1 transport does.

I´d suggest including a well-armored and well-armed Tier II Air Transporter! (but still single-unit)
Why that? It makes sense Lore-Wise. The armor is there (we saw it at the Kestrels), the weapons are there (-> Phoenix), the pickup is there (-> Astreus)---would of course be an expensive unit anyways! I´d really like to see that stuff in the game!

But I do believe we should talk about Commander Hull Units, Air Bridge Orders and more orbital stuff before dealing with Tier II Air Transport!

I disagree on needing T2 transport, but do think what we really need is a combination of the area load command with a 'ferry' order for the pelicans. It would be fantastic if you could set a group of transports to automatically ferry anything from one area to another. Not sure if something like this is in the scope of new features though maybe @jables can clarify. I played some games last night on Hotplatforms where I was constantly raiding a base with airdrops and it was very, very micro intensive.

I still think we could use a multi transport unit. Either in the t2 air factory or bring back s-move for the astraeus and give them different capacities for advanced, basic and the commander. able to hold either 6 basic units, 2 advanced, the commander or a mixture of 1 advanced and 3 basic. something along there

Honestly rather than T2 transport I'd like to see a ferry option.

But at the same time...

I don't understand why t2 can't have units that are more expensive, more effective versions of the t1 unit. That is pretty much what the t2 tanks are. Even the bluehawk is a more effective grenadier.

I think a t2 transport with some added features such as armoring or light weapons would be great, especially if it carried more units.

I never said that current balance is perfect to that motto. T2 tank is slow and cant move a lot, only in one direction, so it is cripled in some sense. Big gun moving one way. Bluehawk is not same as grenadier, its more precise, also attacks orbital. Its also slower.

Why we cant have units that fill the same role and are only better at everything? Because thats just stupid design, it makes T1 obsolete, and thats not the point. T2 is more specialized, T1 is simple.

Because side grades are much more interesting than upgrades.

But @xanoxis is assuming too much, the t2 transport could cost more, be slower, have a bit more health, and be capable of picking of commanders. The slow speed and high bank turns make it more vulnerable to quick fighter strikes, but it's capability to carry commanders can make them a very valuable asset.

It's not about not having units that are better in some way, but rather about not having units that are better in almost every single way. Statera T1 transport is faster than T2 transport, cheaper, and has a greater health value per unit carried but can't carry commanders and can only carry one unit as opposed to 10, for example.

+1 to multi unit transport!

currently for the small cost of 4 teleporters you can set up a loop where the tele's send units through itself and into another teleporter... you could do this with your commander with slammers, spinners, and the orbital missile bot if you really wanted extra protection this will also make it possible to send your commander between multiple planets quickly thus creating more targets for a planet smash or a large nuke strike, this 4 tele setup should be much safer then a T2 air transport around a planet, just make sure to keep power stable of course