Want to add it seems increasing MK of FTL decreases the interplanetary gap introduced by hull class. For example, if both ships are FTL 5 but are widely different hull class the difference might be big. However, if the FTL is 50 then it's small.
This means, in my case, it offers no benefit unless I use the scout optimization. There's virtually no reason, insofar as interplanetary or interstellar travel is concerned, to select a small hull class without the scout optimization over a larger hull class without the scout optimization, unless you're using it for combat. You want a big ship.
So these're teh classes of ships I can think of:
1) Scout (shuttle and frigates)
2) Combat (anything between heavy frigate and battleships)
3) Motherships -- leviathan hull class -- the main transporter
4) Science/Manufacturing -- max hull class, manufacturing optimization, modules dedicated to science, orbiting Earth
What I was trying to do was create a hybrid scout/transporter. That's when I noticed this.
I agree. My ships are as follows:
- 1 - class 3, scout optimized (WHG-C engine)
- 4 - class 4 bomber optimized. You need at least ACB-D (500) AES-M (1000) & MAU-MM tech.
- 6 - class 9 improved shields. You need at least AES-CC (200) & MAU-D tech
- 9 - class 12 factory optimized. Those at earth build smaller modules, those elsewhere build Mk 500, 1000 or larger modules.