1) Special component limitations on some of the new pieces of equipment limit the extent to which carriers can be made using things like the tulon weapon focus and xalax defense component. Those two components can't be on the same ship at the same time, which severely limits the effectiveness of carrier type ships. Even if they have the space to mount more components, they are unable to. The same goes for the two types of stellar defense modules. The Terrans have access to stellar defense modules that can increase weapons AND ones that can increase defense, but can never mount both at once.
Yes, I agree. You should be able to put on various types of these modules on a single ship. I was thinking of this:
1 attack affecting module (fleet or self in influence)
1 defense affecting module (fleet or self in influence)
1 speed affecting module (fleet or self influence, if one is made, that is)
1 Battle Command module (the +25% attack on first round when attacking module)
All on a single ship. At the very least though, both Stellar modules should be able to be on a ship at the same time. Kinda defeats the point of the line otherwise, imho.
2) 1 per ship limitations on many of the new components limit the possibilities for ship design. For example, the stellar defense techs: you can only have one on your ship at any given time. However, if you could put two or more on a ship, you would be able to create truly dedicated stellar defense craft. It would be extremely deadly within your own sphere of influence, but only there. Current stellar defense craft can operate with only a modest penalty outside their own space.
3) Fleet wide bonuses do not stack. I experimented with the following design: a capital ship that had the targeting computers (25% bonus to attack, I believe), modest weaponry, and high enough logistics to put many of them in a fleet. The idea was to create a fleet full of mutually supportive frigates that were outclassed on their own but nigh unstoppable in a fleet. This didn't work as planned, since only one of the targeting computers had any effect! The other ones were wasted space, and the more traditional fleets ended up with higher attack ratings. I think that if I want to pursue such a logistics dependant ship strategy, I should be allowed to.
No way. Stacking these modules would be way, way, WAY too powerful. The attack in influence + fleet attack is deadly enough as it is.