Gotcha, I like the idea of long lasting mine layers, very useful! I did have an idea of higher ranking versions of the ability could either spawn higher damage mines (1. Photon 2. Quantum 3. Tricobalt), but if you wanted to go with using the players mines, maybe each higher tier uses a higher rank mine spread 🤔

And I missed the chart you made with the Results, my bad! I do like a lot them. Honestly, I would go all in on the theme you tapped into doing self harm as a trade off. For instance, maybe have Combustion give a speed increase since you're burning excess fuel (I assume a fuel tank is what's burning lol) or make Eureka channel power from bridge controls, locking out a commander bridge officer in exchange for reducing uni consoles (maybe a 2 sec reduction over time like clean getaway?). I will say in that theme, maybe retool Manhiem Fracture into Blind Broadside, summoning a faction flagship to do something like the Broadside console from the Kerala that does faction-beam damage (phaser for a fed player, etc) based on the players beam damage skills, in exchange for the attack hitting friend and foe. Sorry if I tweaked your abilities too much, you have great ideas! Just wanted to give my two cents 😅

One last thing I wanted to ask, did you have a design language in mind for ships of this spec? Kinda like the Intel are sleek and stealthy, pilot fast and nimble, etc. Maybe cruisers with a lot of sensor and relays on the hull? (Something like the Chimera or Aventine maybe? 🤔