In addition to a host of other features slated for deployment in our forthcoming expansion, EVE: Trinity also introduces two new features: Attribute Reassignment Modifier Scripts and bandwidth.

Attribute Reassignment Modifier Scripts

Attribute Reassignment Modifier (ARM) Scripts are non-consumable charges that modify the attributes of modules they are installed in. They are installed or uninstalled just like loading and unloading ammo. The modules that can be scripted are listed below followed by the script names in brackets.

• Sensor boosters (Targeting Range and Scan Resolution)
• Remote sensor boosters (uses the same ARM scripts as sensor boosters)
• Remote sensor dampeners (Targeting Range Dampening and Scan Resolution Dampening)
• Tracking computers (Optimal Range and Tracking Speed)
• Tracking links (uses the same ARM scripts as tracking computers)
• Tracking disruptors (Optimal Range Disruption and Tracking Speed Disruption)
• Warp Disruption Field Generators (Focused Warp Disruption)

Scriptable modules have also been modified to accommodate the ARM scripts. For instance, a Sensor Booster II now has a 30% bonus to targeting range and a 30% bonus to scan resolution. The sensor booster can still be used without any ARM scripts, but with reduced effectiveness compared to the 60% bonuses it had before. The ARM scripts can then be used to boost one bonus at the expense of the other. For instance, the Targeting Range ARM script gives a 100% bonus to the targeting range bonus of the sensor booster and a 100% reduction in the scan resolution bonus in the module it's installed in. This means that a Sensor Booster II with a Targeting Range ARM script gives a 60% bonus to targeting range, but without any bonus to scan resolution. In other words, in order to get the maximum benefit from the sensor booster one has to choose between boosting either targeting range or scan resolution. This applies to all the scriptable modules in general (except for the Warp Disruption Field Generator): one can get the same effect as before, but one has to choose between the two bonuses.

The addition of ARM scripts adds a new tactical element to PVP. Snipers would likely configure for long range using Targeting Range and Optimal Range ARM scripts, which could be exploited to a greater degree than before by warping in with ships setup for close range. The snipers would no longer have close to instant locking times as they are running Targeting Range ARM scripts and their tracking would be worse than usual (until they switch ARM scripts) as they are optimized for range at the expense of tracking. Similarly, ships setup for close range would likely run Scan Resolution and Tracking Speed ARM scripts, which could be exploited by ships setup for long range.

For technical reasons, the mechanics of the bonuses on scriptable modules had to be changed from multipliers to percentage bonuses in order to accommodate the ARM scripts. This change does not directly affect the modules themselves, however it changes the way bonuses are applied to them. This is relevant for remote sensor dampeners and tracking disruptors in particular. Under the old system the bonuses were applied to multipliers on the module, but with the new system the bonuses are instead applied to percentage bonuses on the module. To give an example, the Tracking Disruptor II has a base penalty to the optimal range of the targeted ship of -40.2% with an Optimal Range Disruption ARM script installed. The Weapon Disruption skill adds a 5% bonus per level to this penalty, so at level 5 the penalty would be -40.2% * 1.25 = -50.25%. By using this module on e.g. a Curse with Recon Ships level 5 the penalty would be increased to -40.2% * 1.25 * 1.25 = -62.8%. Rigs and warfare link bonuses are applied in a similar manner.

Tracking links and remote sensor boosters now give better bonuses than before, though ARM scripts are still needed to reach their full potential. The Scimitar and Oneiros, which get a bonus to tracking links, have had their bonus increased to 10% to compensate for the new mechanics.

The Focused Warp Disruption ARM script can be installed only in Warp Disruption Field Generators (used by Heavy Interdictors). The ARM script focuses the Warp Disruption Field on a single ship which becomes unable to warp or jump regardless of its warp core strength. The ARM script removes the afterburner and micro warp drive speed penalty, the signature radius penalty as well as the effective agility bonus, but the module still prevents friendly remote effects. Unlike unscripted Warp Disruption Field Generators, the use of Warp Disruption Field Generators loaded with Focused Warp Disruption ARM scripts is permitted in empire space. This enables them to tackle super capitals in lowsec.

Bandwidth

Currently, the only way to balance the number of drones controllable by smaller ships is to limit the size of the drone bay. If the size of the drone bay was increased, they could increase their damage output by simply deploying heavier drones. As a consequence almost all smaller ship have no room for backup drones if they want to obtain maximum damage output, as opposed to the situation for battleships where no (realistic) option for larger drones exists.

Drone bandwidth is a new additional constraint on drones which limits the drones that can be deployed. Each ship has an available bandwidth for controlling drones that all deployed drones must share. Every drone has a bandwidth requirement which must be available on the controlling ship when launching the drone. Once launched, the bandwidth required by the drone is reserved for that drone and not available to other drones. Bandwidth is reclaimed once the drone returns to the drone bay or control of the drone is lost. With bandwidth the damage output from drones can be limited while still allowing for spare drones.

To this end, the sub-battleship class drone ships have been revised with the introduction of bandwidth. As a general rule, the Gallente drone ships are biased towards firepower at the expense of spare drones. The Vexor, for instance, now has 75Mbit/s bandwidth (enough for 3 heavy drones) and 100m3 drone bay (enough for 4 heavy drones), which boosts the damage output past the typical 50Mbit/s bandwidth limit for cruisers. The Amarr drone ships are biased towards spare drones, e.g. the Arbitrator has 50Mbit/s bandwidth (enough for 5 medium scout drones) and 150m3 drone bay (enough for 3 waves of medium scout drones).