The recent balance patch gave the C-788 ballistic cannon roughly a 270% damage increase, turning it from a niche weapon into a massive outlier. Instead of simply making the weapon competitive, the buff has pushed it far beyond other options and dramatically shifted the fighter meta. The problem is compounded by the recent nerfs to Size 1 through Size 3 weapon damage. Rather than creating better balance, those changes effectively forced Size 4 weapons into the hard meta. Fighters built around smaller hardpoints now struggle to compete against ships that can mount multiple Size 4 cannons. As a result, the Talon has become, in the view of many players, the only truly competitive fighter. Its dual Size 4 hardpoints allow it to take full advantage of the C-788's enormous damage output, making it feel significantly stronger than nearly every other fighter in the game. Instead of encouraging ship variety, the current balance heavily rewards flying the Talon over other options. The C-788's splash damage adds another layer of frustration. Many players have reported that its explosive impacts can unexpectedly break weapons off enemy ships, creating outcomes that feel random and inconsistent during dogfights. Weapon balance should encourage diverse ship choices and rewarding gameplay. Right now, the combination of the C-788's enormous damage buff, the nerf to smaller weapons, and the Talon's Size 4 hardpoints has created a stale meta where one weapon and one fighter dominate the battlefield.