heavy fighters DOES increase damage done by fighters and bombers

it also makes them ALOT harder to kill.

A level 3 sova with 2 in heavy fighters heals its bomber squad faster then a single anti fighter/bomber frigate can damage it.

A SINGLE bomber defeats a single FRIGATE
NOT the SOVA itself

Maybe increases the light carriers fighter/bomber capabilities would be an option to bring it back on par with its role as a support carrier.

Just a thought.

Flux

Well the results of our experiment are as follows:

Replaced the Heavy Fighters ability with one that augments damage, accuracy, and dodge of all friendly fighters in a gravity well.
(Damage: 10%/20%/30%, Accuracy: 10%/15%/20%, Dodge: 5%/10%/15%)

The Sova Carrier, as a single unit, actually becomes less effective. The lack of extra armor on its fighters definatly weakens it, and the addition of dodge isn't quite enough to offset the loss of armor against AA frigates.

However...

If placed in a fleet with light carriers, suddently the Sova becomes powerful, to the point where you actually want to keep it from charging in to the enemy. Its ability to augment the power of all friendly fighters makes a carrier fleet highly effective, and if your enemy doesn't bring counters to fighters (by mixing in AA ships and/or its own fighters) then they can be in trouble.

So far, our experiments find that it encourages a more diverse fleet mix. Take that as you will.