Question about BOFF Abilities

detheater

This has probably been asked and answered before, but me being lazy and not finding it in the first couple of searches I did, I decided to ask it again.

Is there a reason we cannot equip lower level BOFF abilities in a higher level slot? I mean why can't I slot a LtCom ability in a Commander slot? It's not like they forgot how to do that ability so why can't I slot those lower level abilities in a higher BOFF slot?

Having only started playing the game back at Christmas I don't know what may have happened in years past so I was just wondering if the devs had ever addressed this or given a reason why we can't do it. I mean would it really be that game breaking to allow it? I'm not saying they should allow us to slot the same ability across the board (not sure if that would really matter either way), but if we haven't used an ability why can't we slot it in a higher slot?

I am sure there is a rational reason why it's not allowed, but it would be nice to be able to do.

frontline2042

Depending on the skill you're talking about there is probably a higher rank of the skill you want to slot that would fit in a higher level slot.

detheater

No, I understand that... What I am referring to is a skill like BFAW or Tachyon Beam, where the tier 3 version is a Lt.Commander ability. Why can't I slot it in the Commander slot instead?

frontline2042

Honestly I don't know. But I am curious if there was a power set up that you wanted to do where this became an issue

sisteric

The simple answer is Balance. If you allowed lower powers get slotted in higher seat slots you will disrupts the maximum number of of an ability that can be slotted on a ship. This will definately mess with balancing that they have done amongst the ships and seating that they have done to date.