I'm not usually one to post 'fix' ideas, but this just came to me.

If only the Scyk got both missile and torpedo slots, instead of one or the other, suddenly it becomes viable to slap something other than a cannon on it. You can take Long Range Scanners and do a little something like this:

Cartel Spacer (14)

+ "Heavy Scyk" Interceptor (2)

+ Concussion Missiles (4)

+ Extra Munitions (2)

+ Long Range Scanners (0)

For 22 points you can easily get off a focused Concussion on the first pass thanks to a first turn Target Lock. Comes in at a point cheaper than an HLC carrier (and may or may not draw less hate: on the one hand, it's not an HLC, on the other killing it before it can get its missiles off leads to "unused points" as a psychological factor). This happens to be the same cost as a PS2 Bomber with the same upgrades, the Scum version being more nimble but less durable.

Probably still not highly competitive, but it gives the M3-A more options. And the best part? Just the tiiiiiiiiiiiniest errata on FFG's part:

"Heavy Scyk" Interceptor:

Your upgrade bar gains the cannon, missile, or and torpedo upgrade icons.

I mean, honestly, who would load up a 3 health ship with a cannon, missile, AND torpedo?!

You only get one of the icons added to your upgrade bar

You only get one of the icons added to your upgrade bar

"If"

I like it. I like it better at a base cost of 13 squad points rather than 14. An illicit slot old also be nice.

You only get one of the icons added to your upgrade bar

I feel like you've missed the entire point of his post.

For the life of me, I don't understand why the Heavy Scyk title did not grant all three icons. You're already paying a 2-point tax. Why would you spend that tax on a single-use upgrade instead of a cannon that lasts until you're destroyed?

off topic, but the Heavy Scyk title had me imagining a scenario where two Scyks shared one Long Range Scanner

ala

a four ounce ship carrying a one pound upgrade card?

It could grip it by the husk!