I'm going to have to go nay here. This used to be the standard game type in my "Home" zone Witch Doom. This worked in WD because even a non-powered up ship could overtake a flagged ship with proper application of luck and technique. Would that hold true here as well? Sure. But there are some major differences in how giving that upgrade to a SVS ship vs that upgrade on a WD ship will effect the final potency of the ship. WD ships were balanced Super-Ships(Fast moving, not uncommon to spray groups of 10-20 bombs) In SVS the variance of ship abilities is too closely matched to give one a power up in proximity and bullet damage and not have it be overpowered. The nature of WD ships made the upgrade matter a lot less. It did give you a slight advantage, but not one that would induce complete frustration.
SVS ships are too slow and closely balanced to upgrade them in such a way and not destroy the balance.
SVS ships are too slow and closely balanced to upgrade them in such a way and not destroy the balance.