Sarah, it may be time to tone it down a bit.

[Ginrikuzuma]

I wish I knew where everyone else was regularly finding challenging AI opponents.

The only thing I've noticed them do better since 1.3 is power management, so it takes a bit longer to crack the shields.

Combat Zones is where I generally find them.

People speak tales of RES still but all the times I gone have been boringly empty at most I get 5 ships spawn usually cobras and sideys.

Military Strikes probably work just as well but unless you are grinding merits probably isn't worth it financially.

 

[Captain Willard]

I took a mission twice the last 2 days. Kill 9 pirates in so and so system. I play solo and jumped in an 8 wing of minor sideys. Got 4 both times, barely escaped, shields gone, 40-50% armor left, was wonderful.

 

[Jason S]

I cannot handle combat zones anymore and I used to be able to in less powerful ships.

 

[M00ka]

And whilst we complain, Mistress Sarah is still instructing her minions ....

 

[Bostlabs]

I wish I knew where everyone else was regularly finding challenging AI opponents.

The only thing I've noticed them do better since 1.3 is power management, so it takes a bit longer to crack the shields.

CZ is where I have to run a lot (brave Sir Robin run that is). Evil little... Devils team up on me. 1 helping a Python I'm attacking is annoying but 2 or 3 helping that same Python is very bad! My shields go from full to none in short order even with chaff.

I guess I'm going to have to start running with SCB's.

 

[Arindor]

I've barely made it taking on a wing consisting of two Eagles and a Federal Dropship in my Asp Explorer. The Eagles were Dangerous and the Asp Explorer Deadly, but my tactic was to get rid of the wingmen first (not before I was down to 90% hull), otherwise I would have had to get the hell out of Dodge. The battle was exhilarating (and I nearly left the fight), but I couldn't help feel something was amiss. I don't want easy battles, but I don't want impossible ones either.

 

[Captain Willard]

OMG It's Mistress Sarah from the sword of truth series. Spank us Mistress Sarah. Make us be good.

 

[wstephenson]

Do we know that the released AI has been improved since 1.3.0? From reading forum posts, it reads like the AI gets harder whenever SJA simply posts about it. All the changes she's teased are for upcoming releases.

If the strikes/CZ are getting harder since 1.3.0, I'd guess that the distribution of NPC ranks in PoIs is server controlled and has been changed.

 

[Frenotx]

Please please please DON'T tone it down. When I'm about to face a high-ranking npc, I want to get the same nervous / excited jitters I get when facing a player. Feel free to fine down the low-rated npcs, but by all means, please keep making the high-ranking ones harder.

 

[Perseus]

Yeah, it's become a bit ridiculous atm. Even in the original you could take down 2 FDLs and 4 Sidewinders and still just make it. In ED what's the point? Combat definitely needs to be balanced in favour of the player so you can't be ganked by NPCs.

I totally disagree with you. The game does favour a player because we have, to different degrees, brains.
It's much more exciting and engaging if a player is outnumbered and outgunned by the NPCs on occasion. Having to escape from a melee is part of the game too, not just 'winning' every NPC fight. The higher ranks should reflect their combat rankings and a CZ, even a pirate RES, should be dangerous for a player due to weight of enemy numbers that coordinate their attacks. If you're in a big ship, you're a big threat to them.

 

[Comrade Napoleon]

Hehe Iam a luving it

The Ai has had its Hal 1000 Cpu exchanged for Quantum Cpu's and the going gets tough

Sharpen up Cmdr's, this is not a vacation trip !

Cheers Cmdr's

 

[Cmdr. Numa]

A 'D' rated python in combat?

You are using a ship only suitable for trading into a fight sir - what do you expect?

This very much.

 

[Cmdr Eran Mintor]

When you go in be sure to skirt the outsides and pick off stragglers. Don't go charging into a group of enemies. Once you whittle a few away and you have more allies than enemies on the field things get much easier.

 

[Marshall...]

I've been flying in CZ for the last 3 days and am quite enjoying myself. Getting attacked by 2 or more ships is good fun. I had 2 Pythons and a Rail Gun Asp hammering me last night and it did make me prioritize my targets whilst taking evasive manoeuvres + some SCB = gratifying win. I'm using an A spec Dropship.

Fighting in CZ is a big step up from fighting at nav beacons and RESs, where the NPCs are less well equipped and arrive in dribbes and drabs.

 

[Arindor]

I totally disagree with you. The game does favour a player because we have, to different degrees, brains.
It's much more exciting and engaging if a player is outnumbered and outgunned by the NPCs on occasion. Having to escape from a melee is part of the game too, not just 'winning' every NPC fight. The higher ranks should reflect their combat rankings and a CZ, even a pirate RES, should be dangerous for a player due to weight of enemy numbers that coordinate their attacks. If you're in a big ship, you're a big threat to them.

I completely disagree with me too and edited my post as you wrote yours. I wouldn't want combat to be too easy either, but I do feel that something is amiss (and I wish I could put my finger on what that is).

 

[LKx]

I like the new AIs, it's beginning yo get dangerous! (and i am in a db scout)

 

[Perseus]

I completely disagree with myself too. I had a terrible nights sleep and feel quite grotty. However, I do feel that something is amiss with combat (and I can't quite put my finger on what), but I wouldn't want it to be any easier either.

Made me chuckle.
I honestly think more intelligence in the AI would make it better, not to mention a diverse range of behaviours. In addition, more gameplay options (like RES sites, USS etc.) in the form of missions and the like. I also think the CZ and RES sites need to have a conclusion and not just be an endless fight.
Hope the grotty feeling dissipates soon!

 

[peter101cycle]

But....

Isn't this what everybody wanted?

Correct, this is what people wanted and if the AI gets a bit harder (for the high ranks), even better......

People like a challenge!

 

[Shaamaan]

I kind of fear that with this push to "make killer AI" people forget that not everyone's flying in an A-graded Python / Anaconda... those things cost money, and if things go too far you won't be able to MAKE money to buy those ships (or the grind will become so long and tedious that everyone will leave).

 

[sensai25]

new IA is good and fully payable with a python. Done Deadly to Elite rank in 12 days.

But i agree with the OP for one point :
Sometimes IA get mad about you and target you and you only.

It could happen at warzone beginning, with a repop wave. Or sometimes for no reason :you are with 4 ships around a last opponent. And then a miracle happen : 2 reinforcements pop from nowhere on you only.

This is actually the only "unfair" in the Awesome Job Sarah did and will do to offer us such pleasure to fight.

If she can take a look to this, it could be cool.

Again thx to her job.