Non stop flying in circle NPCs

[Tripfy]

NPCs that are wanted, with combat rank Master, Dangerous, Deadly and Elite do one, annoying, simple thing
They fly in constant circles around you, forcing you to catch them otherwise they won't stop
This AI behaviour would be OK with few npcs, but gets frustrating when every second NPC in your high RES does this

Are there plans for improving upon the combat AI, so that enemies don't only fly in circles until you start either flying backwards or catch them?

Last note, Save and quit High RES farming...when do we get to see fix for spawns? Takes 20 save and quit to see 1 python (clean ofc)
45 mins of save and quit I can't imagine more imersion breaking bug when there are no decent spawns, honestly adders and sidewinders are fodder and shouldn't be spawned in masses for High RES, especialy for higher combat ranks in expensive ships (simply because they are worthless enemies, both combat wise as they pose no threat, and money wise as their bounties are lower then your re arm cost)

 

[Nonya]

FDEV did have someone working on AI tactics refinement until they re-assigned her to a different task and we don't know where that new AI code went.
FDEV is aware of it, they just don't consider it that high of a priority.

 

[Tripfy]

FDEV is aware of it, they just don't consider it that high of a priority.

What about players that enjoy mostly combat and earn their money for upcoming content this way? For me decent combat is higher priority then planetary landing, if combat is dull in terms of both ship variety and mechanics that NPCs use, it's uncomplete feature in which you engage on daily bases and therefore should be improved upon.

 

[Mohrgan]

Do you mean that in SC when you try to line up to interdict an NPC, it does a big, continuous loop? If so, it is trying to get behind you, and pull you out of SC. When I see this behavior I just settle back into straight line flight, and let them interdict me. It's what I want anyway.

 

[Crimson Kaim]

NPCs will only fight if they are in a 100% secure position, else they will just annoy you by constantly staying out of sight. They don't even wanna fight. So, backward flying and shoot until they die. It's a question of "whi has the better ship".

 

[Io_Sys]

NPCs will only fight if they are in a 100% secure position,

Sure, an NPC Adder interdictin a Python or FDL. Totally secure.

It's not that they're remaining out of sight, it's just they're trying to interdict you but usually fail to get the angle, so end up circling.
Remember if something is circling you, it's trying to interdict.

 

[Renegade Roach]

Do you mean that in SC when you try to line up to interdict an NPC, it does a big, continuous loop? If so, it is trying to get behind you, and pull you out of SC. When I see this behavior I just settle back into straight line flight, and let them interdict me. It's what I want anyway.

No, he means in normal space. The AI is bugged and, apparently, all are behaving as harmless. This is probably connected to that issue. they pull the same basic turns repeatedly, or simply wallow in front of you without firing. FD have refused to acknowledge this since it was let slip by a dev and now the AI update (in which the issue was fixed) has been shelved.

 

[Shane76]

NPC's have a really simply rule set.
It basically goes, If you are not in combat find a target.
once in combat they entirely react to what the target is doing.
I figured out how they work and now when I engage NPC'c they basically do 1 of 3 things.
they either turn in very short circles, stall out and stop moving all together or try to keep me at range.
they react entirely to you, they are hacked into your controls.
when you go full throttle they will turn into you and try to get behind you(this is when They fly in constant circles around you)
when you go full stop they usually try to evade by turning usually away or diagonally from you. etc etc.
All you need to do is figure out how to use full throttle and full stop I have them bound to keys and when you use them erratically, full stop full throttle full stop(theres a timing to it) they will react to it and it will lead them to the behavior I mentioned above.

 

[Io_Sys]

oh, it wasn't the interdiction in supercruise? Looks like I misread something.


I've never noticed them doing this kind of thing in normal cruise or in a RES though.
Usually they'll scan for cargo and off, since I don't carry anything at which point my own KWS is finished and >blam<.

I think I might have noticed this against clean vessels in USS but that's about it.

 

[Syax]

NPCs that are wanted, with combat rank Master, Dangerous, Deadly and Elite do one, annoying, simple thing
They fly in constant circles around you, forcing you to catch them otherwise they won't stop
This AI behaviour would be OK with few npcs, but gets frustrating when every second NPC in your high RES does this

Are there plans for improving upon the combat AI, so that enemies don't only fly in circles until you start either flying backwards or catch them?


Yeah, I noticed that early on in the game when i was a bit more skittish about being interdicted. Not sure if it's something that needs changing as you can simply drop your speed, drop out of supercruise, hope your FSD cools down fast enough and warp out. But i know where your coming from on that point. Or if your doing the chasing...let them run a bit and carry on as you can interdicting them from further away. just need a better module i guess.

Flying around you out of cruise, you just have to be handy on the old up and down thrusters, kick it in reverse and then boost after them. found human targets do the same thing as well. get in close avoiding the pointy end of your sword

 

[Bertrand Du Guesclin]

NPCs that are wanted, with combat rank Master, Dangerous, Deadly and Elite do one, annoying, simple thing
They fly in constant circles around you, forcing you to catch them otherwise they won't stop
This AI behaviour would be OK with few npcs, but gets frustrating when every second NPC in your high RES does this

Are there plans for improving upon the combat AI, so that enemies don't only fly in circles until you start either flying backwards or catch them?

Yes, NPCs will do anything to stay out of your line of sight. I had this problem on my Dropship, and I don't like flying backwards because I find it somewhat cheesy.

Then I mounted 2 medium beam turrets on the hardpoints under the ship. I still can't see the NPCs, but my turrets can . I just have to keep the NPCs under me. It doesn't make small ship encounters particularly interesting, but I does the job.

edit : the beam turrets can be replaced by burst or pulse turrets to save a bit of power. It will take longer to kill small ships, but the only thing you lose is time. You don't risk anything, NPCs are usually too busy avoiding you to find time to shoot back (they are a bit ).

 

[Crash1099]

NPCs that are wanted, with combat rank Master, Dangerous, Deadly and Elite do one, annoying, simple thing
They fly in constant circles around you, forcing you to catch them otherwise they won't stop
This AI behaviour would be OK with few npcs, but gets frustrating when every second NPC in your high RES does this

Are there plans for improving upon the combat AI, so that enemies don't only fly in circles until you start either flying backwards or catch them?

Last note, Save and quit High RES farming...when do we get to see fix for spawns? Takes 20 save and quit to see 1 python (clean ofc)
45 mins of save and quit I can't imagine more imersion breaking bug when there are no decent spawns, honestly adders and sidewinders are fodder and shouldn't be spawned in masses for High RES, especialy for higher combat ranks in expensive ships (simply because they are worthless enemies, both combat wise as they pose no threat, and money wise as their bounties are lower then your re arm cost)

Npc spawns should just be a mix of big and small ships. Not roll the dice you get small only. Npc do need a little more work.