Poll : Does anyone enjoy being taken as another player's victim

[Genar-Hofoen]

Background

Since I got into this game at Premium Beta in 2014 I almost exclusively played in Solo, starting off as a bounty hunter then I morphed into an Explorer as soon as I could afford a decently kitted out Asp. By that time, out thousands of LY from the Bubble there was no point in Exploring in Open anyway. So Solo was where I stayed, until my second jaunt to Sag. A* where I met CMDR's Dogeh and Metta and enjoyed the experience.

Then I returned to the Bubble and gained Elite exploration rank (after a short "mopping-up" excursion in a Clipper).

The "Incident"

After gaining Elite/access to Shinrarta Dezhra, I'm mostly just pottering about there and Jameson has become a sort of home to me. I'm playing 100% in Open now. One of the first things I did after Horizons came out was to take a short trip to some systems I'd partially explored/scanned which are nearby but outside the Bubble, in my exploration-fitted Clipper. This was in Open.

Everything was fine and I had finished off scanning bodies I'd not bothered with before, and so I decided to return to Jameson Memorial to submit that data.

When I jumped into Shinrarta, on my way to Jameson I was interdicted by another player - whoops! - whereupon I made a number of eventually fatal mistakes.

Mistake 0 was panicking ... I'm no PvP player but here I am in Open with no real experience in dealing with hostile players... I'm mentally flailing around...

Mistake 1 was fighting the interdiction - it seems even if you get the escape vector right the other player still auto-wins? Never mind.

The player won the interdiction and so begins A) The long wait for the FSD to become operational, and B) The player in question being blasting at me without saying a thing - this was no pirate, just someone trying to indiscriminately blow up my exploration Clipper.

Mistake 2 was completely forgetting I had fitted weapons, chaff, SCB to my shielded Clipper fer goodness sake! Instead...

Mistake 3 was deciding that I could get away from this miscreant using my Clipper's boost and getting back into supercruise - alas, I then realised the player-killer was also in a Clipper - more mental flailing ensued as I waited in vain for the FSD to spool up. Meanwhile shields had collapsed and I was getting pummelled What a noob!

Eventually I got blown up by the CMDR in question.

My immediate reaction

I'll be the first one to admit that I felt rather violated at being blown up for no discernible reason - and rather salty! By the time I woke up in Jameson Memorial and paid off my insurance, I was feeling pretty enraged - to the point that I'd bought a Fer de Lance and had it kitted out as a monster PvP machine. I ventured out and looked for the CMDR, but by that time they'd obviously gone elsewhere.

I returned to Jameson Memorial and had a long, good think about what just happened, my reaction to it, and why I reacted to it in that way.

I researched the CMDR name and found out he's a serial player-killer with a bit of a reputation for being a damned effective PvP'er (which I am not). He thinks nothing of just blowing up other players Just Because.

The end result

So this long think about what happened bore fruit. I reviewed all the mistakes I made above. I didn't agree with my salty reaction.

I decided to stick with playing in Open. Learning from my mistakes above I now started practising using chaff, SCB's, targeting another system in order to high-wake out of a sticky situation, trying to become proficient in FA Off, just submitting to an interdiction rather than fighting it, amongst other things.

I've been interdicted by another player since then. This time I was prepared. I submitted immediately, saw a similar modus operandi as the previous incident - interdict, then blast away. This time the player concerned was in a slower ship than my Clipper, so I decided to boost out of range and get into Supercruise, which I did. The same player interdicted me again, so I kept my cool and selected a system to hi-wake to (I'm really not into PvP fighting!), and got away.

For now, I'm taking a bit of a holiday from Exploration (but still doing development on Captain's Log). I'm based in Shinrarta, getting friendly with the Dark Wheel and doing missions for them. In Open.

I'm sticking with playing in Open - that bit of adrenaline really is a nice bit of garnish to the game's main dish. I'm finding I'm enjoying having to keep a weather-eye open for player-miscreants.

The TL;DR...

Yes, it's annoying to have to deal with player-killers - they obviously get their sad, empty jollies from blowing up other player's ships. There's no practical in-game reason for blowing my ship up if I'm not involved in Powerplay and I'm Friendly and/or Allied with the Federation, Empire, and Alliance, or if I'm not in a Conflict Zone, other than some cheap thrill of seeing another player's ship exploding. I've decided that that's their problem, not mine. I'll bravely Nope Out of an unwanted PvP situation, or I might even decide to lash back for a bit and see where things go.

But Open is where I'm staying now, regardless.

 

[Cmdr Mackara]

Couldn't pick an option as there is no option about accepting this risk as part of the thrill of being in open. I think Alric sums it up best for me, but I think I may be some kind of masocist as I play WoW on PvP servers and Diablo (back when I played) on HC mode.

 

[CaptainKremmen]

The worst poll question ever.

Yeah. I didn't select a poll option in the end, as it's silly.


Poll: Are you happy to lose at darts?

[ ] Yes, I actively encourage better darts players to beat me.
[ ] Ambivalent. Meh.
[ ] I accept this as a feature of playing darts, but don't actually enjoy it.
[ ] I really don't like it and only play darts by myself as a direct consequence.


What would I answer if I quite enjoyed playing darts with other people? The "Ambivalent/Meh" one?

That means I am both positive and negative about losing at darts.


Certainly an illuminating answer, that one, for sure.

 

[Rampant]

What an utterly ridiculous poll. =/

You'll need to do a bit better than just a one liner negative post. How about some actual justification, if you have any, please. Failing that, maybe just not post?

Cheerz

Mark H

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Comes as part of playing Ed, doesn't bother me. Theres no option for that though and the other options seem rather loaded to be honest.

If it "doesn't bother you" then the option you are looking for is option "Ambivalent"...

 

[CaptainKremmen]

You'll need to do a bit better than just a one liner negative post. How about some actual justification, if you have any, please. Failing that, maybe just not post?

Cheerz

Mark H

Really? To find out how silly the poll options are, you simply read them all.

 

[Crimson Kaim]

You'll need to do a bit better than just a one liner negative post. How about some actual justification, if you have any, please. Failing that, maybe just not post?

Cheerz

Mark H

Total bias. Leaned towards the statement that open is unbalanced and people are forced to solo paly because they don't want to accept that the universe in Elite: Dangerous is actually meant to be dangerous.

That would be the short variant.
Seriously though, people are right. Even though this poll is heavily leaned towards the statement above, I voted "I encourage bigger ships to blow me up." because I always engage every kind of ship no matter what I am flying. Actually, I am quite successful hunting down big ships in my Diamondback Scout. The result is either a log or ship destruction if the pilot has actually no idea how to fly a big ship.

There is just so much wrong people stating "I should be able to decide wheather or not to participate in PvP in Open Play". This game is pretty basic in terms of laws of the jungle. You don't want to die? Don't play open OR face the danger and the challenge and become the hunter instead of remaining at the hunted stage. There will definately no option to flag PvP in Open just like there won't be a seperate universe for the modes.
Laws of the Jungle man, survival of the fittest. Now become fit or stay away.

 

[Salami]

Trust me: griefing here is virtually non-existent.
I played Mortal Online for ages...
Try that one, and see what griefing actually is.

 

[Rampant]

Someone once inderdicted me with their Cobra, I was in a a fully kitted out Vulture. I guess he was trying out the PVP and he began firing at me. I roasted his shields and a bit of his hull but didn't want to destroy him. I let him go and he ran. I think the game would be worse if there was no PVP interaction but a bit of sportsmanship I think is needed when you are in a superior vessel. Sadly most times the aggressor is not interested in dialogue and just wants to destroy everything, which is a shame in my personal opinion.

I salute both you and the Cobra pilot. Firstly the Cobra was interdicting what could turn out to be a superior vessel, equipment and pilot, instead of a vastly inferior "victim". Which is a refreshing change from the established norm. Cool. Second I applaud you for giving him the chance to withdraw. Excellent gamesmanship and, again, a very poignant difference from the established norm. And therein lies the background on why I chose to post this poll.

Cheerz

Mark H

 

[Salami]

Had one of them as well, an Eagle (back in my Viper days).
I too gave him a show-off, I was still in full health, I went away, sparing him, but he refused to let go, oddly.
Others would've taken the hint, this one did not.
He fired several shots on me as I went for SC, then he began to insult me (go figure) for coward in open chat. :S

Some folks...

 

[Rampant]

Really? To find out how silly the poll options are, you simply read them all.

Yes really.

 

[Rampant]

Yeah. I didn't select a poll option in the end, as it's silly.


Poll: Are you happy to lose at darts?

[ ] Yes, I actively encourage better darts players to beat me.
[ ] Ambivalent. Meh.
[ ] I accept this as a feature of playing darts, but don't actually enjoy it.
[ ] I really don't like it and only play darts by myself as a direct consequence.


What would I answer if I quite enjoyed playing darts with other people? The "Ambivalent/Meh" one?

That means I am both positive and negative about losing at darts.


Certainly an illuminating answer, that one, for sure.

You clearly did not read the opening post that elaborated on the poll. How can darts be anywhere near to a close analogy to a #SUPERIOR EQUIPPED# vessel interdicting an inferior equipped opponent? Short answer = it can't.

One must wonder whether you realised this before you posted - in which case you are hypocritical with your accusations of "bias". Or whether you just didn't understand the main thrust of the poll.

Cheerz

 

[Kazacy]

if there was a option that said I enjoy random PVP its part of open's risk and charm. I would have ticked that.

Whatever this guys say. The poll options at the moment lack this option and in my opinion is a very important one.

 

[Bieltan]

Well, I have done no such thing, and quite frankly if I was going to yank someone out of SC and obliterate them, I'd have a damn good reason i.e: they have a bounty, or griefed a buddy of mine etc etc...

 

[thorn-]

You'll need to do a bit better than just a one liner negative post. How about some actual justification, if you have any, please.

He gave a perfectly valid, illustrated justification.

The poll IS ridiculous.

"Yes, I actively encourage more powerful ships to blow me up." - what an inane option. I don't recall ever meeting a player, ever, in any computer game, that regularly hoped to be beaten. Perhaps when I was 7 and playing my Dad in a particular sport (as he wanted to encourage my learning); but in adult life - no, most (normal) people are hoping to win a contest of skill.

Do I happily engage other Commanders, and initiate combat? With regularity. I don't encourage them to blow me up, though.

 

[Rampant]

This poll is set up against any hostile player interaction, as the fourth option implies that Open play entails only players feeling like "victims" and that players are "victims" of "hostile player interaction."

Try again next time, maybe you'll have less manipulated results.

Maybe stop putting words in my mouth for me. You have omitted the key message in my opening post. That of vastly superior machinery. The point that the vast majority of Sidewinder, Cobra, Adder or even Asp drivers for that matter, are in those ships because they have limited time in the game, and as a direct consequence, a finite budget, and a limited lesser experience to hone their combat skills. This is a key marker in the audience the poll was intended for. I tried not to be biased. I deliberately omitted the choice:

I have a vastly superior ship and choose to interdict inferior equipped "prey".

However, I do note that those shouting "bias" probably have vastly superior ships to the common or garden average player. True?

Cheerz

Mark H

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He gave a perfectly valid, illustrated justification.

The poll IS ridiculous.

No it isn't.

Thanks

 

[Traven Mayhem]

I enjoy emergent PVP, not 'losing my ship to a more powerful ship' .. Winning or losing is part of emergent PVP. No option anywhere near that, so abstaining my vote -- poor choice of answers.

 

[CMDR Pugwash]

Careful now, the poll options are so unbalanced the chip may fall from your shoulder.

I had to vote yes despite not "actively encourage more powerful ships to blow me up." The risk of it happening must be real for me to enjoy it not happening.

 

[thorn-]

Maybe stop putting words in my mouth for me. You have omitted the key message in my opening post. That of vastly superior machinery. The point that the vast majority of Sidewinder, Cobra, Adder or even Asp drivers for that matter, are in those ships because they have limited time in the game, and as a direct consequence, a finite budget, and a limited lesser experience to hone their combat skills.

2 Nights ago, I was flying about in my FAS with my WANTED tag clear for the system to see. I was interdicted by a Cmdr in an Adder, and submitted.

In about 10-15 seconds, I had fried his shields and dropped his hull to 10%. He was desperately trying to boost away. I put my guns away and comm'd "What exactly was your plan?" He didn't reply, and I let him go. A bit later, a friend of mine in a FDL had a similar run-in with the same Adder - this time, my friend killed him.

We ran into him a few minutes later, and I comm'd "Why the hell are you hunting in an ADDER?" He replied, "Because I'm new, and cannot afford a bigger ship. I keep losing all my cash on rebuys". I said "give me a few minutes, and meet me outside the station". He asked "Why?" and I replied "because I'm asking you to."

My friend and I jumped to the next system, filled our cargo holds with gold and palladium, jumped back, and for the next 20 mins dumped the cargo bit-by-bit so he could retrieve it all. He probably collected 300-400K in metal, and then sold it at the station. I told him to sell the Adder, and buy a Viper with some nice toys.

I'd say our new friend enjoyed his encounter with a couple of combat ships that completely out-classed him.

 

[PsyaNyde]

2 Nights ago, I was flying about in my FAS with my WANTED tag clear for the system to see. I was interdicted by a Cmdr in an Adder, and submitted.

In about 10-15 seconds, I had fried his shields and dropped his hull to 10%. He was desperately trying to boost away. I put my guns away and comm'd "What exactly was your plan?" He didn't reply, and I let him go. A bit later, a friend of mine in a FDL had a similar run-in with the same Adder - this time, my friend killed him.

We ran into him a few minutes later, and I comm'd "Why the hell are you hunting in an ADDER?" He replied, "Because I'm new, and cannot afford a bigger ship. I keep losing all my cash on rebuys". I said "give me a few minutes, and meet me outside the station". He asked "Why?" and I replied "because I'm asking you to."

My friend and I jumped to the next system, filled our cargo holds with gold and palladium, jumped back, and for the next 20 mins dumped the cargo bit-by-bit so he could retrieve it all. He probably collected 300-400K in metal, and then sold it at the station. I told him to sell the Adder, and buy a Viper with some nice toys.

I'd say our new friend enjoyed his encounter with a couple of combat ships that completely out-classed him.

This is great and i'm sure most people wouldnt mind if stopped by pirates for hauling stuff, given the choice to relinquish their cargo and then set free etc etc, it's when some attacker with no other reason but to be a attacker, pulls empty easy prey ships out of SS and just blows 'em up for no other reason other than to ruin someones day.

 

[Traven Mayhem]

This is great and i'm sure most people wouldnt mind if stopped by pirates for hauling stuff, given the choice to relinquish their cargo and then set free etc etc, it's when some attacker with no other reason but to be a attacker, pulls empty easy prey ships out of SS and just blows 'em up for no other reason other than to ruin someones day.

'
So what.

NPC's do it 24/7. It's really not any different.