There appears to be a slightly higher majority liking the new AI vs; people who don't like it.
Here's my question for those who do like it; Are the rest of our concerns just not valid? Should we have absolutely no say in how the game that we are also playing be enjoyed?
Answer this, please.
See my post two posts above yours.
Also, I'll add this:
1). The new AI for NPC's with high combat rankings
is hard. There are ways to avoid being engaged by NPC's with high combat rankings in most cases (mostly by avoiding low security systems), except for those players with high combat rankings, who tend to draw powerful NPC's.
2). Casual players, and those averse to combat, are likely to experience difficulty at first.
3). You'll adapt. Let me emphasize that I do not mean to say this dismissively; I actually mean it. You will get better by facing up to the challenge, because that's the natural result of facing up to a challenge.
4). There are a lot of us who are good combat pilots who are willing to help other players get better. Please accept our advice.
4a.) I'm not talking about the ones who say, "git gud" here. I'm talking about tips like these:
4a1). If you're going to travel in low-security systems, gear for combat, or at least for heavy defense.
4a2). "Heavy defense" means A-rank shields, chaff launchers, and either ECM or point defense. Have them, and know how to use them. Considering thermal shock, you may want a heat sink. (EDIT: What the heck did I type here originally?! That was a thinko)
4a3). When interdicted, aim TOWARD your enemy (but not directly at them) and boost. This is a more effective escape tactic than pointing away because the time they spend turning around to chase you is time you spend opening the range.
Range is the single most effective way to avoid damage.
4a4). In many cases, submitting to the interdiction puts you in a better position to escape. However, before you do this, use the "highest threat" targeting option to find out who is interdicting you (i.e. make sure they aren't faster than you!)
4a5). Security ships are MUCH stronger than they used to be. In high-and-mid security, all you have to do is survive until the cops show up, typically about 30 seconds. They will attack the pirate aggressively and will draw fire off of you by doing so.
4a6). Tests have shown that NPC pirates actually DO accept dropped cargo and let you go on your way now (as long as you drop enough to satisfy them). So that's an option.
5). The game was never meant to be easy. It was meant to be challenging, but the AI couldn't deliver before. Now it can; now we're seeing the game as it was intended to be.
6). For those who farmed their way up to very high Pilot's Federation rankings and aren't skilled enough to handle the new Elite and Deadly AI, I feel for you; you're going to have a very rough time.
6a).
I think it would be good if FD offered players a way to voluntarily reduce their combat rank in order to not be interdicted by the most dangerous foes, if they so choose.
7). Most of all, pay attention to system security levels. It's on the system map, but not on the galaxy map.
7a).
FD: As noted above, this needs to be on the galaxy map!
7b). Missions to low security systems usually pay more; this helps compensate for the extra precautions you have to take which may reduce your profit margins.
8). Those who keep insisting the low-ranking AI is harder than it was have had a very different experience than me! Maybe they had bad luck. Maybe they got jumped by an NPC that happened to have a particularly nasty engineer mod. I've fought several Novice and lower ships, though, and all of them were every bit as easy as before. Maybe easier.
