Well, I dont know if those ships used railguns. However, I did not thought this is a bug, so I did not submit anything at all and tried to provide feedback in here, and to see if others have the same problems.
I experienced a lot of Rocket-spam as well, and sometimes my ships must look like new-years-eve firework to others when explosions and other stuff surround it....... But if this is a bug, then it is, strange as it sounds, good news... somehow.
But it does not look quite usual that I am hunted down by fer de larnce and federal gunships/assault ships at expert-level while I am just "mostly harmless".....
Have to disagree based on the following. You start out in a small ship with hardly any cargo space and you fly trade, fight, explore your way to a point where you can upgrade your current ship or go for a different ship. This is what Elite was always about for me from back in the original game days and then on to the Frontier game. Ok neither of those games had as much variety as ED but essentially the basic premise of the game was the same.
The game should not be as difficult as it is now after the recent update. The balance has shifted too far in favour of the npc ships.
The way I see it is, if you want a combat challenge (PVE) you go into haz res and high conflict areas, that is what I thought they were for. I don't think the game should be as unforgiving as you are perhaps suggesting. Surely that game would only appeal to those who are highly skilled in combat? But I don't think that is the whole of the problem.
Before the update, if i lost an interdiction and knew I had no chance of taking on the interdictors I would run, and most of the time I would get away, generally by the skin of my teeth. That is what I expect from the game. I agree that the higher ranked NPCs were too much of a push over in most cases but now it seems even the lower ranked NPCs have an unerring ability to take down shields ridiculously quickly. I have to agree with the OP there needs to be a bit of tweaking, it is just a little bit too much in favour of the NPCs at the moment.
BTW thanks for not being one of the "git gud" brigade.
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Certainly have noticed NPC's are tougher now but I have to say not impossible to kill. I have killed every NPC that has taken me on although I fly a class A Python. A federal assault ship almost got me and I had to run. I would say I am about average at combat (Master) with about 3000 kills. Haven't tried hauling cargo in 2.1.
I've been playing the game for about a month now. Used to play Elite and Frontier many years ago so kind of knew what ED was about and what to expect. I've been switching between trading and missions doing some mining and a little bit of exploring as well. I only engaged in combat when the game forced it on me, it's not what I play the game for but I still managed to win most fights. (I've never had to fight another human player as yet) Last week I finally earned enough credits to buy a shiny new python, loads of cargo space, decent jump range but turns like a bendy bus in a one way street. Was really enjoying the game until a few days ago when 2.1 hit. Virtually every npc I came across ripped the guts out of my ship and after numerous deaths I was forced to downgrade because I could no longer afford the rebuy. I'm now flying a combat ship, FAS, just to survive. This isn't how I want to play the game. The game used to allow players to play ED in the style that they wanted. Super tough combat was always available to any player that wanted it. I dont understand why its now being forced on the rest of us. Many new players wont like it and wont hang around for long, which is a shame because there's a great game here when you're not being blasted into smithereens every five minutes. I hope the devs have a rethink and rebalance combat outside of conflict zones. This is my first post on the forums and unfortunately its a negative one. Sorry about that and I hope to be more positive in future posts.
In a gaming market where there are now literally thousands of choices, I don't believe that ED can afford to be a game that only caters to people who enjoy extreme difficulty. The high percentage of gamers who do not enjoy frustration will simply leave to play something else.
One thing I've learned in my 1000 hours in ED is that FDev do not share anywhere near the same vision of ED as I do. What I want from the game and the direction of development get further and further apart with every update. I've now wasted a LOT of money on this game between the game itself, the HOTAS, and computer upgrades. I come back every update because I'm hoping to find that special something that draws me in, but all I find are more frustrating game systems that are poorly balanced and lean massively towards grindy.
If you want me to enjoy the wonders of the ED universe, then don't make all of the game systems require a full-time job worth of weekly time contributions while basically not making you any credits at all and being incredibly frustrating in the process.
I can hardly explain just how actually emotionally disappointed I continue to be by this game, which I so desperately want to love but just cannot.
One thing I've learned in my 1000 hours in ED is that FDev do not share anywhere near the same vision of ED as I do. What I want from the game and the direction of development get further and further apart with every update. I've now wasted a LOT of money on this game between the game itself, the HOTAS, and computer upgrades. I come back every update because I'm hoping to find that special something that draws me in, but all I find are more frustrating game systems that are poorly balanced and lean massively towards grindy.
If you want me to enjoy the wonders of the ED universe, then don't make all of the game systems require a full-time job worth of weekly time contributions while basically not making you any credits at all and being incredibly frustrating in the process.
I can hardly explain just how actually emotionally disappointed I continue to be by this game, which I so desperately want to love but just cannot.
As soon as you're interdicted, don't run, set thrusters to zero and set power to engines,
as soon as you get control of your ship boost, boost, boost (align to target if you have one)
FSD cooled, hit the button and get out,
you'll even have time to check your contact list to see what your up against while boosting.
if you think you can take it, have a go. if you start panicking/shields gone...breathe
set power to engines and boost boost boost away from the guys mass, hit the FSD
as soon as you get control of your ship boost, boost, boost (align to target if you have one)
FSD cooled, hit the button and get out,
you'll even have time to check your contact list to see what your up against while boosting.
if you think you can take it, have a go. if you start panicking/shields gone...breathe
set power to engines and boost boost boost away from the guys mass, hit the FSD
I agree and disagree with this. The AI is great now for the most part, and I hope SJA continues to improve it with more tactics and varied decision making across all ranks.
On the other hand, some of the NPCs are doing far more damage than seems reasonable even for Elite ranked. If those crazy "kill you in a few seconds" NPCs are toned down I think people will be much happier in general. I really hope the AI doesn't get easier though, I'm a casual PvE player and I think it's the most fun it's ever been.
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I totally understand how the OP feels. Forget about whether or not I can take on the new AI. Pre-2.1 if I wanted to avoid them in a weaponless trade ship, I could. And I was having a blast in my Space Truck Simulator. Plotting trade routes, monitoring markets, outrunning the occasional interdiction... it was great. None of that is an option, now. Constant interdictions and non-stop peril have made trading virtually impossible because you don't stand a chance anymore unless you're flying a combat ship armed to the teeth. What is somebody supposed to do in a T7? Hauler, T6, T9, to some extent even Asps and such are hardly usable anymore.
I have to agree over the enhancements to the NPC aggression as well as their flight and fight techniques. I can definitely understand how this could be a bit frustrating for those who are less inclined, or skilled, to commit to battle with each encounter. However, I feel - at least personally - that the buff to the NPCs was direly needed. It will definitely make encounters more difficult to avoid, or turn and run, but isn't that what Elite Dangerous is supposed to be about to at least a great degree? The fear of death and the unknown, and to thrive one must survive? The name speaks for itself, the game just finally started catching up to the name.
As a productive response over and above, "get good", or whatever/however it was articulated, I would suggest that you consider purchasing one of the cheaper fighter class ships and start practicing on your technique. Although it may take a considerable investment of time to master battle, it does not take much more than some persistent and consistent practice to at least learn to hold your own. I know your gaming style may have been predominantly to avoid combat, but at this point you might want to consider adapting to the new world. I can assure you that after few hours of gameplay over a few days in a Viper III, A-rated for battle, you will be proficient enough to hold your own in a battle. Considering the cost is only a few million credits to outfit one of the smaller fighter ships, the cost will not be as great as it would be in an A-spec Asp should your ship get destroyed while garnering a few notches under your belt in combat. Of course there is always the added bonus that you can make a considerable amount of credits from battle as well, but even if that is not your "bag" so to speak, at this point and at the very least it will be a means to an end.
Safe flying Commanders.
As a productive response over and above, "get good", or whatever/however it was articulated, I would suggest that you consider purchasing one of the cheaper fighter class ships and start practicing on your technique. Although it may take a considerable investment of time to master battle, it does not take much more than some persistent and consistent practice to at least learn to hold your own. I know your gaming style may have been predominantly to avoid combat, but at this point you might want to consider adapting to the new world. I can assure you that after few hours of gameplay over a few days in a Viper III, A-rated for battle, you will be proficient enough to hold your own in a battle. Considering the cost is only a few million credits to outfit one of the smaller fighter ships, the cost will not be as great as it would be in an A-spec Asp should your ship get destroyed while garnering a few notches under your belt in combat. Of course there is always the added bonus that you can make a considerable amount of credits from battle as well, but even if that is not your "bag" so to speak, at this point and at the very least it will be a means to an end.
Safe flying Commanders.
I agree with this completely.
I'm prepping for some exploration and needed the last few half-mil or so, so I went on down into a few RES. Comparing 2.0 and 2.1; I am now *very* selective of NPC rank in anything bigger than a sidey (an Elite sidey is funny). Right now my limit is Dangerous, anything more than that and I need some assistance so I've been tailing along with security vessels.
I really enjoy the difficulty (even though I want to break things when I die), but I do think the AI is a little too powerful.
As a combat loving player this has been my favorite update so I don't want anything to change with their skills.
But I have to agree that they are too aggressive now in the way that now almost every npc in the game will attack you if you're carrying cargo and they're not green. FD should tone that down a bit, me thinks. I suggest making that only true in anarchy systems.
But to say this update sucks... Blaspheme!!!
I can suggest a tip however assuming you are not flying a space whale. If an npc is faster than you boosting away in a straight line is pointless. Makes you a siting space duck. Constantly turning and boosting or doing a zigzag should buy much more time to charge your fsd, at least it usually works for me. Though I rarely fly anything larger than a cobra.
But I have to agree that they are too aggressive now in the way that now almost every npc in the game will attack you if you're carrying cargo and they're not green. FD should tone that down a bit, me thinks. I suggest making that only true in anarchy systems.
But to say this update sucks... Blaspheme!!!
I can suggest a tip however assuming you are not flying a space whale. If an npc is faster than you boosting away in a straight line is pointless. Makes you a siting space duck. Constantly turning and boosting or doing a zigzag should buy much more time to charge your fsd, at least it usually works for me. Though I rarely fly anything larger than a cobra.
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I have to agree that something is out of balance - I decided to pop into a Cobra MkIII and pop over to a nav Beacon to test out the opposition...
There are some serious problems when a Type 6 Transporter can not only out outmaneuver and outfight a Cobra - but it can run it down as well... Yep all pips into Engine and away I went only to have a Type 6 run me down.... Three hits from it at first and my shields were gone... thats when I decided to run and then turn and come back ...nope it ran me down... yet the Cobra is supposed to have a faster boost speed etc...
Now I will admit I am only middling quality in my terms as a pilot - but seriously that is flawed... Cobra gone and me siting there shaking my head...
There are some serious problems when a Type 6 Transporter can not only out outmaneuver and outfight a Cobra - but it can run it down as well... Yep all pips into Engine and away I went only to have a Type 6 run me down.... Three hits from it at first and my shields were gone... thats when I decided to run and then turn and come back ...nope it ran me down... yet the Cobra is supposed to have a faster boost speed etc...
Now I will admit I am only middling quality in my terms as a pilot - but seriously that is flawed... Cobra gone and me siting there shaking my head...
I only make Trading-Missions, and I cant see any information about the "combat level" there..... see my problem?
Yes you can. Trade missions are denoted by the trade rank, which implies difficulty or pursuers if there are any. The trade mission descriptionn itself tells you if you can expect hostile ships, and it even has a nice red warning sign if said mission exceeds your current trade rank. entrepeneur+ missions have more dangerous ships sent after you. I would suggest that if you own Horizons, you do salvage missions in your Asp. They are mostly enemy free, and pay well for what they are.
For trade missions always fly with 4 pips in sys and 2 pips in engines in supercruise. If you are interdicted press hostile target key to see what's chasing you. If it's smaller then you then submit immediately, boost towards your goal and go back into supercruise as soon as you can. 4 pips in sys should strengthen your shields to withstand some amount of damage. If it's something that can mass lock you, then immediately submit and select the nearest system you can jump to, and start charging your drive.
As for survival, if you only have two shield boosters, the other two utilities should be a chaff launcher and a point defence. If you are losing shields fast, chaff and wiggle the ship while charging your drive to make it harder for the enemy to hit you.
I'm not a very good pilot either... But, and there's a big but, the "matchmaking" pre 2.1 was HORRIBLE! A 12 million Vulture capable of killing off Anacondas in an almost streamlined fashion was.......not very plausible. This time around, "matchmaking" is better. We have gotten spoiled with unintelligent NPCs and now when we're up against more dynamic enemies we must adjust. Interdictions is not part of the equation though but strangely it's easier to evade interdictions now.
I'm as happy as a gamer can be. Elite Dangerous doesnt feel like it should be renamed to Noob: Harmless anymore.
I'm as happy as a gamer can be. Elite Dangerous doesnt feel like it should be renamed to Noob: Harmless anymore.
I'm a lover not a fighter. A space faring Cassanova if you will.
2.1 has changed my perspective on that completely.
2.1 has changed my perspective on that completely.
I have jumped around about 900 Ly in a Python during the past couple of days and have not been interdicted or attacked once, by NPCs or players.
No bounties, not wanted anywhere, not affiliated with anyone and not carrying anything, illegal or otherwise.
Wondering what to do now that the Fehu missions are all "massacre this or that faction."
No bounties, not wanted anywhere, not affiliated with anyone and not carrying anything, illegal or otherwise.
Wondering what to do now that the Fehu missions are all "massacre this or that faction."
