Engineers Time to revamp collector limpets?

Now with loot and crafting in place i found it really inconvenient to scoop all this stuff manually, especially because you have to be very careful and do it incedibly slowly to not destroy or bump the cans away. So if you´re really interested in engineers gameplay, the use collector limpets are almost mandatory, but especially in smaller ships there is simply NOT enough room for drone controllers AND enough cargo space to justify their use. But even when using collectors in larger ships i found them to be very inconvenient.

First thing is i personally hate the timer design basically where they basically act like a potion when fired without target. Its just urealistic that a ton heavy device cant be reused/refueled and instead vanishes into thin air when a timer expires.

Second thing is the inconvenience that they require cargo space and add mass when the controller itself requires the same slot as a big cargo rack. What does this add to the game other than a major inconvenience when changing ships, travelling large distances or just having to dock for restocking limpets?

Third thing (and arguably not so important) is that i hate when they kill themselves by ramming my hull and i feel forced to move slow and careful when they approach the cargo bay.

I personally would like to see the following:

-ONE collector drone as STANDARD in EVERY ship

-Collector drone controllers just add more drones by grade and CONTAIN the drones themselves (just like ammo)

-When fired; they fetch one can, store it in the cargo and deploy themselves back into the controller ammo (untargeted: fetch nearest can, targeted: fetch target can)

Remeber: This thread is NOT meant to discuss this proposal, it just represents my honest opinion. I rather would like to discuss the satisfaction of the community with the actual collection mechanics and how it coeuld be improved.

CMDR Phlex
 
we discussed this issue in another thread, it's easier to simply suppress any commodities needed for engineers and from missions rewards too.

It's indeed sad that every ships now needs cargo + collectors.
 
I've never understood why, if you target a single item, if the limpet then self destructs once it's fetched it? How daft is that?


As for a single drone collector on ships as standard, I've suggested that before as well, and generally always got shot down.
 
Last edited:
I have found that collector limpets are just not robust enough for the job. I find myself constantly having to shoot the pieces of ship wreckage away into the distance otherwise my limpets keep suicide'ing against them
 
I personally would like to see the following:

-ONE collector drone as STANDARD in EVERY ship

-Collector drone controllers just add more drones by grade and CONTAIN the drones themselves (just like ammo)

-When fired; they fetch one can, store it in the cargo and deploy themselves back into the controller ammo (untargeted: fetch nearest can, targeted: fetch target can)

Remeber: This thread is NOT meant to discuss this proposal, it just represents my honest opinion. I rather would like to discuss the satisfaction of the community with the actual collection mechanics and how it coeuld be improved.

CMDR Phlex

I agree with your suggestions. I too find it odd that a highly advanced piece of machinery weighing in at 2,000 pounds cannot have multiple uses. (I am not sure what they weigh individually, but they take up one ton of cargo space.)
 
Collectors should last like 5 mins per drone, not one drone per material, it's a joke.

They should launch and you should be able to select what mineral or material they should collect, then they should hover around until you mine a fragment or material of that type and collect it, return it to your hold and then continue until their timer/battery/fuel runs out.

One done per material..... Bah!
 
It's indeed sad that every ships now needs cargo + collectors.

I am at around 500+ materials with no collectors. I also don't need a cargo hold unless I'm going to an engineer and am doing an upgrade that requires a commodity. I can swap it out afterwards then.
 
There needs to be an option to stop collectors scooping illegal cargo, so we can gather materials in peace without having to worry about a tonne of wine slipping through and getting me a fine for both having and dumping illegal cargo.

Also I agree 100% with limpets being stored in the module itself, rather than the cargo hold. And being reusable, why the hell are they so prone to exploding? Is refuelling so dishonourable they'd rather die than suffer the indignity?
 
interesting I've never used a collector to pick up salvage, only mining fragments. Interesting indeed, that use for the collectors just never occurred to me!

Love the idea of storing them as ammo within the controller; ammo capacity increases with the class of controller. That's a brilliant compromise between not using up cargo space and still having an ongoing cost associated with them. I think maybe the class of the controller would determine how many limpets can be fielded at once, as it does now; but then based on class the controller could hold 20, or 50, etc limpets as you move up to more expensive controllers. I think the limpets should still be consumable to keep that credit sink in-game, but getting the limpets out of cargo storage would encourage more mining as it's an easier fit.
 
I just want them to stop flying below my ship so far before dropping off what it picked up. It looks like they fly in an equilateral triangle instead of an obtuse one or just a straight line (though that could lead to lost limpets on your ship much easier). This greatly increases the time, unless you position your ship over the loot to where the limpet goes. This is fine, but it's extremely frustrating when under pressure (like in CZs trying to get military loot)

I remember first hearing about the collector drones and thought we would get reusable drones as well. I wanted them to be customizable too with shields for slight bumps, better engines for faster thrust etc. And the most important thing, to name them and grow attached to them, which we still can't even do with our ships but hey, at least they stick around, unlike the limpets we got.
 
I've never understood why, if you target a single item, if the limpet then self destructs once it's fetched it? How daft is that?


As for a single drone collector on ships as standard, I've suggested that before as well, and generally always got shot down.

I believe it was for being able to dispatch a Limpet to collect a specific item of cargo amongst a group of canisters, such as getting the black box from a debris could, especially if under a sense of urgency/attack
 
Last edited:
I like the intent of your post but to keep reality happy let's try this...

Re-useable drones are stored in the hanger just like the SRV.
CL 2 Bay = 1 drone
CL 4 Bay = 2 drones
Each drone carries 2 tons per trip and operational range is equal to your ships sensors.
Drone speed is 600 mps and maneuverability is 10 out of 10
Drones take fuel from the ships fuel tank when onboard.
Drones can use crafting materials to repair ships hull and canopies.
Drones can be targeted so they must be protected and cost as much as a SRV to replace.
Reacts to incoming fire
Add a panel to the status menu to control the drones mission. (i.e. prospect, fuel transfer, or collector)
Also add filters to prevent drones from picking up the wrong items, such as illegal cargo.
 
I'm glad you can scoop, OP, because I can't right now!

The cargo is acquired and then... *poof* it is gone, never shows up in my hold...

IT SUCKS!

Watch

[video=youtube;a98dM9tBG4o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a98dM9tBG4o[/video]
 
Collectors should last like 5 mins per drone, not one drone per material, it's a joke.

They should launch and you should be able to select what mineral or material they should collect, then they should hover around until you mine a fragment or material of that type and collect it, return it to your hold and then continue until their timer/battery/fuel runs out.

One done per material..... Bah!

A Collectors last about that long, if you don't target the debris, which switches the limpet to one time collection mode. They happily hang around and even survive ship combat otherwise.
 

Deleted member 38366

D
I found manual scooping works in every Ship I've flown so far.

Only during building of the initial stock of new stuff, I took a few trips using Collectors.
By now, most stuff floating around I don't need; so it's cherry-picking (or ignoring) alot anyway.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top Bottom