This is making Trading Impossible

[EdsDad]

I don't normally get involved in this type of thread and just play with whatever FD throws at us. However I enjoy trading and as I didn't want to risk my trading Anaconda just yet I used my Combat 'A' rated Python to test out a new trading route. On my first jump I was interdicted by an Elite FDL, he managed to keep beams on me all the time despite me chaffing. I eventually got him down to 48% hull but he was still flying circles around me like a brand new ship, then started firing missiles like confetti. I managed to escape after two further interdictions to the next system, when I was interdicted again by an Elite Clipper, as my hull was now down to 58% by this time, he chewed away at my ship until my first demise in over a year - and a big dent in my Elite combat rating ego

I enjoy the harder AI and long may it continue, but trading now seems impossible in the bigger ships, as the AI always (in my case) seem to be Elite with super powers and weapons. I don't like using the term 'Nerf' as it sounds defeatist, but something needs to be done to make Trading playable again.

 

[Aio]

I have not started 2.1 yet, maybe I will try it out tonight so this is good to know. Are the god-like NPCs present at hight security systems also or did you fly in anarchy systems?

 

[777Driver]

I don't normally get involved in this type of thread and just play with whatever FD throws at us. However I enjoy trading and as I didn't want to risk my trading Anaconda just yet I used my Combat 'A' rated Python to test out a new trading route. On my first jump I was interdicted by an Elite FDL, he managed to keep beams on me all the time despite me chaffing. I eventually got him down to 48% hull but he was still flying circles around me like a brand new ship, then started firing missiles like confetti. I managed to escape after two further interdictions to the next system, when I was interdicted again by an Elite Clipper, as my hull was now down to 58% by this time, he chewed away at my ship until my first demise in over a year - and a big dent in my Elite combat rating ego

I enjoy the harder AI and long may it continue, but trading now seems impossible in the bigger ships, as the AI always (in my case) seem to be Elite with super powers and weapons. I don't like using the term 'Nerf' as it sounds defeatist, but something needs to be done to make Trading playable again.

Learn to put 4 pips in shields, add boosters. Half the player base got what they wanted and the AI is incredibly easy - As long as you configure your ship correctly. There is no reason for anyone in a T9/Anaconda/Cutter to fear Elite NPC's.

The most frustrating thing I find about this whole AI drama is that people don't seem to be willing to at least try and learn some defensive tactics. What is so hard about setting 4 pips when under fire and fitting shield boosters at the nearest dock?

It has nothing to do with being a casual gamer or being amazing at fighting. 3 simple steps - fit shield boosters, 4 pips in SYS when under fire (even when running away), high wake

 

[Minoo Minou]

What are your ranks?

If the FDL was running fixed weapons, chaffing won't help.

 

[SGTHACK]

Learn to put 4 pips in shields, add boosters. Half the player bass got what they wanted and the AI is incredibly easy - As long as you configure your ship correctly. There is no reason for anyone in a T9/Anaconda/Cutter to fear Elite NPC's.

I agree. I was trading in 2 high security systems. In 4 hours of flying, I was interdicted 4 times. 3 Pythons (my combat rank) and 1 Anaconda (elite). I was in my A rated conda. Good fights. I killed them all. 4 pips on the shields and turreted weapons. Chaff is your new friend.... Frontier will probably scale it back. The last time they tried this it didn't work for the masses.

 

[777Driver]

I agree. I was trading in 2 high security systems. In 4 hours of flying, I was interdicted 4 times. 3 Pythons and 1 Anaconda. I was in my A rated conda. Good fights. I killed them all. 4 pips on the shields and turreted weapons. Chaff is your new friend....

Flying a Anaconda/T9/Cutter, shields should never drop, no fancy flying required. All it takes is have a half decent shield & 4 pips. Instead what we get is people in there Solo play 2.0 builds complaining that things are too hard.

The Anaconda can fit a rediculous amount of boosters and still have room for chaff. My T9 only fits 4 boosters and I have yet to see 6A shields drop with 4 pips in SYS

 

[Katkon]

I don't normally get involved in this type of thread and just play with whatever FD throws at us. However I enjoy trading and as I didn't want to risk my trading Anaconda just yet I used my Combat 'A' rated Python to test out a new trading route. On my first jump I was interdicted by an Elite FDL, he managed to keep beams on me all the time despite me chaffing. I eventually got him down to 48% hull but he was still flying circles around me like a brand new ship, then started firing missiles like confetti. I managed to escape after two further interdictions to the next system, when I was interdicted again by an Elite Clipper, as my hull was now down to 58% by this time, he chewed away at my ship until my first demise in over a year - and a big dent in my Elite combat rating ego

I enjoy the harder AI and long may it continue, but trading now seems impossible in the bigger ships, as the AI always (in my case) seem to be Elite with super powers and weapons. I don't like using the term 'Nerf' as it sounds defeatist, but something needs to be done to make Trading playable again.

OP: I think your problem is that you're sticking around to fight in a ship outfitted for trading. If you're serious about trading and want to escape, then simply don't stick around to fight. It's really that simple. You can simply high wake out of there and you'll escape virtually every time. Especially with 4 pips to SYS and 2 to ENG.
-
If, on the other hand, you want to engage in some pew pew against higher level AI then you'll probably need to sacrifice some cargo space for some defensive modules and ensure you've got a strong shield and shield boosters. But you'll also need to recognize that higher ranked AI fly with 4 pips to ENG for superior maneuverability. You can do the same, but you'll sacrifice defensive capabilities and need to practice flying to keep up with the AI.
-
Honestly, I'd say it's working just fine and you simply need to equip your ship differently and/or practice flying. I personally trade in a D-rated Cutter that isn't maneuverable and get interdicted by Elite FDLs and Anacondas constantly - they're no threat at all. None whatsoever. (Unfortunately).

 

[JerryLove]

FWIW: 4-vs-0 pips is about double the durability.

Of course: when you get interdicted 4-5 times in a row....

If only there were a difficulty slider; perhaps even one that just limited the max level of ships that would interdict you...

 

[EdsDad]

OP: I think your problem is that you're sticking around to fight in a ship outfitted for trading. If you're serious about trading and want to escape, then simply don't stick around to fight. It's really that simple. You can simply high wake out of there and you'll escape virtually every time. Especially with 4 pips to SYS and 2 to ENG.
-
If, on the other hand, you want to engage in some pew pew against higher level AI then you'll probably need to sacrifice some cargo space for some defensive modules and ensure you've got a strong shield and shield boosters. But you'll also need to recognize that higher ranked AI fly with 4 pips to ENG for superior maneuverability. You can do the same, but you'll sacrifice defensive capabilities and need to practice flying to keep up with the AI.
-
Honestly, I'd say it's working just fine and you simply need to equip your ship differently and/or practice flying. I personally trade in a D-rated Cutter that isn't maneuverable and get interdicted by Elite FDLs and Anacondas constantly - they're no threat at all. None whatsoever. (Unfortunately).

I was flying a Combat A rated Python as I mentioned, and my rank is Elite and until now have never lost a ship in over a year, so I'm not a newbee. Saying fighting Elite FDL and Clippers is easy is quite frankly ridiculous with the current state of the game, possible yes but not easy. I always use pips when in combat but admittedly don't use Shield Boosters as I've never needed them in the past.

I just feel the average trader is going to struggle with the game as it is at the present.

My main gripe is the constant Interdictions and the rank, at least vary it a bit as it was before.

 

[Arconedas]

I was flying a Combat A rated Python as I mentioned, and my rank is Elite and until now have never lost a ship in over a year, so I'm not a newbee. Saying fighting Elite FDL and Clippers is easy is quite frankly ridiculous with the current state of the game, possible yes but not easy. I always use pips when in combat but admittedly don't use Shield Boosters as I've never needed them in the past.

I just feel the average trader is going to struggle with the game as it is at the present.

My main gripe is the constant Interdictions and the rank, at least vary it a bit as it was before.

Imo, if you are trading, try to escape, no point endangering your cargo.. if you are in an anaconda you can usually just high wake to another system, usually they do not follow you. Its totally different story if you are in a smaller trading vessel... you cannot high wake fast enough because you are masslocked, you are not fast enough to run away either... you must be a pretty darn good pilot if you can beat a deadly AI python (post 2.1) in a type-7 loaded with 200 tons of cargo...

 

[Katkon]

I was flying a Combat A rated Python as I mentioned, and my rank is Elite and until now have never lost a ship in over a year, so I'm not a newbee. Saying fighting Elite FDL and Clippers is easy is quite frankly ridiculous with the current state of the game, possible yes but not easy. I always use pips when in combat but admittedly don't use Shield Boosters as I've never needed them in the past.

I just feel the average trader is going to struggle with the game as it is at the present.

My main gripe is the constant Interdictions and the rank, at least vary it a bit as it was before.

I didn't say that fighting them is easy. I suggested that escaping them IS, if you want to. And so therefore, trading is a pretty darned safe profession. Yes, interdictions are inconvenient, but hardly dangerous. One other thought: make sure you have "report crimes against me" turned on; when you're flying in secure space local system security will join you in short order to help with the pew pew. I took out an Elite FDL in a D-rated Cutter today simply by leveraging these guys - and my ship isn't maneuverable. Also, turrets help a LOT on slow turning ships. My Cutter is 100% turret except for 1 huge gimbaled MC. Not as much fun as fixed, but certainly effective on a slow-turning trade vessel.

 

[777Driver]

I was flying a Combat A rated Python as I mentioned, and my rank is Elite and until now have never lost a ship in over a year, so I'm not a newbee.

You never lost a ship because there was literally no challenge to the AI, everyone knew it, Sarah told everyone she would be fixing the AI. Many seemed to be deluded into thinking they were fighting to the ship's full capability, it has become blatantly obvious that isn't the case.

T6/T7 traders I can sympathise with, although most that I've seen on here are fine with the AI because they learnt escape techniques. It seems to be the big ship guy's that are struggling, ironic since their ships have the capability to tank attacks from multiple high ranked AI.

I have posted videos of a T9 with 6A shields, 4 boosters ,4pips, never losing shields against Elite dropships/FDL's/FAS. Only losing shields to 2 high ranked Anaconda's. No fancy flying since I'm in a lumbering freighter, this was before they tamed the AI's engineered weapons

Absolutely no issues for cargo ships as long the Cmdr knows how to fit it correctly & react correctly when under fire.

 

[Vincent Starson]

Learn to put 4 pips in shields, add boosters. Half the player base got what they wanted and the AI is incredibly easy - As long as you configure your ship correctly. There is no reason for anyone in a T9/Anaconda/Cutter to fear Elite NPC's.

The most frustrating thing I find about this whole AI drama is that people don't seem to be willing to at least try and learn some defensive tactics. What is so hard about setting 4 pips when under fire and fitting shield boosters at the nearest dock?

It has nothing to do with being a casual gamer or being amazing at fighting. 3 simple steps - fit shield boosters, 4 pips in SYS when under fire (even when running away), high wake

I agree. Don't forget to submit instead of fighting interdiction, and always high wake.

Also another tip is to target the main star when you enter system, and turn so it's directly behind you. Any NPCs after you will hit the star and drop out of SC. They'll leave you alone until you high wake.

 

[777Driver]

you cannot high wake fast enough because you are masslocked

You can't be masslocked during a high wake.

 

[CMDR Ash]

As a fellow trader, I can empathise with you but unfortunately I do not agree, granted I can only speak for my Cutter as that is what I trade in but I just run, the same as always thats what us traders are good at right? If I was you I would stick with your conda, no better trader, aside from now imo the cutter (after some choice upgrades FSD, thrusters) Your conda cannot be mass-locked by an FDL , yes it's slow but it can't be punched into, the only things I did with my trading fleet is chuck out that paper thin shield gen and put in a hard core kick ass one

Less profit, more safety which actually equates to more profit as it is less rebuy

 

[Arconedas]

You can't be masslocked during a high wake.

Well, masslocked was propably a wrong word here.. i meant my drive is inhibited by his mass (longer charge time).
Are you saying that if i'm in type-6 and being attacked by an python my frameshift drive is not charging slower than usual when i'm trying to jump to another system?

 

[777Driver]

Well, masslocked was propably a wrong word here.. i meant my drive is inhibited by his mass (longer charge time).
Are you saying that if i'm in type-6 and being attacked by an python my frameshift drive is not charging slower than usual when i'm trying to jump to another system?

No mass inhibition at all when jumping to another system. It only happens if you try to low wake (go to supercuise) Everybody's drive charges at the same speed when performing a high wake, doesn't matter what other ships are nearby.

 

[Arconedas]

No mass inhibition at all when jumping to another system. It only happens if you try to low wake (go to supercuise) Everybody's drive charges at the same speed when performing a high wake, doesn't matter what other ships are nearby.

Well, i'll be damned. I could have sworn his mass will inhibit my drive even when i'm charging for a jump to another system. But i'll believe you, its been a while since i've been in that situation. Anyway if thats the case, i'll agree, if you know what you are doing there is pretty much no threat to traders atm.. just high wake to another system and you're safe.

 

[bossbrigand]

I'm really curious as to how people are getting interdicted enough to make trading "impossible". It happens to me maybe once an hour in my unshielded unarmed T6 and all I have to do is floor it and jump away.

 

[Moonax IRL]

Well, i'll be damned. I could have sworn his mass will inhibit my drive even when i'm charging for a jump to another system. But i'll believe you, its been a while since i've been in that situation. Anyway if thats the case, i'll agree, if you know what you are doing there is pretty much no threat to traders atm.. just high wake to another system and you're safe.

Just goes to show the AI was so easy that a lot of players were unaware of the basics and sleep walking through the game. Now it's time to wake up and engage the brain.