'Attack of the AI' III

[Becks]

if you have cargo, that is now obviously looking for trouble. if you have mission reward commodities, according to your logic, you are looking for trouble. if you are coming back from the void with millions in exploration data and no cargo at all... somehow you are looking for trouble?

Exactly. The NPCs see you and think: "That's one hell of a smug .... Let's space him.". Either that or they don't like your face.

On a more serious note: I lost my Corvette (and all my engineering commodities) once because I'm an gigantic incredible idiot, but the Deadly/Elite interdictions are still there.

 

[H3lios]

I can still kill some NPCs but its more of a chore now than it was. I cant seem to avoid their line of fire even though they can easily avoid mine. And yes, I know how to use vertical and horizontal thrusters. What I hate though is the pirates who hound you for your mission rewards. I want to save them for when I need them but they, A take up cargo space and B draw in pirates everywhere I go. Cant we tone down the pirates a bit and maybe make it so that only elite npcs have engi mods?

 

[frostypaw]

*headdesk*

NPCS DON'T HAVE MODS ANYMORE!

*breathes*

and you can always not do the ones with engi-related mission rewards until you need them.

 

[CMDR_TheBS]

*headdesk*

NPCS DON'T HAVE MODS ANYMORE!

*breathes*

and you can always not do the ones with engi-related mission rewards until you need them.

I haven't played the game for a good, full week now. I've watched a lot of video on-line.

Basically, it comes down to the following ...

• Everyone talks about equipping ships "proper," and this usually means "combat" (limited cargo, especially in a Python or lower, much less mining) and "engineer upgrades." Great if you already grinded a lot! Bad if you are an extremely casual player, and it took you 1 year to reach 50-100M, and you used to avoid CZs and only had to worry about the infrequent Dangerous/Deadly/Elite encounter.

• People are still running into NPCs with various combo attacks as well as various upgrades that you should clearly only see in CMDR ships. The dreaded "warning" type weapons and excessive rates are still hitting hard. Nothing like anything before, but people still die very, very quick. Under 10 seconds is not atypical for an Anaconda or Python.

• The few videos I've seen on "how to not get killed" are basically "don't run" -- ala back to the first, always equip for combat -- boost, FA off and turn around and then fire at the enemy as you're going backwards while rolling. So now we have yet another technique ... assuming, of course, you're not dead before you even get to that point ... and hardly "fun."

Frankly, the game should have never gotten to this point, and only justifies why anyone who doesn't want to do combat, and cannot afford the continual insurance costs, have stopped playing. Those who can afford the insurance costs, because they have hundreds of millions, no longer grind much any way, so it matters little. And those who cannot are now back to affordable ships, insurance-wise, like the Cobra, Viper and Vulture.

Pretty much why I've checked out entirely, after watching a lot of 2.1.02 video ... before even considering the mission bugs, which I can understand do happen. But being unable to afford to play, that's just deadly. I can only imagine how bad it is for newer players.

 

[frostypaw]

That stuff just isn't true. I really CBA to go over it again for the tenth time..... *sighs*

OK mate, it's all broken and hopeless, no one can do anything but fight and everyone else is lying about enjoying themselves. I cannot summon up the energy to do it anymore

 

[Becks]

That stuff just isn't true. I really CBA to go over it again for the tenth time..... *sighs*

OK mate, it's all broken and hopeless, no one can do anything but fight and everyone else is lying about enjoying themselves. I cannot summon up the energy to do it anymore

*pats frostypaws back* There, there, m8.

 

[frostypaw]

*pats frostypaws back* There, there, m8.

Thanks Becks. Can I come over to your conda for a cuppa? (I might scream quickly in the cargo bay where only the limpets have to hear)

 

[Becks]

Thanks Becks. Can I come over to your conda for a cuppa? (I might scream quickly in the cargo bay where only the limpets have to hear)

I'm in my Corvette at the moment, but feel free to come over. We'll get some camping chairs on the foredeck, land on an ELW and sip whiskey while the sun goes down.

 

[CMDR_TheBS]

Glad you guys can afford Anacondas, Corvettes and other things ... like insurance if you do die.

Most of us who only have 100M to our name are not in the same boat.

 

[Queex]

That stuff just isn't true. I really CBA to go over it again for the tenth time.

Well, I would have agreed except for a python that managed to send my heat levels up to 113% with lasers alone, with no audio 'thermal attack warning' or indicator on the HUD. It's a mystery what went on there, but I'm pretty sure it's not intended behaviour.

 

[yodajedifishmaster]

Well, I would have agreed except for a python that managed to send my heat levels up to 113% with lasers alone, with no audio 'thermal attack warning' or indicator on the HUD. It's a mystery what went on there, but I'm pretty sure it's not intended behaviour.

i had same with other weapons. not got any idea whats happening there. just a heat warning but not a thermal attack warning.

 

[Becks]

Glad you guys can afford Anacondas, Corvettes and other things ... like insurance if you do die.

Most of us who only have 100M to our name are not in the same boat.

Rule #1

Btw the insurance on my Vette is 35 million. It hurts definitely when I lose it and I already did to the new AI.

 

[Noddie]

One of my other hobbies (that I've been doing longer than Elite. And i'm an '84) is aeromodelling. In that hobby there is a great expression "never fly more than you could stand to lose".

 

[HBK]

i had same with other weapons. not got any idea whats happening there. just a heat warning but not a thermal attack warning.

All thermal weapons increase the heat of the target. Under normal circumstances it's barely noticeable, but it's there. As to what happened in your case, I don't know. Just food for thought.

 

[Red Anders]

As an occasional player I am finding the AI too hard for me now. I think in my last spate of two hours each, I have been handed my ASP on a plate... when I haven't even been looking for trouble. Running doesn't seem to be an option either... In both cases the gains of the previous couple of hours were wiped out.

Soon it will feel like... "what's the point!"

Running is always an option and usually a successful one if you do it right.

Tonight I flew a few hundred light years back into the bubble after picking up some exploration data for Felicity the Engineer. I had 10 tons of rare and valuable limpets in my hold along with a large data cache I'd picked up and 7 tons of Praseodymium that I mined the other night. I was in my exploration Asp from which I've temporarily dropped the class 4 SRV bay to fit a 32 ton cargo bay. The ship has a 3D shield, 5D thrusters, a single point defence and no weapons so it's hardly a battle chariot.

Got interdicted several times on the way back.

First one was an Elite Imperial Eagle with railguns which thoughtfully interdicted me into a star, ensuring a long FSD cooldown. That one was fun because the damn thing was so manoeverable I took some hits during the six hours or so my FSD took to be ready (felt like it anyway) and finally managed to jump with 8% hull left.

After that I got interdicted by an Elite FAS, an Elite Cobra Mk3 and then another FAS. As I wasn't thrown into a huge ball of burning plasma this time, none of those got a shot on me.

Always fly with a jump route planned. If you're in your destination system, just plot a route to the closest system using the galaxy map 'plot route' icon, then you can select your target in-system as normal and still have the jump out saved. If for some reason you ignore this advice and have to jump out in an emergency, don't be picky about where you go - the first system you can find in the list that isn't the one you're in will be just great. Don't ignore this advice though.

Assuming you've done that, the following process will see you escape. You don't need the reactions of a US Navy pilot, you don't need a super ship (read what I was flying tonight again...). You do need to keep your head though.

Interdicted > submit to interdiction > 4 pips to systems and 2 to engines > 180 degree pitch turn (half a loop) so you're facing your piratical friend > BOOST > hit 'next route' hotkey (set a hotkey for it if you haven't done already) > hit jump because your FSD will have cooled down from a submitted interdiction by now > boost again whilst it's charging > back home for tea and medals.

Things not to do, ever:

1. Don't fight the interdiction unless you're absolutely 100% sure you can kill whatever it is or evade it until your FSD cools down if you don't successfully evade the interdiction.
2. Don't fly in a straight line away from the enemy unless you're in something that boosts over 500. Even then, think twice about it.
3. DON'T try to just re-enter supercruise in-system and continue to your destination. I cannot stress this enough. If you're in a small ship you're probably going to get mass locked and won't survive and even if you do, you will just get interdicted again immediately a lot of the time. The only way to be sure to break the chain is to high-wake out to another system, which is why you always keep a jump out plotted.

Please, try it.

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

Running is always an option and usually a successful one if you do it right.

I agree, but the best way is not to get interdicted at all.

The NPC pirates/killers are very polite and announce their intentions long before they are in interdiction range (usually, doesn't apply to side-mission NPCs).
In many cases long enough to:
- select the NPC (It's the one with a name in the contacts panel)
- throttle down to drift/zero speed
- turn the ship in the general direction of the NPC and keep facing the NPC

At that point you've won. The NPC can do absolutely nothing to interdict you. It will try to get behind you, but will always overshot and you will be able to turn faster than the NPC can get behind you. All you have to do is to engage your FSD and wait until your ship is pointing in the direction of the system you want to jump. Then just press your 100% throttle button and your ship instantly jumps.

…
Things not to do, ever:
…

Unless you know what you are doing.
OK, the straight line boosting is really something not to do if you don't want to get ship damage.

 

[Mohenjo]

That stuff just isn't true. I really CBA to go over it again for the tenth time..... *sighs*

OK mate, it's all broken and hopeless, no one can do anything but fight and everyone else is lying about enjoying themselves. I cannot summon up the energy to do it anymore

Yes, it IS true. It IS broken, but it's not hopeless. I'm sure there are some, perhaps even many who are enjoying the game as it is. It's FEWER than before, for certain.

Consider: Before the "upgrade," YOU were playing and enjoying the game, and I was playing and enjoying the game. Granted, you may be enjoying it more now, but you were enjoying it enough to keep playing.
Now, YOU are playing, and I am NOT. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I CAN'T. I simply can't keep up with the new AI.

In short, adding more fun to your game has cost me ALL my fun. That can't be the way they mean it to be.

 

[frostypaw]

Yes, it IS true. It IS broken, but it's not hopeless. I'm sure there are some, perhaps even many who are enjoying the game as it is. It's FEWER than before, for certain.

Consider: Before the "upgrade," YOU were playing and enjoying the game, and I was playing and enjoying the game. Granted, you may be enjoying it more now, but you were enjoying it enough to keep playing.
Now, YOU are playing, and I am NOT. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I CAN'T. I simply can't keep up with the new AI.

In short, adding more fun to your game has cost me ALL my fun. That can't be the way they mean it to be.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand your evidence is?

The same 20 folk posting their grievances on here hourly? What I really want to know is how you know there are no players coming back now the combat is working and fun - and how do you explain the happy xboxers?

As to sheer ability - Yes you can!!! Have some faith in yourself - WE DO - why don't you?

 

[Mohenjo]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand your evidence is?

The same 20 folk posting their grievances on here hourly? What I really want to know is how you know there are no players coming back now the combat is working and fun - and how do you explain the happy xboxers?

As to sheer ability - Yes you can!!! Have some faith in yourself - WE DO - why don't you?

I have the evidence of my own eyes. Also, I've not posted here "hourly." In fact, I stopped posting a while back and recently added a couple of thoughts.

You say the combat is working and fun, but that's just YOUR opinion. I've seen plenty of others who hold the opposite opinion. I happen to be one, but there have been MANY others over the course of three threads. You can go on demanding "evidence" but that simple fact should be AMPLE evidence of a problem.

As for ability, I'm a darn good pilot. I've been playing flight sims since they were invented, so please don't condescend to me.
The simple fact is, no matter what I do, there is no longer ANY way for me to combat enemy ships unless I gear exclusively for that task. Indeed, even when I DID gear especially for that task, the AI was granted the ability to exceed the performance limits of the ships I was facing. Specifically, my combat equipped Sidewinder (one of the more maneuverable ships in the game, equipped to be as maneuverable as possible) was EASILY outmaneuvered by an enemy Cobra (NOT one of the more maneuverable ships in the game) and later an ASP (one of the LESS maneuverable ships in the game).

If the enemy ships are going to be allowed to cheat in this fashion, no ship I fly is going to be able to compete with them. Oh, I can run away, and will usually be able to, but avoiding the game isn't any way to PLAY the game.

It's not functioning properly yet. I'm sure they'll get it, but I hope they don't cause irreversible damage to the population before they do.

 

[Red Anders]

I have the evidence of my own eyes. Also, I've not posted here "hourly." In fact, I stopped posting a while back and recently added a couple of thoughts.

You say the combat is working and fun, but that's just YOUR opinion. I've seen plenty of others who hold the opposite opinion. I happen to be one, but there have been MANY others over the course of three threads. You can go on demanding "evidence" but that simple fact should be AMPLE evidence of a problem.

As for ability, I'm a darn good pilot. I've been playing flight sims since they were invented, so please don't condescend to me.
The simple fact is, no matter what I do, there is no longer ANY way for me to combat enemy ships unless I gear exclusively for that task. Indeed, even when I DID gear especially for that task, the AI was granted the ability to exceed the performance limits of the ships I was facing. Specifically, my combat equipped Sidewinder (one of the more maneuverable ships in the game, equipped to be as maneuverable as possible) was EASILY outmaneuvered by an enemy Cobra (NOT one of the more maneuverable ships in the game) and later an ASP (one of the LESS maneuverable ships in the game).

If the enemy ships are going to be allowed to cheat in this fashion, no ship I fly is going to be able to compete with them. Oh, I can run away, and will usually be able to, but avoiding the game isn't any way to PLAY the game.

It's not functioning properly yet. I'm sure they'll get it, but I hope they don't cause irreversible damage to the population before they do.

Running away from a fight you can't win isn't 'avoiding the game' it's making a tactical decision which is part of the game.

If you were looking at this situation from outside, which scenario do you think is more likely; that a bunch of players are dying all the time just like you but are for some reason lying about it even as they watch their credits dwindle away to nothing, or that they are making appropriate tactical choices and you are not?

Also I'm sorry to be so blunt but you say you're a damn good pilot? Why do you keep dying and other players don't? Again - with reference to my comment above. Either the players who are suggesting what you posted is wrong are just lying, or perhaps, just perhaps you may not be quite as good as you think you are. If your starting point is 'well I know it's definitely not me' there's probably little point having a prolonged discussion about the topic.