Horizons Game is hard. I am terrible. I love game.

[Ipecac]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

 

[Deleted member 115407]

+1 [up]

Great title

 

[ilo]

there is plenty of people here willing to help, just send a private message with you CMDR name and I'll wing with you to get some grasps and we both can learn something.

 

[Deleted member 115407]

Yeah, and if you want some tips on making money, I've become quite the war profiteer over the past week. Same as above, just PM me and maybe we can link up.

 

[vindicator jones]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

I cant        g rep you enough.. I know its hard to adapt to the new AI, and I can understand everyone's frustration with them. But as you have discovered, just altering your tactics and respecting NPC's more makes a world of difference. Before you could head out into space with a sidewinder and pretty much own anything. Now you have to pick your fights, and thats how it should be.

I am glad you have found your way, and can still enjoy the game regardless of the new challenges. You sir have my respect.

 

[sicksuntzu]

Good for you, i was in the same boat when 2.1 hit and its made me have to try lots of different options in my builds as well as improve my flying. I also am really enjoying dog-fighting and doing missions, which i never use to run much. +1

 

[Ren Garris]

Well, if you got the VJ seal of approval theres not much more I can say.

Keep flying and keep improving.

REP

 

[LameoveR]

I've died TWO TIMES!!! in my dear Python in HiRES!!! Fighting just little Dangerous FDL!!
WTH i thought! NERF IT NOW OR...nevermind.
I've upgraded my thrusters a bit with engineers mods, put some new large MCs instead of pulses. Here you go, little deadly FDL!
WTH he's outmaneuver me?! HOW it could be, i'm a master combat pilot on my dear Python! NERF THOSE AI OR...nevermind.
I get used to FA Off, managin pips and using vert\lat thrusters and boost(i've never use all this things cause of stupid AI). NOW here you go little elite FDL!!!

So, git gud and all be fine
(need to upgrade thrusters a little bit more tho)

 

[Anson22]

Great approach to the new AI - a lot of us have been relearning since 2.1 dropped. I agree - hate to see the current AI get nerfed - I love the increased risk in taking missions. +1 rep OP

 

[madbilly]

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.

The best title! This quote should be in the next newsletter.

 

[GG7]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

I truly ADMIRE anyone who is just starting out with Horizons 2.1.02! Don't let all the armchair Elite Pilots fool you! When we all started the game as noobs, things were laughably EASIER than they are today! Making money was no problem since basic point to point cargo missions were paying millions of credits, and the AI was a total pushover. Buying an Anaconda or any other high end ship was no big deal cause everyone was a millionaire or billionaire in a matter of weeks or months.

Those of us who can call ourselves ED Vets have had several years to hone our skills, and even then, there are a lot of veteran ED player who are having a heck of a time coping with the new 2.1 paradigm.

So I again have to give you and all the other new ED pilots some major props for jumping in with both feet in what has become a much more challenging game!

One tidbit of advice I can give... Do you have any Bounties on you? Are you wanted in any system anywhere in the game? Check your transaction section on the left hand panel. (Same pane as missions are displayed, but further down below any open missions). If you have ANY bounty outstanding, you are going to have Bounty Hunters out looking for you, and they will interdict and try to kill you regardless of where you are in-game.

When you die, all your open bounties become "DORMANT Bounties". This will get the hunters off your back, but if you go back into any system where you have a dormant bounty, if the local SA ships scan you, they will immediately reactivate the bounty, and you will be open game both for them, and all the bounty hunters!

So try to keep from getting bounties and whatever you do.... DON'T ACCEPT ANY WETWORTH Missions! Those will get you a bounty on your head simply by the process of completing the mission! Don't let the high payouts fool you! They are not worth it in the end!

Good luck out there, and try to stay clean! Bounty Hunters are far worse to deal with than Pirates, because they don't give up, and if you manage to take one out, they only pay a couple of hundred credits for your trouble!

 

[Devari]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

The best advice I can give you after losing two T9's and two pythons since 1.6/2.1 dropped is to make the dirty drive engine tuning a priority. In a mk III you will again be able to use your speed to get out of difficult situations. The level of power that the engineering mods provide is absolutely massive and once you get some of your upgrades to grade 3 or above you will find it affects the difficulty curve dramatically. I still don't fly my T9 but my upgraded python is now eating FAS/FDLs for lunch again after a few mods at grade 3-4 level.

 

[Ackley 280]

Totally agree with the OP

I only re discovered elite a couple of months before the 2.1/1.6 patch. I was doing ok but also a little disappointed as the AI was to easy and my first attempts at open had me being griefed almost straight away. I loved this game way back when the mullet was king, particularly the fact you had to learn when to run and places to avoid.

since the 2.1 patch my combat skills have improved, my mining runs are no longer boring and trading requires a bit more thought in route planning and setup. I love it. (Vindicator Jones's vid on using mines to avoid interdiction attacks has saved me millions, thank you)

yes it is frustrating losing millions in one interdiction, but it should be. I have had to walk away for a cup of tea, beer or rum several times but my competitive nature has me coming back hard now.

thanks op for putting into words my own feelings about the post update elite

 

[xaisis]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

One rep seems too little.

 

[Cmdr Esteban]

A great post, except perhaps for this bit:

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot...

I can guarantee that you would only die once.

 

[Kulin]

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

I'm waiting for this to happen since premium beta. But after a short look i see this is still the most unnecessarily grindy game of all time.

But keep up your hopes. I'm sure frontier is going to destroy them.

 

[DaddyMonster]

Just made an attempt to get back into the game and thought I'd give mining a go. Bought a decent size ship, watched a few YouTube vids to get an idea of what to do and before long I was happily mining away. I even picked up a mission meaning that 18 of the 65 gold I'd picked up would be at a premium, not to mention all the platinum which already is. After two hours and with my cargo finally full I headed back to the nearby station to reap the rewards....and of course was interdicted and blown out of existence in seconds. Why oh why wasn't I given the chance to drop cargo and negotiate. He could have given me ten seconds to disable my frameshift / shields and then we could have negotiated the bounty. Instead, he destroys me and my cargo, leaving me cursing the game.

 

[babelfisch]

Just made an attempt to get back into the game and thought I'd give mining a go. Bought a decent size ship, watched a few YouTube vids to get an idea of what to do and before long I was happily mining away. I even picked up a mission meaning that 18 of the 65 gold I'd picked up would be at a premium, not to mention all the platinum which already is. After two hours and with my cargo finally full I headed back to the nearby station to reap the rewards....and of course was interdicted and blown out of existence in seconds. Why oh why wasn't I given the chance to drop cargo and negotiate. He could have given me ten seconds to disable my frameshift / shields and then we could have negotiated the bounty. Instead, he destroys me and my cargo, leaving me cursing the game.

Pirates usually stop attacking when you drop them cargo. I agree that a proper negotiation mechanic would be better though.

 

[Privata]

Harder is better

 

[Mordhar]

I have been struggling with combat, getting interdicted and blown to hell all the time.

I've lost full loads of cargo several times in a row, pounded keys and cursed.

But, back in my cobra, I'm wondering if all the complaining about the difficulty is going to encourage the devs to nerf the game. I don't want that either..

If I flew in real life to a wartorn country and bought a van and a machine gun and tried to kick ass, how many of my vans would be destroyed and how many times would I die? Probably a lot. I think my problem with combat was from biting off more than I could chew, and after some posts and getting advice from some fellows, and also from a couple of youtube vids, I have improved a bit.
Also, I've picked my battles. I started interdicting individual pirate ships that have a skill level that is appropriate. I swapped my weapons a bit and upgraded. I tried following all the advice I had been ignoring, and I found that maybe the game doesn't need to change, maybe I was the thing that needed to change.

I am loving the game, and slowly making money and trying new mission types. Don't be discouraged guys! Keep loving Elite and it will grow into the best game ever made!

xoxo
CMDR IPECAC (DeLacy - India, Papa, Echo)

It is a shame I cannot give more than 1 rep.

Thank you, sir! Reading all these treads with demands to nerf AI and return it to pre-2.1 state made me very sad, and your post feels like a fresh air.
It is good to see someone who understands that harder and more challenging AI not removing fun from the game, but actually makes it better and more rewarding experience.


My story about an hour ago mission run.
I decided to mine some painite (for engineer unlock), refitted my python and went to metal rings. Because I had a lot of gold as by-product of mining, I took a mission (bring 16 units of gold to station).
After completing mission objective, I received message that someone will try to kill me.

I left ring system and was immediately interdicted by deadly-ranked python. Evasion failed instantly (I was too close to rings) and while I still spinning he completely obliterated my shields. Used those new missiles with characteristic whizzing sound. I was able to hi-wake with 55% hull.
Repaired and returned. Then interdicted again. Hi-waked without shields, but no hull damage this time.
Returned. And forced to hi-wake after fighting for a few minutes.

It took seven attempts to finally kill him (technically another NPC with same name and ship type, but different loadout). But it was the most rewarding experience with NPC I ever had in this game.
I actually felt like I won a fight, not just received some money for good performance in target practice.

English is not my native language, I am sorry for possible mistakes.