Thargoid Interactions

Ah I see, thanks :), I saw the original film too ;)

I guess another equivalent is from The Simpsons, err the old guy 'Smithers, release the hounds!'
 
Has anyone else seen a Medusa land at a Barnacle site before? I recorded one Medusa while hunting for Arsenic.

https://youtu.be/CGIzsHVH99Q

Very nice video. The similarity between what this one does at 20sec and what happens when the 'machine' is activated inside the Base/Imprint, is striking.

I guess these ships will eventually find a nice barnacle forest, land for good and merge in to a Base.
 
Very nice video. The similarity between what this one does at 20sec and what happens when the 'machine' is activated inside the Base/Imprint, is striking.

I guess these ships will eventually find a nice barnacle forest, land for good and merge in to a Base.

Is that not the Thargoid raising it's shields? It looks a lot like the animation that occurs when a Thargoid raises it's shields in a fight, and note the "spherical" shape it takes.
 
I had something new the other day, I stole a pod from a Thargoid's tractor beam just before it was about to take it in (wished I'd videoed it! lol), normally this would turn them instantly hostile. But instead it didn't bat an eyelid!

HadesMkIV
Not seen or heard of a Medusa do that before, nice video :)
 
I wonder if the Thargoid was questioning whether or not to do something about it, haha!

I had something new the other day, I stole a pod from a Thargoid's tractor beam just before it was about to take it in (wished I'd videoed it! lol), normally this would turn them instantly hostile. But instead it didn't bat an eyelid!

HadesMkIV
Not seen or heard of a Medusa do that before, nice video :)

Yeah, it is uncanny when you point it out. I'd like to see the creation of a barnacle forest firsthand!

Very nice video. The similarity between what this one does at 20sec and what happens when the 'machine' is activated inside the Base/Imprint, is striking.

I guess these ships will eventually find a nice barnacle forest, land for good and merge in to a Base.
 
It looks like the opposite, as if it was powering up the "refuel" beam and then interacting with the Barnacle.

Is that not the Thargoid raising it's shields? It looks a lot like the animation that occurs when a Thargoid raises it's shields in a fight, and note the "spherical" shape it takes.
 
Cross-posting all this here, because I just checked the front-page post.

Basically, I'm calling into question our current understanding of non-combat interactions, i.e

Non-Combat Interactions


On first meeting the Thargoid will approach and scan you, it's reaction depends on what cargo you are carrying:

Thargoid Sensor, Probe, Link or Meta Alloys

On finishing the scan the Thargoid will not back away from you and if you try to back away it will maintain it's current distance to you. You have 20 seconds to drop the items from your cargo hold, if you do not it will launch the Thargon Swarm. If you have not dropped them in a further 10 seconds it will attack. If you drop the items before it attacks then it will leave you alone and pick them up.

Guardian items
Well it was nice knowing you...
There is no warning, after the scan has finished the Thargoid will launch the swarm and attack.

Anything Else
The Thargoid scans you and then goes about its business.


The Thargoid scans all of the ships and containers in the instance, it is only interested in the following containers:

Thargoid Probe/Sensor/Link - The Thargoid collects them.

Guardian items - The Thargoid destroys them.

Slaves, Imperial Slave, Escape Pods (all types) - The Thargoid collects them.


If you drop at least 5 Meta Alloys while the Thargoid is still in the instance then a second Thargoid will jump in. On it entering you are hit by an EMP pulse which disables your ship. Both Thargoids leave without any further interaction.

I'm proposing a quite different schedule of interactions, especially based on how Thargoids react to various things. In the spoiler is what I'm basing these claims on (It's also a cross-post, so the tone may seem weird)
To measure a Thargoid's reaction I would
- Jump into NHSS
- Deploy weapons and scan the Thargoid while it scans me. (controls if thargoids aggress when weapons deployed; they don't)
- Full Reverse (controls for Thargoids aggressing when you're too close; If you have no cargo of interest, they will disengage and go about their business; if you have cargo they want you to drop, they will keep within =~ 350m and, if you don't drop it, go hostile. This is a different sequence of events to being aggressed when you stay too close to them)

You can also tell the difference in the Thargoid reactions to your cargo through the noise they make after the scan; no cargo/cargo they don't care about has a different noise to cargo they want you to drop (or will aggress you for if you don't).

Thargoid reaction with no cargo of interest
[video=youtube;dXxR3pJXWrg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXxR3pJXWrg[/video]

Thargoid reaction with Resin on board
[video=youtube;yiJJqCdBme8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiJJqCdBme8[/video]

As a comparison, a typical Thargoid reaction to proximity. The important thing to note with this video is the difference in sequence of events. If you have "taboo" cargo on board the sequence of behaviour for the thargoid is:
- Complete scan, stay green
- Maintain 350m distance to you.
- Go red hostile (as per hud icon going red) after a period of time and attack you.

Whereas proximity behaviour is:
- Get within 400m.
- Thargoid goes red, but not hostile (hud icon stays orange).
- If you move out of 500m range, thargoid loses all colour and eventually returns to normal scanning behaviour
- Will go hostile with a "screeching" noise if you don't move out of range, and attack you.
[video=youtube_share;QwVg9HpAIQc]https://youtu.be/QwVg9HpAIQc[/video]

Thargoid reaction to having a Tissue Sample on board, noting it's identical to the Resin reaction video
[video=youtube_share;KW515OnC1QA]https://youtu.be/KW515OnC1QA[/video]

And avoiding hostilities by jettisoning the Thargoid Tissue sample, noting that the Thargoid doesn't scoop the tissue sample, but as previously demonstrated, will attack you for possession of it.
[video=youtube_share;rMZUeDIxIBA]https://youtu.be/rMZUeDIxIBA[/video]


At this point, these videos are all 100% consistent with what I claimed previously, that is:
They'll stay green, but aggress you if you don't jettison any of the following:
- Thargoid Link
- Thargoid Probe
- Thargoid Sensor
- Thargoid X Tissue Sample (Cyclops, Basilisk, Medusa)
- Thargoid Heart
- Thargoid Technology Samples
- Thargoid Biological Matter
- Thargoid Resin

They will go red and (likely^) aggress you if you have any of the following Guardian cargo:
- Ancient Relic
- Ancient Orb
- Ancient Casket
- Ancient Totem
- Ancient Tablet
- Ancient Urn

Thargoids will scoop the following.:
- Thargoid probe
- Thargoid sensor
- thargoid link
- meta alloys
- escape pods

All the reaction videos were produced first go. I'm not about to go out and create a video for every single item, but hopefully the reliability of my claims against the results shows you can be assured I'm right. That said, if you really want me to go out and video a reaction to a heart (Thargoid will aggress after staying green for a period of time) or a meta alloy (thargoid won't aggress, but will scoop if you jet it), and guardian cargo (thargoid will go red until you drop cargo, and aggress you, and destroy the guardian cargo), I can do that, but it's easy enough to verify yourself.

EDIT: I did promise a Thargoid Heart video I guess, so here we go. Sure enough, same reaction as per tissue samples and resin (and by extension, same for all the ones I listed above)
[video=youtube_share;CWgJDRLNykc]https://youtu.be/CWgJDRLNykc[/video]

I was sure that they mirrored your movements if you had MAs onboard, & would attack you if didn't drop it?
Don't worry about making a video for it :), I'll take your word for it if you've tried it recently. I'd give it a go myself but I'm in the Cali nebula atm.

So, I decided to verify it anyway... force of habit. And I'm kinda glad I did... I applied the same test conditions and, well, I'm correct in that a Thargoid won't attack you for Meta Alloys, but it displayed a completely different behaviour to all the other videos.

[video=youtube_share;eWB4v26N9us]https://youtu.be/eWB4v26N9us[/video]

Firstly, it makes a different noise.
Secondly, it "keeps close" at about 350m, as per the videos as if you have "Thargoid" cargo on board. When it did this, I started to worry I'd got it wrong. I kept up with the test though.
After a while, it got angry and deployed the Thargons, again, as if you've got "Thargoid" cargo on board. Well, that's it, it's gonna attack now.
Except it didn't. It didn't go hostile, and it turns out that was just a "proximity" warning. It let me get distance and then didn't attack. If you compare to the other videos where I have Thargoid cargo on board, as soon as the Thargons come out, it goes hostile instantly.

I'm going to look into this more...

Checking the timings as well from the completion of the Thargoid scan, to it taking it's next action.
No significant cargo in hold: 0:42-0:48, six seconds after scan is complete, thargoid disengages.
Thargoid resin on board 0:49-1:16, for =~ 25 seconds the Thargoid just matches at 350m distance to you. If you don't jettison the cargo by that time, it goes instantly hostile.
Thargoid tissue on board 0:24-0:50, about 25 seconds waiting again, goes instantly hostile after that again.
Thargoid heart on board 0:37-1:03, about 25-26 seconds again, goes instantly hostile after that again.
Meta-Alloys on board 0:37-1:03, again, 25-26 second wait, but doesn't go hostile after that. It's waiting for you to drop the MA's just like any Thargoid cargo.

Great... this means i need to record and look closer at Guardian cargo again...

Just tinfoiling for a bit
Applying some "human" analysis of the Thargoids sounds and behaviour, which is always a bad idea... the sound made by not having anything interesting almost sounds like the Thargoid is disappointed, and the speed which it moves on with suggests similar.

Meanwhile, the sound of the Thargoid when you have Thargoid cargo on board is, well, the same as when you first arrive in the NHSS. A natural reaction to any new arrival would be one of caution, but backed with a measure of aggression. When it finds the Thargoid cargo on board, it might be doing the same noise to "caution" you that you should drop the cargo (and aggresses when you fail to comply).

But the meta-alloy video, the sound and combined behaviour almost sounds "longing" or like begging... pretend someone walks in the room with your favourite icecream, and you really really want it. You go up and you're like "Pleeease"... and probably getting in the persons face about it. But you wouldn't punch them for it. Doesn't seem like the Thargoids do either... but they desire it.

So what I'm proposing is this:
Reaction 1: Thargoid completes scan, goes Thargoid lights up red (but allows you time to jettison the cargo? I need to verify this but off to work in a minute).
This is an incomplete description just because I need to re-visit a thargoid with Guardian cargo on board.
This occurs whenever you have Guardian cargo on board, that is:
- Ancient Relic
- Ancient Orb
- Ancient Casket
- Ancient Totem
- Ancient Tablet
- Ancient Urn

Reaction 2: Thargoid wants you to drop cargo, and will aggress you for it.
This will occur if you're carrying any of the following
- Thargoid Resin
- Thargoid Biological Matter
- Thargoid Technology samples
- Thargoid Heart
- Thargoid <variant> Tissue Sample
- Thargoid Sensor
- Thargoid Probe
- Thargoid Link

Specific sequence of events once the thargoid has completed it's scan on you is:
- Distinct noise, the same as when the Thargoid first moves towards you in the NHSS.
- Lights dim, Thargoid maintains a 350m distance to your ship for 25 seconds while it waits for you to drop the cargo.
- If you do drop the cargo, Thargoid will disengage and scan the cargo, see dropped cargo.
- If you do not drop the cargo, Thargoid lights up red, appears hostile on your HUD and begins to attack you.

Reaction 3: Meta-alloys on board
This reaction, as far as I know, only occurs if you have meta-alloys on board.

Specific sequence of events once the thargoid has completed it's scan on you is:
- Distinct noise, different to any other noise, more "whiney".
- Lights dim, Thargoid maintains a 350m distance to your ship for 25 seconds while it waits for you to drop the meta-alloys.
- If you do drop the meta-alloys, Thargoid will disengage and scan the cargo, see dropped cargo.
- If you do not drop the cargo, Thargoid will go red, deploy Thargons and begin acting as if you are too close to it. Key part here being the Thargoid will *not* turn hostile in your HUD, and will begin to let you get beyond 350m distance.

This is one of the biggest differences... it was thought you'd be attacked for having Meta Alloys on board.

Reaction 4: Other cargo/No Cargo
This reaction is the "default" if you have no interesting cargo on board (This reaction still applies if you have only any type of escape pods, slaves or imperial slaves on board)

Specific sequence of events once the thargoid has completed it's scan on you is:
- Distinct noise, very low and, imo, "disappointed".
- Lights dim, Thargoid maintains a 350m distance to your ship for just 6 seconds.
- Thargoid then just disengages it's distance and goes about it's business, and will give a proximity warning if you get within 400m

Interaction 1: Dropping interesting cargo which brings more Thargoids.
It's been shown that dropping 5 or more meta-alloys will "summon" another Thargoid to the NHSS, and the Thargoids will scoop them. I don't have video, but will do when I get back from work, of the same effect being caused with Thargoid Sensors, Probes and Links (unsure if 5 of each, or a mix of five will work). So, cargo which will be scooped by Thargoids and triggers this event are:
- Meta Alloys
- Thargoid Sensor
- Thargoid Link
- Thargoid Probe

Again, I've got work to do to provide a video of this, but that'll have to happen later as I'm off to work in a sec.

Interaction 2: Dropping interesting
If you drop any of the following, Thargoids will scoop them, but will not summon more Thargoids
- Slaves
- Imperial Slaves
- Escape pods
- Damaged Escape pods
- Other "human" cargo (Master Chefs, Political Prisoners etc)

-------

I'm throwing this out there as a theory... I've convinced myself, but I need independent verification by doing these tests. In particular, test the Meta-Alloys reaction... it's scary because it deploys the Thargons when you don't drop them, but it shouldn't go hostile as long as you back away. For me this changes some thinking, particularly identifying a unique reaction to Meta-Alloys... blind speculation but it's almost indicating that they aren't just seeking meta-alloys, but that they "desire" them, in a way that a beggar "desires" money from passer-byers (that's the feeling I got).

Anyways, I have to go to work now. I'm going to look into this further when I get home.

EDIT: Added video of baiting a Thargoid in with Links.

[video=youtube;q8b02sPU8sU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8b02sPU8sU[/video]
 
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Reaction 1: Thargoid completes scan, goes Thargoid lights up red (but allows you time to jettison the cargo? I need to verify this but off to work in a minute).
This is an incomplete description just because I need to re-visit a thargoid with Guardian cargo on board.
This occurs whenever you have Guardian cargo on board, that is:
- Ancient Relic
- Ancient Orb
- Ancient Casket
- Ancient Totem
- Ancient Tablet
- Ancient Urn

I can confirm you get time to drop, though the Thargoid stays lit red the whole time whereas they go neutral coloured while waiting for you to drop Thargoid tech.

Not sure if you get the full 25 seconds to drop the cargo though. Seemed shorter.
 
To add a a tiny bit to Jmains post. There are a few more 'human cargo' types than those mentioned, that gets scooped. This includes Master chefs and a few power play specific type like political prisoners.

The different scenarios play as expected and it is really good to have this methodically confirmed. The post should get a link on the front page.

I fully agree that the Meta-alloy reaction is particularly interesting. I can't help wonder if there is a hidden meta-alloy counter, that either improve your personal reputation with the goids or work as a hidden CG for our collective reputation.
 
To add a a tiny bit to Jmains post. There are a few more 'human cargo' types than those mentioned, that gets scooped. This includes Master chefs and a few power play specific type like political prisoners.

The different scenarios play as expected and it is really good to have this methodically confirmed. The post should get a link on the front page.

I fully agree that the Meta-alloy reaction is particularly interesting. I can't help wonder if there is a hidden meta-alloy counter, that either improve your personal reputation with the goids or work as a hidden CG for our collective reputation.

Updated it to reflect that :) Yeah, I can't help but wonder that too. I dumped 110 tonnes of Meta-Alloys last night in three batches of 20 and one batch of 50. Only got one extra thargoid jumping in :(

When I dumped 20-odd Guardian relics a while back, only thing that happened was angry goid and destroyed guardian cargo.
 
Added a video luring a Thargoid in with links. Thargoid entry also smashes me about :/

I can confirm you get time to drop, though the Thargoid stays lit red the whole time whereas they go neutral coloured while waiting for you to drop Thargoid tech.

Not sure if you get the full 25 seconds to drop the cargo though. Seemed shorter.

Did this myself, got the full 25 seconds I rekon. Did video it, but did a lot of videos tonite, need to filter through the junk and get out the right ones.

Also, I still can't help but think we're missing something... just saw this video from the 2018 roadmap, and the *entire* video seems to focus on the ancient relic, cumulating in dumping it in front of a Thargoid. We've gotta be missing something....

[video=youtube;SQHTBxRA4wo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQHTBxRA4wo[/video]
 
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Added a video luring a Thargoid in with links. Thargoid entry also smashes me about :/



Did this myself, got the full 25 seconds I rekon. Did video it, but did a lot of videos tonite, need to filter through the junk and get out the right ones.

Also, I still can't help but think we're missing something... just saw this video from the 2018 roadmap, and the *entire* video seems to focus on the ancient relic, cumulating in dumping it in front of a Thargoid. We've gotta be missing something....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQHTBxRA4wo
0:49 What nebulae can be seen here? Barnard's loop, Witch Head and third i can't recognize. So looks like footage was made close to Pleyades or not?
 
Reading the Thargoids reactions makes me think they act just like Human Pirates, give them some cargo they want and they leave you alone.
 
Also, I still can't help but think we're missing something... just saw this video from the 2018 roadmap, and the *entire* video seems to focus on the ancient relic, cumulating in dumping it in front of a Thargoid. We've gotta be missing something....

The "orb" inside the relic will have its role in the future content. It is the source of some energy (orb is the source of those light beams now).
Now complete relic can be destroyed, after the next expansion "Orb" will survive. Thanks for the video.

... unknown
Composition ... xx% ...crystaline? xx%...
xx % silicon (?) ... xx% arsenic (?)
32(?) % unknown element ...
Origin monolith site #5 Col Sector...
Commander Black Hawk
Aegis (? not sure)
 
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Very nice recap of every Thargoid interaction so far!

Did anyone tried to attack the "summoned" Thargoid (the one that appears after dropping 5 MA) ?
Not really sure it would do or drop anything new, but I haven't seen it done before. I would try myself, but it might also require several CMDRs in order to survive ^^
 
Three more stations attacked

Three more stations are attacked this morning. One of them, Cyllene Orbital in the Atlas system, was not marked as being attacked on my galaxy map. So I flew there first and found the station burning and a rescue ship in the vicinity. Everything seems similiar to previous attacks.

What puzzles me is - there are no Thargoids in this system right now.

Yesterday I was in HIP 17694 to have a look for Hudson Observatory. It was crowded with NHSS 5,6 and 7 while on the station everything was calm and the repair went on.

Edit : Now that I have visited all three systems and stations. No Thargs in Celeano and Atlas. Hyperdicted on my way from Merope to Asterope by a Basilisk. Scanned me and went off. In Asterope 3 NHSS 6 on my way to the rescue ship, jumped in one, no Tharg but a lot of damaged ships.

On Copernikus Observatory the attack was mentioned in the station news but no mentioning of Thargoids there. Only Galnet is spreading the word "attacked by Thargoids".
 
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Completing the set, a video of a Thargoid reacting to Guardian Cargo. It has the same 25 second "Jettison time" as meta-alloys and Thargoid cargo, but the reaction is obviously different. Was a bit sloppy updating with this one. I've been doing some theorycrafting, so anticipate a separate post going into some detail about the reactions.

[video=youtube_share;HVbtFqocuKI]https://youtu.be/HVbtFqocuKI[/video]
 
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