My take on the new flight assists

[Bortas]

Finally got the chance to try the new flight assist computer out a bit, so let's see what we have...

1. Automatic docking:
Well, not much to say about this, since it's nothing new... works reasonably well and I personally find it somewhat useful on extended trading sessions... just drop out of SC at the destination and switch to NetFlix (or whatever) while the DC's doing the rest.

2. Automatic undocking:
Works reasonably well, too, but I have to admit that I can't find a use for it... lifting off and boosting out of the station takes a few seconds max. Not enough time to do anything else anyway... of course, using the undocking computer will give you plenty of time, but that can't be the goal

3. Supercruise assist:
This was the most disappointing function for me... my biggest gripe is that it flies the entire distance with throttle in the blue zone instead of maximum throttle, basically doubling the travel time. Since it also just flies in a straight line, this totally devalues the function IMHO... my ship can fly in a straight line without computer assist but at full throttle, so one is probably better off just letting the ship fly unassisted while doing something else. Sure, you might miss your destination, but even flying a loop of shame wastes less time than flying the entire distance with hand brakes on.

4. Hyperspace dethrottle:
Useful for anyone who dethrottles after every jump anyway, but - as the supercruise assist is otherwise worthless - probably not worth wasting an optional slot for.


So much fo that. But thanks for the additional internals

 

[Hacker#451563]

Dude...It's not meant to be your own version of a Culture Mind, it's a way that n00bs can learn or...shall we call them 'multi-taskers' can get to were they want to go without worrying about it.
If you're looking at other sites or vids or, God forbid, having to do something like cook, or interact with a real human, you can be more relaxed about your travel.
Use it if you want or don't, it's cost you nothing if you do and, as you said, has given you an extra slot if you don't. Seriously, what's not to like?

 

[Bigmaec]

Dude...It's not meant to be your own version of a Culture Mind, it's a way that n00bs can learn or...shall we call them 'multi-taskers' can get to were they want to go without worrying about it.
If you're looking at other sites or vids or, God forbid, having to do something like cook, or interact with a real human, you can be more relaxed about your travel.
Use it if you want or don't, it's cost you nothing if you do and, as you said, has given you an extra slot if you don't. Seriously, what's not to like?

But at least in the case of supercruise assist they learn it wrong. They learn to stay in the bluezone, that can't be right?

I agree with Bortas here, thanks for the module slots, and I propably will fit the ADC on trade Cutters or something like that, but that's it.

 

[WR3ND]

This is a thing in the game now? LOL I leave for two months and take a trip out in the black for a few more and this is what is waiting for me when I get back... -.-'

 

[Athum]

The only thing is fine for me wiht this supercuise assistant is to orbiting the planets or stars. Can't say this is something awesome unless there are no chance to set the orbital parameters (at least, the orbital velocity, distance to the planet and the direction), but it feels ok. Just ok. Frankly speaking, these new assistants left some strange feeling of something.... unfinished. Not so useful, and not so aestetic - they can't take you to where you need and you can't see something really different with them too.

 

[Bortas]

Dude...It's not meant to be your own version of a Culture Mind, it's a way that n00bs can learn or...

Not quite sure how actually not doing something can be beneficial for any learning process.

shall we call them 'multi-taskers' can get to were they want to go without worrying about it.

What I said... but to be actually useful for multi-taskers the SC assist should go full throttle. Otherwise it's more sensible to just fly unassisted full throttle and check back every now and then or even do a loop of shame once you hear the gravity slow down kicking in. I really can't think of any good reason for limiting the SC assist to blue zone throttle, except to deliberately make it undesirable to use.

God forbid, having to do something like cook, or interact with a real human, you can be more relaxed about your travel.

Going afk (like really afk) while supercruising - assisted or not - is probably the most reliable way to return to a rebuy screen.

 

[Bigmaec]

Going afk (like really afk) while supercruising - assisted or not - is probably the most reliable way to return to a rebuy screen.

Actually going afk on supercruise to nowhere on full throttle (provided you're far enough out that your speed is high enough) is one of the safest things to do if you need to afk. I do this all the time if I have to get a coffee or let the cat out or something. Just align with the next jump target, pedal to the metal and once you're out of the gravity well nothing will catch you.

 

[babelfisch]

Dude...It's not meant to be your own version of a Culture Mind, it's a way that n00bs can learn or...shall we call them 'multi-taskers' can get to were they want to go without worrying about it.
If you're looking at other sites or vids or, God forbid, having to do something like cook, or interact with a real human, you can be more relaxed about your travel.
Use it if you want or don't, it's cost you nothing if you do and, as you said, has given you an extra slot if you don't. Seriously, what's not to like?

What's not to like?
Well that's quite subjective but simply adding more module slots doesn't make the outfitting system any better, personally I'd rather see an overhaul than throwing more stuff at it. I can see how it doesn't fit in a small update though (which already is bigger than most people expected).

On the new modules themselves, for me it's a wasted opportunity. If SCA would be more useful it could benefit more people than just newcomers. I understand that this never was the goal for FDEV, doesn't mean I need to like it or agree with their design approach in this regard.

With spacelegs in mind I would have preferred a system that is part of the ship's core functionality. It could actually add to the gameplay by allowing us to use the FSS or scan USS directly without breaking off the target destination.

So what's not to like? I guess I am mostly indifferent about the actual implementation but it could be so much more.

 

[Valorin]

While I don't think autopilots are a bad addition to the game, and I also guess it's good for new players, I think it might have been even better to rework the tutorial for travelling to be more hand-holding.
So far I taught three friends to fly, via voice chat or even sitting next to one telling him what to do, and that was actually a very good thing to do, since there's so much stuff to keep in mind if you do it for the first time. The autopilots don't really cover that, and the tutorial missions don't do that as well. A tutorial though that is like a flight teacher sitting right next to you might do the trick.

For seasoned Commanders the docking computer might be convenient when trading or something, the lazy stuff. I'm not sure if the supercruise assist is useful later. I didn't have the opportunity to test it myself yet, since I'm far out, but if it only works when in the blue zone, it might be convenient to approach a target to about 800ls or so and then leave the rest to the assist. Maybe good for some lazy hauling or taxi runs? No clue. I like having control over my ship.

 

[Deleted member 182079]

Actually going afk on supercruise to nowhere on full throttle (provided you're far enough out that your speed is high enough) is one of the safest things to do if you need to afk. I do this all the time if I have to get a coffee or let the cat out or something. Just align with the next jump target, pedal to the metal and once you're out of the gravity well nothing will catch you.

I do this also, but only pointing at my next system waypoint as you say, not while cruising in a shipping lane for obvious reasons, which is probably what he was referring to.

 

[Bortas]

I do this also, but only pointing at my next system waypoint as you say, not while cruising in a shipping lane for obvious reasons, which is probably what he was referring to.

Exactly. No need for a supercruise assist for flying into the void of deep space, which is indeed pretty safe to do.... at least at full throttle

Going at blue zone throttle, the SC assist actually makes the user more vulnerable to interdictions.

 

[Deleted member 182079]

Fwiw, I also tested both new modules last night during a pax delivery mission travelling 80k ls.

ADC - works fine in stations, although a bit OTT when leaving from planetary outposts, as all it does is thrust upwards. But will be installed as standard on my pax and trading ships.

The SC assist is great for keeping the ship on course over long distances, but I was surprised about the blue zone restriction. As mentioned above the only reason for that must be to have a downside to using it for the sake of it, bit silly imo.

Also not sure what the point of entering into orbit is, the ship just circles the planet. Only use case I guess is if you're afk, but then a drop into normal space in order to avoid crashing into the planet would have been less inconvenient. Orbiting means you may have to orbit around the planet again (a new loop of shame introduced basically) to reach your destination, and I'm a bit disappointed that it doesn't approach the station instead (again, afk accidents being only reason I can see why not).

Finally, I got interdicted by an NPC and this completely cancelled the SC assist. After winning the minigame you have to select your destination again and choose the assist.

All in all, will probably not use SC again unless I'm travelling vast distances and am in no hurry... Last night I kept chatting to a squadron member so didn't have to worry about course corrections at least. But the blue zone thing is a proper turn off.

 

[Tygra]

I never found the approach that troublesome, 100% speed until about 0.07 seconds left, then hit 75% fixed throttle button, drop when done. Easy.
It's too bad the SA didn't employ that method.

 

[Nutter]

You can choose not to use them of course. I may use them for Video making.

However in normal gameplay I would avoid as I don't like handing over control to a computer.

Good for new payers to a point, at some point though they should be forced to learn how do do things on their own - Autopilot snipe for example

If you could FSS while SCA was running I may have used one

 

[willisit]

I reset my alt last night and ran through the new stuff, and I have to say it's very good. If I were new, or more likely, trying to get someone to play, I'd get them to use ALL of it. Cruise assist is great; and you can turn it on mid-flight, as it helps you get our of cruise as well as in; there are many ways to skin a cat (so the saying goes.. a bit dark, no?) and these are useful additions.
For us, oldies? Nope. I won't use any of it - but I DO like hearing the docking music in both directions

 

[thistle]

Wait, surely the supercruise assist is to help - new - players avoid the only difficult bit of supercruise, the elegant dismount, as it were?

So you do what you usually do, fly at full speed towards the target, and when you would usually think about being poised over the 75% key you can instead casually flick the assist button and let it do the blue zone work for you.

Its fine.

And the orbital cruise is wonderful.

 

[babelfisch]

Just some random thoughts, so excuse me if it doesn't make 100% sense...

If they wanted to help new players they could've just as well limit SC speed for newcomers to 75% with a safety warning that higher speeds are possible but come at the risk of missing the dropout point. Once that warning is dismissed you can go to 100% throttle. No need for a new module at all, apart from the hold course and automatic dropout mechanic. And this could really be part of the ship functions right hand panel, benefitting everyone who wants to use it. I really don't see the point in making it an optional module.

 

[Vardaugas]

Supercruise assist is nice for exploration when you just point yourself at a target planet and then do something else, save in the knowledge the ship will be in orbit when you come back. Only needs a keystroke toggle. Think it's also convenient for those far out HGEs.

 

[DRPlatus]

Having to learn to fly manually in Elite by rescuing people from burning stations, I love the new assists, especially on my trade runs. The SCA keeping the throttle in the blue zone is a bit annoying, but worth the tradeoff of me being able to something else. Agree about the OC, I like it a lot.

 

[Nadreck]

Yes, I was surprised by the 75% limit. Especially when you consider that the Docking Computer does take control of your throttle, and will even exceeed the 100m/s speed limit until you're just in front of the mailslot. I agree with using 75% throttle as the trigger (teaches the importance of this setting), but I would then have expected SA to accelerate just as the DC does, and then stay at 100% until 7 seconds before the destination.

Ah well. Hopefully that will be put in, in a future patch.