General Master Limpet Controller Idea

[Lukozer]

Ok so limpet controller ideas aren't exactly rare and i've not read them all so it's possible that this has already been suggested, but here goes.

I'm not suggesting limpets themselves be changed, nor how you get hold of them. This is simply an idea for a new module, the master limpet controller. Within each MLC there are a set number of sub slots which can be filled with any type of limpet controller you want to purchase. My idea is thus.

CLASS 1 MLC - 2x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 3 MLC - 2x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 5 MLC - 2x class 5, 1x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 7 MLC - 2x class 7, 1x class 5, 1x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots.

The limpet controllers are simply purchased and placed within the MLC in the same way an SRV or Fighter is purchased for their respective hangars. All functions and limpet purchasing/storing remains as they are now.

If the layouts are too limited, a possible change could be the following:

CLASS 1 MLC - 2x limpet controllers up to class 1
CLASS 3 MLC - 3x limpet controllers up to class 3
CLASS 5 MLC - 4x limpet controllers up to class 5
CLASS 7 MLC - 5x limpet controllers up to class 7

 

[Stabby_Dave]

You're right. It's been asked for before.

 

[Lukozer]

Quelle surprise

 

[Para Handy]

.......... and i've not read them all so it's possible that this has already been suggested, .........

 

[VR Jay Le Chardon]

Ok so limpet controller ideas aren't exactly rare and i've not read them all so it's possible that this has already been suggested, but here goes.

I'm not suggesting limpets themselves be changed, nor how you get hold of them. This is simply an idea for a new module, the master limpet controller. Within each MLC there are a set number of sub slots which can be filled with any type of limpet controller you want to purchase. My idea is thus.

CLASS 1 MLC - 2x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 3 MLC - 2x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 5 MLC - 2x class 5, 1x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots
CLASS 7 MLC - 2x class 7, 1x class 5, 1x class 3, 1x class 1 limpet controller slots.

The limpet controllers are simply purchased and placed within the MLC in the same way an SRV or Fighter is purchased for their respective hangars. All functions and limpet purchasing/storing remains as they are now.

If the layouts are too limited, a possible change could be the following:

CLASS 1 MLC - 2x limpet controllers up to class 1
CLASS 3 MLC - 3x limpet controllers up to class 3
CLASS 5 MLC - 4x limpet controllers up to class 5
CLASS 7 MLC - 5x limpet controllers up to class 7

Your numbers exponentially inflate the amount of limpets per slot class. So as it stands just a class 1 limpet controller can have one limpet active at any given time, where you suggest two, nd the larger the class of MLC, the larger that multiplier is. These figures are based on current A class limpet controllers...

Given that each class of module slot is double the capacity of the one preceeding it, as in a class two is twice the capacity of a class1, ergo a class 3 is four times the capacity of a class 1, I can see why you've chose those numbers, butI'm not sure FDev would entertain such "power creep"?

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

Master Control Limpet sounds better, imo.

 

[VR Jay Le Chardon]

I've added Cargo capicity to the chart for your info, this shows how out of whack the limpet controllers abilities are in relation to the amount of space they occupy:

The vertical axis shows the number of limpets that can be controlled by an A-rated limpet controler of that size and or the amount of cargo canisters that can be held in the class of slot on the horizontal axis.

 

[Lukozer]

Given that each class of module slot is double the capacity of the one preceeding it, as in a class two is twice the capacity of a class1, ergo a class 3 is four times the capacity of a class 1, I can see why you've chose those numbers, butI'm not sure FDev would entertain such "power creep"?

While writing them out i thought it started to look pretty excessive... i suspect this could be one (of many?) reasons why such a limpet control system is not in the game

Master Control Limpet sounds better, imo.

I kept trying to come up with some kind of MCP slant...

 

[VR Jay Le Chardon]

Class	Current	Proposed	Cargo
1	1	2	2
3	2	5	8
5	3	9	32
7	4	14	128

 

[Fullo111]

Just have the controllers scrapped and replaced with one controller for each class. So a class 5 collector limpet controller allows me to have 3 limpets active at once in the current setup whilst mining. I'd happily have 2 collectors and one prospector if it meant not taking up a slot for a prospector controller which could be another cargo rack, or if needed, have another controller for another 3 collectors.
Scrap the current names and amounts of controllers for one works all approach and allow us to choose how to reprogram them in outfitting in station.

Fuel and Repair should be standard and already part of whatever module you install. I very really use these and would never install the modules as they take up space I don't have but if standard and part of a controller I already have installed for mining or scavenging materials then I would be more inclined to drop into a distress call and help out a pilot from time to time.

 

[A DEVIOUS HYENA]

Here is another fairly balanced idea:

Let's say since a class 5 Collector Limpet Controller can have 3 active limpets at a time. So I propose that it can be sectioned off into 3 sperate limpet controllers.
So a Class 5 Master Limpet Controller could have a class 1 Collector, Class 1 Repair and a Class 1 Refuel with their class one specs.
Just so it's fair, a Class 5 Collector limpet controller should perform at least 50% better than 3x Class 1 in a Class 5 Master Limpet Controller.

 

[davinator791]

To me the concept of different controllers when all of them are programming the same general purpose limpet drone is just baffling. Engineers today are capable of programming a robot to do various tasks, why do we need multiple types of controllers in 3306? There should be only one universal controller that can control any number of limpets. Also, I don't see the reasoning why there have to be different classes either when one PC today can control an entire production line of robots, so why do we need a larger class to control multiple limpets in 3306? Is it not just an antenna and multiple digital radio channels to tell a drone what to do? Is the drone AI not smart enough to do what it was told?
Did developers ever asked any engineers about robotics of today and how one simple microncotroller can communicate with multiple robots?

 

[Fullo111]

To me the concept of different controllers when all of them are programming the same general purpose limpet drone is just baffling. Engineers today are capable of programming a robot to do various tasks, why do we need multiple types of controllers in 3306? There should be only one universal controller that can control any number of limpets. Also, I don't see the reasoning why there have to be different classes either when one PC today can control an entire production line of robots, so why do we need a larger class to control multiple limpets in 3306? Is it not just an antenna and multiple digital radio channels to tell a drone what to do? Is the drone AI not smart enough to do what it was told?
Did developers ever asked any engineers about robotics of today and how one simple microncotroller can communicate with multiple robots?

I was outfitting earlier and thought the same about all the different scanners too though I can understand needing only one or 2 of those depending on your build.
As you say, they all use the same limpet you store in your cargo racks yet we have separate controllers to magically program them to their will.

 

[wabboo]

I was outfitting earlier and thought the same about all the different scanners too though I can understand needing only one or 2 of those depending on your build.
As you say, they all use the same limpet you store in your cargo racks yet we have separate controllers to magically program them to their will.

Theory crafting:

While all limpet controllers use the same base limpet, they add additional components to the limpet to perform it's specific task:

• Fuel limpets get a small fuel tank.
• Hatch breaker limpets get a torch to burn through a cargo hatch.
• Repair limpets get a welding arm to plug holes.
• Recon limpets have a data port arm to connect to systems.
• etc.

So while each base limpet is the same, it is the actual controller that adds the additional components to the limpet so that it can perform its function. Where do these components come from? Space magic .

 

[davinator791]

Theory crafting:

While all limpet controllers use the same base limpet, they add additional components to the limpet to perform it's specific task:

• Fuel limpets get a small fuel tank.
• Hatch breaker limpets get a torch to burn through a cargo hatch.
• Repair limpets get a welding arm to plug holes.
• Recon limpets have a data port arm to connect to systems.
• etc.

So while each base limpet is the same, it is the actual controller that adds the additional components to the limpet so that it can perform its function. Where do these components come from? Space magic .

It's good enough theory for me. Probably would have made more sense to have specialized drones in your cargo hold. It would have been nice if they would be reusable and return back to the ship once their job is done.

 

[Fullo111]

Theory crafting:

While all limpet controllers use the same base limpet, they add additional components to the limpet to perform it's specific task:

• Fuel limpets get a small fuel tank.
• Hatch breaker limpets get a torch to burn through a cargo hatch.
• Repair limpets get a welding arm to plug holes.
• Recon limpets have a data port arm to connect to systems.
• etc.

So while each base limpet is the same, it is the actual controller that adds the additional components to the limpet so that it can perform its function. Where do these components come from? Space magic .

That's a good point. I never really thought of it like that. So basically they are all just 100cr fire extinguishers to start off with that then get bits added depending on what you want it to do?

 

[Fullo111]

Theory crafting:

While all limpet controllers use the same base limpet, they add additional components to the limpet to perform it's specific task:

• Fuel limpets get a small fuel tank.
• Hatch breaker limpets get a torch to burn through a cargo hatch.
• Repair limpets get a welding arm to plug holes.
• Recon limpets have a data port arm to connect to systems.
• etc.

So while each base limpet is the same, it is the actual controller that adds the additional components to the limpet so that it can perform its function. Where do these components come from? Space magic .

That's a good point. I never really thought of it like that. So basically they are all fire extinguishers that get bits added depending on what you want it to do?
Still, a larger class master controller could do all that and limit the number of active limpets to keep

 

[Sensei Jacksama]

What if they added something like an industrial class module slot. Similar to the military class and passenger class slots. You could add a master limpet controller or a cargo rack and it would be limited to only certain ships etc. That would keep it from being over used and make some ships have more dedicated roles.