Newcomer / Intro NPC pirates response time

In the new player systems tryin to figure this game out. Just FSD jumped to Otigene and was proceeding to station when I got yanked out of supercruise by an asteroid belt I didn't see. Next thing I hear is eject eject eject and then I see the loading screen asking me which ship I wanted to use. I literally didn't even know I was being attacked. I had so little warning between dropping out of supercruise, trying to determine what had happened and where the mass was so I could avoid it, and some NPC pirate poking holes in my ship. Is this common? I mean, seriously, the time I saw he had said something in local, and the time my ship decided to become dust particles was literally 1-4 seconds at tops. I didn't even have the time to think. Let alone react to it. Is that normal?

I've had interdiction attempts, and avoided them fine, this wasn't one of those, this was just flying to close to a mass I didn't see. So yeah. My bad in dropping from supercruise, but the rest.. ermm????
 
It would be interesting to go through your logs to see what actually happened. You can find your journal files in ( C:\Users\%userprofile%\Saved Games\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous)
But in general - the first thing I would point out is that if your ships is "able" to be destroyed in 4 seconds, maybe you should re-think your build a little. What are you flying? A shieldless T6?
Is it possible that you collided with an asteroid in the ring, rather than being shot up? Things can go south fast in Elite but rarely THAT fast.
 
It would be interesting to go through your logs to see what actually happened. You can find your journal files in ( C:\Users\%userprofile%\Saved Games\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous)
But in general - the first thing I would point out is that if your ships is "able" to be destroyed in 4 seconds, maybe you should re-think your build a little. What are you flying? A shieldless T6?
Is it possible that you collided with an asteroid in the ring, rather than being shot up? Things can go south fast in Elite but rarely THAT fast.
I'm flying the Sidewinder I got. Haven't seen any other ships for sale in the new player starting area, so no clue what ship you are talking about. It may have been longer, but it didn't SEEM longer. It seemed pretty bloody fast. I can't make heads or tails of the log file, but here.


{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:43:59Z", "event":"SupercruiseExit", "StarSystem":"Otegine", "SystemAddress":5370319620984, "Body":"Otegine AB 2 A Ring", "BodyID":20, "BodyType":"PlanetaryRing" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:43:59Z", "event":"Music", "MusicTrack":"Exploration" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:44:42Z", "event":"ModuleInfo" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:44:54Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnStartScanCargo07;", "Message_Localised":"Do you have anything of value?", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:22Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnStartScanCargo07;", "Message_Localised":"Do you have anything of value?", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:32Z", "event":"Scanned", "ScanType":"Cargo" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:32Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_ThreatenUnits01:#units=3;", "Message_Localised":"Give me 3t of cargo if you want to live.", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:33Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_ThreatenTimer05:#seconds=15;", "Message_Localised":"In 15 seconds, I'm going to start boiling bulkheads off you.", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnTargetFleeing02;", "Message_Localised":"Get back here! I'm not done with you yet!", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"UnderAttack", "Target":"You" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"UnderAttack", "Target":"You" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"UnderAttack", "Target":"You" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"UnderAttack", "Target":"You" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:34Z", "event":"Music", "MusicTrack":"Combat_Dogfight" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:35Z", "event":"UnderAttack", "Target":"You" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:35Z", "event":"HullDamage", "Health":0.761788, "PlayerPilot":true, "Fighter":false }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:36Z", "event":"HullDamage", "Health":0.563798, "PlayerPilot":true, "Fighter":false }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:37Z", "event":"HullDamage", "Health":0.366474, "PlayerPilot":true, "Fighter":false }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:38Z", "event":"HullDamage", "Health":0.175616, "PlayerPilot":true, "Fighter":false }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:43Z", "event":"Died", "KillerName":"Andy Hall", "KillerShip":"krait_light", "KillerRank":"Competent" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:43Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnDeclarePiracyAttack16;", "Message_Localised":"I have you in my sights.", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:44Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnDeclarePiracyAttack10;", "Message_Localised":"Die now, wretch!", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:45Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnDeclarePiracyAttack03;", "Message_Localised":"Now you die, victim.", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:46Z", "event":"ReceiveText", "From":"$npc_name_decorate:#name=Andy Hall;", "From_Localised":"Andy Hall", "Message":"$Pirate_OnDeclarePiracyAttack06;", "Message_Localised":"Prepare for death, fool!", "Channel":"npc" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:45:47Z", "event":"Music", "MusicTrack":"MainMenu" }
{ "timestamp":"2021-05-13T09:46:53Z", "event":"Resurrect", "Option":"rebuy", "Cost":688, "Bankrupt":false }
 
You had a minute after dropping out of SC before the pirate found you. You then ran and 30 seconds later they opened fire and killed you pretty fast.

You just need to be more aware of what is going on. And buy a better ship :)
 
Thanks. This clears it up pretty nicely.
First of all - wow. Frontier trolling newbies with pirates in a Krait? In a newbie zone? Well done slow clap

Second, yes, you are right, it was he who killed you. If you look at the time stamps, it took 8 seconds from the first hit to your inevitable demise. That is indeed a very short time for a new pilot who doesn't really know what's happening, but it's no surprise in a Krait vs. Sidey fight. I'm sorry about that.

However - a couple of pointers.
It took almost a minute after your supercruise "exit" for the pirate to appear and further 40 seconds before he attacked you. That was enough time for your Frame Shift Drive to cool down.
When you have cargo onboard, pirates WILL attack you. So if you find yourself in this situation, as soon as your FSD is operational again, you must jump away and escape.
It also helps to keep moving. After your initial drop, boost away. Most NPCs have trouble keeping up with a ship that is actively running away (I think they don't have a boost button. :LOL:)

The other thing is your scanner (the radar screen in front of you). Learn to read it. It tells you where other ships are in relation to you and what are they doing. A rectangle icon means they aren't a threat (yet).
Triangle icon means they have their weapons drawn (caution)
If they turn red, they are attacking. (run)

But yeah. Once you get your bearings, these things stop happening. Until then - unless you're docked, assume danger and malice. Good luck out there!
 
You had a minute after dropping out of SC before the pirate found you. You then ran and 30 seconds later they opened fire and killed you pretty fast.

You just need to be more aware of what is going on. And buy a better ship :)
Yeah I was trying to get back into supercruise after getting yanked out by the belt unintentionally, it was after that I noticed the pirate had said something, and a short second after that (so it seemed) I was dead. As for buying a better ship. I've played for all of 1/2 a day now. I have yet to see any ships for sale where I am currently working hauling cargo between stations trying to build up enough to do something useful. Basically I am running cargo between Sharur and Otegine. So far my pockets are still pretty empty. But I figure if I can make 1 million credits before leaving the starter systems I might have enough to buy a new ship. I'm not sure how much they cost so I want to at least have SOME money when I bail, and if I am lucky, it will be enough for me to upgrade to a better ship.

It sure seemed a lot faster. Well, glad my mental idea of time is off so much, I can re-calibrate it lol. Really? a minute and a half? wow. Seemed like seconds. Ok thanks.
 
Yeah I was trying to get back into supercruise after getting yanked out by the belt unintentionally, it was after that I noticed the pirate had said something, and a short second after that (so it seemed) I was dead. As for buying a better ship. I've played for all of 1/2 a day now. I have yet to see any ships for sale where I am currently working hauling cargo between stations trying to build up enough to do something useful. Basically I am running cargo between Sharur and Otegine. So far my pockets are still pretty empty. But I figure if I can make 1 million credits before leaving the starter systems I might have enough to buy a new ship. I'm not sure how much they cost so I want to at least have SOME money when I bail, and if I am lucky, it will be enough for me to upgrade to a better ship.

It sure seemed a lot faster. Well, glad my mental idea of time is off so much, I can re-calibrate it lol. Really? a minute and a half? wow. Seemed like seconds. Ok thanks.

Run supply missions from Matet to Dromi and back - you will soon have enough to buy and equip an eagle - then take pirate kill missions from Dromi or Matet against pirates in Sharur - easy money ....

just don't do the combat zone stuff - those are death traps for the new commander in the underpowered ships available to you in the noob-zone.

BTW - Mawson Dock in Dromi has the best selection of ships and equipment in the noob-zone - remember that the modules available in the noob-zone are artificially restricted - nothing better than class D if I remember correctly.
 
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Thanks. This clears it up pretty nicely.
First of all - wow. Frontier trolling newbies with pirates in a Krait? In a newbie zone? Well done slow clap

Second, yes, you are right, it was he who killed you. If you look at the time stamps, it took 8 seconds from the first hit to your inevitable demise. That is indeed a very short time for a new pilot who doesn't really know what's happening, but it's no surprise in a Krait vs. Sidey fight. I'm sorry about that.

However - a couple of pointers.
It took almost a minute after your supercruise "exit" for the pirate to appear and further 40 seconds before he attacked you. That was enough time for your Frame Shift Drive to cool down.
When you have cargo onboard, pirates WILL attack you. So if you find yourself in this situation, as soon as your FSD is operational again, you must jump away and escape.
It also helps to keep moving. After your initial drop, boost away. Most NPCs have trouble keeping up with a ship that is actively running away (I think they don't have a boost button. :LOL:)

The other thing is your scanner (the radar screen in front of you). Learn to read it. It tells you where other ships are in relation to you and what are they doing. A rectangle icon means they aren't a threat (yet).
Triangle icon means they have their weapons drawn (caution)
If they turn red, they are attacking. (run)

But yeah. Once you get your bearings, these things stop happening. Until then - unless you're docked, assume danger and malice. Good luck out there!
I don't mind facing off with a stronger more powerful enemy and getting owned. I came here from EVE because I wanted something more realistic and challenging. I was pretty surprised though, the only time i've had an interaction with a pirate was when they were trying to interdict me (I miss my HIC from eve dangit). Still trying to figure out the game and mechanics so while that fight took longer than I thought, it seemed shorter in comparison. And trying to see black asteroids against a black sky is kinda challenging, so I was slightly confused over which direction I needed to go to get out of it. I finally DID find the night vision option for my ship, so that problem has gone away. Thanks for the advice and sympathy. I thought EVE's learning curve was steep. NOPE, a gentle slope compared to ED, and I'm LOVING IT!
 
The pirate scanned you, found cargo (limpets don’t count as cargo) and gave you 15 seconds to drop 3t.

You flew away so they attacked you straight away.
 
I don't mind facing off with a stronger more powerful enemy and getting owned. I came here from EVE because I wanted something more realistic and challenging. I was pretty surprised though, the only time i've had an interaction with a pirate was when they were trying to interdict me (I miss my HIC from eve dangit). Still trying to figure out the game and mechanics so while that fight took longer than I thought, it seemed shorter in comparison. And trying to see black asteroids against a black sky is kinda challenging, so I was slightly confused over which direction I needed to go to get out of it. I finally DID find the night vision option for my ship, so that problem has gone away. Thanks for the advice and sympathy. I thought EVE's learning curve was steep. NOPE, a gentle slope compared to ED, and I'm LOVING IT!
That is great to hear.
Elite really is one of a kind (in both good and bad meaning of that phrase. :LOL: ) and when you dive deep enough, very rewarding and altogether great.

As for the learning curve, it's referred to as "learning cliff" around here. So yeah. Lots of fun ahead. :p
 
Good on you - there's a (perceived) lot of new players who would announce a rage quit on these forums after an experience like this 😁.

First tip: install EDD - EDDiscovery. That one will make reading your logs much easier. It also has, dependin on which version you use (full or light) a bunch of other functions, but you can get into them in a few more days (e.g. upload to EDDN and EDSM).

As for better ships - nope, there are none. The Sidewinder is the best ship in the game, once it's properly set up and you learned a few tricks. Sure, there are ships with more cargo space, ships which can handle larger weapons, ships with stronger shields - but none of them matches the Sidey's combination of agility, resilience and pure stubbornness. Don't believe me? Look at YT for Archon Fury's series "Sidey vs. the Galaxy" ;).

Ok, seriously now - if you want to get an overview of ships and their capabilities, check out Coriolis. Only a few of these, and very few of the modules, are available in the starter zone (Para knows more about that). You don't need a millino Credits to buy a new ship - 50 k will get you a Hauler, which does what it says, at least for a start.
I think you can get C/D rated modules in the starter area, so 120 k will get you this beauty, capable of hauling 22 tons of cargo in one go:
Just don't forget the basic rule of ED:
Insurance.jpg

Never fly without rebuy!
So, keep another 30k or so in the bank for when you lose that Hauler.
 
Not sure what the default binding is, mine is on the L key, but there is a low light/night vision mode which you could find reading through your control bindings. This will let you see the black rocks in the black space in the shadow behind a planet.

Pirates attack you before the deadline for several reasons such as you keep moving (seen as trying to escape) you try and attack, or because they round down the fractions and don’t seem to be able to count very well.
 
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