Anaconda NPC Maneuverability Thread Mk II

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

I suggest that Anaconda NPC's flight patterns should be different, likewise with the Type 9 and Corvette. We can quote the lore with the Anaconda's cargo racks as I did in the last thread, and argue over little things, but the point is that I'm not making this thread for a broken mechanic, or an increase in difficulty. I'm only suggesting a new flight pattern because it looks better, and increases immersion. The size of the large ships will be appreciable when they act as they should.

The actual suggestion is this: Make the larger ships, the ones states above, sly as if their size has meaning. For example, the Anaconda - make the NPC flying it stay mostly stationary and make use of it's excellent turret positions. Since it will be able to launch fighters, the fighters will do the maneuvering, and until then, make them use escorts. The main ship won't flail about.

Thoughts? I'm not asking for assurances that it's fine, or any opposing argument about how you feel it would hurt your immersion, without reason - It's a suggestion to Frontier, and they'll be the ones to decide whether it would be better or not. We couldn't possibly hold a vote on this unless all 1.4 million players joined this thread - which can't happen.

>Inb4 hypocrite

 

[Wedgetail]

Dunno really. I think the anaconda (/cutter/corvette) status as the largest currently playable ships leads a lot of people to (mistakenly imo) think of them as capital ships, instead of large patrol craft

If you think about current RW naming conventions (not that they are really consistent), you get a rough sizing along the lines of:

Aircraft carrier
battleship
helicopter carrier
heavy cruiser
light cruiser
destroyer
frigate
corvette
patrol boat
light attack craft

So although its the biggest we can (currently) fly, even at the Corvette level, we are still waaaaaay down the list, and a long way from needing to behave like cruisers/aircraft carriers

edit: just for stamps, park an anaconda/clipper/corvette next to a farragut or interdictor

 

[Psycho Romeo]

Dunno really. I think the anaconda (/cutter/corvette) status as the largest currently playable ships leads a lot of people to (mistakenly imo) think of them as capital ships, instead of large patrol craft

This is really what it comes down to.

Consider that corvettes, anacondas, and cutters aren't necessarily intended to fight VIIIs. That's what their bays are for. It's intended that they are doing bombing runs on capital ships or stations. This makes the current bizarre ship design ethos make a lot more sense. Anacondas, cutters, and corvettes are still like orcas - their main 'role' is not quite there yet.

People complain about the cutter not being able to turn. Well, that's fine. It doesn't need to be able to maneuver all that much when its ideal target is two kilometers long.
People complain about huge hard points not being great. Well, that's fine. I fully expect these things to get more use when crew and capital ship battles become a thing.