'Attack of the AI' III

How is the AI for you in 2.1.02?

  • I'm too young to die! (Waaay too easy)

    Votes: 25 3.1%
  • Hey' not too rough (Too easy)

    Votes: 89 11.2%
  • Hurt me plenty (About right)

    Votes: 365 46.0%
  • Ultra-Voilence (Too hard)

    Votes: 231 29.1%
  • Nightmare! (Waaay too hard)

    Votes: 84 10.6%

  • Total voters
    794
  • Poll closed .
what may be stressing for one may be relaxation to another. /QUOTE]

Which is recognized by most if not all MMOs by now and is why the greater intensity levels are localized and in many cases locked wherein you must earn your way to engage it. In any case, its by choice one engages these higher intensity areas so that, you know, that other group that doesnt care always for this level doesnt have to rec'v it, no less than the ones that do want it, are offered a choice in the game to enjoy it.

This whole AI thing is truly a wake up call in the offering. Can FD find a way to localize these Rambo NPCs or not.
 
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Personally I am loving the new AI, can even take it up another notch, but that's just me.

I have not encountered any bugged AI as of yet.

The only grips I would have is that the AI do indeed like to FA off, aim right at you and boost, collisions are a bit more frequent these days, but once you see the maneuver you know it's time to move out of the way.

I have not see any NPC's try and flee, I would like this back to a degree, as real pilots do the same, so should the AI, not everytime, nor every fight, just balanced..

Lastly, shields need a minor base buff, even with modding they last about 2-7 seconds even when getting hit by non-modded weapons, where as NPC shields last much longer when hit by the same weapon loadout.

Whatever you guys do, please do not nerf them in any way shape or form... Culture shock will wear off soon enough..
 
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Far less high ranking AI about. It's got a lot safer. Almost too safe. I guess this is where it was always going to go. Creeping endlessly back to the pre 2.1 AI.

It's not bad, but if they wind much more back, then the risk will be gone; yes it should be fun - but some risk is good. I'm finding a few AI are running again as they get low, I guess this is to be expected. This is mostly AI interdicting.

Res Sites I am sure are a bit more potato again.
 
The P-51 Mustang was developed to an RAF specification as a long-range escort fighter for allied bombers - because defending fighters were decimating the allied bombers after the shorter range fighter escort had to turn back....

Hey, guess what wasn't a dedicated anti-everything gunship? Answer: the B-17, which made up the majority of U.S. heavy bomber squadrons in the years of WWII you're referring to. Sure, it was well-armed for the time, and extremely tough (something the Corvette really isn't), but even in large formations the firepower focused on any given enemy fighter at any given time was less than that fighter's own armament. In Elite, we're talking about focusing up to three or four times an attacking fighter's firepower on it, in extremely combat-focused large ships. A Corvette is NOT a bomber.

Historical Note: The need for a fighter escorts was mostly based on the abilities of German fighters, especially as their climb rates improved to keep up with American bombers. Oh, and the zero had a relatively good climb rate for its horsepower, thanks to its low weight - its problem was the lack of a two-star supercharger or turbosupercharger. That, and the IJN's absolute refusal to give it fuel tanks that didn't immediately explode when hit.
 
NPC's still overly ram-happy.

Just had a Deadly Vulture, down to 20% hull and no shields, try and ram me.
I was near-stationary in an Anaconda with 100% hull and 2 rings of shields. The ram didn't go well for him (dropped to 4% hull), but he backed up and did it again, exploding Vulture parts all over my cockpit.

He had no mates and was under heavy fire from me, the nearby station, and the cops.

I nearly lost a combat-fitted FdL to similar behaviour in a conflict zone earlier, too.
Though that one had mates that could potentially have finished me off, so it makes slightly more sense.
 
The spawn rate for powerplay enemies is still grossly too high in some circumstances. In an unclaimed system's nav point, I had fresh powerplay enemies appear before I had killed the last lot. As the last batch was a wing including an Anaconda, there was no surviving that. 7 seconds to die, despite four pips in SYS. This was a Nav point - not supposed to be a particularly risky destination - in a medium security system not hostile to me. Faction enemies should not be falling into the instance at that rate. If it isn't a bug, it's poor design.

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You don't know that. What you do know is: They're not supposed to. There can be quite a difference between the two, as this last weekend testifies.

The dude I responded to called 8x chafg and 2x SCB infinite. Thats . :)
 
I havent downloaded the patch yet, or played the game at all today because Ive been at work. But I think this post will help move the debate along and give FD (and the wider community) some valuable input.

Pass some more onion head.
 
I now have a refund for the loss of two Pythons just over 22million CRs thanks FD! I think the new update is about right, now they can improve it gradually over the next months or so, if they want to.
 
I just went back to the same High RES (in a high security system) in the same Vulture as I did earlier, and found it to be much more manageable while still being a fun challenge. I didn't come across any engineered weapons, the AI DPS was more manageable, and I was able to keep my shields up so suffered no module damage (which would eventually force me to leave for repairs).


https://youtu.be/p-0ShQ7HFIc


I haven't voted yet, but from this first test I'd say it's enough of an improvement to change my vote from 'too hard' to 'ok'.


Oh No!

Ive just watched this up to you taking on and destroying the Python (which was Elite ranked), you hardly had to do any pip management, didnt lose your shields despite hardly attempting much manuvering to keep yourself out of danger and didnt even use FA off (that I could see). Not criticizing you at all, but the AI now looks easy! Aghhh same with Dropship!
 
Just signed off for the day, post latest update. It's a sea of low level AI that have no materials of value. The only higher level AI I've seen above dangerous since the update were named AI being sent after me due to active missions. And maybe the occasional cop.

Outside of that endless harmless, and low rank AI happy to mill about without much conviction, pulling me out of SC to waste my time. Congratulations. We're fast approaching 2.0 levels - just, please.. no, can we not.
 
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Just signed off for the day, post latest update. It's a sea of low level AI that have no materials of value. The only higher level AI I've seen above dangerous since the update were named AI being sent after me due to active missions. And maybe the occasional cop.

Outside of that endless harmless, and low rank AI happy to mill about without much conviction, pulling me out of SC to waste my time. Congratulations. We're fast approaching 2.0 levels - just, please.. no, can we not.

Just a suggestion.. buy 1 ton of cargo and keep it in your ship. This works well for me.. i'm getting constantly interdicted by the so called 'big haul hunters'. Every 2 or 3 jumps i get deadly or elite python/Fdl or some other high ranked npc after me when in supercruise (i'm not wanted or as far as i know i have not angered any minor faction either).
 
Just signed off for the day, post latest update. It's a sea of low level AI that have no materials of value. The only higher level AI I've seen above dangerous since the update were named AI being sent after me due to active missions. And maybe the occasional cop.

Outside of that endless harmless, and low rank AI happy to mill about without much conviction, pulling me out of SC to waste my time. Congratulations. We're fast approaching 2.0 levels - just, please.. no, can we not.

Unfortunately, it was bound to happen. Most people don't seem to want a real challenge when playing this game. No, I don't want to pilot a stripped down T7 into a haz RES just to get my kicks (maybe an Eagle though, we'll see) nor set a timer for 20 seconds before doing anything after getting interdicted on my way through the bubble. Farming – let's be honest, it was never really bounty hunting – potato NPCs to rank up to Elite just to get a challenge now and then doesn't interest me either; ironically, it's why I'm only ranked as an expert now after over a year of actively playing. [sour]

Do you guys know that NPCs have only managed to pop any of my ships twice in active combat for over a year's worth of playing? (And in case you're wondering, no, I don't cheat at all.) Maybe I'm just too risk adverse, playing the game as though it actually mattered at all if I 'died.' Yes, I'm one of those who wanted an ironman mode.

Fortunately other aspects of the game still keep me entertained and immersed in the galactic universe of EDH.
 
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Just a suggestion.. buy 1 ton of cargo and keep it in your ship. This works well for me.. i'm getting constantly interdicted by the so called 'big haul hunters'. Every 2 or 3 jumps i get deadly or elite python/Fdl or some other high ranked npc after me when in supercruise (i'm not wanted or as far as i know i have not angered any minor faction either).

My ship is like 1/5 full of crafting commodities; some of which are worth a bit. I was carrying cargo; including tobacco and all sorts of tasty morsels. I'd love to have these endless waves of killer ships that nuke me in 5 seconds flat (gunship gave it a red hot go before I bailed) because I'm not seeing really any.

97% of the way through deadly to Elite. And I'm far from han solo levels of ace flying.
 
Oh No!

Ive just watched this up to you taking on and destroying the Python (which was Elite ranked), you hardly had to do any pip management, didnt lose your shields despite hardly attempting much manuvering to keep yourself out of danger and didnt even use FA off (that I could see). Not criticizing you at all, but the AI now looks easy! Aghhh same with Dropship!

Hes in a vulture, only way your in danger from a dropship or python is if they run turret heavy which they won't because the high rank NPC's use fixed mostly ;p
 
My ship is like 1/5 full of crafting commodities; some of which are worth a bit. I was carrying cargo; including tobacco and all sorts of tasty morsels. I'd love to have these endless waves of killer ships that nuke me in 5 seconds flat (gunship gave it a red hot go before I bailed) because I'm not seeing really any.

97% of the way through deadly to Elite. And I'm far from han solo levels of ace flying.

Heh, that is weird... are you saying that you are running around the galaxy with cargo and not seeing any messages like 'That's the big haul i was looking for... etc'. And after that you soon get interdicted by some deadly/elite fdl/python/vulture etc...?

And i'm not saying they can wipe you out it 5 seconds. But imagine someone trying to do trading in his type-7 now...
 
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well....i could manage the fight good , but what about less nimble ships that face such a enemy? dont know ... have to test flying more sluggish ships against those ai....i think if i were flying a python i would have had trouble....
the short the time the fdl could fire at me it took down my (arguably tiny) shields pretty quick....now imagine if he has more time firing on you ,because you only can turn with him, not outturn him or even worse he turns way better....even a competent will strip the shields of ANY ship this way prettty fast... and now imagine this in open space where you cant hide behind a rock....

Did some more testing in my python and battleconda in RES , got outmanoeuvered mutliple times ,if it werent for security i shurely had lost my ship(s).

Thoughts from me after testing today (footage in my hdd , but not uploaded...):

-low Manoeuvrability ships arent viable to be flown alone without help or atleast some rocks to hide behind with the current ai (higher ones, dangerous and above i met) , that means good luck getting one after you in open space and no security in sight , running is mostly your only option , unless your better then higher ranked ai in manoeuvring ...(and if modded weapons, should they return how some were, shut down your fsd or thrusters its over...)

- i had lesser problems in my Eagle and FDL (which both are quite nimble) , so i will be flying fast and nimble ships for now , my battleconda wont be seeing much space in the near future , neither will i trade with it...

Disclaimer: these are MY thoughts , im thinking of myself as a average player . Your experience may vary...
 
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I would like to remind that higher ranks will get more angry and with more varied tactics.

I don't know, I personally feel for 1.0 of proper NPC AI this is right on target.
 
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Heh, that is weird... are you saying that you are running around the galaxy with cargo and not seeing any messages like 'That's the big haul i was looking for... etc'. And after that you soon get interdicted by some deadly/elite fdl/python/vulture etc...?

And i'm not saying they can wipe you out it 5 seconds. But imagine someone trying to do trading in his type-7 now...

No. I was getting harassed and being told that they want it all, etc. Mostly low level eagles and the like. Had one ranked gunship. A couple other ranked ships I think were on the comms. But practically everything that pulled me out of SC was low ranked.

The thing that was the most jarring, however, were the two sojourns through Anarchy systems. I didn't even realise the first one was anarchy until i'd almost arrived at the destination platform and I didn't even get interdicted in either. Counterpoint that with earlier in the week when a conga line of ships were quite keen to lighten my ship's hold.

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I would like to remind that higher ranks will get more angry and with more varied tactics.

I don't know, I personally feel for 1.0 of proper NPC AI this is right on target.

Not until they add it. If this is 'bang on' then it's close to 2.0 levels of threat; why am I not surprised.
 
Again... why not get the higher ranked AI up to where they were, powered mods and all and keep the lower ranked NPCs where they are now.
And now bloody well make sure the higher ranked nastier NPCs are only found in low security systems or anarchic systems and high security systems have lower ranked NPCs that don't bother interdicting you as much.

Everyone now happy? I know i would be... having to think about the system you're dropping into should be a thing... and this would stop all of this nonsense once and for all.
Traders go between high sec systems and get no hassle, or gamble for some more credits maybe and go via a medium system. Noobs go into normal RES sites and have some fun for a few credits whilst the more adventurous go into a Haz Res site and get their A*ss shot up...
 
Again... why not get the higher ranked AI up to where they were, powered mods and all and keep the lower ranked NPCs where they are now.

Because people will complain they were interdicted by an Elite ship, destroyed in 5 seconds and that's not acceptable ever.

And now bloody well make sure the higher ranked nastier NPCs are only found in low security systems or anarchic systems and high security systems have lower ranked NPCs that don't bother interdicting you as much.

I flew through two anarchy systems today and it was like high-sec. So the changes people want to ensure the game is "fun" seem to be working.

Everyone now happy? I know i would be... having to think about the system you're dropping into should be a thing... and this would stop all of this nonsense once and for all.

If only it was that simple. And no it wouldn't. Not even close. People are going to go to high-res and hazardous because there's money to be made then complain they can't make money because it's taking too long to destroy ships (when they aren't being blown up in 5 seconds).

Frontier have done the only thing they can; unwind virtually all the changes SJA made (apart from welcome fixes to spinning and better pip management) because the community will not stop until they do.
 
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