Cargo scanning?
- Thread starter Krait_79
- Start date
I think it fines them rather than immediately placing a bounty on them.
There should at least be an option to disable reporting illegal cargo. I just like to peek sometimes...
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Agreed.
I think it's more on the pilot being scanned to say something, ten seconds is more than enough. But then of course there's station camping scanners.
I think it ADDs to gameplay, not detracts. Suppose a player encounters a PC Python at a nav beacon, or a RES, or on approach to an outpost. That python might have a bounty which is not current to the system, or dodgy cargo on board which might make the ship worth engaging. At the same time, the Python pilot knows full well if he is carrying illicit cargo. The cargo bounty might massively outweigh the bounty for murder of the player sticking his nose in where it isn't wanted. The smuggler then has a choice to make, and both parties might be better off if the scan doesn't take place. But then one might end up much richer for the bounty, while the other will be much richer if the goods are smuggled unmolested.
EMERGENT GAMEPLAY! I can hear Rock, Paper, Shotgun scream from somewhere. This is good, not bad.
EMERGENT GAMEPLAY! I can hear Rock, Paper, Shotgun scream from somewhere. This is good, not bad.
I'm in two minds about it.
On one hand, I don't see any reason why CMDRs are deputised by the current legal jurisdiction for issuing fines for scanning illegal cargo. That should be a matter for the system's law enforcement agents only.
But on t'other hand, I find such agents very easy to smuggle past and players doing their job makes for a better challenge. I'm always nervous about bringing a hot hold into a busy starport and this is how I think it should be for a smuggler.
I'd like to see a mechanism for players to earn a permit or license to issue fines to smugglers they catch in the act, it would encourage roleplaying and engaging challenges for both criminal and do-gooder
Oh and of course, smuggling needs to pay a decent profit for illegal goods that are in demand!
On one hand, I don't see any reason why CMDRs are deputised by the current legal jurisdiction for issuing fines for scanning illegal cargo. That should be a matter for the system's law enforcement agents only.
But on t'other hand, I find such agents very easy to smuggle past and players doing their job makes for a better challenge. I'm always nervous about bringing a hot hold into a busy starport and this is how I think it should be for a smuggler.
I'd like to see a mechanism for players to earn a permit or license to issue fines to smugglers they catch in the act, it would encourage roleplaying and engaging challenges for both criminal and do-gooder
Oh and of course, smuggling needs to pay a decent profit for illegal goods that are in demand!
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Another case where the "level" of a module could add other features, rather than just make it "better" from E-A. However, cargo scanners are also needed for the "Seeking Tech" "Seeking Luxuries" dudes. They carry a small amount of whatever they'll take off you. Haven't seen them for aaaaages though.
Is there an issue with this kind of thing? I get it for pirates, but why should KWS bounty hunters get fined or worse? It seems like a mild inconvenience.
Scenario...
System bounty board says CMDR XXX is wanted for 10 billion credits.
It just so happens he plays in open play.
The system issuing the massive bounty is Fed.
This guy is in Empire space.
You fly there, proceed to scan, and you're fined as a result. Why?
Reading it over again I realize this could have been meant in a tongue-in-cheek manner. If it was then oh well.
It's a gross violation of privacy. That's my issue with this sort of thing.
As it stands, I have no compunctions about ramming or gunning down any ship I think I can destroy (or cause tangible damage to) if the pilot is rude enough to use a scanner on me, but I shouldn't have to do this anywhere near as often as I do.
Nine times in ten I wasn't wanted anywhere...until someone tried to scan me.
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How exactly is your wanted status, or your illicit cargo, a private matter? You chose to be wanted elsewhere, or you chose to carry illicit cargo. Both of those things carry their own penalty in the realm of open play. This isn't like rummaging through you backpack or purse. You are a member of the pilots guild, and your actions as a member are what matters. The actions of other commanders matter none if you don't place yourself in that scenario in the first place. If you don't like incurring fines for illicit cargo, then don't run smuggled goods to any system other than anarchy. If you want to suggest an unwritten code of conduct for commanders then that is your business, but I see no reason for scanning clean ships to be a legal issue with local governments. If the system authorities didn't want people to have access to cargo scanners then they wouldn't sell them.
Speaking of which, since using a cargo scanner only really makes sense for a pirate or system authority, why are these modules available for purchase at pretty much any station? Wouldn't it make more sense for them to be offered in anarchy systems only? The same could be said for Limpet. Why do stations that outlaw Limpet bother carrying them?
This is exactly what it's like.
I'm probably not wanted, and I probably don't even have any cargo racks, but that's none of anyone's business. If you don't like getting rammed or shot at, then don't scan me.
Allowing possession of something is a far cry from condoning every possible use of it.
No it's really not. Your backpack or purse would contain personal use items only. Your cargo bays contain commodities that you are trading from station to station. It would be more along the lines of a civilian scanning the contents of a freight truck. Not necessarily public information, but not private either. Cargo has to be declared publicly, and there are many examples, outside of law enforcement, that are privy to that information. Using a cargo scanner streamlines the process of pulling you over and manually inspecting your cargo. It also makes more sense from a gameplay perspective since you can't really be expected to allow another player to fly over and board your ship just to inspect your cargo.
Every last bit of information you just claimed to be "private" is readily available whether you want it or not by just selecting a target and allowing the basic scan to run. I can tell you if there's a bounty on your head in this system and exactly what modules you're carrying. Assuming that any internal modules that are not listed are cargo racks.
There is one use for a cargo scanner, and that is to scan cargo. <The important bits are in bold.
Whether you're authority or civilian matters none. That's what it was meant to do, and that is exactly the function it serves. You are not required to like the way this module functions in game for it to do so. Suggesting that civilian craft should be restricted from owning this module is fine with me since I don't use one, and it would make more sense to restrict the use of it to system authority and illicit purposes. Other than that your assertion that scanning a clean target should be an illegal action is ridiculous.
I don't agree.
Actually, they are all SCBs.
I have no problem with how the module functions. I have a problem with people using them on me.
I don't agree with this either.