Catching up - a few questions

[Altissimus]

Hi,

Had the game since beta but (due mainly to a now-7 month old baby) I've had a lot less time to play then most (and a lot less sleep too).

So, a few questions please. I'd be really grateful if anyone could help me out with these:


1) Do AI ships with different ratings fly with different combat abilities and/or have different levels of shields/weaponry? i.e. is a Wanted "mostly harmless" in a sidewinder going to be a doddle compared to a wanted "deadly" flying the same ship?

2) Does the peacefulness/policing of a given system (i.e. Anarchy at one end of the scale...dunno what the other end is called...) reduce the number and/or efficiency of pirates/interdictions/combat capability of pirates? (referring to AIs here).

3) Can Players pirate in lawful systems?

4) What is the impact of switching from Solo play to Open play? Is it a one-shot deal or can you choose each time? Do you have to start over?

I'm really interested in the solo vs open elements here, particularly as someone who want be able to play much. I fear being left behind by others who will have a fleet of cobras by the time I've finished my second courier mission. Hence switching from solo to online and back again may be a way of avoiding those people who think it's funny to bring a fully-upgraded cobra into starter space to prey on the young and defenceless.

Thanks for the answers,
A.

 

[DraigUK]

Hi,

Had the game since beta but (due mainly to a now-7 month old baby) I've had a lot less time to play then most (and a lot less sleep too).

So, a few questions please. I'd be really grateful if anyone could help me out with these:


1) Do AI ships with different ratings fly with different combat abilities and/or have different levels of shields/weaponry? i.e. is a Wanted "mostly harmless" in a sidewinder going to be a doddle compared to a wanted "deadly" flying the same ship?

Yes. Higher rating and they fly better (even using FA off) better ships/weps. The lower ranked ones don't even have shields active. They are all pretty easy if you have some experience. The Elite Anacondas can be a good challenge.

2) Does the peacefulness/policing of a given system (i.e. Anarchy at one end of the scale...dunno what the other end is called...) reduce the number and/or efficiency of pirates/interdictions/combat capability of pirates? (referring to AIs here).

Not that I can tell. Anarchy means you can do whatever you want without penalty. In higher security systems the Police come help you after a time. This needs tuning and some work yet but I see where it is going. Interdictions for most probably need tuning down a bit in higher security areas, don't mind them myself, free money. go fast and keep an eye on your six and interdictions are not that often. The mini game is easy so in reality you decide how many interdictions you want once you get that part done.

3) Can Players pirate in lawful systems?

You can pirate anywhere.

4) What is the impact of switching from Solo play to Open play? Is it a one-shot deal or can you choose each time? Do you have to start over?

There is no impact, you can switch from one to the other back and forth as often as you wish. The only difference is if you see other real players or not, otherwise they are functionally the same.

I'm really interested in the solo vs open elements here, particularly as someone who want be able to play much. I fear being left behind by others who will have a fleet of cobras by the time I've finished my second courier mission. Hence switching from solo to online and back again may be a way of avoiding those people who think it's funny to bring a fully-upgraded cobra into starter space to prey on the young and defenceless.

Thanks for the answers,
A.

No worries.

 

[HexEdge]

1) Yes different commander ranking do change the loadout of NPC ships, most harmless ships have no sheilds for example.

2) sorry can't answer.

3) Yes some would say it too easy to do and others would say its hard to make a profitable living this way.

4) You can switch between solo and open play anytime from the main game menu. There is no loss of anything other then the chance of meeting other players.

Hope this helps

 

[Altissimus]

Thanks guys