Combat Logging is a very hot topic in Elite Dangerous, and for good reasons. It's something most players involved with PvP have had to deal with. Unfortunately there's a lot of confusion what "combat logging" actually is. I've seen it applied in these cases:
Only #3 is actually an exploit and it seems, relatively speaking, quite rare. The other two are fully allowed within the current combat / game rules. However I do agree that all three match the "essence" of combat logging and are detrimental to the PvP aspect of the game. This post is here to suggest some changes to eliminate case 1 and 2 - case 3 is a technical issue that I will not address. The suggestions I have to improve PvP and remove sanctioned combat loggings are listed below. In reality it's very standard and matches most other MMO's that I'm aware of. I.e nothing revolutionary.
These changes wouldn't affect normal game play much but would prevent legal/sanctions way to escape combat by leaving the game. It would also ensure that anyone that does leave suddently did so using shady methods (or in some cases due to crash/loss of Internet). It would significantly clean up the reports of combat loggers as well.
- Logging out after being interdicted or in other situations, while not actually in combat (in a situation where the logging out player has a reason to feel threatened by another player).
- Logging out while in combat, after waiting 15 seconds.
- Logging out instantly while in combat, 100% avoiding death (through a number of methods, all using outside-game mechanics)
Only #3 is actually an exploit and it seems, relatively speaking, quite rare. The other two are fully allowed within the current combat / game rules. However I do agree that all three match the "essence" of combat logging and are detrimental to the PvP aspect of the game. This post is here to suggest some changes to eliminate case 1 and 2 - case 3 is a technical issue that I will not address. The suggestions I have to improve PvP and remove sanctioned combat loggings are listed below. In reality it's very standard and matches most other MMO's that I'm aware of. I.e nothing revolutionary.
- Remove the possibility to log out while in combat / in danger.
- Remove ability to log out after interdiction (i.e be considered in-danger), at least until the FDL is back online, for both parties (i.e interdictor and interdictee).
- Require a 15-30 second timeout while logging out in (potentially) unsafe conditions.
- The following should be considered safe conditions with instant logout:
- While docked.
- While supercruising and not being interdicted.
- While in normal space, without enemy ships or player ships
These changes wouldn't affect normal game play much but would prevent legal/sanctions way to escape combat by leaving the game. It would also ensure that anyone that does leave suddently did so using shady methods (or in some cases due to crash/loss of Internet). It would significantly clean up the reports of combat loggers as well.
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