Elite Dangerous | Powerplay 2.0 Questions and Answers

[WhiteHaulerMan]

Yes, I got that.

But...
- the same applies to PP1, you can't tell if a pledge to another Power has any merits worth killing them over there, but most pledges don't go about attacking other pledges just for existing (yes, it's valid to do so, but it's not universal)
- on a diplomatic level, it might be better to accept a PMF with a mix of pledged supporters (and just compensate for the "passing traffic" losses some other way, if they're not deliberately trying to flip the system) rather than antagonise them and encourage them to make sure their territory does not overlap with ALD territory any more.
- the Power's supporters possibly get an incentive to attack the PMF's supporters (because they're also acting for an enemy Power), but that's not the same as the Power's supporters having an incentive to attack the PMF itself to change system control - something like the "Deliver Exploration Data" in the above screenshot would strengthen both the controlling Power and the controlling PMF if carried out by a supporter of that Power, for example.

Just thought I'd clarify, because you know how we like to get caught up in the minutiae on this Forum (of course, as Rebel Yell rightly points out, said PMF member is going to have to deal with the PP NPCs for that faction as well, such as they are).

Regarding the points you raise:
1. Regardless of whether a pledge to another power has merits worth killing them over, there is worth at a base level in PP2.0 in that (judging by the screengrabs) you'll be awarded merits or whatever PP2.0s equivalent is for neutralising them.
2. The diplomatic level is something that would need to be resolved at a organic player driven factional level, and something that is really out of the scope of something I can really talk about (being a mostly freelance player of late).
3. I can see where you're coming from, and something we'll need as a playerbase to keep an eye on after release, see what comes out of it.

 

[aRJay]

The best option, given a prevailing KoS ethos in the occupying power, is just carry on as normal, but in PG/Solo, isn't it?

That might depend on how good the NPC power play police they talked about are.

 

[Nowski]

You think it says: Destroy enemy NPCs.

I think "commanders" probably means players, but we won't know until it's out.. Nothing touching on it in the Q&A that I could see.

would be better?

 

[WhiteHaulerMan]

I think "commanders" probably means players, but we won't know until it's out.. Nothing touching on it in the Q&A that I could see.

Unless they've changed their definition, the only 'Commanders' in game (aside from Jameson, RIP) are players.

 

[Nowski]

If the activity is conducted in solo/PG that will give a further +weight to add on the "zero tolerance side".

I surmise the "zero tolerance side" doesn't need much in the way of pretext rigorously argued rationale, at least for some powers (Arr!), already..

Which is one of the best reasons why the answer to PP2.0 question "Open only? Pweeeze?" should be "No." (IMO).

 

[Rebel Yell]

I surmise the "zero tolerance side" doesn't need much in the way of pretext rigorously argued rationale, at least for some powers (Arr!), already..

Which is one of the best reasons why the answer to PP2.0 question "Open only? Pweeeze?" should be "No." (IMO).

Well... my impression is that FDEV would rather like the idea of having players focusing mainly on powerplay instead of BGS.

BGS/PMF are "local ties" for a player, as well as resulting in more or less routined grinds, whilst powerplay is a way broader gameplay environment.

 

[EddDoloroso]

I'm so disappointed with the decision about Open Only. Every month I check the news hoping to see the Open Only decision being taken. I would come back to play on the same day. Playing PP in Solo servers is cheating. It would be in every MMO in history. Imagine playing an online game with other people doing something together and some guy that can't be found like a ghost is playing and changing things around you and you can't even see him. The problem is not open only or not open only. It should be open only, it's the most reasonable thing. The problem is the lack of mechanisms to protect people against gankers and the things that make Open Only risky.

It feels like you are the child of a parent who takes questionable decisions to favor the spoiled child who is your brother/sister because if he doesn't do that then the spoiled child will annoy everyone. Like, always ordering cheese pizza when you can choose a marguerita or four cheese pizza or mignon filet with wine because the spoiled child only likes cheese pizza so everyone MUST eat cheese pizza.

 

[SergMx]

I'm so disappointed with the decision about Open Only. Every month I check the news hoping to see the Open Only decision being taken. I would come back to play on the same day. Playing PP in Solo servers is cheating. It would be in every MMO in history. Imagine playing an online game with other people doing something together and some guy that can't be found like a ghost is playing and changing things around you and you can't even see him. The problem is not open only or not open only. It should be open only, it's the most reasonable thing. The problem is the lack of mechanisms to protect people against gankers and the things that make Open Only risky.

It feels like you are the child of a parent who takes questionable decisions to favor the spoiled child who is your brother/sister because if he doesn't do that then the spoiled child will annoy everyone. Like, always ordering cheese pizza when you can choose a marguerita or four cheese pizza or mignon filet with wine because the spoiled child only likes cheese pizza so everyone MUST eat cheese pizza.

PP is not a game with other people.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Like this?
View attachment 404514

ETA: Screenshot from Work In Progress UI shown in F U April (link should go to 22:51)

What I mean is, perks / bonuses for people to risk being in Open in Powerplay? If people are going to risk getting blown up, they also need a reward for risking it.

We also don't know if there is any INF reward for shooting down commanders- I assume they are worth merits but thats nothing new (IIRC you get a whole merit for doing that in PP now). Otherwise, solo will be the place 'to go' as AFAIK destruction by NPC does not have the same (or possibly the same) INF impact.

 

[Rubbernuke]

I think "commanders" probably means players, but we won't know until it's out.. Nothing touching on it in the Q&A that I could see.

The whole segment from 25:00 onwards:

....for this star system and at that point essentially the gloves are off, so now it's about also showing why the other power is not a good choice and you basically just get to have a fight with them you as I said gloves off right, so go and kill the other power members go and kill their ships go and stop them doing anything that they're going to do like have an all out battle in that star system that makes you look like the Victor if you equally you can carry on doing what you were doing before as well so let's using the finance thing if you're a trader right, dodge the fights but still show them that you can like trade like crazy in even in this scenario and that will also still contribute towards this.

kill the other power members go and kill their ships

Thats very much kill other players and what I assume is also NPCs (kill their ships)- unless they mean on foot kills, and then their ships

 

[Nowski]

What I mean is, perks / bonuses for people to risk being in Open in Powerplay? If people are going to risk getting blown up, they also need a reward for risking it.

There's a whole thread for this, and the discussion should probably go there, but the chance to score PP2 points by blowing up other players IS sort of a reward for risking being in open, no? Maybe not what you were thinking of, but a reward for risking being in open nonetheless.

As you point out, we don't know what the in-game rewards are, so it's kind of moot until deployment.

Solo will be the place to go for me, regardless of rewards, as I much prefer a single-player playstyle.

 

[Rubbernuke]

There's a whole thread for this, and the discussion should probably go there, but the chance to score PP2 points by blowing up other players IS sort of a reward for risking being in open, no? Maybe not what you were thinking of, but a reward for risking being in open nonetheless.

As you point out, we don't know what the in-game rewards are, so it's kind of moot until deployment.

Solo will be the place to go for me, regardless of rewards, as I much prefer a single-player playstyle.

As I pointed out- if PvP kills count against a power (and destruction by NPC kills don't)- what mode will be the best to be strategically in? Its not going to be Open unless the risk of destruction is balanced with a benefit of risking the influence drop if you are toasted.

 

[Nowski]

unless the risk of destruction is balanced with a benefit of risking the influence drop if you are toasted.

Isn't the balancing benefit the reward for being the toaster rather than toastee?

 

[Rubbernuke]

Isn't the balancing benefit the reward for being the toaster rather than toastee?

Thats what I want balanced- its no good having everything on destruction because then why would anyone try to '( if you're a trader right), dodge the fights but still show them that you can like trade like crazy in even in this scenario' FD talked about in FU.

 

[Nowski]

Thats what I want balanced-

Well, I know what you want! But regards my previous point:

Maybe not what you were thinking of, but a reward for risking being in open nonetheless.

then, assuming it is already balanced - i.e. while the April F U screenshot appears to show player kills as a means to progress undermining, there would be some corresponding progress in fortification when defenders kill attacking players, with corresponding player rewards in both cases - in that case player combat can be rewarded according to FD's taste as part of PP2.

So I'm just saying we've been shown a hint at a mechanic that potentially rewards risking open. The devil will be in the details of the released version and how/if it functions there.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Well, I know what you want! But regards my previous point:



then, assuming it is already balanced - i.e. while the April F U screenshot appears to show player kills as a means to progress undermining, there would be some corresponding progress in fortification when defenders kill attacking players, with corresponding player rewards in both cases - in that case player combat can be rewarded according to FD's taste as part of PP2.

So I'm just saying we've been shown a hint at a mechanic that potentially rewards risking open. The devil will be in the details of the released version and how/if it functions there.

Yes, as I discussed in 'the other thread'. However what I would like to see is something for haulers as well, which is the opposite of shooting someone down- so then you have both sides covered. So if you haul in Open you get something for your trouble, if you shoot someone down you get the situational bonus.

The true leveler would be that NPCs are meaner the more you do, and that commander loss counts the same INF wise regardless of mode.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Well... my impression is that FDEV would rather like the idea of having players focusing mainly on powerplay instead of BGS.

BGS/PMF are "local ties" for a player, as well as resulting in more or less routined grinds, whilst powerplay is a way broader gameplay environment.

Powerplays visual changes to stations, actual expansion mechanics, huge CG like rewards as well as bespoke clubhouses and security structure are what PMFs dream of- so from a materialistic standpoint Powerplay already has a good deal going for it. All of a sudden the BGS might be the poorer relation, given it was never really meant to be directly 'played'.

 

[Mrc_NorthEast]

I'm so disappointed with the decision about Open Only.... The problem is the lack of mechanisms to protect people against gankers and the things that make Open Only risky.

PP2.0 has not been released yet, so we do not know what Fdev decided and has done, until we see 'all the devils in all the details'.

I agree on the lack of a useful crime and punishment system, and that the griefers and gankers should be the targets for a revamp of that game system.

I do disagree on open only anything (bonus for pp, or pp in open only) in a game marketed as play your own way, all modes affected the shared background sim, etc. Up till now it seems like Fdev delivered an mvp product and tried to please everyone with it. PP2.0 when it is delivered will be interesting. I wonder how long it will take to find all the details and test them out, and find the bug(s)...

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Like this?
View attachment 404514

ETA: Screenshot from Work In Progress UI shown in F U April (link should go to 22:51)

Now, that is very interesting. Hadn't seen that before.

That's a direct nod towards PvP and a bonus for those in open, an activity not available to those in solo and most PGs.

However, it opens the door to collusion or manipulation.

I do have an alt on Epic games. Fire that up on a second machine or in a second instance and just gank my alt over and over again.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Playing PP in Solo servers is cheating.

You may not like it, you may feel like its cheating, but its literally not.