Expanded role for SLF pilots?

Stealthie

Stealthie
Been making things explode in CZs to rank-up my new SLF jockey and it occurred to me that their role is a bit... limited.

I wonder if it'd be possible to come up with more stuff for SLF pilots to do?

I realise people would like it if, say, an SLF pilot could sit in the cockpit of your ship and take orders, or provide some kind of a buff for your ship but I'm talking about actual activities within the game where an SLF pilot might be useful.

Fundamentally, I guess, I'm talking about things where you could launch the SLF and then order the pilot to go and do stuff so you could do something else at the same time.

Perhaps it'd be possible to get SLF pilots assisting during mining, by scanning asteroids in some way?
Maybe they could be sent to scout things like geysers and brain-trees?
Maybe "recover stuff from the surface" missions could be re-worked so an SLF pilot could help you search for escape pods or other mission objectives?
Perhaps they could be worked into certain "puzzles" so they shoot at some target which triggers something for you to do?

Just seems like a bit of a waste that their only use is for basic combat.

Anybody else feel this way, or have any suggestions what they might be used for?
 

Morbad

Morbad
I'd like to see them be able to be sent out on recon flights, sharing sensor telemetry.

Having them be able to collect materials (though less efficiently than actual collector limpets) would also be nice.
 

[VR] Frank_G

[VR] Frank_G
Stealth recon fighters would be cool, maybe with torpedoes and the abilities to extend the main ships radar range and go silent running for a minute or so. I‘d also like repair and mining „fighters“.
 

Watcher

W
Frontier hinted at a mining fighter before though we've not seen anything with the Beta so I guess that isn't happening now - maybe sometime next year?
But, hey, a utility SLF would be neat - no guns but can do collection, scanning or repair. That would be cool :) I guess we could have different SLF's for different roles or maybe a more general utility SLF.. NPC can then do those things possibly.
This might get a bit like limpets though - we don't necessarily want a million different role specific fighters, a more general purpose one would be good and also make a case for fighting a larger fighter bay in place of additional limpet controllers and cargo space for limpets. Hmm..

I still say we also need improved command and control mechanics. Be nice if you could actually get in the SLF and dismiss your ship - be neat for rapid surface exploration.
Anyway, one thing at a time.
 

RamirezKurita

R
Agreed entirely, as an implementation of NPC crew they are pretty lacking and it's a bit sad that they didn't get any attention during Beyond. Hopefully, FD will continue this pace of core improvements alongside new expansion content so that things like NPC crew get some attention and become a useful and diverse mechanic for everyone to use.
 

60mm

60mm
I would settle for SLF Pilots to not be buggy and be capable of following orders, and learning how to use escape pods.

Don't add to something that is broken.
 

Hrdina

Hrdina
60mm said:
I would settle for SLF Pilots to not be buggy and be capable of following orders, and learning how to use escape pods.

Don't add to something that is broken.
Click to expand...
It would be nice if they would stop flying through the caustic cloud after we finish off a bunch of Thargoid Scouts.
 
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