Exploration and Powerplay question

[Bennett]

Not sure whether this has been raised and answered before/elsewhere, so apologies if it has.

Just wondering how much of an impact being pledged to a Powerplay power has on random NPC interdictions occurring when far out from the bubble. For example will I drag my battered white Asp all the way to Sag A* only to be inexplicably interdicted by an NPC of an opposing power?

Just asking, as I am planning a trip to the core that will probably take me about 4 weeks, and I was wondering whether I could pledge as I leave the bubble, disappear for 4 weeks, then return, grind merits for a week and buy some shiny prismatic shields for my Python!

Thanks in advance

 

[AJW]

Not sure whether this has been raised and answered before/elsewhere, so apologies if it has.

Just wondering how much of an impact being pledged to a Powerplay power has on random NPC interdictions occurring when far out from the bubble. For example will I drag my battered white Asp all the way to Sag A* only to be inexplicably interdicted by an NPC of an opposing power?

Just asking, as I am planning a trip to the core that will probably take me about 4 weeks, and I was wondering whether I could pledge as I leave the bubble, disappear for 4 weeks, then return, grind merits for a week and buy some shiny prismatic shields for my Python!

Thanks in advance

"Random NPC interdictions" don't occur "far out from the bubble". Apparently they used to when the game was first released, but as the game currently stands once you leave the bubble you won't see NPCs at all (other than the odd stray NPC following explorers around for a bit and doing nothing - clearly a rare bug) . What you may have to take into account is pledging making things more difficult once you return to sell your exploration data.

 

[Rikk]

In that situation I would be tempted to get your Python to one of the stations at the edge of the bubble.

Then on your return switch from your battered white Asp to your fairly well defended Python and finish your journey

 

[Bennett]

"Random NPC interdictions" don't occur "far out from the bubble". Apparently they used to when the game was first released, but as the game currently stands once you leave the bubble you won't see NPCs at all (other than the odd stray NPC following explorers around for a bit and doing nothing - clearly a rare bug) . What you may have to take into account is pledging making things more difficult once you return to sell your exploration data.

In that situation I would be tempted to get your Python to one of the stations at the edge of the bubble.

Then on your return switch from your battered white Asp to your fairly well defended Python and finish your journey

Thanks

Good to know and sound advice.

Rep+ to you both

 

[Ziljan]

I once changed loyalties and then went for an expedition a couple klys outside the bubble. The "bounty hunters" for my old faction showed up, and my little exploration ship barely escaped. But that was many moons ago, and the code may have been altered. Apart from that, keep a wide berth from control systems and you should be fine.

 

[MUSKETEER]

I keep my ASP Explorer parked in a base outside the bubble.

I travel to it with one of my Cobras, I park the Cobra, take ASP, explore, come back, park the ASP, take the Cobra and fly to Federation system to sell my exploration data.. Any attempts of NPCs or CMDRs to intercept me are laughable

 

[AJW]

I keep my ASP Explorer parked in a base outside the bubble.

I travel to it with one of my Cobras, I park the Cobra, take ASP, explore, come back, park the ASP, take the Cobra and fly to Federation system to sell my exploration data.. Any attempts of NPCs or CMDRs to intercept me are laughable

Isn't 'the bubble' defined as that part of space with bases?

 

[MUSKETEER]

Isn't 'the bubble' defined as that part of space with bases?

I call it the area that is under the influence of main powers in the game.
There are many independent systems outside of that area.

 

[Senik]

I am planning a trip to the core that will probably take me about 4 weeks

Won't all of your merits decay after 4 weeks anyway? Unless you're really worried about losing your 4 weeks+ of tenure for the faction-specific gear, I'd just leave the faction before heading out, and then rejoin after you return. The last thing you need when you're limping home with a possibly damaged ship, with full wear-and-tear loss of hull integrity, and millions of credits of exploration data, is for some random Elite faction NPC to interdict you and manage to get off a few lucky shots while you're trying to run.

 

[Bennett]

Won't all of your merits decay after 4 weeks anyway? Unless you're really worried about losing your 4 weeks+ of tenure for the faction-specific gear, I'd just leave the faction before heading out, and then rejoin after you return. The last thing you need when you're limping home with a possibly damaged ship, with full wear-and-tear loss of hull integrity, and millions of credits of exploration data, is for some random Elite faction NPC to interdict you and manage to get off a few lucky shots while you're trying to run.

The plan is that I don't grind for merits at all until I get back. Basically, go off and explore and be far enough away not to have the nuisance of the extra interdictions powerplay brings, before returning, grinding for a week and being able to access the funky shields straight away (without the 4 week pledge wait). After I've got the shields then it's so long Powerplay!