I was sifting through the data file that FD sent out, way back when they reduced the Commodities required for Engineer mods, trying to put the data in a more readable, usable form. And I noticed something... rather odd.
Some Engineer upgrade categories have Grades in the file assigned to them that are currently not provided by any of the 15 known Engineers. So no CMDR has access to them. But, since they're in the data table, they have presumably been added to the game - and NPCs therefore presumably have access to them!
Ever wonder how NPCs can interdict you when they're sitting virtually in front of you, when you can't do that? It's because they've got access to Grade 5 FSD Interdictor Expanded Arc mods - the Colonel can only give us up to Grade 4.
Ever wonder how NPCs can fire off SCBs with apparently little or no heat buildup, and/or they recharge shields much faster than yours do? It's because they've got access to Grade 4 SCB improvements, when Ms Martuuk can only do Grade 1!
Ever wonder how NPCs seem to get access to bigger and better weaponry? It's because they have access to Grade 5 upgrades of all weapon types. Most of our weapons can only go up to 3 or 4, our PAs and railguns only go up to Grade 2!
Ever wonder how NPC weapons sometimes seem to damage you right through intact shields? It's because they have access to a "Shield Penetrating" mod for certain weapons (I don't know which ones), up to Grade 5. I can't find a single weapon that any of our known Engineers can do this to.
These unavailable Engineer upgrades presumably belong to a group of as-yet-unknown Engineers. They're "future content" for us (they presumably live on planets we can't yet land on), but not for NPCs.
Some Engineer upgrade categories have Grades in the file assigned to them that are currently not provided by any of the 15 known Engineers. So no CMDR has access to them. But, since they're in the data table, they have presumably been added to the game - and NPCs therefore presumably have access to them!
Ever wonder how NPCs can interdict you when they're sitting virtually in front of you, when you can't do that? It's because they've got access to Grade 5 FSD Interdictor Expanded Arc mods - the Colonel can only give us up to Grade 4.
Ever wonder how NPCs can fire off SCBs with apparently little or no heat buildup, and/or they recharge shields much faster than yours do? It's because they've got access to Grade 4 SCB improvements, when Ms Martuuk can only do Grade 1!
Ever wonder how NPCs seem to get access to bigger and better weaponry? It's because they have access to Grade 5 upgrades of all weapon types. Most of our weapons can only go up to 3 or 4, our PAs and railguns only go up to Grade 2!
Ever wonder how NPC weapons sometimes seem to damage you right through intact shields? It's because they have access to a "Shield Penetrating" mod for certain weapons (I don't know which ones), up to Grade 5. I can't find a single weapon that any of our known Engineers can do this to.
These unavailable Engineer upgrades presumably belong to a group of as-yet-unknown Engineers. They're "future content" for us (they presumably live on planets we can't yet land on), but not for NPCs.
