Newcomer / Intro Learnt the painful Way

[dave cumming]

I've seen Griefer explaining that the open structure of the game allows them to ambush other players, just like in real life. If that is so, I am surprised that it is a breach of etiquette to name a shame them. In real life (think Wild West) they would be named so that everyone has the chance to avoid them; and you could call in bounty hunters to kill them.

I was killed at a CG 2 days ago so now in Mobius until the CG is finished. You would think that bounty hunter players would be swarming round each CG.

 

[Chris Simon]

I've seen Griefer explaining that the open structure of the game allows them to ambush other players, just like in real life. If that is so, I am surprised that it is a breach of etiquette to name a shame them. In real life (think Wild West) they would be named so that everyone has the chance to avoid them; and you could call in bounty hunters to kill them.

I was killed at a CG 2 days ago so now in Mobius until the CG is finished. You would think that bounty hunter players would be swarming round each CG.

First, there is no "etiquette". Naming and shaming is forbidden on the official forums, to keep things civil and family friendly. Period.
But there are whole sites and groups dedicated to player-hunting, KOS lists, Pirate and anti-pirate lobbys, ... One just need to look.

As for the bounty-hunting of griefers, it's hard. The problem is that these guys are cowards of the hardest grain. They will keep slaughtering traders in CGs or newbies in starter systems, but the moment they are confronted by a commander of equal power, they simply run. And by run I mean they just log out. There really is nothing in the game mechanics that would help us fight these people.

 

[[VR] Zakk]

I think the only counter measure against combat loggers would be a sanctioning by FDEV.
Treat a disconnect in combat like a defeat, with all related consequences. Problem solved.

If a player suffered a genuine disconnect during combat, they can still ask support for a refund.

 

[Greenmantle]

As I've been arguing for some time, we need a much better model for being able to see hostile NPCs coming. The pirate's messages you get in SC are fine - allowing time to take evasive action, but the invisible interdictor that hits you on the run-in to stations or on the entry to a system is not.
It's a fair risk that you can take on a mission where you know persistent hostiles will be sent against you, but it's not a fair risk that you then have no method of evading them other than winning the mini-game (very difficult against engineered NPCs) or combat (often impossible).
I lost a mining Asp on a mission twice yesterday - each time to persistent invisible NPC hostiles (deadly fdl, deadly anaconda), each time on the final run-in (having evaded previous attempts by high-waking). Sooner or later you need to get back to a station to hand in a mission...and that's when you are helpless.
I'd welcome any advice which shows there is a way....
(btw what is an 'impulse attack'?)

 

[aRJay]

I think an impulse attack is something like a proximity explosion designed to knock you off course and speed with damage thrown in as well.

If time and funds permit you could dock at a non destination station and re equip your ship or change it to maximise speed and defence.

Also coming into the station too fast (ignoring the slow down warning) and looping round can work to get you past ambushers.

 

[Chris Simon]

As I've been arguing for some time, we need a much better model for being able to see hostile NPCs coming. The pirate's messages you get in SC are fine - allowing time to take evasive action, but the invisible interdictor that hits you on the run-in to stations or on the entry to a system is not.
It's a fair risk that you can take on a mission where you know persistent hostiles will be sent against you, but it's not a fair risk that you then have no method of evading them other than winning the mini-game (very difficult against engineered NPCs) or combat (often impossible).
I lost a mining Asp on a mission twice yesterday - each time to persistent invisible NPC hostiles (deadly fdl, deadly anaconda), each time on the final run-in (having evaded previous attempts by high-waking). Sooner or later you need to get back to a station to hand in a mission...and that's when you are helpless.
I'd welcome any advice which shows there is a way....
(btw what is an 'impulse attack'?)

1) Agreed, though surprised attacks have also something to them. If I wanted to interdict you on the station approach, I'd hide myself in the planet's "shadow" so you don't see me on the radar and then once you're close and slowing down, I'd come around and pull you out.

2) If you have a mining Asp, aside from two C2 mining lasers, try equipping four mine launchers into C1s. Mines are awesome, if you can aim them and create a mine field between you and the target, then even with crap shields you're able to defeat much bigger ships.
(Shameless plug follows:

Spoiler

[video=youtube;xzVYxOhteq4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzVYxOhteq4[/video]

)

3) Impulse attack means a high-alpha weapon hit. Usually railguns or modded cannons.
Refer to this sheet of symbols, appearing under your ship hologram to see what's happening:

Spoiler

Impulse, "High-alpha damage weapons" have high armour piercing capabilities, usually able to damage your modules even through the hull and armour. If such message comes up, try like hell to NOT be hit a second time.

 

[Caymen]

The bitter sweet irony,

Well as I have said in this post I like playing in open. I was doing a run from Sothis back to the bubble with a mission worth 9 million credits,
iwas 2 jumps from Sothis when I got interdicted (which happens) so I did my usually submit to the interdiction..to my surprise it was a player this time!.
Again I will not mention the cmdr, started boosting away in my Asp ,,the cmdr was in a Python and already had melted 2 rings of my shields, but my Asp had 2 types of mines fitted so I kept chucking these out while trying to boost away!

I notced that suddenly the Python shields had gone! so I thought sod it turned about with my Asp which I have 2 multi cannons fitted and targeted its powerplant.
Gimballed btw ..the Python took my remaining shield down and I was down to 64% hull when I knocked his powerplant out, I then took out his thrusters and his frameshift drive.

I was shaking by this time,i could just about hold my joystick! sat behind the crippled Python and opened comms with the Cmdr.
Fairplay to the guy, we had a good chat and said well played and he could not belive he fell for the sucker punch mines!
The ones that really put him down where the mines that Knock you off your target(forget what there called) and me popping the other mines wiped his shields and took 60% of his armour before I used my multi cannons.

We both wished each other good luck, and then the twist!...His last convo...Ok finish the job and safe travels! woot! my reply enjoy the scenery and goodbye!
So I left him to his fate, hit jump and carried on with my 18 jumps to deliever my cargo.

In my mind I can still see that Python sitting looking at a class G star !
Risk and reward does not get better than that for me...
Loving the game and if you are reading this (Python Cmdr) thanks for the 5 mins of edge of the seat shakey joystick fun! 07

 

[Chris Simon]

The bitter sweet irony,

Well as I have said in this post I like playing in open. I was doing a run from Sothis back to the bubble with a mission worth 9 million credits,
iwas 2 jumps from Sothis when I got interdicted (which happens) so I did my usually submit to the interdiction..to my surprise it was a player this time!.
Again I will not mention the cmdr, started boosting away in my Asp ,,the cmdr was in a Python and already had melted 2 rings of my shields, but my Asp had 2 types of mines fitted so I kept chucking these out while trying to boost away!

I notced that suddenly the Python shields had gone! so I thought sod it turned about with my Asp which I have 2 multi cannons fitted and targeted its powerplant.
Gimballed btw ..the Python took my remaining shield down and I was down to 64% hull when I knocked his powerplant out, I then took out his thrusters and his frameshift drive.

I was shaking by this time,i could just about hold my joystick! sat behind the crippled Python and opened comms with the Cmdr.
Fairplay to the guy, we had a good chat and said well played and he could not belive he fell for the sucker punch mines!
The ones that really put him down where the mines that Knock you off your target(forget what there called) and me popping the other mines wiped his shields and took 60% of his armour before I used my multi cannons.

We both wished each other good luck, and then the twist!...His last convo...Ok finish the job and safe travels! woot! my reply enjoy the scenery and goodbye!
So I left him to his fate, hit jump and carried on with my 18 jumps to deliever my cargo.

In my mind I can still see that Python sitting looking at a class G star !
Risk and reward does not get better than that for me...
Loving the game and if you are reading this (Python Cmdr) thanks for the 5 mins of edge of the seat shakey joystick fun! 07

Awesome story! [up]

Btw. If this ever happens to you (sitting dead in the water with destroyed thrusters or powerplant) There is a "Reboot and repair" option in the Functions tab on your right-hand panel. It's not an AFMU, but it cannibalizes your other modules to repair the destroyed ones. It usually gets them to just a couple of %, but it's enough to limp back to nearest port.

 

[Manticore]

Sorry to hear you got griefed.......... yes; there is that factor.

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

<snip>.. but my Asp had 2 types of mines fitted so I kept chucking these out while trying to boost away!
<snip>
The ones that really put him down where the mines that Knock you off your target(forget what there called) <snip>

Good idea [up]. Think I'll switch the 4 rear hardpoints on my AspX from 4 Mine Launchers to 2 Mine Launchers and 2 Shock Mines.
Mine Launchers normally work against NPCs but not against a CMDR I encountered at a CG system in Open last week although think the CMDR was in a heavy modded Clipper.

 

[Ozram]

Op, so you know... while shooting you down is considered fair play in open (albeit not very civil behaviour), the jeer is not. You can report the player for that. Next time (I know one often doesn't think of these things in the moment) take a screenshot and report the remark.
Cheers and safe flying.

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

For what it's worth I've seen 5 CMDRs in the past few game hours all without incident, though I swear one was eyeing me up for his next target but thought better of it. I did get interdicted by two AI deadly anacondas (at the same time) in Open that was nasty though I did escape.