Horizons Least favorite NPC AI capability.

[rrobes]

The AI is certainly better that earlier, they are much more of a challenge. That said NPC's exhibit certain capabilities that are annoying.

Flying backwards/sideways as fast as flying forward, their uncanny abilities to take out your systems (higher rated NPC's), the instant interdiction capability, resurrecting from the dead, instant FSD spin up and so on. The posts have covered them.

The one that really frosts me is that constant stream of chaff that seems to come out of a high pressure hose. I can put up with all the other ones but this one just is beyond annoying.[mad][down][sour]

If FD were to change anything, this is one is almost at the top of the list (for me).

Comments welcome.

 

[Steve Solo]

Work around it. The first thing I did when 2.1 dropped was grab a Vulture and spent a few hours in a High Res. Study them. Learn how they fly so you can counter. Use fixed/turret weapons. Sounds mean but that is the only way you can learn. Even took a few insurance claims to become competent again.

Chin up CMDR! We shall win this war!

 

[Alex Brentnall]

I enjoyed a lot of the chaff. I generally operate high damage builds with beam lasers that drain cap fast.

Some of it is crazy (agreed) but generally during the chaff time I generally stick an extra pip or two to engines and get into optimal position again before all pips to recharging whichever cap is most empty.

 

[rrobes]

I appreciate the recommendations. I have combat elite rank, and deadly to elite after the Engineers (6000 kills required!!??), so flying isn't that much an issue though practice makes perfect. It is annoying because it is an obvious shortcut to increase the effectiveness of the NPC without having to program a more realistic approach.

I did fly a Vulture a while back and recently an FAS, I miss their maneuverability, but their versatility is so limited with the Engineer demands that my Python is the ship I use exclusively, but it's not very maneuverable, even FA/O. The FAS has been stripped and sits in port and is about to be sold out. I have a Corvette also in port being fitted out, but parts ain't cheap so it may be a while before it ventures forth (it is an expensive module storage unit for now).

But this is all a prelude, "rumors of war, strange omens, Thargoids...".

 

[Alex Brentnall]

I appreciate the recommendations. I have combat elite rank, and deadly to elite after the Engineers (6000 kills required!!??), so flying isn't that much an issue though practice makes perfect. It is annoying because it is an obvious shortcut to increase the effectiveness of the NPC without having to program a more realistic approach.

I did fly a Vulture a while back and recently an FAS, I miss their maneuverability, but their versatility is so limited with the Engineer demands that my Python is the ship I use exclusively, but it's not very maneuverable, even FA/O. The FAS has been stripped and sits in port and is about to be sold out. I have a Corvette also in port being fitted out, but parts ain't cheap so it may be a while before it ventures forth (it is an expensive module storage unit for now).

But this is all a prelude, "rumors of war, strange omens, Thargoids...".

You can always untarget the enemy and go back to manual aiming for the duration of the chaff? Only really good for lasers though as manual targeting with cannons or multi's isn't easy especially if the police are around.

I accept chaff spam on Deadly/Elite npc's as it's what I'd expect players to do... <- Rightly or wrongly

 

[Codger]

The things they say.

 

[Chris Simon]

The AI is certainly better that earlier, they are much more of a challenge. That said NPC's exhibit certain capabilities that are annoying.

Flying backwards/sideways as fast as flying forward, their uncanny abilities to take out your systems (higher rated NPC's), the instant interdiction capability, resurrecting from the dead, instant FSD spin up and so on. The posts have covered them.

The one that really frosts me is that constant stream of chaff that seems to come out of a high pressure hose. I can put up with all the other ones but this one just is beyond annoying.[mad][down][sour]

If FD were to change anything, this is one is almost at the top of the list (for me).

Comments welcome.

I will play a bit of a jerk, here, and say that by the time you are fighting Deadly and Elite opponents (they are those who spam chaff the most), you should be able to use fixed weapons.
Unless you are in a ship that specifically prevents it (Clipper), of course. But I find fighting Deadly+ AI really annoying with gimbals, myself. Fixed are immune to everything the enemy could throw at you, has longer effective range and up to 25% more damage. What's not to like?

 

[rrobes]

I will play a bit of a jerk, here, and say that by the time you are fighting Deadly and Elite opponents (they are those who spam chaff the most), you should be able to use fixed weapons.
Unless you are in a ship that specifically prevents it (Clipper), of course. But I find fighting Deadly+ AI really annoying with gimbals, myself. Fixed are immune to everything the enemy could throw at you, has longer effective range and up to 25% more damage. What's not to like?

I am aware of that, but with modded weapons and lack of storage, it's cumbersome to swap fixed for gimballed and vice versa. I am grateful for the recent Engineers scheme change, at least you can mod modules with less grind. The issue is storage, it is amazing to me how many issues could be resolved with that capability.

The Python again is not the most agile beast for fighting and fixed sights aren't user friendly against speedier ships (these make up the bulk of the opponents faced). It would be nice if they made a 3C turreted laser, that way you could at least change the fire settings.

I appreciate your comment about ability, however, one must realize that there are varying skill levels and that said, not everyone can achieve the same levels that others may have reached. To say that someone who has reached a certain level should be able to do "X" is an assumption that may not be true in all instances. I get by in the game with my "limited" skill set.

To all that have replied I thank you. The comment was made to bring about discussion about an NPC trait, though the hints for betterment, in whatever tone they are made, add to my knowledge of the game.