Non-Engineered NPCs

[EvilMerlin]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

And of course what happens with Deadly and Elite combat NPCs? Engineered weapons. So my 2.5 million space buck insurance claim hits.

This simply isn't right nor fair. I don't want to engineer. I don't want to mine. I don't want to explore. I just want to travel the galaxy, picking off pirates here and there.

The "official" recommendation is to get closer into the center of the bubble and fight lower level NPC's in low REZ areas.

That's silly.

We shouldn't be forced to engineer. And those that think a non-engineered A-rated FdL can compete with an engineered NPC FdL, you really don't play much.


Those of us that don't engineer shouldn't be forced to face opponents that do engineer. FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Let us have fun in the way we want.

 

[Bloodsign]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

And of course what happens with Deadly and Elite combat NPCs? Engineered weapons. So my 2.5 million space buck insurance claim hits.

This simply isn't right nor fair. I don't want to engineer. I don't want to mine. I don't want to explore. I just want to travel the galaxy, picking off pirates here and there.

The "official" recommendation is to get closer into the center of the bubble and fight lower level NPC's in low REZ areas.

That's silly.

We shouldn't be forced to engineer. And those that think a non-engineered A-rated FdL can compete with an engineered NPC FdL, you really don't play much.


Those of us that don't engineer shouldn't be forced to face opponents that do engineer. FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Let us have fun in the way we want.

I think you're playing the wrong game.

You CAN have an all-you-can-eat buffet, but not if you go to McDonald's.

 

[EvilMerlin]

I think you're playing the wrong game.

You CAN have an all-you-can-eat buffet, but not if you go to McDonald's.

I'm playing the SAME game you are. Only I have no desire to mine or engineer. But in order to compete with just the NPC's in game, Frontier has made it so you have NO choice.

So no, you cannot play the game the way you want it to.

In your example, it would be like going to a buffet restaurant but if you can only eat if you get steak and seafood with your noodles. Even if all you want is the noodles. And there is no way to GET the noodles unless you get the steak and seafood along with it. And good luck trying to pick it out.

 

[SciTrekker]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

And of course what happens with Deadly and Elite combat NPCs? Engineered weapons. So my 2.5 million space buck insurance claim hits.

This simply isn't right nor fair. I don't want to engineer. I don't want to mine. I don't want to explore. I just want to travel the galaxy, picking off pirates here and there.

The "official" recommendation is to get closer into the center of the bubble and fight lower level NPC's in low REZ areas.

That's silly.

We shouldn't be forced to engineer. And those that think a non-engineered A-rated FdL can compete with an engineered NPC FdL, you really don't play much.


Those of us that don't engineer shouldn't be forced to face opponents that do engineer. FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Let us have fun in the way we want.

But OP, the trip to FF could make any future trips to her take far fewer jumps, eliminating your lack of desire to make all those jumps, regardless of ship (even a Sidey). It's only one (1) meta alloy. You can have fun any way you want but ED is more fun once you have engineered your ship(s), even if only to G3. And no need to unlock every engineer. Felicity or Elvira are the first, even if the only, engineer you really should use. Travelling the galaxy is much more fun when you can jump maybe 20 ly instead of 15, but go for more. (IMHO)

 

[Phongsalt]

Say what now?FdL Fencer frustation?

 

[metatheurgist]

You do know that "thermal" and "impulse" attacks are just normal effects from non-engineered rails and plasmas. Even Deadly and Elite NPCs normally don't have engineered weapons unless you decide to take assassination missions and do High CZs.

 

[Alone Wulff]

But OP, the trip to FF could make any future trips to her take far fewer jumps, eliminating your lack of desire to make all those jumps, regardless of ship (even a Sidey). It's only one (1) meta alloy. You can have fun any way you want but ED is more fun once you have engineered your ship(s), even if only to G3. And no need to unlock every engineer. Felicity or Elvira are the first, even if the only, engineer you really should use. Travelling the galaxy is much more fun when you can jump maybe 20 ly instead of 15, but go for more. (IMHO)

That's subjective.

I have the ships I want, engineered as much as I feel is necessary I.e. I'm not mining 500T to engineer G5 hull when I shield tank. I'm currently bored of combat, being engineered adds no extra fun, just convenience. Even engineered NPCs in High CZs are predictable and aren't that much of a challenge, they're more monotonous than fun.

However, I disagree with the OP. Engineered NPCs is a good thing in that it keep you on your toes. Even without engineering, a properly outfitted cargo ship can withstand a good bashing from an engineered FDL. For non-engineered combat ships, picking a fight with an engineered Vulture for example would turn things around for you pretty quickly. Knowing this is possible with any combat, you'd be better prepared to escape.

You don't HAVE to engineer, although I agree the game has progressed to a point where without engineering a player can't progress as fast as another who uses engineering. You can't fight in Med/High CZs any longer without engineering, even in bigger ships. Spec Ops are too strong.

I think some balancing is needed but I personally don't think engineered NPCs should be removed.

 

[space voyager]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

And of course what happens with Deadly and Elite combat NPCs? Engineered weapons. So my 2.5 million space buck insurance claim hits.

This simply isn't right nor fair. I don't want to engineer. I don't want to mine. I don't want to explore. I just want to travel the galaxy, picking off pirates here and there.

The "official" recommendation is to get closer into the center of the bubble and fight lower level NPC's in low REZ areas.

That's silly.

We shouldn't be forced to engineer. And those that think a non-engineered A-rated FdL can compete with an engineered NPC FdL, you really don't play much.


Those of us that don't engineer shouldn't be forced to face opponents that do engineer. FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Let us have fun in the way we want.

To me, this reads just like "I don't want to A rate a ship, please have an easy universe for us E rate module lovers!".

 

[Bloodsign]

I'm playing the SAME game you are. Only I have no desire to mine or engineer. But in order to compete with just the NPC's in game, Frontier has made it so you have NO choice.

So no, you cannot play the game the way you want it to.

In your example, it would be like going to a buffet restaurant but if you can only eat if you get steak and seafood with your noodles. Even if all you want is the noodles. And there is no way to GET the noodles unless you get the steak and seafood along with it. And good luck trying to pick it out.

You CAN play football without pads or helmet, but you shouldn't complain when you get turned to a bloody pulp.

 

[ebbrell]

Wow, there is me wanting NPCs to rank up in differculty with you as your rank improves.

NPCs feel very easy at times

I think once you hit deadly or elite you should be attacked by multiple NPCs at a time.

I guess the OP needs to run away or improve his flight skills or engineer. This is the game, please dont make it any easier than it is already.

 

[Jmanis]

Aren't Engineered NPCs only present in:

• Conflict Zones (especially Spec Ops vessels)
• Wing Assassinations
• Pirate Activity (Threat 6 & 7)
• ATR

... which is the equivalent of "end-game" PvE combat activity?

Elite-rank pirate assassination NPCs, Elite pirate interdictions and Haz-rez Elite-ranks kinda just melt, even with vanilla fits...

You CAN play football without pads or helmet, but you shouldn't complain when you get turned to a bloody pulp.

And you'll never find an AFL player who's a bloody pulp

 

[Rubbernuke]

I'm playing the SAME game you are. Only I have no desire to mine or engineer. But in order to compete with just the NPC's in game, Frontier has made it so you have NO choice.

So no, you cannot play the game the way you want it to.

In your example, it would be like going to a buffet restaurant but if you can only eat if you get steak and seafood with your noodles. Even if all you want is the noodles. And there is no way to GET the noodles unless you get the steak and seafood along with it. And good luck trying to pick it out.

But you do have a choice. Stick to lower rank NPCs. You are then 'playing your own way'.

 

[Factabulous]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

Huh? How are people in the base-game managing then? Or do they get difference NPCs? (I have no clue, maybe they are )

FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Just threw together a non-engineered D class DBX - 270 Ly is 7 jumps. 7. And you can buy meta alloys from a market. So basically you are complaining you can't make 7 jumps and go to a market. Maybe this game is not for you

 

[MaxG10]

I do not want use the horses, but the game designers made it so that the others will have horses, so I can not play the game as I want to because I am loosing to those who have and use horses....

Chess that is of course...

 

[Speedcuffs]

I do not want use the horses, but the game designers made it so that the others will have horses, so I can not play the game as I want to because I am loosing to those who use horses....

Chess that is...

Have you tried draughts?

 

[Northpin]

For the love of god, for those of us that do not want to Engineer, we are more or less being forced to once we hit Master combat level.

And of course what happens with Deadly and Elite combat NPCs? Engineered weapons. So my 2.5 million space buck insurance claim hits.

This simply isn't right nor fair. I don't want to engineer. I don't want to mine. I don't want to explore. I just want to travel the galaxy, picking off pirates here and there.

The "official" recommendation is to get closer into the center of the bubble and fight lower level NPC's in low REZ areas.

That's silly.

We shouldn't be forced to engineer. And those that think a non-engineered A-rated FdL can compete with an engineered NPC FdL, you really don't play much.


Those of us that don't engineer shouldn't be forced to face opponents that do engineer. FF is over 270 LY from me. I have no desire to make all those jumps, let alone buy a ship that CAN make that, nor find/buy the meta-alloys. And thats just the start of it.

Let us have fun in the way we want.

As Jmanis already posted, don't go in Combat Zones(regular or PP), dont pick Wing Assasination missions and dont go in Pirate Attack zones since there you will meet engineered NPCs.
However, higher ranking NPC (non-engineered ones) are known to use SCB and are quite tough when seen from the cockpit of a non-engineered ship

So, watch the rank requirement for the missions you take.
Also if your rank is higher, the random encounters with NPC pirates will put you against comparably ranked NPCs

 

[Jmanis]

However, higher ranking NPC (non-engineered ones) are known to use SCB and are quite though when seen from the cockpit of a non-engineered ship

On that note, the randomisation of fittings on ships do mean that not all Elite's are equal, and the contrast between, say, any two Elite Anacondas, can be quite stark.

An Anaconda with Chaff, 2 x Heatsink and 5 x SB's plus an SCB, all non-engineered, will be a proper tough fight if you're like me and a gimball monkey. Contrast against another Elite Anaconda who randomizes 8 x Point Defence and no SCB, which will be cake by comparison.

 

[Brrokk]

I've never seen any indication that NPCs met in ordinary situations have engineered modules. Why does OP think they have?

I think I came across some in a "Pirate threat 7" signal source once, but that's been the only time.

 

[Old Duck]

I'm playing the SAME game you are. Only I have no desire to mine or engineer. But in order to compete with just the NPC's in game, Frontier has made it so you have NO choice.

FWIW, I appreciate what you are saying. But you don't need a G5 godship to be competitive in PvE. I've only unlocked a few of the early Engineers, and using just Felicity, Dweller, and Elvira, I was able to make a Vulture that can easily win a combat zone. That's mostly a max of G3 on things like shields, weapons, and thrusters, and currently I don't even have any engineering on the hull (mining grind, ba!).

My Type-9 has practically no engineering and rubbish modules, yet I'm able to escape PvE pirates before they kill me.

So the game is playable without Engineers, assuming you're not trying to take on Elite wing assassination missions all by yourself. If so, well then best reset your expectations.

 

[Mohrgan]

I consider myself a combat focused player, and I refuse to grind towards anything asking me to adjust my interests as well. With this in mind I have been able to engineer two very capable ships. Ships able to dominate any NPC. Dangerous or Deadly, 'Condas or 'Vettes, it doesn't matter. With only the first 5 Engineers you get introduced to. My secret has been the Material Traders around. I can convert what I do come across, into what I need.

You don;t have to g5 every module on your ship to be effective. Just get what you can, as you go. You will get the benefit of multiple boosts as they accumulate. If you haven't already, get yourself associated with the INARA site, it is wildly helpful in organizing your Engineering efforts.

In the end, if you choose to exclude yourself from a major aspect of any game (Engineering), you wil only be limiting yourself. It is on purpose that engineered modules don;t show up on low ranked NPCs. It gives us time to acquire and use the available materials we collect along the way. The game lets you make decisions, it shouldn't allow yours to negate another player's decision. Advancement takes effort. This is where you decide either to stay with the low ranked NPCs, or to prepare yourself for the increased threat. Good luck out there.