I'm going to cut them a little more slack than I normally would a company, at this time. There is quite a bit of turbulence in the UK right now and if most of the designers and engineers are from there, things might not be "peaches and cream" for the company or its employees. I wish you all well.
News NPC AI update
- Thread starter Zac Antonaci
- Start date
Up the AI capabilities all you want, but in doing so, you've completely nerfed bounty hunting. It was already a grind before. It's just silly to do it as a monetary resource now. I never liked the comparison of Elite to Euro Truck Simulator in space, but now it really is, aside from the not-so-occasional interdictions.
I disagree to 100%. Before 2.1 I felt like I was farming bounties. The lack of challenge and the lack of engaging and interesting combat made bounty hunting like any other bland profession. With the revamped AI, killing the NPCs became satisfactory and very rewarding, meaning the grinding sensation completely vanished.
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I take your point and agree it's more fun having the engineers and it is definitely more challenging bounty hunting.... however the risk of losing 4 million credits in insurance when I get killed and the fact that takes me day's to get that money back makes it no worth the risk. If the rewards are higher and or the insurance lower it would make the game much more playable which in turn would help people to get better in cobat instead of just running away because of the high risk.
I don't think profit should be in the same context when talking about combat. Combat is combat and shouldn't be about earning money. As long as the bounties cover the insurances I think it's a fair deal. Engaging in combat always means putting your ship on the line and sometimes you just have to loose.
I haven't lost my Vulture yet and I still haven't gotten into the Engineers stuff.
But yeah maybe the insurances need some discounts and it could be tied to ranks or something to decrease the cost.
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Why not do away with insurance altogether. This would mitigate a lot of anxiety and complaints about op npcs and probably increase fun. Please do not refer to real life when answering the question - it is irrelevant, really. I can see it give purpose to grind in the game, but I think the fear of losing a ship element outweighs everything else.
It's even better than that right now. When you're blown up, you have the CHOICE of paying the insurance and getting your ship back OR starts a new with a sidewinder. Best of both worlds...
Hello Cmdrs. I feel I should place before you an experience I had last Thursday.
I accepted a contract to collect 4 containers of Trade Data. The reward 500,000cr with just over four days to complete. The destination was one jump away and after reaching my destination I detailed scanned the beacon and obtained the information on my next destination point that would facilitate the collection of the containers. On arriving at the second destination I found the the gateway to normal space. I prepared the craft for descent putting three pips each to my system and engines. I always anticipate trouble.
On emerging from hyperspace I reduced speed because I could see a number of white dots on the radar screen representing the containers, dropped the cargo scoop and targetted one of the trade data containers and proceeded to move in its direction. Thirty metres from collection a voice in my ear stated I was under attack, but where from? There was no indication on me radar. Then I was informed I was taking damage and then I saw that nine, yes nine, yellow blips, fast turning to red, appeared to my
rear starboard quarter on the rim of the radar screen. One point, I had previously set the radar screen to cover as wide a field as possible. I had time to secure the cargo scoop and initiate the FSD and boost out of the area. On reaching hyperspace I set course to the nearest space platform with no shields and 35% hull. Restocking cost 70crs and repairs 270,000crs.
Not to be outdone I returned to the fray. I returned to find my exit to normal space, reset the pips and descended into normal space. Zero threat no local contacts only the white square dots on the radar. Dropping my cargo scoop and targeted one of the remaining three containers. On the previous hasty retreat I had exploded the container I was trying to collect but lo and behold four now awaited collection not three as I assumed. Ah well; on I proceeded until a voice told me I was under attack and taking damage. As before no 'new contacts' and no radar signal. Once again I was on the run but with the slight difference that my FSD was running at 25% capacity and other modules were failing. The nine contacts appeared on the screen and I targetted them in turn; an Anaconda, two Pythons, an Eagle and others.On reaching the space platform the bill was to restock, very small, and 75.000crs for replacing 80% of the hull and repairing all of the modules. Strange that the damage appeared worse than on the first occasion and cost less.
Ok this intrepid adventurer set out again but this time I planned to race for a container and then run like hell for the exit. Good plan!!! Same set of events as before but this time I caught the container, how that was possible at the speed I was travelling I'll never know, but the voice, in quick succession, stated I was taking damage... Eject... Eject and I found myself paying out 10 millioncrs insurance for a replacement ship.
What was I flying? Well the ship is a Python complete with A rated equipment, military grade bodywork and two shield boosters.
To summarise A-Rated Python, no contacts recognised by the automated onboard systems, enemy weaponry that was capable of firing over light years of distance and a vast number of attackers after a ship that wasn't even carrying cargo.
Anyone prepared to suggest a possible strategy to deal with the above? I am prepared to listen and learn, after all, I purchased into this game before the 1.5 update and have a total of 80 hours gameplay and I'm still learning.
Thanks in advance.
PS. No film (no idea where the film is stored anyway) or even any fancy stats. Sorry.
I accepted a contract to collect 4 containers of Trade Data. The reward 500,000cr with just over four days to complete. The destination was one jump away and after reaching my destination I detailed scanned the beacon and obtained the information on my next destination point that would facilitate the collection of the containers. On arriving at the second destination I found the the gateway to normal space. I prepared the craft for descent putting three pips each to my system and engines. I always anticipate trouble.
On emerging from hyperspace I reduced speed because I could see a number of white dots on the radar screen representing the containers, dropped the cargo scoop and targetted one of the trade data containers and proceeded to move in its direction. Thirty metres from collection a voice in my ear stated I was under attack, but where from? There was no indication on me radar. Then I was informed I was taking damage and then I saw that nine, yes nine, yellow blips, fast turning to red, appeared to my
rear starboard quarter on the rim of the radar screen. One point, I had previously set the radar screen to cover as wide a field as possible. I had time to secure the cargo scoop and initiate the FSD and boost out of the area. On reaching hyperspace I set course to the nearest space platform with no shields and 35% hull. Restocking cost 70crs and repairs 270,000crs.
Not to be outdone I returned to the fray. I returned to find my exit to normal space, reset the pips and descended into normal space. Zero threat no local contacts only the white square dots on the radar. Dropping my cargo scoop and targeted one of the remaining three containers. On the previous hasty retreat I had exploded the container I was trying to collect but lo and behold four now awaited collection not three as I assumed. Ah well; on I proceeded until a voice told me I was under attack and taking damage. As before no 'new contacts' and no radar signal. Once again I was on the run but with the slight difference that my FSD was running at 25% capacity and other modules were failing. The nine contacts appeared on the screen and I targetted them in turn; an Anaconda, two Pythons, an Eagle and others.On reaching the space platform the bill was to restock, very small, and 75.000crs for replacing 80% of the hull and repairing all of the modules. Strange that the damage appeared worse than on the first occasion and cost less.
Ok this intrepid adventurer set out again but this time I planned to race for a container and then run like hell for the exit. Good plan!!! Same set of events as before but this time I caught the container, how that was possible at the speed I was travelling I'll never know, but the voice, in quick succession, stated I was taking damage... Eject... Eject and I found myself paying out 10 millioncrs insurance for a replacement ship.
What was I flying? Well the ship is a Python complete with A rated equipment, military grade bodywork and two shield boosters.
To summarise A-Rated Python, no contacts recognised by the automated onboard systems, enemy weaponry that was capable of firing over light years of distance and a vast number of attackers after a ship that wasn't even carrying cargo.
Anyone prepared to suggest a possible strategy to deal with the above? I am prepared to listen and learn, after all, I purchased into this game before the 1.5 update and have a total of 80 hours gameplay and I'm still learning.
Thanks in advance.
PS. No film (no idea where the film is stored anyway) or even any fancy stats. Sorry.
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That's all well and good if you're an amateur, a hobbyist, combateer. But a Professional expects to get paid for what they do, and the better they're at it, the more they should get paid. You do realize there are three main occupations in ED: Exploration, Trade, Combat. Why would you expect professional combat pilots not to want to earn money for what they do? Your statement puzzles me greatly.
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I got the impression that the developers are trying to find artificial flaws to inject to the AI so that is can be playable. I tend to believe that if they unleash the full potential of the AI, probably very few (if any) would survive in the ED universe. The AI is (or can be ) deadly accurate, it can have engineered weapons and components that only few of us will ever gather up. In fact that could be a whole different experience for the people seeking new combat challenges. Maybe the developers can create one place where you go and find the new AI unleashed. With all the mods it can get and all the advanced tactics.
Yes, because a professional always runs a tight ship!
I see what you did there..
Nonsense. Professional ≠ Elite.
Professional means getting paid for what you do, and has nothing to do with your current level of expertise. You might want to look up the definition of 'professional'.
I have encountered this several times. What I do is as soon as I land, lower the cargo bay, target a canister and launch a collector drone. You have enough time to catch one or two at most before you need to make a hasty exit into low awake. You can then turn round and repeat once your shields are recharges.
it is risky but the rewards can be worth it.
Nonsense. Professional ≠ Elite.
Professional means getting paid for what you do, and has nothing to do with your current level of expertise. You might want to look up the definition of 'professional'.
You ARE getting paid. What's wrong with you??
To help mitigate damage whilst fleeing, hold up (or down) thruster on and roll. This will increase the amount of dumbfire missiles and cannon fire that miss you, reducing damage taken.
You can see the extra shots whizz past your canopy.
Sorry if you knew this already, it does seem to be common knowledge, but it helped me a lot when the interdiction NPCs were trying (and mostly succeeding) to kill me.
I haven't lost a ship since I started doing this, although I still take some damage.
Mooselinf and davebodger; Thanks for your replies. Your suggestions I hadn't tried but they clearly illustrate that there are alternative actions that can be taken. Great game, luv it, even when I'm limping back to safety on oxygen and 3% hull.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Your words "Combat is combat and shouldn't be about earning money..."
So I could ask you the same thing - what's wrong with you?
1. Bounty hunters.
2. Assassins.
3. Both are professionals by definition since they earn a living by combat.
4. Even professionals lose ships upon occasion. It's the risk they take. No risk = no fun.
So, have I spelled it out enough for you as to why combat is about earning money for a lot of folks?
You made a silly statement and I called you on it. Deal with it.
All the answers to this post missed the point on unfair combat setup. With the engineer patch they should have reset everyones combat rank or give an option to lower it.