NPCs should fly new ships

[g0oglyeyes]

I would really, really love to see NPCs rocking the Python MkII, Type-8, Mandalay, and Cobra MkV. You can even think of it as advertising the newer ships in a more tangible form than just banners in stations. I'm not sure if this would upset people to see NPCs flying ships they still don't have access to the early access phase for ARX-only ships like the Mandalay and Cobra 5, but the Cobra 4 is flown by NPCs and that's far more exclusive. I feel this would really add to the variety of the game.

Police forces should definitely fly the Python 2 in the elite response units, and bounty hunters in high performance Python 2s can chase down CMDRs with extremely high bounties.
Add the Type-8 to the normal shipping lanes and integrate them into the regular mix of Power Play 2.0 trading wings.
Mix up the Mandalay into the taxi and cruise liner cameos at tourist beacons and similar locations.
The Cobra 5 can quite frankly fit in anywhere the Cobra 3 already does.

Since NPCs fly cheat ships whose stats and performance are arbitrarily assigned and not tied to ship weight or modules, I'm sure FDev can tone down the specs if needed to avoid unbalancing the game. But the new ships should definitely be visible beyond just being flown by CMDRs.

Update: Mandalays and Cobra Vs have been spotted after the Trailblazers update, and other CMDRs have seen Type 8s in supercruise. Nobody has yet reported NPCs in Python Mk IIs yet. Thanks to FDev for getting on this, and let's hope that NPCs in Corsairs show up a little sooner next time

 

[GroG79]

I think it would even be a good idea to release new ships for NPCs first!

 

[metatheurgist]

People do get upset by the C4 though.

 

[aRJay]

I would really, really love to see NPCs rocking the Python MkII, Type-8, Mandalay, and Cobra MkV. You can even think of it as advertising the newer ships in a more tangible form than just banners in stations. I'm not sure if this would upset people to see NPCs flying ships they still don't have access to the early access phase for ARX-only ships like the Mandalay and Cobra 5, but the Cobra 4 is flown by NPCs and that's far more exclusive. I feel this would really add to the variety of the game.

I think that at the moment NPCs should only have access to the Python mk2 and Type-8 access to the other two ships should wait until they are available for credits which would mean they should only be seen in Odyssey not Horizons(Live).

Police forces should definitely fly the Python 2 in the elite response units, and bounty hunters in high performance Python 2s can chase down CMDRs with extremely high bounties.
Add the Type-8 to the normal shipping lanes and integrate them into the regular mix of Power Play 2.0 trading wings.
Mix up the Mandalay into the taxi and cruise liner cameos at tourist beacons and similar locations.
The Cobra 5 can quite frankly fit in anywhere the Cobra 3 already does.

Since NPCs fly cheat ships whose stats and performance are arbitrarily assigned and not tied to ship weight or modules, I'm sure FDev can tone down the specs if needed to avoid unbalancing the game. But the new ships should definitely be visible beyond just being flown by CMDRs.

The things you learn after playing for eight years.

 

[Vedmo]

People do get upset by the C4 though.

Just surprised by the number of NPCs who preordered Horizons.
So far as suggestion, I agree. I have no idea where the internal modules are on any of the new ships as I’ve never fought them. I suppose I could interact with other living beings to remedy this, but fighting NPC piloted ships is generally how I learn what modules are prone to attack from what directions to adjust my flying habits accordingly.

 

[Kissamies]

IMO, they should use this opportunity to revamp all the NPC ship encounter tables. Get some experienced players to do new builds for them too. For example, I have earlier mentioned that some pirate wings could have combination of pure fighting ships and multipurpose or cargo ships to carry the loot.

 

[CMDR X]

I would be happy if I see Corvettes and Cutters in places other than just conflict zones.

 

[g0oglyeyes]

I would be happy if I see Corvettes and Cutters in places other than just conflict zones.

Corvettes show up as threat 8 assassination targets (non-team), if you're the type the run those kinds of missions. You're right about Cutters though.

 

[CMDR X]

Corvettes show up as threat 8 assassination targets (non-team), if you're the type the run those kinds of missions. You're right about Cutters though.

Nope. I work for no one. I only deal with my rage at CNB's.

 

[CMDR Darth Vater]

I would really, really love to see NPCs rocking the Python MkII, Type-8, Mandalay, and Cobra MkV. You can even think of it as advertising the newer ships in a more tangible form than just banners in stations. I'm not sure if this would upset people to see NPCs flying ships they still don't have access to the early access phase for ARX-only ships like the Mandalay and Cobra 5, but the Cobra 4 is flown by NPCs and that's far more exclusive. I feel this would really add to the variety of the game.

Police forces should definitely fly the Python 2 in the elite response units, and bounty hunters in high performance Python 2s can chase down CMDRs with extremely high bounties.
Add the Type-8 to the normal shipping lanes and integrate them into the regular mix of Power Play 2.0 trading wings.
Mix up the Mandalay into the taxi and cruise liner cameos at tourist beacons and similar locations.
The Cobra 5 can quite frankly fit in anywhere the Cobra 3 already does.

Since NPCs fly cheat ships whose stats and performance are arbitrarily assigned and not tied to ship weight or modules, I'm sure FDev can tone down the specs if needed to avoid unbalancing the game. But the new ships should definitely be visible beyond just being flown by CMDRs.

They can't as they have no real world money to afford the necessary ARX. As this is spaghetti coded without any documentation and the programmer went back to school after holiday end this can't be fixed.

 

[g0oglyeyes]

I see NPCs in new ships now! Thanks to FDev to implementing this.

So far I've caught sight of Mandalays and CobraVs docked at colony carriers. I've yet to see Py2s or T8s though as I've been preoccupied with hauling since last downtime and will be for the foreseeable future. Anybody else see T8s or Py2s yet, and where?

 

[Ian Doncaster]

I've seen at least one NPC T8 in supercruise.

No Python2s yet, but I've also mainly been hauling rather than going to combat areas.

 

[Shenron]

I think new ship NPCs spawns when the ship become available for credits.
I started to saw Mandalay NPCs the day after Trailblazers was released.

 

[Helmut Grokenberger]

I don't think so. I have seen NPCs flying the Cobra V after the Trailblazers update, and the Cobra V is still in early access, isn't it? I think Frontier have just decided it is time.

I have seen Cobras and Mandalays, and I have heard people spotted them in T8s. Not sure if they were seen in a Python II yet.

 

[Shenron]

I don't think so. I have seen NPCs flying the Cobra V after the Trailblazers update, and the Cobra V is still in early access, isn't it? I think Frontier have just decided it is time.

I have seen Cobras and Mandalays, and I have heard people spotted them in T8s. Not sure if they were seen in a Python II yet.

Didn't saw a Cobra MKV NPC myself but i believe you
I was just making an assumption and it looks like i'm wrong
Thanks for the information

 

[Factabulous]

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Yup, seen most of the new ships now, including the CM5.

 

[Brrokk]

I've seen NPC T8 and Mandalay at Starlace Station this week.