I found these on planet surface 28,500 LY away from the bubble. Each time I landed I found these and also cargo canisters. It's just plain daft to find these all the way out in unexplored space. I don't have cargo capacity in my Asp E coz I don't need 8T of live meat in a fridge dragging my range down.
Occupied Escape Ppods on Surface - scoop or not?
- Thread starter clampitts
- Start date
Two reasons for deep-space explorers to not pick up escape pods:
- Why does an explorer even have cargo space? There's nothing an explorer "needs" cargo space for. I'd rather use the space for a docking computer, or a second AMFU. An explorer would only take cargo space for RP reasons, for doing exactly what you're doing: imagining yourself as a deep-space rescuer. But it isn't "necessary" and, for an explorer, unnecessary things are useless things that take up the space of other things that might have been necessary. If you want to RP being a rescue ranger, go for it, but don't try to mix that up with exploring.
- Carrying cargo makes you a pirate magnet. In your typical exploration-optimized, lightweight-everything, lightly-defended (or undefended), zero-hull-integrity-left, flying-eggshell of an exploration ship, carrying millions of credits worth of exploration data you'll lose if you blow up, you want to avoid combat at all costs - especially if you've been out in the deep dark for months and your combat skills are rusty; even your running-away and interdiction-avoidance skills are probably rusty. Why add to the probability that you'll be intercepted by a crazy NPC after your "big haul" of a couple of escape pods?
I'll pick up occupied escape pods if/when they introduce gameplay reasons to encourage me to do so. Example: suppose they allow me to open the pod up, "rescue" the occupants, be given a meaningful reward (like a special mission to return them to inhabited space, which on completion would earn me instant Allied status with a minor faction, and/or a special discount on ships/commodities/etc from stations that faction controls, and/or they fill my hold with Exquisite Focus Crystals) or other benefits out in deep space (like the rescuee volunteering to become a free NPC crewmember I can use as a "science officer" to help out with scanning).
- Why does an explorer even have cargo space? There's nothing an explorer "needs" cargo space for. I'd rather use the space for a docking computer, or a second AMFU. An explorer would only take cargo space for RP reasons, for doing exactly what you're doing: imagining yourself as a deep-space rescuer. But it isn't "necessary" and, for an explorer, unnecessary things are useless things that take up the space of other things that might have been necessary. If you want to RP being a rescue ranger, go for it, but don't try to mix that up with exploring.
- Carrying cargo makes you a pirate magnet. In your typical exploration-optimized, lightweight-everything, lightly-defended (or undefended), zero-hull-integrity-left, flying-eggshell of an exploration ship, carrying millions of credits worth of exploration data you'll lose if you blow up, you want to avoid combat at all costs - especially if you've been out in the deep dark for months and your combat skills are rusty; even your running-away and interdiction-avoidance skills are probably rusty. Why add to the probability that you'll be intercepted by a crazy NPC after your "big haul" of a couple of escape pods?
I'll pick up occupied escape pods if/when they introduce gameplay reasons to encourage me to do so. Example: suppose they allow me to open the pod up, "rescue" the occupants, be given a meaningful reward (like a special mission to return them to inhabited space, which on completion would earn me instant Allied status with a minor faction, and/or a special discount on ships/commodities/etc from stations that faction controls, and/or they fill my hold with Exquisite Focus Crystals) or other benefits out in deep space (like the rescuee volunteering to become a free NPC crewmember I can use as a "science officer" to help out with scanning).
On an simple exploration mission (1-2kLY's) I don't swap out the cargo racks for AFMS. I don't see that as a risk so if I'm doing some planetary rumbling and find cargo (including escape pods) I'll salvage.
On deep explorations I would always carry the AFMS.
As for being a pirate magnet; learn to out-fly and evade interdiction and in the deep I've never come across pirates anyways.
RPG on...........
Depends what else is nearby.
I found a crashed ship about half way to Sagittarius A* with 2 occupied escape pods, and lots of narcotics.
I took the escape pods with me.
And then jettisoned them at Sagittarius A*.
Filthy drug smugglers! Smuggle poo, like the rest of us!
Bwhahahahahahahahahahahahahhaaha!!!!!! Brilliant.
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On topic tho, Occupied escape pods are a real missed oppertunity for deeper gamplay. They were added, what, a year ago? And They're basically just another commodity.
If you blow up a "wanted" ship, there should be a % chance of an escape pod spawning. If you recover then return the pod to the port where the bouty was issued, you should get a bonus for bringing them in alive.
If you rescue one from a surface, it should either come with a cash reward of saving them, or launch a changed passenger mission to take them home to their deathly family, or they should join you as an NPC crew. How cool would that be?
Why does an explorer need a docking computer, of all things?
Escape Pods are sadly just a bit of cargo, nothing more, I wish they were, and served some greater purpose, but they are no different to a unit of tea.
You can sell them, or some missions (if they still exist, not seen any in ages) want them as a reward (Save the pilot, they dont seem to care what pilot, but if their great uncle joe has gone missing, you can hand in any old escape pod and its him).
The RPG'er/moral person within you may wish to collect them, because its the right thing to do, but as mentioned above, just 1 unit of any cargo onboard will make you a pirate magnet. If your exploration ship is able to handle itself, this is not a major issue, but if your running a bare minimum lightweight exploration ship, even a pesky eagle can cause some significant damage, even put an end to your huge trip's journey (And if you have been in the black several weeks, even months, this may result in tears).
Plus every unit of cargo you carry, reduces your jump range, it all add's up, and even a few ly's can make a huge difference when your trying to reach a certain star, or cover a long distance.
On a side note, I wish exploration discoveries counted for more if im honest, exploration data cache's found at USS's should give a significant reward, or even count as scans of all the planets in the system your in (The ship it came from ejected it before being destroyed for example, on the hopes a fellow explorer stumbles across their last find), Escape Pods, should give huge rewards for returning them, perhaps even spawn a mission of somekind, like they want returning to a certain system. If things like that actually happened I may actually take my time to recover them, even if it risks my return run.
You can sell them, or some missions (if they still exist, not seen any in ages) want them as a reward (Save the pilot, they dont seem to care what pilot, but if their great uncle joe has gone missing, you can hand in any old escape pod and its him).
The RPG'er/moral person within you may wish to collect them, because its the right thing to do, but as mentioned above, just 1 unit of any cargo onboard will make you a pirate magnet. If your exploration ship is able to handle itself, this is not a major issue, but if your running a bare minimum lightweight exploration ship, even a pesky eagle can cause some significant damage, even put an end to your huge trip's journey (And if you have been in the black several weeks, even months, this may result in tears).
Plus every unit of cargo you carry, reduces your jump range, it all add's up, and even a few ly's can make a huge difference when your trying to reach a certain star, or cover a long distance.
On a side note, I wish exploration discoveries counted for more if im honest, exploration data cache's found at USS's should give a significant reward, or even count as scans of all the planets in the system your in (The ship it came from ejected it before being destroyed for example, on the hopes a fellow explorer stumbles across their last find), Escape Pods, should give huge rewards for returning them, perhaps even spawn a mission of somekind, like they want returning to a certain system. If things like that actually happened I may actually take my time to recover them, even if it risks my return run.
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This is my Explorer, the SS Don't Wait Up for Me: https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/asp...404013eB2020iv62i2f.Iw18WQ==.Aw1kIwWBMp8IA===.
Fuel Scoop? Check.
AFM - Check
Vehicle Hanger - Check
Cargo Rack - Check
Here's my rationale:
I heading out into the unknown. What's out there? Well, it's unknown, so I take with me everything I might possibly need.
Fuel Scoop is a must, AMF is useful if things go sideways, and they certainly can.
Mining lasers - because you can always collect Materials, and Materials can be used to recharge things like AFM's and produce Jumponium if needed.
A vehicle hanger means I can set down somewhere and stretch my, uh, wheels, as well as collect other valuable materials, see the sights, and the cargo rack, well...
Being that the unknown is unknown means we don't know what's there to be found. How would you feel if, thousands of lightyears outside inhabited space, on some undiscovered little world, you happened upon the mummified remains of a never-even-speculated alien, with a market value in the millions, and you had to leave it behind because you couldn't pick it up? That's the point - you just don't know what might be out there.
So better to have somewhere to put it and not need it than to need it and not have it. At least, that's how I think.
And weapons? You bet. It's the unknown. What if I run in to something hostile? Or, as is almost always the case, when I return, and some D-bag NPC is waiting for me, right on the fringe of inhabited space, telling me about what a long trip he's had to make for the little bit of stuff in my hold - without weapons, how am I suppose to give him what's he come so far for - a firey death in the vacuum of space?
Of course, there is one thing we do know is "out there" to be found - Data Caches. The large ones fetch pretty nice prices.
Fuel Scoop? Check.
AFM - Check
Vehicle Hanger - Check
Cargo Rack - Check
Here's my rationale:
I heading out into the unknown. What's out there? Well, it's unknown, so I take with me everything I might possibly need.
Fuel Scoop is a must, AMF is useful if things go sideways, and they certainly can.
Mining lasers - because you can always collect Materials, and Materials can be used to recharge things like AFM's and produce Jumponium if needed.
A vehicle hanger means I can set down somewhere and stretch my, uh, wheels, as well as collect other valuable materials, see the sights, and the cargo rack, well...
Being that the unknown is unknown means we don't know what's there to be found. How would you feel if, thousands of lightyears outside inhabited space, on some undiscovered little world, you happened upon the mummified remains of a never-even-speculated alien, with a market value in the millions, and you had to leave it behind because you couldn't pick it up? That's the point - you just don't know what might be out there.
So better to have somewhere to put it and not need it than to need it and not have it. At least, that's how I think.
And weapons? You bet. It's the unknown. What if I run in to something hostile? Or, as is almost always the case, when I return, and some D-bag NPC is waiting for me, right on the fringe of inhabited space, telling me about what a long trip he's had to make for the little bit of stuff in my hold - without weapons, how am I suppose to give him what's he come so far for - a firey death in the vacuum of space?
Of course, there is one thing we do know is "out there" to be found - Data Caches. The large ones fetch pretty nice prices.
On the way out to Sag A I stumbled across a USS which contained a "Huge exploration data cache"; something which the Wiki doesn't even acknowledge the existence of.
I was quite annoyed that I couldn't pick it up but, alas, my Sidey just flat-out doesn't have room for cargo racks. [sad]
With hindsight, I probably should have took a screenie just to prove it was there but at the time I didn't realise it was anything super-special.
Given there's no weight penalty, as long as you're not filling up a slot with a cargo rack in place of something more useful, where's the harm?
I'd certainly stick a cargo rack in an exploration ship instead of a DC.
As the old maxim goes; "I'd prefer to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it".
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I guess in case they've been out so long they've forgotten how to dock.
I rescue them, always. It's the duty of every ship Commander to rescue the adrift, the marooned.
Plus, I remember when I first saw one in VR. They're coffin sized. Imagine what it must be like to be in one...
Plus, I remember when I first saw one in VR. They're coffin sized. Imagine what it must be like to be in one...
That's to save people time and effort should you fail to rescue them in time.
To be honest I never pick them up. Much of the time they're considered "illegal salvage", what's the point in that?
I'd change the whole Escape Pod system so that you never know who you'll get when you deliver them to a station (which should not involve selling the pod!). Some would be a normal pilot or passenger, but you could find yourself rescuing a businessman, or billionaire for whom you'll get a much better reward.
Politicians and Celebrities I'd just shoot where they lay
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I always pick them up.....even if not legal....same as slaves. I will simply abandon them inside a station in the case of slaves, and sell the legal occupied pods.....yes the reward is minimal but it is the morally right thing to do. I would love deeper game play involving them though such as options for better rewards or NPC crew.
Sell them in a system where slavery is legal
