One Limpet Controller to Rule Them All

[SushiCW]

We've had too many different extremely niche limpet controllers for quite some time now. It's a very tough sell to equip these on the off chance you need them, because module slots are very precious especially on smaller ships. It's gotten to the point where it feels prohibitively painful.

The new megaship piracy content requires no less than **three** separate limpet controllers to do fully, according to yesterday's livestream. That feels excessive.

My suggestion, that's been echoed by others as well: give us a generic limpet controller that can program any type of limpet. Size controls the number you can have out at once, grade controls the quality / range / lifetime for limpet types where that matters (e.g. prospectors & hatchbreakers). If you have a generic limpet controller, all of the different limpet types show up in the fire groups panel, and you just pick the ones you need.

 

[Robert Maynard]

.... or offer a controller rack where the number of controller bays is dependent on class of rack and where each controller takes up one or more bays (again dependent on class).

 

[Grumpher]

I made a post at almost the exact same time as this one with the same idea for a Limpet controller rack, shame the mods are taking a while to approve it

 

[The Lawful]

Time for the Tech Broker! Btw, obviously, that one will unlock CRCRs in the future, hopefully bigger versions at least.

O7,
[noob]

 

[Winterwalker]

This has been touched on before but there were far fewer limpet types back then. I think it's got some legs myself and could be better solution than adding another module slot across the board to all ships. Unless (maybe) some ships were given specialist limpet slots, similar to military slots, than can only house controllers.

There is the risk of it becoming somewhat over powered, a risk because I do think it's better that ships keep a level of specialisation and can't all multirole. I also think it should skew towards small and medium ships, as larger ships already having lots of slots available to use. I think it stops the grind-mind, where only the biggest ships will do, to give smaller ships a buff on this.

Also think if it were me - I might look at feasibility of upping the power (or heat) requirements of limpet controllers in multi slot racks so switching between operations might mean powering limpet modules on and off, rather than switching between fire groups on a one touch basis. Only so controlling controllers might be an active job for the pilot in space, rather than a question only for outfitting.

 

[SushiCW]

.... or offer a controller rack where the number of controller bays is dependent on class of rack and where each controller takes up one or more bays (again dependent on class).

Certainly, that's another way to go as well. It's not my favorite option but I'd take any improvement.

 

[SushiCW]

There is the risk of it becoming somewhat over powered, a risk because I do think it's better that ships keep a level of specialisation and can't all multirole.

I get what you're saying. I do think there's little risk of it being "overpowered" given that almost none of the limpets have combat utility: mostly it just saves the player time and prevents them from having to re-spec their ship quite as often. It also means that multi-limpet activities aren't quite as prohibitive in smaller ships as they are now.

The dedicated PvP / combat ships already skip limpets entirely, if anything this will make it slightly less one-sided for a multi-role ship going up against them since they'd have a bit more room for defensive modules.

 

[Alec Turner]

.... or offer a controller rack where the number of controller bays is dependent on class of rack and where each controller takes up one or more bays (again dependent on class).

This ^^^

In fact, did you steal this idea from me??? [yesnod]

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/400550-Recon-Limpet?p=6313128&viewfull=1#post6313128

Also ...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...Part-2-Recap?p=6314510&viewfull=1#post6314510

 

[damon8r351]

I've suggested before, and I'll put it out again: Instead of different limpet controller types, just have the generic controller that allows you to use limpets. Then have it where you have to buy the different types of limpets at stations instead of generic limpets like it is now, that'll retain the need for inventory management that I feel is important for keeping a game balanced. You could also have it where you can synthesize the different limpet types as well, instead of just the generic limpets.

 

[Robert Maynard]

This ^^^

In fact, did you steal this idea from me??? [yesnod]

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/400550-Recon-Limpet?p=6313128&viewfull=1#post6313128

Also ...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...Part-2-Recap?p=6314510&viewfull=1#post6314510

Didn't think so:

I'd really, really, like to see a limpet controller rack:

1) each rack would offer one or more controller bays.
2) the number of controller bays depends on the class of the rack.
3) each limpet controller would require one or more controller bays.

The UI already offers the concept of sub-modules (i.e. SRVs in a Planetary Vehicle Hangar) so, hopefully, implementation would not be terribly difficult.

 

[Alec Turner]

Didn't think so:

Well hell, if we both came up with that then it's a doubly good idea!

 

[Robert Maynard]

Well hell, if we both came up with that then it's a doubly good idea!

Exactly!

 

[Kilostream]

Yeah I like this idea - the engineering would have to be unified of course (can't engineer repair limpet controllers yet afaik).

I think this could lead to some comedy situations with mis-clicks though! I can imagine myself attempting to scoop some materials and then seeing angry local popo with a hatch-breaker hangin' off his cargo door!

 

[Alec Turner]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all the great feedback, We're currently going through it and will use it to help rebalance some aspects of the mageship gameplay.

<snip>

Other things that we will investigate to see how possible they are to add in the future to improve these scenarios.

Design Limpet Controller Bay Module to prevent player having to use up too many slots in ship holding limpet controllers.

Thanks and we will keep you posted.

Steve K

YAY ... The limpet controller rack looks set to become a thing!

 

[Robert Maynard]

YAY ... The limpet controller rack looks set to become a thing!

Woot!

 

[Barefoot]

.... or offer a controller rack where the number of controller bays is dependent on class of rack and where each controller takes up one or more bays (again dependent on class).

Oh hey, I like this idea a lot.

 

[SushiCW]

YAY ... The limpet controller rack looks set to become a thing!

Saw that, definitely nice to see this getting attention.