To reiterate what I said in other thread, the experience is clearly different for new and old players. I have a second account that I almost haven't played before. Maybe 1-1.5 million in total assets, most ranks at zero. I've got from stock sidewinder through hauler to mostly B and D-rated cobra, had tons of fun doing it, and it wasn't in any way 'hard'. Only two interdictions outside of doing missions, both times I was carrying cargo. Easily evaded first (in a hauler), submitted to second (in cobra). It was a novice Viper Mk3, shieldless. I decided to drop some cargo for the fun of it, but apparently not enough, and already lost one ring of shields while messing with UI. After that, I just boosted away. Police appeared in 10 seconds. Escaped with shields still online. If I had beam lasers and A-rated components, I'd torn him to shreds. Also dropped to two 'weapon fire detected USS threat 1' — everything was just as expected: some wanted ship, with police scanning and then attacking. Both NPC were lower ranks, first with Asp Scout, second in unshielded Vulture (and I had missiles, lots of them). Both times I assisted the police, and AI performed just like expected — maybe a couple of shots fired at me, enemy went down easily.
There certainly weren't any OP NPCs chasing me on missions ranking up to Merchant and missions with 200k+ payout. That is in 1.6, maybe in Horizons it's different. Unfortunately, my 'main' commander is ~40000 ly away from bubble, so I can't test what NPC will chase an elite explorer hauling some biowaste in cobra.
There certainly weren't any OP NPCs chasing me on missions ranking up to Merchant and missions with 200k+ payout. That is in 1.6, maybe in Horizons it's different. Unfortunately, my 'main' commander is ~40000 ly away from bubble, so I can't test what NPC will chase an elite explorer hauling some biowaste in cobra.
