Please stop with "smuggling is broken" threads

[Soothsayer]

If one takes the time to read all the relevant threads carefully then one would discover that it's noit the smuggling mechanic that is complained about, but the A.I. behaviour, scripted or otherwise, that accompanies said smuggling missions.

At the risk of repeating the contents of the numerous justifiable threads on the topic, the behavior complained about includes but is not limited to ninja scans, no FSD-cooldown, apparent God's-Eye vision, Interdictions on player from all-aspect and not only rear, immediate spawn-interdiction when exiting hyper-space, security vessel insta-spawn when exiting supercruise and so on and so on and so on and so on and some more. It could be fun if some thought was put into it. Atm it's shallow gameplay at best, only good for padding one's bank account at 50 million credits every hour or so.

So yeah, when complaining about 'smuggling' threads, take the time to dig a little deeper and we all will see that yes, smuggling is fine: The A.I. is however not, spoiling the entire smuggling dynamic/feeling: THAT is what is being complained about.

I've never experienced a "ninja scan" thus far, and I've completed quite a few Shadow Delivery missions. Interdictions can get a little annoying, since they're so difficult to evade, but that's the only real problem I've had thus far aside from not being speedy enough to evade the occasional police scan.

 

[DidierDrbois]

If one takes the time to read all the relevant threads carefully then one would discover that it's noit the smuggling mechanic that is complained about, but the A.I. behaviour, scripted or otherwise, that accompanies said smuggling missions.

At the risk of repeating the contents of the numerous justifiable threads on the topic, the behavior complained about includes but is not limited to ninja scans, no FSD-cooldown, apparent God's-Eye vision, Interdictions on player from all-aspect and not only rear, immediate spawn-interdiction when exiting hyper-space, security vessel insta-spawn when exiting supercruise and so on and so on and so on and so on and some more. It could be fun if some thought was put into it. Atm it's shallow gameplay at best, only good for padding one's bank account at 50 million credits every hour or so.

So yeah, when complaining about 'smuggling' threads, take the time to dig a little deeper and we all will see that yes, smuggling is fine: The A.I. is however not, spoiling the entire smuggling dynamic/feeling: THAT is what is being complained about.

Can I say "this" a million times?

 

[Marra Morgan]

Smuggling is not broken indeed. Everyone who says it does, doesn't know how to smuggle...

+all the rep! ♡

Silent running is. If a scan starts and you go into silent running you are screwed unless you can get away. Distance is the only workable smuggling method left.

If you're going into silent when the scan starts, it's already too late. Close the vents as you begin your approach, before you ask for permission, about 8km out. And don't about - security can see you from 500m - 1km even when silent.

 

[MarcinKsi]

smuggling is not broken , but it needs better buy/sell illegals mechanics, the best way would be to allow buying no taxed goods on black markets and creating smuggling reputation/influence on black market with higher rep, higher caps and prices / higher security, and missions like 'deliver 300t of narcotics or weapons to high security station'

 

[EUS]

You spend days of game time getting better relations with a systems ruling sub-faction who has 75% influence. After getting allied with them, the smuggling missions from the 2% sub-faction you are hated by pays twice as much. WTH?

Thought it was just me.

 

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

im getting reasonably tired of these threads every day..

smuggling is not broken. If anything its better now. Before it was impossible to fail, makeing money way too easy and any one could be a smuggler no problems.
As it is now.. all of you who say is broken need to go find a new career because you aren't cut out for smuggling that is all there is to it..
Those of us who come in to the threads saying its not broken are the ones who will continue to be smugglers..

If you want to make an "interdictions are broken" thread then by all means go and make those.
But leave smuggling alone now, the risks to rewards is almost correctly balanced.

I still think that you should also have to drop your cargo if caught or get bounties put on you if you wont drop the cargo rather than fail on scan which is easy enough to avoid being scanned unless you make a huge mistake. That would be more realistic.
but for now they are much better than they were..

So please if you cant do it any more. or the risk is no longer worth the rewards. just go find a new career which many smugglers in real life do.

I wont be a smuggler forever either. its not a long term career move for any one. It should never be a career choice. it should be something you do to get the money you need fast. but the risks are great so you should have to really think is it worth the risk..

No, you're wrong. Smuggling is too easy.

Right now, smuggling is broken because the most important feature, silent running, doesn't work for against NPCs. There is ABSOLUTELY ZERO CHALLENGE in flying through the slot at 150 m/s and never getting scanned ever. NPCs cannot scan you if you feel like you don't want to be scanned - and if you are, what do you lose? All you lose are your missions. I think running anything very illegal, as described in the DDA, should get you killed by station, immediately, no escape. Dead.

Smuggling also needs the ability to buy and sell from black markets, to get smuggling-specific trade information, et cetera.

Lastly, Long-Range Smuggling, if you stay in one instance and don't switch, is very easy, and can't really be counted as true smuggling. It's immersion breaking for an outpost to have that many slaves out there in the first place, but now you get ridiculously high payouts for little work.

 

[shambles1980]

I will sooner accept that they are still to easy, than the "its now impossible" argument.

like i said i do think that fail on scan should be replaced with npcs that demand you stop, if you dont then you get a bountie. "and they will try and kill you"
I also think that if you stop and they scan and find cargo, they demand you jettison it and fine you..
if you dont you get a bounty.. "and they try to kill you"

having a bounty does not fail the mission. But it does make docking harder. (but not impossible.)

i also think that Npc cops should not be out side their jurisdiction.
i should not see a cop in lawless space where they have no authority so any scan etc is pointless as they cant fine you or do anything..

this would allow people to map routs with the least chance of npc police encounters, but this would need to be balanced with shorter mission times. (1 hour or so maybe 90 mins for robigo long hauls)
This would mean you have to decide the rout that is both going to avoid the most possible encounters and Still get you there in time.

Seems like the better set up to me to be honest.