Hi there, I would like to start an exchange of ideas as I've found it still impossible to bring a MF into retreat. I tried two systems in the last 20 days or so, i.e. after the last game update introducing the BGS fixes. These very-low traffic systems have both seven MF in place (all non-player of course) and a population of 2 resp. 3 mio. The controlling faction in both systems had around 45% influence, the others between 4 and 14%, the retreat candidates already around 3%.
My strategy was to do around 40 INF+ missions each day divided between all other MF but the controlling MF and the retreat candidate. The controlling MF always got some bounty vouchers (2 or 3 each day) from the usual pirate interdictions while doing the missions and occasionally some exploration data (max. 5 systems each day).
The course of things (influence of the MF to be retreated) was as follows:
System A: 2.8% => 1.1% => system left alone for one day => 8.1%(!) with triggering a conflict => conflict won for the other MF => 3.8% => 3.4% => 3.1% => 2.8% => 2.4% => back to 3.1% => left alone another day out of frustration => 2.2% (sic!)
System B: 4.2% => 3.8% => 3.3% => 3.0% => 2.8% => 3.0% => 3.2% => 2.8% => 2.1% => 2.8% => 2.2% => 3.2% => 3.3% => abandoned
I'm very sure that significant influence from other CMDRs can be excluded as it's a remote part of the bubble and the underlying pattern in both cases looks identically. As matters stand there are inexplicable and unpredictable BGS fluctuations that render it impossible to hold a MF constantly below the 2.5% treshold until retreat is completed.
If my initial strategical considerations are wrong, please let me know. As well I would very much like to hear your own current experiences with retreats - both successful and failed.
Looking forward to a hopefully fruitful discussion!
My strategy was to do around 40 INF+ missions each day divided between all other MF but the controlling MF and the retreat candidate. The controlling MF always got some bounty vouchers (2 or 3 each day) from the usual pirate interdictions while doing the missions and occasionally some exploration data (max. 5 systems each day).
The course of things (influence of the MF to be retreated) was as follows:
System A: 2.8% => 1.1% => system left alone for one day => 8.1%(!) with triggering a conflict => conflict won for the other MF => 3.8% => 3.4% => 3.1% => 2.8% => 2.4% => back to 3.1% => left alone another day out of frustration => 2.2% (sic!)
System B: 4.2% => 3.8% => 3.3% => 3.0% => 2.8% => 3.0% => 3.2% => 2.8% => 2.1% => 2.8% => 2.2% => 3.2% => 3.3% => abandoned
I'm very sure that significant influence from other CMDRs can be excluded as it's a remote part of the bubble and the underlying pattern in both cases looks identically. As matters stand there are inexplicable and unpredictable BGS fluctuations that render it impossible to hold a MF constantly below the 2.5% treshold until retreat is completed.
If my initial strategical considerations are wrong, please let me know. As well I would very much like to hear your own current experiences with retreats - both successful and failed.
Looking forward to a hopefully fruitful discussion!
