I spent the evening doing smuggling and cargo missions to boost a faction in my home system in my trusty trade Python (minimal shields, light armor). Almost every smuggling mission (Elite in trade) I was shadowed by Dangerous or higher combat-ranked Cobras or Anacondas that were extremely aggressive and persistent.
In one scenario, I was collecting several tons of Progenitor Cells for a return mission trip -- a few moments after purchase, I got a mission update that someone put a hit out on me, giving me a bonus if I were to take him out. I smiled and finished up another couple missions I had stacked.
I left dock and entered the galaxy map to plot my course home (I usually do this in dock, but decided to do it en route this time). While in the map, I was suddenly attacked by a Deadly Anaconda from behind, as he had apparently dropped in after I left the safety of the No Fire Zone. I barely started boosting before my shields were down and my hull was getting hammered with missiles. I managed to boost away, leaving my hull at 40%.
Hilariously, mid-flight I realized my destination had changed as well, so I had to reroute to another system. The dude followed me to my destination, interdicting me before I managed to get to the station and shoot the mail slot full-speed as he dropped in behind once again (trying to avoid authority scans as well). Interestingly, this appeared to be the same pilot that shadowed me on another mission from the same faction, which I thought was really cool (I could almost here him yell "Finally gotcha you son-of-a-#%#$!!!").
Because I smuggle, I always have Report Crimes Against Me disabled to avoid authorities. In a return mission for another faction, I was interdicted by an Elite Cobra -- knowing the changes to the AI and the likely disadvantage I was in, I quickly enabled Report Crimes and within a few moments of battle two system authority vipers joined and helped me take the guy down (side note: FA-off is a REQUIREMENT now).
I'm really enjoying the new missions. I made around 6 million within a 20 LY radius of my home system, which is far and above what I would typically see prior to 2.1. The AI is awesome and scary, which is really leading to some hair raising encounters. Just wanted to drop a line and say amazing job!
In one scenario, I was collecting several tons of Progenitor Cells for a return mission trip -- a few moments after purchase, I got a mission update that someone put a hit out on me, giving me a bonus if I were to take him out. I smiled and finished up another couple missions I had stacked.
I left dock and entered the galaxy map to plot my course home (I usually do this in dock, but decided to do it en route this time). While in the map, I was suddenly attacked by a Deadly Anaconda from behind, as he had apparently dropped in after I left the safety of the No Fire Zone. I barely started boosting before my shields were down and my hull was getting hammered with missiles. I managed to boost away, leaving my hull at 40%.
Hilariously, mid-flight I realized my destination had changed as well, so I had to reroute to another system. The dude followed me to my destination, interdicting me before I managed to get to the station and shoot the mail slot full-speed as he dropped in behind once again (trying to avoid authority scans as well). Interestingly, this appeared to be the same pilot that shadowed me on another mission from the same faction, which I thought was really cool (I could almost here him yell "Finally gotcha you son-of-a-#%#$!!!").
Because I smuggle, I always have Report Crimes Against Me disabled to avoid authorities. In a return mission for another faction, I was interdicted by an Elite Cobra -- knowing the changes to the AI and the likely disadvantage I was in, I quickly enabled Report Crimes and within a few moments of battle two system authority vipers joined and helped me take the guy down (side note: FA-off is a REQUIREMENT now).
I'm really enjoying the new missions. I made around 6 million within a 20 LY radius of my home system, which is far and above what I would typically see prior to 2.1. The AI is awesome and scary, which is really leading to some hair raising encounters. Just wanted to drop a line and say amazing job!
