So, You Guys Think The NPC AI's Are Pushovers...

Ralph Vargr

Ralph Vargr
Three light-seconds out from my final stop of the night, the interdiction game begins. Lots of traffic in and out, unable to tell who started tracking me. I had no bounties on me, and a cargo hold full of scrap for a refinery.

My attacker had an *amazing* FSD interdcitor. My own FSD failed. Started the usual post-interdiction button pushing and maneuvering- only this guy was a Python. A maxed one.

Who was deliberately targeting my thrusters. My Cobra lasted about 15 seconds. I got about two hits on him (could not run, no FSD, not doing the exploit chicken-out) before kaboom. No effect. Should have dumped the scrap, in his face. Rats.

Solo is not the equivalent of safe (for all you guys claiming otherwise). I, fortunately, had eight times the rebuy for my ship, in cash. I keep lots of cash, because there is no safety in this game, in any mode.

Expect the NPC's to get nastier in *all* modes. This AI was no amateur. Using a Python to kill a mid-level Cobra is overkill. I've also noticed them "capping" the primary stars in a system, and getting brazenly close to stations. Interdiction's have been occurring as close as the 30,000 KM mark (30 Mm/0.1 light-second).

I'll be back out again tomorrow night.
 

WalterHWhite

WalterHWhite
> not doing the exploit chicken-out

Eating porridge with salt and not logging out during combat give you an extra hair on your chest.

Seriously though, kudos for sticking it out. I think the AI may be tuned-up in an upcoming patch.
 

teaurn

teaurn
I've been interdicted by NPC Anacondas in my Cobra, so I know what you mean! :eek:

They just start firing immediately, so you have to get away quick, if you're to get away at all.

Luckily I have top spec gear on my Cobra, and have been able to leg it safely so far.

Kudos for not wimping out, I don't either, it's just stupid.

I did get stuck in interdict the other night though, I had a full blue bar, but still it went on, so I throttled back, red bar filled, but still interdict went on...I had no option but to exit, and noticed that I had a message saying something like 'you are under attack' and gave me a 15 sec countdown before it would exit. Ticketed.

Is this normal, and if it is, doesn't it mean it's risky to use the quit exploit, as it gives the attacker an extra 15 secs to kill you?
 

ermtony

ermtony
Ah... so it's not just me. Got interdicted by a very well kitted out and handled NPC Python last night. Me in my souped up Adder. Couldn't get out of interdiction and once I submitted I had a real fight on my hands. Realised I had no chance so decided a Sir Robin was the only way. Took me about 10 minutes of drastic evasive manoeuvres, chaff and shield cells before I could fire up the FSD and scarper. Very tense. Very enjoyable. Phew!
 

AlexRyder

A
There are horrible bugs in NPC interdictions I have seen where you can go from having the exit vector in the center of the screen to having it effectively behind you in the time it takes the game to draw one frame.

Ship size is meaningless though, NPCs don't care about overkill.
 

deMangler

deMangler
Good to read this. I am looking forward to the AI and balance improvements. I suppose they can change that to a degree without patching the client.
 

Ixnatifual

Ixnatifual
AlexRyder said:
There are horrible bugs in NPC interdictions I have seen where you can go from having the exit vector in the center of the screen to having it effectively behind you in the time it takes the game to draw one frame.

Ship size is meaningless though, NPCs don't care about overkill.
Click to expand...
I've seen this happen a couple of times, too.
 

se_thrax

se_thrax
I personnaly really hope the AI is copying and learning from "human loadouts" on the ships we fly. The most popular get copied by the AI and will show up in for example the majority of the fights. If we use shieldcells, so will the ai...

Then we would create our own nemmisses...or however that word should be spelled.
 

Shadowdancer

Shadowdancer
I think I've met a similar AI Python. Back when I was in my Eagle, it was about the only opponent that actually managed to damage me (and did it well, I escaped with 1% hull left…)

I'd really like to see a bit meaner small AI ships though, not the parade of shieldless Sidewinders or Eagles, and generally not the undecisive fodder with their highly predictable routines. Once the "wings" stuff hits, it would be really cool to go out and hunt in scaling and challenging USSs with friends.
 

Commander Debic

Commander Debic
The answer to those nasty Pythons is a Python especially if you trick it out with top goodies. But of course it will be many millions investment. So trade like hell then give them hell.;)
 

EddyRockSteady

EddyRockSteady
Commander Debic said:
The answer to those nasty Pythons is a Python especially if you trick it out with top goodies. But of course it will be many millions investment. So trade like hell then give them hell.;)
Click to expand...

I'm up to 135 million already and still have an upgrade or two to go but yes, she's meaner than a rattlesnake a present.
 

uncle bulgaria

uncle bulgaria
I was interdicted by a very well equipped NPC Python in my Viper the other day, he got the drop on me and I barely made it out alive. I didn't get a chance to see what weapons he had but each hit was like hammer and I was lucky to get away at all.

It was good, more of that please devs rather than a rubbish unshielded Cobra that is slaughtered in seconds. :)
 

Poseidal

Poseidal
I was interdicted by an NPC Python recently too, though she turned tail and and FSDed out when it wasn't going her way, even though I probably destroyed the drives from hitting the back with the railgun.

It and a lot of the Elite Anacondas (assassin missions) are running away with FSD now.

Actually, in terms of subsystem targeting, is anyone finding the Python much harder to bring them down than other larger ships? When going for the powerplant, hits seem to go on the hull more often than others. Aiming for it with Multicannons tends to bring down the hull before the subsystem.
 

Skip Intro

Skip Intro
Last night I was Interdicted by a NPC Python then later by a NPC Federal Dropship. Me in my Explorartion Adder. What really made me sweat was the "Missile Launch Detected" messages popping up as I was hightailing it out of Dodge!

Solo Mode =/= Safe Mode! :)
 

Cmdr Effie Trinket

Cmdr Effie Trinket
Playing Open, I recently got pulled out of SC by an NPC Python. The interdiction was immediate. I expected it to be an a Eagle as usual. Nope, I see it's a Python, heart-rate up, four pips to engines, boost, boost, Jump.

Fun, but frankly, the boost, boost, jump needs fixing. Avoiding trouble is currently too easy and a little mechanical.
 

jadefriendly

jadefriendly
I haven't been able to avoid an interdiction for weeks. the blue/red game just jumps about faster than i can manouver, i'm guessing it may actually be my control setup.

so i now just submit, then boost away as fast as possible, until i've checked radar to see who's after me.
 
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