Some bounty hunting questions

[Jamey]

1. If a wanted NPC is part of a wing and I fire first the whole wing always turn hostile (red) on the scanner. Standard. No worries. But if that ssame wanted NPC is engaged by local security services first and then I join in afterwards sometimes the wing don't turn hostile and seem to act independently of each other even though the scanner still says they're in a wing. IS there any logic to when/why this happens?

2. What are the criteria for determining (in PvE) whether I get a bounty or not? I just did a test where I fired one shot at a Sidewinder and then left him for the cops to finish off and I got no bounty, so I guess it's probably something like I'd need to have dealt a certain amount of damage overall, or a certain amount within the last X percentage of the target's hull integrity? Does anyone know?

3. A while ago I read a post on Reddit (I think) talking about instances and how sometimes you get lucky and have an instance where it's just big ships all the time (Annies, Pythons, etc). I don't seem to get those, was that fixed / changed? Does logging out and back in in a different mode (Solo / Private etc) change your instance? Or would you need to SC away and back?

 

[Robinson]

I think for 2 there's a time limit. If you get a shot off within x seconds (15 maybe). For 3 it seems to depend on your ship and combat rating. Since I turned "expert" and jumped into a vulture I've been getting mostly "Dangerous" FDLs and Pythons.

 

[Gun Star]

1. It depends on their level I think and some of the NPC AI mechanics are not stupid and they know when they are out matched and will run. I've had a couple of those this weeks CG, But then I've had Elite Winders and Eagles try helping their wing mate.

2. You do have to get a certain % in hits and damage dealt to be part of the bounty inclusion. But I've also heard of Security Forces kill stealing in ReS. I've never had this happen. Only if there are other CMDRs involved with the fight and not being in a wing.

3. It really depends on your Combat Rank on what the instances are. Also it depends on where you are hunting. HaZ ReS will always have more of the big dogs in there since there is no security. Last night I was winged up and it was Python, Python, Python, FAS, FGS, FDS, Conda, Clipper, Clipper. It has been good hunting the last couple of days. Also find Compromised Nav Beacons. Will always be a lot of variety in there. I heard back before I started playing the game you would get Cutters and Covettes in a Haz Res. I only see them in CZ's

 

[Ashnak]

1) Seems to depend on whether they're otherwise occupied - not only for wings, but also for single NPCs. They can only get hostile against any one target (or wing) at any given time, so if the cops are shooting them, they don't have time to get hostile towards you.

2) You need to shoot them (ok, hit them) within a certain time limit before they're killed - and that works both ways. Tag that juicy Annie and let the cops finish her off won't get you any money if you can't land a shot during those last seconds.

3) Several factors, actually. The type of environment seems to play a role (USS, Lo/med/Hi/Haz RES, beacon, secret installation) as well as your own (and whoever else is in that instance) combat rating, how long you are in that instance and, of course, the RNG. To switch instance, you have to leave that "real space" volume and drop in again, no matter which way you do it. Going through the menu does it as well as going to SC and drop back out again.

And it might be that the big fish actually are in the instance, but you simply can't find them because they're playing with the cops at the other end.

 

[IndigoWyrd]

1. There is, but it's NPC logic, which is different than real logic. Rank and rating seem to be the largest factor, but not always.

2. Yes, there is some percentage of damage you need to do to get credit. I've never seen NPC's steal kills outside of assassination missions, but other players, that's a whole other story.

3. Like most things Elite, it's pretty much random. Your combat rank is a factor, but not the only one.

 

[d8veh]

That's totally logical. They're just cruising around. You shoot one. What do you think they're going to do? I'm pretty sure that none of them turn red until either you shoot them or they shoot you.

BTW, have you seen what happens with the fighters carried by the Gunships and Anacondas. I've been RES farming with a Sidewinder. You can shoot any ship that's engaged with the cops and they never shoot back at you (until you're at least dangerous, and only then very occasionally), but if they have a fighter, notice how when you come and watch, the fighter just hangs around mainly behind you. The moment you shoot the mothership, that fighter will get you from behind.