From another thread, well two now, we've been discussing making sneaking in to a dock more challenging, but not impossible . Impossible is bad (content locking, etc).
So StiTch and I have come up with some very clever ideas.
Firstly, StiTch's idea, is;
Randomised Security Patrols at Stations.
Self explanatory. The current patrols just go around in very very very very predictable circles around the port.
It's incredibly easy to just fly down the middle and dock without even getting their attention, let alone scanned.
The patterns are up to FD, but each ship (or wing of ships) should be assigned a patrol route when the instance is created.
This would mean docking without being detected would take some patience, (I know the community aren't known for that!) and pattern recognition.
Sometimes stations could have large slow security ships, that are basically there to prevent you boosting in a straight line in to the dock. They park up facing outward in front of the slot, meaning there is no straight line entry to the port. They will try to scan any ships passing by, but are a bit too slow to turn.
The second idea is mine;
Security Scan Triggers
This is basically just a list of things that make you more likely to get noticed, in no particular order, but stacking them increases the odds of security attempting to scan you.
The third and final part is just some additional rabdom ideas.
Anyhoo, all those ideas would add some much needed challenge to docking while wanted, or smuggling. But doesn't prevent it.
(Then can we have the lucrative smuggling missions back?
)
Thoughts?
CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
So StiTch and I have come up with some very clever ideas.
Firstly, StiTch's idea, is;
Randomised Security Patrols at Stations.
Self explanatory. The current patrols just go around in very very very very predictable circles around the port.
It's incredibly easy to just fly down the middle and dock without even getting their attention, let alone scanned.
The patterns are up to FD, but each ship (or wing of ships) should be assigned a patrol route when the instance is created.
This would mean docking without being detected would take some patience, (I know the community aren't known for that!) and pattern recognition.
Sometimes stations could have large slow security ships, that are basically there to prevent you boosting in a straight line in to the dock. They park up facing outward in front of the slot, meaning there is no straight line entry to the port. They will try to scan any ships passing by, but are a bit too slow to turn.
The second idea is mine;
Security Scan Triggers
This is basically just a list of things that make you more likely to get noticed, in no particular order, but stacking them increases the odds of security attempting to scan you.
- Requesting Docking permission. Yes, every time you request permission to dock, there's a chance a security ship will divert from its patrol to come and scan you.
- Speeding. Coming in hot looks dodgy, expect someone to come sniffing.
- Traffic. In low traffic areas, you are more likely to get scanned than in high traffic.
- Distance from another ship. Basically, if you're all on your own, you look dodgy. This would open up gameplay to hiding very close to another ship.
- Reputation. Your reputation with the local faction also plays a part in how likely security will come looking.
- System Security Rating. High security systems are more likely to have tighter security.
- Ship size. Yes, security aren't blind, if you're trying to smuggle a Cutter through the dock, they're more likely to notice.
The third and final part is just some additional rabdom ideas.
- Higher security systems have better scanners. So they can scan you from further away. Careful! Lower security have crap scanners.
- High Security Only. When requesting Docking permission, you may be asked to submit for random screening, and docking permission is not granted until you do. There are fines for not complying. But you can just run away and try again later.
Anyhoo, all those ideas would add some much needed challenge to docking while wanted, or smuggling. But doesn't prevent it.
(Then can we have the lucrative smuggling missions back?
)Thoughts?
CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
