To keep playing Elite Dangerous

[Ghiby]

At fdevs

I'm a casual adult mature player (35+ y/o) and I used to love playing ED on my PC rig... but not anymore...

Do you want to know why I don't play anymore and as such I have little to no interest in spending real money on the premium currency... I just spent over $150 US $$ on ESO so some of my money go to ZeniMax and implicitly to Bethesda and ultimately to Microsoft since it owns it all...

My point is I could also spend that money with Elite Dangerous and with Frontier... here is why I don't do it...

I'm not a pilot fighter and I also have no interest in pvp (I'm sick and tired of PvP from Eve Online and GTA Online and such other games)... So I'm not looking for PvP or tough combat challenges in ED..

So I try to mind my own business moving pax in a beluga liner and what do you know, a thargoig is attacking and killing me in the bubble...not once but twice since in my naivete I was thinking I was unlucky the first time...

Then I switched to space trucking and trying to move some goods in my T9 cargo ship and what do you know, pirates are attacking me and killing me and obliterating my cargo and ship with me unable to escape - as I was doing it successfully in the past - or unable to defend myself against a elite NPC pirate that attacks me... sadly it happened twice until I gave up entirely on playing...

I'm not sure if you - fdevs - get my point... this is not fun to me... I have no friends to team up with and escort my ships and defend me against NPC pirates or Thargoid attacking me, and no one would do it anyway for free...

So what was fun once it's not fun anymore...the balancing changed and the PVE became more challenging, at least for a dumb player as myself...

Hence I don't play anymore...

Not to mention the exorbitant price of acquiring a carrier... I might return and pay some real money when I can skip the grind - again I'm a casual player and as such I don't enjoy grinding - so I might return when you decide to sell a carrier for real money arx so I can try it and say I did that too...

And I'm sure like me there are some other players thinking and feeling the same but not taking the time (as I do) to find the suggestions thread and post their opinions...

Either way that's why I don't play ED anymore and chances for me to spend real money on the game are slim to none...make a carrier available for arx real money at a fair price and I might come back to try it...

Look at ESO by Bethesda and ZeniMax... it's a joy to do PVE and socialize with others, because NPCs rarely kill us... and I'm the same dumb player there too it's not like I'm more powerful there... but their balancing is better the NPCs are not so tough to kill, the focus is to clear content and get the rewards, not to fight challenging tough NPCs...tho' that's possible too in special zones for those players that need that kind of a fix...


if you think everyone is on steroids and wanting a harder challenge you - fdevs decisions makers - are wrong at the core...

ED should be also about exploration and the joy of flying a ship and landing on a planet and taking off and making virtual cash in the process...

not just about tough fighting with thargoids and NPC pirates...

yes I know the biological exploration is available for us but again the rewards vs efforts are unbalanced... hence the balancing needs work...

That assuming you - Frontier - want us to spend real money on ED...

Thank you for reading my feedback...

 

[HappyMoonMonkey]

If you're harmless combat rank then the NPC pirates that actually interdict you will also be harmless (or close) in rank. Just got a shield and run away. NPCs will rank up if you rank up in combat but then it's assumed that'll you know how to deal with them then. The difficulty in the game hasn't changed.

As for the Thargoids - well they're marked clearly on the galaxy map so try and avoid those areas.

 

[Rebel Yell]

I believe most difficulties you're facing can be quickly sorted out with a combination of: joining a squadron, focusing on trade/help for new players (like Pilots Trade Network or New Pilot Initiative) and then unlock a few base engineers to make your ship a bit more resilient to NPCs griefing.

Unfortunately being "casual" doesn't help too.. as Elite is somehow closer to an "hard core" player base.

 

[Dragsham]

High wake!
Don't fight, don't fly away or try to. Just plot a course to another system quickly, and jump away.
4 pips in shields as you go.
But yes it's sad that inexperienced pilots get ganked by pirate npcs.
Type 9 BTW was a bad choice. Slow cumbersome old boat it is.
Fly smart. Something smaller like a python.
Also upgrading to grade A would help. Along with pip management.
Don't run before you can walk.
Some basic engineering can help.
Also hull reinforcements
But 4 pips in shields whilst under attack will give you time to plot a course!
Hope you come back and fly smart

 

[Rhialto]

That's why it's called Elite Dangerous.
The NPC's level up with you.
that's why i rarely use my Type 9 anymore, winning interdictions gets ever more difficult. I now use a decent engineered Python for hauling, it's strong enough to confront any NPC that interdicts me.
I might switch to a Type 8 later on.
Thargoids can be avoided by excluding Thargoid sites on your map, (you should if you run a cargo ship).
By the way, i am 61 years old. It took me years to really get the grips on the game, but i am still enjoying it.

 

[Ozric]

If you're harmless combat rank then the NPC pirates that actually interdict you will also be harmless (or close) in rank. Just got a shield and run away. NPCs will rank up if you rank up in combat but then it's assumed that'll you know how to deal with them then. The difficulty in the game hasn't changed.

Actually that's not strictly true. The NPCs that interdict you are your highest rank, if that rank is not in combat then it's rank minus 1. The security level of the system also affects the NPCs that are allowed to try and interdict you. So I am a Novice in Combat after 10 years, but Elite in Trade and Exploration, I get hunted by (up to) Deadly pirates.
(finding exact information is tricky as not all changes are documented any more)

I'm not sure if Mission NPCs are still tied to the level of the mission since they changed from ranks to threat level.

 

[HappyMoonMonkey]

Actually that's not strictly true. The NPCs that interdict you are your highest rank, if that rank is not in combat then it's rank minus 1. The security level of the system also affects the NPCs that are allowed to try and interdict you. So I am a Novice in Combat after 10 years, but Elite in Trade and Exploration, I get hunted by (up to) Deadly pirates.
(finding exact information is tricky as not all changes are documented any more)

I'm not sure if Mission NPCs are still tied to the level of the mission since they changed from ranks to threat level.

Ah! Interesting to know. I assumed it was just combat rank linked.

I always thought that pirate rank should be better linked to trade rank since you should also gain experience of defending yourself as you rank up. I don't see the point of linking it to explorer rank though without providing explorers with meaningful challenge while ranking up.

I believe mission NPCs are tied to the level of the mission but that's guesswork really.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

Yes, there are three types of non-Thargoid supercruise enemy:

1) Mission enemies - their rank and ship type is mostly tied to the threat level of the mission, but does get adjusted slightly by your own rank and ship type. They will only appear if you have the right sort of mission active.

2) Trader hunters - their rank is tied to your ranks as described by Ozric. They will only appear if you're carrying cargo. Their ship type will be closely matched to yours. (It is odd nowadays that it links to exploration rank - but there are exploration-obtained cargo types so they can go after you for that)

3) Background pirates - their rank and ship type is completely independent of yours, and depends on the security level of the system. They will always appear, but only interdict if you're carrying cargo (somehow they just "know" despite manifest scanners not working in supercruise). As, unlike the first two types, they're not specifically after you, they will often get distracted by NPC traders, so these aren't seen very often.

If you don't carry cargo and don't do missions which can attract extra enemy ships, then you'll never be interdicted by normal NPCs.

 

[uncle bulgaria]

I’ve never flown a T9 but in every other trade ship I’ve had I’ve found NPC interdiction to be entirely a voluntary affair. I’m only Master in combat (Dangerous will pop soon after the SD commonly goal) but elite in trade (mostly due to mining profits rather than pure buy at X and sell at Y ) and exploration.

I’d second suggesting running a Python as they’re pretty tough. The new T8 is nice too, quite agile and reasonably fast with engineered thrusters

 

[Fnord Velkor]

That's why it's called Elite Dangerous.
....

I honestly thought people had stopped coming out with that nonsense...

 

[Shir]

Elite is a game that has depth, and a learning curve. It is extremely easy to get away from NPC pirates once you learn how to do it, and how to build your ships. But it takes some effort, some trial and error, or some google searching. That's the beauty of the game.

For example i 'm new to Odyssey, started playing it this month. You won't believe the amount or rookie mistakes i 'm doing, and i have thousands of hours on Horizons. Getting better though! That's the strong point of the game, you can play for years and still not know how to do some things..

 

[Dillon Fallon]

I honestly thought people had stopped coming out with that nonsense...

Semantics aside, the point still stands that this is not meant to be an idle game.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

I honestly thought people had stopped coming out with that nonsense...

Obviously the "Dangerous" part solely refers to Lori Jameson's introduction requirements and isn't relevant to this thread, but the "Elite" part seems extremely relevant in a thread about traders being attacked by NPC pirates.

(And obviously sequels don't necessarily need to keep any specific gameplay of the originals - there are ones a lot further apart than Elite and Elite Dangerous - but it equally shouldn't be a surprise if they do or if fans expect them to)

 

[Helmut Grokenberger]

I don't know if that applies to your situation; but, given that NPCs are a potential threat to a player whether they like it or not, it's advisable to not fly a paper plane even in Solo, more so if you are flying an immobile cow like the T9. You can get away with minmaxing your ship for the given task in Solo, but as you learned, even the NPCs can kick a minmaxed plane's behind. If you don't bring any passive defenses, your ship is possibly deemed to be toast before you can jump out, that's just the way it is.

As for the Thargoid attack... pay attention to the galaxy map and where your route leads you. They don't attack at random in the bubble, but if you cross the war zone you're done (possibly).

Also I don't think the balancing of NPC threats changed significantly, certainly not in the last five years since I started. Maybe your pilot just became complacent... removing all threat and challenge from the game certainly isn't the way to go. The game gives you enough means to protect your ship even if you're not into combat. If you have to choose between maximizing your cargo and losing it all and building a somewhat protected ship (not nearly as much as if you play in open by the way), foregoing a percentage of your possible maximum cargo and keeping all of it, I think the choice should be obvious.

 

[Frank]

Practise avoiding interdictions. The easiest way to do that is to get yerself yer own interdictor and go after harmless ships in anarchy systems

Or another way is to join a squadron and ask for interdiction training. A bunch of folks chasing each other around a system interdicting each other isn't just educational... it's good fun and all

 

[Florenus]

I honestly thought people had stopped coming out with that nonsense...

That's not possible. Explanation for the title is more or less lost in time and obviously not clear enough that no new player coming to Elite will understand it any differently than by basic definition of the word. If person that thought it out did not consider the most obvious interpretation, then they did terrible job.
I remember listening to David Braben explaining it on some video. For minutes he made it more and more confusing and I remember thinking that it was probably the worst possible choice - if you need quarter of an hour to explain what the title means, you did something wrong there.

 

[Greasetrap42]

So what was fun once it's not fun anymore...the balancing changed and the PVE became more challenging, at least for a dumb player as myself...

Has the general balance between Cmdrs and NPCs changed much in the last 5 years?

Certainly space trucking through Thargoid space poses challenges. And I must admit I gave up on the T9 for cargo missions after a couple days and several rebuys.

If the Original Poster is interested in relatively easy casual space adventure in Elite Dangerous, they need to do a bit more than simply buying the biggest possible ship and taking the most profitable missions (regardless of any dangers that are spelled out). For example, a mostly A-rated semi-engineered Python equipped for cargo hauling can easily do cargo runs with very low risk. Can it carry as much as a T9? No. Is it safer? Yes. Is there a trade-off when selecting ships? Yes.

I find that when I want hours of low risk, low intensity, relaxing, easy puttering activity while watching late-night shows ED is the perfect game.

• Deep space exploration
• Deep space exobiology
• Mining (Either deep space or wait for pirates to go away)
• A to B to A to B trade runs (Using an easy good safe ship)

These are all low intensity very repetitive but fun a activities I have spent HUGE hours doing.

 

[Ghiby]

Thank you guys for sharing your thoughts...

I'm Elite just in trading and mainly because of buying low and selling high as a space trucker which I enjoy...

I'm novice in combat because I don't engage in combat because it's not my thing in ED...the NPC pirates that attacked me in my T9 were Elite which is unfair and it happened since the last 2-3 updates when something changed in the balancing of the game...

Yes I have cargo in the hauler otherwise why would I roam around empty..??.. the thing is that I used to be able to avoid interdictors and run away or if not I used to be able to defend myself with the T9 because the NPC pirates were novice in the past now they are Elite in combat while I'm novice in combat...my point is that something changed and that's not fun to me...

Thargoids in the bubble attacking my beluga transporting pax (passengers) is new to me also, I'm not talking out of the bubble in systems controlled or invaded by thargoids I'm talking in the bubble in systems that are NOT disputed by thargoids...

And I'll have to agree with the one that commented against the real nonsense that's why is called "Dangerous"...

My friend "Dangerous" in ED is a misnomer...if you want to know and feel what "Dangerous" is try Eve Online where I'm a somewhat successful resident since 2006... that's why I've said I'm sick and tired of PvP because for years I've lived and breathed only PvP in Eve to this day... I joined ED to relax and have fun...if I want "Dangerous" Eve is the right gane...

Once again I'm a casual player hence I don't grind for engineering and I don't have engineered ships and modules I just don't have the time and energy to do it...so I try to have fun with basic vanilla ships so to speak... and I get ganked by NPCs much powerful than me...

My post is in fact for the fdevs hoping they monitor this section and collect data for the decisions makers... I was trying to tell them why I gave up on ED why I feel no drive to log in often and why I feel no desire to spend real money on ED... assuming they'd like to know about it... and why I spend my time and money with games like ESO, because it's fun, because it's not so hard to kill the NPCs in pve and get rewards for it... and that's why they got my real money too... because it's fun and relaxing...

While ED is tedious to chase the engineering or to grind for a carrier and it's frustrating to lose ships and cargo to much powerful NPCs... that's not fun to me and that defeats the purpose of playing a game... I play a game to have fun not to be frustrated losing ships and cargo or to have a second job grinding for virtual cash so I can buy a carrier...

Thank you guys for reading and sharing your thoughts...

I just wish the fdevs would read and understand the reasons I gave up on ED... I have the Odyssey and I enjoyed at first...then the balancing changed...fdevs know what I'm talking about... now I barely log in once every 6 months or so just to look at my ships 'cause otherwise it's not worth it to actually fly... I can't do space trucking no more... I can't do passengers transport no more... I can't grind for engineering and a carrier... so I'm out playing other games that are more fun...

And I feel sad about it because I really liked ED... it's our galaxy for a playground and can be fun, used to be fun...

 

[Rebel Yell]

Has the general balance between Cmdrs and NPCs changed much in the last 5 years?

Not much, but I reckon that if OP was stacking multiple cargo missions with a T9 that requires some additional awareness and attention... when there's an "Incoming Enemy Alert" and CMDR is stacking cargo missions (not that uncommon when not loading wing ones) with the "red skull" (= high risk) mark, there's the high % to experience multiple chain interdictions. Losing one interdiction means multiple NPC pirates may drop in the wake because of the stacking multiplier... and if there's an Anaconda, the T9 is super slow and can't gain distance from the Condas + suffers the mass-lock all in all is somehow balanced vs the risk but I reckon it couldn't that easy to wake out (+ at Elite level, a couple of those may pose a threat even to a G5 engineered T9).

 

[Ghiby]

But... but... but... huh?

A cmdr can choose the joy of flying a ship and landing on planets while exploring and make virtual cash in the process. And never be attacked by Thargoids and NPC pirates. It is all based on choice. The ship and activities chosen.

================================

After reading the Original Post several times I come to the conclusion it is an insincere troll. There are too many things that are fundamentally wrong in the OP's message. Its like it was written by someone that hasn't played, but watched some videos and cobbled together some sentences.

Definitely a forum troll.

I'm not a troll bro'...

I'm just sharing my feelings with fdevs hoping they have a "players retention" office or something that is working on keeping players in the game and not quitting the game...

Just because you don't agree with me that doesn't mean I'm a troll...my statements are honest and based on my own gameplay experience...

Yes I know I can just fly out and explore...as I've said it's not worth the time, the rewards vs efforts ratio is too small...

what efforts you ask??

To do 50-100 jumps, to land on planets after exploring the system, to check for biological things, to sample them, to take off the planet and rinse and repeat... it's not worth it... it's too tedious and time consuming while the rewards are too small...

As a space trucker I can make 20 Mil per jump... If the NPC pirates won't kill me...
which is why I need a T9 for cargo room for 744 tons... otherwise it's not worth it... I can't haul that with a nimble Python or Anaconda...

Anyway my post is for fdevs so they can draw conclusions... not for you mate...