Universal Limpet Controller - Yet Another Redesign Idea

[JTFireblaze]

Let me preface this with: I know, this has been posted many times and I know someone at Frontier has said something about limpets at some point in the past.

The problems (and some oddities):

• Too many limpet controller types.
• Too many gameplay scenarios that are ignored because a player cannot carry around all the limpet controllers required without using up half of their internals.
• Some baffling space and mass requirements for the controllers
• Disposable limpets feel very wasteful
• Why do limpets take up cargo space when their controllers are so massive

My ideal solution:

Introducing the new Universal Limpet Controller! This brand new device enables a CMDR to install and synthesise role specific limpets based on a series of profiles.

• Universal Limpet Controller internal module.
• Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 sizes available. Weighs 2T, 4T, 6T and 8T respectively.
• Each class allows between 1-4 Limpet Profiles to be installed (1 in Class 1, 4 in Class 4)
• Limpet Profiles can be installed at a variety of starports across the galaxy
• Due to certain legal restrictions, a maximum of 3 ULCs may be installed in a single ship.

And to make things even better, the Universal Limpet Controller uses all new Limpets! Due to many CMDRs and pilots across the galaxy "forgetting" to buy the v1 disposable limpets for their cargo bay and several concerned citizens campaigning to reduce limpet debris around mining sites we are proud to introduce Universal Limpet 2.0

• Limpets do not require cargo space. Instead they sit in the ULC bay, which will automatically repair and refuel them while idle.
• Limpets can be recalled to your ship instead of detonating upon task completion.
• If a limpet is destroyed in some way, they can be reprinted using a CMDRs synthesis device

In order to benefit all CMDRs, we are proud to say that all v1 Limpet Controller devices will be replaced free of charge! Our fleet of mobile mechanics are prepped to travel to every corner of the galaxy to refit all controller and reimburse all CMDRs for their current stocks of v1 Limpets.

• All existing limpet controllers can be replaced with ULCs
• Eg a Class 7 Collector Limpet Controller will be replaced with a Class 4 ULC with 4 Collector Profiles installed

Prices TBD. Thanks for reading and fly safe. Oh Seven Commanders!

 

[Spacegamejunkie]

One Controller to Rule them ALL !
Builtin Software selection is what determines the Job,
Class only determines the number of limpets, or a limpet Fabricator.
Also Limpets can do wonders in space, from collecting to mining, but nothing on a planet surface,
Wheres the Logic in that ?

 

[Natta]

Good post, was going to make similar suggestion! Only practical difference would have been making the number of available programs dependent on rating: D - 1 program, e - 3, c - 5, b - 5 but lighter, a - 7 different programs

 

[JTFireblaze]

Good post, was going to make similar suggestion! Only practical difference would have been making the number of available programs dependent on rating: D - 1 program, e - 3, c - 5, b - 5 but lighter, a - 7 different programs

I was thinking that the module size would be enough for the amount of programs. Like how a class 5 hangar has one fighter and a class 6 can have 2.

I'd probably put the rating on the limpet profiles you install. E-A ranked profiles, priced appropriately

 

[Para Handy]

 

[Commander Biscuit]

Limpets can be recalled to your ship instead of detonating upon task completion

To expand on this idea, limpets could refuel from your ship's fuel reserve after recalling them. To balance off being able to recall limpets somewhat.

 

[TheDragon2001]

This could also provide openings for one or two new limpet types because they wouldn't take up more space than is worth it.

 

[Winterwalker]

This could also provide openings for one or two new limpet types because they wouldn't take up more space than is worth it.

POSSIBLY two .. but this is a discussion we've had many times before and, the problem is, universal controllers turn ALL ships into multirole, reducing the diversity Frontier have built into ships with various specialist slots. Understandable why a pilot would want this (me too kinda) but it's a power creep and probably more fun if certain ships are better for certain activities and creative loadout design stays a part of the game.

 

[Natta]

POSSIBLY two .. but this is a discussion we've had many times before and, the problem is, universal controllers turn ALL ships into multirole, reducing the diversity Frontier have built into ships with various specialist slots. Understandable why a pilot would want this (me too kinda) but it's a power creep and probably more fun if certain ships are better for certain activities and creative loadout design stays a part of the game.

Have the ULC be an core mod, that way its size and thus available programs can be limited to the devolopers liking

 

[JTFireblaze]

If the ULC went core it'd throw the balance off a lot of ships, freeing up too many internals. That would be power creep.

However the game has changed since launch when we didn't even have collectors. It's pretty much essential to be carrying around at least one collector.

As for ruining ship diversity, I don't think it would. A miner would still need the prospector and all the collectors, an AX pilot would still want decon, repair and maybe research limpets. It would just mean POI hunters would be able to engage in a multitude of activities.

Maybe I have the sizes wrong, they could be 1,3,5,7 instead of 1,2,3,4. I don't know, I'm not overly concerned with "balance" when it comes to these utility limpets. Being able to engage in activities shouldn't be a matter of balance in my opinion.

Also on new limpet types, I really don't think we need new ones. We already have 8, some of which are incredibly niche.

 

[Natta]

If the ULC went core it'd throw the balance off a lot of ships, freeing up too many internals. That would be power creep.

However the game has changed since launch when we didn't even have collectors. It's pretty much essential to be carrying around at least one collector.

As for ruining ship diversity, I don't think it would. A miner would still need the prospector and all the collectors, an AX pilot would still want decon, repair and maybe research limpets. It would just mean POI hunters would be able to engage in a multitude of activities.

Maybe I have the sizes wrong, they could be 1,3,5,7 instead of 1,2,3,4. I don't know, I'm not overly concerned with "balance" when it comes to these utility limpets. Being able to engage in activities shouldn't be a matter of balance in my opinion.

Also on new limpet types, I really don't think we need new ones. We already have 8, some of which are incredibly niche.

You got good points, and I don't mind it being limited to a size 4 with four active limpets. I was just trying to find a way to limit the number of different limpets smaller ships can run.. for the balance peeps. Having a max of 7 programs and 8 limpet types to choose from still makes it a choice, even for larger ships.

After some thought, a minimum of 2 and max of 5 programs might be enough. Then you'd still have to specialize your builds.

 

[Bumbles]

Good idea, the current system of needing several different module slots taken up by limpet controllers is too restrictive and doesn't make sense with how large the controllers are. I don't think it would harm build diversity either it doesn't free up too many slots and the amount of programs would still limit it.

This is a bit off topic but I feel you could make an argument for having the Docking Computer, Supercruise Assist and maybe the Detailed Surface Scanner just part of the ship, like the Discovrery Scanner and FSS.

 

[JTFireblaze]

This is a bit off topic but I feel you could make an argument for having the Docking Computer, Supercruise Assist and maybe the Detailed Surface Scanner just part of the ship, like the Discovrery Scanner and FSS

I've already had the same thoughts on those. Docking and SCA for sure, althought DSS as a module at least means you'd have to spec for exploration.

As long as they can be disabled like other functionality can, I don't see how it would affect the purists who love to dock manually and hate SCA.

 

[Bumbles]

I've already had the same thoughts on those. Docking and SCA for sure, althought DSS as a module at least means you'd have to spec for exploration.

As long as they can be disabled like other functionality can, I don't see how it would affect the purists who love to dock manually and hate SCA.

Yeah I would be pretty silly if you couldn't turn them off. You can already do that in the in the the systems panel.

As for the DSS I mostly thought it was strange that all the other scanners came as default and the the DSS was the only exception, maybe the FSS could be a separate module as well.

 

[JTFireblaze]

Well the DSS has probes, so I guess that's what is in the module. (Although the DSS gets infinite FTL capable probes, but you have to replenish disposable limpets... Such consistency)

 

[Northpin]

I'm pretty sure FD designed the limpets/controllers as they are on purpose and not by accident.

What i'm trying to say is oversimplifying things is not always better.
Most of the time it will make things even more shallow and you know what they say... ED is one mile wide and one inch shallow.

I'm not against the suggestion per se. Just saying.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Thing is though, every limpet type except collectors are super niche anyway. Almost no ships would actually benefit from having more types available than their current build allows because they're almost never going to actually do the thing the extra limpet types would allow for anyway.

Even for mining ships, almost the only build that uses more than one type of controller in the first place, it would be more annoying to recall collectors to reprogram them to prospectors than to just have a dedicated prospector controller (and recalling prospectors would be way more annoying because you tend to fling them a long way off). Same with a pirate setup with hatch breakers and collectors, you want to have two different types that don't interfere with the ability to use the other and having the faster cycle time disposability allows for.

So having large numbers of disposable limpets is actually more convenient than having more persistent ones that you have to recall and refuel.

 

[JTFireblaze]

I'm pretty sure FD designed the limpets/controllers as they are on purpose and not by accident.

What i'm trying to say is oversimplifying things is not always better.
Most of the time it will make things even more shallow and you know what they say... ED is one mile wide and one inch shallow.

I'm not against the suggestion per se. Just saying.

For sure, they did originally design them to work in the way they are and that's fine.

But since then we've had multiple drone types added for different tasks and it's perhaps time to question if the original design still fits their purpose.

Plus Fdev have said in the past that they were looking at it.... in 2018.... https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/megaship-interactions.401881/page-4#post-6357712

I don't have hope that they will change, but hey.

 

[JTFireblaze]

Thing is though, every limpet type except collectors are super niche anyway. Almost no ships would actually benefit from having more types available than their current build allows because they're almost never going to actually do the thing the extra limpet types would allow for anyway.

Even for mining ships, almost the only build that uses more than one type of controller in the first place, it would be more annoying to recall collectors to reprogram them to prospectors than to just have a dedicated prospector controller (and recalling prospectors would be way more annoying because you tend to fling them a long way off). Same with a pirate setup with hatch breakers and collectors, you want to have two different types that don't interfere with the ability to use the other and having the faster cycle time disposability allows for.

So having large numbers of disposable limpets is actually more convenient than having more persistent ones that you have to recall and refuel.

Under these designs you wouldn't be recalling to reprogram though. You would have (for example) a Size 4 ULC that would have 4 limpets. So you could buy up 3 collectors and a prospector drone. Or a hatch breaker and 3 collectors. Think like how the hangar bay or the SRV bay has different slots for different fighters or SRVs.

The recall mechanic is just because having a 1T drone that self destructs after a single action, or 12 minutes of collecting is kinda wasteful

Edit:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/megaship-interactions.401881/page-5#post-6358209 that post shows how I would have the outfitting UI work.

Edit 2:

Refueling a limpet would be the same as how you "refuel" a fighter, ie you don't. It just happens behind the scenes.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Under these designs you wouldn't be recalling to reprogram though. You would have (for example) a Size 4 ULC that would have 4 limpets. So you could buy up 3 collectors and a prospector drone. Or a hatch breaker and 3 collectors. Think like how the hangar bay or the SRV bay has different slots for different fighters or SRVs.

The recall mechanic is just because having a 1T drone that self destructs after a single action, or 12 minutes of collecting is kinda wasteful

Edit:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/megaship-interactions.401881/page-5#post-6358209 that post shows how I would have the outfitting UI work.

Right, but launching a prospector 4km away and then having to wait for it to come back is even more wasteful, it's wasting far more real world time than just carrying more limpets by doubling the amount of time prospecting actions take because you have to wait the full recall time then send it to another rock.

It is far more convenient to just launch another one to a different target when you hit a dud rock.