Horizons What have you done Frontier?

[Shar]

There should be no reason why an Eagle can't take down an Anaconda.

Let me explain. Your combat rank means nothing. Zero. Zilch. It is a measure of total number of kills not a measure of the reality of your skills. A really good pilot, one who has mastered Flight Assist Off and other techniques should be able to take down a pilot with poor skills regardless of whether or not said pilot is flying an A-rated Corvette. Regardless of what either pilot's 'official' Combat Rank is.

My combat rank is Harmless. I have a single kill to my name: an unmanned skimmer. I also have zero insurance claims. What do these things say about my skill? Does it mean I'm a push over? I've been ranked 'Master' at least twice and made it all the way to 'Dangerous' once. Just because my Rank gets reset when I wipe my game save it doesn't mean that my skills get wiped.

The problem, as I see it, is that it is FAR too easy for players to Rank to 'Elite'. There is zero penalty toward your Rank when you 'die' and get sent to the insurance screen. People really believe that their rank is a valid indication of their skill? When it took them 20 rebuys to get to that Rank? If every time you 'died' your Pilots Federation rank took a hit alongside your insurance payout ... then yeah. If dying meant losing your Elite rank and dropping back down to "Expert" by dividing your game progress by the number of times you 'died' then yeah, that would be a more true measure of your skill. "Elite" as a rank should be truly a rarity not simply a measure of how long you've been playing the game.

Thats actually a really good idea.

Take notes Fdev.

 

[NMS]

Large ships are just sitting ducks in ED. This is standard by game design(Unfortunately).

 

[Cmdr Esteban]

Large ships are just sitting ducks in ED...

I only in the hands of an unskilled pilot, I would say.

 

[mewn]

Btw, is that you in that video? you got a prox warning before you died, looks a collision due to a network glitch.

On this occasion it went way too fast on my screen to give me much of an idea. My wingman informed me that he saw a wing of three small NPC ships suddenly appear next to my Python and immediately proceed to attack the ship. His estimate was that I was space dust within 10 seconds. What appears to be a network latency "catch-up" makes this happen in less than a second on my screen. As you can see, my ship was stationary, but it's possible one of the attackers rammed me.

While this was a rather extreme example, I have seen similar, although less severe, encounters after 2.1.2. I have noticed that my FAS or Vulture fares much better than Python and T-7, regardless of piloting skills applied. Could there be a bug that will sometimes skew the damage inflicted on larger ships by smaller weapons?

It does not help that the game appear to decide difficulty rating mostly or exclusively based on my combat rating (my effective combat ability is somewhat restricted when I'm flying a trade outfitted T-7 with navigational shields rather than a combat outfitted Python or FAS).

The way I see it, this should be balanced out between immersion and keeping the game fun. Even if I have achieved a high combat rating, I might still want to enjoy other aspects of the game - in fact, after all that combat, particularly so.

As for how easy it is to have your ship destroyed, I think it should be balanced against the risk of penalty imposed - If you're about to loose 20 million creds to an attacker with 20 thousand creds on the line, be it player or NPC, it would be nice to at least see your hardpoints deploy before he is eating away at your hull.

 

[Stella Arkell]

well I thought I could post here amongst my peers and get an intelligent and informative answer as to how an a.i. gunship with pulse lasers overpowers an a rated corvette (with correct weapons and armament) nose to nose, no wing, just one on one. but I'm getting opinions on everything but how. don't need the condescending babble about "old days" or robigo runs to get a ship, etc. was actually thinking I would get an insight to the a.i. buffs or an informative response as to how. obviously posting on the forums doesn't promote useful (for the most part) feedback, for that matter some responses indicate some haven't read, just jumped on the bandwagon to post a comment. oh well nothing ventured nothing gained. still love and play the game, but no need to waste everyone's time in the forums

Nothing gained nothing ventured. What was your config? Gunships are a PIA and you can't just tank crap now.

luckydriver asked for a vid and if yea did, then devs can see what it is with todays patch, not last weeks. As well we can see whazzup tew. I don't find gunships hard. But I have been running engineering work coupple weeks now.

Bug crushing is a hassle, takes patience, less whining, more stoic, "hey can you guys check this or confirm too?" Having a hissy about responses on the internet? Come now, its not Reddit

 

[mewn]

You seem to be forgetting update 2.01.02, released on the 4th, it curbed a network bug for players in Open & private group (Hybrid OP weapons & insta kill bugs) Took roughly a week to trickle down before it was completely eradicated.

So it took a week AFTER 2.1.2 before they had that particular problem under control? Truth be told, I haven't been on much the last couple of weeks.

 

[777Driver]

So it took a week AFTER 2.1.2 before they had that particular problem under control? Truth be told, I haven't been on much the last couple of weeks.

They implemented the changes on the 4th, there's a good post from one the Devs (Mark Allen) He explains the whole thing in detail, the bulk of issues were fixed when the patch rolled out, it still took some to take full effect across all the NPC's, a week is probably stretching it, just saying it wasn't an instant fix.

 

[lomac]

I understand what you are saying, well bigger ships doesn't necessarily means better, and also we have to remember the "strength in numbers" factor.
The smallest fighter plane can destroy a Bomber, a simple grenade can seriously damage a tank.

I stopped reading here.

Bomber and fighter are different roles. There is no bomber role in ED. What's the Conda's role then? It's not the same as a type 9. It is supposed to be a frigate. It should be able to hold its own against a few small ships. Or even one

Also, a simple grenade can not damage a tank. Maybe a photon grenade from Gammaworld...

 

[Shar]

I stopped reading here.

Bomber and fighter are different roles. There is no bomber role in ED. What's the Conda's role then? It's not the same as a type 9. It is supposed to be a frigate. It should be able to hold its own against a few small ships. Or even one

Also, a simple grenade can not damage a tank. Maybe a photon grenade from Gammaworld...

Semantics, I'd +1 rep you but i can't because i don't won't to.

Anaconda = Frigate = Wrong
Grenade can,t damage tank = Wrong.

 

[A2lucifer]

now that some have read this, I can explain my thoughts... federal gunship vs federal corvette nose to nose combat. hit the gunship with two 4a plasmas twice and staying on it with 3 beam lasers its shields barely drop, he hits me with just lasers and too quickly destroys my 7a shields even after firing 6a shield booster, had a friend watching in his fas, and he also was amazed how the gunship tore through my corvette even with all the supposed fire power hitting the gunship. and yes it was just my corvette vs the gunship. this to me indicates the larger ships have been nerfed, we literally fought nose to nose until I had to bug out at 40%, at that point the gunship had 68% and its shields magically came back up 100%. so a federal corvette worth well over a half a million and an anaconda worth a half a million are now garage queens. combat is for my fas, it appears stronger than the two large ships since 2.1. update, repeated same scenario with the fas, deadly gunship didn't last 60 seconds using 2d beams and 3c cannons both gimbaled. still amazed 4a plasma cannons don't damage as their listed

Are you sure I fly a 200 mcR anaconda and I can beat any ship of IA in the game. You just don't know how to outfit your ship or how to fight. I only flee when I lose shields and im facing wings.
I wear 2 class one pulse laser turrets, 2 pulse laser turrets. One class 3 burst laser turret, 2 class 3 multi cannon gimbaled. 1 class 4 multi Canon gimbaled . Class b 7 shield. 1 to 3 class 6 cell banks. It depends the rol my anaconda do. There is a video on youtube when I had to flee. Well there were 5 cobras with rails attacking me, so I flle with 30% hull. I had 1080 shield and 900 hull. Not even military armor or armor plates . My anaconda it's multi rol. So in my oppinion its your fault.
My anaconda       by 5 cobras
https://youtu.be/zCsMGrihTE8

 

[Gully Foyle]

Conda outfitting can be tricky. I'd experiment a bit if I had one.

When was the last time you saw an actual human player, much less engaged in pvp. I have 7 days /played all in open and I have never been kiled by another player and can count in the tens the number of human players I saw in passing. People generally either stay around their faction base vicinity or populate the well known trade routes.

Have yet to engage in a war that was not just my faction vs an AI faction.

Visit the current bounty hunt CG at Graill Redd.
You'll see lots of CMDRS.
o7

 

[foebits]

I am flying an anaconda and have not yet been destroyed doing so, not once, not pre 2.1, or post; larger ships have their place, as all do. If you want a game that offers an I win button ED is not it.

Further, combat rank in game means all, much, if not all was gained fighting near defenceless dumb as bricks ai. Given how many quote it as some badge of merit perhaps there is an argument for Fronter reseting all combat ranks and only having pvp combat count towards their progress; at least then it would mean something.

NO, Elite combat would still be meaningless because then people would just troll the starter areas and/or get buddies together to farm each other.

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

Semantics, I'd +1 rep you but i can't because i don't won't to.

Anaconda = Frigate = Wrong
Grenade can,t damage tank = Wrong.

I'll rep you for that though! +1

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

I'm not seeing this either.
I had a 'Conda - "A" rated in all but Powerplant and bulkheads. During the insta kill bug period between 2.1 and the patch I died once: and by an Elite 'Conda that I thought "no problem", took his shields down at the cost of mine too (my lack of skill here) and then he managed to "park" his ship on top of mine causing a continual damage that I was unable to escape from.
Still see this as my fault, however FD happily refunded my insurance. Pity about the 15 Meta Alloys but hey!

Anyway, recently traded the 'Conda for a 'Vette. I am not a credit billionaire by a very long shot - never spent time doing the super credit runs - so really feel I have worked for this through (mainly) trading and High intensity Combat zones.

Started doing Black box salvage missions in my Clipper - and always get a wing of 6 dropping in, mostly Deadly/ Elite. Poor old Clipper with Bi-Weaves just cannot handle the concentrated firepower of all 6 so it was run or die. Figured I would try the 'Vette.

I haven't got OUT of my big ship since. I can now (even with 6A shields only and totally un-modded) hold my own with the wing of 6 - the security forces show up eventually but by then I have demoralised them by killing the lead ship already and am usually on number 2 or 3 of the wing. I would describe myself as a mediocre combat pilot but do use FA off, lateral thrusters and reverse liberally. I also have no turrets - just Gimballed and fixed. And huge hardpoints are the only Thermal weapons with x2 Huge Pulse.
I appreciate that 'Vette is more agile (or feels that way) than the 'Conda, but even so. IMHO big ships have a firm place in PVE anyways.....

 

[lomac]

Semantics, I'd +1 rep you but i can't because i don't won't to.

Anaconda = Frigate = Wrong
Grenade can,t damage tank = Wrong.

Simple, not rocket propelled or shape charge. Simple frag grenade he said!

Also, according to the wiki, which does quote the in-game description, the Conda fullfills the frigate role:

The Anaconda is the pride of Faulcon deLacy's ship yards. The design was first manufactured in 2856 by RimLiner Galactic. After numerous mergers the template was eventually owned by Faulcon deLacy, who have made only minor changes to the classic design. The Anaconda is a versatile craft that can transport large cargos as well as pack a decent punch. Some smaller navies use the Anaconda in the light cruiser and frigate roles. The Anaconda can also be upgraded with a docking bay allowing small fighters up to Sidewinder size to be carried and launched.
— In-Game Description

http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Anaconda

Now give me my rep dawg

 

[lomac]

Are you sure I fly a 200 mcR anaconda and I can beat any ship of IA in the game. You just don't know how to outfit your ship or how to fight. I only flee when I lose shields and im facing wings.
I wear 2 class one pulse laser turrets, 2 pulse laser turrets. One class 3 burst laser turret, 2 class 3 multi cannon gimbaled. 1 class 4 multi Canon gimbaled . Class b 7 shield. 1 to 3 class 6 cell banks. It depends the rol my anaconda do. There is a video on youtube when I had to flee. Well there were 5 cobras with rails attacking me, so I flle with 30% hull. I had 1080 shield and 900 hull. Not even military armor or armor plates . My anaconda it's multi rol. So in my oppinion its your fault.
My anaconda by 5 cobras
https://youtu.be/zCsMGrihTE8

I used pretty much the same build on my conda, huge MC gimb and a couple large MC turrets, rest pulse turrets and I think 1 beam turret. How in the world are you dealing with the non-stop chaffing? With no fixed hard points it's just nuts.

I use FA off, always use thrusters to assist (bound to hat stick) etc. And then there's always the time it takes to set your turrets to fire at target EVERY TIME you zone in now.

I will watch your video and learn.

Edit: I watched the video. You were in a wing. The AI was "Experto", that's Expert. Those are very easy AIs, they don't get engineer modes. After Expert comes Master, Dangerous, Deadly, Elite. You're fighting stuff that's 5 ranks down...

You were in a res with lots of other stuff going on. That's not "any ship of IA in the game". You had some trouble with a lone vulture that was Deadly. Never one Elite. The cobras were Dangerous.

Make us a video of you alone, with no one in your wing, fighting Elites, a cpl FDLs or a wing of vulters, pythons and FDLs. Or even a single Elite FDL. The ones 5 ranks up from what you were fighting

You had your turrets on fire at will too...

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

Simple, not rocket propelled or shape charge. Simple frag grenade he said!


Also, according to the wiki, which does quote the in-game description, the Conda fullfills the frigate role:


The Anaconda is the pride of Faulcon deLacy's ship yards. The design was first manufactured in 2856 by RimLiner Galactic. After numerous mergers the template was eventually owned by Faulcon deLacy, who have made only minor changes to the classic design. The Anaconda is a versatile craft that can transport large cargos as well as pack a decent punch. Some smaller navies use the Anaconda in the light cruiser and frigate roles. The Anaconda can also be upgraded with a docking bay allowing small fighters up to Sidewinder size to be carried and launched.
— In-Game Description

http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Anaconda

Now give me my rep dawg

Grenade part -
..all depends where it is placed. Tracks for instance...


It doesn't say "Fulfills" it says "use". Just because some smaller navies use the Anaconda in frigate roles doesn't mean it IS a frigate.....