Forums » Suggestions
Roll back the NPC agro update
Inc said that tonight an update is being released where PCBs cause NPCs to agro.
In the original thread on this topic, the issue was PCBs not triggering NFZ alerts. I agree with that. However, there are some concerns with the NPC agro update, which I had stated in that thread itself.
Additionally, this update would make convoy farming easy for Tridents, which can /+ActivateTurrets on dual caprails, and have enough shields to outlast any small (2 moths + escort) convoy. Meanwhile, Goliath and small ship pilots, who were using actual tactics with PCBs instead of an alt-tab farmer, will now be forced to use a much slower method of chasing around and landing hits using damage weapons while agroed by voys, because PCBs are now pretty much useless for the purpose.
Basically, apart from being able to fly the most powerful ship in the game, haul way more and be able to make the most profitable trades in the game, premium players can now also get an easy way out to the one activity where there was a level playing field. I think this is getting dangerously close to pay-to-win.
So, please, don't nerf the one method small ship pilots have to earn credits on an equal playing field with dent pilots. PCB triggering NFZ is fine and necessary, but it shouldn't trigger convoys.
In the original thread on this topic, the issue was PCBs not triggering NFZ alerts. I agree with that. However, there are some concerns with the NPC agro update, which I had stated in that thread itself.
Additionally, this update would make convoy farming easy for Tridents, which can /+ActivateTurrets on dual caprails, and have enough shields to outlast any small (2 moths + escort) convoy. Meanwhile, Goliath and small ship pilots, who were using actual tactics with PCBs instead of an alt-tab farmer, will now be forced to use a much slower method of chasing around and landing hits using damage weapons while agroed by voys, because PCBs are now pretty much useless for the purpose.
Basically, apart from being able to fly the most powerful ship in the game, haul way more and be able to make the most profitable trades in the game, premium players can now also get an easy way out to the one activity where there was a level playing field. I think this is getting dangerously close to pay-to-win.
So, please, don't nerf the one method small ship pilots have to earn credits on an equal playing field with dent pilots. PCB triggering NFZ is fine and necessary, but it shouldn't trigger convoys.
-1 if PCB is considered an attack, it should be universal. Not one rule for players and another for npcs. Additionally, a goliath can equip two cap rails and can kill npc moths with zero issues.
We don't really roll back intentional changes.
If there are other problems caused as unintended side-effects, we fix those problems.
But, most of all, we focus on addressing problems that actually exist, and not ones that "might happen".
So, if problems occur, we should have threads discussing those issues (one an individual thread per-topic basis) when they should arise.
If there are other problems caused as unintended side-effects, we fix those problems.
But, most of all, we focus on addressing problems that actually exist, and not ones that "might happen".
So, if problems occur, we should have threads discussing those issues (one an individual thread per-topic basis) when they should arise.
-1. What Float said.
Additionally, a goliath can equip two cap rails and can kill npc moths with zero issues. -WAF
and have enough shields to outlast any small (2 moths + escort) convoy -OP
A goliath can kill NPC moths, with dual caprails, sure. But, an escort moth with dual capcannons in itself can deshield a goli with ease, let alone when assisted by a fighter escort. The same is not true for dents.
Not one rule for players and another for npcs
That statement has absolutely no backing in-game. NPC moths can equip capcannons but when killed drop only a heavy powercell with the standard 20 grid. NPC goliaths, with the exact same name (no TTM/TLF difference) can equip 3 capcannons which player goli cannot. Strike force vults can infiniturbo at faster speeds than any player vult. In Capitol systems, NPCs can follow you across jumps even if you jump from more than 1000m away. The list goes on and on.
There are differences in rules for NPCs and players, in the interest of gameplay.
But, most of all, we focus on addressing problems that actually exist, and not ones that "might happen".
Dent pilots farming convoys using dual caprails while alt-tabbing on an alt to scoop? That happens even now. Small ship pilots having to farm via a much harder method? Happened after the recent update. The gap is already apparent. Don't see why the problem is a "might happen" one.
and have enough shields to outlast any small (2 moths + escort) convoy -OP
A goliath can kill NPC moths, with dual caprails, sure. But, an escort moth with dual capcannons in itself can deshield a goli with ease, let alone when assisted by a fighter escort. The same is not true for dents.
Not one rule for players and another for npcs
That statement has absolutely no backing in-game. NPC moths can equip capcannons but when killed drop only a heavy powercell with the standard 20 grid. NPC goliaths, with the exact same name (no TTM/TLF difference) can equip 3 capcannons which player goli cannot. Strike force vults can infiniturbo at faster speeds than any player vult. In Capitol systems, NPCs can follow you across jumps even if you jump from more than 1000m away. The list goes on and on.
There are differences in rules for NPCs and players, in the interest of gameplay.
But, most of all, we focus on addressing problems that actually exist, and not ones that "might happen".
Dent pilots farming convoys using dual caprails while alt-tabbing on an alt to scoop? That happens even now. Small ship pilots having to farm via a much harder method? Happened after the recent update. The gap is already apparent. Don't see why the problem is a "might happen" one.
-1
I think a better solution would be to have people lose standings for the rampant convoy killing. If you aggro a convoy, you have to kill all ships in the sector before they reach their destination. Fail to do so and you get reported. Group UIT sub-factions with UIT standings, so you lose standings for UIT as well if you kill any sub-faction ships.
This forces people to farm them in groups, and puts solo capship pilots at a disadvantage with their slow speeds.
I think a better solution would be to have people lose standings for the rampant convoy killing. If you aggro a convoy, you have to kill all ships in the sector before they reach their destination. Fail to do so and you get reported. Group UIT sub-factions with UIT standings, so you lose standings for UIT as well if you kill any sub-faction ships.
This forces people to farm them in groups, and puts solo capship pilots at a disadvantage with their slow speeds.
In what world should ships just let you attack and drain them or the ships they fly with (especially for something they can legally defend themselves from)?
Getting money is available in many other ways. This being moderately harder to do not only is not a problem, but it makes sense.
-1
Getting money is available in many other ways. This being moderately harder to do not only is not a problem, but it makes sense.
-1
Dent pilots farming convoys using dual caprails while alt-tabbing on an alt to scoop?
This seems like a "problem" you think might happen but in reality does not. Dents carry 800 cu, so they can scoop all 800cu. Perhaps you saw dent owners working with a crew while pirating npcs; that would seem more logical.
This seems like a "problem" you think might happen but in reality does not. Dents carry 800 cu, so they can scoop all 800cu. Perhaps you saw dent owners working with a crew while pirating npcs; that would seem more logical.
There are differences in rules for NPCs and players, in the interest of gameplay.
The existence of differences has no bearing on the fact that, as a 20+ year design philosophy, we generally try to aim for PC/NPC parity, when we can.
Dent pilots farming convoys using dual caprails while alt-tabbing on an alt to scoop? That happens even now. Small ship pilots having to farm via a much harder method? Happened after the recent update. The gap is already apparent. Don't see why the problem is a "might happen" one.
You selectively ignored parts of what I wrote, to argue with me.
I said, if there are specific problems, raise those problems / solutions individually in separate Suggestions, and we'll address them on a case by case basis.
The OP here is about "rolling back" a change: We do not revert intentional design, we fix new/emerging problems in new ways. So, even if aspects of this thread's goals are relevant to Suggestions, this thread itself / the way it is framed here, is not. Locking.
The existence of differences has no bearing on the fact that, as a 20+ year design philosophy, we generally try to aim for PC/NPC parity, when we can.
Dent pilots farming convoys using dual caprails while alt-tabbing on an alt to scoop? That happens even now. Small ship pilots having to farm via a much harder method? Happened after the recent update. The gap is already apparent. Don't see why the problem is a "might happen" one.
You selectively ignored parts of what I wrote, to argue with me.
I said, if there are specific problems, raise those problems / solutions individually in separate Suggestions, and we'll address them on a case by case basis.
The OP here is about "rolling back" a change: We do not revert intentional design, we fix new/emerging problems in new ways. So, even if aspects of this thread's goals are relevant to Suggestions, this thread itself / the way it is framed here, is not. Locking.