07-27-2019, 12:21 PM
Level 16 and less NPCs.
What are these?
Basically, any kind of NPCs you encounter on your daily basis. They're spawning at ~3k away from you in their spawn areas. What good they are for? When the player activity is low, some would say that it allows the game to feel more "alive". In reality, I rarely notice for our player list to reach the required amount of numbers to disable the NPCs. So what are the real problems that NPCs bring into our life?
Trade Lane Disruption
Most of us know that time is money. And when an infamous TRADE LANE DISRUPTED signal comes up into play three times per system, caused by a pack of suddenly reappearing NPCs, trading becomes not as enjoyable. Transporting Capital Ships via Trade Lanes is not an enjoyable process as well, especially Battleships and Carriers, and repeating disruption of trade lanes, caused by NPCs, is quite disturbing, especially when allies are in need of urgent assistance of their fellow capital vessel.
Trade Lane Ramming
NPCs don't just spawn out of nowhere. They also spawn inside of Trade Lanes. And they do that preliminary, already being inside of it. therefore ramming any transport or capital ship, attempting to enter a Trade Lane. Not only it disorients the ship itself, it also deals a slight amount of damage to it's shields.
Capital Ship Ramming
NPCs always ram Capital ships. I am not going to pretend like I know what causes Capital Ships to flip so much when they are being barely scratched by any snubcraft (although I heard it has something to do with mass), however, in fleet fights, PoB sieges or capital duels, retaining your Capship's position is quite important. Not many players do pay attention to NPCs, which might be of the same affiliation as they are, which might still ram their capital ship.
Stuck Jump Holes/Jump Gates Bug
An infamous bug known as "Stuck Jump Hole" or "Stuck Jump Gate", caused by, what I assume, would be an unsuccessfull dock by an NPCs, when it shifts to engage the enemy midway from docking with a Jump Hole/Jump Gate (with Docking Lights on) and dies. I don't know if it was fixed or not.
Mining
During mining sessions, NPCs are, too, nothing but a nuisance and distraction. As it was said, time is money, and time wasted on shooting NPCs which distract you from mining Ores or Gas, is basically time wasted. There are, from time to time, counter-balancing NPCs in the area, but the main priority of NPCs will always be you.
Reputation
Just like sand, hostile NPCs are irritating to the end, and when you're making a clean character, some of them have some friends you would want to stay on neutral terms with. Sadly, your frienemies don't see it that way. In no time you will notice your rep sheet stained in full red and green, throwing yourself into a perpetual cycle of restarts and dropreps.
What kind of solutions are we looking for?
Many there are. From completely disabling them to converting NPCs into something more interesting.
Do you have any kind of different problems with NPCs? Or perhaps you feel sympathetic to our artificial friends and see pros in their existence? Suggest and discuss.
What are these?
Basically, any kind of NPCs you encounter on your daily basis. They're spawning at ~3k away from you in their spawn areas. What good they are for? When the player activity is low, some would say that it allows the game to feel more "alive". In reality, I rarely notice for our player list to reach the required amount of numbers to disable the NPCs. So what are the real problems that NPCs bring into our life?
Trade Lane Disruption
Most of us know that time is money. And when an infamous TRADE LANE DISRUPTED signal comes up into play three times per system, caused by a pack of suddenly reappearing NPCs, trading becomes not as enjoyable. Transporting Capital Ships via Trade Lanes is not an enjoyable process as well, especially Battleships and Carriers, and repeating disruption of trade lanes, caused by NPCs, is quite disturbing, especially when allies are in need of urgent assistance of their fellow capital vessel.
Trade Lane Ramming
NPCs don't just spawn out of nowhere. They also spawn inside of Trade Lanes. And they do that preliminary, already being inside of it. therefore ramming any transport or capital ship, attempting to enter a Trade Lane. Not only it disorients the ship itself, it also deals a slight amount of damage to it's shields.
Capital Ship Ramming
NPCs always ram Capital ships. I am not going to pretend like I know what causes Capital Ships to flip so much when they are being barely scratched by any snubcraft (although I heard it has something to do with mass), however, in fleet fights, PoB sieges or capital duels, retaining your Capship's position is quite important. Not many players do pay attention to NPCs, which might be of the same affiliation as they are, which might still ram their capital ship.
Stuck Jump Holes/Jump Gates Bug
An infamous bug known as "Stuck Jump Hole" or "Stuck Jump Gate", caused by, what I assume, would be an unsuccessfull dock by an NPCs, when it shifts to engage the enemy midway from docking with a Jump Hole/Jump Gate (with Docking Lights on) and dies. I don't know if it was fixed or not.
Mining
During mining sessions, NPCs are, too, nothing but a nuisance and distraction. As it was said, time is money, and time wasted on shooting NPCs which distract you from mining Ores or Gas, is basically time wasted. There are, from time to time, counter-balancing NPCs in the area, but the main priority of NPCs will always be you.
Reputation
Just like sand, hostile NPCs are irritating to the end, and when you're making a clean character, some of them have some friends you would want to stay on neutral terms with. Sadly, your frienemies don't see it that way. In no time you will notice your rep sheet stained in full red and green, throwing yourself into a perpetual cycle of restarts and dropreps.
What kind of solutions are we looking for?
Many there are. From completely disabling them to converting NPCs into something more interesting.
Do you have any kind of different problems with NPCs? Or perhaps you feel sympathetic to our artificial friends and see pros in their existence? Suggest and discuss.