Fleet change opinions...

[Sky Captain]

I'm not too worried about multi-crew ships. NPCs will prove to be effective enough. CIG could program any game function to implemented by the AI. They can give AI NPCs longer range, faster reaction times, more precise targeting, better component tweaking bonuses, etc. Now that's not to say that CIG will do that. They won't do this so that players stand a chance in roles. But they could.

And it wont be inefficient to use AI NPC crew. AI NPCs will never be AWOL like players. The AI will not be taking smoke breaks. The AI will not drop for dinner or a snooze. They AI will be ever present. Because of that, NPCs will have 'more shots on goal'. Even if an AI misses 50% of the time compared to a player, the AI may tend to be more ever-present so taking many more shots than a player.

NPC party members have been in games for ages now helping players. It will only be far better in Star Citizen.

So buy the ship you love I say. The game play will eventually follow.

 

[RedBaron1010]

There's a new Drake Complete bundle out today, but it's $4200 Warbond. Which if you bought them all warbond currently you'd save approx $200 with that deal.

I heard a rumor leak about the potential Anvil cap ship & if the speculation about it being about the size of the Polaris but focusing on cannons like a supersized Perseus are correct, then I'm definitely interested in adding that to my fleet in the future.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a Anvil Frigate Interdiction warship with size 8 beam turrets.

 

[Talonsbane]

Keeping my fingers crossed for a Anvil Frigate Interdiction warship with size 8 beam turrets.

I'm liking this idea.

 

[PhosphorusForFun]

If you're not doing small group play, I don't understand the Redeemer, Prospector, Reclaimer or Corsair. Though you'll be able to hire turret gunners for the Redeemer, it's doubtful you'll be able to hire an expert drone commander for the Reclaimer, etc. I would look to those four first, then eliminate the other ships that are simply redundant. Keep in mind that hiring NPCs render's their station mostly ineffective as they're not as capable as players, and AI is worse still. So ask yourself why fly around with big turrets on the Redeemer when they don't hit their targets? Makes no sense. It only barely makes sense with the small turret on the Vanguard.

I would certainly consider the Eclipse, Vulcan and Defender. You want the Defender just to get hold of the Sukoran for your Vanguard (use just 1, paired with an FR-76.) As always I recommend the Sentinel over the Warden, if you have any interest in the stealth dynamic in game.

While I'm on the subject note that the Polaris is very likely to get an upgrade to twin S5 turrets and the Apocalypse Arms S5 Ballistic Gattling will be out by then (~1700 m/s. I think it is very unlikely CIG will keep the twin S4 turrets after release of the HH and I would not be surprised if they upgrade the chin mount to S6.

It's more of the situation that I don't ever expect to play with just a single other player or maybe not even just two as I'm just not much on carrying the weight of conversation, usually. But adding into an already existing group is kinda pretty much what I've always done in games, and life, really. Plus, I always feel like crap when I leave someone high-and-dry because my kids call on me Whereas if I'm one of 3 or 4, my loss isn't much just a "hey, here's the keys, go have fun, I'll see if I can get back on later".

While I'm all for up-sizing things, especially turrets, I can't help but think that upsizing the Polaris turrets might make it too strong... (but again, I haven't been delving too deep into the mechanics of the game yet).

 

[PhosphorusForFun]

Never mind about the actual numbers, you can figure those but given the ships in question I doubt there is $185 difference.

This is the math on the base numbers. .

Tomorrow, since the Corsair should be available at the start of Drake day. If you melt the Corsair, the Polaris, the Redeemer, the Warden, talon and Shrike. (Current Market value $1810)
Purchase the Escort Pack https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/Packages/Escort-Pack Which includes both the PU and SQ42 ($1325)
CCU the Hammerhead to the Polaris. ($25)
CCU the Defender to the Redeemer ($30)
CCU the Terrapin to the Eclipse ($80)
CCU the Gladius to the Corsair ($125)
You also have a Sabre and a Super Hornet, (The Super Hornet you can CCU to an Ares if you decide to for $35.)

Cost is $1585 or $1620

Now you have LTI on everything, 20K starting cash and should have some store credit left over.

If the game package is really special, then you can ask Concierge Support to strip the CCU off the Game package and credit that to your account. They probably will.

If you want to keep the package, then you gain a Gladius and should still be close to even.

Looks like I'm at around $1500 for the melts...
225 - Corsair Package
100 - Talon
090 - Shrike
250 - Vanguard
210 - Redeemer
625 - Polaris
1500 - Total

Didn't remember the Polaris concept being that cheap, damn. But will still be shuffling a bit, I think for an Ares...

 

[Richard Bong]

Looks like I'm at around $1500 for the melts...
225 - Corsair Package
100 - Talon
090 - Shrike
250 - Vanguard
210 - Redeemer
625 - Polaris
1500 - Total

Didn't remember the Polaris concept being that cheap, damn. But will still be shuffling a bit, I think for an Ares...

Sorry. I didn't think the differences would be that much.

 

[PhosphorusForFun]

Sorry. I didn't think the differences would be that much.

All good! I wasn't expecting an even swap or gains, really. Just have to weigh the differences in pay and savings towards a new truck & travel trailer next year. Will probably lean towards the saving, but working a ton of overtime and I need to get some joy-purchases in as well. The breakdown is much appreciated anyhow!

 

[PhosphorusForFun]

Thanks much all, went with LTI Shrike -> Ares Inferno and picking up an ILW SHornet and keeping &65 in store credit. Thanks for helping me think through it!

 

[Shadow Reaper]

. . .I always feel like crap when I leave someone high-and-dry because my kids call on me Whereas if I'm one of 3 or 4, my loss isn't much just a "hey, here's the keys, go have fun, I'll see if I can get back on later".

Well, I totally respect that and it seems would make you available for any non-combat role. Have you checked out the guys mining together? Salvage isn't a thing yet, but Black Sunder sounds to have a very able group learning to mine as a group, that's very fluid and would welcome you with open arms. "Mining Misfits" is it, or "Misbegotten Minors", or "Minor League diggers"? No, that's not it. "Minor Chords" er was it. . .I dunno. Shoot Black Sunder a note.

 

[Thalstan]

melt everything

wait for a few balance passes after the game has gone live

it's the only way to be sure

You won’t be able to purchase ships after the game goes live. At least, that’s what they have said...

 

[Richard Bong]

You won’t be able to purchase ships after the game goes live. At least, that’s what they have said...

They also said there won't be a subscription payment. So how is the company supposed to be able to maintain servers and do updates?

 

[RedBaron1010]

They also said there won't be a subscription payment. So how is the company supposed to be able to maintain servers and do updates?

My guess is DLC, paint, new ships, special rewards from subscriptions. They will find a way.

 

[Talonsbane]

My guess is DLC, paint, new ships, special rewards from subscriptions. They will find a way.

"It is the way."