mission specifics

[johnnydrinkmeth]

I saw a request A while ago which revolved around SOS and COM missions, thought I'd bring it up again

It'd be really nice if we could see what an SOS mission required in terms of supplies, before we went after it.

especially for players who are just starting, it is quite difficult to carry enough material to be ready for all mission types.  Plus, just in terms of the story side of things, I don't think someone who could send an SOS signal, wouldn't also say, I NEED MEDICINE.  It must suck for them as well to have people drop by and then not have what they need.

Anyway, this'd be really nice to see Emi. 

[sargas]

the missions don't repopulate unless all are identified.  Knowing what they are before checking them out would result in going after richest ones first and then doing the lesser ones.



Oh yes, welcome back to the game.

[JamJulLison]

What I would like to know is if a COM is a hijacking or a nest before jumping to it.  It sure would save some on fuel.

[Matamaure001]

I think the discovery process is like finding gold in the sand. If we would find gold everywhere then gold will have no value and it would not be satisfying. That is the fun of exploring.

[JamJulLison]

I think the discovery process is like finding gold in the sand. If we would find gold everywhere then gold will have no value and it would not be satisfying. That is the fun of exploring.

True. Though considering these ships are sending out distress calls you would think in the distress message they would include what sort of distress they are in. 

[raphael]

Plus, just in terms of the story side of things, I don't think someone who could send an SOS signal, wouldn't also say, I NEED MEDICINE.  It must suck for them as well to have people drop by and then not have what they need.

True, but SOS missions are honestly lucrative enough (considering you only need to research minimal levels of WHD's and cargo bays). Just venture out to the outer rings to maximize your profits.

[JamJulLison]

Plus, just in terms of the story side of things, I don't think someone who could send an SOS signal, wouldn't also say, I NEED MEDICINE.  It must suck for them as well to have people drop by and then not have what they need.

True, but SOS missions are honestly lucrative enough (considering you only need to research minimal levels of WHD's and cargo bays). Just venture out to the outer rings to maximize your profits.

I have actually stopped doing SOS's now.  I have reached a point where I make far more from COMs so it is better to have another COM ship now then have one wasting time on SOS's. Plus with my work schedule always being different I don't have as much time to invest in SOS missions. lol

[johnnydrinkmeth]

for Raph/matamure: maybe this could only work for the inner rings
Story wise, this could be explained by ships in the outer rings not having the communications equipment to send a message all the way back to sol, just a distress beacon.  This would allow newer captains who don't have the large cargo bays, to get their specific load outs, without interfering with the outer (high profit) rings, where captains can afford to carry some of each resource, or not take on some missions

for Sargas: We could make a commitment to each mission
This works well in tandem with limiting the information to the inner rings.  These SOS signals would be governed by some sort of code, like SOS calls in the ocean today.  If you pick up a signal and talk to the captain, you have an obligation to go out to them.  SOL could fine you for each time you fail to complete a signal.  That way, you have to take the mission, whether valuable or not.  This means people who identify their SOS signal must complete them and can't just pick the best ones, but doesn't effect people who are cruising from signal to signal in the outer rings.

[lisunken]

Mmm. That a idea just only in the iner ring. It do help the new player special just using low level driver to get there. I still remember just how hard to move around in the beginning.

[JamJulLison]

It makes me wonder what kind of outdated pieces of craps the npcs are piloting. The SOS's in paticular. The hijacking victims seem to have good ships though. I can't see why they wouldn't be able to communicate as easily as we do to tell us what sort of COM it is.

[johnnydrinkmeth]

I guess just to make sure new players have smooth progression into the game, it would be kind of useful.  I'm currently doing interstellar runs, because they're easy and a sure profit, but the jump to doing SOS or COM is a bit intimidating when the jumps take so long, and I have no guarantee of being able to pull off a profit.

I'll get there soon when I upgrade some ships, but in the mean time it feels a bit limiting to not be able to go after the SOS misisons with any confidence.

Anyway, its just a suggestion

[JoolzVern]

Yes, it's hard starting out. I think being able to identify them at the first 'ring' would maybe help retain players better as you are very correct that this is a major obstacle for new players.

But those obstacles are what make the game challenging. Once you get a few mk15 or a mk30 WHG and 10-20K cargo space it will be more fun. Also VIP+ nav officer make a BIG difference in speed. If you have QP to spend on officers and/or VIP I recommend new players get at least VIP and also nav officer if possible. It's much more fun when you only have to wait 45min to get across the map than when it's 4.5hrs. and the issue of hitting lame missions is somewhat less annoying.