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Warfare & Tactics

 
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Regarding docking through hostiles using the Dock button
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Spy 21
Doomheim
#1 - 2014-10-29 19:16:47 UTC
I've done this a bunch... so many times in fact, I figured it was a game mechanic.

That is,
I click the dock button from off grid to a station...
I pop out of warp and immediately into docking and am therefore immune and the hostiles cannot even get a target lock much less get any damage on me.

Well yesterday, I learned otherwise. I did the same thing I always do... clicked the dock button from the gate and figured I would cruise right up and dock... the only thing that was on my mind as I dropped out of warp and noticed several hostiles on station was whether or not I should attempt leaving again after I did my business in the station.

Much to my surprise ... instead of docking, I saw a flash, noticed that the ship in front of me was my wreck... and realized... oh my god I just got blowed up! Just as I was realizing this... my pod exploded so I never even got a chance to type wtf, gf or anything... I was going to ask the dudes just how they locked a interceptor dropping out of warp and straight into docking mode using cruisers....

None of this should have been possible?

So... my question is ...

Was I wrong in my assumption regarding the mechanics of clicking the dock button? I really thought just because of the sheer number of successful docking maneuvers that this was the way it was...

Or did I accidentally click something wrong and just drop out of warp in front of the station?

Thanks!!!

S

Obfuscation for the WIN on page 3...
X Gallentius
Black Eagle1
#2 - 2014-10-29 19:34:42 UTC
Spy 21 wrote:
Or did I accidentally click something wrong and just drop out of warp in front of the station?
That remote dock button only works if you are looking at your screen. When you hit the dock button and then go off to do something else while in warp then your ship won't dock. It'll just hang outside waiting for other people to kill you.

I don't necessarily know HOW the game knows I'm afk, but it does.
Moglarr
Operation Meatshield
#3 - 2014-10-29 19:53:43 UTC
You don't always land within the docking range of a station. It sounds like to landed a little outside the station's docking ring and got killed for it. That is what bookmarks at 0 on the station (instant docks) are so useful and safe.

Operation Meatshield! GETUP and fight!
Bronson Hughes
The Knights of the Blessed Mother of Acceleration
#4 - 2014-10-29 19:58:15 UTC
All warps have an inherent amount of uncertainty in their destination. I believe it's a sphere 2,500m in radius. Depending on the station model and where your warp actually lands, you can have to travel several km before actually docking. What likely happened is that you landed in a bad spot and your assailants had sufficient time to engage you while you were approaching the station.

If you know you're going to be using a particular station under threat of combat, especially a station hub or a station out of hisec, it would be wise to create an "insta-dock" bookmark. Navigate to a point near the station where you aren't likely going to collide with anything. Move away from the station until your range from it starts to increase. Go back to the zero point, continue towards the station for an extra several km, then save a bookmark. If done properly, you will always land within docking range of the station when you warp to that bookmark. You will, however, have to dock manually, so there is a trade off.

Relatively Notorious By Association

My Many Misadventures

I predicted FAUXs
Spy 21
Doomheim
#5 - 2014-10-29 20:07:03 UTC
Moglarr wrote:
You don't always land within the docking range of a station. It sounds like to landed a little outside the station's docking ring and got killed for it. That is what bookmarks at 0 on the station (instant docks) are so useful and safe.


This sounds reasonable... in fact I do notice that sometimes hitting the jump button from a remote location doesn't always result in landing within jump range on the gate.One thing for sure, I'm not trusting the dock button from here on ... dunno if I will actually load up on bookmarks but I'm definitely going to make sure I'm paying close attention in the future and actually start spamming that dock button as soon as I see the station.

Live and learn.

S

Obfuscation for the WIN on page 3...
Bronson Hughes
The Knights of the Blessed Mother of Acceleration
#6 - 2014-10-29 20:12:49 UTC
Spy 21 wrote:
Moglarr wrote:
You don't always land within the docking range of a station. It sounds like to landed a little outside the station's docking ring and got killed for it. That is what bookmarks at 0 on the station (instant docks) are so useful and safe.


This sounds reasonable... in fact I do notice that sometimes hitting the jump button from a remote location doesn't always result in landing within jump range on the gate.One thing for sure, I'm not trusting the dock button from here on ... dunno if I will actually load up on bookmarks but I'm definitely going to make sure I'm paying close attention in the future and actually start spamming that dock button as soon as I see the station.

Live and learn.

S

It's not about trusting the Dock/Jump button, it's about understanding it's limitations and using it appropriately.

Relatively Notorious By Association

My Many Misadventures

I predicted FAUXs
Spy 21
Doomheim
#7 - 2014-10-29 20:21:41 UTC
kk
You mentioned something else in your first post regarding not always landing exactly on the spot you were warping to... I might imagine that could also occur for player made bookmarks? It's never going to be 100% safe (where have I heard that before!)...

S

Obfuscation for the WIN on page 3...
Paranoid Loyd
#8 - 2014-10-29 20:23:20 UTC  |  Edited by: Paranoid Loyd
Spy 21 wrote:
kk
You mentioned something else in your first post regarding not always landing exactly on the spot you were warping to... I might imagine that could also occur for player made bookmarks? It's never going to be 100% safe (where have I heard that before!)...

S

As long as you place it well within the docking radius (3-5km) it will always land you at zero.

"There is only one authority in this game, and that my friend is violence. The supreme authority upon which all other authority is derived." ISD Max Trix

Fix the Prospect!
Crosi Wesdo
War and Order
#9 - 2014-10-29 21:36:16 UTC  |  Edited by: Crosi Wesdo
Just to add, when choosing a station to camp, im sure the campers take into consideration the tendency for people to land off the station when warping to 0 as a source of easy ganks. Warping from many celestials to many stations will ALWAYS land you 2+km away.

As other people have said, insta docks are just as important as insta undocks.