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AFK Cloaking™: Ideas, Discussion, and Proposals

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Author
Bullet Therapist
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#181 - 2015-01-13 01:20:51 UTC
Delegate wrote:


I'm not talking about "surprising" careless bears (if you can call that surprise). I'm talking about ambushing (semi-)decent players. In w-space that is possible and it happens. In k-space local will give me up before I even came to their system. And they don't even need a scout to spot me.

Also

- What will you do with an unwanted K162 in your k-space? I say you will roll it.
- What will you do when a new sig pops up and you see a scout in your system? I say you will dock.
- How would I know which anom you are at, when I have no time to scout?
- Are you seriously suggesting I should log off for a surprise strike, because you want a perfect local?

Yes, you basically want a safe heaven in null. And no, you can't separate local from afk cloaking.


Quote:
I'm not talking about "surprising" careless bears (if you can call that surprise). I'm talking about ambushing (semi-)decent players. In w-space that is possible and it happens. In k-space local will give me up before I even came to their system. And they don't even need a scout to spot me.


This assumes that the entity you're attempting to ambush has an intel network in the space they're in, which, if they're roaming outside of their own space, if it exists at all, is likely to be incomplete.

Quote:
- What will you do with an unwanted K162 in your k-space? I say you will roll it.
- What will you do when a new sig pops up and you see a scout in your system? I say you will dock.


These points are predicated on the idea that all players act in an optimal fashion in response to these events- which they don't. Wormholes aren't always in an inhabited system and not everyone is going to recognize a scout, and if they occur off of pipes they're a strong tactic for moving in a direction a defender doesn't expect opposition in.

Quote:
- How would I know which anom you are at, when I have no time to scout?


Use d-scan, probes, or shotgun with interceptors. Scout the location of their safe pos early and bubble that or their outpost. Interdictors and fast tackle exist for a reason. You don't want to kill careless ratters but you want to kill careless ratters? What is it that you want exactly? To penetrate the established defenses of a group that has taken time and effort to secure their space without having to do any work?

Quote:
- Are you seriously suggesting I should log off for a surprise strike, because you want a perfect local?


Logoffski traps are a viable tactic in all regions of space to gain the element of surprise over a defending force. I suggest it because it's another powerful tactic that is available right now to everyone irrespective of local.
Delegate
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#182 - 2015-01-13 02:41:01 UTC
Bullet Therapist wrote:
This assumes that the entity you're attempting to ambush has an intel network in the space they're in, which, if they're roaming outside of their own space, if it exists at all, is likely to be incomplete.


Which is to say "their own space is their safe heaven".

Bullet Therapist wrote:
These points are predicated on the idea that all players act in an optimal fashion in response to these events- which they don't. Wormholes aren't always in an inhabited system and not everyone is going to recognize a scout, and if they occur off of pipes they're a strong tactic for moving in a direction a defender doesn't expect opposition in.

/snip/

Use d-scan, probes, or shotgun with interceptors. Scout the location of their safe pos early and bubble that or their outpost. Interdictors and fast tackle exist for a reason. You don't want to kill careless ratters but you want to kill careless ratters? What is it that you want exactly? To penetrate the established defenses of a group that has taken time and effort to secure their space without having to do any work?


Actually my points come from a very simple observation that whenever neutral shows up on local they just dock. No "optimal fashion" of any sort involved. Every one and their dog will be docked before I have any chance at (d-)scanning anything. And how would I bring those ships unnoticed? Via this rolled wormhole?

Specifically, I want to execute a surprise strike behind established defenses. CCP designed a whole class of ships for that specific use. How much effort/risk it takes is a matter of balance, as I wrote in previous posts. But local is not part of that balance. Its a broken mechanics with broken counters.

What I believe you want is to know in advance of any possible danger comming in. And have that 100% reliable. Effectively you want a local-made safe heaven. Afk-cloakers deny that.

Bullet Therapist wrote:
Quote:
- Are you seriously suggesting I should log off for a surprise strike, because you want a perfect local?


Logoffski traps are a viable tactic in all regions of space to gain the element of surprise over a defending force. I suggest it because it's another powerful tactic that is available right now to everyone irrespective of local.


OK, you seriously propose logging-off as a valid tactics rather than symptom of a broken mechanics. I hope CCP has more common sense.
Bullet Therapist
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#183 - 2015-01-13 03:28:38 UTC
Delegate wrote:

Which is to say "their own space is their safe heaven".

Actually my points come from a very simple observation that whenever neutral shows up on local they just dock. No "optimal fashion" of any sort involved. Every one and their dog will be docked before I have any chance at (d-)scanning anything. And how would I bring those ships unnoticed? Via this rolled wormhole?

Specifically, I want to execute a surprise strike behind established defenses. CCP designed a whole class of ships for that specific use. How much effort/risk it takes is a matter of balance, as I wrote in previous posts. But local is not part of that balance. Its a broken mechanics with broken counters.

What I believe you want is to know in advance of any possible danger comming in. And have that 100% reliable. Effectively you want a local-made safe heaven. Afk-cloakers deny that.

OK, you seriously propose logging-off as a valid tactics rather than symptom of a broken mechanics. I hope CCP has more common sense.


Except that fights and kills continue to be generated daily despite you saying that people 'just dock up.' How can you spin away that successful roams still find fights and that ratters, miners, and industrial ships are still caught every single day in null and lowsec? You can't. The position is indefensable because the reality of what actually takes place in the game is contrary to your statements and the evidence that disproves what you say is available instantly for free on any of the killboards.

I think the impulse that drives you and the other members of the nerf local crowd is exactly the same of what you're accusing me of here; that there is a group which wants to roam and attack targets with impunity with no care whatsoever for the health of nullsec as a whole. Some degree of safety (not to be confused with total safety) for those that derive income from nullsec isn't unreasonable and as it currently stands local is only part of the system that entities use to secure themselves. Systems in W-space are significantly easier to secure even without the aid of local because the defensive focus centers on controllable points of entry, hence, again, the focus on cloaked alts.

In any event I this has moved far away from cloaking, which I've already addressed earlier, though, I think unintentionally you've summed it up pretty well:

Quote:
Specifically, I want to execute a surprise strike behind established defenses. CCP designed a whole class of ships for that specific use. How much effort/risk it takes is a matter of balance, as I wrote in previous posts. But local is not part of that balance.


Don't think you meant it that way, but still, its pretty funny.
Tear Jar
New Order Logistics
CODE.
#184 - 2015-01-13 05:54:16 UTC  |  Edited by: Tear Jar
Thelonious Blake wrote:
Local chat and the intel it gives is the problem, not cloaking. I can see who's in system without even undocking.


The issue is cynos. One guy jumping you while you rat is not an insurmountable problem. But that one guy decloaking and cynoing in a fleet IS. People love to point to wormhole space, but cynos don't exist there. You can keep scouts on your wormholes and have much better warning of an incoming fleet than a nullsec system with one afk cloaker in it.

So you have to treat 1 afk cloaker the same way you would treat 50, which makes docking up or leaving system the only reasonable counters.
Tear Jar
New Order Logistics
CODE.
#185 - 2015-01-13 06:02:25 UTC
Delegate wrote:
Bullet Therapist wrote:
Delegate wrote:
Bullet Therapist wrote:
Mag's wrote:
It's local of course, you cannot separate the two. Seen by the fact you can AFK and gain the same effect, without a cloak.


Yes, you can (separate local from cloaking), because indefinite cloaking still occurs in w-space, which doesn't have local.



No you really can't separate the two. AFK cloaking isn't strictly needed to achieve surprise in w-space. Whereas there is no counter to local other than AFK cloaking.

If you agree to delayed local in null- and low-sec, then changes to cloak mechanics are fair game. Otherwise you're seeking a rent.


Negative hombre. AFK cloaking isn't strictly needed to achieve surprise in k-space either. Log-offs, connecting wormholes, interceptors (or any other fast ship with a point or scram) are sufficient, particularly when you understand that the deficiency of any intel channel is the people who are using it. Any of the above mentioned tactics are already able to get into a system fast enough to tackle before many ships, particularly ratting ships, are able to align out. Combine that with the fact that people aren't perfect at reporting or reading intel and even bubbled dead end pipes are still vulnerable to roams.


I'm not talking about "surprising" careless bears (if you can call that surprise). I'm talking about ambushing (semi-)decent players. In w-space that is possible and it happens. In k-space local will give me up before I even came to their system. And they don't even need a scout to spot me.

Also

- What will you do with an unwanted K162 in your k-space? I say you will roll it.
- What will you do when a new sig pops up and you see a scout in your system? I say you will dock.
- How would I know which anom you are at, when I have no time to scout?
- Are you seriously suggesting I should log off for a surprise strike, because you want a perfect local?

Yes, you basically want a safe heaven in null. And no, you can't separate local from afk cloaking.


The flip side is that in wormhole space you can stick scouts on wormholes to get advanced warning of a fleet, and there is a limit to how many guys the enemy fleet can bring in.

In null sec that 1 guy can cyno in a 50 man fleet, bypassing most intel tools. So you have to treat him the same way you would treat 50 people afk cloaking in the system.
Alavaria Fera
GoonWaffe
#186 - 2015-01-13 06:54:16 UTC
The people getting cynoed in will be fatigued, of course.

Triggered by: Wars of Sovless Agression, Bending the Knee, Twisting the Knife, Eating Sov Wheaties, Bombless Bombers, Fizzlesov, Interceptor Fleets, Running Away, GhostTime Vuln, Renters, Bombs, Bubbles ?

Jeremiah Saken
The Fall of Leviathan
#187 - 2015-01-13 07:21:05 UTC
Tear Jar wrote:
In null sec that 1 guy can cyno in a 50 man fleet, bypassing most intel tools. So you have to treat him the same way you would treat 50 people afk cloaking in the system.

Out of the head, maybe pilot with cyno should have some sort of icon on local. Powerfull tool with very strong disadvantage.

When i see someone complaing about afk cloakers in null i think they forget that null wasn't supose to be place for solo playing (not all of it).

"I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas..." - Herman Melville

Omnathious Deninard
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#188 - 2015-01-13 09:21:15 UTC
Tear Jar wrote:
In null sec that 1 guy can cyno in a 50 man fleet, bypassing most intel tools. So you have to treat him the same way you would treat 50 people afk cloaking in the system.

That can happen in low sec too, but you don't hear low sec residents complaining about AFK cloakers.

If you don't follow the rules, neither will I.

Bullet Therapist
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#189 - 2015-01-13 10:18:47 UTC
Omnathious Deninard wrote:
Tear Jar wrote:
In null sec that 1 guy can cyno in a 50 man fleet, bypassing most intel tools. So you have to treat him the same way you would treat 50 people afk cloaking in the system.

That can happen in low sec too, but you don't hear low sec residents complaining about AFK cloakers.


Much of the isk generation in lowsec (read juicy targets) that isn't connected to FW is done inside of signature sites. Otherwise there's a little bit of of clone soldier and mordu's farming, but it isn't like there are many worthwhile rats or large scale home grown industry ops in lowsec. Lowsec income sources are diffuse, as opposed to null which concentrates industry around certain outposts and i-hub upgrades, and ratting with sec status, which naturally funnel people into a much more narrow spectrum of suitable system for income generation.

Players also have NPC stations, like in NPC null, to fall back on as an intel staging source. The quality of intel isn't as high, but its so easy to use that it helps offset the use of afk cloakers. It still happens though and not everyone who complains about it mentions they're mad because the can't rat in null in peace all day; the ones that usually say that are the defenders of the practice of cloaking.
Delegate
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#190 - 2015-01-13 11:01:49 UTC
Bullet Therapist wrote:
Delegate wrote:

Which is to say "their own space is their safe heaven".

Actually my points come from a very simple observation that whenever neutral shows up on local they just dock. No "optimal fashion" of any sort involved. Every one and their dog will be docked before I have any chance at (d-)scanning anything. And how would I bring those ships unnoticed? Via this rolled wormhole?

Specifically, I want to execute a surprise strike behind established defenses. CCP designed a whole class of ships for that specific use. How much effort/risk it takes is a matter of balance, as I wrote in previous posts. But local is not part of that balance. Its a broken mechanics with broken counters.

What I believe you want is to know in advance of any possible danger comming in. And have that 100% reliable. Effectively you want a local-made safe heaven. Afk-cloakers deny that.

OK, you seriously propose logging-off as a valid tactics rather than symptom of a broken mechanics. I hope CCP has more common sense.


Except that fights and kills continue to be generated daily despite you saying that people 'just dock up.' How can you spin away that successful roams still find fights and that ratters, miners, and industrial ships are still caught every single day in null and lowsec? You can't. The position is indefensable because the reality of what actually takes place in the game is contrary to your statements and the evidence that disproves what you say is available instantly for free on any of the killboards.


So what is that you want to say? That game isn't exactly dead? I agree. Still, some players want local-granted impunity. Others camp their systems to deny that impunity. And we have another afk cloaking thread.

Bullet Therapist wrote:
I think the impulse that drives you and the other members of the nerf local crowd is exactly the same of what you're accusing me of here; that there is a group which wants to roam and attack targets with impunity with no care whatsoever for the health of nullsec as a whole. Some degree of safety (not to be confused with total safety) for those that derive income from nullsec isn't unreasonable and as it currently stands local is only part of the system that entities use to secure themselves. Systems in W-space are significantly easier to secure even without the aid of local because the defensive focus centers on controllable points of entry, hence, again, the focus on cloaked alts

In any event I this has moved far away from cloaking, which I've already addressed earlier, though, I think unintentionally you've summed it up pretty well:

Quote:
Specifically, I want to execute a surprise strike behind established defenses. CCP designed a whole class of ships for that specific use. How much effort/risk it takes is a matter of balance, as I wrote in previous posts. But local is not part of that balance.


Don't think you meant it that way, but still, its pretty funny.


There was nothing unintentional from my part. You know that I opt for an overhaul of the whole local-cloaking-cyno mechanics, including - among other - switch to the delayed local in null- and low-sec. Yes, that overhaul should include an options for a surprise strike behind robust defenses. And I believe CCP can balance these options well without resorting to broken mechanics with broken countermeasures (and the part of my sentence referencing broken mechanics you - surprise! - did not quote).

I am not surprised above may seem funny – perhaps even shocking – to you, because as I wrote before:

Delegate wrote:

- Some players simply don't accept any possibility that the game mechanics may let them be ganked. They want local to be their safe heaven.
Delegate
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#191 - 2015-01-13 11:07:45 UTC
Tear Jar wrote:
The flip side is that in wormhole space you can stick scouts on wormholes to get advanced warning of a fleet, and there is a limit to how many guys the enemy fleet can bring in.

In null sec that 1 guy can cyno in a 50 man fleet, bypassing most intel tools. So you have to treat him the same way you would treat 50 people afk cloaking in the system.


Agree, covert cynos should be part of the rebalance.
Reaver Glitterstim
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#192 - 2015-01-13 13:50:43 UTC  |  Edited by: Reaver Glitterstim
Howabout make it so people in local who haven't entered any commands for 5 minutes are greyed out and listed as AFK? It won't resolve the potentiality of them being in a stealth bomber or force recon, but it will give some insight as to their activity level.

Delegate wrote:
Agree, covert cynos should be part of the rebalance.
I agree, and I think perhaps covert cynos should have a limit as to how many can jump to the beacon before it gives out. It could perhaps be made into a line of sight beacon, sending out its information to the cynoing ship's squadmates and nobody else, explaining why it is covert as well as limiting it to 9 users.

FT Diomedes: "Reaver, sometimes I wonder what you are thinking when you sit down to post."

Frostys Virpio: "We have to give it to him that he does put more effort than the vast majority in his idea but damn does it sometime come out of nowhere."

Debora Tsung
Perkone
Caldari State
#193 - 2015-01-13 13:54:01 UTC  |  Edited by: Debora Tsung
Reaver Glitterstim wrote:
Howabout make it so people in local who haven't entered any commands for 5 minutes are greyed out and listed as AFK? It won't resolve the potentiality of them being in a stealth bomber or force recon, but it will give some insight as to their activity level.
But Reaver, how will you know if the person is really afk and not just faking?

I wanted to let you know that I fully support your idea and can express naught but appreciation for your idea. Cool

Stupidity should be a bannable offense.

Fighting back is more fun than not.

Sticky: AFK Cloaking Thread It's not pretty, but it's there.

Reaver Glitterstim
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#194 - 2015-01-13 14:01:07 UTC
Debora Tsung wrote:
But Reaver, how will you know if the person is really afk and not just faking?

sshhh...don't mention that part...


oh yeah, and with the change I suggested, it is possible that the number of nullsec deaths due to complacency may rise slightly.

FT Diomedes: "Reaver, sometimes I wonder what you are thinking when you sit down to post."

Frostys Virpio: "We have to give it to him that he does put more effort than the vast majority in his idea but damn does it sometime come out of nowhere."

Lexiana Del'Amore
Nouvelle Rouvenor
#195 - 2015-01-13 14:52:49 UTC
disable local chat and local numbers to the person cloaked...
Jenn aSide
Soul Machines
The Initiative.
#196 - 2015-01-13 15:14:05 UTC
Lexiana Del'Amore wrote:
disable local chat and local numbers to the person cloaked...


I've played in null with at least one of my characters since 2008, and I'm a HUGE 'carebear', hell i must be one of the few human beings on earth who finds anomalies actually interesting lol. When ever this topic comes up it tends to tick me off, for while i have lost ships in null (the latest being the Dominix I lost 3 days ago in Delve, just wasn't paying attention and some wormhole dudes got me), i've never lost one to an 'afk cloaker' decloaking and cynoing people in on me. In the past I've posted various anti-afk-cloaker fits (making use of the tools available, the game gives us all we need to combat cloakers).

I think the problem is risk averse players who should have never left high sec in the 1st place, not some dude with a cloak on.

That being said, IF ccp is going to somehow 'fix' this problem that isn't really a problem (especially now since it's harder for people to get to you because of fatigue and jump range nerf), the above quoted solution is the best. Let the cloaker cloak but don't let them see local OR D-SCAN. if the cloaker wants intel he'll have to deploy probes before cloaking. (maybe give probes a set time before they explode if the deploying ship is cloaked, like 20 minutes or something).
Syn Shi
School of Applied Knowledge
Caldari State
#197 - 2015-01-13 16:02:11 UTC
A ship that boosts stats that is 100% safe (links) is ok but someone sitting afk cloaked doing nothing is an issue?

Its a sad day in new Eden.
Mag's
Azn Empire
#198 - 2015-01-13 16:25:34 UTC
Corinne Avuli wrote:
Mag's wrote:
Whilst they are cloaked for that indefinite period of time, which mechanic do they use to interact with you?


let me ask you something? and let me ask it the same way you do, because i have some bold and cursive letters left.

If there would be no local, but you know there is someone in your system, because you use guards, how would you act to counter him, compared to mechanics WHs provide?

I answered for WH, where i live. In eve should always be counters.

I would rat in a PvP fit ship and be in a fleet. Also being on comms with those in the fleet, would be ideal.

Cloaks do have counters. What some pilots now ask for, are more counters because the current ones are not to their liking. All I'm asking is that any changes made, take into account all the mechanics involved in their problem.

Destination SkillQueue:- It's like assuming the Lions will ignore you in the Savannah, if you're small, fat and look helpless.

Mag's
Azn Empire
#199 - 2015-01-13 16:38:34 UTC
Bullet Therapist wrote:
Mag's wrote:
...snip...If and it's a big if. If any changes need to take place, then ALL the mechanics involved need change. You cannot cherry pick, simply because you fail to see the big picture. Blink


This is it? Like the other guy, you couldn't address or even try to rebut any of my arguments?
Why do I need to even try to get you to understand balance and argue points? It's quite clear you're unwilling to listen and have your mind fixed. Nothing you have posted is new, or has any merit. For all I know I've been involved with this topic and it's nuances, for longer than you've been playing.

I do like emptying my bladder. But doing so against the wind, isn't something I want or intend to try. Blink

Destination SkillQueue:- It's like assuming the Lions will ignore you in the Savannah, if you're small, fat and look helpless.

Liet Ormand
Sons of Bacchus
#200 - 2015-01-13 17:52:33 UTC
As the author of one of the other threads linked, I'm going to point out here for the record that my thread actually has very little to do with the idea or mechanics of cloaking in game.

However, having learned my lesson about the community here, I'm not going to bother to pursue it. Carry on.