Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Experimenting with probing in gangs has led me to think that probers spend too much time under the hood. Likewise, a lot of the results are all or nothing, making getting a warp-in for your on-grid gang pretty tricky vs small signatures.

I would propose a couple of things. First, a dedicated combat probe launcher with slightly reduced fitting requirements. Fitting a bit of tackle and tank along with a couple of drones isn't exactly OP with no other combat bonuses of note.

Secondly, it would be interesting if each target would resolve at its own rate. The familiar multipliers would still be the range of the probes, the number of probes within range, the signature of the target and the sensor strengths. However, instead of a flat cycle and a percentage of resolution, you would instead get a warp resolution timer.

Example: I have some probes out set to 16AU. There is a battleship in range of more than three of them. I hit the scan button and a number of filtered targets start registering. The timer on resolving the battleship stands at three hours, fourteen minutes and a few seconds ticking away. I halt the scan, get the familiar signal strength and estimated position based on available probe data. I then reposition probes, narrow the range, and begin scanning against. The BS is still there, but the timer now says thirty eight minutes and fifteen seconds to resolve target. Rinse and repeat.

Upside, no more targets that can't be probed, only unusually long times to resolve targets. Even small frigs and booster alts have to stay on their toes.

The next most important change is much simpler, but much more critical to quality of life. Mashing the "pinpoint formation" button should automatically form the search pattern on the grid we currently occupy. That way, we can activate probes from the window on the same grid, and not have to duck into the map window in the middle of a fight.

Other things I would find desirable would be a general d-scan change to show only generic or categorical information. The only unique identifiers are the signal ID tags in the probing window. Likewise, cloaked ships should be able to be probed. The visible spectrum is only 0.4-0.7µm or so. At some point the photons all blackbodies emit likely have to experience some kind of Stoke's shift.

Duly noted.

Not needed for standard probing. The difficulty of fitting an expanded probe and tackle on the same ship is intentional.

The cloaking issues have their own sticky. I'm pretty sure this exact idea is in there somewhere.

But what does this intend, exactly?

Whether to get a second sub, or to always fly in small gangs? Why no probing for solo players?

wait flying with more people can give you an advantage in an MMO?

I'm a little surprised that people are offended by the idea of probe formations automatically be formed around the grid where you eject them.

Then again, there are a lot of people on the F'n I board that would prefer everyone be forced to play with just one hand.

lol because being able to eject and hit scan to give you warp tos on anyship outside of 150 would cripple the snipe meta even more