(01-21-2013, 05:34 AM)Zynth Wrote: If you're in a fighter and you're shooting NPCs, fine. But if you're picking a fight with a player, yeah....you won't survive. Therefore, best option is to run. You do that.
Next to impossible against higher class cruise disruptors.
What i think would do is to somehow minimise the gap between mid to high classes of equipments. In twitch-based combat games, levels should matter same, if not less, as pilot skill. Now I don't think of myself as a particulary skilled player, but even if I were - the gap seems just too big for any skills to cover it But I digress. Balance discussions can get quite techie and I don't have large enough knowledge of FL gameplay details to propose an effectively total overhaul. Also, with things as they are, I gather that mod authors wanted it this way. So instead of minimising gap between lower and higher grade equipment - let new players come on par until you start engaging them in pvp. Let us get at least something to put up a fight instead of dying immediately.
People said in this topi that trading is the go-to career at the beginning, and I am not against it. In fact, I'd like to. But - correct me if I'm wrong - aren't low-grade trading vessels even more prone to player characters engaging in piracy? Until player can gather enough credits he's stuck with a ship that's defence capabilities are (obviously) lower than low-grade fighter.
That's my reasoning. I do want to engage in trading eventually, but for the time being my best chances seem to be doing missions until I can afford a better armed cargo vessel.
Thanks to everyone for the answers, the discussion is fairly reasonable. I've expected a much more "stop whining, noob" attitude.
Make restarts for all ID's and have the server write a note on the /restart options available when players log on.
It can be a bit frustrating when underlevels turn up and you have to more or less disregard them. With a faction ID from the restart it is a little easier to figure out what is in front of you, and how to act accordingly.
As I recall it, I was level 20-40 for just a couple of trade runs - I crashed into more planets than I encountered players that could have had any reason to engage me; I didn't really have a need for the newbie protection because everything was so foreign to me anyways, and everything from stations to NPC's was killing me with ease.
The ONLY thing level 30 is out there to do is to give you a chance to fly around and see things without being forced to engage in combat. It's not to give you a chance to survive except against some NPC's - and certainly not all of them. (Take a lawful level 30 NPC's out into the lonlicrons and see how long it is before the Corsair NPC's eat you - literally.)
Realize that ANY protection level is artificial and is imposed because this is a role-play server first. It's not there to give you a chance to build your ship up so you can go into combat against more experienced people and have a chance - it's there to give you a chance to build your ship and explore, to see how and where you might want to role-play further. Yes, I agree that combat is a part of the role-play on this server. But you don't just get to jump in fresh, day one, and be supremely mighty - you have to work your way up.
Also realize that the protection level does not mean you don't have to role-play. Even if my level 90 Zephyr could vaporize your tiny ship with one shot, you don't get to spout 'You can't shoot me because I'm underlevel' when I ask you what you're doing out in zoner space.
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
(01-21-2013, 06:55 PM)Agmen of Eladesor Wrote: Even if my level 90 Zephyr could vaporize your tiny ship with one shot, you don't get to spout 'You can't shoot me because I'm underlevel' when I ask you what you're doing out in zoner space.
Your Zoner Zephyr don't shoot people at own will anyway
Well, I think level 30 is just enough, and I am a newcommer (sorta) myself (been here for two weeks now, and less than a month more than a year ago)...
If you want to learn the basics of Freelancer, then you should play Singleplayer first (that is, after all, pointed out in the Disco rules, and for a good reason).
Yes, it is scary and disorienting, once the psychological <lvl30 barrier goes bye-bye, but what do you want, really? Being in full CODENAMEs fighter or BS with CAU8 armor before even leaving the dock for the first time?
Like you won´t learn walking without taking the step, like you won´t learn driving a car without heading out to the road for real, like you won´t become an admiral with his own ship without taking all the training prior in the army, you have to step outside the paladin-bubble (sorry for that >< ) to learn the game.
Imagine this was game was real (its a RP server, after all) - would anyone ask how long you fly before pirating you? Would anyone ask how good is your aim before shooting you down? NO. It is just you, or him. Survival of the fittest.
Let me give you one suggestion: if you don´t like being engaged in RP/PvP, don´t go to zones, where it is likely. Don´t go mine to Humboldt where it is full of money-craving pirates (and if your friend plays here for at least a while, he would know, so blame him ). Don´t fly to the border worlds. If you leave the "safe zone", you can NOT expect safety, now can you?! Do some trade runs in your core worlds, and learn the game by pieces. Don´t try to swallow it all at once, for you might suffocate!
Oh, and one more advice: If pirates ask you for a payment, pay... or you will die Simple as that!