NPC personality

[Stakhanov]

While it's no absolute priority , I thought it would enhance the game to have pilots react in varied ways to you and others , instead of always following the same rules. Each pilot would have a personality assigned at random , the odds matching the faction's behavior.

Aera , Luddites and Pirates would be aggressive (attacking you at the first offense) ; Pirates and Merchants would be cowardly (fleeing as soon as they are damaged) ; Aera , Rlaan , Confeds and ISO would be patriots (your reputation with them would determine their individual stance) ; Luddites would be fanatical (trying to ram into your ship if you resist their attacks)

Since those would be only odds , you may have the chance to meet a peaceful Aera , or a lazy Confed who wouldn't bother to scan your contraband. By talking with pilots , you could guess what makes them tick , and use them for your profit - even cause infighting in factions !

I'm willing to help implement this once I get the hang of coding for VS.

[loki1950]

Stakhanov first welcome to the board and that there is an old thread that should be of interst such variabilty was disscussed at lenght try a search and bump the thread if you have some new thoughts and it might not be a bad idea just to refesh the current crew on old arguments and the concense ATT

Enjoy the Choice

[Stakhanov]

On a related note , I start to be really annoyed by dgn dodos attacking me with tractor beams all the time... they try to do duelling moves , yet their rotation speed is rather slow so they are useless. All they do is pull me around , and don't damage my armor much when colliding. I think it is important to make dodos and other combat challenged ships (like plowshares) try to avoid enemies instead of engaging them , and never start a fight themselves. Those space bungee games get old fast...

In general , it would be good to have lone ships disengage when they can't damage you. Hyenas used to be challenging to down , but once autotracking is here it's just a matter of shooting in their general direction , and they are usually no threat , even with 2-3 of them.

[Oblivion]

I agree. It seems everybody in VS has Space duelling on their shipment schedules. Why not group ships according to type:

Factioned - belonging to a certain group. including pirates. each faction will have their own "personalities".
Independent - mixed or no faction allegiance, therefore more unpredictable.
Unknown - unknown, reserved for the mysteries of the universe

further subdivided into unit type that will determine their aggression, cowardice, and tactics.
Factioned Civilian - e.g. Andolian Freighters or Aeran Passenger Transports. Avoid battles at all costs, but are usually accompanied by escorts or travel along heavily patrolled areas

etc. and etc.