Forums » Suggestions

Burst Scanner

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Nov 01, 2010 ryan reign link
BURST SCANNER, ULTRA

Requirements: Basic Miner IV or mining license equivalent (-/-/-/-/15
Range: 4000
Speed: 15mps
Energy: 250 per scan
Grid Usage: 8
Mass: 3000kg
Volume (as cargo): 10cu
Port: Large
Price: 50,000c

BURST SCANNER, ADVANCED

Requirements: Basic Miner 3 or mining license equivalent (-/-/-/-/13
Range: 3000
Speed: 10mps
Energy: 300 per scan
Grid Usage: 8
Mass: 4000kg
Volume (as cargo): 10cu
Port: Large
Price: 30,000c

BURST SCANNER, BASIC

Requirements: Basic Miner 3 or mining license equivalent (-/-/-/-/10
Range: 1500
Speed: 5mps
Energy: 400 per scan
Grid Usage: 8
Mass: 4000kg
Volume (as cargo): 10cu
Port: Large
Price: 20,000c

As the name implies rather than a scanning beam the the burst scanner emits a scanning field which slowly expands in an omnidirectional sphere capable of scanning multiple asteroids. The data is sent to the ships targeting system and is stored and brought up when a specific roid is targeted.

Available at Serco mining stations. I suggest Serco stations because most people who have a KoS on their stats have it with the Serco. This would create more player to player interaction in the form of p2p sales. Also, It could be incentive for people to play Serco and the amount of Serco players is certainly not on par with what is supposed to be the largest military in the universe.
Nov 01, 2010 tarenty link
+1.
Nov 02, 2010 pirren link
+1
Nov 03, 2010 JJDane link
+1
Jan 01, 2011 astib link
+1, yes please!
Jan 01, 2011 abortretryfail link
In order for this to work, wouldn't VO have to have a built-in way to scan and save an asteroid's mineral contents? Right now we use TargetLess for that.

+1 to a mineral scanner with a lower delay though.
Jan 01, 2011 abortretryfail link
There is a workaround for this though: Use multiple scanners. I just tried it with a hornet with 3 of them and it goes a lot faster.
Jan 01, 2011 astib link
Targetless is solving another issue (storing and maintaining collected data).

This will scan whole sphere around you at once. With this, it will suffice to stay or perhaps fly simply and collect data. No slaloming between roids.

Because this is very powerful, I would recommend:
+ make the results less precise.
+ It could also work similarly like radar now. Roids behind others are NOT scanned.
Jan 02, 2011 pirren link
+1, nice suggestion
Jan 03, 2011 Alloh link
-1

Why?
-It makes NO sense without targetless plugin. All data is lost! What happens to who does NOT have targetless? Or if a new release breaks it?
-Kills regular mineral scanners
-Kills prospector badge, and whole prospecting missions
-If such thing exists, why did anyone mapped all roids in a system and sell the info?
(some guilds have it, I know)

Also, when a player completes the requirements (BM3,BM4) he probably will have all roids mapped, then why use it?

On the other hand, IF the Targetless plugin gets integrated into regular VO, as regular feature, then this would make sense.
Jan 04, 2011 zamzx zik link

this idea is really cool

range is too big atm, it should start at maybe double the range of the original mining beams and extrapolate out from that (but that's really a balance issue, the idea is awesome)

it can be made practical if the devs feel it is worth pursuing

1+
Jan 04, 2011 astib link
zamzx zik@:
good idea with the shortening of an effective range. See bellow.

Alloh, please:
-It makes NO sense without targetless plugin. All data is lost! What happens to who does NOT have targetless? Or if a new release breaks it?
Matter of data displaying is interesting, but not so important to permit you to say it is nonsense. For example, data can be stored in the sector list, under different tab, or something like that. It does not to have to be in the HUD. Imho. However, the targetless in the client app as the default plugin would be best solution.

-Kills regular mineral scanners
... in this logic Megapositron blaster kills Plasma Devastator. Hum, how sad.

-Kills prospector badge, and whole prospecting missions
... in this logic all skill of the particular prospector is given by his ability to fly a ship between asteroids.

-If such thing exists, why did anyone mapped all roids in a system and sell the info
People are, expressing my opinion, selling it because it's too difficult to obtain it all, in limited amount of time. I don't see problem to find some way for experienced prospectors to make their lives easier. Repeat: this is for very high-leveled players. Look at specs.

Also, when a player completes the requirements (BM3,BM4) he probably will have all roids mapped, then why use it?
Ok, it should be well balanced to be well usable, but not over-powered. Maybe this one I see as the good point. Nonetheless, high-leveled miner player should say. Please do. Anyone.

So, after all comments here, I will try to summarize, and maybe propose some better setup.

---------
+ as the name is not what (FOR ME) sounds as it really does, I suggest to use "Sphere mineral scanner".
+ I would lower the licences, and also lower the effective range of this devices.
+ I propose not to slowly expand the scanned area, but make results in the batch, once per defined refresh interval, as the
regular mineral scanner does.
+ I would lower the energy drain, its too much.
+ I see the room for just 2 versions of it... atm
+ I cannot explain 1 ton difference in weight between those versions, so make it smaller, and perhaps lighter. Equipment will generally be lighter with more recent versions. So make Mk.II lighter somewhat. Make it also little bit more power-efficient.
+ Drop the Serco specific stuff

So it can look like this:

SPHERE MINERAL SCANNER Mk.II
Requirements: Basic Miner 4 or mining license equivalent (-/-/-/-/10)
Range: 750
Interval: 10s
Energy: 75 per scan
Grid Usage: 8
Mass: 2300kg
Volume (as cargo): 10cu
Port: Large
Price: 50,000c

SPHERE MINERAL SCANNER Mk.I
Requirements: Basic Miner 3 or mining license equivalent (-/-/-/-/7)
Range: 500
Interval: 17s
Energy: 100 per scan
Grid Usage: 10
Mass: 2500kg
Volume (as cargo): 10cu
Port: Large
Price: 30,000c

More balancing techniques (all complainers, listen) -- OPTIONAL:
+ this device can be made not-functioning in ion storms
+ can be inaccurate (as already suggested)
+ can be used only when normal mineral scanner is equipped

Even more balancing techniques:
Make it as the manufacturable in conquerable station ONLY.

Sorry for long posting.
Jan 05, 2011 ryan reign link
I agree with most of what you said except...

"Make it as the manufacturable in conquerable station ONLY."

Because that makes it almost exclusive to certain people/guilds.

and...

As for the Serco stations being the ones to have it... the reasons I chose Serco are incredibly valid.
Jan 05, 2011 astib link
Ryan, frankly speaking, those points you raised are both kind of balancing ones.
I do agree with you, and this is stuff up to game guilds/devs decision, and I don't have problem with them.

All miners and prospectors: support this device suggestion to proceed somewhere.
Otherwise, you won't have it :-)
Jan 05, 2011 pirren link
As for the Serco stations being the ones to have it... the reasons I chose Serco are incredibly valid.

true.
Jan 05, 2011 Alloh link
I remain against it, but at least give it to a mining corporation, Orion preferably, or Tunguska.
Jan 05, 2011 astib link
Alloh@
give it to a mining corporation, Orion preferably, or Tunguska
Good point. I think it is better to give it to mining corporation than to the nation. Thanks.

Problems with trade/mining paths between serco-grey-* should not be solved by placing some equipment exclusively there. At least in terms of good game implementation/design. IMHO.
Nonetheless, I am not completely against it, if you believe it can help a bit.

EDIT: typo
Jan 05, 2011 ryan reign link
The exclusivity is more about getting more nation specific items in game. This encourages player interaction, encourages trade and nation specific mining equipment (in a small way) explores a different aspect of the Serco. the way things are now nationally speaking, the nations are pretty one dimensional.
Jan 05, 2011 tarenty link
Ehh. Serco's aren't exactly a mining nation. If any nation gets this, give it to UIT. I personally think Tunguska is a better fit. Being a mining corporation.
Jan 06, 2011 ryan reign link
Nahin... that is exactly what I am talking about. One dimensional... All UIT are only traders/miners, all Serco are only warriors and all Itani are only artists.

Of course the Serco are a mining nation, they are also traders. They have mining stations, mining and prospecting missions, missions where you procure or deliver ore. They just happen to have a militaristic government. More Nation specific items for the Itani and Serco help to develop the other aspects of both races. Both of them trade, both mine... the Burst scanner is in fact very much in line with a militaristic nation. It scans starting at a focal point and expanding outwards. Like an explosion.

For balance, I would suggest a highly specialized mining beam for the Itani. As for giving it to Tungska or the UIT. No, they have a huge variety of nation/faction specific items, ships and add ons.