[SCRIPT] Dedicated Assistant Drones (DAD) V4.7 [03.05.2009]

semiliterate · Post by **semiliterate** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 19:11

i mainly thought of it because it saves using either a ware or an extra command slot, the only other alternatives i could see.

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 19:35

Yeah, it isnt really the technical constraints that are impeding me, it's more the implications of having a mobile jump beacon and what that means in terms of gameplay. Lots of balance considerations to consider perhaps, though as temporary I imagine it reduces impact somewhat.

semiliterate · Post by **semiliterate** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 19:47

i was figuring a short time limit, making it only practical for use in nearby sectors - maybe limit it to m5s too, because their jump range means no deploying on the other side of the universe.

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 19:56

I'm struggling to find a logical answer (justify it with a plausable reason) why only M5's though and limited jump range isnt really an advantage over normal jumping when using the shortcut method.

I think best take some time to consider it more fully.

semiliterate · Post by **semiliterate** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 20:00

pffft, justifying it's easy. jumping is a gravitational phenomenon, right? try generating a specialised jump field like this from anything bigger than a navigational beacon or M5 and its own mass causes it to collapse into itself.

the other things, though, are problems.

K-64 · Post by **K-64** » Tue, 3. Mar 09, 20:10

It could be put onto larger ships, although the energy that it generates would cause catastrophic damage to the inside of the ship as the projection range would be much larger than in an M5, and the energy consumption would rise would rise exponentially rather than multiplied.

could be an explanation

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 4. Mar 09, 14:04

Deploy Build/Constructor Drones

All Drones: [ external image ]

"The Argon have struck a partnership with Boron Drone engineers for aid in constructing defence platforms".

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Deploy Build Drone

Overview:

With any ship equipped with:

Special Command Software

and has the following wares:

Build Drone

OR

Custom process:
Freight Drone.
Navigation Satallite (not advanced)

The ship can launch a drone that will fly to a chosen sector position and then on reaching its destination will convert to a navigational beacon from the drone.

To order a ship that is equipped to do so simply go to the command console of the ship as normal, select special, then you will see a new menu for drones, select this interface and then "Deploy Build drone.". Its a fairly intuitive process after that. Select sector and position.

This JUST deploys a hazard warning becon to others as to where you intend to construct your defence platform.

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Deploy Constructor Drones: Orbital Weapons Platform (OWP)

Overview:

With any ship equipped with:

Special Command Software

and has the following wares:

For Small OWP:

Constructor Drones x 4

OR

Custom process:
Freight Drone x 4
Teladianium x 400
Computer Components x 160
Microchips x 56
Quantum Tubes x 40
Adv. Nav Satallites x 40

Construction Equipment x 4 (additional to drone requirements)

Associated needs:

A construction beacon to work on

For Medium OWP double the number of resources required.

For Large OWP quadruple the resources.

Again using the drones interface you will see on the menu a selection for Deploy Small OWP , Medium OWP or Large OWP constructors. So with a ship that has the above requirements met this instructs a team of drones to transport the neccesary resources to the beacon to then convert into a Orbital weapons platform (OWP). You simply need to select the construction beacon.

Important Note: Wether you are using bought wares or a custom process the required number of construction equipment is still required for the process in addition to the drones requirements.

It is constructed with only shielding as equipment (approximatley 500m for SOWP and 1km for MOWP or LOWP vertically above the beacon), but you can transfer shields, weapons, systems and missiles to the OWP like any other ship to ship transfer with a transporter device. The OWP can be given settings just like regular ships. A screen print of the empty OWPs ready for equipping are below:

Small:
[ external image ]

Medium:
[ external image ]

Large:
[ external image ]

The beacon manages the process so as long as you have the right number of freight drones with the required resources in total within them within a range of 1km of the beacon, it will be able to project manage the construction. Useful in case any or all constructor drones are lost. In the case of a complete team being lost you can re-issue a new construction command to the beacon.

Overall this makes the average construction cost of a "naked" SOWP aproximatley 1,850,000 cr, with a cargo requirement in total of about 2,650 units for the custom process. (MOWP x 2, LOWP x 4)

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(Possible Argon Lore/History/flavouring to follow)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 4. Mar 09, 14:06

New version V3.1 updated.

Build/Contructors Drones added. Details above.

Resources for Jump drones modified. Teladianium swapped out for an Advanced Satallite.

Some script improvements to other Drones (no changes in operation or design, just scripting methods).

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 4. Mar 09, 19:17

I've just checked an alternative website to check the stats of the SOWP:

http://eng.x3tc.ru/x3_tc_ships/x3-ship. ... TA0OTAyMTE

And looking at its cost I think I may have underpriced it somewhat? Apologies, I was using a spreadsheet that didn't have the cost included and assumed they wouldn't be so expensive. Though the effectiveness of defence platforms (especially OOS) currently may not justify this price.

As a result I may intend to modify the process:

1) Change the resources required to:

Teladianium 400
Microchips 80
Computer Comps. 160
Qauntum tubes 40
Adv. Satallites 40
Freight Drones 4

Including the beacon costs this gives an average cost of 2,171,420 cr and a cargo of 2698.

2) Another option is to include a one time cash payment to make them licensed in owned sectors? But no idea as to how much this should really be.

3) A combination of the above.

Thoughts? Alternatives?

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 4. Mar 09, 20:29

Revision V3.2 Small Orbital platforms resource requirements increased. Details in thread.

Apologies for the quick revision, I should have planned better. (I chose option 1 above for now.)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Fri, 6. Mar 09, 12:14

Deploy Hacking Drone

All Drones: [ external image ]

"With some back handers and dodgy dealing Dukes has managed to modify the Drones tech for use."

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Overview:

With any ship equipped with:

System Override Software
Special Command Software

and has the following wares:

Hacking Drone

OR

Custom process:
Recon Drone
Tractor beam
Hacking chip
Cargo Bay Shielding

(Average cost = 810,116 cr and cargo 54)

The ship can launch a retro fitted drone that will fly to a chosen sector and then move to within 3km of its target station. There it will attempt to interface with the station computers to change the relations you have with it to neutral. Note due to version control and security procedures in the hacking chips there is a 5% chance that the station will have upgraded its security protocols and the hack attempt will fail as a result.

To order a ship that is equipped to do so simply go to the command console of the ship as normal, select special, then you will see a new menu called Special Drones then select "Deploy Hacking drone.". Its a fairly intuitive process after that. Select hostile station.

Hacking drones are secretive by default in getting to their destination. As a result all communications are lost and no details are recieved from its gravidar scanner to prevent possible detection.

(Possible Dukes Lore/History/flavouring to follow)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Fri, 6. Mar 09, 12:16

V3.3 upgrade now available.

Hacking Drones implemented, details above.

Improvements to the interface, will now show an information box above the drone selection with a summary of resource requirements for the drones as a guide.

LordArconius · Post by **LordArconius** » Sat, 7. Mar 09, 21:21

I could use a little help here. I cant find the Promotional Plates. Unless I missed it, I see nothing on where to buy. Please help. Thx

semiliterate · Post by **semiliterate** » Sat, 7. Mar 09, 21:29

i wasn't downloading this. i wasn't. but it's steadily creeping closer and closer to essential.

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Sun, 8. Mar 09, 00:02

LordArconius wrote:I could use a little help here. I cant find the Promotional Plates. Unless I missed it, I see nothing on where to buy. Please help. Thx

Some of the items used by the Drones are atmospheric items.

Promotional plates can sometimes be found from casualties you encounter amongst the NPC ships.

Likewise things like Cartography chips and Hacking chips only become available to you if you "obtain" them from delivery missions or again become lucky with NPC ships.

As such they act to some extent as an extra control from overuse and add an extra dimension to gameplay.

Cargo bay shielding is again an elusive item but i intend to add some small measure to manufacture these in the near future.

I'am interested in personal experience of these "hard to find" game items where it is possible to suitably adjust resource requirements to rewards.

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Sun, 8. Mar 09, 03:52

V3.4 Now includes the ability to manufacture Cargo Bay shielding:

Engineer Cargo Bay Shielding (CBS)

With any ship fitted with:

Navigation Command Software MKI
Special Command Software

Wares required:

Teladianium x 10
Computer Components x 5
Crystals x 2
Nividium x 1

This makes a batch of 10 CBS. (Average resource cost = 27,796 cr so a unit cost of 2,780 cr. (168 cr Profit or 6% per unit).

The process is exactly the same as engineering an analysis drone or an advanced data device.

Due to manufacturing processes in fractional composition of minerals CBS is traditionally made in batches. The process still takes some time as configuring the active surfaces takes some time to calibrate and ensure a correct matrix for use.

(Subject to change. See here.)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Tue, 10. Mar 09, 05:17

Deploy Turret Drone

All Drones: [ external image ]

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Overview:

With any ship equipped with:

Explorer Command Software
Special Command Software

and has the following wares:

Turret Drone

OR

Custom process:
Recon Drone
Lasertower x 6
Computer component

Cargo Bay Shielding (Required for MKII)

The ship can launch a drone that will fly to a chosen sector position and then on reaching its destination will deploy its cargo of 6 lasertowers in a 3d Cross (+) orientation a distance of 1km from the drone. It uses the computer component to convert into an Advanced Satallite to provide the strategic feedback of this defensive placement at the centre of the towers.

To order a ship that is equipped to do so simply go to the command console of the ship as normal, select special, then you will see a new menu called Special Drones then select "Deploy Turret drone.". Its a fairly intuitive process after that. Select sector and position. Then select wether to launch a MKI or MKII Turret drone.

MKII Turret drones are a little bit more secretive in getting to their destination. As a result all communications are lost and no details are recieved from its gravidar scanner to prevent possible detection. MKII Turret drones need 1 unit of Cargo bay shielding to be applied to the drone.

(Possible Lore/History/flavouring to follow)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Tue, 10. Mar 09, 05:19

V3.5 Now includes the Turret drone. Details above.

(Some minor improvements to Engineering code.)

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 11. Mar 09, 06:10

Apologies, noticed I put the zip link on V3.5 spk file icon, now corrected.

pelador · Post by **pelador** » Wed, 11. Mar 09, 15:09

Deploy Blitz Drone

All Drones: [ external image ]

"The Split have stolen the tech and engineered a partuclar violent use for their needs!"

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Overview:

With any ship equipped with:

Fight Command Software MKII
Special Command Software

and has the following equipment:

Blitz Drone
Sidearms (Optional)

With the above requirements met the command "Deploy Blitz Drone" can be used to initiate the attack, select target ship, then force multiplier type (N, L, D or T).

A Blitz drone is a marauding drone that approaches a target ship closing to a range of 3km, once there it teleports it cargo of 5 Attack Droids accross to engage enemy defences. In order to do so the target ships shields need to be at or below 10%.

The attack bots can be given optional force multiplier sidearms to help them, you need 1 unit of the applicable sidearm to transfer to the drone. The options are in order of effectiveness (low to high):

N - None
L - Low yield Sidearms
D - Disruptor Rifles
T - Terran EMP rifles

The more damaging sidearms however can result in more damage to the target ship. This is negligable to large ships but against smaller ships can have a significant impact.

Attack Droids are suicidal in nature, they will attack in such a way using their built warheads to detonate at the defensive obstacle (sentry or marine) to help ensure effectiveness. There is damage to the target ship as a result. They have a tendency (only slight) to attack sentries over marines.

It is worth pointing out the obvious that they make no attempt to gain control of the ship, they are purely a pre-inspection force to help soften defences before normal boarding operations with marines. Effectiveness depends on the defences of the target ship naturally and they have limited kills potential due to numbers and suicidal tendencies.

Due to the complexity of carrying out orders, the ship that launched the Blitz drone maintains communication with the attack droids and therefore must be kept safe until the attack is completed. A loss of the command ship will halt the attack.

Blitz Drones are camouflaged by default to arrive secretly at their destination. Remember to ensure the shields are at or below the 10% threshold for boarding to commence. The Blitz drone will make 10 attempts to board based on shields with approximatley 30s to 60s delay between them. If the number of attempts exceeds 10 it will attempt to return to the command ship it was launched from and dock. You will then have to issue a new deployment. It will also abort and return if the target ship is destroyed before boarding can commence.

Tip: remember to scan a ship for defences before deployment as the Drone does not check for defences being absent.

Blitz drones and their Attack Droids have to be engineered from various tech, see below:

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Engineer Blitz Drone

With any ship fitted with:

Navigation Command Software MKI
Special Command Software

and has the following wares:

Recon Drone x 1
Cleaning Robot x 5
Weapon Interface chips x 5
Fighter Drone x5
Warheads x 5
Cargo Bay Shielding x 1
Transporter Device

Other associated requirements:

A ship to build it on preferably with marines who have good engineering

On a ship with the above requirements you can order (Special Drones Interface in special commands) part of the crew and any marines on board to begin canabalising the above wares to retro-fit a Blitz Drone. The larger the ship the more crew can get involved, in order of involvement from crew, with highest first: (TL, M1, M2, M7, TM then others). And the more marines the better. The engineering skill of marines has a direct correlation to how effective their contribution is.

During the build cycle you will notice the ships shield will suddenly deplete. Don't worry this is only the constructors using energy from the shield generators to supply work equipment, and the impact will reduce over time. They recharge still during these periodic energy transfers but the amount the shields reduce to can be a useful indicator as to the progress of the engineering.

The engineering process can be lengthy dependant on type of ship and number of marines (and their skill) on board. Note, if you remove marines during build process this will impact the rate at which the engineering progresses. Also docking at stations will reduce engineering production as the shields cannot recharge without drawing energy from the station which isn't viewed favourably.

The engineering process also produces "waste" as a result of all the left over parts from the canabalisation process which will be deposited into the ships cargo hold.

The resulting Blitz drone is installed as a ship system due to its complexity, as a result a ship can only have 1 fitted at a time. It is a fast drone containing 5 Attack droids ready for deployment.

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(Possible Split Lore/History/flavouring to follow)

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[SCRIPT] Dedicated Assistant Drones (DAD) V4.7 [03.05.2009]