on capturing ships

[Andyf]

I was just wondering if there is anything that makes it impossible to capture some ships. For instance, sometimes the guy will bail out immediately. if he doesn't, is it possible to capture the ship (by keeping it at about 2 bars of health) or is that the pilot will never bail out? I was wondering, because, sometimes you can keep shooting an orinoco for ages and never capture it. however, with the perseus, i got it down to 0 shields and had to let the shields creep up again before shooting him again, and the pilot (eventually) bailed out.

[Al]

No one (outside Egosoft) knows exactly how the capturing works. We know its random but at which point it is decided whether the pilot will eject or not is unknown i.e. whether its decided one the first shot or each time you shoot them?

Al

[Gandalf The White]

Hi. Yes you are doing the right thing, but it's completely randum as to whether the pilet will actually leave the ship or not.

[VincentTH]

It's not completely random. The likelihood of the pilot bailing out depends on 2 factors: (1) the speed of which the shield is brought down and (2) the pilot itself. While you can't control the 2nd factor, you DO have control over how fast the shield is brought down.

So if the pilot does not bail out during the first try, let the shield recharge, (to full shield for all ships that don't have the 25MW shield, or to 1/4 if they do), then repeat the procedure.

I can virtually capture any ship within 15 mins, including the Perseus.

[boogyman]

It's not completely random. The likelihood of the pilot bailing out depends on the speed of which the shield was brought down.
So if the pilot does not bail out during the first try, let the shield recharge, (to full shield for all ships that don't have the 25MW shield, or to 1/4 if they do), then repeat the procedure.

I can virtually capture any ship within 15 mins.

not that i am trying to prove you wrong or anything but how do you know?

just curious!

[Andyf]

Yeah, i have noticed that as well. if you damage them quickly then they bail out quite often. probably why i had to let the perseus' shield recharge a bit.

[VincentTH]

How do I know:

From experience of course. Did I say that I can capture ANY ship within 15 mins? (Well except the TL and M2 and above class ship of course).

[Gandalf The White]

Yes there is a technique definitely, but technique has to give into the randum element. But, it seems that when you capture, you can do it alll to often. Well, thatt's the way it has been said anyway before on the boards.

[boogyman]

Cool cheers mate.

its a handy wee tip.

saves the endless trawl throught the universe on an oronoco's tail

[Andyf]

i suppose it would be harder if they didn't always fly in a straight line while saying 'shoot me!'.

[boogyman]

with my bad piloting skills i am glad they do LOL

[Gandalf The White]

Must admit, prefer a complete kill, does wunders with the rankings!

[boogyman]

It does when you are mega rich and can afford to blow a few Cr's

Slaves, Slaves, Slaves, Slaves, Slaves,

[Gandalf The White]

Rich? Most definitely!

With about 8 remote traders and all my factories and selling off 15000 units of Cahoona's all the time I can fill up the TL, you bet am rich!

[boogyman]

I once used the 2000 Mil Cr's cheat from CJ's site and designated myself as the Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, grandson of Bill gates restarting his empire.

Joy apon joy for about 3 days then i got bored and well continued with my un-modified save game.

but it was worth a few laughs

[Gandalf The White]

Try getting about 100 plus factories, leave your ship in an unclaimed sector, put Seta on full, from when you get up, to when you go to bed and then take all the cash out and see how much you have and try and spend it all in an hour!

[boogyman]

Not working tomorrow i might just give that a try

[Gandalf The White]

Have fun!