Drone Carrier Software (DCS) v1.31 (2012-05-17)

[MonsterMod]

I like where you are going with this mod. Having said that, I think it needs some limits, because right now it produces a massive number of drones. I am undecided if that is good or bad, but there should be some way to regulate it.

My test was a pimped out MARS enabled M1 Daedalus, using XRM. I jumped him into a Xenon sector where there were 2 I's, a Z and a J, and tons of support craft. When I jumped in to watch, it was a total slideshow due to the number of drones. Now, the thing is, had I let the battle play out, my Carrier would have lost, since the drones were having a hard time damaging the beefy m1/m2's. So I am not going to declare this overpowered necessarily, but certainly only use it OOS, unless you use a super computer!

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[DrBullwinkle]

I am not going to declare this overpowered necessarily, but certainly only use it OOS

Yes, exactly that. The current version of DCS is intended for OOS sector defense and patrol. It took me a long time to fully realize the truth but, for those roles, DCS is nearly perfect.

There is a more balanced version "in the queue" (although it has been a long time coming). It requires a complete rewrite of the script, and some re-imagining as well. I finally have a plan that will work (thanks to Gazz). But it will still take a while, because I have commitments to the Community Project and other requests which I must finish first.

The balanced version will be suited for other roles, and will not be as good as the current DCS for OOS defense and patrol. However, it will be much better for In-Sector use for offensive operations. So you may want to use both versions, for different purposes. Or, if I combine the two, then the current behavior will only function when OOS. Something along those lines...

[leko]

...DCS is intended for OOS sector defense and patrol...The balanced version will be suited for other roles....

Hi, DrBullwinkle,

I use it constantly OOS in war sectors on one m2DCS , accompanied by one m2 to protect it : with the protection it survives long enough, just repair it from time to time (Think it needs its protector because it seemed not to bother much about its own safety, but this configuration works splendidly )

From time to time I jump in to get me some m2 for dinner and that works out fine to, so, why another version? Simply point out that "protection" is needed, surely when you go IS!

Players have to learn how to use it :
Cheap DCS's are good in safe sectors (only m3 or so), but for the heavy ones like "war" then a protected M2 is needed!
I remarked that ai "learns" how to deal with it - meaning leaving the drones aside and taking out my DCS (when it was to weak)

If you want me to I can test M7, m6 in war sectors but I think they will be to weak, they jump on top of them and take them out before the drones can react! But this is OKAY ! It would not be realistic for a "baby freighter" to take out all the "big brothers" and survive !

MY STATEMENT : IT IS VERY OKAY AS IT IS !

Main reason : fighters are worthless in big fights and I am "bored" setting them up again by hand, it takes to much time, no fun!
As for "cheating", no way the ai could "replace" the thousands of ships I took down in "war sectors" with the little industry it has , I am sure they get them for free. Also, money is not the issue, but the "crappy" set up system for a fleet of fighters, you can never keep up with the ai just spawning in like 100 each time !

CU, leko

ps: THANKS !

[DrBullwinkle]

You are welcome, Leko.

Don't worry: I do not plan to stop supporting this version of DCS. It is, as you say, excellent for some roles.

However, there is also a need for a different kind of Drone Carrier Software. M7C's are intended to have software support for onboard manufacturing of the "drone haulers". That is what the balanced version of DCS will do. Think of it as a different kind of software, for a different purpose, but still involving drone carriers.

Regarding repairs, I put a few rookie marines on my drone carriers (with Marine Repairs 2). Since drone carriers tend to take damage frequently, the marines get trained while simultaneously keeping the drone carrier repaired (in between battles).

[Lord Dakier]

I like it, you just can't be in the same sector. Considering I've taken the unknown sector to the far north east right between the Xenon and pirate sector in XRM I'm gonna have to send my defence force into the Xenon sector and Pirate sectors so I can actually use my sector as I wanted to. Rather than just have the defence forces in my sector.

[leko]

... M7C's are intended to have software support for onboard manufacturing of the "drone haulers". That is what the balanced version of DCS will do...

Hi, DrBullwinkle,

A M7C could be nice, maybe they have chance to survive ! In heavy fight sectors though your production will have problems keeping up, I will test later an m2DCS in a war zone (alone) Let him take out one group of m2,m7 + lots of stuff say max 5 minutes, fly him out and count the killed drones,
you could be surprised ! (1000, 2000?)

Or, I take an m7 DCS to test, but I suppose it will be killed ! (I sometimes get 4 m2, 4 m7, 4 m9 + 100 fighters - after one week OOS in war sector)

It could work out alright if the m7 would jump out automatically if hit to bad or out of drones (being a mere supporting vessel giving a big punch and running)

Is a pity fighters and even m6's are worthless in huge battles, m6 takes to long to take out one m3, so even for dog fights I prefer m7, m2

M1, do not know what to use them for, compared to m2 Valhalla they are crap!

Happy fights, Leko

@ LORD DAKIER : I go IS many times, no problem, what is yours then ?

[DrBullwinkle]

I appreciate your enthusiasm, Leko.

However, I think you misunderstand the plan. The balanced version and the current version are two different things. It would be silly to try to use them in the same way.

A Woden M1, in the player's hands, is a much more deadly ship than a Valhalla M2.

[leko]

...
1° balanced version and the current version are two different things. It would be silly to try to use them in the same way.

2° A Woden M1, in the player's hands, is a much more deadly ship than a Valhalla M2.

Hi, DrBullwinkle,

1° Can't wait to test it !

2° I do not know how you compare ships : I test my ships in unknown sector, only my personal ship and a chosen adversary made Xenon.
I took my Valhalla there and a Xenon Woden. (I overtune all my ships - certainly rudder so they stop bumping into everything like fools)

Battle results: I just let autopilot do it ;

1st : +- 2 minutes, Wodan gone, my hull 100%, shields 28% after mine rammed the Wodan after the second turn
2nd : +- 3 minutes, Wodan gone, my hull 100%, shields 33% after mine rammed the Wodan after the third turn
3rd : +- 5 minutes, Wodan gone, my hull 100%, shields 78% , no ramming

JUST COMPARE HULL, SHIELDING and Generators and it is easy to see why ! They have same missiles and weapons of Valhalla a bit stronger!
The main advantage being the "all-round coverage" , the Valhalla does not have to turn round much, strong on all sides!

So, I advise you to change your mind, in huge battles I use to take out the m2's first, being the most dangerous, m1 = peace of cake!

For the same reason I fly now the M7 Cerberus instead of M7 Panther.

It is not the Woden that is better, only when humans fight the ai of x lags far behind, I take out easily M2's with my m7 !

Doing a lot of massive "fleet fights" , my ships have to take care themselves, so I pick the best, whatever race they come from. This pinned me down to only 3 battle ships : M2 Valhalla, M7 Cerberus, M6 Hyperion (for missions needing to dock). Main revenue : missions + some traders.

Don't worry, be happy, Leko

[mrowka]

This script works to well with xrm bount system. My home sector Appollax was constantly harassed by xenons that come thrugh Martriarch`s Vanguard and i mean by alot of C,J and I not counting fighters. Now i just put a griffon in Martiach`s Vanguard and got constant cash flow from bounties not to mention not a single xenon was harm in my home sector since then ^^.
But as i seen alot posts before me ther would be nice for some balancing, kinda feels odd when you conquere whole xenon sector with one m6.

[leko]

This script works to well with xrm bount system...a griffon in Martiach`s Vanguard and got constant cash flow from bounties not to mention ... feels odd when you conquere whole xenon sector with one m6.

Hi, mrowka

ehem, Griffon Sentinel is an m7, Griffon Hauler M7C , no m6 !

CU, Leko

[DrBullwinkle]

I am glad that you guys are enjoying DCS.

Yes, there will be a balanced version for In-Sector and offensive purposes. It is a large job, and I am still working out some of the design details, but I will get there. Be patient.

[Lord Dakier]

To be honest it wouldn't be so bad if it reassed the sector every 30 seconds to a minute and if there was only a minor enemy force the ship deletes some fighter drones.

[DrBullwinkle]

Balancing DCS is more complicated than that, Lord_Dakier. The details are long and boring, but the bottom line is that balanced mode requires a major rewrite, which is currently in the design phase.

The current version of DCS is intended for defensive roles, OOS. The last few posters have reported using it for offense. It is great that you can use it that way, but there is no way to improve the balance of DCS for offensive roles until the rewrite is complete.

[Lord Dakier]

Balancing DCS is more complicated than that, Lord_Dakier. The details are long and boring, but the bottom line is that balanced mode requires a major rewrite, which is currently in the design phase.

The current version of DCS is intended for defensive roles, OOS. The last few posters have reported using it for offense. It is great that you can use it that way, but there is no way to improve the balance of DCS for offensive roles until the rewrite is complete.

Oh no I completely agree, I don't want to use it for offense. It would take the fun away for me, personally. I'd personally make it only develop say no more than 50 fighters drones at a time, if the ships not effective enough after that then you need to buy another... simple! At least in theory

[DrBullwinkle]

At least in theory

Yeah... as I said, the reality is that balancing DCS is sort of a big deal. But I am working on it.

[Lord Dakier]

I know, no doubt it's hard. Just giving ideas on how I think it could be improved. Whether it's possible is up to you to tell me

[mrowka]

Leko i never said i did send my griffon, i did send actually vidar. With advenced patrol mod in oos and safe mode on your ship will make a patrol but will stay clear from the enemy. so basicly it matain it distance and sends drones like carrier should

As for balancing i it would be nice if DCS would store the drones that left(if ther is no enemy detected) in cargo and then use drones from cargo first before draning your account, would be greate with CLS.

Another idea is for emp drones or something like that, they would have only shield draning weapon, this would be greate for both IS and OOS support role but not sure if its possible without changing tships.

And lastly that come to my mind is ship classing so the DCS could be actually only avalible on M7,M2 and M1 or only M2 and M1, would make more sense for massive and fast production ability like it have now.

Edit: Im kinda stuck wanted to test LSDC but i cant uninstal DCS.
Its instaled via plugin menager but if i uninstall it via plugin menager its still in game and working fine and ideas ?

[lamoyja]

I can't seem to get the drone carriers to actually launch drones.

This is compatible with your repacked mars script, correct?

I'm tempted to copy the folder, uninstall everything but this mod, and see if it works. (well and install cheat script), but a quick word from you would save me several hours of testing in case its a known conflict. (though I did look through the several pages here)


If I self dump a carriers cargo, it will attack an enemy. However setting to patrol in a sector with enemies they just seem to sit there.

I use all the mods in your recommended list (well not all of them, but 90% of the mods are from your list only), only mod outside of your list is the x3tc in x3ap mod.


ok, not sure how I got it working, installed cheat script to try spawning in a magnetaur, turn on DCS, and it launches at enemies. Reload with mods turned back on, reset key configs... DCS now launches automatically at enemies.

So I'm chalking this up to perhaps I was using the wrong type of ship as a DCS carrier.

[DrBullwinkle]

Thanks for the report, lamoyja. I am glad to hear that most of my scripts are working fine with XTC.

If do you find any problems with using my scripts with XTC, then please report them. As far as I know, Abandoned Ship Spawner is the only one that depends on vanilla TShips (and a future version will remove that limitation).

As for DCS, any carrier should work. However, DCS will not launch drones while you pilot the ship. The current version of DCS is intended for OOS sector patrol and defense.

[lamoyja]

They were npc piloted drone carriers.

Seems like I was just doing something wrong, or maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention when there were fighters in sector for my DCS.

Probably not paying enough attention, and the enemies were just dying too fast to notice the DCS were doing their jobs