Suggestion: Atmospheric Shielding

Murmur · Post by **Murmur** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:29 am

Hey, I am really enjoying the game so far. I've been a fan since renegades but have kept relatively quiet, only popping on MP a little here and there. But after playing this game and really getting down to exploring the planets, which are beautiful by the way, I am starting to feel that I would really like to be able to move faster while in the atmosphere, but I understand the current setup. That's why I am suggesting some sort of atmospheric shielding system.

First off this idea comes from my years of playing Frontier and Frontier First Encounters off and on. But in that game there was an atmospheric shielding upgrade that you could buy that would let you not burn up in the atmosphere while travelling at high speeds. Now I'd love to see something like that in this game, especially with the planets looking as great as they do now.

What I suggest is another piece of equipment you could purchase from stations. It would take up one of your equipment slots, and have 5 levels of effectiveness similar to other equipment options available at the moment (repair systems, drives, shield boosters, etc.), with each level offering a higher top speed in the atmosphere without suffering damage.

I think this would be a great addition, not only would it please us planetary explorers, but I think it would add a little more tactically to the game as well. Do you sacrifice one of your valuable equipment hardpoints and open up the option of escaping a particularly persistent adversary by heading into the atmosphere of a nearby planet where you hope to have a large speed advantage? Unless of course they have it as well, but that's a gamble you'd have to take.

Post by **Vice** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:39 am

If high speed atmosphere skimming is what you're after, there are a couple of options. First, install the 'Shield Recharger', set power to +5 W, then see how fast it will let you safely travel in atmospheres. Although I haven't tried it much myself, it should automate the process of keeping shields high in atmospheres and allow you to travel faster. You can also try to manually control the shields, but that is a careful balance between managing the shields and not letting your speed get too high. Also, turn off the IDS and let your ship just glide as fast as it can safely to do in atmosphere. Turning on the IDS will bring down your speed in atmosphere very quickly. You should generally be able to 'super cruise' in atmospheres at speeds just above 1500 fairly safely.

Wasp89 · Post by **Wasp89** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 2:34 am

IIRC, you can also safely travel faster at higher altitudes, where the air density is thinner.

Whytephyre · Post by **Whytephyre** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:36 am

Yeah vice, TY for the shield recharger, really love it. Also customizing your frame's hardpoints, crew, & equipment slots is really keen too!

TheTillinghast · Post by **TheTillinghast** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:50 am

Yeah, i'm also obsessed with atmospherical burnings...
Your idea i damn good !

Btw, i tried a landing or two by using shield rerouting and it worked quite good, the only problem with is that you can't really pay attention to the scenery (wich is what i want to do on planets) cause it is vital to keep your eyes on the hud watching the shield levels and balancing them... maybe with more powerfull shield configurations it will be less stressfull to do !

Also i'll be happy to know if it is possible to set a fixed speed cruise. Because when i'm on a planet with IDS activated and i want to travel just below the burn limit i'd have to continously tap the afterburner and that is a little frustrating...

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:32 pm

Your Max Cruise Speed is when you have 100% throttle. Using After Burner is above this range (100+%) and is therefor exceeding cruise speed. So your fixed cruise speed will range from (0!)-100%, depending on gravity how slow you can travel.

Whytephyre · Post by **Whytephyre** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:55 pm

In otherwords, sorry mate, max IDS speed is max planetary cruise speed for all intents and purposes. Inertial thrust & tapping the afterburner are your only go...

TheTillinghast · Post by **TheTillinghast** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:25 pm

Inertial thrust & tapping the afterburner are your only go...

Azz

Ravenfeeder · Post by **Ravenfeeder** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:46 pm

One system I use to reduce time in atmosphere is: when finished your biz, on a planetary station, take off vertically, use your rear view to check that the docking station is right behind you. Once I get back into space I set the coords of where I am in my nav log. Next time I want to visit the planet station I jump to those coords, which leaves me, in space, but right above where the station is. Point the ships' nose at the planet, and you should get the green landing indicator straight away.

Good luck!

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:44 am

Hi Murmur, welcome to the game and forum. hope to see you out there...

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:01 am

"Welcome Aboard Murmur".....Cya Planet side sometime