VIPs and Assassinations get Tracker Implants

[MarkusLarsson421]

About The Pull Request

Makes VIP and Assassination targets of Exploration missions start with a tracker implant implanted into them. Explorers start with a tracker for tracking them. It only work at a range.

Why It's Good For The Game

10479 made GPSs start turned off, this makes it difficult for Explorers to find their target if it is a large derelict station. Risking the target sneaking past them and plasma flooding their shuttle, even if no one does it anymore. This forces a confrontation.

Testing Photographs and Procedure

Screenshots&Videos

Roughly the range they can be detected. 

Changelog

:cl: balance: Implants Exploration targets (VIP and Assassinations) with a tracker implant. balance: Gives Explorers a tracker. /:cl:

[RDS88-beeman]

I don't think assassination targets need a nerf. For VIP's, sure, maybe even put a tracking implant in the bridge of most stations as a "just in case" for high value personnel, but for assassination targets? First of all, why, narratively. Second of all, it was kind of a fun game. Turn the GPS on so you can track the explorers, but they can track you? Or turn it off, and play cat-and-mouse. It acting as an irremovable implant just takes away that, and now they can just beeline you without you being able to track them back.

If an assassination target sneaks by you and floods the shuttle, that's because you either didn't guard the shuttle or they beat the shit out of your guard, in which case that's fair game. For solo explorers I can see that being frustrating, but why not bring security? Why pick an assassination mission and expect not to fight someone?

[Rukofamicom]

This is a direct nerf to what's already an incredibly underpowered role. Hard no from me until/unless they receive a substantial buff in power as this completely removes both of their only viable strategies:

• Sneak past the explorer(s) and steal their ship
• Set up an ambush to surprise attack the explorer(s)

Assassination objectives already pay extra, it's a good thing from a balance perspective if they take a little more time to find, especially since they rarely stand a fighting chance.

[MarkusLarsson421]

Assassinations are not as important as the actual crew. They should have a chance at engagement, but I don't think they should have an equal or greater chance of winning an engagement in a one VS. one situation. They should put up a fight, but not be expected to win consistently.

I'd almost argue that assassination targets should have death rattles so they can't be looted as much nor taken back to be revived once they've been killed.

[MarkusLarsson421]

• Sneak past the explorer(s) and steal their ship

They can still sneak past if they are above the range which is not difficult to do, especially if the station is not encased in rock as you got a free hardsuit and tools to weld yourself out.

I think this could make it more reasonable to buff assassination targets either with this PR or in the future.

[Rukofamicom]

This is still a ridiculous nerf to an already very weak role that very few players like to play as.

[PowerfulBacon]

They explicitly don't get these so you have to search the ruin and can't just rush the targets

[MarkusLarsson421]

They explicitly don't get these so you have to search the ruin and can't just rush the targets

Stations tend to be large enough to where you can not see them unless you are really unlucky and it spawns one room or so.

[MarkusLarsson421]

They explicitly don't get these so you have to search the ruin

Their GPS used to be turned on, but I think my GPS PR changing them to be off by default made this not the case. Usually, you would be able to see their GPS signal for a few seconds before it is turned off.

[ColonelOrion]

Issues with this PR:

• One of the only success states of assassination targets are tricking station staff or threatening bested exploration staff into a position on the station. Adding an implant that clearly labels them as valid/VIP/etc is harmful to RP opportunities and invites a gaming mindset.
• Why would there be a tracking implant in an enemy agent? It makes no sense. If the enemy agent was implanted by NT, why didn't NT kill them? If the enemy agent was implanted by the Syndicate or other organisation, why do the explorers have a compatible locator?

[PowerfulBacon]

Closing for reasons already stated, I don't think these missions should be easy move to target and kill missions