Modify cerb drone movement rules to remain at target location

[umbral wasp]

As a WS player, I'd like the cerb drone to stay at its targeted location rather than, after reaching the target location, pathing back to its origin sector, so that its movement remains predictable for the lifetime.

Edit to clarify the issue: When the cerb drone is fired from sector A to a target location in sector B, it returns to sector A after reaching the target location. This differs from its behavior when fired within the same sector, where it remains at the target location.

[honest belfry]

cerb drone shot at roid, cerb drone parks there

maybe returns to the sector where it was launched otherwise?

[umbral wasp]

Yes, that's the one! It's when it's fired from a different sector that it returns and that feels inconsistent to me.

Thanks for pointing it out Rod, I'll edit the description to avoid confusion 🍻

[manic robin]

It's movement rules are the same as for all cerbs. when it's not in it's home sector, it returns to it's home sector. So it's movement rules are actually very consistent with all other cerb.

[umbral wasp]

Absolutely. You're right it's inheriting the same code / movement rules as other cerbs, no disagreement there. This suggestion is really about changing that behavior, even though the module has "cerb" in its name.

I don't expect everyone to agree, and it's not a major deal, I reckon it would be better if it just stayed put rather than running off 😜

[honest belfry]

Make their home sector their target roid sector and it's done

A very easy change.

[manic robin]

It is indeed easy to change. But the OP was complaining that it's difficult to predict. While it's extremely easy to predict as it's the same as all other guardians.

[honest belfry]

I think the change is good as it allows more controlled tactical use of cerb drones

[solemn hull]

It'll need more work, considering the drone is adopting existing Cerberus behavior model

[haughty pier]

Wondering what if the Cerb Drone is spawned on D4

[umbral wasp]

I've got a refit in 2h. I'll test it and report back 🙂

[haughty pier]

Roger that 🫡

[umbral wasp]

Stays at the target location:

[haughty pier]

fair enough

I remember in BLS, a Cerb staying in D4 can change its designated sector by bond

I wish it applies to all sectors

[umbral wasp]

I honestly think this should be the standardized behavior. I know it's a "cerb" drone, but it would be consistent with most other targeted drones / tactics 🤔

[haughty pier]

Seems the Cerb Drone literally uses the same logic as Cerb in general

[solemn hull]

Just make it an int, problem solved

[haughty pier]

Genius!

I will spawn Hydra

[umbral wasp]

Haha. I dare you to post it as a suggestion for the dark cerb drone thingamajig. The replies will be beautiful 😜

[haughty pier]

😜

Cerb Drone but it spawns Randomly

[solemn hull]

That's nice too

[raven hazel]

How exactly is the current mechanic inconsistent? Cerb drone has the same exact movement conditions as normal Cerb do. If you bond a Cerb from its sector it’ll go back

[honest belfry]

you shoot it at a docking point. it sometimes stays there, it sometimes moves. inconsistent from a player POV.

[raven hazel]

Based on what Iv seen it only doesn’t return if it doesn’t have a waypoint to go back to, exactly like normal cerb

[honest belfry]

based on OP it returns to another sector from where it was shot

the "cerbs have home sectors" arcane thing

[raven hazel]

The cerb drones have home sectors, where they were launched. It’s super straight forward

Very predictable but also gives chances to mess it up by mining rocks out

[honest belfry]

it's arcane programmer logic.

you are just too familiar with it.

[raven hazel]

Changing it would make it inconsistent and harder to understand

[honest belfry]

unlearn arcane programmer logic, embrace intuitive player logic

[raven hazel]

Then change the normal cerb interaction too. Want consistency

[solemn hull]

True

[haughty pier]

Cerb but their AI is running away from your Bship for the lols