test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

A tricorder/sensor scan that does stuff?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
That would be nice. Maybe a tricorder/scan that allows me to find things instead of aimlessly searching a gigantic area for 1 stupid object?

Tricorders should be able to do everything they can do on the show. Locate enemies/friends. Scan objects to determine what they are. Link with computer systems and provide access to them. Science officers can use them to scan enemies for weaknesses right now but everyone should be able to use them.

Ground missions are horrible and this is just one of many many problems. Most of the time you are just running around hoping to come across whatever you are looking for.

Your Tricorder should be taking care of that. It should produce a map which highlights the location of objects and creatures as well as other stuff.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    if you ask me, i think the tricorder scan should work something like this..

    basic scan for anomolies - marker on the minimap and directional sign (like current) - can be used at any time

    in-depth scan - brings up a transparent map overlay on the screen (like the UI is transparent now) showing points of interest such as interactables, anomolies, enemy positions etc.. basically a mid-point between the mini-map and the main map that doesnt interfere as much and provides more info - cannot be used during combat, scan will end if combat started.

    interactive scan - links ship sensors and crew tricoders, brings up main map but shows distances to objects, can be used to plot paths to objects and can also be used to place Boffs using rally points (for setting up cross fires, ambush points etc) - cannot be used while moving or in combat.

    give the large map screens an outer box that resembles a tricorder and i think that'd cover most things.. the system can be adapted for space as well, using waypoints for anomolies that can be auto-followed and tracked etc.. a shared map between team members can be used to bring in multi-vector attacks and highlight specific targets as well..

    most of the tech to do this should be in-game already, just needs a little re-purposing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Great suggestions. I envision them working in a similar way.

    My question is: Why wasn't this part of the game already? The Tricorder is one of the most basic elements of Star Trek canon. Our current tricorders are pitiful and useless. What was cryptic even thinking when they released this game without working tricorders?

    One reason I totally avoid ground combat at all costs is because of the difficulty in even finding the objectives. Tricorders are the tool for doing that and we don't have one. Here's how a ground mission works for me:

    Beam down. Run around for a few mins. Get lost. Can't find the mission objectives. Get bored and frustrated wasting time running round looking for mission objectives. Give up, quit mission and do a space mission instead.

    So in truth ground missions really work like this for me: I get assigned a ground mission. I drop the mission and get a new mission.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Umm... The game does already do most of this. Next time you are on a find mission do a scan and pay attention to where the directional beam is going. 90% of the objects are able to be found this way. You won't get a message saying "1 artifact found" or anything, but the directional pointer will aim right at it.

    It won't find enemies of people of interest and it does get confused if anomalies are around (just pick them up and it'll point to the object next). Give it a try.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Navinabob wrote: »
    Umm... The game does already do most of this. Next time you are on a find mission do a scan and pay attention to where the directional beam is going. 90% of the objects are able to be found this way. You won't get a message saying "1 artifact found" or anything, but the directional pointer will aim right at it.

    It won't find enemies of people of interest and it does get confused if anomalies are around (just pick them up and it'll point to the object next). Give it a try.

    Yep, for Federation, the Tricorder Scan points to the next mission objective, except for the Enemy Groups, those do not show on a scan, but Floral, Anomaly, Energy objectives all show on it.

    I understand that the same capability is coming to the Klingons in version 2.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Navinabob wrote: »
    Umm... The game does already do most of this. Next time you are on a find mission do a scan and pay attention to where the directional beam is going. 90% of the objects are able to be found this way. You won't get a message saying "1 artifact found" or anything, but the directional pointer will aim right at it.

    It won't find enemies of people of interest and it does get confused if anomalies are around (just pick them up and it'll point to the object next). Give it a try.

    Doesnt always work. Also it shows nothing else. No readings. No enemies/friends. No buildings. Nothing. Also, like you stated, it gets screwed up by anomalies. For some reason a 24th century piece of technology can only scan 1 thing at a time and in order to scan something else, I need to "remove" the anomaly. Do all anomalies always interfere with sensors?

    No they don't.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    All my klingon tricorder does is bleep a bit and make a circle around my toon. It doesn't detect nothin'!

    Cryptic, fix klingon tricorders before adding any additional functionality to the Fed tricorders. They fact that they have been broken forever doesn't mean we've forgotten this oversight/slight.
Sign In or Register to comment.