New Cyclops Energy Consumption. Just why?

[tipou156]

Why did they make the Cyclops' sheild use an insane amount of energy? As of right now, it is basically unusable as it literally completely depletes the energy reserves in a matter of a minute.

Why does the devs seem to make the game worst in every update? First they make the Cyclops almost useless by making it fragile like glass, and then they add a shield function to make it somewhat usable, but they then make it so the shield is not even an option anymore by increasing its power consumption... Like seriously... Why did the devs spend so much time making a vehicule that we can't even use while still having fun (emphasis on fun here; let's not forget that this is a game after all, not just some sort of "challenge"). In its current state, the Cyclops is simply not fun at all to use. Just a big hassle.

[ImHelping]

The cyclops shield has ALWAYS used an insane amount of energy.

Though it may perhaps be a net loss of energy economy compared to the last build, before the ghost update a fresh 6 pack of regular power cells could only use the shield 4, MAYBE five times tops. Same issue for silent running really.

Funny enough, there was a lot of salty crying that making them both a toggle was "Too EZ", but that was just mistaking more fine control over it's duration. Mistaking QoL for casual as usual, despite it being just as, if not more, energy hungry as ever.

When you eventually get ion cells (too little too late by then), it really feels like the energy consumption was tuned around Ion's as those let you spam the hell out of your devices both before, and after, the ghost update.

The issue with ions being they take ages to recharge, and need 12 ion crystals for a six pack. Which is either more than you can spare on a natural playthrough, or again too little too late because "Just use the alien contianment facilit for infinite crystals!" means you have beaten 99% of the game anyways.

But not even ions+(working correctly, in experimental) thermal reactor can outpace the drain of the SONAR, while parked over 70 degree lava. So it's not that the energy economy is "good" with ions, so much as they are just that much more bulky to last a non pathetic amont of time.

[El Destructo]

The power cost was always intended to be there, the no cost thing was a bug that got pushed in to stable.

A no cost, permanent invulnerability shield completely trivializes the entire game. The shield works perfectly at its job of temporarily allowing you to absorb damage until you can drop aggro through other methods, and you can deal with the power draw by having extra cells on board.

If you honestly think otherwise, then use the console to turn on 'nodamage' and enjoy being immune to everything.

[`¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´]

natural playthrough... you can find a lot of ion crystals. there's 3 sanctuaries with 15 or 16 ions crystals...

anyway... welcome to the Early Access!


for some things I really have to be an idiot ... just so I suffer less.
because if it is to think and try to understand ... the madness turns into an insanity ... and the worst ... you still do not understand ... but in time ... you get used to it... and...

still playing too...LoL.

[slxpress]

I let the game sit for 6 months because I didn't enjoy the idea of the cyclops being vulnerable to everything everywhere. I noticed they recently removed the vulnerability to bonesharks and the like, so I fired it up again and started from scratch. This time, instead of using the cyclops as the sherman tank of the waves, I used it more as a transport than anything else. Set up a base in the Lost River where the alien research facility is studying the huge skeleton. Then used that base to explore further into the inactive and active lava zones.

As a transport, the cyclops was well suited for its mission, especially since I didn't have to worry about bonesharks doing damage.

For anything else, I just zipped around in the seamoth. For the most part the perimeter defense system kept me nice and fine. The one time a reaper grabbed a hold of the seamoth, it didn't do that much damage before I zapped him.

I'm sure there will be more tweaks, but I found the cyclops the way it is just fine. I was shocked at how much energy the shield took when I tried it, but it turned out the way I played the game, I didn't really need either the shield or silent running.

[derpderp]

got attacked by a reaper for the first time a few days ago, didnt think he'd be above those spikey lighting tree looking things biome.

got a good bite out of my hp, by the looks of it could only take two or three more hits.
But on almost a full standard power cell reserve i ran the sheild + silient running mode and shot off 2 decoys as the first didnt seem to destract it.

ran both for about 30-45 seconds then had power to dive down 600 meters to a base that had bio reactors and power cell rechargers.

Seems like its perfectly balanced to me.

[`¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´]

and I still try to understand the players who put the battery recharger inside the cyclops without upgrading the thermal reactor ...

I believe it is more a transfer of energy than a recharge ... but ... it's just another opinion ... I repeat, just another opinion

[El Destructo]

It is a power transfer, but that's about all it needs to be. It's easier to store a certain quantity of spare energy as extra power cells, than as extra batteries.

You could just store twice as many batteries and make an extra locker for them, but it ultimately comes down to choice.

Since I tend to carry a bunch of spare cells aboard anyway, I usually just go with a small set of batteries waiting in a charger to swap out when I get back.

[Fremduk]

Definitely power usage / management need to be correctly balanced.

Hope devs. will update Cyclops and allow to build bioreactor / nuclear reactor inside ( building it will cost you lots of space inside sub) it will allow more recharging options ...

[derpderp]

Originally posted by `¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´:

and I still try to understand the players who put the battery recharger inside the cyclops without upgrading the thermal reactor ...

I believe it is more a transfer of energy than a recharge ... but ... it's just another opinion ... I repeat, just another opinion

I had a base with power cell rechargers powered by bio reactors..
no power cell rechargers on my cyclops as I dont like over unity as much as marklpiler does.

I had bases everywhere with scanner rooms and cell rechargers. all running bio reactors because I couldnt find the cyclops pressure compensator earlier in the game and tried scaning the whole play area for wrecksIi hadent gone to yet. turns out its just a data box at life pod#2 that I didnt get over the radio for a very long time.

[`¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´]

I know, my friends.
I just commented on what we can observe watching the YouTube channels that show players entering certain difficulties precisely because they do not pay attention.
or by simply being misled by the comments and tips of the chat, most of which lead to error due to the excess of information without fundamentals or totally outdated.

[`¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´]

the biggest challenge of this game is just you against yourself. In addition to facing and discovering fears or phobias ... the IQ test of this game is awesome!
The thousands of options for the same result ... showing in particular what each one can do and how to do ... and on many occasions we find that it is really much easier to complicate something than to think a little and actually try to simplify.

simply amazing!!!

[tipou156]

I actually didn't really think of the ion batteries, as I've only used regular batteries until now... That's a good point, it should make somewhat of a difference I guess.

And I never expected permanent invulnerability, as it defeats the whole purpose of the Cyclops having limited HP, but I think most people would agree that the actual shield energy usage rate is just ridiculous. It may be okay in some situations/missions, but for someone who would like to use the Cyclops in as many scenarios/as often as possible, just because it is quite fun to use, let's admit it, the current energy rate just makes it not remotely as fun as it COULD be. I've always thought of this game as exploration first, and "horror/jumping scare" as coming in seconth. From a game design perspective, fun should always come before challenge.

[ImHelping]

Originally posted by `¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´:

and I still try to understand the players who put the battery recharger inside the cyclops without upgrading the thermal reactor ...

I believe it is more a transfer of energy than a recharge ... but ... it's just another opinion ... I repeat, just another opinion

Is the thermal reactor even fixed in Live yet? Or is it still literally roughly 300 minutes while parked over 70 degree lava to refill your empty ion cells? Instead of roughly 33 (again, when parked over 70 degree lava with everything turned off. Even the sonar drains faster than reactor gains)

Originally posted by Fremduk:

Definitely power usage / management need to be correctly balanced.

Hope devs. will update Cyclops and allow to build bioreactor / nuclear reactor inside ( building it will cost you lots of space inside sub) it will allow more recharging options ...

I do not think we would ever get a nuclear submarine reactor, as that would mean there is no excuse for it to work poorly and need constant refills or parking with your submarine humping lava or thermal vents (which take even longer due to their fluctiating erruptions rather constant heat).

A nuclear sub reactor means less busywork. Less busywork makes faux hardcores lose their mind.

Originally posted by tipou156:

I actually didn't really think of the ion batteries, as I've only used regular batteries until now... That's a good point, it should make somewhat of a difference I guess.

And I never expected permanent invulnerability, as it defeats the whole purpose of the Cyclops having limited HP, but I think most people would agree that the actual shield energy usage rate is just ridiculous. It may be okay in some situations/missions, but for someone who would like to use the Cyclops in as many scenarios/as often as possible, just because it is quite fun to use, let's admit it, the current energy rate just makes it not remotely as fun as it COULD be. I've always thought of this game as exploration first, and "horror/jumping scare" as coming in seconth. From a game design perspective, fun should always come before challenge.

You probably didn't think of Ion cells because you don't unlock them until you are practically done with the game anyways. Then it's just one trip away from infinite ion crystals because you finished the plot outside of building the rocket.

It's easy to act like Ion crystals, and their ingredients, are no big deal if you are on your Nth replay, or have the wiki open in your lap for your first time through.

But playing the game normally, Ions are too little too late, just like the thermal reactor when it's even working correctly.

So get used to crafting 24+ regular power cells and running them dry, without following your rote memorized bee line to the thermal base then contiainment facility.

[`¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´]

to me... my opnion... ok... my opnion...
the cyclops is almost perfect. the balance is ok. the power consumption is ok.
only missing the upgrade like the seamoth defense perimeter system.

guys.... don't forget that the cyclops is a submarine powered by batteries.
how many time you can play with your R/C toy? well... imagine a submarine...

just to avoid or kill the lava larvas that can attach even if the shield is on.
and of course...will consume some enrgy...obvious.

and the warper can have some long range pursuit attack mode or maybe...go to the safe shallows if the player took soo long to progress...

[ImHelping]

Originally posted by `¯¯'-=Wing=-'¯¯´:

to me... my opnion... ok... my opnion...
the cyclops is almost perfect. the balance is ok. the power consumption is ok.
only missing the upgrade like the seamoth defense perimeter system.

guys.... don't forget that the cyclops is a submarine powered by batteries.
how many time you can play with your R/C toy? well... imagine a submarine...

just to avoid or kill the lava larvas that can attach even if the shield is on.
and of course...will consume some enrgy...obvious.

and the warper can have some long range pursuit attack mode or maybe...go to the safe shallows if the player took soo long to progress...

But my old RC cars when I was a kid lasted longer, and could function upside down.

Using any of the Cyclops tools makes them burn out super fast, and then bug out the prawn docking bay if it's tilted more than one degree off center.

A far cry from my beloved TYCO REBOUND. Devs give me a Tyco rebound with a depth module TIA. Imagine the VR bucks for anyone who can survive driving it.