Topic: Hungarian Math and (Mining) Masking
So, I heard a rumor that the DEVs were getting their famously careful balance scalpel out (/sarcasm) with regards to masking values on miners. First, I'm not that great at math, so maybe I've done something wrong but this is how it looks to me.
The problem is simple, any masking value under 100 in the current system is a buff. Example:
Max detection is 226 rF (on a light or mech with an intrinsic detection value of 120 + t4 detector + lvl 10 skills).
The formula, as I understand it, is (detection/masking) * 1000. In my own testing this seems to hold true.
A field can has no masking value, not zero, just no value. You cannot divide by 0. Therefore a field can can be seen at 22,600 right? Wrong. Hungarian math. I guess, because you're not dividing by 0 (??), this translates in to 2260 meters.
What does this mean for you, the would be ninja miners?
That any masking rF value under 100 is actually a boost to the detection skills of anyone hunting you.
Let's do another example:
You're in a Riveler, default masking value 75rF, (226/75) * 1000 = 3013.33 repeating. That's right, your Riveler can be seen before your field can that has no masking at all.
What does this mean?
A masking value of 100 is the same as having no masking at all.
Signal maskers help a great deal in this since the inverse of the above is also true, anything above 100 is a buff and better than nothing, but it won't help your field can . However, it also means that both detectors and maskers are REQUIRED far more often than they should be, at least in my opinion.
This is also why teleport beacons can be seen from so far away, masking rF 25 = 9x boost over no value.
I have heard some people in our TS who do far more testing than I will ever do both live and on test server that the current state of the game is the most balanced it's ever been. Overall, I agree with them, don't go tossing nukes around.
<GM Synapse> please don't abuse our fresh players before blowing them up. And for god sakes, don't do that after it!