Oolite Bulletins

I've had the Behemoth OXP installed for a while now, and one of the recommended techiniques for docking with the Behemoth was to sit in front of it and 'let' it scoop you into its docking bay.

I have now installed the Orisis OXP which requires Big Ships OXP to also be installed. I read something about the Big Ships OXP changing the way that the ships alter their course to avoid collision. Is this true? I ask because I now find that I cannot dock with a Behemoth. I know it's not supposed to be easy - but it simply turns away every time I get even close to it's docking bay.

Poro wrote:

I've had the Behemoth OXP installed for a while now, and one of the recommended techiniques for docking with the Behemoth was to sit in front of it and 'let' it scoop you into its docking bay.

I have now installed the Orisis OXP which requires Big Ships OXP to also be installed. I read something about the Big Ships OXP changing the way that the ships alter their course to avoid collision. Is this true? I ask because I now find that I cannot dock with a Behemoth. I know it's not supposed to be easy - but it simply turns away every time I get even close to it's docking bay.

I thought you had to target it and then request docking which brings it to a halt? This is how it used to work - but as you say BigShips may have altered this.

DaddyHoggy wrote:

I thought you had to target it and then request docking which brings it to a halt? This is how it used to work - but as you say BigShips may have altered this.

Daddy's right. You have to request docking (on my install its SHIFT-L). Or use the docking computer and that takes care of the requests etc.

Not docked with a behemoth for some time though, since I installed a few other big ships I've not seen so many.

I should have mentioned that I had tried SHIFT+L, but no luck (although the "Come on in commander!" message did display). Also, I have not tried with a docking computer yet.

Poro wrote:

I should have mentioned that I had tried SHIFT+L, but no luck (although the "Come on in commander!" message did display). Also, I have not tried with a docking computer yet.

The one thing to note when using a docking computer is that the fast-dock doesn't work. Slow dock only (SHIFT-C).

Of course the docking computer isn't the greatest. I couldn't be bothered yesterday and docked on a Super Bulk Hauler using injectors!!

Poro wrote:

I've had the Behemoth OXP installed for a while now, and one of the recommended techiniques for docking with the Behemoth was to sit in front of it and 'let' it scoop you into its docking bay..

That was only true for the original behemoth.oxp. That one headed for the planet (or witchpoint) without bothering if something was on its course.
The current oxp checks if it is likely to hit an object when just patrolling. And if so, it tries to avoid collisions.

The only way to safely dock, is using the docking computer, or catch the Behemoth when it is stationary for receiving its fighters.

Starting with Oolite 1.74 you will be able to request permission by pressing shift-L. With 1.73 you also get permission this way, but carriers don't react by stopping. In the next version all carriers that already stop when a npc asks docking permission, will also stop for a player by pressing shift-L.

By the way: you don't need to rely on your docking computer. Usually it should be enough to press SHIFT-C twice. The first press activates the docking computer and causes your target to stop. The second press returns control to you. Now your target will start to move again, but that takes usually a couple of seconds, which should be enough to slip in. Note: You have to be already well positioned in front of your target's docking bay for this method to work.

Thanks for the responses and info guys.