{
  "version": "2026-05-25",
  "patch": "Alpha 4.8 Tactical Strike",
  "status": "partial",
  "verified": true,
  "verifiedSources": [
    "starcitizen.tools — Combat_Assistance (flagged Outdated)",
    "starcitizen.tools — Service_beacon",
    "starcitizen.tools — Assistance_Needed",
    "starcitizen.tools — Network_Intrusion",
    "starcitizen.tools — Emergency_Communication_Network",
    "starcitizen.tools — Bounty_hunting",
    "SCodex — ECN ALERT mission entries",
    "RSI Issue Council — STARC-131295 Prevent Comm Array Hack bugged"
  ],
  "note": "Combat Assistance Beacons function in 4.8 but the wiki page is flagged Outdated. ECN Alerts (Assistance Needed + Network Intrusion) are marked 'Unavailable' in wiki contract infoboxes — placeholder / dev-test status. They've historically spawned sporadically when CIG flips them on. The Refueling Beacon shipped with 4.8 confirms the broader beacon framework is being actively extended.",
  "overview": {
    "tag": "Service Beacon // System-Wide Alerts",
    "title": "ECN Alerts | + Combat Beacons",
    "summary": "Two adjacent systems that let pilots respond to combat distress without going through the Bounty Hunter Guild rep ladder. COMBAT ASSISTANCE BEACONS are peer-to-peer Service Beacons placed via the Contract Manager — client deducts the bounty up-front, broadcasts, the first operator to accept goes to eliminate the threat. ECN ALERTS are system-wide broadcasts on the Emergency Communication Network — any pilot can answer, first-come first-served, no reputation prerequisite. Two ECN variants exist today: Assistance Needed (NPC distress) and Network Intrusion (Comm Array hack defense)."
  },
  "types": [
    { "code": "T1", "name": "Combat Assistance — LOW THREAT", "payout": "~3,000–8,000 aUEC", "color": "cyan" },
    { "code": "T2", "name": "Combat Assistance — MODERATE THREAT", "payout": "~8,000–15,000 aUEC", "color": "cyan" },
    { "code": "T3", "name": "Combat Assistance — HIGH THREAT", "payout": "~15,000–25,000 aUEC", "color": "amber" },
    { "code": "T0", "name": "Combat Assistance — CRITICAL THREAT", "payout": "~25,000–50,000+ aUEC (capped by client wallet)", "color": "red" },
    { "code": "ECN-A", "name": "ECN ALERT: Assistance Needed", "payout": "12,000 aUEC fixed (Crusader variant ranges 12k–21k)", "color": "purple" },
    { "code": "ECN-N", "name": "ECN ALERT: Network Intrusion", "payout": "15,000 aUEC fixed (3-stage Comm Array defense)", "color": "purple" },
    { "code": "FOLLOW", "name": "Comm Uplink Offline", "payout": "Variable (follow-up on Network Intrusion failure)", "color": "" }
  ],
  "payoutNote": "Beacon payouts are CLIENT-DEFINED (minimum floors enforced by UI per tier). The bands above are community-observed, not officially published. ECN Alert fixed rates are wiki-confirmed.",
  "loopOperator": [
    "Contract Manager → General → Service Beacons → accept.",
    "QT marker auto-sets. Spool QT BEFORE accepting — beacon QT markers are short-range and time-sensitive.",
    "Arrive within client's instance. Eliminate hostile(s). Beacon auto-completes on threat death.",
    "Auto-payout + positive rating. Failure = beacon expires + negative rating possible."
  ],
  "loopClient": [
    "While incapacitated or under attack, hold M to send a rescue beacon.",
    "Or from Contract Manager → Create Beacon → Combat Assistance → set rep gate + payment (deducted on creation).",
    "Accepting operator's name shows in your mobiGlas — verify expected ETA."
  ],
  "ecnMechanics": {
    "assistanceNeeded": "Server-wide push via mobiGlas. 5-minute expiration. 1 instance per server. 5-min completion cooldown / 25-min fail cooldown.",
    "networkIntrusion": "3-stage Comm Array defense: (1) Prevent the hack — timed. (2) Terminate panel — seconds-long. (3) Restore uplink — 5-minute window. Mission FAILS PERMANENTLY on operator death (no retry). Failure spawns 'Comm Uplink Offline' locally."
  },
  "risks": [
    "PVP FLAG: if the beacon target is a player, accepting marks you hostile. In ECN-monitored zones, killing a clean player still applies CrimeStat.",
    "HONEYPOT: NPC names have a SPACE — players cannot use spaces. A spaceless 'client' name is a player and a known ambush vector.",
    "Network Intrusion fails permanently on operator death — single-life mission.",
    "ECN missions previously had instant-fail-on-QT-arrival bugs (fixed 3.3) and timer-display bugs (3.14). Residual jank may persist."
  ],
  "ships": [
    "Gladius (agile, fast QT spool)",
    "Arrow (fastest QT)",
    "F7A Hornet Mk II (DPS)",
    "Buccaneer (alpha strike)",
    "Vanguard Warden (T3/T0 heavy engagements)"
  ],
  "tips": [
    "READ THE NAME — space = NPC, no space = player. Treat human-named beacons as potential traps.",
    "SPOOL QT BEFORE ACCEPTING — beacon markers are short-range and time-sensitive.",
    "Watch the mobiGlas alert toast for system-wide ECN broadcasts — first-come, first-served.",
    "For Network Intrusion: sprint straight to the Comm Array maintenance terminal — Stage 1 is timed.",
    "NEVER engage solo at CRITICAL / T0 without a wingman.",
    "Confirm the threat is DESTROYED, not just disengaged — payout requires elimination.",
    "Rate the client after completion — beacon rep is independent of Bounty Hunter Guild rep.",
    "Avoid 0-rep / new-account postings in contested zones — common bait pattern."
  ],
  "patchHistory": [
    { "patch": "Alpha 3.0 / 3.1", "date": "2017–2018", "change": "Original Service Beacon framework (Personal Transport, Combat, Medical)." },
    { "patch": "Alpha 3.3", "date": "2018", "change": "ECN missions no longer auto-fail on QT arrival." },
    { "patch": "Alpha 3.11", "date": "2021", "change": "ECN distress-call lore established (Crusader / Port Olisar journal entries)." },
    { "patch": "Alpha 3.12", "date": "2021", "change": "Bounty Hunter Guild reputation system introduced — separates Guild bounties from beacons." },
    { "patch": "Alpha 3.14", "date": "2021", "change": "Fixed ECN alert mission countdown timer not displaying." },
    { "patch": "Alpha 4.8.0", "date": "2026-05-14", "change": "Beacon framework extended — Refuel Beacon added (NPC-fulfilled). No explicit ECN / Combat Assistance changes in patch notes; status flags unchanged." }
  ]
}