Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Melissia wrote:I really want this game. I might break down and get it... heh....

It's worth it.

Palindrome wrote:a good alien boarding party

Teleport ALL the Mantis!

And yeah, "capturing" the enemy ship can even net you new weapons, system augments or drone schematics. Blowing them up usually only gets you Scrap, some fuel and missiles if you're lucky.

Also: Finally took down the boss, at least on Easy. Phewww. Now to take out this new cruiser for a spin!

 Lynata wrote:
Teleport ALL the Mantis!

Engi and Rocks are good as well

Palindrome wrote:

 Lynata wrote:
Teleport ALL the Mantis!

Engi and Rocks are good as well

Engi are terrible boarders 0.o

Ha even better if you dump the rocks in a room thats on fire XD

Never understood how men, made of rock, can withstand fire, but need oxygen. Although I suppose if there was a race that didn't need air, everyone would have a full crew of them, and keep all the airlocks open all the time, and turn off life support, making it impossible to be boarded.

winnertakesall wrote:Although I suppose if there was a race that didn't need air, everyone would have a full crew of them, and keep all the airlocks open all the time, and turn off life support, making it impossible to be boarded.

There's the Rockmen's Crystal ancestors, but they only take reduced suffocation damage... :(

But maybe if you combine them with the Engis' Nanobot Healing augment ...

Teleporting Rockmen -and- a Firebomb into the same room actually sounds like a viable boarding tactic, too... This way the crew cannot put out the fire and they take bonus damage while they're fighting your assault squad, and the fire helps damage the systems!

Palindrome wrote:
You do, but its quite hard to do. The easiest way is to cripple their life support but thats difficult to sustain without taking out the enemy ship via collateral damage. Spamming Ion cannon may work or using a good alien boarding party.

Thats taking too long.


Basic advice for boarding:
- Easiest way to board is just after repelling any enemy boarding action.
- Firing some shots into the room you want to board helps.
- If you have a 2 men boarding team beam in a 2 square room (and not the sick bay, beeing as far away from it as possible helps)
- Beam into a room where there is 1 enemy crewmember. This way you can start dealing double damage right away until a second can arrive.
- Mantis are hard to fight, so dont attack them unless only 1 or 2 wounded remain and use Mantis for boarding action.
- Lack of Mantis crew? Use Rock instead, then Humans or Slugs.
- Engi and Zoltans are easy to overcome.
- When your crew goes red beam out heal and try again.
- Biokiller beam can kill the enemy crew too, easly if you take out their med-bay.

- A captured ship gives ~+50% more Scrap and a large chance for an upgrade.

If you can find it, the Small Bomb is one of the best pre-boarding weapons. Does zero hull damage, but hurts systems and crew, so you can do it as many times as you like as long as you have a stock of missiles.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Anyone figure out how to get Slug crew members? I'm trying to get the first Kestrel achievement, but Slugs seem incredibly hard to get.

Just keep accepting offers from slavers, and checking stores, they are the rarest crew members to find in the game sadly.

Also, I managed to decrew a slaver ship. Didn't offer slug though :/

They are very rare, only ever got them once, keep trying though, I'm sure you'll get one eventually.

 doc1234 wrote:
[
Engi are terrible boarders 0.o

They take half damage from 'melee' attacks.

They DO half damage, IIRC, not take.

Palindrome wrote:

Engi are terrible boarders 0.o

They take half damage from 'melee' attacks. Actually I may have read that wrong, my engi boarders did ok though

I have found a lot of slugs, I have had more of them than I have had mantis.

Where did you find them?

I haven't run across a single slug. Not even when I found the Slug Homeworlds did I find a single slug crew member.

Meanwhile I find more Engis than I do common sense.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Actually, the Slug homeworld stores had two engies and a rockman every time, for me.

I get them through events. Rescuing federation ships seems to result in me getting them quite often and I have gotten a few from slavers. I have also discovered that if you board and kill off a slavers crew you seem to have a high chance of getting a crew member.

So a few questions for those of you who have played it are in order.

What sort of strategy game is this? Is it RTS, Turn based, adjustable speed real time strategy or pausible real time strategy?

If it is a RTS game, is it a total click fest ala Starcraft or Command and Conquer? I really can't stand a game where the biggest component to winning is how fast you can click on your little guys.

Is there any sort of storyline beyond "here's your ship, go blow up other ships?"

Sgt_Scruffy wrote:
So a few questions for those of you who have played it are in order.

What sort of strategy game is this? Is it RTS, Turn based, adjustable speed real time strategy or pausible real time strategy?

If it is a RTS game, is it a total click fest ala Starcraft or Command and Conquer? I really can't stand a game where the biggest component to winning is how fast you can click on your little guys.

Is there any sort of storyline beyond "here's your ship, go blow up other ships?"

It's pausable strategy so no "click fest".
The story is non-existent (Travel to last sector, once you're there - destroy the boss). It's basically a chain of random events leading to a boss fight.
IMHO it's fun. Totally worth it's price.

 Dark Scipio wrote:
The Engi cruiser is not the best interior design project either.

It's one of the best ships by far. On easy (OK, I'm a little ashamed of that) I've had 50% success with this baby. Once it wasn't even close for the mothership.

 Macok wrote:

Sgt_Scruffy wrote:
So a few questions for those of you who have played it are in order.

What sort of strategy game is this? Is it RTS, Turn based, adjustable speed real time strategy or pausible real time strategy?

If it is a RTS game, is it a total click fest ala Starcraft or Command and Conquer? I really can't stand a game where the biggest component to winning is how fast you can click on your little guys.

Is there any sort of storyline beyond "here's your ship, go blow up other ships?"

It's pausable strategy so no "click fest".
The story is non-existent (Travel to last sector, once you're there - destroy the boss). It's basically a chain of random events leading to a boss fight.
IMHO it's fun. Totally worth it's price.

 Dark Scipio wrote:
The Engi cruiser is not the best interior design project either.

It's one of the best ships by far. On easy (OK, I'm a little ashamed of that) I've had 50% success with this baby. Once it wasn't even close for the mothership.

Actually your on a mission to deliver news of the mother ship and rebels to the comanders. so more of an excuse plot.

And im not sold on the engi, the B-type is HORRIBLE

Lynata wrote:Teleporting Rockmen -and- a Firebomb into the same room actually sounds like a viable boarding tactic

Just as a sort of tactics update, this actually works great!

Encountered an Engi patrol cruiser with 3 shields and a MK2 defense drone that kept intercepting my EMP and laser salvos. My first boarding attempt with 2 Mantis (one of whom was just recruited; the Engi were actually after him but I granted asylum) failed as the fight slowly shifted towards their sickbay, where the enemy security got healed up constantly. So I beamed my assault squad back, but then teleported a firebomb directly into their sickbay, followed by my one fireproof Rockman crew member - who proceeded to smash the damage control team that poured through the doors in a frantic attempt to put the fire out. Meanwhile, my Mantis were healing up in my own sickbay and teleported over again as the cooldown of my fully upgraded transporter finished. Half a minute later the entire Engi crew was slain, half their ship was on fire, and I looted a Heavy Laser from their weapons grid. Great fun!

Sgt_Scruffy wrote:What sort of strategy game is this?

I think you'd get the best glimpse by watching one of the many youtube videos, like this one:

 doc1234 wrote:
Actually your on a mission to deliver news of the mother ship and rebels to the comanders. so more of an excuse plot.

And im not sold on the engi, the B-type is HORRIBLE

Yeah, and that's the end of the "story". Go deliver the news. Once there - destroy the mothership. This is literally it 3 pages of descriptions is not "a story".

B-type suffers from low crew count and bad special skill. A-type has enough crew and nice special.
3 engs means FAST repairs. Drones use up less materials than missiles. Boarding vulnerability is somewhat migrated by remote med-bay. Maybe I'm just lucky with that ship but it's been cake walk in comparison to others.
Currently cruising in Federation Cruiser because I feel it gives the biggest chance of unlocking other ships (with many aliens as crew).

 Macok wrote:

 doc1234 wrote:
Actually your on a mission to deliver news of the mother ship and rebels to the comanders. so more of an excuse plot.

And im not sold on the engi, the B-type is HORRIBLE

Yeah, and that's the end of the "story". Go deliver the news. Once there - destroy the mothership. This is literally it 3 pages of descriptions is not "a story".

B-type suffers from low crew count and bad special skill. A-type has enough crew and nice special.
3 engs means FAST repairs. Drones use up less materials than missiles. Boarding vulnerability is somewhat migrated by remote med-bay. Maybe I'm just lucky with that ship but it's been cake walk in comparison to others.
Currently cruising in Federation Cruiser because I feel it gives the biggest chance of unlocking other ships (with many aliens as crew).

B-type suffers from lack of airlocks too, and some bad starting drones. Guess im just biased to the engi ship generally, never seems to work for me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
So what do people normally prioritise upgrading? I try not to upgrade unless i have about 100-130 scrap left over (as in incase things like the glaive, or pre-igniter show up in the shop). Beyond that getting engine to 30% dodge and level 2 shields by sector 2 are normally the main 2 things i try and do

I get shields to level 2 asap then weapons/drones to match what ever I am using. Getting doors to at least level 2 is a very good idea as well as it is really cuts down on fires spreading and contains boarders quite well.
I don't tend to upgrade till I have left the first sector as I may find something nice in the shop (like a teleporter) that will make my life a lot easier.

I've had some success with the Stealth b-type.

Argh, does anyone know how to get the Mantis ship? I apparently screwed it up...

What I prioritize upgrading depends on the vehicle. For example, on the Federation ship I prioritize shields and then artillery, and then drones. With defense drones and shields, the federation ship can often win most matches through pure artillery, and by the time it can't, you have enough upgrades to get the wepaons needed to supplement it.

 Melissia wrote:
I've had some success with the Stealth b-type.

Argh, does anyone know how to get the Mantis ship? I apparently screwed it up...

What I prioritize upgrading depends on the vehicle. For example, on the Federation ship I prioritize shields and then artillery, and then drones. With defense drones and shields, the federation ship can often win most matches through pure artillery, and by the time it can't, you have enough upgrades to get the wepaons needed to supplement it.

Have a mantis on board, go to i think a mantis or pirate sector, have level 2 medbay and level 2 shield, find the pirate with the stupid name, have the mantis crewmember do a dance, win thruogh boarding and elect to save the captain and heal him. all other options just generaly lead to supplies and weapons

Gah dang you all, use spoiler tags dang it!

*does the red Men in Black flash thing to himself*

Thanks for the video. Buying it now.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
So, I've played a couple times. I can't seem to unlock ships and my crew keeps getting killed off in random events... man this game is tough, but still oh so fun.

 Melissia wrote:
Also, I managed to decrew a slaver ship. Didn't offer slug though :/

You get slaves form slavers only if you accept their bribe once they are badly injured, sadly not when you capture them or destroy them. I think they just forget to include a special outcome for capturing a slaver.

 Dark Scipio wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
Also, I managed to decrew a slaver ship. Didn't offer slug though :/

You get slaves form slavers only if you accept their bribe once they are badly injured, sadly not when you capture them or destroy them. I think they just forget to include a special outcome for capturing a slaver.

Not always, or not exactly. One of the bonus decrew rewards (though it seems to be the rarest) is to find a captive who will join you. goes for any ship though.

Can also get slaves from using i think a leveled up teleporter

Ships take a LOT of work to unlock them in this game. When you get one, you earned it. The only easy one is the engi cruiser, and even it can take a while when you're still new. I've almost gotten the mantis, rock, and slug ships, but managed to always hit the wrong choice somehow.

So far, I've got the stealth ship, the engi ship, and the federation cruiser (got lucky and absolutely wrecked the boss yesterday) Out of all of them, I think the engi cruiser is my favorite to play. Close second is the original ship. Engi ship is a weird playstyle, but man it can become a monster when you do it right. Gotta love the good old flying toilet seat. Watching a swarm of drones warm something is just awesome.

As for the guy asking what kind of strategy it is, it's hard to explain. It's realtime, but it's nothing like starcraft or other games. You can also pause at any time, allowing you to have "micro" without developing carpral tunnel. And it's a good thing to, because without it the game would be impossible .You've got to manage power, time weapon salvos (missle to knock out a shield generator so your lasers can knock out the weapons for example) and dumping power from less important systems into your engines so you can dodge. You also need to put out fires, keep an eye on your crew members' health, keep systems repaired, and repel boarders. You can even vent atmosphere in rooms to put out fires. Watch a few let's plays, thats the best way to learn about it. Don't let the ships "sitting still" fool you, it's a very fun game.

 MrMoustaffa wrote:
Ships take a LOT of work to unlock them in this game. When you get one, you earned it. The only easy one is the engi cruiser, and even it can take a while when you're still new. I've almost gotten the mantis, rock, and slug ships, but managed to always hit the wrong choice somehow.

So far, I've got the stealth ship, the engi ship, and the federation cruiser (got lucky and absolutely wrecked the boss yesterday) Out of all of them, I think the engi cruiser is my favorite to play. Close second is the original ship. Engi ship is a weird playstyle, but man it can become a monster when you do it right. Gotta love the good old flying toilet seat. Watching a swarm of drones warm something is just awesome.

As for the guy asking what kind of strategy it is, it's hard to explain. It's realtime, but it's nothing like starcraft or other games. You can also pause at any time, allowing you to have "micro" without developing carpral tunnel. And it's a good thing to, because without it the game would be impossible .You've got to manage power, time weapon salvos (missle to knock out a shield generator so your lasers can knock out the weapons for example) and dumping power from less important systems into your engines so you can dodge. You also need to put out fires, keep an eye on your crew members' health, keep systems repaired, and repel boarders. You can even vent atmosphere in rooms to put out fires. Watch a few let's plays, thats the best way to learn about it. Don't let the ships "sitting still" fool you, it's a very fun game.

how in the blazes did you get the engi ship to work : s

Haha the ships "sitting still" was a bit jarring at first Though i think it would help a little if the stars behind them moved -_-