Did you know...

[zerat00l]

It takes about 30 minutes to refill the hyperion reactor up with a one solar panel array on autopilot? I didn't until just now. So anyway, while I'm killing time, stranded in St. K's of all places, hello everyone. (I'm here because I remember the university offering a reactor upgrade. I didn't need it at the time and didn't buy it, but I wondered if the 1GW one could be bumped up. Doubted it but felt like trying--sure enough, no, but it was worth a shot). Though I wonder. those of you who know how to read the source... how exactly do these panels work? does distance matter or is there some sort of threshold wherein passing an invisible line turns it from off to on or vice versa... does the brightness of the star matter? At what rate does it recharge exactly? I was unable to find anything on the wiki about it's behavior.

I played this some time ago. Couldn't tell you when or what version it was, but it feels like it's been forever. By chance, I remembered some of it's game-play, which prompted me to try and find it again. I couldn't remember much of it, not even the name, but fortunately I remembered that level numbers used roman numerals, which is a unique enough feature that Google was able to figure out what I wanted to find. And here I am.

In about 3 days I've got as far as the fabrication phase of the game, which from what I remember is a good sign that I'm near the end.

My current setup is the freighter with an omni-directional Tev9 blaster, IM90 multitarget blaster, Taikon-200 deflector, pteracnium megadrive, longreach I auttocannon, patcher arm, hyperion reactor, a solar array, miners cargo hold (I thought this wasn't supposed to do anything for the freighter?), and a full matching set of quadocarbide armor. I keep a patch spider and a quantum cpu in the bey at all timesI nearly died out in the midgame as I was living off buying and selling goods in pre-st.k systems, which does not pay the bills past that point, or at last it didn't for me. Any tips based on that would be cool.

one problem I'm hitting is the tinkers are going broke with all the weapons I've sold them. is it profitable to fabricate a new weapon with them and sell that? basically I crunched a couple of those hives and I'm sitting on more damaged plasma torches than I know what to do with. (it's worth noting here that they were thoroughly tested for any sort of higher thinking or sentience before doing this. I found them to be on par with cattle, however, and I was getting hungry). In any case, the fabricator took care of my armor excess problem, but I'm still at a loss as to what to do with my arsenal of damaged weapons gathering dust in my bay.

I should really take advantage of my ship's ability to use the heaviest of armor... I haven't upgraded that in a while.

I've not bothered with unlocking powers, as I've been spending my resources elsewhere, but it's not been an issue yet...

...hmm, and when I've finished this game I'd like to perhaps get a complete set (except armor) of lower level stuff so I can leisure around in earlier systems. Armor alone is enough for systems that are way below your level, but there's a few in the middle that this won't cut it for, but which won't adequately fund you with loot to pay for fuel, meaning every second spent in them is a bad economic move, which is unfortunate. obviously it costs money to perform swaps, but I got this far amongst my newbieness and lack of aiming skills by playing the game from a smart economical mindset, and I'd really like to be truly self-sufficient, instead of just barely getting by in places...

...never could figure out mining either, show a few asteroids with a mining laser way back when, and didn't ever see any ore. Am I doing something wrong? how do you know when you got some, and how is it collected? this never worked out for me.

[PM]

For solar recharging, only distance and the amount of solar equipment matters. Late in the game, recharging a big reactor even with four segments of solar armor is very slow. The best source of free fuel is CSCs or Point Juno if your fleet rank is high enough. If not, the next best source is Pilgram's Aid from the Sisters of Domina. It is not free, but you can donate items worth hundreds of credits for fuel worth thousands. Jumpdrive is required to reach these stations quickly.

As you discovered, the EI500 benefits from the special powers granted by a special cargo hold.

The only way to enhance the Hyperion reactor is to use the Domina power Ingenuity, and that may take many tries.

The best use for damaged weapons that cannot be repaired or sold is to convert them into a new undamaged weapon via the Teraton fabricator.

Mining without mods is grinding. Sometimes, it takes multiple shots from the mining laser or plasma torch for ore to eject. Most asteroids do not have ore, but the only way to find out whether or not an asteroid has ore is to shoot every last rock several times. Even if you see ore pop out of an asteroid, you may not have mined all of the ore, and you need to shoot the asteroid again to see if it has more ore left.

My favorite way to raise cash in the midgame is to sell enhanced military items to the Black Market. Commonwealth Fortresses can sell military items at a discount to those with high militia rank. 250 MW reactors are also an excellent source of cash when enhanced (or upgraded to 500 MW via fabricator). Ingenuity will enhance items for free, but it takes time. The Black Market has unlimited cash, but cannot buy items worth more than 100,000 credits.

[zerat00l]

Cool, cool, and cool. Didn't know there was a perk to to doing more missions.

As an asside, there was nothing I could do to save juno. Tried a couple times, gave up. shrug. didn't even think it was supposed to be possible.

heavy omsk armor now. almost made a full set from looting, figured I'd spend a few credits to complete the set. (edit +50%! so that's what that random item does...)

been converting damaged weapons into random stuff to sell now also. still have a rin problem, what sort of weapons/armor do they buy? I managed to get another 1gw reactor by chance, haven't been by a shipyard of theirs yet to see if they'll accept that either.

[shanejfilomena]

Cool, cool, and cool. Didn't know there was a perk to to doing more missions.

As an asside, there was nothing I could do to save juno. Tried a couple times, gave up. shrug. didn't even think it was supposed to be possible.

heavy omsk armor now. almost made a full set from looting, figured I'd spend a few credits to complete the set. (edit +50%! so that's what that random item does...)

been converting damaged weapons into random stuff to sell now also. still have a rin problem, what sort of weapons/armor do they buy? I managed to get another 1gw reactor by chance, haven't been by a shipyard of theirs yet to see if they'll accept that either.

Weapons/ shields for Rins: you have to find a Teraton nest : they buy weapons and shields and try to Con you out of other items, I?F they Don't Mug you and take your stuff:
Buy Low, Sell High .


In My Deduction of the Experiences I have had is that PJ responds to your ability to fight ( Combat Power ): If you have completed some missions , have military weapons ( even without an ID ), military ID......and there were many times I sat in PJ waiting , but without any of the factors : nothing happened except fuel rods being used .
**Spoiler(?)
From what you Describe: you waited at the Point like you were supposed to: but like the Guardians, you would get over-powered.
You will notice Ares ships coming in from the gates and running to Form Up, Go pick them off. ( if you shoot the lead ship ( a Tundra ) they will break and attack you , then you loose the element of Surprise )

Once you decrease their numbers, If you succeed, they are easier to deal with.

The Second Wave is almost Always Opposite from where the first Formed Up : The lead ship there is a Chasm: They are easier to Kill if you let the Point Guards deal with that Chasm before you attack it as it tries to recharge it's shields on the run away from the Point ( If you Succeed )

The Wreck of the Europa: is ALWAYS Guarded by some nice and strong ships: I think it depends on YOUR Combat Power as to what ships are Guarding it: I found Rouge Fleet, Kobul, CometFalls, Chasms, SandStorms.

And the Code to the Weapon Vault changes : But the Wreck is Almost Always in basically the same spot.

[PM]

Combat power for the playership varies by reactor power alone. Immunity to mugging requires a reactor of 300 MW or higher.

Teratons buy shields only if the shield has the Alien tag. They buy any weapon of level VII or higher. Stations that use rins as currency have unlimited funds and no buying limits.

[zerat00l]

Just finished the game. Wasn't pretty but I made it. If I went back and did it all again I'd definitely avoid some of the foul-ups I had this time through. Tempting as using a different ship might be, I think I'd still use the same one--it seemed to fit my play-style nicely. Shrug.

Gg

[PM]

Higher militia rank not only yields higher discounts, but also access to more wingmen.

[shanejfilomena]

Combat power for the playership varies by reactor power alone. Immunity to mugging requires a reactor of 300 MW or higher.

Teratons buy shields only if the shield has the Alien tag. They buy any weapon of level VII or higher. Stations that use rins as currency have unlimited funds and no buying limits.

I NEVER thought of it that way : But I did notice the Mugging was less likely to happen when I was carrying a weapon that can destroy the Nest ( like the Hecates Cannon : lower draw, Higher damage then the fusion fire ( not by much but in fuel it is worth it ) )

[shanejfilomena]

Just finished the game. Wasn't pretty but I made it. If I went back and did it all again I'd definitely avoid some of the foul-ups I had this time through. Tempting as using a different ship might be, I think I'd still use the same one--it seemed to fit my play-style nicely. Shrug.

Gg

The different ships offer advantages in battle and game Experience : Exploration is more Fun then Just Winning : they also appear to set off a different sequence of the game ( because things I find playing one ship, I do not often find playing a different model ).
The Wolfen is the "Ultimate" of the Three : but many people do amazing things with the Yacht and Freighter : Like take on Phobos with one engine behind their back.......

I have flown different ships, Including the Xenophobe Worldship ( sad ) : freighters : and I think it is good because you get to understand the ships you meet in the game , some you will just plain feel sorry for ..but they have to die just the same

As you explore your Universe , you will find that this game is deeper then the scripted events for the player: most of the game is not scripted.......its where the fun begins.