athios
Templar
[ Star Traders 2 Supporter ]
Posts: 1,611 
|
Post by athios on May 21, 2013 15:32:30 GMT -5
Anybody had any luck with this one? What starting ship and strategy did you use?
All my previous on-and-off attempts had failed, either because I got killed or just had to give up and buy a ship cos the enemy captains and ships were ridiculously strong in comparison.
I'm currently trying to cheat the system by deliberately staying at level 5 (enemies are level 10 max) with high stealth & pilot. Will then get enough XP through contracts and maybe spying to jump directly to level 20 in one go!
I'm using Mortifer Telem, 10 hull 20 engines 31 sails, LOL. ;D
So far have gotten hit by 4 torpedoes in 3500 turns. I think I have enough XP to be around level 13, so a bit more to go...
|
|
|
|
Post by contributor on May 21, 2013 15:56:06 GMT -5
I think your choice of ship is a good one. You want something that can run. So use high sails and high stealth. The other thing would be to not piss any of the factions off. That way you can pretty much surrender if need be and keep going. Use a spy character and use the "Double Agent" strategy to boost rep all around. If you can be everybody's best friend you'll get the award eventually. Actually by participating in spy wars, especially when they are double and tripled up you'll gain xp like crazy.
|
|
|
|
Post by slayernz on May 21, 2013 17:29:47 GMT -5
Doing the pirate challenge saw me hold onto the Vae Victus until level 10. Ironically, it was in my new ship (Pirate Reaper) that I died.
As Lurker suggests, playing cautiously and avoid pissing people off too early allows you to stay with the start ship longer. Definitely upgrade it with better sails, cargo holds, water fuel tanks, ENGINES etc so that it can serve as a good multi-role ship. Sails are important for long-distance efficiency, but Engines are important because if your pilot skill level is the same as an enemy captain, but you have less engine/hull ratio, the enemy captain's going to dominate the battle. Cargo and fuel storage lets you actually earn some money shortages and carry enough fuel to complete more than one contract at a time.
Keep Pilot at least 2x your level, keep Stealth up until around 10 as well.
(Starting with a Spy helps because both of these skills begin at 6). Alternatively, pick a pirate with starting skills for pilot and tactics high.
|
|
athios
Templar
[ Star Traders 2 Supporter ]
Posts: 1,611
|
Post by athios on May 21, 2013 19:54:20 GMT -5
Yeah, I did start as a Spy. The extra credits from selling the starting Weapons/Electronics also helps. I think the strategy is working well. I already have Rank, Permit and Warrant for all factions. The 31 sails dropped my fuel usage all the way down to 0.35 in green and 1.79 in red, so I can fly nearly forever in green space as long as I don't get damaged sails.
According to the XP calculator, I only need around 40 more XP to reach level 20 (pumping Stealth only). Should be able to finish tonight!
|
|
|
|
Post by slayernz on May 21, 2013 20:16:47 GMT -5
Good luck! Hopefully you don't stumble across an Alien or a rampant Indy pirate!
|
|
athios
Templar
[ Star Traders 2 Supporter ]
Posts: 1,611
|
Post by athios on May 22, 2013 4:27:42 GMT -5
Woohoo! Finally finished, with 17 XP to spare.  Hmm, only one more non-alien award left that I've never done: intrepid explorer I Maybe I'll try for an explorer next (perhaps during the next challenge?). |
|
|
|
Post by slayernz on May 22, 2013 18:47:20 GMT -5
Wow, that's great going. Congrats on getting Hardcore Elite! It sums you up nicely!
|
|
|
|
Post by okazaki on May 23, 2013 22:31:12 GMT -5
I used Aperio Caliga in Impossible. It has fuel tank to begin with. She was a military officer, but that didn't matter.
Strategy: When filling up water fuel, don't go over 10+ over water tank capacity, or simply 35 water fuel, maybe 40 is pushing it. This is to ward off attacking pirates and if you do get looted, they won't have access to the fuel in the tank. Meaning, your crew will not lose morale due to lack of fuel.
Avoid any hostile encounter as much as possible, limit red space to avoid indy pirates.
Most important: Increase rep with all factions to get a permit and rank, and avoid negative reps. How to do it is yours to discover.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Oct 7, 2013 19:27:11 GMT -5
According to the XP calculator, I only need around 40 more XP to reach level 20 (pumping Stealth only). Should be able to finish tonight! Wow, I started to read the forum post on the XP calculator and felt my brain turn to mush and the thrill was quite literally gone. At the risk of sounding like a Neanderthal, would anyone like to share roughly how many XP I'll need to go from level 5 (approximately 10 pilot, 10 stealth) to 20 in one fell swoop? Just trying to gauge my strategy. Thanks in advance! |
|
