Where did the military officer go?

[HateSolstice]

I've created countless Military captains(and others, to be sure), and have not seen a single military officer show up anywhere. No rumors of their appearance, regardless of how many core planet and fringe world spice halls and palaces I visit. No random dumb luck. It's as if they have disappeared from my game.

Is there anything I can do to guarantee one will show up? I've had plenty of spy/political/scout/mechanic officers appear, with the occasional alien hunter guy, so there's got to be something I'm missing.

[noesis]

I wish I could answer this for you, but, I can't, I doubt he's gone anywhere and is out there waiting to be discovered. Personally I've never encountered spy or alien hunter guy, but would have to say I hear rumors of scout more than any other officer type - total guess but I never play as an explorer so maybe it's because I rarely increase that skill ? - I don't really know though, it could just be completely random.

It would be cool if officers & other rumors were a bit easier to find though. Maybe something along the lines of "buy rumor" bringing up a menu of type of rumor you're looking for - like officers/hazards/trade/exploration/star-port, for example or some other menu break down. As I find I never hit buy rumor button as most the time when I do I just get some flavor text which I've read a million times before. If no such type of rumor exists (due to the palace/spice hall rating or negotiation skill or whatever it is that helps with rumors) then you just get a screen saying no rumors of type available - and you don't get charged $100 for trying to get the type of rumor you're after. - this could still backfire as you might hear about officers you don't want/already have or hazards/trades you already know about etc - but would stop us from from hearing things like - "pass the spice plate sailor" after buying a rumor. Just a thought anyway, as I agree some things can be damn hard to find at times, And I often die trying.

[slayernz]

You do get good hints in Rumors about where to find different officers. Here are the ones to look out for:

• Political officers are often found where an exchange is closed.
  
• A military officer is often found where mercenaries are congregating.
  
• Where you find a booming Star Dock, you will often find a Ship's Mechanic looking for a Crew to sign with.
  
• Where you find many new ships being sold, you will often find first mates, looking for a new Captain to sign with.
  
• Military officers and commanders can often be found near a military surplus.
  

Additionally, if you see a rumor about aliens on a planet, there's a chance you'll find an alien hunter officer if you go there.

Finally, there are direct rumors about mechanics, political officers, and scouts.

Hope this helps

[oldalchemist]

Also, you might not be seeing them if you've got 3 officers already.

[slayernz]

Or if you spend all your time carousing in spice halls and forget to pop into the palace. Good officers don't associate with the riff raff of the spice halls ...
"Looks like the new lieutenant's too good to eat with the rest of us grunts"
"Boy's definitely got a corncob up his ass"

[Cory Trese]

Officers have slowly become less common as the types and systems for rumor management have evolved. I have run some simulations -- the military officer is actually not as uncommon as the Alien Hunter. Watch for rumors and check the palace often -- you might be surprised who you find there during Conflicts and other galactic events (also, run the latest version.)

[slayernz]

I'd soooo love the ability to be offered an officer during some encounter victories
"A [officer type] officer steps forward from the ranks of the defeated crew and offers their services for a reduced fee of $x and 2% of profits".

You get like a 2 - 5% chance of any officer being available and slightly higher for the following

• Warships = Military officer
  
• Smugglers = Smuggler officer
  
• Merchant = Political officer
  

[HateSolstice]

Good to know. I do play the most recent version(I check for updates a lot, actually), and most of the other officer rumors are pretty obvious. It never did occur to me to check during military surplusses and such.

Oh, and would you say the First Mate is pretty good for military captains? I have less morale problems when I play military than I do any other captain, and the one time I did get rid of him on a military captain all hell broke loose on my ship several turns later. That also might have something to do with running out of w-f and rations after being attacked by a pirate ship that was surprisingly stronger than me.

[Tenebrous Pirate]

Jun 2, 2011 20:02:11 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

Officers have slowly become less common as the types and systems for rumor management have evolved.

Why Cory? Why?!? Lol, I regularly spend 20-30 levels trying to find the officers I want. I am heartbroken.

Jun 2, 2011 20:02:11 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

I have run some simulations -- the military officer is actually not as uncommon as the Alien Hunter.

That is odd. Scouts and Veterans (alien hunter) are the two officers I see rumors for all the time. I will regularly see as many as three planets with rumors of alien activity, and thus alien hunter officers, at the same time.

The hardest one to recruit does seem to be the military officer lately.

[oldalchemist]

A really good Smuggler or Spy officer should just 'show up' onboard if you have an empty officer berth and dock at a planet with crappy security.

"Captain, if your security was any good, you wouldn't have me or need me on your ship." Also, good luck finding that Smuggler officer when it's time to fire him in deep space!

[slayernz]

I'm still struggling to take you seriously now that you are a Templar old Alchy! Your ships are okay, but I still use them for target practice when i come across them

[oldalchemist]

You'll take me seriously when I smuggle myself into your hold and drink all yer vud during a solar storm!