Guns, Engines, and Crew

[mikegeig]

Howdy, I am trying to figure this out for ship designing. Currently. I have built a ship that has 30 engines, 25 guns, and 50 crew.

Did I waste some money? Can the engines and guns be manned at the same time? Is there any value to having the 5 extra guns? Adding more crew obviously reduces travel efficiency, so should I just have less guns?

As an extension, what should my higher tier Bounty Hunter ship look like? I have a bounty hunter / pirate hybrid. I am on my 3rd ship and want to know what I should focus on.

Thanks!

[xdesperado]

What size Hull and how much Cargo space?

[qbspy]

It sounds to me like you are doing just fine.

[slayernz]

A general rule of thumb is that the number of crew you have should equal or exceed the total number of engines and guns. However, in reality, your crew can become more efficient and can multi-task a little. You'll still be able to kill and fly ... and even at the same time! Investing in Pilot certainly helps offset any crew deficiencies that you may have. A very skilled captain can pretty much run a ship by him/herself (although not recommended for long-term sanity)

[beuns]

If he/she's alone, I wonder what can happen when he/she's in the bathroom (Murphy's law applied to ST bathroom : if you go to the bathroom, an alien hive targets you)

[mikegeig]

Thanks. Its 12/13 hull (can't remember) and 80 hold. 0 torps (I never use them).

Will boarding be important in the future? I don't do it now and I'm not geared for it.

[crackshotcerberus]

You can go through the game without boarding other ships, alien ships frequently board you however. I went to level 30 something by using the guns on insane difficulty. Stupid ramming pirate killed me.

[ntsheep]

There are many upgrades that help depending on how you fight. If you like being up close and personal, go for boarding upgrades, carry at least 25 weapons in your cargo, and get a Military Officer. For those that prefer the shoot once, shoot twice, and then shoot'em again. Go for gun upgrades and a Veteran Officer. I have found these to be good choices even in the higher difficulty levels.

[slayernz]

Pilot + Mechanic + Political for me ... no guns upgrades, and more often than not, no upgrades related to boarding/repelling/extra firepower/shields, etc. I rely extremely heavily on the fact I have heaps and heaps of Pilot points and already got a fast ship (won't buy or build a ship with less than 2 engines for every 1 hull point).

Had a couple of close-ish calls with some Aliens, recently (at around level 80ish), but am still alive - still unboarded.

The ship you buy should certainly match your playing style

[ntsheep]

That's a good setup too slayernz. I use that for Merchants. A fast/quick ship and you can run from most anyone. My favorite class is Zealot. I use them as a explorer first by putting a few points in that skill and hunting on Ugolhush until I can get a better ship then I up pilot like crazy.

[slayernz]

Funny, I used to do the explore thing to get some cash up front, but now days, I am doing a couple of Shortage runs within the first year of play, with an aim to get $500k in the bank within a few years. Works most of the time, but requires ships with decent holds.

[slayernz]

Oh oh ... very important for carrying cat cargo

[Tenebrous Pirate]

This is my favorite running ship so far. Hull=1/3 of engines or sails, and armor> 1/2 hull. On fuel usage it currently runs 0.20 green 1.85 red on impossible for my captain.

[ntsheep]

A BIG thank you goes to slayernz for promoting this thread to the "best derailed threads" thread. Tabby Tote, I love it!!!!!