Blackheart and independent awards as an Indy?

[capthawk]

Hello fellow Traders!

Ok this IS going to be a question, but first some "exalts" as I believe you say here:
Andrew and Corey (TB): thank you for such an amazing, engrossing and layered game. I found ST a little over a month ago and tried the free. I was hooked instantly, and ST had proven to be the ONLY game app I have ever purchased the elite version.

»» quick note to prospective STers: if you are even considering buying elite, just do so! The improvement is so immediate that even the free quadrant you are used to becomes something new and deadly.

The community: slayarnz, genious, lurker, so many more! I am definitely a put your time in the forums gamer. Between all off you and the TB incredibly fast responses I have learned, implemented, tinkered with and enjoyed strategies and techniques. So a huge thank you to all who participate here!

The game: Capitans and adventures I've had! Ireally could rave on and on so I'd better get to the OP's question lol

Ok so I'm achieving my unlocks and got to Blackheart and Independent Capt. Awards. I've been wanting to run an Indy pirate since early in my free-verse days, so I thought now was the perfect time. Double checked difficulty required (Hard) and in no time was below the -11. Hit the nearest palace to record and nothing. Tried flying around, a couple more fight and loots, a couple more palaces... nope. Searched here and found interesting info but not my answer.
The obvious is that you must be a faction based capt. to unlock this but it would be nice if that was made clear in the unlocks. I am ready to move up difficulties (again, free-verse vs. elite-verse lol) and this one is in the way.
I have a capt. working on the contractor series so I can wait for the answer.

Oh, and capturing a hive. Didn't give it a second thought how easy in free. Now I've done the three around it including the kill big Bessie hull lol. Only come close once in elite, in the Aperio lol

[slayernz]

capthawk welcome to the forum! I'm so glad you're loving the game as it is truly amazing what was coded up to fit into a small handheld device!

Re the Blackheart and Independent Captain. You need to have -rp with all 6 factions at the same time. That is, if you want Blackheart, you need to get to below -11 with all six factions at once. In fact, be safe, get to -12 with five factions, and -120 with Steel Song. It's the only way to be sure. With Blackheart, you are able to go into palaces on faction planets to record your exploits. Don't surrender to ships or you'll get arrested and lose lots of money.


Similarly, with Independent Captain, you need to get to below -121 with all six factions at the same time. Play safe and aim for one or two RP below that. Because of your RP, palaces on faction planets are blocked to you. You need to go to an independent planet urban area to record your exploits. Note, don't surrender to any ships, or you'll get executed, and lose lots of money. and your life. and ship. Generally it's bad to surrender when people don't like you

If you're still having problems after making all six factions hate you, let us know and we can see what's going on.

BTW, it is certainly possible to claw your way back into factional good books - so don't despair that your captain's fate is sealed. We've had a challenge in the past where captains came back from -10,000 RP deficits.

[capthawk]

slayernz! With an "e", sorry!

So cool it's you that responded. I want to personally thank you for your awesome contributions here. Since I joined the forum you've been one of my chief sources for information and advancement into the nuances of ST elite. Also, your Seal Schlong rants have left me in tears laughing! (Yes, my enemies are renamed in mockery...House Buffoon, Syndicate Dryfart...)

Cats rule.

Ok. Just do you know where I'm at in the ST curve. I know my map down to caches. Politics I can keep all 6 in the thousands. I still use the basic 3/3 rule but just keep 3 at lower standing. I'm still learning the nuances of managing high rank. (No more contracts! We hunt them beasties in the Nebula on downtime now lol). I'm good or at least decent at most aspects, except I'm just now working in the rumour/trade synergy. I have tended toward MO to learn with at each level because of the heavy combat and politics emphasis and how that helps see the new parameters involved. Survive, then thrive! I have played most of the other classes.

Ok. I'm definitely under -11 with all 6 but still no luck registering my unlock.

Even if it ends up I have to do this as a factional I might keep this guy around. I'm curious how long he'll make it as my plan is to plummet him to -121 and being a true Indy pirate, beyond. Play him as though he were one of the Indy jerks that maraude me early game. Never use a faction world as anything other than a bait pile. Only get my gear, contracts and xp thru my beloved brown coat underdog brethren...

[slayernz]

Hi capthawk I don't rant about Steel Scum. I feel I am being very objective and unbiased. I have even used their torps every now and then. Surprisingly, they make pretty good cups of tea.

For your current captain, could you provide a screenshot of your current faction politics screen?
It should look something like this:


Excuse the right-side. It was for a particular community challenge thingy.

As you can see, all 6 factions are -RP. If you don't get the Independent Captain award after this, something is distinctly broken ... lemme see your screenshot if possible

[capthawk]

Grrrr... Sorry I can't figure out how to import my screenshot here. More help please?

[xdesperado]

Feb 16, 2016 20:21:20 GMT -5 capthawk said:

Grrrr... Sorry I can't figure out how to import my screenshot here. More help please?

You need to have the photos online already like with photobucket or similar site. Then post the link here with the html code.

[slayernz]

There was a thread on the forum about how to add images by using image hosting providers. However, I can't find it anywhere. I did look but it's hiding from me.
I myself use a FTP site tied to a couple of websites I manage. I haven't yet hooked up a FTP site for Devaltos.com. If/when I do, I could create a folder there and provide a generic username/password for forumites to upload images to. I don't know if I can justify the costs to add a FTP/Website to that domain though - it was originally just obtained because it was fricken awesome domain to get .. that an Cadar.com was already taken

[capthawk]

plus.google.com/112327071915699824498/posts/XVuxwCTHKST


I apologize this is the best I can do. I'm an older gamer and not so savvy on some tech lol

[slayernz]

That's cool capthawk, could you type in your various faction RP values?? I just want to see the numbers you are showing in your game.

Also, what device are you playing on and what version of game are you playing with?

[capthawk]

Ok!

Ss -20 (sorry)
Jav -21
Thu -25

Dv -21
Cad -21
Ry -40

I play elite v.5.9.33
Android 4.4.2, G3 vigor

Also I semi-apologize... I just perused bugs and there is a thread there, although many players have had this issue there's no definitive answer. I posted here as I interpreted my failure as tactical.
One such player tried my exact path, same problem and then suddenly at Thu could register the award he said.
Why it didn't work at the Indy planet as I've tried is not explained.
I'm hated to the pirate flag level now so a faction palace isn't a quick option lol

[slayernz]

capthawk it's okay - sometimes finding a thread is a challenge. Hmm what to do what to do. I would actually suggest you go for the Independent Captain award (-121). Achieving this might just trigger the achievement of the lesser Blackheart award.

I would recommend that you boost your pilot to at least 30, and/or 200% of your character level before taking the plunge. My current captain is ultra-careful and has Pilot = 62, and captain level of 24. I haven't done the Blackheart with this captain because I need to keep him alive until level 50

[capthawk]

Nice! Going for the golden age award I assume? I got lucky/snuck on that one in my transition to elite-verse.
I had played my first insane in free up to 54 just before I upgraded. The captain is horribly balanced (imbalanced?) So I will not be running him until I get back to insane, and think I have a shot shading the turn click for his rebalance.
Anyway, cheating but makes up for the sting of losing my capture hive award lol

Man, I have so many questions, observations, finer points stuff etc. Lol

Anyway back to this disreputable Indy bastard. As I said he is a throwaway/fun, I really just want the gear to try out. I will most likely keep up with logging him on to palace check, and I'm going to try another ship beginning as faction based to see if that's the issue. If it is, I'm going to see if I can run this guy to -121 and beyond, never having used or ever using a faction port of call.
In either case, I'll need some noobs around on Hard trying for that damn hive, as I imagine even a difficulty level higher I'll have to get lucky really early on.
Man, I LOVE this game!

[capthawk]

Well I'm stumped. Took a Rychart pirate as seemed fitting to immediately back stab and I voided my contract lol

Ran them all down quick on blockade...still no award though...

Update... I guess I had pleased some of the factions. As I tried to regain the few odd losses I need...wf 0... get to last target...can't land...mutiny...

[capthawk]

Well I tried a 3rd, hit the numbers and no. Got mad and got ended on my Indy lol... ah well back to contractor series captain for awhile...

[capthawk]

You know what I'm so ready to move up a level and apply what I've learned...I want the gear, I can still complete the challenges...
Most of all I solidly feel TB deserves some support.
Going shopping, but not at Opix IV.
Real world lol I'm gonna buy the gear and go have a blast, while I'm there becoming a character and ship builder sounds great too!
Thanks again for the amazing game, you can close the thread if you like.