noob kill contracts - failing :/

[danx55]

hi guys,
ive done 3 kill contacts and failed 3 i think - they are they type where you have to take out a ship and it crew - ive attacked the ship, and get the done button - but always fail the mission :/

am i missing sumink?

thanks
dan

[slayernz]

Okay ... a helpful hint when it comes to contracts is the bolded button. It kinda guides you to what you really should press.

For Capture contracts, you have to disable the ship but not destroy it. The best way here is to either go to close range and shoot for the engines, or board the ship and try your luck there.

For Kill contracts, you simply have to destroy the ship. If you are victorious in battle but the ship still survives, you MUST press the "Destroy" button or the contract will not be fulfilled and you will fail.

One thing that is useful when you are starting out is that some contracts are much harder than others until you have the appropriate skills.

Easiest to hardest
Delivery of data (where data is shielded)
- you won't lose the contract if you are boarded/surrender
Delivery of a package/passengers
- just don't surrender and you should be fine
Kill a target
- You need to have pilot/tactics skills but killing is relatively straight forward
Capture a target
- You'll need a little more finesse because you fail if the ship blows up.
Surveillance/Blockade
- This is hardest to begin with because you usually don't have enough tactics skills to do these things quickly. The longer you take trying to do a successful blockade/surveillance, the higher the chance that some enemy will come and try and eliminate you. Also, every time you try a blockade/surveillance action, you lose RP with the particular faction you are doing the action against. Sustained action can make them royally peeved.

[danx55]

hi again

great info thanks - yes i saw the bolder text for say going to spice hall to deliver a contract, but ive yet to see that in ship combat scenaro - must have gone in too hard and trashed their ship i guess :/ didnt realise you could be that specific with the ship battles - ie hit engine etc

thanks
dan

[slayernz]

When you are at close range, you can target engines or deck (disable ship or kill crew). It doesn't necessarily mean you'll always be accurate, but it's more accurate than just targeting the ship itself from 10km away

[danx55]

ah ok cool ta - maybe might skill level isnt high enough - im sure the kill ones ive done were just destroy ship and kill crew - so i thought that would be pretty easy....even for me

[slayernz]

If the ship is still intact at end of combat, in the combat victory screen (where you can enslave, take cargo, etc), you'll see an option "Destroy". That's located just below the "Status" button at the top of the screen.

Pressing on "Destroy" will fulfill any kill contract.

[danx55]

mmmm right that is most confusing then - i didnt get that screen normally - i have seen it once after a battle - but normally it just highlights the done button - the other ships has red numbers against it for hits etc

[rabidbite]

Another thing that might help you complete these contracts in the EARLY game stage is NOT buying a Death Warrant. Tougher enemies.

Also, though obvious I'll mention it just in case, remember to loot the ships whether you're going to destroy them or not.

Last: If you don't have a tracking array upgrade, pump up your piloting so that your contracts won't get away that easily.

And that's my2 cents ;D

[danx55]

hi rabidbite,
cool thanks - good point that last one - think that might have been what was happening
cheers
dan