Star Traders: Frontiers Update #231: Precision Unleashed
Oct 7, 2020 12:16:04 GMT -5
strega, exxodus, and 1 more like this
Post by fallen on Oct 7, 2020 12:16:04 GMT -5
Update #231 continues to deliver on exciting new ship and component expansions, bringing new options and new meta to the table. With this update, we've included 2 new end-game faction ships and 12 new components that all make use of the completely new ship effect types (Engine Safety, Jump Time reduction, Craft Boost) released in Update #230. We're excited to announce as well that this update completes two of our content milestones on the publicly posted dev roadmap -- moving us closer and closer to completing it entirely!
We've also made a big rule change for Scavenger captains (Repair in new game templates!), improved the Defense Pattern Matrix 4 and fixed some issues with how the AI was trying to build out a set of big end-game ships.
If you enjoy the stream of updates, free content and general game support please remember to leave a review and tell a friend!
Roadmap Content Milestones
With Update #231 we have closed two of the major content milestones we have been tracking to since the game's release in August 2018. With the addition of the Neutiquam Cruiser and Tempus Freighter we have completed a long march to triple the size of the ship catalog across Mass spectrum. And with the blast of 5 new components in the last update and 12 new components in this update, we have hit our goal to double the size of the ship component catalog, massively expanding the ways in which different captain professions can specialize their individual ship and hit the metrics they feel are necessary to safely sail the void.
Of course, hitting the milestone goal doesn't mean we won't be adding more
steamcommunity.com/games/335620/announcements/detail/1696055855739611821
Faction Flagships
The Tempus Freighter is a contender for the crown of most advanced large-capacity and long-haul cargo ship. Produced exclusively by the De Valtos syndicate, the Tempus Freighter carries an exceptional fuel and cargo load while still maintaining heavy armor and shield. The merchants of De Valtos value their sprawling cargo holds but know that the best cargo delivery is one that is made safely. While formidable without any upgrades, a fully built Tempus Freighter delivers top-tier cargo storage and unparalleled combat survivability. Boasting 11 medium and 8 large slots and a trailing 9 small slots, the Tempus has the capacity for another $5M-$6M in upgrades to create the ultimate merchant-warriors freighter or anything in between.
The Neutiquam Cruiser is a compact, heavily armored ship that soaks damage like a much larger hull. Built for boarding combat, attack shuttles and anti-carrier duty the Neutiquam Cruiser is difficult to hit and harder to kill. Sold for under $2.5M at Steel Song starports, this military vessel can be reasonably effective without upgrades, it truly shines after an overhaul and new weapons package. Boasting 11 small, 9 medium and 5 large slots, this Cruiser could soak up additional millions to be fully upgraded as a legendary Bounty Hunter's personal flagship or the death barge of a roaming Steel Song assassin.
Scavenger Retrofit
A big thanks to the community from bringing this up and discussing it -- how to best build a Scavenger captain. To assist with this, we've made one of the recommended changes which is to add Repair to the list of Skills that a captain can increase in their character creation template. Enjoy those extra bonuses in Talents and Orbital Salvage!
The second change will come with the addition of Orbital Salvage missions, which require mission cards which will adjust their starting Traits. But that is for another day, another update!
12 New Components
Update #230 was not shy about adding new components and #231 cranks it up another level with a full set of 12.
First, we've added a fourth tier of the Water-Fuel Reclamation systems, once again Javat-only. This component adds less fuel than the WFR 3 but trades that for a +1 Engine Safety bonus. For those ships looking to travel safer, farther, this is a worth consideration.
Carriers have long had a gap in their ability to build out a heavily focused set of components to empower their activities. You needed to install launch bays and hangars, but the rest of the build was in your crew and Talents. With Update #230, we began addressing that with a carrier-focused bridge and two new powerful launch bays but Update #231 kicks open the door to ultra carrier builds with the addition of Joint Precision Launch Systems 1-3 which each add craft boost bonuses to any and all launched craft. These bonuses stack, adding to Craft Damage, Hit % and Boarding rolls and so now a carrier has a whole new option for how to invest their small slots. Every carrier build needs some, how many will you install?
Some Star Traders aim to travel far but others aim to travel *fast*. For those speed demons of the void, we've released a series of new Performance Hyperwarp Drives that all reduce the time taken in making hyperwarp jumps from 25% for the lowest mass drives to 12% for the highest mass drives. These drives trade higher fuel burn for their speed but over the longhaul, they'll help you scoot across the galaxy -- and especially large maps -- much more efficiently.
Cyber Knights: Flashpoint
While we are hard at work supporting the Star Traders: Frontiers roadmap, we've been developing our next game for going on 2 years now! If you like our style of endless updates, new features and content, wishlist it today! Cyber Knights is a tactical RPG that plunges you and your team of hackers, mercs and thieves into the neon-soaked future of 2231. Hire the right team under the crumbling New Boston Zone and mix stealth, hacking and combat skills to claw your way to the top of the criminal heap.
store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/
v3.0.109 - 10/7/2020
- New captain templates can now include Repair Skill bonuses for jobs like Scavenger
- New Ship: Neutiquam Cruiser (Steel Song, 6000M Attack Cruiser)
- New Ship: Tempus Freighter (De Valtos, 8000M Long Range Hauler)
- Added 8 new Performance Hyperwarp Drives that reduce jump time by 12% to 25% based on ship mass in trade for higher fuel costs
- Added 3 new Joint Precision Launch System components to provide craft boost for carriers in small slot - stack for ultra carrier
- Added new Javat-only Water-Fuel Reclamation 4 component in medium slot with +1 Engine Safety but lower fuel bonus
- Defense Pattern Matrix 4 rebalanced to grant 6% defense instead of 5%
- Fixed AI issues with: Reach Carrier, Azurite Cruiser, Larimar Battlecruiser
