Ship Configurations

[Cory Trese]

OK, so testing all these new upgrades I have come up with a few ship configurations I like.

I have the "big cargo" which is a FAST ship with low signature and maximum starting cargo. Use upgrades to increase cargo or torp resistance. This ship is for deliveries and crew gathering / exploration where I want to avoid. Often a merchant based ship due to the travel bonuses with full hulls!

I have a "cutter" which is an AGILE/FAST ship with medium signature and defensive upgrades. Omni-Stealth, Battle Prow. Usually upgraded for escaping (sometimes use Aft Torp.) Recently, I've had one with the WaterTank/Heavy Bulkheads and another with Exo Tank/Escape Shuttle. Escape Shuttle (for me at least) has added a new dimension to Alien hunting because of the option to escape those fatal hull hits!

I also of course, when playing Pirate, love the Cruiser with Battle Prow, Attack Shuttles, Battleship Architecture, Extended Mainsails, Prow Lance Battery.

Honestly, I know I've also had some random mix ships that were build out of desperation that were awesome but I never wrote down the upgrade lists. I can look at them and try to think about it but I bet you guys have ideas I've never even considered!

What about you, Captain?

[lonewolf6668]

Are the new ships elite only or for both versions

I am an explorer class captain on hard difficulty and before the updates I use to use this configuration

Jango class ship
Structural upgrade: cargo pod +7
Combat upgrade: engine +7
Interior upgrade: battleship architecture +20/+30%
Propulsion upgrade: sail system +25%
Armament upgrade: ARES 16 torps
I was unaware that the battleship crew upgrade was different from the separate upgrades that only added +20(increased defend vs board) and +30%(avoid encounters) also before the update I was getting 117 crew with the battleship crew upgrade and now only get 97 crew which is the accurate number must have been a bug before.

And with the last update I started seeing the new ships

Spear class
Structural upgrade: cargo pod +7
Combat upgrade: escape shuttle
Interior upgrade: military crew +30%
Propulsion upgrade: sail system +25%
Armament upgrade: torpedo control pods +20%

Mostly upgrades for avoiding encounters and torps with increased accuracy

Yesterday this setup didn't help at all as I had 3 encounters with aliens in 1 hour of playing first hit zengu aliens very weak then hit a narvidian hive ship where I lost 8 health but it never showed the duel toasts for it and last encountered a narvidian ship where I got a lucky shot on to win.

[oldalchemist]

A Terror Class with both Engine Upgrades, Heavy Bulkheads, Battleship Architecture, and the Ares 16 really lives up to it's name.

Now if only I can find an Exo-Crawler for my explorer...Does anyone actually stock those things?

[lonewolf6668]

Look for a rumor when a ship dock offers all upgrades that's how I usually get most of the upgrades

[oldalchemist]

I just got one. Now if only my scouts could drive the thing worth a damn. It's like they decided that since we got an exo-crawler they can stop avoiding the magma! I think it's time for new scouts!

[Cory Trese]

Scout + Exo-Crawler should allow the Captain to take out pretty small groups of guys and still expect to get good results.

Exo-Crawler is great for avoiding wounds related to "Over Danger" and "Under Crew" events.

Scout is really great for boosting up the Explorer and Tactics skills on Planet.

[oldalchemist]

OK, so with scouts, a crawler, and a decent explorer skill, I should be able to risk less crew? Also, does it help with Harvesting, or just Exploring? I'm not a bad explorer, but whenever I try to harvest because I'm a little low on water-fuel, I end up just killing crew.

[Cory Trese]

it should let me go check to make sure they're all equal. actually harvest should be easier, but i'll confirm in a bit