Zerg strategy - The Boarder

[amazinglyaudrey]

I wanted to try challenging myself with something new, so I attempted a strategy that relied on boarding tactics that overwhelmed the enemy.

- Profession: Spy (though it didn't really matter what I chose)
- Starting Ship: Danti Cantuela
- Strategy:

Basically, I spent the early game taking one or two missions until some spy wars took place. Then, I went and spied on one of the factions to build up rep high enough to buy a trade permit. Once I had one, I went exploring/selling enough goods to beef up my ship with guns, armor, cargo space, and engines. This allowed me to stand toe-to-toe with early game warships so I could pick something more decent. Once I had a better ship, I spent enough time spying to build up enough cash to go buy a star liner.

A star liner comes with 100 crew, which is really the only benefit of it. I added battleship architecture, engines, and the disrupters (or whatever) that give you a boarding bonus based on your warrior skill. From here, I just steamrolled everyone. I zoomed up to them and started boarding right away with my crew of 156. Experience gained was spent on tactics, pilot, and warrior first. The downside was that this ship was a HUGE gas guzzler. With 74 cargo of water-fuel, I could make it between 15 and 20 AU.

[starfixer]

Is the ship fast or quick? Fast and quick ships waste alot of fuel.

What is your pilot skill and intimidate skill? They help lower fuel-consumption. Intimidate also prevents morale loss for deep-space travel without water-fuel.

How many engines and sails do the ship have? Having 30+ sails and 30+ engines gives you a fuel bonus.

Mercanaries wastes less fuel than battleship upgrade. Get mercanaries with a low pilot + intimidate. Also, mechanic officer repairs accident damage, which helps alot for fuel-consumption.

[contributor]

There's probably nobody more qualified to comment on the Zerg strategy than starfixer. I like the name, Zerg (Rush?) strategy.

[amazinglyaudrey]

I think the star liner starts at slow agility, medium speed, but I could be wrong. I did take one screenshot after a particularly tough fight (tough for this build, anyway). I have the military, Templar, and pilot officers. I upped engines and sails, I think. Made it to level 20 before I got bored and wanted to try something new. :-)

Attachments:

[Cory Trese]

You crushed that Blightcruiser. One of the things I like about the board Captain is how often the enemy ship is taken in one piece.

[starfixer]

If you can, you should get your engines to 30+ as well as your sails.

What are your upgrades and what are your skills?

[amazinglyaudrey]

I don't quite remember because I've since started a new game.

I *think* that my warrior and tactics were both 20, most other things were around 10, and I was working on intimidate. I specifically chose upgrades that increased my signature because I wanted lots of encounters. I improved my engines so I could catch up to the more hulking freighters and battleships. I don't remember beyond that.