Exemplar Contractor

[jeffjway]

I have a question. Has the checks for completion of Exemplar Contractor changed since the update where you get Ships of Power II as the reward?

I know I got the award before (on Basic), but that was a long time ago (before the Ships of Power II assignment) And I did that without any fail, any time-outs and 0 rejects

Now, on Hard (so I can get the award), I have finished 51 contracts, no fails, no time-outs, 100+ rejects though. Went to the Hall of Records, but nothing...

Am I not supposed to reject any?

[slayernz]

The rule for winning that award is:
Contracts Won >= 50
Contracts Failed < 7
Contracts Won >= (Contracts Rejected + Contracts Expired)

So effectively you failed to achieve the award because you rejected too many contracts. Note though that you are still able to achieve this award if you successfully complete MORE contracts than you have rejected, AND your number of failed contracts remains below 7.

[jeffjway]

Right. Thanks. I don't need 50 more than rejected right? Just more.

[boeu]

Less than 50 rejects

[oldalchemist]

Do this to get ready:
-Get a sweet ship. Something that can run from a fight you don't have to fight, but that can fight in a fight you do have to fight.
-Don't do any contracts unless you have to, and then, don't fail.
-Get rank and permits with everybody. Watch your embargoes and spy battles.

When you're ready do one contract at a time, pick up new contracts at the faction you just did a contract against.
-If you chap someone enough to lose rank or permits, re-buy it ASAP. -Keep an eye out for shortages you can exploit while contracting. You're not taking contracts for the profit. You're taking them to tally up to 50. You're going to take every one you can and you don't want to fly 30+ sectors for a few grand. You'll barely cover the fuel and rations.
-Spice and recruit your crew at every opportunity. If you run out of water and rations, you're flying on morale.

[manmark]

.. and for anyone wondering about a high number of rejected contracts; I had over 71 rejects, 1 fail, and got the award at 73 completed contracts.. so just keep plugging away at it and don't fail!

[noesis]

Ahh, the good old days, things are different these days fail 7 contracts or reject 42 = fail for this award. Seems according to the award description, these days, you're better off taking contracts you don't want and voiding them as they don't seem to be counted as fails or rejections (only rep loss). Same with the Expert Contractor award (Unlocking Spy profession), now needs 24 completed but also fail less than 9, expire less than 9, reject less than 9 as conditions of getting it.

I preferred the old formula where rejections could be overcome. Rejections IMHO shouldn't be penalized as it's simply you saying you can't do it - like for example in instances when you are low level and already know those bounty hunter missions will result in the bounty just fleeing & getting away. I tend to think voiding a contract should replace the rejections for these awards (in the new versions), as taking a mission (giving your word you can do it) then voiding it should be considered worse than simply rejecting it outright, knowing you couldn't do it in the first place. Anyway just my thoughts on the recent changes to this award.

[slayernz]

The formula hasn't changed at all, and as far as I was aware, voiding contracts get counted against you. Voiding/Expiring/Failing all get counted as fails.

This means in the acceptance check:
Contracts Won >= 50
Contracts Failed < 7
Contracts Won >= (Contracts Rejected + Contracts Expired)

As soon as you void more than 6 contracts, the award can never be won, regardless of how many contracts you have/haven't rejected.

I might just test that though cos I could be blowing smoke out of my exhaust!

[Cory Trese]

If the Contract is for a Faction (not an independent [?]) then any Canceled Contract is counted as Expired. Therefore, the Award does check for both Rejected, Failed and Voided / Expired Contracts equally.

I did change the rule on this Award for a very good reason -- the award description was easier to write and is generating less angry e-mails.

The system where rejections can be overcome via repeated contract success was causing people to report bugs and complain because it was too many numbers to add / subtract to know when the award would be achievable.

This new system is simple. Do all the contracts you are assigned like a loyal Faction Captain. =)

[noesis]

Fair enough, I must admit I didn't actually try voiding contracts lately but believe I was in error as I remember doing it in a previous version - and failed the contract also - there goes my strategy of attempting to circumvent the rejection thing . There may be a slight bug however as more recently (in the *.20 release - the one before the current at this time) I thought I was delivering a message but was actually delivering a package and so I surrendered and was searched by a military vessel and my package was confiscated (oops). Anyway I got a toast saying the contract had been voided or maybe it said expired (not sure) and the contract disappeared from status screen, but on the score page, I hadn't failed any or rejected any but had accepted 1 more than completed, and also hadn't let any expire. - Just thought I'd let you know in case there is some sort of issue here. I guess I just figured it was voided as opposed to expired as there doesn't seem to be a stat for this on the score page.

Also Slayernz I think the last line of the formula has changed - in that now Rejections must be less than 42 at the time you complete 50 contracts to get this award not as it was you stated - which I wish it was as you stated - the failing part is still accurate however.

Finally a more general thought, I know how to add and subtract and also wish the people emailing these dubious "bugs" directly to Cory would use the forums instead - then maybe we could all help free up some of Cory's time so he can concentrate more on the development of his games rather than answering a bunch of questions probably already being discussed or answered on the forum which he obviously looks at and replies to anyway, as can be seen in this and numerous other posts.

Perhaps Corey - If you don't already, you should tell them to use forums, etc first and only e-mail you as a last resort - especially if they're sending you a bunch of "angry" emails - I mean you've made a bloody good game and and if they don't want to whinge in public then they shouldn't whinge at all