Progression Questions

[Mathuin]

Hello all,

So I'm pretty new to the game, and I've decided that I'd like to become a dedicated assault-escort pilot. At present I'm flying around in my un-upgraded stock Raptor at lvl.4. The only purchases I've made thus far have been ammunition, an additional 'Fang' cannon and a 'Gopher' mining cannon. I'm trying my best to save up for an escort (at the $100k mark right now), but I'm consistently being outclassed and out-gunned by everything I come across. I'm dying far more often than I'd like, despite having a decent grasp of the controls.

The bottom line is that I really don't want to invest any more than the bare minimum into my Raptor, as I need all the tylium (sp?) I can get to purchase the escort. The money flow is slowing to a crawl, though, as I can't depend on mining to bring in cash. It's so inconsistent and, as I've mentioned, most NPCs I come across while mining can blow me away pretty effectively.

I'm a little frustrated at this impasse I've created for myself, so I'm asking if I need to spend money to make money here. My questions are:

1. Should I upgrade the Raptor with better equipment and systems?
2. If so, what systems would be a good investment and how far should I upgrade them (from a saving standpoint)?
3. What skills would be beneficial to upgrade to complement an assault-escort and/or Raptor?

I've taken all cannon skills to lvl.2, all missile to lvl.1, and pretty much nothing else. Thoughts?

Thanks guys, all input is appreciated.

[-fenrys-]

Strike Skills: guns, engines, and piloting
Escort Skills: same as above + defense

Once you figure out how the AI responds to you, it is possible to defeat low level NPC's with lvl 1 equipment w/o taking damage. Approach them from the back, leave your guns turned off until you are inside optimal range, then turn off your engines. Use boosters to stay close to them, and when they start to turn stop boosting - stand still and let them circle around you uselessly, but stay close or they'll be able to go all the way around and get their nose on you.

[HadesUK]

Firstly I wouldn't bother upgrading too much on the strike craft.
Next leave missile skills alone and keep on those gunnery skills.

Last but by no means least learn to fly better. Most NPC's can be killed easily by boosting directly at them. Slowing down to about 22kps just as you fly past, meaning you can turn alot tighter. Then drop in behind them boosting up a little to get them around the 200 clicks mark. They will try all sorts of twists and turns to shake you but with just the right mouse button you can maintain fire and not get shot.

Most npcs below line ships should not be hitting your after your first pass. All about speed control and using W,A,S and D to make tighter turns whilst also using the mouse button. This is the basis of any good pilot.


Hope that helps.

[Brock7142]

Hello all,

So I'm pretty new to the game, and I've decided that I'd like to become a dedicated assault-escort pilot. At present I'm flying around in my un-upgraded stock Raptor at lvl.4. The only purchases I've made thus far have been ammunition, an additional 'Fang' cannon and a 'Gopher' mining cannon. I'm trying my best to save up for an escort (at the $100k mark right now), but I'm consistently being outclassed and out-gunned by everything I come across. I'm dying far more often than I'd like, despite having a decent grasp of the controls.

The bottom line is that I really don't want to invest any more than the bare minimum into my Raptor, as I need all the tylium (sp?) I can get to purchase the escort. The money flow is slowing to a crawl, though, as I can't depend on mining to bring in cash. It's so inconsistent and, as I've mentioned, most NPCs I come across while mining can blow me away pretty effectively.

I'm a little frustrated at this impasse I've created for myself, so I'm asking if I need to spend money to make money here. My questions are:

1. Should I upgrade the Raptor with better equipment and systems?
2. If so, what systems would be a good investment and how far should I upgrade them (from a saving standpoint)?
3. What skills would be beneficial to upgrade to complement an assault-escort and/or Raptor?

I've taken all cannon skills to lvl.2, all missile to lvl.1, and pretty much nothing else. Thoughts?

Thanks guys, all input is appreciated.

Unless you plan on using missiles in some capacity, stick to upgrading cannons.

Level all cannons to level 2. leave mining equipment the way it is. Get the devices that upgrade flank speed for your engine slots (to get to the bad-guys faster, or to get out of the fight faster) and get some armored plates, or HP recovery. Get a couple Dradis' to scout enemy positions quicker (sooner you see them, the faster you can intercept them)

Grand total of the above will cost you around 100K at the most, maybe 110K. But doing so, you'll quit dying so much, and have a sturdier, meaner machine.

That said, unless you're ignorant, you'll also be using your strike to jump system to system. Not your Escort when you get it. (60-100 tyllium per jump, vs 1600-2000 per jump, I'd say go for the 60-100 per jump, and use the outpost to switch command of the ship, unless you're engaging in a fleet battle in a non-cylon occupied territory)

Every kill you make in a Strike, is almost pure profit. (approx 81-370% pure profit based on the target you've taken down and the loot you've acquired) Not many "Purely dedicated Escort/Line Pilot" have been successful, some of them end up having to stay in the same system to pull up a mine just to jump out of the system. (when they could have just switch command to their Strike, and jumped anywhere they had wanted)

Investing into your raptor, is that, an Investment. One that will pay for itself EASILY in less than 5-8 hrs of gameplay NPC farming. Everything after that, is pure, unadulterated profit. Profit you can put toward your Escort.

Point is, you gotta spend money to make money.

OH, and best systems to NPC farm as a Cylon, (IDK what faction you are) go to Fenris, Anachron, or Helios. Best places to farm until you get your Raptor sturdier. Then Anachron will be your baby. As you get used to playing style, you'll never need to upgrade any equipment beyond level 2. My Raider is all level 2 except for the Engines. (equipment wise)

Also, anything that increases % of Speed, HP, Weapons, Dradis, and FTL, are good to go. Make sure you keep yourself to a solid machine.

And you wont be disappointed.