Have to vent the frustration, it's driving me nuts. I've done it before but I'd fluked capturing a Rebel Cruiser then. This time I'm in a fully kitted kestrel and cannot do it for the life of me. I messed it up the first time so my rebel escorts are no more and all the tips I can find are "use the tractor beam when behind it", which doesn't seem possible as his turn rate is always enough so that he's always facing me (is this different in the nova port?) and let your escorts take the fighters, which never helps for long. my shields only last for a matter of seconds before I'm toast and his range seems further than mine.

I think persistance must be the key. Off for the 28th time....

Welcome to the boards, greatgraddage.

Yeah, that mission is kinda hard and takes more than a few times to beat. I prefer to have a fast ship like Corvette, even a Kestrel works, which gives faster shield regen. That way you can get your nose right up next to alien carrier, and while accelerating, hit it with turrets and guns and whatever ammo. This causes you to spin a bit, but keeps you away from the front of the alien carrier. If you're in a Kestrel, strip it down and max out your shields, speed, turn, etc.

You probably checked this out, but there are some good strategies here:
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/index.php...98&hl=alien

It's always a good idea to back up your pilot file before taking on major missions. That way if you lose escorts and realize you're not going to succeed, you can go back to that saved file and do the mission over.

Good luck.

@greatgraddage, on Aug 28 2008, 08:45 AM, said in Yet another alien topic:

Have to vent the frustration, it's driving me nuts. I've done it before but I'd fluked capturing a Rebel Cruiser then. This time I'm in a fully kitted kestrel and cannot do it for the life of me. I messed it up the first time so my rebel escorts are no more and all the tips I can find are "use the tractor beam when behind it", which doesn't seem possible as his turn rate is always enough so that he's always facing me (is this different in the nova port?) and let your escorts take the fighters, which never helps for long. my shields only last for a matter of seconds before I'm toast and his range seems further than mine.

I think persistance must be the key. Off for the 28th time....

The tractor beam slows the alien cruisers turn rate. You'll want to stay behind it and just plow it with primary weapons. Also make sure you have all the turning/speed upgrades, they help a lot. If you're still having trouble a corvette might work better as it's a bit more maneuverable but it has less shields. You could also try to capture a rebel destroyer or cruiser and use that as your ship. Or capture them and use them as escorts.