Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**

While I did mention that there wasn't any cheating, I could hint that there was some extreme cheapness and abuse of the engine involved.

**

Afterburner, engine upgrade, and thrust enhancer? I don't fight without those three...

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

How are those going to help if I'm not firing a shot? I can see where you get the Engine Upgrade(though I didn't have it), but what good would the other 2 be?

On a side note, I never use Afterburners. Waste of 5 tons. I can manuver my way around any AI without it.
Also, I consider RCS much more important then Engine Upgrade.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**How are those going to help if I'm not firing a shot? I can see where you get the Engine Upgrade(though I didn't have it), but what good would the other 2 be?

On a side note, I never use Afterburners. Waste of 5 tons. I can manuver my way around any AI without it.
Also, I consider RCS much more important then Engine Upgrade.

**

Using all three of the outfits mentioned, taking care of any hostile target is much easier. Use the afterburner for both quick passes and temporary retreats from guided weapons, and the engine upgrades will make even the capital ships menuver (sp?) like fighters...

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

Funny, I never have any problem demolishing ships of all sorts without Afterburner or Engine Upgrade. I do always get the RCS and Thrust Enhancement, but with big ships, like I usually fly, there is such a thing as (in my weird opinion) too much speed. I never have any problems winning fights or running away though, so it works. Also, the afterburner uses way to much fuel to be truly useful.(in my probably equally weird opinion)

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**Funny, I never have any problem demolishing ships of all sorts without Afterburner or Engine Upgrade. I do always get the RCS and Thrust Enhancement, but with big ships, like I usually fly, there is such a thing as (in my weird opinion) too much speed. I never have any problems winning fights or running away though, so it works. Also, the afterburner uses way to much fuel to be truly useful.(in my probably equally weird opinion)

**

Actually, that's how most EV pilots prefer to engage combat. I'm the type who likes to hit-and-run, while using a ship with excellent speed and ugly firepower...With upgrades, my Rebel Destroyer flies like a fighter, in which Confederation missiles aren't a problem...

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**David and I aren't talking about captured/hired escorts. i had none. We're talking the 1 or 2 Cruiser(s) that the government sends along, which always go straight for the fighters throats. And never kill them, mostly because it's impossible without a tractor beam.

While I did mention that there wasn't any cheating, I could hint that there was some extreme cheapness and abuse of the engine involved.

**

Do tell how you get your escorts to kill the alien.

My government issue escorts have never contributed significantly to killing the alien cruiser. They knock its shields down to maybe 80%, then they are out of missiles and leave the alien cruiser to me.

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You mean they actually go after the cruiser itself? Mine always attack the alien fighters like mad hellions, and completely leave the aliens alone.

As for how I did it, I've been reading the Nova board too much, and am enjoying my opportunity to be cryptic here. I'll tell you when Nova comes out, if no one's guessed by then.

If you read through all my posts in this topic, you should be able to figure out what ship I was using, which could be a clue to those who understand the engine well.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**You mean they actually go after the cruiser itself? Mine always attack the alien fighters like mad hellions, and completely leave the aliens alone.

As for how I did it, I've been reading the Nova board too much, and am enjoying my opportunity to be cryptic here. I'll tell you when Nova comes out, if no one's guessed by then.

If you read through all my posts in this topic, you should be able to figure out what ship I was using, which could be a clue to those who understand the engine well.

**

What ship you were using? Likely a Rapier or Lightning, and if those are wrong, a Corvette?

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

None of the above. Think small.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**None of the above. Think small.:)
**

A small ship? I'd say the shuttle. And as for being cheap, the cheapest way I know of is to engage the cloaking device, thus "blinding" the cruiser (assuming it's set to always attack the player). In such a case your government escorts would make short work of the cruiser. I have found that sometimes the escorts attack the fighters, other times they attack the cruiser. If they decide to attack the cruiser it should be no problem.

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Damn, EVAddict got it. I was using the Scoutship, cause it has the most fuel. To amend what he said, If you cloak instantly when you enter the system, the cruiser doesn't launch fighters, and so the rebel cruisers go after the alien cruiser directly.

It was pretty fun to watch.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**Damn, EVAddict got it. I was using the Scoutship, cause it has the most fuel. To amend what he said, If you cloak instantly when you enter the system, the cruiser doesn't launch fighters, and so the rebel cruisers go after the alien cruiser directly.

It was pretty fun to watch.

**

Ah-hah! I should have guessed...I love the scoutship for its fuel, and medium-fighter capabilities. It's probably the best ship in the game for its size...

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

(This message has been edited by Captain Skyblade (edited 06-04-2001).)

I agree, most people look at it as just a way to get out of the shuttle, but it's actually much better than that. With the speed upgrades, an extra laser, 10 missiles, and shield and armor upgrades, it makes a really nice fighter, and is almost ideal for doing the Diphidia II mission set. I can easily disable Corvettes in one. Yet it still has the range and cargo capacity to make an excellent courier at the same time. I'd say its probably as good a ship as the Clipper, for about a sixth the price. Very underestimated.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**I agree, most people look at it as just a way to get out of the shuttle, but it's actually much better than that. With the speed upgrades, an extra laser, 10 missiles, and shield and armor upgrades, it makes a really nice fighter, and is almost ideal for doing the Diphidia II mission set. I can easily disable Corvettes in one. Yet it still has the range and cargo capacity to make an excellent courier at the same time. I'd say its probably as good a ship as the Clipper, for about a sixth the price. Very underestimated.
**

The Clipper is too little ship for the money. Yes, it can be upgraded to an OK fighter or decent courier, but then so can the Scoutship. It holds one turret, but then there won't be space for anything else. It's slightly faster, better armoured and has more total weapons space, but the Scoutship has better turning and more space for cargo, which can be traded to yield the same weapons space as the Clipper. And don't forget its long range - handy for rush missions or running away on afterburner. IMHO the Scoutship is the best ship in the early-mid game. For me, the clipper is a lousy ship at 400k. It needs to be much cheaper or have more weapon/cargo space. Maybe the scoutship is simply too cheap. After the scoutship I usually get a Rapier or Corvette. The cool 1M from the Diphidia II missions comes in handy then :). Of course you could also get lucky and capture one.

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I have a very rotten history of being able to capture larger ships, I don't think I've everr done it. Because of this, lately I've just been blasting them to get my combat rating up. Which brings upa question: If a ship you boarded self-destructs, do you get points on your combat rating? I've always assumed not, but I don't know. If you do, I'll probably try capturing more often.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
**I agree, most people look at it as just a way to get out of the shuttle, but it's actually much better than that. With the speed upgrades, an extra laser, 10 missiles, and shield and armor upgrades, it makes a really nice fighter, and is almost ideal for doing the Diphidia II mission set. I can easily disable Corvettes in one. Yet it still has the range and cargo capacity to make an excellent courier at the same time. I'd say its probably as good a ship as the Clipper, for about a sixth the price. Very underestimated.

**

Well said. Scoutships can make formidable fighters and couriers at the same time. As soon as I have the small amount of credits needed to purchase a scoutship, I'll use it until I can move on to a Rapier or Rebel Destroyer.

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~Captain Skyblade

President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)

Quote

Originally posted by EVaddict:
** <snip> IMHO the Scoutship is the best ship in the early-mid game. <snip> **

Agreed, EVaddict. I like it so much for the early phase of the game, I do not even bother with the intermediate ships like Clipper/Lightning/Rapier. I get the Diphidia II mission set, crank out LOTS of Starbound Courier missions (The Scoutship's 9-jump(?) fuel supply combined with its speed is superb for the Starbound missions.) and collect those credits -- quickly allowing me to purchase a Corvette. (Who needs a Lighting?!! Yuck!)

Yes. The Scoutship is probably the most under-rated ship in EV.

- KK

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“You will find that our crew will be either the most valuable, loyal, and trustworthy of allies, or ... if you insist on trying to swallow us up -- the worst of enemies. The choice is yours. And should you choose to fight us ... don’t bring a knife to a gunfight!”

Quote

Originally posted by Macavenger:
If a ship you boarded self-destructs, do you get points on your combat rating?

I don't think so.

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David Arthur
Talon Plugin for Classic EV: (url="http://"http://members.aol.com/darthur1/talon-ev/")http://members.aol.c...thur1/talon-ev/(/url)

Quote

Originally posted by Kaptain Karl:
**Agreed, EVaddict. I like it so much for the early phase of the game, I do not even bother with the intermediate ships like Clipper/Lightning/Rapier. I get the Diphidia II mission set, crank out LOTS of Starbound Courier missions (The Scoutship's 9-jump(?) fuel supply combined with its speed is superb for the Starbound missions.) and collect those credits -- quickly allowing me to purchase a Corvette. (Who needs a Lighting?!! Yuck!)

Yes. The Scoutship is probably the most under-rated ship in EV.

- KK
**

I wouldn't consider the Rapier an intermediate ship - I've played one right almost to the end, then I think I used a Kestrel for the alien cruiser. Selling the rocket launcher and heavy rockets yields a lot of weapon space on the Rapier, and adding a cargo pod allows you to run the Starbound missions as well. This still leaves plenty of room for lots of torpedoes to deal with capital ships, which the Scoutship isn't so good at. Head-to-head, other fighters don't stand a chance, while the Scoutship's light armor is a liability.

I would rate the Rapier on almost an even keel with the Corvette. The Rapier turns better and jumps faster, though the Corvette carries real turrets and more cargo. IMHO the Lightning is too poorly armed and shielded for use as a player ship. It makes a good "weapon" for the Kestrel but not much else. It can be used as an unlimited (but slow to reload) missile/rocket magazine but then you have to be careful to recall them before they get wasted by the capital ships. Clippers don't even make good (captured) escorts - they die quickly against pirates, and have the annoying habit of shooting javelins at the disabled ship you're trying to board. The only reason I have them at all is because the computer loves to fly Clipper pirates around.

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Well, Nova should fix your Clippers-as-escorts-suck problem, since you can sell escorts.

And the Scoutship's armor isn't a problem if you invest 5 tons for armaplast. And while it does still suck against true Capital ships, I can still easily take out a Corvette, which is a light Capital ship. I see no reason to buy anything between it and the Corvette.

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So go on the internet game sites and bash all the PC users!