FTL: a game about managing a spaceship in an infinite galaxy
- Thread starter MNC
- Start date
Shields guy gets XP per shield recharged, Pilot and Engines guy get XP per dodged shot.
blainethemono
Member
This is the most addictive game i've played since Game Dev Story. When I get started its just impossible to stop. Definitely well worth the 9 dollars. I really love how they give you different options for dealing with random events depending on what crew members you have or what systems you have installed. For example I came across one event where a ship's crew needed help, and there was an extra third option to just teleport them onto my ship. I had just found a teleporter system immediately before that. On another event I had the choice to show some guys a safe path out of an asteroid field because I had a rockman crew member.
This game is amazing
This game is amazing
whalleywhat
Member
Just have a cloak ready when he sends out the big batch of drones. Actually, having a cloak ready when he sends out his most damaging attack is effective in all three phases.
Unfortunately cloak upgrades only lengthen cloak time, not cloak recharge time, which would be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more useful. Also I can't DAMAGE the fucker. Need more gun.
God I want an ignition module. They're 120 scrap though and who has that kind of gear lying around on them? :T
God I want an ignition module. They're 120 scrap though and who has that kind of gear lying around on them? :T
grimshawish
Banned
I just picked up a slug as a crew member - awesome 
MrCompletely
Member
game is just so damn good.... endless stories!!
I'm finding that maxing out the blast door subsystem early on, by like sector 2, is a fantastic counter to boarding parties. Just open that airlock and most of the boarding parties suffocate down to 1/2 health before they're able to any real damage on crew members/systems.
I also find myself upgrading the sensor as my first move, i like seeing what the enemy crew is doing.
Unlocked the Engi stealth ship (or is it a mantis ship?) on my last playthrough... amazing how different playstyles can be based on ship.
In one playthrough I managed to get the glaive laser and weapon reigniter in sector 1!! Was one-shotting some of those early ships. I've seen it a few times in shops, but the 120 is tough to afford, not mention the rarity of the thing. I haven't seen the glaive laser since.
I'm finding that maxing out the blast door subsystem early on, by like sector 2, is a fantastic counter to boarding parties. Just open that airlock and most of the boarding parties suffocate down to 1/2 health before they're able to any real damage on crew members/systems.
I also find myself upgrading the sensor as my first move, i like seeing what the enemy crew is doing.
Unlocked the Engi stealth ship (or is it a mantis ship?) on my last playthrough... amazing how different playstyles can be based on ship.
In one playthrough I managed to get the glaive laser and weapon reigniter in sector 1!! Was one-shotting some of those early ships. I've seen it a few times in shops, but the 120 is tough to afford, not mention the rarity of the thing. I haven't seen the glaive laser since.
SteveWinwood
Member
So if I'm reading the tool tip right, I shouldn't ever really upgrade my piloting unless I'm thinking about not having a pilot right? It doesn't actually increase my evasion unless it's on auto?
SteveWinwood
Member
Yeah okay that's what I meant. Yeah waste of scrap ain't getting that.
MrCompletely
Member
If you weaken enemy crew members and overtake their ship by boarding and killing them rather than destroying it, the loot is better. Sensors allow you to target manned areas the ship significantly weaken crew members before beaming aboard. Very tough to coordinate but also extremely rewarding.
You just need to buy (and power?) all the systems. Drone control, crew teleporter and stealth. They're all extremely common in stores.
Kestrel B is amaazing so far.
whalleywhat
Member
I think I nearly unlocked this.
I talked to some Engi and two quests popped up with possible locations, but both had ships stationed at them who wouldn't tell me anything and I died on the second one.
blainethemono
Member
I thought I unlocked the engi ship by just getting to sector 5 for the first time. Not sure though, and i've gotten back to sector 5 with the engi ship without unlocking anything new
Glass Rebel
Member
I tried doing the 1HP achievement twice, reached 2HP and ate some laser that took 2HP away twice. 
I tried doing the 1HP achievement twice, reached 2HP and ate some laser that took 2HP away twice.
Well obviously dont try to do that against ships that have lasers
From my beginner tips that got buried.
Not absolutely certain but I think repair skill helps with firefighting.
Beatable with Burst Laser Mk II, Burst Laser Mk 1, and Dual laser. Started with < 10 hull too. Deal with it. =P
Some more tips for boarding parties:
Choosing your
1. Rockmen - Extra hit points and fire proof make them the ideal boarders.
2. Mantis - Fast move speed and bonus damage. Actually think they make better defenders.
3. Human/Slugs - No advantages or weaknesses, prefer to keep slugs back though as psychic ability has some utility.
4. Engi - Only in an extreme situation.
5. Zoltan - You might as well just power down your ship and open the doors if you're considering sending these guys on a boarding mission.
Tactics:
1. Be cautious sending your crew to ships with a functioning medbay. Enemies you weaken will run there to heal.
2. Don't pick uneven fights. If you only have 2 boarders, stick to rooms with 2 or fewer enemies.
3. Try to create a soft target. Shoot a room with crew in it and then beam in your boarders to finish them off.
4. Don't board AI ships, they have no life support. If you max your teleporter you can do quick attacks on AI ships, but it's still risky. Remember that damaging a system follows the rules of repairing it, unless you do a full bar the system just recovers when you leave.
5. If an enemy is preparing to FTL jump, get your guys off asap.
I like to start with the helm. For one this is probably manned unless you've damaged another system. Secondly, this disables the ships evasion. Once this is done, beam directly onto the helm. This allows you to finish off the weakened pilot as well as prevent repair of the helm. Without evasion, you can quickly disable weapons/shields, and mop up the remaining crew at your leisure.
Some might question rockmen over mantis, but I think the extra hit points and fire resistance really help so much more with boarding. If you can set a room on fire, either by lucky laser, or intentionally by bomb/beam, then you can drop in your rockmen and really have some fun. The movement speed isn't that big a deal when boarding since you don't actually want to run all over the enemy ship in most cases.
Glass Rebel
Member
Well obviously dont try to do that against ships that have lasers
But those before ran out of rockets and only had shitty ion beams
Visit as many beacons as possible. And the upgrade/weapons buy decision depends on the start ship.
On the kestrel I fly with the back of the ship open and also the whole middle section of the ship wide open.
Boarders take quite a bit of damage in the airless sections while trying to get through other doors and I get to move my crew quickly around and open/shut doors.
Now that is smart.
I tend to focus on getting lvl 2 shields ASAP in most cases. I usually don't purchase weapons, unless I'm at risk of falling behind the defensive gains of enemies. In general you don't have to worry about 2 shield enemies until sector 3, 3 shield around 5, and 4 shield around 7. There are exceptions of course but you can always run away if need be. Unless you've run out of fuel, or your engines were disabled, or you were demolished because your engines were weak and you couldn't charge them in time.
I try to keep some scrap in reserve, but if I leave a shop without buying anything I'll dip into that reserve to grab some upgrades before continuing. I also rarely repair above 20 hull, theres just too many events that can give you free hull repairs.
Amibguous Cad
Member
How do I unlock new ships? I've gotten to around sector 4 a couple of times and still haven't had an opportunity to do so. Then again, I've been sticking to civilian space, for the most part. Is that the problem?
haha, nice!
blainethemono
Member
Was thinking this game would be pretty awesome playing it on a tablet through splashtop. The only problem I see is that you need a keyboard to pull up the menu to save&quit/restart/etc. I couldn't find an onscreen button to pull that menu up. Seems like everything else can be done using the mouse only.
This was towards the beginning of sector 7. As you can see, boarding gives you lots of scrap.
Because it's hard to see, I have a heavy laser mk2, burst laser mk 2, and 2 basic lasers. I had some seasoned mantii but unfortunately was a little overzealous with one ship and exploded them. Luckily some new recruits showed up in short order.
Also, I would like to point out that on this run I have not purchased any fuel, missiles or drones.
I'm jealous
Just made it to sector 7 but hat only one crew member left pretty early on and avoyded any battle possible so not really an achievement since I never had a chance if a real challenge appeared sooner or later...
MrCompletely
Member
This game could use an endless mode
Or just bigger galaxies.
I love that layout, only unlocked 4 ships plus that layout so far but it's just incredible, the positioning of the airlocks is fantastic.
jakershaker
Member
Gah, mostly playing to unlock the Rock ship but never get the event. Is it rare?
Yeah, most other ships are way more difficult to handle with fire. I also think its the strongest ship I encountered so far. Unlocked 4 base ships and 2 B layouts so far. Tried to unlock Layout B for the stealth ship the whole day. No way. Not even a single achievement. Consider calling it bugged.
Make sure to be in the Rock HOMEWORLD, not any of the galaxies they simply control, then:
jakershaker
Member
It says Rock homeworld on the map I presume? Not just controlled?
Yeah. Had the same problem when searching for the Zoltan ship, I wasnt in their homeworld. Well, doh.
Phase Shift and Tactical Approach work. Bird of Prey seems the most difficult to me, best bet would probably be to try to get an unshielded scout early on, but you'd still probably need to pick up the stealth weapons augment for it to count.