A pirates life for me...

[Taera]

how do you ressuply ships in P&N??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

[jimbob]

It depends on what Version you play... in the more recent Versions you need to build a base of some sort and place a solar panel on it (300 kT if memory serves). This of course is a huge component, and will not fit on ships until you've got some really large ships.

Then you need to fleet your ships with this base so that they will share the supplies with one another.

Alternatively, you can persue the stellar manipulation research field and get lots of smaller components. But that'll take some time, and refueling in the early game is dependent upon the presence of those bases.

[Fyron]

Only the "PBW" Versions have limited supplies. The non-PBW recent Versions have a normal supply scheme.

[Taera]

...playing pbw...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[Suicide Junkie]

IIRC, the only two ways to generate supplies are:
a) Solar panels on ships and/or bases
b) Constructing a brand new ship with supply tanks. (Ships start out with full supplies)
c) ...Capture an alien ship full of supplies...

Solar power plants... Build a base with a reactor or two, and lots of supply tanks.
You'll need enough supply tanks to the maximum capacity of your base is at least twice the maximum capacity of the ships it will be refueling.

Constructing new ships... Expensive, but if you build a ship with bridge, crew quaters, lifesupport, and make the rest one giant fuel tank, you can heave quite a lot of emergency supplies into orbit. (Ships start fully supplied)

Aside from generation, you also have conservation available.
- The supply use reducing racial trait. (Advanced Power Conservation?)
- Research level 3 engines... Each level up in engine technology reduces supply use by 2 points. Gravitic engine tech gets really efficient, too.
- Remove excess engines. The slower your ship, the less supplies you burn to move each sector. Engines which do not increase the ship's speed (due to QNP rounding) can also be removed to save fuel.
- Use energy-based weapons. If you have enough radioactives to pay for them, energy-based weapons are very inexpensive supply-wise. Lasers, HEM, Psychic, and light particle beams.

[ May 23, 2003, 16:20: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

[jimbob]

Would it work to retrofit the ship? That is to say, does retrofitting count as "new construction"? If so, you could retrofit new supply bays onto a ship, and they should be full. you'd need to have maybe two levels of supply bay, or maybe switch back and forth between small supply and large supply components (so you'd need to do some research) but it could be do-able!

[oleg]

Originally posted by jimbob:
Would it work to retrofit the ship? That is to say, does retrofitting count as "new construction"? If so, you could retrofit new supply bays onto a ship, and they should be full. you'd need to have maybe two levels of supply bay, or maybe switch back and forth between small supply and large supply components (so you'd need to do some research) but it could be do-able!<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Retrofitted components start with 0 supplies
I learned it hard way when I retrofitted ship engines
away from a supply depot http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Pax]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Solar power plants... Build a base with a reactor or two, and lots of supply tanks.
You'll need enough supply tanks to the maximum capacity of your base is at least twice the maximum capacity of the ships it will be refueling.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Actually, supply capacity + generation for one turn, should be double the ship's capacity. Remember, it'll have to syat fleet-ed for a turn, to shift supplies.

Constructing new ships... Expensive, but if you build a ship with bridge, crew quaters, lifesupport, and make the rest one giant fuel tank, you can heave quite a lot of emergency supplies into orbit. (Ships start fully supplied)<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And in general, supply tankers can help give you a lot more endurance anyway; send a few with any fleets that use supplies in excess of their self-generation.

Heck, a ship with a Solar Generator is very useful for extending range ...

Aside from generation, you also have conservation available.
- The supply use reducing racial trait. (Advanced Power Conservation?)
- Research level 3 engines... Each level up in engine technology reduces supply use by 2 points. Gravitic engine tech gets really efficient, too.
- Remove excess engines. The slower your ship, the less supplies you burn to move each sector. Engines which do not increase the ship's speed (due to QNP rounding) can also be removed to save fuel.
- Use energy-based weapons. If you have enough radioactives to pay for them, energy-based weapons are very inexpensive supply-wise. Lasers, HEM, Psychic, and light particle beams.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">- Use Solar Sail engines. No supply usage at all, though, not very fast and a bit on the large side (suitable for nonmilitary uses at least).

[Suicide Junkie]

I'm pretty sure the generated supplies from solar panels have to go through the ship they're mounted on before they get passed around in the fleet.

If you had a ship with 1000 supply capacity (currently empty) and a base with 1000 capacity + 1000 regen, then on turn 1, you would get:

action-> ship / fuelbase
fleet-> 0/1000
share-> 500/500
recharge-> 500/1000
turn 2
share-> 750/750
recharge->750/1000

etc.

[Antra]

New player to P&N, and I'm wondering if the AI's have been modified to fit the new options. I'd like to combine FQM, TDM and P&N but I just don't think TDM and P&N like each other. Am I going to have to go for FQM+TDM and FQM+P&N? I'm thinking the AI's need to be specially modified to work with P&N.

[ May 25, 2003, 17:10: Message edited by: Antra ]

[Antra]

I think I may have found the problem. I downloaded what I thought was the latest P&N with AI files, but apparently the errors I'm getting are indicative of there being *no* AI files. Which is uh, odd, to say the least. So I look and sure enough. Weird, eh? I think I may have received the latest PBW build. Any clues as to where I can get the latest P&N with AI support? I've tried in the New Scenarios area and on the various threads here, but they all give me the same error.

[Suicide Junkie]

http://www.geocities.com/hohoho611ca/pirates.html
Download v3.1b from here if you don't have it already, and add this littleDataupdate.zip (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1052879595.zip)

There are no EMP files, if that is what you are referring to. The AIs are there, however.
Just start a game with randomly picked AIs.

In order to add TDM, just copy the pictures\_racename_ folder into P&N, and then apply the AI patcher, also found at http://www.geocities.com/hohoho611ca/pirates.html

The easiest thing to do for adding FQM is to just generate a map in FQM, save it, and then load it when starting a new P&N game.

[Fyron]

If all you want is FQM Standard then making a map with it and loading in P&N is sufficient. But if you want FQM Deluxe, you can follow the directions in it's help folder for combining it with other mods. TDM is used as an example.

[Antra]

Ahh. Thank you both! I guess it's hard for me to tell just what files are actually part of the mod, and what files are required for the game not to freak out by their absence. Some mods list them, some don't; I for one wish the specific files used were listed more often http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif .

But thank you, I shall now endeavor to combine them all :-D. I'd like to toss FQM in there, but I think I'll settle for making a map with FQM separately. It *is* possible to carry over everything special, such as the gazillions of storms AND THEIR EFFECTS, right?

[Antra]

The AI Patcher should be set to P&N 3.0? I don't have any idea what the other options are for.

[Antra]

It also appears that the Settings.txt file from FQM may contain vital info to make FQM work properly (does it?), but I'm loathe to replace a 1.0mb file http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif . Thoughts?

[Fyron]

FQM indirectly lists the modified files. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

FQM Deluxe has a modded pop bonus curve to better reflect the drastically increased levels of population on planets (raised levels for most bonuses). For use with P&N, I suggest you just use the P&N settings file, and change the max systems to 255 (the FQM setting), or whatever you want (no more than 255 of course).

You might want to consider bringing the population levels of the planets back down to normal SE4 levels though, unless you don't mind HWs getting 200% the bonus they normally would. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

If you make a map with FQM Standard and use it in another mod, all stellar objects will retain the abilities that they were given when the map was generated. StellarAbilities.txt (and a bunch of others, all the modded ones in FQM Standard) is only accessed when the map is created, and then never again.

It *is* possible to carry over everything special, such as the gazillions of storms AND THEIR EFFECTS, right? <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You can not use a map generated with FQM Deluxe in any other mod (unless ofc it has had FQM Deluxe mixed with it). Only FQM Standard maps can be used in other mods (or normal game). They are much less interesting though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ May 26, 2003, 10:41: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Antra]

Fyron: So if I use FQM Standard rather than Deluxe, the effects will be there but not the graphics. If I want the graphics, I need to mix 'em up. Sound right? Regarding population, I can restore the original values for the standard planets, but what about the added ones? Small and medium ringworlds, ringed planets, machine worlds, what should they be changed to? It doesn't look like there's a hard and fast rule here, and I don't want you to go through a bunch of trouble just because I want to combine three good mods and then never worry about single player games again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif . I'll tweak with things and post my results later today.

SJ: Danke. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I've found that sometimes the program will detect if an AI's patched, and sometimes it won't. Meep.

[ May 26, 2003, 18:11: Message edited by: Antra ]

[Antra]

So after I go through all that hard work (ok it wasn't hard, my brain's just in neutral this weekend! heheh), I find out that P&N doesn't use the SE4 standard PlanetSize.txt! Grar http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif . Turns out that SJ just doubled the standard cargo size and halved this new capacity for domes. Works for me! So I included both, below.

Alright, here's what I've come up with. On the deduction that the following facts hold true:

</font> <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Small Ringworlds are the equivalent of 2.5 Large planets, but since that doesn't quite jive with the full Ringworld, let's call it 50% of a Ringworld.</font> <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Medium Ringworlds are the equivalent of 3.75 Large planets. Say, 75% of a full Ringworld.</font> <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Irradiated planets are just messed up, so I'm going with the exact values Fyron has in FQM-D already http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif </font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And yes, I did have to guess somewhat because the cargo space didn't always proportionally mesh as neatly as the other figures (notably for the Ringworlds). But based on the above assumptions, here's the PlanetSize.txt I end up with. (Psst Fyron, how hard would it be to add other-sized ringed and machine worlds? Would it throw balance off?)
I'm not sure what the etiquette is for posting files, so I'm just going to link to my own site.

FQM planet types re-proportioned for SE4 Gold 1.84 (http://arsglacialis.com/SE4G-PlanetSize.txt)
FQM planet types re-proportioned for P&N latest non-PWB/SE4 Gold 1.84 (http://arsglacialis.com/P&N-SE4G-PlanetSize.txt)

I'd like to "generalize" the FQM files to make them easier to integrate into say, P&N, but I don't want to clutter up this thread anymore. Where should I continue posting or should I not worry about it as we're up to 52 pages? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[ May 26, 2003, 22:20: Message edited by: Antra ]

[Suicide Junkie]

Originally posted by Antra:
The AI Patcher should be set to P&N 3.0? I don't have any idea what the other options are for.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes. The AI patcher will then create an "AI_general.txt.patched" file and an "AI_designcreation.txt.patched" file.

If you check the "automatically replace" option, it will then copy those files overtop of the plain .txt files for you.
Just be sure to only run the AI patcher once on each AI... and naturally, the AIs that come with P&N are already patched.

[deccan]

Is there a problem with P & N? Started a game, turned on view all techs, went to the tech tree, and I got a lot of access violation errors?

[Fyron]

Are you using the correct Version of SE4 with the correct Version of P&N?

Wow, never even saw the Last few Posts by Antra... oopsie!

Antra, I never said you should change the cargo values back to normal, just the pop levels. Increased cargo and increased pop are two entirely separate issues. Increased cargo only makes the game better as planets can be better defended with more cargo space.

[ June 30, 2003, 01:56: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Suicide Junkie]

P&N Version 2's are for SE4 classic.
P&N Version 3's are for SE4 gold.

[atari_eric]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
http://www.geocities.com/hohoho611ca/pirates.html
Download v3.1b from here if you don't have it already, and add this littleDataupdate.zip (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1052879595.zip)

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I seem to have Version 3.1c, is this legit?

[Suicide Junkie]

There is a Version 3.1c PBW...

If it has the PBW tag on it, its humans-only because the AIs simply can't handle the features of the mod.

You'll probably want the 3.1b not-PBW.

[deccan]

Nope, I double-checked and made sure that I wasn't making a mistake.

I'm running 1.84. I re-downloaded 3.1b. Started the game with "View All Techs" on, went to the Tech Tree, scrolled down the list and got all sorts of access violations.

Also, if I start the game with High tech, I find that some of the higher-tech components are missing graphics.

I even tried downloaded the data patch thingy and over-writing all the files in the data folder. That produced even worse errors.

[Suicide Junkie]

Oh!

Sounds like you haven't got the imagemod files.
They're used in lots of mods, so they're a separate download.
Hmm... it seems there isn't a note about that on the download page... I'll add one.

http://geocities.com/hohoho611ca/imagepack.html

You'll also need this:
comp_286.bmp (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1053742248.bmp)
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1053742248.bmp
The mini came on the CD, but for some reason there was no protrait to go with it, and nobody noticed until lately.

[atari_eric]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
There is a Version 3.1c PBW...

If it has the PBW tag on it, its humans-only because the AIs simply can't handle the features of the mod.

You'll probably want the 3.1b not-PBW.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Mmm, doesn't look like PBW on the inside; I'll snag a 'b' copy just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the heads up.

[deccan]

Okay, it works now with the Image Mod. Thanks.

One thing: after installing the Data Patch, I found that SystemTypes.txt is missing a couple of lines, though those are easily added back in.

[Fyron]

Some lines (esp. the ones towards the end) are optional in Settings.txt. If they are missing, SE4 will use the default value for them.

[Erax]

Ok, I just got finished reading this entire thread. All 52 pages of it (although I admit I skimmed most of SJ's 'update' Posts).

Now for the obligatory questions : http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

- Does it make a difference what directory I use to launch the AI patcher ? If so, where should I place it ?

- Why not include prepackaged .emp files for the stock races ?

- Why not include Trooper's Space Pirate shipset in P&N ? He also has some nice Space Pirate full-screen images, I'm sure he'd let you use one of them as the 'official' P&N intro screen !

Keep up the great work SJ !

[Suicide Junkie]

The AI patcher can be run from anywhere.

.EMPs were getting invalidated too often, and I just never bothered. Randomly generated AIs can be saved to create .EMP files if you really want them.

There hasn't really been a recent Version, but the next one should definitely have the shipset.

[Erax]

I'd already created my own EMPs.
Regarding Space Pirates, think about the intro screen suggestion too, I personally think those images are great !
Thanks for the quick response !

[Suicide Junkie]

Feel free to post those EMPs here, they'd be useful for quite a few people.

And I will consider the intro.

[Erax]

OK, I'll do it when I get home (~21:00 Forum time). I have 3k EMPs, I could generate 2k and 5k too if there's enough interest.

[Fyron]

Surely people would be more interested in all 3 types of empire files and not just 3k. Not everyone plays 3k.

[Erax]

Atrocities, I refuse to argue with you. I will answer with a (mis)quote from Brazilian history :

"Se é para o bem de todos e felicidade geral da nação, diga ao povo que faço."

IOW, I'll do it.

[Erax]

OK, here goes :

EMP files for P&N v3.1 (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1057272518.zip)

I did 2k, 3k and 5k EMP files for all 20 stock races, plus Trooper's Space Pirates.

Enjoy ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[David E. Gervais]

BTW Erax, I never did the pips for your avatar, but IMHO your avatar looks great without them.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Loser]

Originally posted by Erax:
"Se é para o bem de todos e felicidade geral da nação, diga ao povo que faço."<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Originally generated by that fish (http://world.altavista.com/)
If it is for the good of all and general happiness of the nation, says the people that I make <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">?
It's that Last part I'm not sure about.

[Erax]

"If it's for the good of all and general happiness of the nation, tell the people I'll do it."

I'd say the Fish did a good job with that one.

[jimbob]

Hey hey!

What happened to turn 18? I must have missed it, but it's really screwed up my game. I'm pretty steamed about it, because the AI (which I'm absolutely certain I turned off) wiped out my production [i]again[i] (I mean I was 1 frickin' turn away from completing very critical projects, using emergency build, and the damn computer told the ships to pack up and head for home!!!! Now, 8 turns later it all happens again!?!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif !??!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif !!?!?!? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif !? I'm pretty prepared to quit, cause basically I've played three "successful" turns out of 19 at this point).

I'm really ticked off, and I'm asking if other players would be willing to take back turn 19 and let me complete turn 18. See my message in PBW for more ranting, raving, general foaming at the mouth, choice words and threats of suicide.

jimbob

[Suicide Junkie]

Are you perhaps looking for the Horrible Doom thread, Jimbob?

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=007651;p=1

[jimbob]

Grr... yes I am...

...Grr....

[exits angry but embarassed as hell]

[WhiteHojo]

wow - read all 53 pages of this thing - damn boys, you have done one hell of a good thing with the little bitty starting idea way back in '01.

SJ you are a genius.

now, i've gotten back into the game, bought SE4 Gold and installed the latest P&N mod but I haven't played it yet.

so my question is what do I need to do to play P&N?

there are numerous references to other files/tweeks that I'm not sure are in the newest (3.1b per spaceempires.net) mod such as dataupdate.zip, a shipset designed by Trooper (very nice looking btw) and a SJ Industry Patch among other things. Do I need to install any of these to play the P&N mod or is it ready to go out of the box so to speak in 3.1b?

also, do I need to do anything to get the TDM races to work in this mod or can I just copy/paste them into the P&N Mod Directory?

again, thanks to SJ(1st and foremost) and all the others who made that little idea way back when into what seems a great mod.

I'm gonna try it out tonite (assuming I can get it to work)

[Fyron]

You should be fine just with 3.1b. Extra shipsets are nice addons, but not necessary. The industry patch is optional, and I would recommend you play without it until you become more familiar with the mod.

Well, you probably need to download and install all of the latest Versions of the 4 packs of the Image Mod other than Events Pack (though I recommend you install all of them anyways, as other mods use them). Make sure to install these to the stock Pictures folders.

http://imagemod.spaceempires.net/

also, do I need to do anything to get the TDM races to work in this mod or can I just copy/paste them into the P&N Mod Directory? <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Yes. You need to use SJ's AI Patcher utility to make them compatible with P&N. *AI Patcher download link* (http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/other/MM/SE4/Mods/oldpirates&nomads/AIPatcher2b.exe)

[ June 21, 2004, 20:37: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Gandalf Parker]

ahhh that appears to be information I needed also. Thank you.

[Atrocities]

Fyron is most helpful. He should have the special title of Uber Helper or something. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Fyron]

Alien Agent would suffice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[mac5732]

WH, good to see you back after all this time, welcome back to the forum...

[Baron Munchausen]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Fyron is most helpful. He should have the special title of Uber Helper or something. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">He does have a special title. No one else can get anywhere near his post total, except maybe you and you are 'Special Ops' and won't have your title changed by your post count. So his title is unique and appropriate.

[atari_eric]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
[QB] You should be fine just with 3.1b. Extra shipsets are nice addons, but not necessary. The industry patch is optional, and I would recommend you play without it until you become more familiar with the mod.

The which? What is the "industry patch", and where is the link for it?

[Fyron]

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that it was an optional addon that caused researching Industry to make all of your components cheaper. Not sure where it can be acquired...

[Suicide Junkie]

Ah, yes... the 800kb file that zips down to 43kb http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Apparently, I only did that one for v2.6
I'll pull out the gridder and make you one for 3.1 if you're interested.

[dogscoff]

2 optional downloads that will make your P&N games a little prettier are the neo-expansion pack and proportional response pack- both available from my website (click the banner below)

They just fill out the stock races with some extra images that are used by P&N, as well as a bunch of other mods.

[Gandalf Parker]

Is there one mass package? or maybe a 3rd party program with a menu that will download and install everything into the right place? (Im spoiled by dselect on Debian Linux)

[WhiteHojo]

Mac good to see you again as well.. and it's good to be back as well.

I've been gone so long I have absolute no recall of even the most basic SE4 things so I've got some more Qs...

1) if you build a base in one of those sectors that has nothing but some 'storm' or somesuch in it and has the trait that mentions something about being opaq to level 3 scanners, does this mean no AI can see it if they pass thru unless they have level 4 or higher scanners on the ship?

2) same situation as 1, does this sector also limit the players ability to see AI ships w/o the lvl 4 scanners? (this would make sense but I wish to be sure)

3) in a regular sector, w/planets & a sun, if there is a little 1 space nebula with say the trait that it renders shields useless, does this affect ALL shields anywhere in that sector or only shields on ships that pass thru that one space in the sector? (agin, I'd say option 2 but wish to be sure)

4) all those 'weapon mounts' options for components - what effect in game does say using all bargain basement componets have? is there events tied to the quality of the component that could fire making one break (higher chance?)... I'm not sure of the effects/reasons of using the different quality of components.

5) Moving TDM races to P&N - do I just copy each TDM race that is not already in P/N to the Race's directory, then run the AI patcher?

6) the AI Patcher - it says it can convert up to 3.0... is this adequate for P/N 3.1?

7) Any suggestions for starting ship designs in P/N?

8) Any suggestions for starting tech's to research?

Thanks in advance guys

[Suicide Junkie]

Components:
- imagemod packs
copy the XYZpack.zip files into the &lt%se4%&gt/pictures/XYZ folder
P&N needs combat, components, facilities packs.

- P&N (and/or any mod)
Extract the files into your &lt%se4%&gt folder, and they will end up in a modfolder.
Or if you are not sure, unzip to a temp folder, and move the files yourself.

- TDM
Treat it like just another mod.
Copy the AIs into P&N if you like, then run the patcher and update them.

-----

Yes, that's the way storm systems work.

You can see out no problem. You just can't see in.

You can see all the effects of the budget mounts in the mounted component.
High grade components have more hitpoints and lots more cost
Low grade components have less cost and much less hitpoints.

Note that components are hit via a lottery-style decision based on hitpoints. So, a cheap mounted component is slightly less likely to be hit.
If you make all your components cheap, then you'll end up with the same probabilities as before but a much flimsier ships.

PS: It is almost always worthwhile to use Premium armor. Buckytubegel armor should be left unmounted for optimal hp/$

AI patcher:
Yes, it does 3.&ltany&gt

I like to get stellar manip 1 for monoliths on the first turn, but Fyron would certainly disagree with that http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

For pirates, you will want to get ship capture as soon as possible.
For nomads, larger ships are important to reduce the impact of the 50kt recycler node.

[WhiteHojo]

thanks for the quick reply SJ

some points of clarification:

1) pirates should get ship capture... don't they already have it at the start? or while not the 'ship capture' tech, they have 'swashbucklers' or something at the start and can capture ships... is the cost to get to 'ship capture' worth the reduction in penalty for the Swashbucklers? (something like 155,000 for lvl 1 ship capture to remove the 30% penalty the swash'klrs have?)

2) storm systems - so in the one space storms I can see everything in system but they can't see me... and in the system wide storms nobody can see anybody? (except your own ships)

[Suicide Junkie]

Yep.

The small storms tend to have only weak cloaking though.

For capture techs, what I really meant was:
- Armor
- Shield depleters
- Engine disruptors
- Speedy engines
- Long range, small weapons for picking off SDDs without bLasting big chunks of valuable components.

In addition to having the boarding parties you start with, you need to be able to catch up, survive the return fire, and disable SDDs.
Only then can you successfully capture a ship http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Ion Mines are excellent if you can locate a heavy shipping lane. With shield regenerators, you can even bleed out the supply tanks on an engineless warship to make an easy capture with little risk.