[zircher]

Well, what is working for me now is a Field Medic Captain (I always send my captain down) to keep the party alive in case they get mauled or diseased, Virology comes later. One engineer for craft construction, another engineer for build it better, and some third class for crafting consultant. This routinely allows me to build better than the best gear offered and armed for bear my survival rate has been significantly better. So far, better gear has been a winning strategy for me.