[Pardus] roll call/status report/discussion thread

[Weltenreiter]

Seems there several OGOers active in Pardus (www.Pardus.at) now, so if Urban Dead can have half a dozen threads, I figure we have one. :p

I know AWOL Joe hangs out near me, lets see where others are and what they are up to so we can see how we can help each other out.

[Weltenreiter]

Pilot: Weltenreiter
Rank: Federation Colonel, Commander of Starbase Nexus (Olexti Sector)
Alliance: Free Trade Syndicate, Application Manager
Ship: Hawk

Been playing this for about 11 months now and am rather active (Pardus chat and forum are my next favorite lurking spot after RPG.net ;))

Based in Olexti and Andexa Sectors in southern human cluster.
Used to be heavily involved in managing sector economy in those two, a bit less so (and only in advisory position) since I'm in a fighter again and can't actively contribute to upkeep.

Currently mostly sparring and killing Medusas/FPs when I can find any to build combat skills, killing random stuff for Exp or doing mission runs when I can't.

Probably returning to trade ship (Behemoth) pretty soon, most of my local traders have hardcore delusions of fighterdom and are armed and killing alot instead of maxing cargo space and trading, the Planet and Starbase economy suffer correspondingly; I should probably help it out. Would like some more skills, Rep, and news entry kills before I switch though. Also have some building plans of dubious (ingame) legality I want to work on.

[AWOL Joe]

Pilot: AWOL Joe
Rank: Federation Corporal
Alliance: None
Ship: Thunderbird "Centennial Eagle"

I just started maybe a month ago, and am enjoying myself. I just got my new ship, which for those of you who don't play (yet) is a type of freighter that is also not bad for combat. I'll be tricking it out as I build up for my next ship (which will be some sort of fighter, probably a Viper Defense Craft). I'm almost exclusively doing missions for cash, as I'm not too fond of trade runs. I have some pretty impressive but extremely long-term plans in the works, as well.

-AWOL Joe

[Weltenreiter]

Congrats on the Tbird, did you get it from Tribune HQ?

Keep me updated how the mission-only playstyle works out for you. I'm curious as I've mainly made my money on buildings and careful maintenance of them. I know later on missions are a viable income (especially explosives and/or VIPs), early on I've mainly treated them as ranking method, not an end in themselves.

Speaking of buildings. You may not like them but I still recommend putting some up where someone else manages them to provide some extra side income for you. I can probably come up with some vacancies for expenses-paid buildings (second Rad Collector comes to mind) down here in Andexa if you're interested.

I'll wait a bit before rebuilding my small shipyard and equipment factories until the worker poulation is stable enough again to support them, but once they're up again i'm available for cheap ship/gear upgrades in human cluster again. Rather unfortunate that Nexus fell below the 15k mark and lost its production facilities just now when you needed a new ship. <_<

[AWOL Joe]

Congrats on the Tbird, did you get it from Tribune HQ?

Keep me updated how the mission-only playstyle works out for you. I'm curious as I've mainly made my money on buildings and careful maintenance of them. I know later on missions are a viable income (especially explosives and/or VIPs), early on I've mainly treated them as ranking method, not an end in themselves.

Speaking of buildings. You may not like them but I still recommend putting some up where someone else manages them to provide some extra side income for you. I can probably come up with some vacancies for expenses-paid buildings (second Rad Collector comes to mind) down here in Andexa if you're interested.


Yes, I got the Tbird from Tribune HQ.

Mission-only is quite fun. I get to fly all over the Sol cluster, and of course ranking is no problem. In fact, I have to intentionally fail missions occasionally in order to keep them from getting too high in rank and losing the ability to take missions I can actually complete! However, cash is pretty tight (although a few good mission stacks recently were very nice).

Also, now that I have a ship that can carry enough materials for a building without a magscoop, I'm willing to set up something that other people can take care of. Just give me a place, and I'll be there.

-AWOL Joe

[Vrylakos]

Master Alpha Speer of the Empire
Ship: Spectre-class "Korvus II"
Location: Currently orbiting Iceo on a mission run, soon to return to exotic matter harvesting.

Vrylakos

[Old Scratch]

Character: Natasha Krueger
Rank: Federation Major
Alliances: None
Ship: Babel
Location: Micanex

I'm kind of hanging out there in the north managing my Space Farm around Micanex. Once I got the Babel I sort of lost my goals. This game could use a little more direction, as flying around and trading or killing things can get a little tedious.

Still, I'm enjoying the game...

[Canis Major]

Character: Nainitsuj
Rank: Sgt-Major (Federation)
Alliances: None
Ship: Thunderbird "Mothball"
Location: Rakshan area

Just doing missions and trading. Fun enough.

[lordcomte]

Character: Natasha Krueger
Rank: Federation Major
Alliances: None
Ship: Babel
Location: Micanex

I'm kind of hanging out there in the north managing my Space Farm around Micanex. Once I got the Babel I sort of lost my goals. This game could use a little more direction, as flying around and trading or killing things can get a little tedious.

Still, I'm enjoying the game...

I kinda agree. I found flying around and killing things to be VERY tediouse. So I started to do the whole trading thing. That was fun and it is kinda cool to help control and coordinate the population of planets in the variouse sectors, I also liked helping out local starbases, but ultimatly I lost intesest in it. I mean I had so much money, and everything was so stable that I didn't really have to do anything. I was even raided once by a pirate and the locals swooped down upon him with a righteouse vengence. It was cool, best player community I've ever seen, but sometimes I felt just a little bit to taken care of.

[Vrylakos]

Man, am I the only Imperial? I liked the titles better and wanted to get my Dune on.

Anyhow, going to take care of Lamice while one of the prime traders in that sector goes on vacation. Anyone wanting to help out, go nuts.

I've only played a few weeks, but am having fun - more fun that urbandead has been of late.

Seems like there's a lot you just have to learn, as there's no source of info. Anyone have any tricks, info, etc. they'd like to share? Like bioweapons... I had no idea those even existed...

What other stuff might be out there in the dark between the stars?

V

[AWOL Joe]

Man, am I the only Imperial? I liked the titles better and wanted to get my Dune on.


Actually, I'm considering defecting for those nifty little Gatling Lasers the Empire has... But that would be after I feel confident crossing the Neutral Zone.

Seems like there's a lot you just have to learn, as there's no source of info. Anyone have any tricks, info, etc. they'd like to share? Like bioweapons... I had no idea those even existed...

What other stuff might be out there in the dark between the stars?

V

Actually, if you click on the "Manual" link near the upper left, you can get quite a bit of reference stuff. As for tips and tricks, one idea might be to ask around in chat.

-AWOL Joe

[Weltenreiter]

Actually, the manual is rather good. Especially the data section as a great reference. Pretty much 90% of the game stuff that doesn't require actual experience is explained well there.
Some things are notably missing, like details on hacking and ambushing, but both are rather advanced and specific activities, not everyone will need them.

Exotic Weapons:

Bought in labs all across the galaxy. They give combat a kind of rock paper scissors effect, with the 2 types being strong/weak against each other (can mix different typed armor with weapons, but not different weapon types on same ship). NPCs have the weakness here that they are never cross typed, so by taking different typed weapons and armor you can specialize against a certain type

O weapons and EM armor is generally considered to be the best combo for when one gets one's first expensive fighter. Biospores have rate 3, so are excellent for getting skill up and offer good performance against the EM-based beasts that dominate experience grinding. EM armor helps with it too. Other Bioguns are just o-typed clones of various lasers.

EM Weapons have a 10% bonus against Conventional armors, this makes them (comboed with any armor, all exotic armor are equally strong vs conventional weapons) popular with pirates who attack buildings, and for pvp in general.
This also pretty much makes EM armor the dominant generic armor type to protect oneself from pvp unless one has particular other plans/enemies. The raw stats of EM weapons are somewhat weird though, only lightish rate 2 railguns and the really fat (but only rate 1) pulse cannons.

O/O, especially on Hawks (5*3 shots/round) is great for sparring (nonlethal staged pvp combat to increase skills), maximum amount of shots at reduced damage to save on bills. Imperials have the awesome option of using the lowest level of the otherwise sucky Gatlings here instead for having rate 3 and doing even less damage (my envy for gatlings and emp missiles kno no limit. I may yet defect. :( ).

That's pretty much the main proactive combos. Others, especially noncrossed combos, can be used to counter these (EM/EM is a pretty nasty combo for very high skilled pirates for example, as we noticed in Doombringer's attack on Andexa. The combo that is strong against this is usually flown by low-moderate skilled developing pilots who can't offer much resistance against ~100s skills, even with favorable damage types working for them)

[Vrylakos]

I've read the manual for the most part, but things like the use of Hacking, why ambush, what to expect from the game, more info on my the neutral zone is a scary place, etc....
The section on Starbases is obsolete, as far as I can tell. I was wondering why there's a 'fly up close' option when you're on a SB.

Some stuff you read, some you learn. Very interesting game, all told...

V

[Vrylakos]

Double Post!

V

[AWOL Joe]

I've read the manual for the most part, but things like the use of Hacking, why ambush, what to expect from the game, more info on my the neutral zone is a scary place, etc....
The section on Starbases is obsolete, as far as I can tell. I was wondering why there's a 'fly up close' option when you're on a SB.

Some stuff you read, some you learn. Very interesting game, all told...

V

Ambushing is important as it's the primary form of PvP, as it's almost impossible to find a particular active player in Pardus and actually attack him. So, you figure out his regular route, and lay an ambush for him along it.

At least, I think that how it works. I'm nowhere near ready to fight anyone yet.

The NZ is scary because that's where all the high-level pirates and other assorted riffraff hang out.

-AWOL Joe

[Weltenreiter]

- the use of Hacking
Allows you to get information on a pilot, by hacking him at one of his faction's black markets, or one of his buildings. Gives infos such as his exp/rep/creds, building+contents, ship status, friend/foe lists, and current location. Better hacks revealing more of this available as hacking level gets higher.
Somewhat newly implemented is the option of hacking a player's trade log from his buildings.
Neutral Players cannot be hacked via BM (so if they also have no buildings they are immune) - pirates typically use this unhackability because they cannot dock at planets and must rely on cloaking to stay safe.

- why ambush
Because finding someone vulnerable in open space is rather rare (basically only happens if they're a newbie, out of fuel/AP, or ambushing themselves), so if you want to kill someone, ambush on a well chosen spot is the way to go. "dogfights" with both sides online and moving are possible, but it's hard to get the (usually >20) number of rounds in to kill someone that way before he has moved on.
It's worth pointing out that as overall skill levels increase and thus hit rates decrease (eventually 5% and less), you need multiple ambushers to actually reliably kill someone in 20 rounds.
Ambushing is also dangerous, as it obviously places you in open space (usually cloaked or hidden under a building, but still visible if someone lands on your field). You can set a retreat point you automatically fly to after an ambush is triggered, but if you're offline and the target survives the ambush, he can come back and look for you to kill you at his leasure (safe spots cant be retreatpoints).
The first issue was recently fixed, now there's an option that the ambush be sprung (including retreat) if someone attacks you.

- more info on my the neutral zone is a scary place
One reason only: The planets are neutral. This means everyone is protected there and can repair/trade etc, no matter how low their Rep. Thats why Order of the Shining Night could petty much wipe the West Pardus Rim (the only NZ back then) empty with about half a dozen pilots.
Defense is pretty screwed in general (unless you REALLY go overboard on the seeker droids and even then a dedicated force can crack it), defense when repairs cannot be denied by rep and/or foelists is utterly hopeless.
Edit: The NZ is also pretty damn profitable, especially for dedicated small groups. Since it's no faction controlled territory, there is no rep penalty for maintaining illegals, and there are many dead end sectors that can be blocked off with Military Outposts (and then filled up with slave camps and drug stations.

- I was wondering why there's a 'fly up close' option when you're on a SB.
Yeah, that option is mainly for us SB owners to place our starbase structures (epair facility, shipyards, equipment factories, artilleries, etc) there. Well, and for attackers/defenders in SB combat to attack structures, but SB combat is prohibitively expensive with how bomber squads currently work, so that portion is n't used.

[vbh70s]

It looks like a neat game, and I've been attempting to play today. But... it isn't always this slow, is it? I've had times where I've timed out and hit refresh for 15 minutes or more trying to load another page. It makes the game pretty unplayable, IMO.

[Weltenreiter]

No. At ~600 GMT theres server maintenance, which means a break of about 5-10 minutes, and if one doesnt use the simage pack things can get annoying, but normally I don't observe slowness like you describe.

[vbh70s]

I downloaded the image pack, and I noticed an option to turn off the autocalc in the trading screens in case of "severe lag". So hopefully this will sort me out.

[Weltenreiter]

bUmP

Finally reached my intermediate goal of 70ish combat skills.
Of course now I decided I am NOT going into a Behemoth yet ( :rolleyes: ) and spar some more instead. Maybe until 80, maybe until my repair money runs out, maybe only until the current ship orders + my own Behemoth have finished construction.

[Unferth]

Huh. I hadn't noticed this thread at all back when it first showed up.

Pilot name: Unferth
Rank: Fed Sgt-Major
Alliance: None
Ship: Viper Defense Craft "Ecglaf"
Location: Alpha Centauri, thanks to underestimating an Experienced Pirate's missiles

Since I got the Viper I've been dedicating myself to ranking up and earning some XP and skill points by running missions in the Miarin/Ook Ook/Cesaho triad, doing FWE runs at the same time with what little cargo space I have. With space dragons all over Cesaho and maggots and worms all over Miarin, I can take multiple 'kill x young space dragons' or 'kill x space maggots' missions from Ook Ook, swing over to the appropriate sector and check the starbase for missions, trade food for energy, finish the missions and head back to Ook Ook. It's pretty common to complete 10-15 missions in a given session of 2.5-3k turns, which is providing a nice income for a fairly new pilot.

I'm now something like 87% of the way to Major, at which point I may switch to a Babel Transporter and try to get more involved with the economy. And get rich, of course. But mostly I'm training up, on the grounds that I know I'll need to do it sooner or later and I don't have any clearly better idea for what to do with my turns.

I haven't built any buildings yet - though I doubt my Viper can hold the materials for anything worthwhile anyway. Working out what buildings might actually be profitable will take more analysis of whatever sectors I settle in than I've yet had time and inclination to put into the game.

[Vrylakos]

New Lord Alpha Speer!

Comes with Venom multipurpose starcraft!
And action grip!

Includes goofy roleplaying messages in Tavern forum!

V.

[Weltenreiter]

Bump for great justice comedy

launches Pasifist Alliance declared Private Conflict on The Triad.
I always knew launch was Snake Gandhi. :eek: :D

[GrimGent]

Bump for great justice comedyJustice, you say?

2006/04/07 - 12:33
OdinS attacked and defeated Scrotor McGrew.

[GrimGent]

GNN Special Report

"It is a sad day today as reports have been confirmed that the planet Usube has been essentially destroyed. The universe mourns the loss of hundreds of thousands of souls, lives cut tragically short apparently in the name of weapons testing.

Empire officials, based on preliminary evidence from scans of the remnants of Usube along with previously gathered intelligence, hold the Federation responsible for this tragedy. For decades, according to Empire intelligence reports, the Federation has been developing an array of weapons designed to eradicate life on entire planets. It would seem now that the Federation has, in fact, succeeded.

With tensions already high from the recent disaster which released the Federation Z-series drones, the Empire has demanded the Federation immediately cease all manufacturing of weapons capable of such large scale mass destruction, and disassemble those weapons currently in existence. Federation officials, while acknowledging they have been exploring the potential of such weapons, deny responsibility for Usube's annihilation, claiming detonation of the weapon was a result of sabotage; and refuse to comply with the Empire's demand.

This refusal has resulted in the Empire declaring war on the Federation."


Pardus has now gone beta, in other words. See the site for further details.

[Vrylakos]

Missed this thread when I posted about the War and so on. Oops.

Now I'm Viscount Alpha Speer!

One day, PRINCE!

GrimGent... who are you?

Alpha

[Vrylakos]

Justice, you say?

2006/04/07 - 12:33
OdinS attacked and defeated Scrotor McGrew.


Are you OdinS, GG?

I'm in a connie with two biospore arrays to get my skills up after getting hit by a lot of deaths in a 2 week span.

Faction mission running in Keldon...

Alpha

[GrimGent]

Are you OdinS, GG?Hah, no: I'm a lowly Sergeant by the name of Malfeasant. Scrotor (the Bastard of Sol) has killed me twice.

[Vrylakos]

Hah, no: I'm a lowly Sergeant by the name of Malfeasant. Scrotor (the Bastard of Sol) has killed me twice.

Sorry to hear that. I may have been killed by him too, but it all blurs together...

I think my skills need a big kick to be in relation to my rank. Not sure... I guess more ESDs....

V

[GrimGent]

I may have been killed by him too, but it all blurs together...Let's just say that Scrotor McGrew is the direct reason why I'm in the habit of carrying three NN500 Fleet Missiles which will be fired at any player who attacks me.

[Weltenreiter]

(2006-04-10 21:59:07) Angelus: I suppose war is the only way to prevent people from rushing the union lol Sounds like truth to me. :dry:

Especially since all those kooky RPer types warmongering Imperials over there probably see it as mandate to come over and gank us, instead of just some different Reputation rules. -_-

Luckily I just made Lt. Comm. a few days ago and just finished building my NHD, Come get some, crab scum. :yarr::weapons:

[Vrylakos]

Sounds like truth to me. :dry:

Especially since all those kooky RPer types warmongering Imperials over there probably see it as mandate to come over and gank us, instead of just some different Reputation rules. -_-

Luckily I just made Lt. Comm. a few days ago and just finished building my NHD, Come get some, crab scum. :yarr::weapons:

As an Imperial, well... my level 30 skills will probably stay in the backyard. Maybe the war will give me a chance to rank to Prince and catch up to those ahead of me...

V

[Weltenreiter]

Let's just say that Scrotor McGrew is the direct reason why I'm in the habit of carrying three NN500 Fleet Missiles which will be fired at any player who attacks me.You will probably like hearing this.
(2006-04-10 23:28:04) OdinS: scrotor is a moonie now so I'll hunt him like oneLet's hope the war isn't so distracting that it compromises smacking Scrotum Mc Screw up properly. :D

[GrimGent]

Let's hope the war isn't so distracting that it compromises smacking Scrotum Mc Screw up properly. :DWell, there should still be that massive bounty for the first pilot to kill Scrotor ten times...

[Old Scratch]

Gaaah! The war! I'm a lowly Federation trader, running my three buildings and building up a sector, and this war comes along.

Can't we just open an inquiry and possibly an impeachment of the Federation's leaders? Then get back to business?

[Weltenreiter]

Gaaah! The war! I'm a lowly Federation trader, running my three buildings and building up a sector, and this war comes along.

Can't we just open an inquiry and possibly an impeachment of the Federation's leaders? Then get back to business?
I wouldnt worry too much. In the end is -is- only a change in ranking rules, the typically annoying imperial posturing just blows it out of proporting. We may get a few more Scrotum-wannabes on either or both sides, but in the end i doubt there will be major invasions of faction spaces.

[Old Scratch]

I wouldnt worry too much. In the end is -is- only a change in ranking rules, the typically annoying imperial posturing just blows it out of proporting. We may get a few more Scrotum-wannabes on either or both sides, but in the end i doubt there will be major invasions of faction spaces.

Well, I used to wander over to a Empire SB for free animal fetuses, but now I'm worried some gung-ho yahoo Imperial might take a pot shot.

I'll find out... Wish me luck folks!

[Weltenreiter]

Also, woe is me because I can't decide on a loadout. And thanks to the war shouldn't even put it off until I get randomly inspired either.
This game is more angst faciliating than Vampire I tell ya.

Tending toward O/O/AM atm but that's subject to change as I contemplate lack of IP drive and return to the drawing board. -_-
(Actually, the core decision of "IP or Quad spores" falls pretty solidly in favor of spores, but Armor choice is driving me up the wall right now)

[GrimGent]

...And my fuel collector at Epsilon Eridani (two spaces to the right from the planet, in fact) has been attacked by nothing less than a Liberator. Honestly, what was this "Dmitriy" thinking about? Robbing gas stations isn't exactly profitable, especially considering what kind of weaponry he's packing.

[AWOL Joe]

...And my fuel collector at Epsilon Eridani (two spaces to the right from the planet, in fact) has been attacked by nothing less than a Liberator. Honestly, what was this "Dmitriy" thinking about? Robbing gas stations isn't exactly profitable, especially considering what kind of weaponry he's packing.

Hey, I think I was playing back when he got that ship...

-AWOL Joe

[GrimGent]

Hey, I think I was playing back when he got that ship...How nice for him. I, on the other hand, am thinking about investing in some defence droids.

[Weltenreiter]

Got my ship and gear now, and stuck to O/O/AM. Let's see how long it takes me to bitch about flying a mostly PVP-centered (= non-cross-typed) loadout.

Now must fight urge to temporarily join a less-neutral alliance and gank me some connies for ranking. <_<

[Vrylakos]

Hey now, don't gank this connie!

Well, go for it, I guess.

anyhow... I'm debating. Do I head out and try to claim some interesting piece or East Lane or unionspace? MO and TO/SB? Or do I keep on ranking to Prince, just so I can be the Second/Third/Fourth Prince or whatever?

Advice? Opinions?

V

[GrimGent]

Now must fight urge to temporarily join a less-neutral alliance and gank me some connies for ranking. <_<Hum. So far I've been completely independent, but in these troubled times the idea of joining one of the looser alliances is admittedly tempting... The Stray Felines, perhaps?

[Vrylakos]

Hum. So far I've been completely independent, but in these troubled times the idea of joining one of the looser alliances is admittedly tempting... The Stray Felines, perhaps?

I've been totally independant up through Viscount, but for roleplaying purposes I inquired about joining the Imperial Guard.

Right now, though, I'm wondering if turning Union might be neat, and trying to run out and grab some prime real estate.

Nothing like this will happen for a long while, methinks...

[Weltenreiter]

Hey now, don't gank this connie!

Well, go for it, I guess.

anyhow... I'm debating. Do I head out and try to claim some interesting piece or East Lane or unionspace? MO and TO/SB? Or do I keep on ranking to Prince, just so I can be the Second/Third/Fourth Prince or whatever?

Advice? Opinions?

VHeh no worries. :P

And unless the Stars Are Right, Starbases usually aren't worth the trouble. Especially as an independent, since one really needs help maintaining it.

Given the unpopularity of the Mooncrusher there probably won't be many contestants for next Prince, if you're looking for a piece of uniqueness. (High end ranking apparently is a -real- bitch though. At rank 9 I only have the vaguest idea of how bad it can get, and it already wasn't overly amusing.)

[Vrylakos]

Heh no worries. :P

And unless the Stars Are Right, Starbases usually aren't worth the trouble. Especially as an independent, since one really needs help maintaining it.

Given the unpopularity of the Mooncrusher there probably won't be many contestants for next Prince, if you're looking for a piece of uniqueness. (High end ranking apparently is a -real- bitch though. At rank 9 I only have the vaguest idea of how bad it can get, and it already wasn't overly amusing.)

Som, drug nook then?

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

Som, drug nook then?

Alpha
Drug nooks are nice, but difficult to pull off.

Need to find (and get/hold) a very suitable area, MOable with few (ideally 1, see the FTS one in Zelada for a by-the-book model) MOs which are defended to the max (thats what, 20-30 Mil? not sure about Avenger Droids under new prices), food and water (=Class M, and an infrastructure and economy to ensure good output) nearby since illegals eat so much, optionally ematter nearby (but DSes are profitable on BM ematter too) and a general supporting economy.

Nothing one can really pull off alone. Buildingslot-wise I figure 4-5 people would be a lower limit, and even that doesn't include maintaining the outside infrastructure really.

An alternative, that might not work for you due to Imperial Lawmongering RP-alliances not tolerating faction space illegals lightly and being less incompetent than TPI, is a well-defended illegals combo in a strategic point in faction space, to directly supply mission runners. No problem selling, and selling at above-average price, since the drugs are directly where they are most needed. Need 8 missions a day to maintain Rep, annoying but doable imo.
Overall, possibly more expensive defense-wise than a nook MO since you need to max-defend 2 buildings (Actually of course less expensive, since you dont have dozens of buildings to build up. But compared to cash and droids for defenses, material cost for buildings is kinda overshadowed to pocket-change irrelevance unless you decide to break prod 8. On the downside, it's an expense fully carried by one pilot, instead of shared among many like a nook would be.), but the main point is that it can be done -alone-, without the manpower required for a functional drug nook.

It's what i've done smack in the middle of Human core on the main mission route bottleneck, and doing pretty well with so far.

Another side benefit of this approach, which I too am planning to make use of once i got the hang of fighter ranking again, is that after a month or 3 of moneymaking to hit point of return of investment, you can always freely use the drugs for your own purposes/ranking.

[Weltenreiter]

Hum. So far I've been completely independent, but in these troubled times the idea of joining one of the looser alliances is admittedly tempting... The Stray Felines, perhaps?
Sounds like a plan. Their structure (or lack of it) seems suited for more independent-minded people, and personally I have quite some respect for Neb, so I'd recommend them.

(Frankly though, independence or not, I find being in an alliance worth it for having alliance chat alone.)

[Vrylakos]

Sounds like a plan. Their structure (or lack of it) seems suited for more independent-minded people, and personally I have quite some respect for Neb, so I'd recommend them.

(Frankly though, independence or not, I find being in an alliance worth it for having alliance chat alone.)


I've been tempted to join the felines more than once. Seems more my style.

The drug station near Union Core is a tempting idea.

V.

[Vrylakos]

Ok, applied to the Stray Felines.

anyone with me!

V/AS

[Weltenreiter]

Ok, applied to the Stray Felines.

anyone with me!

V/ASAs nice as gathering RPGnet pilots somewhere would be, I'm out. I've been with FTS pretty much since hour one (of my career that is, not their existence), so I'm obviously inclined to stay.

[GrimGent]

Ok, applied to the Stray Felines.Likewise.

[Vrylakos]

As nice as gathering RPGnet pilots somewhere would be, I'm out. I've been with FTS pretty much since hour one (of my career that is, not their existence), so I'm obviously inclined to stay.

I hear you, Welt. Rock on!

Posted my Letter From Mum in the Tavern.

Waiting for APs to regen so I can go join the Union.

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

Read it, cool story, as always. :D

[Weltenreiter]

Speaking of prose, my essay in the "Roleplaying in Pardus" thread must be the longest nonfiction post. EVAR.
*fingers bleed*

[Vrylakos]

Speaking of prose, my essay in the "Roleplaying in Pardus" thread must be the longest nonfiction post. EVAR.
*fingers bleed*

I'll go read it now. An interesting thread...

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

Yeah it was. Nice change to see the hardliner imperials militarists not talk in "I'm just playing my character"-asshatese for a change. :dry:

[Weltenreiter]

Is it just me, or does this war make forum/chat less pleasant than a Tangency during US-Elections? :mad:

[Vrylakos]

Is it just me, or does this war make forum/chat less pleasant than a Tangency during US-Elections? :mad:

It does it does... sigh...

V

[Weltenreiter]

I see you both are in UIE by now, how are you liking it so far?

And i'm retracting my "I stay FTS" stance a bit, the more I watch this war the more some vague idea of a Fed-based RP/combat/greifer alliance like all the imperial and pirate ones develops. Not sure if I can pull through with it (both determination and combat skill wise) but it's a fun what-if at least, and working on the story is a fun creative exercise (and outlet for procrastination :rolleyes: ).

[GrimGent]

I see you both are in UIE by now, how are you liking it so far?Well, the alliance is unintrusive enough, which is why I chose this one in the first place...

[Weltenreiter]

Bumpage for great justice and ATPs.

Interesting system. And some great abilities in there (alongside with numerous crap ones in there, but who said abilities were born equal), but i'm dubious about its effects on economies since building management is excluded from ATP gain (for good reasons). On the bright side, getting our damn Neb plants emptied is a win-win thing now. :p

*Edit*: In other news, I like my NHD but i'm hating kill mission ranking with a passion. -_-

[Weltenreiter]

Here's my evaluation of the revised Advanced skills. Discuss.

ASP Abilities

Combat Mastery - very expensive for a speedbump, but worth it (see defensive, below)
Combat Efficiency - a nice and honest change. extra rounds was pointless in click combat, this now literally does what the old wording did effectively, save AP. If ~17 AP per 20-round bout is worthwhile is debatable.
Offensive Combat - I don't like it, the -defense is too harsh, may bring one into 20-roundability. Also, Defensive is SO much superior overall and they are mututally exclusive "modes", so this one's better to skip until one has enough ASP that expansing width instead of depth of capability becomes an issue
Defensive Combat - the God skill. Its drawback (in full effect even at rank 1) actually is beneficial as it makes it an awesome tool to get further ASP gain (less dmg = more skills per mob sighting, which are the bottleneck at high skills). Apart from that, the actual benefit is good too, especially for PVP (ambush busting) and skill gain from dangerous mobs.

Ambush Mastery - medium cost speedbump, worth it
Ambush Endurance - Awesome for imperial battleship pilots (guaranteed 6x MKIIs per ambush), not as good for others. Still, more ambush damage is good, but maybe not immediately worth it for them
Ambush Fallback - rank 1 is awesome for ability to retreat through a WH. Rank 2 just increases distance, not that useful

Weapon Mastery - cheap speedbump, ok (a bit backwards as one'll usually only buy one of the skills in the field)
(Type) Weapon Specialisation - Good skills. Modify the percentage value from the type comparison efficiency table, so the effect of the skills isnt diminished/amped by armor type, instead it actually offsets the difference vs types a little. Small gripe: for users of O weapons, it's a bit detrimental, as it increases damage against skilling mobs, which is undesirable. Honorable mention: this makes imperial 140ers *nasty*

Chrono Collection - medium cost speedbump (one might only get one of the subskills as only one bobm of either type can be placed per week. Getting both is a width thing again, for later)
Stun Bomb - Guaranteed kill if used correctly and with backup. the better choice of the 2 imo.
-AP bomb - *Can* kill if oppnent is low AP anyway, but not guaranteed. More of a strategic thing to combat enemy raids/incursions by limiting their mobility. Useful, but more marginal than stun imo.

Boosts - cheapish speedbump. now actually governs multiple subskills
Agility Boost - Winner. Synergizes well with both modes (raising def mode to scary high defense skills, or offsets the -def from offensive mode). Best boost imo
Taming Boost - kinda lame. Ratreat fails on stuff like medusas and banshees don't kill. The mobs where this would be useful and needed against (Zs), it doesnt work on. Meh.
Cloak Boost - dubious about this. Cloak skills tend to not be uber high anyway, so a % increase doesn't give all that much. I doubt (but haven't checked) if this could viably allow space cloak where it wasn't possible before, but it seems to be mostly an AP saver by cutting down on cloaking attempts. Meh.


ATP Abilities
(Much of this assumes using deliverate sell/buy/sell at loss to effectively "buy" skills one wants at ~200-250k per ATP point. Incidental points not gained at expense may slightly change some worthwhileness evaluations, especially on moneymaker abilities)

Meditation - Situational. The fewer per day one logs in, the more useful it becomes. Playstyles benefitting from bigger bouts of AP expenditure at once (building bounty hutning, ranking, PVP incursions) could benefit from it, now that it doesn't compete with other ASP expenditures anymore it may actually be worth it despite the increased cost.

Structure Mastery
Shield Charging - expensive. probably not useful on non-union shields, very effective on them. Situational, if your playstyle can't benefit from shield recharging (ie, fighting hard monsters where you go multiple 20s in a row) it's less valuable. Good for Exping
Shield Powering - More hitpoints (especially on the "outside" ) can't hurt. Not viable with small shield, marginally viable with big ones. Uber with big union shields.
Hull Fortification - More hit points can't hurt, but one usually doesn't want damage to even get to hull, so this is marginal for combat. I *think* this applies only to combat damage, not explosives, otherwise it'd be useful for that too.

Underground Trade
Sneakiness - useful for professional drug sellers to neutral BMs. Unclear if this reduces chance of closure too, if so it'd help selling stuff from big drug nooks too. Still rather expensive for the gain though.
Haggling - Not useful from a profitability perspective (+900 per BMed Drug, at a cost of ~15 Mil requires alot of sales to break even). Marginal usefulness if you BM sell alot of stuff for ATP gain.

Hack Mastery
Hack Efficiency - saves 30 AP per guru hack. Depending on how much one hacks, this might be helpful. If one has high enough skill to feasibly get Echo Hack one might as well go for this one too if one tends to hack all the time for the alliance or something.
Echo Hack - OMG expensive (~18 Mil including speedbump) but *very* powerful. Any hacker with good enough skills to get reliable guru hacks needs this, at alliance cost if necessary. (Also, No disrespect to Echo, but if one names this after a/the notorious hacker player wouldn't Solo Hack be the more appropriate name?)

Mercenarism
Efficient Dealing - 4 less AP to take a mission seems like little, but for harcore rankers/Missioner it adds up. Should at the least allow an extra BB to be hit per run
Time Management - AP isn't the issue with hardcore missioning, missions threatening to time out before you're done hitting all desired BBs is, this helps alot with that. Also nice that it's a flat increase, not a percentage one. With mission timers in the 10-15 minute range at higher ranks, this is a considerable boost.
Escorting - Pure moneymaker skill, but too high cost for not enough gain (~350+ VIP escorts to break even, assuming high rank missions). Since mission income doesnt help get ATPs, it doesn't even ever-so-slightly help progression, as Haggling might. Not something to deliberately buy.

Expertise
Explosives Handling - Meh. We need something to reduce chance of WH damage to be useful for explosives running. Less damage *when* it happens doesn't help much, wise runenrs will keep their load nonlethal anyway (ok, this slightly but unfortunately unpredictably increases the lethal load)
Advanced maintenance - does anyone even USE the dock for repair feature?

[Vrylakos]

Hm, the time bomb I've seen used on my behalf to hassle a Discording pirate (Liquid) who was constantly killing/raiding me. A group who appreciated my trading in their nook placed timebombs and he suddenly backed off. So, in that sense I like the timebomb as a way to hurt your enemies without you devoting a lot to combat skills, and without their potentially untouchable skills being able to protect them.

V/A

[Vrylakos]

So, I was all ready to buy a chitin and skill up to get Shield Powering. Now it's an ATP skill. Seems the sensible thing since I'm Union but now my skills will not increase. I'll be the guy with a big unstoppable ship, and no combat skills.

Sigh...

V/A

[GrimGent]

Hey, I'm still far away from getting any of the advanced skills...

[Vrylakos]

Kookily, so am I. I've gone over 1 million AP, sure... but I am nowhere near close. In fact, I think trading will get me skills quicker, and that's still 40 million earned at starbases before I get something I want.

OH, and Welt: I like the inobtrusive nature of UIE. Would I like other alliances better depending on which direction I go? Maybe...

V/A

[Vrylakos]

Also, I'd like to note:

The Union has no high-end trader, and thus is least able to get the skill that would really help their faction equipment.

This seems paradoxical and/or annoying.

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

Hm, the time bomb I've seen used on my behalf to hassle a Discording pirate (Liquid) who was constantly killing/raiding me. A group who appreciated my trading in their nook placed timebombs and he suddenly backed off. So, in that sense I like the timebomb as a way to hurt your enemies without you devoting a lot to combat skills, and without their potentially untouchable skills being able to protect them.I've seen a stun bomb used on myself. Message to the point of "You now have 60 seconds time to contemplate how fucked you are" pop up, then Baart and a crony came ganging up on me. Probably colored my evaluation on them, previously and purely on paper I found the AP sucker one better.
So, I was all ready to buy a chitin and skill up to get Shield Powering. Now it's an ATP skill. Seems the sensible thing since I'm Union but now my skills will not increase. I'll be the guy with a big unstoppable ship, and no combat skills.On the bright side, ATPs are considerably easier to get than ASP, as they "only" cost money. No hassle finding worthy enemies, no danger of dieing and losing alot of progress when trying Zs, etc.

On the downside, skilling will be necessary anyway, without combat skills not even the pimped-outest ride is unstoppable. :dry:
OH, and Welt: I like the inobtrusive nature of UIE. Would I like other alliances better depending on which direction I go? Maybe...Can't really say, depends on what you want I guess.
If you settle down anywhere, or get into pvp (as opposed to roaming around here and there doing your own thing), I'd definitely recommend an alliance dedicated to that (area/activity/whatever) for easy of coordnination.

And personally I'd obviously wouldn't want to be without a fun and pretty active Alliance Chat, but maybe UIE has that despite its noncenteredness, I wouldn't know.
Also, I'd like to note:

The Union has no high-end trader, and thus is least able to get the skill that would really help their faction equipment.

This seems paradoxical and/or annoying.I dunno. BBB isn't much worse than either of the faction big hull traders, and despite the exp nerf I'd still think it's a good deal easier to get.

[Weltenreiter]

Alpha> Since you've been actively asking for a Chitin, congrats on Made Man seem to be in order. :D

[Vrylakos]

Alpha> Since you've been actively asking for a Chitin, congrats on Made Man seem to be in order. :D

Thanks, Welt. Now I just need to get the money to afford it after I get my 4th building slot in order.

Alpha

[Vrylakos]

Hm, so no high end trader for the Union surprises me. I've been trying to work out a good kit for a Chitin.

Thus far is seems the Union will really need the advanced skills to makle those shields work for the space they take up. I'm really wondering if the extra space/lower armor balances out.

Also, i'm wistfully considering finding a spot for a drug station in the EPR... I wonder if anyone needs a partner for a nook...

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

Up to and including El Padre, Union ships are quite better than neutral ones imo (Mostly due to their unusual configurations, like Junker for quite big cargo space for such a low rank ship, or Slider for a relatively early 3-gun hybrid, well, and Padre for a >Herc Cargo hold).
Chitin and Horpor do have some issues though mainly due to their low armor, I agree. Hawk and Garg should definitely be included in ship considerations.
Well and then there's Scorpion, which is quite better than even the Libby.

I kinda disagree that the shields *need* the ASP abilities to be good, they just are good enough that the abilities are actually quite worthwhile (everyone else usually won't take larger than standard shields because the regular ones seriously suck for their weight, making shield ASP kinda moot for them. Just like Ambush Endurance is more soso for non-imperials.)
The improved recharge rate of the Q shields alone is a bit of a situational benefit though (even if here it is quite large a rate), the improved shield value and reduced space of the higher rank shields are the main benefits imo.

In any case it'll still be quite the complicated space tradeoff. But then even a Hawk can't viably go all-spores anymore nowadays that space for robots is imperative (for skilling, which would be a sporehawk's main purpose), so Unioners aren't alone with that problem.

[Weltenreiter]

Empire and Federation Declare Uneasy Truce
by Meridian
June 12th 2006

GNN Special Report
The Empire and Federation have declared a truce after a nonfaction laboratory commissioned to analyze the debris left behind following Usube's annihilation found traces of an unknown and highly unstable material which may be at least partially responsible for the planet's destruction. Pending further investigation, scientists claim it’s highly unlikely it was manufactured by any known race of beings. As this has cast some doubt on the Federation's involvement in the Usube affair, the Empire has ordered a stand-down until further research is completed.

Additionally, plans for terraforming Usube are now underway. While still denying any direct responsibility for the destruction of Usube, the Federation, in a gesture of goodwill, has already spent immeasurable energy, resources, time and money to begin the long process of terraforming. With the war now on hold, the Empire is able to offer much needed assistance. The first and most important steps in making this ancient homeworld habitable again are already nearing completion - restoration of the atmosphere and water.

Tension between the two age-old enemies remains high, however. Both Federation and Empire officials declined to comment when asked if the ceasefire was likely to lead to lasting peace. Rumors indicate that further and more detailed investigations will have to be done in order to disclose what actually happened in Usube’s demise.Yay. Now let's see how many of our numerous conflicts actually carry on because the so-called roleplayers made things too personal. :rolleyes:

[Vrylakos]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how the post war pans out. Wondering how well the edicts of the UCC will hold with the Keldon cluster added.

Should be getting some money-making apparatus under my feet the next few weeks, then going back to hardcore ranking.

Alpha

[Vrylakos]

Hm, Imperial presence in Keldon Union Core makes me concerned.

[Weltenreiter]

Yeah, now that the war doesn't have established factions at each other's throats anymore there'll probably be the usual colonisation rush to a new cluster.

[Vrylakos]

Big update is coming down.... could the Pardus Core open today? I'd think they'd need to test it on the server...

I'm thinking of getting a SB in place in the core.

You folks interested in it?

[Weltenreiter]

This'll be interesting. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Weltenreiter/wub.gif

Don't think we'll get into the initial SB rush though, we're spread too thin (and across the Universe) as is.

[Weltenreiter]

Some initial impressions:

The premium accounts thing is taken better than I suspected when I heard the rumor.

Also, free vs premium differences are solved better than I've seen in some other games - enough nice stuff to encourage getting them, but while the premium interface features look *awesome*, the free version interface isn't so dumbed down that it borders on unplayable - we're proof that it's highly playable and dangerously addictive in its existing state with its existing interface features.

The "Battlegrounds" idea behind the outer core is pretty cool.
This way the "normal" areas are likely to be less affected by faction wars (providing a haven for the in my experience majority of people who want nothing to do with wars), instead theres an area highly affected by it where people who don't mind (or ctually enjoy) war can go.
Decent benefits in the form of Gaia planets and Council funding too to compensate the fact that paints a big crosshairs on one's chest.

The inner core sector seems fun too. The hostile environment thing should make sure that acess to the variety of NPCs there aren't a crippling advantage - if they even are viable skilling NPCs at all, I suspect they're more hindrances to exploration and getting the various goodies and not so rewarding to fight by themselves.
Not much to say about said goodies like wrecks and Lucidi equipment yet obviously, as it'll have to be explored.

Apart from all that, the minor general changes like ambushing by bounty type are nice. Long overdue, that one. Will have to see if that makes my zero-bountyhunting foreign policy harder or not. >_<

And I <3 how they formatted my SB guide for the manual, looks neat with the pics.

[Weltenreiter]

Heh. Monster killcount medals on the profile. Awesome.
Another "stat" to take care of though. Will probably be the end of my productive Pardus career. Gotta catch them all! :D

[bahamut_0]

Hmm this looks interesting. I'll set up an account tomorrow.

[GrimGent]

Heh. Monster killcount medals on the profile. Awesome."Space Maggot Squasher": yeah, I'm proud of that one.

[Weltenreiter]

Only 8 medals here. :(
My kills generally are kinda ridiculous for my AP/EXP/Skill level.
I blame the fact that I did catch the very end of the sparring era. :dry:

[Weltenreiter]

Hmm this looks interesting. I'll set up an account tomorrow.Yes it is. :D
Some us us here have been addicts for a year or more.

[Vrylakos]

I'm coming up on a year. Fun, and SO much to learn. Urban Dead was ok, but so limited. This game has so many directions you can go.

So... should I zip in and make a Union SB?

Alpha

[Vrylakos]

Nice PSB update, Welt!

Alpha

[Weltenreiter]

I'm coming up on a year. Fun, and SO much to learn. Urban Dead was ok, but so limited. This game has so many directions you can go.Yeah, I agree. This is currently biting me in the ass a bit though, I'm pursueing too many of these directions at once instead of properly specialising, kinda hurts individual progess on a strictly minmaxing point of view. OTOH I like doing whatever I want, so I'm unlikely to change it, slavish adherence to efficiency be damned. :o

So... should I zip in and make a Union SB?From what we currently know, core bases look to be pretty damn profitable. Only downside is that the mechanics actively encourage war-scale PVP - and there might be heavyish competition for the upgrading TOs.
Until and unless that happens it's gonna be an interesting enterprise though, if you have the slot and freedom from other commitments, I'd say go for it.
If it ends up blown up, either in TO or early SB form, it's not a crippling amount of ressources down the drain (Unless you already spent lots on the local economy too, at which point the local community would likely be strong enough to deter an attack).

We're still weighing our options on going in, and from where. We're generally warphobes and have alot of upgrade nutters (myself included) whose buildings aren't abandoned lightly though, so I remain sceptical.

Nice PSB update, Welt! Thanks. :D

[Weltenreiter]

http://philippe.tromeur.free.fr/marvel/images/Kingpin.jpg

:D

Going for Horpor? Should make a good ranking hybrid ship for the final stretch to Son or Godfather.

[Vrylakos]

http://philippe.tromeur.free.fr/marvel/images/Kingpin.jpg

:D

Going for Horpor? Should make a good ranking hybrid ship for the final stretch to Son or Godfather.

Heh... my daughter said the same thing.

Me: "Guess what? I finally made Kingpin in Pardus!"

Jaded Teen: "Great. Well... you're already bald. Are you going to get chubby? Wear a white suit?"

Me: "Thanks. And I hate you."

[Vrylakos]

Anyhow, so yeah... looks good for ranking. I'm not sure what sort of loadout to use, though. My HA is an abysmal 31 or so. I'll need to skill a bit. Do I put in the biggest shield I can afford to use my soon to be level 2 Shield Powering? Or use it for packages? I am torn...

Thinking BSA's, though, to get my HA up. Ebidium. Strong ECM. No need for cloak.

My real pickle is how to balance fighting advancement with cargo space. Sigh...

Alpha

[pjb37]

Hello all. I learnt about Pardus from this thread some time ago (I ranked to Captain last week) and would just like to thank you all for introducing me to what I have found to be a quite entertaining game.

Anyhow, so yeah... looks good for ranking. I'm not sure what sort of loadout to use, though. My HA is an abysmal 31 or so. I'll need to skill a bit. Do I put in the biggest shield I can afford to use my soon to be level 2 Shield Powering? Or use it for packages? I am torn...

Thinking BSA's, though, to get my HA up. Ebidium. Strong ECM. No need for cloak.

My real pickle is how to balance fighting advancement with cargo space. Sigh...

Alpha

I would recommend going for the extra package space. In my experience, the main use of shields while ranking is to save money on repairs to armour. It is possible to rank without taking missions to kill NPCs that present a real threat to a well-equipped fighter or capital ship and in these circumstances the extra buffer provided by a shield is largely redundant (I was going to comment here that even the largest shields do not add enough of a buffer to allow you to fight otherwise dangerous NPCs, but then I saw just how good union shields can be with shield powering). Saving money is always useful, especially given the cost of maintaining a well-equipped fighter, but I suspect that the extra package or explosives missions you can complete with the extra space will cover the costs. Moreover, given how slow ranking appears to become at this point, saving money is probably less of a concern than completing more missions.

My experience, however, has been in a NHD, which is smaller and has better armour than the Horpor, and I began at a lower rank (I also started out with somewhat higher skills). Depending on how effective ebidium and strong ecm are and what enemies you find most convenient to rank on, it possible that you may need to take missions to kill NPCs that require the extra protection (though I would be somewhat surprised if this was the case). However, unless you do find that you need to take missions on otherwise dangerous NPCs and simply increasing your skills to remove this danger is not possible, then I do not think that the protection offered by a shield can justify the space it takes up if you are equipping a ship for ranking purposes.

You should, though, consider why exactly you want to take the shield. It is probably not the most efficient use of space. However, in your position I would probably purchase the shield despite this. It is after all only a game, and the sheer size of the shield makes it entertaining (I would consider the cost justified by the fact that with 1260 shield points the shield indicator on the combat screen would turn yellow before visibly dropping). If you think you will have more fun with the shield, you should not worry about whether it is an optimal lay out. Also, given that the huge shield only costs 880,000 credits, you can probably easily afford to try one out for a while and then make a decision on whether it is worthwhile.

[Weltenreiter]

Hello all. I learnt about Pardus from this thread some time ago (I ranked to Captain last week) and would just like to thank you all for introducing me to what I have found to be a quite entertaining game.
Congrats. :D
Anyone we know? not that many NHDs out there. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Weltenreiter/ninja.png


Re: Kingpin Speer's equipment pondering:

Weapons: Not too sure really, don't know what kind of targets you have over there as part of the "normal" skilling progression and as typical mission targets - apart from HA's obvious HA benefit (and size disadvantage) over 120s that would probably be relevant.
I DO know that UKC is like hogging all the Medusae (:mad: ), but those are probably not interesting for you yet.
If you mainly want to rank (and there are sufficient EM emenies around) you might want to consider 120s for their space advantage though, more packages is nice, and BSAs can wait until you want to acually concentrate on skilling (ie post 50-60 and ASPs).

Armor: Yeah Ebidium pretty much no question. Cheaper than Exotics, and actually kind of specialised versus missies (as multiplier applies against them but tpe efficiency doesnt). Missiles generally are the most dangerous part of NPCs, so it's a cool armor.

Shield: Not much to add to pjb's essay

Drive: for ranking runs, which are mostly travelling and little killing, do try to use IP, Horpor is a bit on the battleship side so should be able to dedicate the room to it.

[Weltenreiter]

So, I saved up 10+ days of reputation decline to go on a vacation to Keldon Union Core, to sample the Union's famed, err, seafood (aka uncommonly high Medusa/Swarmling spawn rate), and what do I see right after jumping into Sirius? A (albeit slightly damaged) Swarmling in front of me.

Thumbs up, Union knows how to treat their tourists right. :D

[Vrylakos]

Hm, is Pardus down for anyone else?

Alpha Speer.... aka... Vrylakos

[Weltenreiter]

Yeah me too, no clue whats going on.
FTS forum is down TOO (domain expired or somthing).
It's a conspiracy. -_-

[Weltenreiter]

Darwin award:
From: (snipped to protect the guilty) 2006/12/16 - 18:12:06
Subject: let me past
let me past ur outposts ya gay fucker
Not the smrtest thing to PM to a mod. :eek:

[Vrylakos]

Darwin award:

Not the smrtest thing to PM to a mod. :eek:

Oh... the humanity...

V
Alpha Speer!

[Weltenreiter]

"MAJOR EVENT: 2007-01-26 - Usube Update

Having officially concluded investigations of the debris collected after the Usube incident, scientists are still unable to state with certainty the exact cause of the weapon detonation that devastated the planet. However, the researchers were able to restore some fragments of footage recovered from a security camera that had been located deep inside the Federation's formerly secret Usube Experimental Weapons Testing and Research (UEWTR) base.

All parties were shocked to see the camera had recorded two Ska'ari, dressed in full Imperial military uniform, moving through the heart of UEWTR. Imperial representatives were quick to defend the outraged accusations of the Federation, asserting that the trespassers were not acting under Imperial orders and that the fault lay with the Federation's insufficient security measures.

In the interest of averting war as tempers rose on both sides, it has been agreed that the matter will be settled once and for all at an interplanetary trial held in the neutral zone, involving judges from both factions along with neutral independents. We at GNN will continue to keep you updated on any significant developments in this matter as the two factions scramble to prepare for the upcoming trial."

OOC, another war between Feds and Imps will break out in a week. Newbies might want to consider joining the Union which apparently will remain neutral.Figured I'd necro that into here, leave the other thread for general discussion.

So, pondering if I should get into fighter for this or not. :confused:

[GrimGent]

So, the Federation put a small bounty on me for trying to get rid of some biowaste by selling it to the black market at Nine Lives, and Benghlo killed me right next to the base for those 4000 credits. Someone's going to get banned from Lives, and someone's DS isn't going to get supplies from me again in the future.

[Weltenreiter]

So, the Federation put a small bounty on me for trying to get rid of some biowaste by selling it to the black market at Nine Lives, and Benghlo killed me right next to the base for those 4000 credits. Someone's going to get banned from Lives, and someone's DS isn't going to get supplies from me again in the future.Rofl, owned. (But be aware that some people get extremely mopey at the notion that their kills should have consequences if it was a so-called legit bounty kill)

[GrimGent]

Rofl, owned. (But be aware that some people get extremely mopey at the notion that their kills should have consequences if it was a so-called legit bounty kill)I always foelist those who attack me or mine, and I'm not going to set a precedent now, either. If Benghlo wants to dock at Lives, he should have thought about that before attacking its owner right at the entrance.

Neptus Nexus will apparently foelist the entire Federation, by the way. I'm going to remain neutral if it's at all feasible.

[GrimGent]

"MAJOR EVENT: 2007-02-02 - Tragedy and War
We at GNN are saddened to bring you news of yet another tragedy seemingly related to the Usube incident.

Earlier today an explosion sent residents of the city of Elatan, Andexa, scrambling for cover. The explosion leveled Elatan's largest government building, a storage facility for sensitive information which was also being used as a headquarters for accumulating material for the upcoming Usube trial. Aside from the tragic loss of life, the Federation also lost invaluable data; much of the material regarding the Usube incident and UEWTR was so sensitive that no copies existed. With the trial looming ever closer, the Elatan bombing is truly devastating for the Federation.

The Empire has refused to agree to reschedule the trial, stating the bombing was suspect and likely just an act staged to buy the Federation more time. In response Admiral Cere, spokesman for the Federal Armed Forces, addressed the universe in a speech claiming all evidence to date pointed toward the Empire. Quoting the old Earth adage, "If it looks like a Ska'ari, walks like a Ska'ari, and clacks like a Ska'ari, it probably is a Ska'ari", the Federation announced that it now considers itself in a state of war with the Empire and all who support the Empire, and that any ships not registered with the Federation were to be shot down immediately if detected inside of or approaching Federation territories.

This concludes this GNN special report. We at GNN wish you a good night and continued good health during this time of war."

And this is the position taken by my starbase, Nine Lives:

"IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Even during the current and unfortunate hostilities, Nine Lives will strive to remain neutral and open to Federal and Imperial visitors alike. As the starbase is and has always been a hunting lodge for the big game hunters of the galaxy regardless of their political differences, this is not our war. However, the management will not tolerate unprovoked assaults against any buildings or facilities in the sector, or their owners, and such actions may well lead to the offending pilot being refused docking rights as an enemy of Veareth.

Non-Federal visitors who find themselves unable to dock purely for reasons of ill reputation are advised to contact the base personnel about their permits."

[hive_mind]

The war has been entertaining so far. At least from a distance. Watching the Feds scream in and take out an MO as an opening blow was cool, as was watching Nanvel take out 3 Fed Admirals by himself. I t will be a looong time before I'm war-ready myself but since I'm Union I guess it doesn't matter much at the moment.

[Weltenreiter]

War statistics feature definitely makes war more interesting for everyone involved (and not involved).

[GrimGent]

I for one am seriously getting fed up with the whole war. After a ZFS had sent me on a pod ride to Lahola today, I thought that it might be nice to supply some of the local buildings... and got promptly ambushed by Imps and blown up again, along with a cargo of exotic matter and battleweapon parts. All in all, this day cost me about 10,000 points of experience and half a million credits.

[Vrylakos]

The war hasn't really hit me, but if the Union did get involved, it would be a nightmare. We're simply too young and not ready.

I can only imagine what things must be like on the frontlines...

Alpha Speer

[GrimGent]

Yesterday was without any doubt the worst day I've ever had in the game: killed three times, twice in "accidental" ambushes and once deliberately by someone whose alliance supposedly should be on my side. Today, I started the day by getting my Babel blown up in yet another ambush by the same alliance.

My skills are no longer even in their thirties; heck, some of them aren't even in their twenties. Experience has plummeted below 60K. Since it doesn't matter how much cargo space the ship has if I end up killed every single time I try to actually deliver that cargo, my humble trade vessel is now packing a 100 MW Light-Weight Particle Laser.

As I now warn in the welcome message to Nine Lives, anyone who attacks my ship again will earn an instant foelisting for his entire alliance. I'll be making one exception if the alliance happens to be on my friendlist, and close my starbase only to the assailant; after another such attack, I'll have no choice but to believe that all of them are hostile, and must act accordingly.

I've been lenient so far and attempted to get along with everyone, but frankly my patience is wearing thin.

[Vrylakos]

Gah, sorry Wyrd. Horrible day! I, meanwhile, keep hitting 66 HA, and dying every time... it's a curse. You, however, sound like you're in a terrible situation with your SB, need to trade, and stupidly getting targeted on Factional grounds...

Alpha Speer

[GrimGent]

Yah. My ship was ambushed yet again on that same afternoon while trying to leave the home world: I hadn't even gotten out of the sector yet. Five deaths in two days is a bit too much.

[Weltenreiter]

Faction relations between the Empire and the Federation will return to "Tensions" in approximately 1 week.
Teh yayed, the insanity is ending.

And man, did the Federal fleet do some fireworks as a parting shot - 4 starbases wiped in under 30 minutes, clearing at least Heze. :eek:

Too bad there won't be another Galactic Council meeting in wartime to grant the sector to fed control. :p


.. I actually expect the aftermath of the war to be pretty bloody though. Emps will want then-neutral Nari back, and some generally less-roleplaying Feds (like yours truly) are going to harbor some ongoing grudges instead of letting their "I was just playing my character" excuse fly.

[Weltenreiter]

Oh, and I'm curious who's going to win the war story-wise.

By points its still the emps (although there are no public guidelines as to what difference or ratio is needed for a win), but by strategic benefit/territorial losses they got pwned pretty hard.

[Weltenreiter]

Oh, looks like Heze has some split-sector thing going with 6 SBs total, so only about half got cleared. Still serious damage, especially since full clearage wouldn't be relevant due to lack of council meeting.

[Vrylakos]

Yeah, the speed with which it happened was pretty amazing. I'll be interested in seeing how the neutral alliances fair in Core Space from here on out.

Of course, I'll be too busy dealing with the latest version of my HA 66 Curse: Reno Ryno bountying me.

Alpha Speer

[hive_mind]

Hehe... seems Reno Ryno is always getting involved in something.

[GrimGent]

Hehe... seems Reno Ryno is always getting involved in something.Reno has the chutzpah to keep me foed even though he is on my friendlist, and he accuses UIE for just about every little bit of misfortune...

[Weltenreiter]

This recent Cult of Welt thing is disturbing. :dry:

[Vrylakos]

So, how is everyone liking the new peace?

For the Union, business as usual, I guess, though I finally made Son.

Changes for the Hand, however... stay tuned!

Alpha Speer
Son XIV!

[Weltenreiter]

Nice, getting Scorp soon?

Peace eh. Promptly Soul Reapers start getting uppity again. >_>

[Vrylakos]

Scorpion soon, then the big Ebidium Hand announcement, then ASP training. Many trade ins in my future. First, though, I finish off the Hull and Shield ATP tree... though maybe I'll skip Hull 2 for now and just get Shield Charging.

THAT will make me officially ridiculous for skilling purposes...

Alpha Speer

[Vrylakos]

Heh, just reread the thread from page 1. Funny to see my progress... also some fond remembrances of game changes...

Alpha Speer

[Weltenreiter]

2 New servers/universes! :eek:

... Anyone doing something with this?
I'm vaguely sceptical, in principle I don't see the point of playing alts if you can't twink (would never play a char on a different server in WoW for example).
But then regular alting isn't possible in Pardus, this'd be a way to get to play Union at all since my Fed rank is too high to be dropped (investment principle for the loss).

Also an excellent time for any new people to start on equal footing I guess. /plug :D

[Vrylakos]

I don't get the people complaining about it.
I'm not sure what I'll do. I guess I'll let them be the vent for my darker desires.

Or maybe try to get prime real estate early?

Alpha Speer

[GrimGent]

Well, I for one will stick to the good old Orion and won't be heading for those newfangled galaxies. Maintaining a single starbase takes enough time as it is.