Even easier game mode?

[Venturello]

Hi all - I am enjoying this game A LOT but am frustrated in that it is being too difficult to me. I don't play too much (3 kids + busy job) but had so far not unlocked any additional ship besides the 2nd one. Frustrated, I downloaded the tool to unlock all ships. Cool. Each of them have unique challenges and change the gameplay. But I still find myself being beated up constantly. For example, the Mantis ship (I love boarding!), have not been able to go farther than 3rd sector.

Must be I am crappy gamer. Have read online guides, tips, strategies. Maybe I need to play differently but... I would like an 'even easier' mode, where I received more scrap and/or less of a beating from the baddies. Anything like this existing through a 'trainer' tool or mod?

Thanks,

Juan

[boa13]

Are you pausing the game often enough?

Have a look at the Working Mods sub-forum, and especially at the Master Mod List.

[Fight Like a Krogan]

Yeah, invest in anti-boarding when you can. On easy mode, I seem to get wiped out by boarding parties more than ship combat.

[Venturello]

Hi, thanks both. I pause and micro-manage, even coordinating weapon firing. Love the pace it sets, this is such a great game!

Went through all the mods - none do what I need. And don't feel like totally ruining it by giving myself infinite scrap or stopping the rebel tide entirely.

Any other ideas?

(again, gone through many of the tips and strategies guides on this site and others)

[Kenshkrix]

Hi, thanks both. I pause and micro-manage, even coordinating weapon firing. Love the pace it sets, this is such a great game!

Went through all the mods - none do what I need. And don't feel like totally ruining it by giving myself infinite scrap or stopping the rebel tide entirely.

Any other ideas?

(again, gone through many of the tips and strategies guides on this site and others)

Grognak's Mod Manager comes with a 'Beginning Scrap Advantage.ftl' mod that makes the game a little bit easier.
It has the benefit of simply adding an option to get 20 or so scrap, and you can always not take it.
Edit: It triggers for me on most start beacons, so you get a bit of scrap each sector.

[Madhax]

There are some mods that add in powerful new ships and weaponry that might help you. I haven't personally tried many yet, but I recently downloaded the "Retribution" cruiser, which takes the place of the Engi B ship, and it was extremely powerful.

[Agent_L]

But I still find myself being beated up constantly.

The problem with mastering FTL is that it's not always obvious what you did wrong. Often consequences of bad decisions are delayed several fights or even sectors.

I recommend you "save scumming", that is saving&quitting the game often AND making a copy of the savegame.sav file. This way you can restore any file from your collection and replay the problematic fights again and again until you get them right. It's cheating, but it's very helpful because you can focus on one thing without having to start from scratch.
Where this file is located is explained here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=721

As for unlocking ships - only one ship was meant to be unlocked somewhat easily (Engi ship "The Torus") and second one to be unlocked reliably (Federation cruiser "The Osprey"). All other unlocks are "it happens when it happens".