Redtail (kestrel B) is by far the best ship

[0evil_overlord0]

Manpower is easy. All you have to do is rush to the exit as fast as possible, running from combat whenever you can. Upgrade your engines and rely on zoltan shields for defense. I managed it on my first try like this. If you get unlucky, it might take a bit longer, but it's not that hard.

[madattak9]

Not exactly. If you use the advantage from early game it will carry over to late game.

For ships that do not excelled at early game but not inherently luck-based, like the Fed Cruiser_A for instance, players can use good gameplan and strategy to overcome their weakness in early game.

On the other hand, the only way to overcome the weakness of the ships with strong early game (unless you resorting to boarding), particularly the Red Tail, is to hope that the RNG goddess smiles upon you and give you her blessings; and despite how many times you pray or beg to her, she can be so cruel at times...

All ships rely on the RNG.

I was using the Redtail again today, bought a drone system, came with the repair drone, then went 2 sectors with no store or any other event to give me the defence drone I wanted. I came to a rock sector with 3 shields, got nearly killed about a Rock with 3 shields, 2 Artemis and that big 4 damage missile launcher, barley escaped, then found the FTL beacons just stopped. Just like that, and had to jump 3 beacons back to start to move onward, where I was killed by rebels. I had 4 engine power, ion canon, pike beam, 2 basic lasers.

[BKT]

Many ships do not need a 'blessing' from the RNG goddess to be successful; just that she doesn't frown upon you is good enough.

BTW, if you get a repair drone when you buy the drone control, don't sell it just yet but equip it and try to visit a lot of distress beacon. You might find the 'fire on the research station' event which you can get a blue option from repair drone, which will give you a random drone as a reward; you might get a defense drone (either MK 1 or 2) from it, happens to me many times... Just another example of how you can 'influence' the dreaded RNG.

[madattak9]

The redtail is the greatest again!


loadout: 3 shields, 4 engines, teleporter with 2 mantis, boarding drone, defense drone, 3xbasic laser, breach missile.

[madattak9]

And again the Redtail beats the boss on normal. Nearly everything is fully upgraded. Pike Bream, 2x BurstLaser MkI, basic laser, lvl 4 drones with defense and anti-boarder, full engine upgrade, lvl 2 oxygen and piloting, lvl 3 doors, teleporter with expert mantis, all reactor power.

[postman]

The Redtail was my favorite ship until I played the Carnelian. Some people were complaining this game needed an easy mode? Crystal B is it... Stealth + Lockdown means you destroy all your opponent's weapons before they even have a chance to fire a shot.

But I agree, the Redtail is great! Wonderful layout.

[madattak9]

I didnt like the Fed Cruiser, it felt alot like the Kestrel, just with the option of long boring sessions of waiting for your artillery beam to charge up.