Help running the Kestrel in normal mode?

[Thundercles]

I'm finding easy mode to be difficult, but quite accessible. I can usually expect to spend the entire first sector farming scrap and then using that initial set of easy encounters to stay ahead of the curve for the rest of the game (barring some bone-headed maneuver or pushing my luck too far). My overall strategy tends to bring success.

Normal mode is a whole different animal. I'm facing odds like an asteroid field coupled with a 2 lasers, 1 beam, anti-ship droid rebel scout to automated ships packing missiles, cloaking devices, and shields in the first area. I like a challenge as much as the next guy, but it seems like failure is my only option: the last game ended in the first beacon I traveled to, torn apart by that rebel scout packing more starting firepower than any ship I've unlocked so far and his friend, Mr. asteroid field. Furthermore, the anti-ship strategies I learned in easy fail me when every ship I face in the third zone onwards has at least a 1/3 dodge chance and at least 1 cheap, fast-firing missile. When I survive the first zone, my last few games have all been really similar: I can afford either missile defense, shields, a new gun, or a teleporter, and the rest of my money goes to keeping my health somewhere above 33%. Then, as soon as I buy one of the options and begin saving up for the next one, I will invariably face someone who does one thing that I can now defend against and another thing that I failed to buy a defense for, and they promptly tear my ship apart before I can FTL away (because there is barely enough scrap to buy more reactor to power my new stuff, let alone beef up my engines).

Again, this is as long as I don't face a guy with 2 hull lasers, an anti-ship beam droid, a bomb launcher, and 1 bubble of shield in the first zone, before I've earned more than 30 scrap and even heard of a store. The damn things only have 8 hull but they easily take 7-10 of mine before I'm able to neutralize them or escape, largely because I'm rarely able to take out their weapons arrays in the first or second volley. This is an automated ship, mind you, one that just found me and attacked. On my 3rd beacon.

Can anyone help me out with strategies that can succeed in Normal? Is it only for people who are willing to gamble all day until they hit that random lucky streak?

[zabbo2]

I think think a lot of winning those early combats is the right combat targeting. If they have one shield or less, I pretty much always target the weapons. If they can't fire on you, then you'll win (basic but true). If space-dude can't inflict any damage on you, basically you have him in a submission hold with little chance of escape.

If the opponent has 2 shields or more (which I don't think is even possible in sector 1) you gotta take out those shields first, however. If there is drone, take out drone-weapons or weapons-drone according to what is doing more damage.

If you are having troubles stay away from nebula's as plasma storms can be tough for anyone. If in an asteroid field, take out his shields first and let the rocks take'm out.

Remember a second-level shield is only 50 scrap. That's only 2 or 3 encounters.

Treat your medbay and O2 as your reserve power batteries. O2 doesn't only mean your oxygen is 100%, but also can be considered as your 'battery energy' at 100%, and can be used as such.

I think just following this advice you should be in pretty good shape. In fact, the Kestrel is one of the better ships for the early game because it's burst laser (I would argue) is one of the best weapons in the game (at least in the top 3).

I don't think luck has THAT much to do in this game. You can make the most of every situation.


Hmmm you know what maybe I'll write up a little basic intro strategy guide for new players for the release of this game and put it in the wiki...

[The New Romance]

There are instances where the first encounter in the first sector screws you over on Normal. However, I have only rarely encountered them, maybe in two or three of 40 runs. They suck, yeah, but you can just restart the game without having invested too much.

Zabbo's tips are solid, and you should probably browse the forum for other combat tips. Apart from that, it's practice and practice again. Forget what you learned in Easy mode and try to pull through. I'm not a great strategist, but I've already beaten the boss twice on Normal, never even played on Easy to begin with. I think there sure is luck involved, and you should be prepared for the game to sometimes K.O. you unfairly. With some practice, though, you should be able to get to the end. I find that I either get trashed in the first two sectors or pretty much make it to the end - there doesn't seem to be an in-between, so don't let those cases of early defeat get you down.

Oh, and one severely important thing: if you can, go for crew kills, not destruction of the ship. The rewards are so much greater if you burn, suffocate or melee the enemy crew, and if you've managed to pull that off once or twice in a run, you're pretty much golden as you'll get an edge regarding scrap and equipment. Always try to capture the ship intact if there is a faint possibility, even if it costs you some hull points. Teleporting or ion weapons facilitate it a lot, and by beaming over a boarding party you're already training your fighters for the final battle. The sooner you start, the better (they get real nasty with melee mastery).

[zabbo2]

Thanks New Romance.

Forgot one important key to the whole game. Probably most ppl know this , but in case not : you have to always try to visit as many nodes as you can each sector. You should only leave the sector with the fleet hot on your heels. You have to do this maximize your scrap to prepare yourself for the increasingly difficult sectors.

[zell_man]

Again, this is as long as I don't face a guy with 2 hull lasers, an anti-ship beam droid, a bomb launcher, and 1 bubble of shield in the first zone, before I've earned more than 30 scrap and even heard of a store. The damn things only have 8 hull but they easily take 7-10 of mine before I'm able to neutralize them or escape, largely because I'm rarely able to take out their weapons arrays in the first or second volley. This is an automated ship, mind you, one that just found me and attacked. On my 3rd beacon.

This type of enemy has been the end of 75% of my runs on any difficulty level. One of these + a meteor field, Nebula storm, or Solar Flare battle and I am pretty toasted. They always seem to take out my weapons before they've had a chance to charge so I'm just a sitting duck in a flaming pond.

I guess I'll just keep trying though.

[Maze1125]

Use the pause function.

If you pause whenever you get hit, or something else bad happens, you can assess the damage and plan on how to fix it without any time passing. You can even issue the orders before resuming.

You'll never beat normal if you don't use the pause function often enough.