My First Two Playthroughs

[TuffHunter]

Alright I will first admit, as I do with most roguelikes I play, I start a few test runs just to get used to the elements of the game before I attempt to beat the entire thing. Most of these went to about Sector 2 where I would rage reset upon doing something stupid like losing a crew member in fire or destroying a ship I had boarded...

So once that was over I began my first true play through. Right away I found the stasis pod and in the very next sector, opened it for my Crystal crew member. This guy was amazing. Loved using him to repair breaches, defend against boarding with his Lockout ability or using it offensive while boarding an enemy ship. Things were going fairly well, had an extra shield bar, 2 Burst Laser MK II and a Heavy Laser (to go along with Artemis Missle). Also had a Cloak and the mod that allows you to fire while cloaked. However I ignored drone control and sold my hull repair drones as I was just not used to that factor of the game yet. Well before I know it, I've traveled for 2 sectors without seeing a store to repair. I eventually end up in the Rock Homeworld area (without even knowing I needed to go there for the Crystal ship) and died right away to missles :/ Score: 3383, Sector 6, Unlocked Torus

So after feeling very accomplished having got that far, I did some research into the game and found out I was so close to the Crystal Crusier and wanted to cry. But no time for that, the Torus awaits! Somewhere in Sector 1 (or maybe at the start of 2) I decided to kill a Pirate Ship. Upon defeating it I received a Pike Beam. However afterwards I was contacted for defeated the Pirates and they offered to install a Pike Beam on my ship. Weird, I get it and then someone else installs it? Then I realized, I got TWO PIKE BEAMS!? So now I can Ion a ship to no shields and hit them easily for 6-10 hull damage. MUWHAHAHAHAHAHA

By Sector 4 I nearly have a full crew, adding on a Rock, 2 Zoltan and a Mantis. I continue to find nice upgrades such as 20% chance to evade Ion and Drone Recovery Arm. Before I know it my shields & cloak are level 3, weapons can support 7 power and I have a full crew. Around Sector 7 I am able to finally find a Teleporter (as I know it helps for the LastStand due to some forum research).

I have to admit, I was nervous and even thought about save scumming. But that ruins all the fun right? So I plunged in! Right away I saw how each weapons room was isolated and immediately sent my Mantis & Rock over to kill their missles, followed by their Ion, Lasers & Beam (in that order). With all their weapons disabled I simply use my Ion cannon and 2 Attack Drones to slowly widdle the Flagship away. Having only taken 3 hull damage I launched a Hull Repair Drone and then jumped to stage 2.

OMG WTF, DRONES EVERYWHERE! This stage scared me so much I had to start a wash. Anyway... Thank god the Engi ship has a Medbay mod that allows for 1/2 healing everywhere. With my boarding party busy taking out weapons I was able to kill every boarding drone and repair leaks while Cloaking to avoid Missles and later on that Massive Attack Drone spam. With all their weapons destroyed I recalled my boarding party a final time for defense against breach drones and focused my attention on charging my weapons. As soon as their shields were down my Pike Beams made quick work of their systems and I managed to get threw this Stage with still half hull. Thankfully I still had plenty of Drones to repair back to full as I attempted Stage 3!

Alright... Is this a joke? So with just 2 attack drones floating around, my boarding party nearly died. Why was this? Well because while I was finishing off their last weapon system I noticed that the ship only had 3 hull life left! Apparently my 2 attack drones + Ion Cannon combo was actually effective and with 1 hull left I managed to rescue my boarding party within a second of them becoming space giblets. Thank god for Teleporter Level 3. Total Score: 3820

Phew. That was an experience. Those 2 early Pike Beams made the game too easy though. Hopefully I won't get that lucky ALL the time as I do enjoy a challenge. I think this time I will try the Osprey or maybe go back to the original ship. Wish me luck!

PS: Quickly did another Torus playthrough and got 2 achievements to unlock the B mod... and I hate it.

[Hanzz]

Bwahhahah Karma really works! One time you CLOSELY gets the crystal cruised and die and another time you just get 2 early Pikes! Hehe.

[UltraMantis]

Oh i liked reading about the stage 2 hell scaring your for the 1st time.

[faris]

If you truly managed to get the boss and practically defeat him on your first play through that's still pretty amazing.