[Space Sim] X3: Terran Conflict

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TimberWolf
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Post by TimberWolf »

Been playing a bit recently. Haven't played much since I got myself a social life, aka a girl friend.

So here is what I've been doing:

1. Expanding a complex to produce two of the things I need, Microchips and Computer parts, for the HUB plot line. I will need to add more Chip plants as I need 400 of them and each one can only make 4 every 24 minutes.

2. Having to jump through hoops trying to keep said complex protected. I've had several Pirate capital ships, mostly Carracks, which have destroyed a transport for one of the two complexes in the sector of Gunne's Crusade. I would like to capture a few to use as sector defenders but I have been unable to penetrate their hulls. May need to get an M7M and use boarding pods.

3. Successfully did a patrol mission where Kha'ak M2's were spawned and was able to destroy them with my Demios. I will not my tactic to kill them was resourceful with what I had around me in each sector. Wasn't able to protect every station in one sector where two spawned. The Demios can't stand toe to toe with an M2 even with the IBL's. So I used the Trading Station in each sector as a shield, letting the M2 concentrate most of its weapons on the station while I sat just off to the side and behind it firing the IBL's at the M2 destroying it, after a bit. The mission netted me over 9 million credits.

4.Doubled up on my Spaceweed production in Teladi space where it is always sold out.

5. Added another automated mobile miner, with this one stationed in Cloudbase Southwest, to help clear the sector for safer travels.

6. Purchased Phased Shock Generators for the Demois and attempted to complete Operation Final Furry to no avail.

7. Even after spending millions on a half dozen stations I still have just as much money when I ended as I did when I started, maybe even a little bit more.

8. My Mammoth is 2/3rds full of salvaged weapons I have gained through my battles, including hundreds of missiles.

That is about it. Will add more the next time I get to play.
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Post by XMEN Gambit »

TimberWolf wrote:Been playing a bit recently. Haven't played much since I got myself a social life, aka a girl friend..

... <snip> ...

That is about it. Will add more the next time I get to play.
That RL stuff. ;)
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Post by TimberWolf »

Got some more time to play today while the gf was at work.

To end the Pirates rein of terror over Gunne's Crusade where my main complex is, I decided to put my beloved Demios on patrol. Also put a few million down on buying 10 Solanos. Took some effort to finish equipping them but they are now set to attack the target of the Demios and the 4 Cutless's are set to defend the Demios (they are on board when not needed). The Solano's just fly around with the ship as White Wing. Just before I stopped for the night the patrol ran into a Pirate attack force with a Carrack at it's heart. In the end my patrol won but two of the Solano's where destroyed, so I will go back to my previous save a few minutes before and change some things to eliminate that.

I've started delivering, in a trickle fashion, the needed materials for the HUB missions. I will need to build more chip plants to get the first stage done any time this year. Will be adding more to my main complex to help bring in more money to fund the HUB mission materials.

Also to aid in the gaining of wealth, I've started training 3 new Sector Traders in Aldrin sector (the largest sector in the game). I'm using ships purchased in that sector, just jump them out long enough to get the final upgrades and the Mk3 Trading Software. Right now none of the units are fully equipped due to the fact that there aren't enough even produced in that sector which is the only place to get those weapons. So they are helping to produce the very weapons I need to equip them with before letting them loose on the rest of the universe.

During my travels this time I tried out the Split Panther, thinking that would allow me to better protect my sector. In the end I bought it in an inconvenient place and had a hard time getting equipment and fighters for it (even though almost all of the equipment I needed was sitting on my Mammoth already, but needed some IBL's which can only be bought from the Yaki who hate me of found in salvage). Since I have 10 Solano's now, I may look into getting the Panther again a little ways down the road and letting that protect my main sector. I ended up reloaded to a previous save after I figured I wasn't ready for it yet.

I've been wanting to get more practice boarding ships but I have been unable to find anything smaller than a M7 to practice on. In my attempts to board an M7, it has either ended with my team dying after getting through the hull or not being able to get through in the first place. I will need to put them back into training to help with that, which is why I wanted to board M6's to gain experience.

Did a combat mission in my Demios before delegating it to patrol duty where I earned over 29 million credits. It was for Operation Final Fury story line, which I had been stuck on for a while. What made the difference was to have absolutely no assets near by when the mission is generated, causing there to be weaker ships for me to handle. Just circled around the sector for a while racking up kills and money.

That is about the extent of the fun stuff I did in the game today. Will be adding Teladianium forges to fill in the open space in the economy around my main sector. Will be making them standalone so that I can use it to train CAG's. Will also be bringing in other food sources to fill in secondary resource positions in the area. Probably won't have much money left over when I'm done with all of that.
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Post by TimberWolf »

Was getting mired down in building complexes that caused my system to become jumpy in those sectors, so I decided to do what I did in X3:R. I have started a second game as a Pirate.

I started in Aladna Hill with a Mamba, equipped with two HEPT's and one 25 MJ Shield and only max engine tunings as well as zero credits. I quickly found out that Boron already are red as well as the Paranid. Don't mind this at the moment, but would like to be friendly with the Paranid some day for their weapons and ships.

Wanting to get underway in making some money so I can buy some weapons and upgrades, I headed West to Hatikvah's Faith. There I found a Boron transport near by and relieved the pilot of his possessions. The ship came with 4 25 MJ shields and trade system extension, so I dropped them and picked them up with the Mamba. While conducting a spacewalk to repair said ship some Pirate Bounty Hunters came through the East gate and were making a b-line for me. Quickly jumped into my Mamba and took out the two Discoverers with no problem, and scooped up their dropped energy cells. Sent the transport to a near by ship as another transport came into view for the taking. Will have to come back later to finish the repairs. The Paranid pilot was quit pleasant to talk too and was very coming with his ship after I stripped it of its shields and some of the hull. Two for two, can't get much better. Did some repairs to the ship and then sent both of the freighters to the Argon Trading Station in Aladna Hill. While doing this another group of Pirate Bounty Hunters came through the East gate, and again they came right for my and luckily not my newly aquired ships. Destroyed those 3 Discoverers and picked up their dropped freight of energy cells then sold them to one of the local stations for my first taste of cash, only about 500 credits.

In relatively short order, I pick up another Boron Transport, a Pirate Bounty Hunter Elite, and then a Paranid Perseus. Granted as I got more ships captured, less ships were willing to hand theirs over. In the end I think I destroyed 5 ships that refused to hand theirs over. Now I need to up my Argon race relations to be able to buy the needed weapons and upgrades for my Mamba and two recently aquired fighters.

Will have to see what happens next time, as I finally go to a third sector to sell 3 of the captured freighters for money.
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Post by TimberWolf »

Since the release of the 3.0 patch, I wanted to get back to my original game and try some of it out. Well, lets just say I've been able to recreate a scene from Battlestar Galactica when the the Galactica is attacking New Caprica to free the people.

I'm doing the final mission in the Final Furry Mission line. They have you jump to a Kha'ak sector to do the final attack where you destroy several stations and their defenses. When I jump in there is already an M1, M2, and 4 M6's as well as numerous fighters near by. In the distance is the allied fleet that is there to help made up of 3 M7's and two squadrons of fighters.

First task, destroy the defense stations right next to where I jumped in. Second, RUN!!!!

I first jump in there with PSG's all around and at first it appeared to be the best thing in the world as an almost constant chain of explosions happen around my ship (the Demios). Using strafing to help keep just ahead of the enemy, I slowly string them out and slow down the kill fest.

30 minutes later the Kha'ak M6's catch up and I'm forced to turn around and engage them. Once their dispatched I find myself almost in range of the M1 which appeared to have been able to keep up with the M6's. So I jump back to the center of the map.

With the enemy fleet distracted off in the distance, turning around to rush to me, I went on ahead and started attacking one of their stations and the 3 defense stations around it. I ended up having to jump away as my PSG's drained all of my weapon energy and my shields were near failing. Once again, I'm in the middle of the map but this time with almost no shields and a ticked off enemy fleet a stone throws away. I once again take off running.

I let my shields recharge, again using strafing to get a speed boost. Once I get over 40 km away from the M1, I knew it was too far out to get back to the stations anytime soon. Jump once again to the center to make a final run on that station.

Crap!!! M2 engaged in battle with the remains of the allied ships right where I came it. I quickly change my side turrets back to the IBL's and set them to attack Capital ships only. At first I thought I could take down the M2 with the help of the M7 but soon realized that the M2 was spending more time on me and the M7 didn't have that much in fire power. So I quickly ran from battle, just in time to see the M7 explode. I sweep down to the station and finish it off only to be informed there is another on the other side of the sector.

I fly around the M2 leaving it in my vapor trail. I get over to the other station and its 3 defense stations. My left IBL's target one, the right target another. Fighters were swarming all around me with my flacks striking out at them as fast as they can, destroying a fighter with each strike. Missiles come flying in from the 3rd defense platform, flying through my defenses and striking my shields. The kyon's striking me from all sides. The shields were falling fast. One of the defense platforms fall, allowing me to turn and fully engage the other one, forcing it to it's death. The third remained, firing it's endless supply of missiles along with the never ended waves of fighters bombarding my still falling shields.

Time to run, engaging jump drive. Crap, shields failed! How did that happen? Shoot, where did that M6 come from?! Boost extension, shield generator destroyed.... the end.

Will have to give it another try next time I get the chance. Would be a breeze if I had an M2 of my own or a fully loaded M7M. Don't have the funds for either at this time (only have 80 million credits) and I know the "gift" at the end of this mission is a nice new ship called the Griffin. Will let you know how the next time turns out.
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Post by XMEN Gambit »

TimberWolf wrote: Time to run, engaging jump drive. Crap, shields failed! How did that happen? Shoot, where did that M6 come from?! Boost extension, shield generator destroyed.... the end.
Heh. "oops."

The way you started out that post I thought you were going to drop into atmo or something. :)
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Post by TimberWolf »

I would have considered that if there was a planet near by to use.

Finally finished the mission today while doing some testing to see what needs to be upgraded in my system to make it better.

I made better use of my turrets with my standard weapons loadout and tried to spread the enemy out more. In the end it was a lot easier for some reason. I will note I set all the graphics at max to test my rig and it appears my greatest limiter is my ram.

I'm now in possession of the Griffon (spelled it wrong in the previous post). I have already off loaded my extra stuff from my Demios to it as well as my flag as it is faster. It doesn't have the heavy weapon options as the Demios but it has higher weapon energy and external docking space (9 compared to 5).

Currently just picked up 2 1GJ shields and need 2 more. I'm also on the look out for 6 flacks to mount in its turrets. Probably will put 8 HEPT's up front, 4 on the turrets and 4 on the main. Also will have other weapons on standby to switch to as needed, but this loadout will be centered mostly on anti fighter. If I find myself running into heavier ships then I will change as I see fit. Will let you know how it does in combat and get some pictures for comparison with the Demios. At some point I would like to gather my fleet for a picture like I did earlier in the game.

Off the top of my head my combat fleet is:
1 Demios
4 Cutlasses
1 Vidar
1 Heavy Nemesis
1 Centaur
1 True Light Seeker
10 Solanos
1 Mamba
1 Eclipes
1 Zephyrus
2 Rapier
1 Scimitar
# Nova's
and more which I can't remember off the top of my head. I know of I have 3 or 4 TM's with 3 or 4 fighters associated with each. I know there are a couple of fighters docked at my Mammoth. Needless to say, when I finally get them together for the picture, there will be a lot of ships to list in the caption.
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Post by TimberWolf »

Well, finally got the last of the 1 GJ shields needed, stopped off at my Mammoth and was able to pick up the rest of the weapons I needed for the Griffon. Got to love all that loot that has been dropped in the battles, including the several hundred missiles and over a hundred IRE's. Could practically arm a fleet with low level weapons with what I have.

From what I read on the forums I knew the Griffon was to be small.

Image

After equipping it at my local Mammoth I had to see for myself.

Image

Went off and did some battles and was impressed. Was able to handle 3 Pirate Carracks with their escorts at the same time and my shields only went as low as 50%. Was able to dodge most of their fire.

Image

Over all, the ship does well keeping fighters off with the top and bottom turrets set with flacks. The rear turret is set with PRG's for anti-missile. There are no turrets on the sides, unlike the rest of the M7's. But to make up for it there are 8 guns up front, 4 on the main that you control and 4 on turrets (basically what would have been the sides).

Image


With 4 CIG's and 4 IPG's up front, the Pirate Carrack fall faster than with two IBL's that the Demios could put on them. Also the Griffon is almost as maneuverable as a fighter. Will have to find an M6 and do a size comparison with it.

Overall, it is a tiny M7 without the major weapon carrying capability but higher weapon energy than normal. It also doesn't have the shields of a normal M7 but it is far more than any M6 can dream of. Best way to describe the Griffon is a supped up M6 mated with a TM.
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Post by TimberWolf »

Ships owned as of last night:

Ships: 105
Stations: 41

Advanced Barracuda: 1
Advanced Discoverer: 1
Advanced Eclipse: 1
Advanced Perseus: 1
Blastclaw: 2
Blastclaw Prototype: 2
Buster Sentinel: 1
Caiman Miner: 3
Caravel: 2
Claymore: 1
Cutlass: 4
Deimos: 1
Demeter Super Freighter XL: 2
Discoverer: 1
Dolphin Super Freighter: 1
Enhanced Jaguar: 1
Enhanced Pericles: 1
Express: 1
Falcon Sentinel: 1
Griffon: 1
Heavy Nemesis: 1
Iguana: 1
L: 7
M: 2
Magnetar: 1
Mako Raider: 1
Mamba: 1
Mammoth: 1
Mercury: 4
Mercury Super Freighter: 1
Mistral: 2
Nova: 1
Nova Raider: 2
Nova Sentinel: 1
Nova Vanguard: 2
Pericles Vanguard: 1
Perseus: 1
Pirate Centaur: 1
Pirate Eclipse: 1
Pirate Elite: 1
Pirate Falcon: 1
Pirate Nova: 4
Pirate Nova Raider: 3
Rapier: 2
Sabre: 1
Scabbard: 2
Scimitar: 1
Scorpion Raider: 1
Skate Prototype: 1
Solano: 9 [did have 10, need to figure out what happened to the other]
Springblossom: 3
Spytfire: 10
Toucan Hauler: 1
Truelight Seeker: 1
Vidar: 1
Vulture Super Freighter: 1
Zephyrus: 1

Argon Complex Hub: 3
Teladi Complex Hub: 2
Xenon Hub: 1

Owned Marines: 20
Idle Marines on Ships: 44


Ships Bought: 65
Ships Sold: 31
Factories Build: 68 [this does include Complex Connection Kits]
Ships Captured 60 [many of which were destroyed in combat before I got them]
Ships Claimed: 65
Smugglers Caught: 3
Bounty Earned with a Police License: 847,000 Cr

Number of Kha'ak Scouts destroyed: 1647
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Post by XMEN Gambit »

I read that first and saw 105 stations & 41 ships? then realized I'd gone dyslexic in there somewhere.
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Post by TimberWolf »

Some developments in my game:

1. Got the first gate set realigned with Gunne's Crusade North Gate. Now I don't have any Xenon passing through and I can now make use of local traders to supply the Hub.

2. In the process of consolidating my Marine force and looking into how to "sell" off the one's with fighting skills. Some of my best Marines came from ships I bought at Shipyards from missions.

3. Bought a Centaur at a Shipyard as part of "trading my ship up for a better one" mission. It came almost fully equipped and was quickly assigned to help my sector patrol around Company Pride.

4. Consolidating my Fighter fleet (TM's) as part of what was stated in 1, and with any luck will actually use them in an offensive in support of capturing some enemy ships.

5. Still setting up the Hub to attract AI traders to supply both weapons and shields as well as buy/sell basic goods to aid in my profits.

6. Adding more stations to my complexes in Gunne's Crusade, such as Teladianium. Fixing my Spaceweed complex as it is almost full with no customers for a while. Looking into expanding my Spacefuel complex as it is almost always sold out (also tends to attract the most attention from pirate fighters hence why I added my new Centaur to the patrol up there). Added more chip plants and will be adding more in the near future (big money makers so far are the microchips and computer parts).

7. Starting to consider getting an M7M to use boarding pods once my Marines are leveled up enough so I can start getting bigger ships, such as TL, M7, M2, or even M1 classes to capture.

Will try to get more pictures of my combat fleet in the near future.
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Post by TimberWolf »

With the recent release of the 3.1 patch I've decided to start from scratch on a hard start. I took the Unholy Traitor start which gives me a Medusa Prototype, full weapons, and only 5 MJ of shielding and low speed, acceleration and maneuverability. It also starts me in a Split sector with everyone wanting to kill me and bounty hunters coming from the nearest gate.

Attempt one, I was killed by a Capital ship in Thraka's Sun where I spawned. Attempt two, I was started in Rhonkar's Fire and made it to Family Rhonkar before being killed by the Bounty Hunters. Attempt three, started in Family Rhonkar and made it a few km into Thuruk's Beard before being destroyed by Bounty Hunters. Attempt four, started in Family Pride and made it to Family Zein before being destroyed by bounty hunters. Attempt six, started in Zyrth's Dominion and made it into Family Zyarth before being destroyed by Bounty Hunters. Arg, constant trend.

Attempt seven, started in Family Zyarth and after crippling a bounty hunter ship, ran up into Ocean of Fantasy. I'm still alive but now have the near by freebie Advance Barracuda. If I hadn't gotten it I would have been destroyed due to low shields. The Barracuda came with 3 25 MJ shields and a much higher speed. I've only just got over a million credits and have both of my fighters upgraded the best I can. So far I'm trapped in those few sectors surrounded by the Split which want to kill me. Will see if I can raise enough money to get something, let alone shields, to get me through either 3 Split sectors and a Xenon sector to escape to the rest of the universe.

Stay tuned.
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Post by XMEN Gambit »

Don't you have to "unlock" the unholy traitor start?
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Post by TimberWolf »

I did in my previous game, as well as several other game starts.
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Post by XMEN Gambit »

Ya, I figured, just checking. I've finally got started on X3:TC myself and chose the Argon Patriot start. Didn't remember seeing the unholy nomad.
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