Subset Games Forum

I was doing so well in my current game of FTL. I was checking out a nebula near the end of the second sector while looking for fuel. Using up the last of my fuel, I came across a scenario giving me the choice to pursue a ship with fuel stores, or a ship with ammo stores. I of course chose the fuel stores.

It turns out the ship has Zoltan shields and I have no weapons to take it down. My only defense and offense is boarding or jumping to a new sector. In a previous game where I ran out of fuel, the enemy ship jumped away after I couldn't kill it. This current one has not jumped away after 10 minutes.

After an intense bombardment and repairing from their bomb and heavy lasers, I come to realize they will never give up the assault. They've run out of missiles and can no longer pierce my shields.

So now I guess my only choice is to lower my shields and hope that they deal me a swift death?

(Open the image in a new tab to see the whole picture)

MufinnMan wrote:So now I guess my only choice is to lower my shields and hope that they deal me a swift death?

lol.

I would suggest venting the air out of your ship instead of lowering your shield; slow and painful death is always more fun to watch!

boarding drone may damage zoltan shields I have not tested this

marted wrote:boarding drone may damage zoltan shields I have not tested this

Sadly, no. Waste of a drone.

The Mantis B has more than one fatal flaw. It's got poor engines that make if difficult to flee. Poor engines give poor evasion also. If you are boarding, you ship is a complete sitting duck, and the shields can only protect you so much.

In the early game (before getting crew, a weapon and some engine upgrades) you will struggle a LOT against airless ships and Zoltan vessels. The Basilisk is probably the most powerfull ship once it gets going, but it has a very rough start. Not as bad as Zoltan B or Stealth B but still very tough if the dice roll against you.

Why didn't you man the engines? Always keep at least one person there for the opportunity to escape!
That's even more important in boarding-oriented ships like Mantis B, Slug B and Rock.

AstralStorm wrote:Why didn't you man the engines?

Because he has no fuel anyway?

Oh indeed, that's real bad...

I've had stalemate situations when out of fuel vs various rebel ships and they eventually jumped away. I guess they forgot to add this behavior to some ships.