Author's surface notes (Ŧ)

(Ŧ1))Engines are (not) completely outdated! Any mention of a Jelly Tentacle along with engines 2 may be substituted with a Bule Pusher and engines 1. Or, if you want to emulate the past, a Gigantic Edison Furnace with engines 0.

(Ŧ2))Most of these setups have unneeded skills, they are there to give people who use these setups some room for playing around...The Zen of the Spin skill is an example of such skills.

(Ŧ3))A fair amount of these setups are designed to be used while MCing, for example, most ships derived from the Anti Permanent/PvAI setup (described later) will not be able to survive on their own.

(Ŧ4))Creating character setups can be a pain, so I've memorized and listed three of the most important skill levels for your potential character setups: Skill level 4: 10 skill points Skill Level 9: 45 skill points Skill level 13: 91 skill points

(Ŧ5))Leveling as an F2P may be long and easy or short and harsh. I, as a promoter of quick leveling, have listed my leveling doctrine for your speedy benefits:

Leveling off Ragnarocks by multiclienting a level 20 slaver and another character almost always gets 510 exp.

Permanent drones cut exp gain (510->96)

Anything that is not a Ragnarock, Serenity, Goblin, Space Blue Faction, or Goldenboy is not worth killing.

In Earthforce Trading Outpost, kill the flylet broodship whenever you have the chance for about 100 experience.

Author's indepth notes (Ŧ€)

(Ŧ€1)) Engines The Engine Rebalance (a mere figment of the past) was a rebalance that greatly beefed every engine an F2P could use. The Jelly Tentacle now produces a gigantic amount of thrust while the Bule Pusher makes ships turn like tornadoes. Nowadays, it might be a great idea to choose an engine with a small size requirement; the Ganglite Push Alpha is my recommendation. Of course, extra turning or thrust wouldn't hurt, but the extra nimbleness won't really affect anything (flanking is rare in the F2P world)

(Ŧ€2)) Unneeded skills The Engine Rebalance had a side affect: the Zen of the Spin skill is no longer a usable skill in the F2P realm. I am unable to decide what skill should replace my former recommendation, so you will have to figure out your play styles and make changes yourself.

(Ŧ€3)) Multiclienting Multiclienting greatly increases your power. You can spread out damage, you can drop more drones, you can create a wave of undodgeable energy pulses. My way of multiclienting allowed me to emulate the affects of squads of organized people; a group of ninjas so to speak. Multiclienting will require a guide of it's own, a guide that is currently undeveloped. The basics of multiclienting includes the use of Alt-Tabbing and awareness over every character though.

(Ŧ€4)) Setup Creation (indepth notes)(excludes drone deployment and remote control)

Level 10: Weapons (and piloting if you can)

Level 9: Weapons, piloting

Level 8: Shielding

Level 7: Weapons, shielding, piloting

Level 6: Weapons, shielding, piloting

Level 5: Weapons (borders usefulness), piloting, equipment

Level 4: Weapons, piloting (to an extent), energy (borders usefulness), shielding, equipment

Level 3: Energy (borders usefulness)

Level 2: Weapons, engine, energy, radar (borders usefulness), shielding, cloaking (specialized), Warp Navigation (specialized)

Level 1: Radar, Warp Navigation

Level 0: Shielding, cloaking, radar, Warp Navigation (borders usefulness)

Engines 3 and above is superfluous, the Engines Rebalance essentially removed the need to pick the best engine possible.

Weapons are generally arranged into three groups: Level 10, 9, and 4. Level 10 weapons are powerful but specialized (extreme knockback, extreme damage, extreme range), level 9 weapons are all-around useful, level 4 weapons are just as strong as level 9 weapons in terms of potential.

Radar is useless, I only use it to get the Tibsi radar

Equipment is gamebreaking, Gear Glue is a must, the Overloader Rapid is an incredible force multiplier, the Liberty Shield Capacitors are cheap but powerful, etc.

Energy is a minor but important asset. The Faranji Force/Energy 1 and 2 and Vazaha Flicker Cluster energies are amazing for both their buffs and potential.

Piloting is an important part of Star Sonata's F2P dimension. The Faranji Wingship is an embodiement of twilight, the Pax Prismatica is a layer of death, the Hotrod+ is a speaker of many languages, and the Banshee+ is a silent sentinel.

Warp Navigation is SS's version of a 'tech tree,' it allows F2Ps to specialize into unnamed classes (defined later).

Cloaking is a specializer: once trained it will make and break your character.

Shielding, like energy, is a minor subject. There are three basic types of shield levels in the F2P world: Speed, bank, and stealth. Speed protects the brawlers, bank embodies the droners, stealth defends the ninjas.

Level 9 is generally the roof for F2P skills. Level 10 leads to the total destruction of one aspect of a normal character.

Level 8 in most skills is completely useless due to the lack of content. However, the shields are nice.

Level 7 survives by a thread: some ships are amazing (i.e. Banshee), some weapons are amazing (i.e. Rinduan Misslecannon), some shields are amazing (i.e. Prism series) Level 6 is like level 7, it hangs by a thread because of several grest weapons.

Level 5 has the Hotrod+, Undead dungspray, and Overloader Rapid: three of the most useful F2P items.

Level 4 is the epitome of F2P usefulness (in terms of equippable items).

Level 3 lives because of the Whiskey and Nexus series of items.

Level 2 is like level 4: the content is amazing (Vazaha Shields, general equipment, Jelly items, Uncirculator+, Warp Navigation 2 skills)

Level 1 serves to hold the Tibsi radar, an energy regeneration boosting radar.

Level 0 contains the specialized Faranji Supreme Defense. It's the Deadstop of level 0 (3.62k bank, 0 regen)

(Ŧ€5)) Leveling Leveling with slaves allows you to bypass all but one part: the Preload levels.

Leveling alone, however, is different. So I have illustrated my way of leveling without help from others.

Preload: Flylet Broodship till I reach level 5 or until I wish to stop gaining augmenters. Do not ask to complete the mission unless you are absolutely sure you are going to get out preload! Also, be sure you complete the Mining missions for a Mining Laser Deluxe.

Relative time: Not long

Nexus: Missions, killing Volcoms, and killing rats until I reach level 8 or 10.

Relative time: Twice as long as Preload

Universe (8-15): Destroying Serenities with Preload's Mining Laser Deluxe, destroying Volcoms, destroying Flyswatter Maggots with a tier 2 weapon.

Relative time: The bulk of the time

Universe (15-17)

Destroying Serenities, Flyswatter Flylets and Flyboys, Mini Kaspers, Space Blue Alphas (do not shoot the scouts, they are strong)

Relative time: Not long

Universe (17-20)

Destroying Serenities, Flyswatters, Mini Kaspers, Space Blue Alphas, Goldenboy Coins and Statues, Goblins

Relative time: Luck based, average time is not long however.

= The Guide Itself (table of contents marker)

The Guide Itself

The guide itself is a series of ship setups with several reviews created by me and based on my findings.

The guide may become outdated at some point due to thw nature of Star Sonata. However, unlike the P2P world, the F2P world (in which this guide is situated in) is very stable and only affected by balance patches.

.

Light Fighters

Cheapstake's setup

Cruiser

Stats:

• Tech: 4
• Hull: 160
• Max Speed: 90
• Size: 27
• Visibility: 200
• Augmenters: 2
• Weapons: 2
• Weight: 20,000
• Description: 'rare alien technology'
• Docking Speed: 10
  • 20% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 40% Protection from Mining
• Improves: Energy +80%, Range +50%, Radar +50%, Rate of Fire +50%
• Light Fighter

Skills:

Piloting 4, Weaponry 6, Shielding 3, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 5, Remote Control 4, Equipment 6, Zen of the Spin 2, Warp Navigation 1

Equipment: 

Bule Tracking Laser/Micro Huge Tracking Laser

Parasitic Flare Gun/Bule Insanity

VH3/VP3/Ion Wall

Jelly's Tentacle

Exterminator Pro

Hull Extension

Liberty Shield Capacitor 2

Electo Scoop

Mzungu Bang/Freon Foundation+

Arat Radar+

Augmenters: 

Pyrite, Pyrite Minor Electic, Minor Electric

Review : 

Price: £££££

During my time of play, this setup was excedingly cheap. Using the cheapest items listed out, it was approximately 30m. Using the most expensive items, it was 170m.

Solo-effectiveness: £££

We get what we pay for. This setup, against elite players, will crumble. Against players of average level, however, this will foght back with equal force. With two Cruisers as slaves, this thing will at least scathe its enemies.

Group-effectiveness: £££

In my standard group (support, brawler, slaver) this thing will either die with after releasing a fire or will cause relatively nice destruction. There are better choices, however.

Supreme Annoyance

Hotrod+

Stats:

• Tech: 5
• Hull: 110
• Max Speed: 132
• Size: 42
• Visibility: 150
• Augmenters: 5
• Weapons: 5
• Protections:
  • 10% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 20% Protection from Mining
• Light Fighter
• Improves: Energy +20%, Thrust +100%
• Weight: 90,000

Skills:

Piloting 5, Weaponry 10, Shielding 2, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 4, Warp Navigation 1

Equipment: 

Gremcannon

Parasitic Flare Gun

Dust Launcher

Slipstream+ / Jetstream

Jelly's Tentacle

Exterminator Pro

Hull Extension

Liberty Shield Capacitor

Electo Scoop

Freon Foundation+

Arat Radar+

Augmenters: 

Artemis, Artemis, Basic Firing, Basic Firing, Basic Firing

Review : 

Cost: ££

This thing is costly, timewise and moneywise. The time it takes to gather a Dust Launcher is equal to it's price (300m). The resy of the modules aren't too expensive however. Keep 500m handy if you plan on making this setup.

Solo-effectiveness: £

You will die. A gremcannon will not work against an AI while the Dust Launcher has a narrow cone of damage (if it even is damage).

Group-effectiveness: ££££

This is the setup's home environment, a squad of two supporters and itself. It is essentially an anti-ninja and brawler. Using the Gremcannon, it can force ninjas to forcethrust and die to drones while the Dust Launcher pushes away potential rushers.

Warning: the Engines Rebalance may have damage this setup beyond repair. Engines can potentially outpush the Dust Launcher!

PvP Wingship

Faranji Wingship

Stats:

• Tech: 9
• Hull: 175
• Max Speed: 119
• Size: 40
• Visibility: 15
• Reflectivity: 42%
• Augmenters: 5
• Weapons: 2
• Protections:
  • 60% Protection from Laser
  • 40% Protection from Energy
  • 40% Protection from Heat
  • 40% Protection from Radiation
  • 40% Protection from Mining
• Light Fighter
• Weight: 10,000

Skills:

Piloting 9, Weaponry 4, Shielding 2, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 5, Warp Navigation 2 (Two, 2, ii, not 3)

Equipment:

Bule Insanity

Volcom's Beam

Jetstream

Jelly's Tentacle

Celestica Charger

Exterminator Pro

Luxurious\Liberty Shield Capacitor 2

Overloader Rapid

Paxian's Storage

Advanced Nexus Scoop / Electro Scoop / Sliver Scoop

Faranji Force 1 or Vazaha Flicker Clister

Augmenters:

Speedy\Basic Nimbleness, Golden, Hue, Ismail, Volt

Review:

Cost: £

This thing is costly. 0.7 to 1.2 billion for the ship hull, a few dozen millions for the energy, a hundred million for the weapons, and a few dozen millions for the equipment and shield.

Carry around at least 1.5 billion, you'll need it.

Solo-effectiveness: ££££

This is what the setup was designed for: quickly mauling enemies in a skirmish. With the Vazaha Flicker Custer, it can produce a wave of energy capable of demolishing a slaver's control ship without dieing and with the Faranji Force 1, it can outlast a fight against a Hotrod or Enforcer with most weapons.

Group-effectiveness: £££

It's not bad, but it's not good. There were just not enough times where I was able to take advantage of an opening. However, if you do see an break in the enemies' defenses, feel free to attack, chances are you'll wreak some havoc.

Heavy Fighters

Revenge Killer at Low Range

Banshee+

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 242
• Max Speed: 99
• Size: 45
• Visibility: 90
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 4
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Mining
• Light Fighter
• Improves: Damage +20%, Energy Recharge +20%
• Weight: 80,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Weaponry 7, Shielding 3, Engine 2, Radar 2, Cloaking 2, Electrical Engineering 3, Equipment 4, Warp Navigation 1, Zen of the Spin 2

Equipment:

Bule Big Pulse

Gigantic X-Surgical Laser

Light of Mythos

Slipstream+

Ganglinite Push Alpha

Celestica Charger

Celestica's Mod OR overloader Basic

Exterminator Pro

Luxurious\Liberty Shield Capacitor 2

Nexus Expansion

Electro Scoop

Ion Bank+

Jelly's Eye

UnCirculator+

Augmenters:

Adv.Basic Patrol, Aphrodite+, Aphrodite+

Notes:

This ship counters those pesky F2Ps in hotrod+ ships...Don't use an AI base hull expander, those things weigh a lot.

Revenge Killer at High Range

Jujuso'qii

Jujuso'qii

Stats:

• Tech: 3
• Hull: 220
• Max Speed: 60
• Size: 58
• Visibility: 59
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Vulnerability from Heat
• Heavy Fighter
• Improves: Visibility -45%, Range +25%, Tracking +25%, Critical Hit Rate +2%
• Weight: 40,000

Skills:

Piloting 3, Weaponry 9, Shielding 2, Engine 5, Radar 2, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 2, Warp Navigation 1

Equipment: 

Bule Trans-dim Laser

Mythstream/Jetstream

Blue Engine

Janitor's Special Cleaner

Hull Extension

Luxurious\Liberty Shield Capacitor

Overloader Projectionz

Electro Scoop

Gigantic Freon Foundation

Jelly's Eye

UnCirculator+

Augmenters: 

Cadet Sniper Badge, Cadet Sniper Badge, Adv. Minor Patrol

Notes : 

This Jujuso'qii setup is just used for revenge kills and stopping people from running away with low shields.

Heavy Fighter Bank ShM

Mini Mad Scientist

Stats:

• Tech: 8
• Hull: 300
• Max Speed: 85
• Size: 55
• Visibility: 100
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 2
• Built In Item:
  • Mini Mad Charger
• Protections:
  • 15% Protection from Laser
  • 15% Protection from Energy
  • 15% Protection from Heat
  • 50% Protection from Radiation
  • 10% Protection from Mining
  • 5% Protection from Transference
• Heavy Fighter
• Improves:
  • Shield +10%
  • Energy +10%
  • Shield Recharge +5%
• Weight: 225,000
• Docking Speed: 100

Skills:

Piloting 8, Weaponry 2, Shielding 8, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 2, Warp Navigation 1,

Equipment:

Jack Healer

Mining Laser Deluxe

Deadstop

Jelly's Tentacle

Mini Mad Charger

Exterminator

Luxurious\Liberty Shield Capacitor 1

Nexus Expansion

Electro Scoop

Gigantic\Freon Foundation/+

Tibsi Radar

Augmenters:

3x Adv Basic Defensive 3x Zobitan 3x Sergeant Enforcer's Augmenter

Notes:

22k bank, decent regen for an F2P Bank ShM, what more could you need?

Freighters

Combat Related Freighters

PvAI / Anti-Permanents

Paxian Prismatica

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 400
• Max Speed: 65
• Size: 60
• Visibility: 500
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Heat
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Surgical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Mining
• Freighter
• Built in Items: Prismatica's Mod
• Weight: 125,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Weaponry 9 , Shielding 2, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 3, Zen of the Spin 1, Warp Navigation 1,

Equipment:

Abstructor

Bule Trans-Dim Laser

Mzungu Trading Defence

Vazaha Sancturary 2 / Vazaha Protector 2 / Jetstream

Jelly's Tentacle

Cadet Charger

Exterminator Pro

Hull extension

Libery Shield Capacitor

Inbuilt Crap

Electro Scoop / Advanced Nexus Scoop

Freon Foundation+

Tibsi Radar

Augmenters

Zombie Rat Queen's, Zombie Rat Queen's, Infernal / Inferno

Notes:

Very long range and nice damage...And this thing can power almost everything an F2P can fire... The Jetstream is able to survive most AIs, the VP2/VS2 is used for killing immobile or nearly immobile objects

True DPS

Paxian Prismatica

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 400
• Max Speed: 65
• Size: 60
• Visibility: 500
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Heat
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Surgical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Mining
• Freighter
• Built in Items: Prismatica's Mod
• Weight: 125,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Weaponry 10, Shielding 1, Engine 2, Radar 1, Equipment 1, Warp Navigation 1, Spin spin of the meditate! 1

Equipment:

Suicidal Tendency

• Gremcannon

Vazaha Protector 1

Jelly's Tentacle

Exterminator

Hull Expander

Libery Shield Capacitor

Inbuilt Supreme

Electro Scoop

Vazaha Flicker Cluster

Gigantic Ande Radar/Ande Radar+

Augmenters

Golden, Hestia+, Basic Cap

Notes:

HUUUGGEEE DPS to self and opponent....Grab a shield monkey, both sides.

Pure DPS

Paxian Prismatica

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 400
• Max Speed: 65
• Size: 60
• Visibility: 500
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Heat
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Surgical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Mining
• Freighter
• Built in Items: Prismatica's Mod
• Weight: 125,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Weaponry 10, Shielding 1, Engine 2, Radar 1, Equipment 1, Warp Navigation 1, Spin spin of the meditate! 1

Equipment:

Fire Beam

Mining Laser 3+

Gremcannon/Hairsprayer/Nano Armageddon Laser/Magcannon 3+/Mzungu Super Sebastopol

Vazaha Protector 1

Jelly's Tentacle

Exterminator

Hull Expander

Libery Shield Capacitor

Inbuilt Supreme

Electro Scoop

Vazaha Flicker Cluster

Gigantic Ande Radar/Ande Radar+

Augmenters

Golden, Hestia+, Basic Cap

Notes:

Lots of DPS...Just a port from that setup above this one.

Bank and Burst Healing Shield Monkey

Little Guy

Stats

• Tech: 3
• Hull: 220
• Max Speed: 70
• Size: 45
• Visibility: 500?
• Augmenters: 2
• Weapons: 2
  • 30% Protection from Energy
  • 30% Protection from Heat
  • 30% Protection from Laser
  • 30% Protection from Physical
  • 30% Protection from Surgical
  • 30% Protection from Radiation
• Freighter
• 20% to Shield
• Built in Items: Paximinus Charger - Regenerate 6 every 1.2 for 0 elec.
• Weight: 60,000

Skills:

Piloting 3, Weaponry 4, Shielding 5, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 4, Support Focus 4, Shield Monkey 4, Shield Transference 1, Warp Navigation 1

Equipment:

Gigantic Shield Transference 2

Monkey Shield Transference 2

VP/VH/VS4

Faranji Traveller

Jelly's Tentacle

Exterminator Pro

Nexus Expansion

Libery Shield Capacitor 2

Inbuilt Supreme

Electro Scoop

Jelly's Heart

Tibsi Radar

Augmenters

Hestia+, Hestia+!!!

Notes:

Lots of HPS...It can't power either shield trans so only use the gigantic one in times of emergency

Basic DM

Paxian Prismatica

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 400
• Max Speed: 65
• Size: 60
• Visibility: 500
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Heat
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Surgical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Mining
• Freighter
• Built in Items: Prismatica's Mod
• Weight: 125,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Weaponry 1 , Shielding 3, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 4, Drone Deployment 7, Warp Navigation 1, Drone Mastery 1, Astral Injection 1, Support Focus 1, Engineer Class 1

Equipment:

Fly Pellet

Ganglite MagCannon

Shield Transference

Ion Wall+

Jelly's Tentacle

Celestica Charger

Exterminator Pro

Homing Beacon?

Luxurious\Liberty Shield Capacitor 2

Minor Resistance Drone Controller

Prismatica's Mod

Drone Scoop

Lithiumlon Pack+

Arcadian Radar

4 Arson Drones

4 Fatty Drones

8 Magic Attacks

4 Mining Drones

4 Vazaha Misy Drones

Augmenters

Basic Capacity, Basic Capacity, Ismail

Notes:

You can replace 4 types of drones for 2 ice drones...2 Ice drones and 4 mining drones is awesome for sieges..

Non-Combat Related Freighters

Pax Generica

Paxian Prismatica

Stats:

• Tech: 7
• Hull: 400
• Max Speed: 65
• Size: 60
• Visibility: 500
• Augmenters: 3
• Weapons: 3
• Protections:
  • 20% Protection from Laser
  • 20% Protection from Energy
  • 20% Protection from Heat
  • 20% Protection from Radiation
  • 20% Protection from Surgical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Physical
  • 25% Vulnerability from Mining
• Freighter
• Built in Items: Prismatica's Mod
• Weight: 125,000

Skills:

Piloting 7, Shielding 2, Engine 2, Radar 1, Electrical Engineering 2, Equipment 3, Support Focus 9, Zen of the Spin 1, Warp Navigation 1,

Equipment:

Jetstream

Jelly's Tentacle

Cadet Charger

Exterminator Pro

Hull Extension

Libery Shield Capacitor

Inbuilt Crap

Electro Scoop / Advanced Nexus Scoop

Core Power+

Tibsi Radar

Augmenters

Pretty much anything, but I use... Speedy\Basic Agility, Speedy\Basic Nimbleness, Adv\Basic Monkey

Notes:

Just a generic freighter and a port from the anti-PvAI pax...91 speed with 81% more hull, yum yum!