Hi. I'm brand new to the game, been learning for a week, now I think I'm ready to turn off SM and play for real! Any advice that could save me from a shattering calamity, too early, greatly appreciated!
This is a standard game, spent RP myself with 6000 left over. This is my starting fleet that I'd like you to evaluate, along with my general strategy to expand as early as possible, albeit slowly.
Edit: Modified fleet 9 posts below.
Light Hauler class Freighter 21,500 tons 142 Crew 377 BP TCS 430 TH 500 EM 0
1162 km/s Armour 1-68 Shields 0-0 Sensors 8/8/0/0 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 0
MSP 33 Max Repair 25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Cargo 10000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 5
100 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (5) Power 100 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 100 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 7.9 billion km (78 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR16-R160 (1) GPS 2560 Range 16.2m km Resolution 160
Active Search Sensor MR9-R60 (1) GPS 960 Range 9.9m km Resolution 60
Thermal Sensor TH1-8 (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 8m km
EM Detection Sensor EM1-8 (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 8m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Light Cryo class Colony Ship 21,500 tons 173 Crew 752 BP TCS 430 TH 500 EM 0
1162 km/s Armour 1-68 Shields 0-0 Sensors 8/8/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
MSP 44 Max Repair 25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Cryogenic Berths 40000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 5
100 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (5) Power 100 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 100 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 7.9 billion km (78 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR16-R160 (1) GPS 2560 Range 16.2m km Resolution 160
Active Search Sensor MR9-R60 (1) GPS 960 Range 9.9m km Resolution 60
Thermal Sensor TH1-8 (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 8m km
EM Detection Sensor EM1-8 (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 8m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Light Constructor class Construction Ship 21,500 tons 170 Crew 407 BP TCS 430 TH 500 EM 0
1162 km/s JR 2-25(C) Armour 1-68 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 5 PPV 0
MSP 59 Max Repair 40 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 3
Troop Capacity: 1 Battalion
JC22K Commercial Jump Drive Max Ship Size 22500 tons Distance 25k km Squadron Size 2
100 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (5) Power 100 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 100 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 19.7 billion km (196 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Underground Infrastructure is coming once a suitable scientist appears. I'm aiming to set up a chain of colonies providing fuel production, sensors, maintainance and re-arming facilites on planets and strategic chunks that would be otherwise uninhabitable.
The Construction ship will always be tasked with a Freighter, which will provide sensors coverage. Operating as a combined unit with a range of 13. 8 billion km, this pair will hop backwards and forwards with Construction Battalions and cargo. I'm guessing carrying raw materials, as opposed to infrastructure, would be the way to go. Later, a Cryogenic Ship will replace the freighter in the task group, with the Construction Ship moving ground forces or Construction Brigades along the chain.
Fuel is going to be an issue. All the task groups will be moving fuel along the chain, retaining the minimum to return to a fuel-producing colony. Hopefully this will ease enough juice through the system that I can belay producing Tankers until Sorium Harvester is researched, eventually.
There is missile tech, and a sensor array as described on the wiki, although no actual missiles or FC as yet. This is the military:
Geo Explorer class Geological Survey Vessel 2,800 tons 82 Crew 306.5 BP TCS 56 TH 100 EM 0
1785 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-17 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/16/0/1 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 0
Maint Life 6.9 Years MSP 205 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 8 5YR 113 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 1
J2800(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 2800 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
50 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (2) Power 50 Fuel Use 90% Signature 50 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 17.9 billion km (115 days at full power)
EM Detection Sensor EM2-16 (1) Sensitivity 16 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 16m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Grav Explorer class Gravitational Survey Vessel 2,800 tons 82 Crew 306.5 BP TCS 56 TH 100 EM 0
1785 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-17 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/16/1/0 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 0
Maint Life 7.86 Years MSP 205 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 6 5YR 88 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 1
J2800(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 2800 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
50 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (2) Power 50 Fuel Use 90% Signature 50 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 17.9 billion km (115 days at full power)
EM Detection Sensor EM2-16 (1) Sensitivity 16 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 16m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Does my plan have a chance?
Commercial ships' sensors superfluous? (Try saying that ten times in thirty seconds, it ought to be possible but isn't. Another mystery of the universe)
All your wisdom gratefully received.