Are nebula sectors worth it?

[Leurfe]

I always try to avoid nebula sectors, they don't slow down the fleet, often deplete my reactor power and I don't like the idea of not seeing my ship interns, but I was wondering if they offer some advantages too

[Biohazard063]

Personally, I avoid them if I don't have long range scanners.
Unless the alternative is worse... like an early game zoltan sector and you don't have a good weapon setup yet.
You generally get more jumps than in normal sectors since it still does slow down the fleet though. But unless you know where you're going, you're also likely to run into empty beacons more often.

[Ryuu]

Common opinion:
1) yes, worth it, depending on situation
2) they do slow down fleet, just less that usual nebula sectors
3) they have more empty beacons, so you might want to have long-range scanners
4) yes, they have more plasma storms, so you'd want to upgrade reactor a bit
5) in slug sectors you might want to have oxygen level 2
6) If you have a slug member - then you'll always see where enemies are on both ships.

[Zbigniew]

So in the conclusion:
Slows the fleet but has more empty beacons = Do not go if you don't have Long range scanners, amirite?

[anarcher]

A slug and lv2 piloting are very helpful. Having more reactor power than you need (in odd numbered steps) is a must, in case of ion storms. If it's a slug nebula, lv2 oxygen and medbay are critical.

[VIGILO CONFIDO]

Nebulae sectors are only worth it if you have long range scanners or there is an even worse choice like an abandoned sector.

[Skinny Pete]

If you have LR scanners or lots of fuel, they're often worth it. I'd generally prefer them to a green sector, and put them roughly on a par with the average red sector. If it's a Slug sector, I'd prefer to have hacking, but if I don't, it's often worth pumping up your O2 system to two bars, as that's one of the more common annoying Slug hacks.

[Sixfortyfive]

Generally, they're more worthwhile if:

- you have a lot of fuel
- you have long-range scanners
- you have a slug crew member
- you don't mind fighting lots of auto-ships (Uncharted Nebula) or slug ships (Slug Controlled Nebula)

If I'm running a boarding ship, I might visit a Slug Controlled Nebula, but not an Uncharted Nebula, for example.

[Skinny Pete]

Originally posted by Fusion:

Originally posted by Skinny Pete:

If you have LR scanners or lots of fuel, they're often worth it. I'd generally prefer them to a green sector, and put them roughly on a par with the average red sector. If it's a Slug sector, I'd prefer to have hacking, but if I don't, it's often worth pumping up your O2 system to two bars, as that's one of the more common annoying Slug hacks.

I can usually get by by just speed killing them or jumping away in those scenarios. Is that less plausible to do on hard?

Only by a little bit, since the ships are slightly tougher and you're more (slightly) more likely to be looking at a prolonged fight where you might run out of oxygen. If you're boarding, you can always move your entire crew over to their ship where there's oxygen.

[DarkTwinge]

Nebula Sectors give you about 2.5 extra beacons in average, but one of those extra beacons will be completely empty on average. They also tend to have an above-average number of low-reward fights. I almost always avoid them without LRS, and even with them I only consider them 'decent' not 'great.

Slug Nebula are very different, and tend to be one of the most dangerous sectors but also one of the most rewarding.

[Skinny Pete]

Originally posted by Twinge:

Nebula Sectors give you about 2.5 extra beacons in average, but one of those extra beacons will be completely empty on average.

Is this on average or isn't it nearly guaranteed? I.e. the final beacon in a nebula sector is very likely to be a nebula beacon with no encounter.

[VIGILO CONFIDO]

Originally posted by Skinny Pete:

Originally posted by Twinge:

Nebula Sectors give you about 2.5 extra beacons in average, but one of those extra beacons will be completely empty on average.

Is this on average or isn't it nearly guaranteed? I.e. the final beacon in a nebula sector is very likely to be a nebula beacon with no encounter.

I think it also depends on if you dive the sector to. More diving potential in nebulae sectors since there is nothing at the exit beacon and you just go to all the beacons behind it. No ABS either in nebulae beacons.

[DarkTwinge]

Originally posted by Skinny Pete:

Is this on average or isn't it nearly guaranteed? I.e. the final beacon in a nebula sector is very likely to be a nebula beacon with no encounter.

That's guaranteed - nebula exit beacons in any sector are always dead jumps. (The game has some interesting glitches if you let nebula exit beacons have events.)

The flip side of that is that it's much safer to dive because there is no ASB when fighting Rebel Elites in a nebula.

[Ruinae Retroque Rursus]

Originally posted by Twinge:

Originally posted by Skinny Pete:

Is this on average or isn't it nearly guaranteed? I.e. the final beacon in a nebula sector is very likely to be a nebula beacon with no encounter.

That's guaranteed - nebula exit beacons in any sector are always dead jumps. (The game has some interesting glitches if you let nebula exit beacons have events.)

what have you done D:

As a more constructive comment LRS help bucketloads, as has been said.

What's the Store distribution like?

[Skinny Pete]

Originally posted by aidenpons:

Originally posted by Twinge:

That's guaranteed - nebula exit beacons in any sector are always dead jumps. (The game has some interesting glitches if you let nebula exit beacons have events.)

what have you done D:

As a more constructive comment LRS help bucketloads, as has been said.

What's the Store distribution like?

They're weak on stores, with at least one store at a nebula beacon and 0 or 1 stores in non-nebula sectors. If you're not interested in stores, this is actually a plus.