Engi A = Garbage

[Mack]

I'm trying to beat the game with all the ships on hard and I'm currently stuck on this atrociously horrible ship. Relying on drones is a joke, with no ability to shoot at a target, the drone constantly misses or attacks pointless areas like the doors. And the Ion cannon can't take out an enemy ship on it's own, and it's very power hungry. I end up having to spend tonnes of scrap on simply getting the ships to a level where it can defend itself, and still have to find more to actually buy weapons capable of killing the flagship.

Rubbish ship.

[Aurora Yukihime]

While I agree that the Engi ships aren't my favorite, here's a few tips another person on the last page got:

http://steamcommunity.com/app/212680/discussions/0/35221584441226297/

[goobermensch]

I actually beat the game my first time w/ Engi A.
What I recommend is keeping the enemy's shields down w/ ion while your drone does damage, switch between enemies and shields and weapons until they're done.
That works well for the first sector (maybe even to the 3rd one if you're lucky) until you get better weapons.

[mineral green crystal]

Engi A may be bad...but Engi B is worse. So much worse.

[Bellomy]

I love the Engi A! Drones load quickly and combined with Ion weapons they're absolutely devastating.

[Skinny Pete]

The Engi A is an OP monster compared to B.

[mineral green crystal]

I'm trying to get to sector 8 with B right now so I can have all the engi unlocks/acheievements, this is the last thing I need to do. It's so frustrating, I keep dying in sector 6/7 to the stupidest ♥♥♥♥ because it's almost impossible to fight intruders or stop fires in that layout.

[Ray Robertson]

Originally posted by syk | Obscuro:

I'm trying to get to sector 8 with B right now so I can have all the engi unlocks/acheievements, this is the last thing I need to do. It's so frustrating, I keep dying in sector 6/7 to the stupidest ♥♥♥♥ because it's almost impossible to fight intruders or stop fires in that layout.

The starting drones are pretty helpful in those regards. ;)

[mineral green crystal]

Engi B starting drones are rubbish, you can't even power them (at first)

[Ray Robertson]

Originally posted by syk | Obscuro:

Engi B starting drones are rubbish, you can't even power them (at first)

Sure you can, at least 2 of them. Those drones are pretty essential.

[Sum Booka]

Mai boi, Engi A be a goodun!

[Steelpan]

Engi A is one of the most easy to use ships. I just can not understand how people suck with Engi A.

Engi B is another story, but after a few runs you should be able to get to sector 8 without struggle. Atleast I can...

[InsaneChaos]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=297708526
Your playstyle should be fluid; play with what you get. That being said, make full use of the advantages of your ship. Engi A can be difficult in the first few sectors, but there are some shop purchases that make it go a long way.
Keep scrap saved for a drone recovery arm if and when you find one. Just before I fought the boss in the run I took a picture of, I sold my defense drone to get another combat drone. 3 combat drones = money!
While you can take down enemy ships pretty quickly this way, get your shields/engines up early on to avoid taking damage, as you cannot target enemy systems to reliably protect yourself.

[Skinny Pete]

Originally posted by syk | Obscuro:

Engi B starting drones are rubbish, you can't even power them (at first)

Remember that breathing is overrated and divert power from nonessential systems.

[Austellus]

The Ion 2 is up there with the burst laser mk. 2 for most overpowered guns in the game. If it's used by a trained gunner, it's capable of singlehandedly disabling the shields permanently.

On my first and only Engi A run I beat the flagship with an Ion 1 and two Ion 2s. Combat drones can be murderous when used right.

That said, you do want to rush getting a laser weapon so you're not totally reliant on drone parts. Never ever get rid of the ion 2 though, it's a superb weapons.

If you want a ship which is really gimped by its starting loadout, try the rock A. Reliance on missiles is even worse than reliance on drones.

[FOV Crusader]

You got to be kiding me! The Engi is the best! Its one of the few ships ive been able to beat the boss on! I unlocked all but 2. The Zoltan being the second