So. I ran outta fuel.

[Astrolibrarian™]

I haven't played this game in awhile, just came back to it.
I used to think it was 90% random, but now I realize I have more control than that.
However, there was no way to avoid running out of fuel on my last playthrough.
I didn't know about the 'WAIT' feature, i assumed you just died if Empty.
I waited, but had no money for the guy who showed up.
He left. I waited.
I faced ship after ship from the rebels, each fleeing & bringing back a stronger ally.

Sitting ducks:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=237819073

[Biohazard063]

Yeah... I really hate the fact that everyone that fights you immediatley tries to run if you ran out of fuel...
Well, at least the rebel fleat doesn't run. Small conselation though.

[Nebhead]

Only other problem with that screenshot is if the Rebel Fleet catches you in a Nebula, it allways seems to create an Plasma Ion Storm (the thing that makes your Reactor operate at 50% capacity), so it's an even harder fight in that instance.

Apparently, having an upgraded Sensor Subsystem prevents limits hostile encounters, like enemies boarding you, when out of fuel, so could be worth getting in the future. I heard that the Augmentation Long Range Scanners does so aswell.

[Astrolibrarian™]

Yeah...If there was a nebula, i wouldn't've lived through 1-2 fights.
As it was, i was able to send at least 4 of them running..

[Drain]

You're not immediately screwed upon running out of fuel. You can sit and wait for help or enemies to salvage for fuel. Turning on the distress beacon will greatly increase your chances of an encounter, so you probably want to do that every time. Either way, you may attract a merchant willing to sell you the fuel you need or a pirate wanting to plunder the desperate ship. There's also a chance nothing will happen except that time passes. It's as random as being stranded on a rock would be.

[anarcher]

Isn't it just typical that when you run out of fuel, you get 3 "nothing" events when waiting and then a 3-missile rebel when they finally catch you...

[DarkTwinge]

Originally posted by anarcher:

Isn't it just typical that when you run out of fuel, you get 3 "nothing" events when waiting and then a 3-missile rebel when they finally catch you...

Not with the Beacon active, no.

[Gopnik_Style]

If you play on normal, things are pretty much harder there, so you have to also check in advance how many sectors you can visit with the actual status of your fuel. Without expecting to achieve some through a gameplay. You might lose some of a valueable experiences by visiting more beacons but in a long run you are much more productive in having some spare fuel.

[Skinny Pete]

Looks like you actually did have the distress beacon on, and that's how you generally get out of these situations. The only time I wouldn't is if I were not only entirely out of fuel but also had practically no hull left, because distress beacon greatly increases the chance of an encounter, but also the chances of a hostile encounter. Without distress beacon, you are less likely to get a fuel encounter, but when you do, it is more likely to be one that doesn't involve fighting (though I have not done the math on this).

[Nebhead]

Last couple of days I have run out of fuel in two occasions, purely accidental of course!

Lv2 Sensors did not prevent a hostile Mantis Cruiser from responding to my Distress Signal, so presumably, it's only Lv3 Sensors and the Long Range Scanners Augmentation that does this if is true.

As for the Distress Signal thing, yes I think that you have more Ship Encounters (Either Hostile or Friendly, or both even) if you have it on, whereas if you leave it off, you have other options.

In short, if it is on, your Ship sits there waiting for another Ship to come to you.

If it is off, your Ship flies around the system of the Beacon you are at, scrounging for Fuel. This sometimes may involve another Ship, but often doesn't.

[Blaze]

focus on making sure the rebel ship can't get away. They always give you at least 1 fuel when you destroy them, so if you focus on their pilot and engines you'll eventually get out of there.

[Astrolibrarian™]

Yep i had the Beacon on...a fuel seller came along first & i had nothing to trade so i killed em & jumped 1-2 times, went empty again, killed a Rebel, jumped again....But they eventually caught me & i couldn't kill them even while focusing Engines...they just kept fleeing & sending more A-holes, hahahaha

[rpgamer987]

Never focus on engines, mate. Engines can usually take a lot of hits. Take out the pilot seat. Almost always takes less damage to disable.

[Astrolibrarian™]

Ok...Do they never have Auto-pilot?

[Bellomy]

Originally posted by Hackey McNoobster™:

Ok...Do they never have Auto-pilot?

No, unless you count the flagship, sort of, and the unmanned assault ships (which you can still keep from flying by destroying the bridge either way).

[Biohazard063]

Well, engines vs pilot is always a bit fickle...
It's true that pilot needs less damage to take down up to a max of three damage. And destroying it completely will bring evasion down to 0. But if it gets repaired 1 bar, it gets all of it's evasion back. I do end up going for pilot more then the engines though...