When is it the right time to start raiding?

[Napo]

Hello!

I'm currently managing a colony of bandits, and I would like to start forming raiding parties to capture slaves and stuff from my neighbour/ random sites close by that appear after my pawns complete a ritual.

I just hitted the 100hours playtime in the game (never actually built the spaceship) , and all my previous attempts with other settlements at going out went horribly wrong and were most of the time a game killer (colonists dying from wounds, food spoiling etc...).

So my question is: When do you start raiding, and what are your advices for its good completion?

Thanks in advance!


PS: I'm playing in Ironman, Cassandra classic and the "adventure story" difficulty

[GeneralVeers]

In my first game (which I started two and a half years ago, and finished five DAYS ago) I only raided one other settlement, but I was able to knock it down with twelve pawns.

As for preventing your raiders' food from spoiling? Pemmican or MRE's.

[Sebslocker]

In my experience you could start raiding pretty early or even immediately depending on your starting conditions and distance. Couple things can help you in raiding - Pack animals so you can loot more. Use corn, pemmican or later survival meals so your food doesn't spoil so quickly. Drop pods can speed up raiding immensely just drop your band of raiders into enemy settlement do your thing build drop pods there and shoot yourself back. In case you need more resources for that shoot some more from your base. It can be expensive but having your best pawns away for 5 days is worse in IMO. About ship- build it surrounded by wall and have someone doing research 24/7 you want to be able to build it as soon as possible.

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by GeneralVeers:

In my first game (which I started two and a half years ago, and finished five DAYS ago) I only raided one other settlement, but I was able to knock it down with twelve pawns.

Since Ideology there are much smaller camps though. I haven't attacked a full settlement, but those smaller sites should be much easier to raid.

For food spoiling also consider milk. No mood penalty for raw food, and lasts... 7 days or so? Not as good as pemmican, but doesn't require tech.

[Napo]

Thanks a lot to you both, I'm going to try those!

Btw, do you typically draft your medics as well when you go out on raids, or do you just pack your raiders with meds instead?

[Napo]

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

Originally posted by GeneralVeers:

In my first game (which I started two and a half years ago, and finished five DAYS ago) I only raided one other settlement, but I was able to knock it down with twelve pawns.

Since Ideology there are much smaller camps though. I haven't attacked a full settlement, but those smaller sites should be much easier to raid.

For food spoiling also consider milk. No mood penalty for raw food, and lasts... 7 days or so? Not as good as pemmican, but doesn't require tech.

Yeah the small sites dont seem too hard to raid, do you think that 2-3 colonists with firearms would suffice?

I didn't realize that milk lasted this long, could be really handy since I have mares and donkeys, thanks for the tip!

[Dreagon]

Originally posted by Napo:

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

Since Ideology there are much smaller camps though. I haven't attacked a full settlement, but those smaller sites should be much easier to raid.

For food spoiling also consider milk. No mood penalty for raw food, and lasts... 7 days or so? Not as good as pemmican, but doesn't require tech.

Yeah the small sites dont seem too hard to raid, do you think that 2-3 colonists with firearms would suffice?

I didn't realize that milk lasted this long, could be really handy since I have mares and donkeys, thanks for the tip!

As long as they wear some protection and have ok weapon skills, probably.

[Midas]

Originally posted by Napo:

Thanks a lot to you both, I'm going to try those!

Btw, do you typically draft your medics as well when you go out on raids, or do you just pack your raiders with meds instead?

I Take the medic with me on raids, but prepare an medical site, so some sleeping spots for medical use etc. He himself stays in cover just to rescue people in dire need, or helping cleaning up in the aftermath

[jerrypocalypse]

Originally posted by Napo:

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

Since Ideology there are much smaller camps though. I haven't attacked a full settlement, but those smaller sites should be much easier to raid.

For food spoiling also consider milk. No mood penalty for raw food, and lasts... 7 days or so? Not as good as pemmican, but doesn't require tech.

Yeah the small sites dont seem too hard to raid, do you think that 2-3 colonists with firearms would suffice?

I didn't realize that milk lasted this long, could be really handy since I have mares and donkeys, thanks for the tip!

I was taking 4 unarmored pawns on raids to those small worksites that were labeled as being defended by 2 enemies and it was fairly easy early on. 2-3 pawns would have likely been fine. I'd just keep an eye on how many defenders there are in the worksite details and if they appear to be pirates or tribals.

As for the prior question about the medic, having one along incase of an emergency definitely helps. You can even just take them along and keep them near the pack animals and away from the fighting, or if you manage to find a pawn with a combat skill and medical, make them your dedicated raid medic.

[Napo]

Again, thank you all for your useful tips, I'm gonna test all of this tonight!