What do you do with Elsa [Spoliers]

[Tuidjy]

Elsa's stats and skill make her an awe inspiring explorer, but they can also allow you to turn her into a fearsome riflewoman.

I personally keep her spec'd as an explorer, because she can single-handedly improve a dozen explorer draws in a row, and increase both the number and sale price of artifacts...

But I am keeping her combat potential in mind. Even spec'd as she is, I take her in combat against humans, and she is quite good at surviving. Once I level her, I plan on spec'ing her as a riflewoman (exo-scout and xeno-hunter talents) and have her fight even against level 40 xenos.

Which way do you guys go?

[Sigmar]

My last captain was an explorer/scout/xenohunter, yet Elsa with the same jobs still wasn't redundant even in the endgame. Mostly as a xeno combatant, with some nice exploration bonuses.
Next one i plan to start as a commander, so i'm afraid she will have to pull the bulk of exploration talents, cards, etc..

The one thing i will not do - is leveling her both as an exo-scout and a xeno hunter - too much redundancy. Will hire a dedicated xeno-hunter, and Elsa will get a rifle job to max the skill.
I will probably make my captain also a xeno hunter, but not for the crew combat, with permadeath it is a big no-no for me.

I wonder if her exo-scout attacks stack with a sniper rifle.. Or will this be simply a waste of initiative?

[GrimSentinel]

I use her for non-combat stuff. Starting with the Explorer job means that she's limited to only two combat focused jobs at most, and by the time I get her mission I already have my combat team finalized anyway.

[Tuidjy]

Originally posted by GrimSentinel:

I use her for non-combat stuff. Starting with the Explorer job means that she's limited to only two combat focused jobs at most, and by the time I get her mission I already have my combat team finalized anyway.

My primary combat team includes two single classed swordsmen, who have been level 40 since year 18 or so. I'm still keeping them around for fighting level 40 xenos, but against crew xenos and humans, I field Elsa and Nikolai, for quick experience. I am only playing on Brutal, so I can afford the waste.

She makes a better Explorer if she levels quickly, doesn't she? And if at level 40 she can pull her weight even against level 40 Terrox, where is the harm? I am not sure she will be able to survive against level 40 Jyeeta, though.

[GrimSentinel]

Oh, I was thinking in terms of the best possible job combinations, not about whether or not you can power-level her. Personally, I find that power-leveling stuff really boring, so I never bother with it.

[Tuidjy]

Originally posted by GrimSentinel:

Oh, I was thinking in terms of the best possible job combinations, not about whether or not you can power-level her. Personally, I find that power-leveling stuff really boring, so I never bother with it.

Well, you have to fight pirates and factions anyway, and if you are geared up for Xeno, humans are trivial. So you may as well use the B-team and level them up.

Not that I follow the above reasoning, mind you.

I enjoy leveling my guys up.

[Füchsingeist]

Maybe a little bit off-topic, if so, sorry.

If I keep the blade via turning the sextant over, will Elsa stay?

[Tuidjy]

Yes.

[Trese Brothers]

Confirm, she is willing to stay. She has no great love for De Rivesh.

[Tomcat]

At the time you recruit her, I'd just happen to have a quest that needs exploring talents (De Rivesh blade), so she gets all exploring jobs. The real prize is that shiny blue sword.

I value her noncombat stats more than her ability to fight. Same goes with Nikolai who I prefer to make as a Diplomat for higher mission payouts.