How do you level marines, fast?

[gunner]

Hi guys, I got this mission to deliver a level 3 Marine to a Space Station. Before the last patch I still could not find a level 3 Marine on NPC ships... so how does one go about leveling Marines smart and fast?

[gunner]

Well, still need help, has anyone found a way to get a level 3 Marine relatively smart and fast?

[Han Swolo]

Marines level by boarding. So pick some targets and start those attacks!

[gunner]

Ok, I know I can use Marines to claim empty ships, How exactly do I use Marines all the time until they gain levels? Do I need a L or XL ship? I am still noob, what type of target Capital ships are you talking about? Do Xenon or Khaak have capital ships to board as these factions I am currently at war with?

Or do I have to declare war with one neutral faction and keep raiding their Capital Ships?

I never tried boarding non-empty ships, so how exactly do I do it, do I need a lot of Marines and how many times of boarding process do I need to get level 3 boarding skill upgrade?

[Han Swolo]

I don’t think anybody knows the answers to those questions.

As far as how to board, it’s just like X3. There are some YouTube videos that show it. Shoot off the shields and weapons, tell your guys to board, keep the hull down to 50% till your party takes it.

You can board any M+ ship I believe. Anything with a crew. But you gotta shoot off guns first or your marines won’t do it.

You will probably lose marines too. Honestly? I wouldn’t bother training marines. It is so slow and so messed up that most people think it’s bugged anyway. There is a mod to help though if you care for that sort of thing. Otherwise ... wait for patches 😆

[gunner]

Ok, so the thing I want to know is who's M+ sized Capital ships should I attack? I want to maintain alliance with Argon and Antigone, trying to ally with Teladi... I am at war with Khaak and Xenon, where do I find their capital ships?

I am currently just starting out with a Nova Fighter, I have 1 Marine on board, is it enough or do I need larger ships to get the job done?

[Crimson Bolt]

Sounds like you need to go after the Paranid. They are smaller but they have those ships. You can also go for neutral sectors and board mining vessels, traders, and construction ships for "easy" targets (though they tend to have very large crews...which means lots of marines on defense).

When you actually board it should show your boarding strength and give you some more info . The amount of marines you need is not an exact science since skill level plays a big part but you certainly need more than one unless they have no crew. I would aim for a frigate if you want to seriously board larger vessels so you can have 10+ marines to send over. Once you make your first million (maybe 2) you can buy a good frigate and use it for boarding stuff.

[gunner]

Originally posted by Crimson Bolt:

Sounds like you need to go after the Paranid. They are smaller but they have those ships. You can also go for neutral sectors and board mining vessels, traders, and construction ships for "easy" targets (though they tend to have very large crews...which means lots of marines on defense).

When you actually board it should show your boarding strength and give you some more info . The amount of marines you need is not an exact science since skill level plays a big part but you certainly need more than one unless they have no crew. I would aim for a frigate if you want to seriously board larger vessels so you can have 10+ marines to send over. Once you make your first million (maybe 2) you can buy a good frigate and use it for boarding stuff.

Ok, I want to maintain good relations with Paranid as well if possible, but how do you get back good relations after a faction has declared war on you?

What are the Neutral sectors you are talking about?

Sounds like quite a bit of work just for a 100k+ mission to deliver a level 3 marine?