How do i get the Kestral?

[Neon]

I've heard MANY "stories" on getting this Kestrel. Some by getting it at combat rating 9. While others say you can get it through the story. But i need to know, WHAT is the actual, proven way to get it.

[KATANA]

It's combat rating 9. The only reason some people are thinking there's a relation with the story is because through playing the story you naturally achieve a high combat rating. As soon as you reach the required rating you'll get a message from some guy on Tarazed, it begins a very short questline that ends with you unlocking the Kestrel.

[Milk Run]

You'll get an option in that quest to choose whether the ship should have more shields/hull, weapon capacity or engine capacity. Choose engine capacity so you can fit the best Atomic thrusters and steering. The other options are worthless, imo.

[FeuerAurora#2839]

Weapons might be worthwhile too, but I wouldn't pick shields/hull at all.

But I don't understand the point of getting it.
The best ships are Dreadnought(weapons+capture warship), Bactrian(cargo+capture warship), Mule(good overall stats freighter).

[Milk Run]

They're speedy and agile and fun to fly. Really though, there's no point in anything other than a Bactrian which can do pretty much everything.

[Xaiier]

The key thing that separates the Kestrel from other top of the line ships is its weapons and engine space - it beats out most of the top of the line ships by a significant margin. This gives it great versatility and allows it to fit combinations that are otherwise impossible.

[Neon]

Originally posted by SolaEvoli:

Weapons might be worthwhile too, but I wouldn't pick shields/hull at all.

But I don't understand the point of getting it.
The best ships are Dreadnought(weapons+capture warship), Bactrian(cargo+capture warship), Mule(good overall stats freighter).

Where do you get the Dreadnaught?

[Rorie]

Kestral can be bought off the Free Worlds' shipyard if you progress far enough in the story, along with the Dreadnaught and some new outfits.

[Neon]

Does Dreadnaught come with Kestral?

[Rorie]

No, it comes later on after you get the Kestral.

[Neon]

What's the requirements for it?

[Lord of Nictor]

Kestrel *does not* come with the storyline. The only requirement is "combat rating" > 8000 (straight from the game files; that's not the combat rating you see in-game, it's the exact amount of personnel defeated on all the ships you've destroyed, I've understood - you can find your current value at your savegame). In fact, it is possible to play through the storyline without ever getting Kestrel, or without ever even realizing there is such a thing. Dreadnoughts became available at certain part of the story, though.

[Rorie]

It doesn't come with the storyline? I started the storyline at combat level 9 and around halfway through I got the option to buy the Kestrel. I'm not sure then.

[Lord of Nictor]

Well, you can get the mission only at Wayfarer, so it's possible you didn't visit there before you were halfway the storyline. (I could be wrong, of course - but that's how the game files appear to me, anyway.)

[Neon]

I'm at Zug where Eyes leaves to give the council evidence. Where do i go next?

[Avarice]

Originally posted by gbepraise1j8:

I'm at Zug where Eyes leaves to give the council evidence. Where do i go next?

Right there with ya. No idea what to do. I've maxed my combat, gained a large fleet (13), and done so many missions I have more cash than I'd ever need.