Researching FTL Types

[Chilled Legumes]

I don't know if this is something that has been brought up already. Didn't find anything in search, but here goes.

I know that you have to choose which type of FTL method at the beginning of the game that your species starts with, however, Is it possible to research the other FTL types and put them on your ships?

I think it may be a little OP if you conquer a species and immediately get their FTL type, but at the same time, I like the idea of being able to tailor your war-fleet based on the terrain of your enemy empire. I don't claim to know how to balance this, or anything, but I figured it would be a neat idea.

Thanks for reading!

 

[doomdude1]

1. you select your starting FTL type
2. through research you unlock additional FTL types (though it's pretty far into the game)
3. you can then change the module on your schematics and apply the other type of FTL onto your ships

Also, there's no real need to adjust your movement strategy to counter an enemy, it's mainly down to your preference and your own strategy.

 

[Ajm5k6]

I think it may be a little OP if you conquer a species and immediately get their FTL type...

I think you hit the nail on the head with that bit of your message. You never want to give any player such an advantage, even in context of the game, that would over power them. One of the things I liked about Stellaris, since I first heard about the game, was the emphasis on late game crisises and helping to provide a challenege even after you have researched 90%+ of the technologies and 90%+ of the useful worlds have been colonized.

 

[NerdPunkFu]

While it is possible to research other FTL methods, I don't know where you got the impression that you gain that knowledge somehow automatically by conquering another empire. You do have a chance to get some tech by analyzing wreckage (and possibly via ground combat?), but that unreliable, random and you only ever get small portions of research towards one tech, but not the whole tech.

 

[Chilled Legumes]

I don't know where you got the impression that you gain that knowledge somehow automatically by conquering another empire.

I guess what I figured was once you conquered their civilization, its not like all of their knowledge vanishes. Even if every single one of their scientists refuses to work with you, I would find it hard to believe that it wouldn't be possible to reverse engineer their FTL technology from their archives. Again, not that I'd want that to be in the game, because it would just cause a reason to attack another player early game just because they have another FTL method than you do.

But,

You do have a chance to get some tech by analyzing wreckage

That makes a lot more sense.

 

[PichuTrainer]

Perhaps a better way of looking, is improving on the FTL type you've chosen, like if you choose Warp FTL you can develop than into Slipstream and stuff like that.

 

[aruon]

i think twin FTLs are really only OP when you have warp/hyperspace and wormholes.

 

[Jukhy]

I'm wondering if you and other empires can research and use other FTL methods if you force everyone use certain one at the start?
I mean forcing the use of certain type FTL is somewhat pointless, if you can research other ones later. Especially if your strategy is based on it, eg. with Hyperspace lanes fortifying certain planets to prevent enemy attacks.

 

[Chilled Legumes]

I'm wondering if you and other empires can research and use other FTL methods if you force everyone use certain one at the start?
I mean forcing the use of certain type FTL is somewhat pointless, if you can research other ones later. Especially if your strategy is based on it, eg. with Hyperspace lanes fortifying certain planets to prevent enemy attacks.

I would be rather surprised if this is the case. if it is the case, Im sure that myself or someone else will end up fixing it with a Mod.

 

[Ramiel]

I do want to note, while you can research the other FTL methods there are several caveats
- Researching the other methods is only available later in the game
- By the nature of the tech deck (order techs become available), your primary method will always be well ahead of the others.
- Every individual ship requires an engine component, so each ship is restricted to a single travel method.
- Ships with different travel methods cannot be mixed into a single fleet.

 

[ahhheygao]

Even with multiple FTL techs, you can only put one type of FTL drive on each ship. This applies to worm hole as well, so you can't have hyperlane or warp ships use your worm hole stations. You could technically put them in the same fleet within a star system, just that they won't be able to travel to other systems together.

 

[Cynical Dreamer]

Still, would be great if late in an MP game, while you've used say warp for your whole game, you secretly build a wormhole network and manage to launch a massive sneak attack on your unsuspecting foe. I would really enjoy pulling that off.

 

[barny]

I'm wondering if you and other empires can research and use other FTL methods if you force everyone use certain one at the start?
I mean forcing the use of certain type FTL is somewhat pointless, if you can research other ones later. Especially if your strategy is based on it, eg. with Hyperspace lanes fortifying certain planets to prevent enemy attacks.

Yeah, that would defeat the point, I think, so I hope it won't be the case.

 

[ahhheygao]

Still, would be great if late in an MP game, while you've used say warp for your whole game, you secretly build a wormhole network and manage to launch a massive sneak attack on your unsuspecting foe. I would really enjoy pulling that off.

I'd certainly hope we can pull that off, too, but you might need an extra layer of deception. Keep in mind that star systems with worm hole stations have an icon labeled next to their names, so others can see it coming... of course, you can lull them asleep by letting another worm hole civ build stations in your border regions in earlier engagements in order to mask your own capabilites.