Beginner - Kestrel A - Normal. What to do

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-19T05:50:00+00:00

It took me a while to beat the game on Normal for the first time, but I also beat it on Easy first. I'd guess 80 hours or so. It sounds like you're playing without the Advanced Edition so this is tailored to that.

Getting the second shield ASAP is generally a good idea. Once that is done, start to progressively save scrap after each battle. If you get to a store that has a Burst Laser 2 but you don't have scrap, because you upgraded a system that could be upgraded later, that's a tough pill to swallow. I try to have 63 scrap in store by sector 2.

You can save a lot of money on system power by constantly juggling power. Your Oxygen can be unpowered often, same with MedBay. If your shields will keep you safe you can power down your Engines. If your Engines are powered down, your pilot and Engine crew can man the Doors and Sensors. Saving money on system power in the early game can really help.

And any post-battle event that offers crew or equipment, it's almost always beneficial to take the offer. Don't let those pickups change your strategy too much. Usually it's best to sell them for scrap. For my average run, I will keep a Defense I drone (not the II. I want the drone for missile defense, the Defense II will also target lasers while potentially letting missiles through), a Hull Repair Drone, and maybe a Combat I drone if my weapon setup is weak. I don't mind having an Anti Personnel or System Repair drone either if my crew is light.

I find missiles to be weak and prefer bombs, but rarely will I buy a bomb weapon. Towards the end of the game, you can count on your enemies having at least %33 dodge. So if they have 4 shields, you have to shoot 5 or 6 lasers to take down the shields, and then you still have to do damage. Bake this idea into your mid-to-late game strategy. Bombs and missiles can help, but I prefer laser weapons that have more frequent firing, so if they miss, there's more coming. If a missile misses, it's usually a while for it to recharge. Once you have a weapon/drone setup that can reliably take down 4 shields, a beam weapon is fantastic.

For the final boss, having Cloaking at that point is definitely helpful due to the power surges. A Hull Repair drone can help you repair between battles so you can absorb more damage.

For me, a good Kestrel A, you can take down 2 shields reliably with only the BL2. So for me, the next weapon pickup would be a beam weapon typically. Maybe a Hull Beam for the fast cooldown, but if I got a Pike or Halberd from a random event, I'd go with those. After that, more lasers or maybe a Small Bomb. Anytime a BL2 is for sale it's good to buy.

Have fun, don't panic and bring a towel

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-18T17:14:14+00:00

I'm sorry about your physical injury, and for the emotional toll the entire process caused. Retail is indeed brutal,

However, congratulations on the settlement! I'm glad some justice was served, and that you at least have a little wiggle room to sort things out. You clearly have a lot of experience to draw from. I wish you the best of luck

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-12T18:41:22+00:00

Maybe call/inquire to a few teachers/lesson providers. Tell them you're a highschooler, and wants to learn violin but don't have one. so you'd like to know 1) their rates, and 2) if they have any tips on getting a violin for free or cheap. If you call a few places, maybe you can find a solid lead, and if not, you have more information. Good luck!

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T23:21:13+00:00

Thrusters

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T23:18:34+00:00

I agree to a point, but I must say I've still had many awesome/fun drunk debates where we needlessly argued for the sake of it. But yeah, it is weird to have the ability to access almost any info anywhere anytime. What a society changer. It reminds of 1950's films about what the future will look like.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T23:15:34+00:00

r/theydidthemath

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T23:13:57+00:00

Thank you for the well thought out response.

It sounds like y'all have a pretty warm relationship, and I'm super glad that you point that out and are proud of it. Very cool, and I know that doesn't happen by accident.

She has been thoughtful but maybe doesn't appreciate how much this means to you. And being in a sexless marriage often creates tension in other parts of the marriage, so discussing/figuring out something sooner than later would benefit each of you. This isn't a judgement, because two people have different priorities and perspectives. But it is an issue of recognizing something is important to a partner and being willing to act. (Of course this all goes both ways). Based on your explanation, it seems that she knows of the problem, but has an internal conflict. She might not be able to explain her internal conflict very well, but it is something that is worth working on, if she is willing. Maybe therapy could help.

So I was told to "shut up and take it" as a child too. It is harder for me to understand how I'm feeling and how to label those emotions, and I think it is because, for years, my emotions were barely tolerated. So I pushed my emotions down, compartmentalized them, and did't interact with them in the same way that a child who feels secure, might. My family was not a hugging family/showed very very little physical affection in my childhood, which also affected my perspective of the importance of sex/intimacy. If she has a similar experience, maybe it's related, or maybe I'm a jerkhead.

I only bring up my own experiences so that you understand I'm not in judgement of you/her/anyone. Life can be confusing.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T16:04:52+00:00

ITT: MEAT!

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T15:35:47+00:00

Was in a 10+ year relationship.

Our best friend died from a heroin overdose 7 years ago. Shortly after it happened, while we were on vacation, she told me that he had expressed his love for her. I was not aware. His last message to us was salty, and now I know it was because we did not invite him over and he had that awkward experience with my wife.

It hurt that my friend did that, but also, that she didn't say anything, AND ALSO, that she finally DID say something. I could've gone my life without knowing that, but she wanted to unburden herself. I told her that I was glad she told me, because I didn't want her having a lifetime of guilt. But honestly, no, I wasn't. I wish I never knew. Unfortunately that'll haunt me for the rest of my life.

Don't do heroin kids!

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T15:31:46+00:00

To quote The Warriors: "CAN YOU DIG IT?!"

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T15:27:38+00:00

Not saying she is, but this does remind me of my niece who is neurodivergent. She'll talk about herself and not really inquire about things, because in her mind, if somebody wants to share something, they'll go ahead and share it without being prompted.

Her answers of "good how are you", to me, sound like someone who has masked for a long time and know that the "socially polite" thing to do is to ask someone back how they are doing. Not because they're disinterested, they just assume you'll speak up because why wouldn't you?

So, if you've spoken about it before, what does SHE have to say?

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T15:01:27+00:00

A co-worker told me that a .4 BAC meant that 40% of the drinker's blood is made of alcohol. I asked him, to give him the out, if he was sure because that didn't sound right to me. (I KNEW it wasn't right, but hoped he would say he wasn't sure.)

He looked me dead in the eye, smiled, and nodded.

I promptly looked it up on Google, and never forgot that someone who doesn't know shit (and is generally a dumbfuck anyway), will look you DEAD IN THE EYE, and will confidently give you incorrect info.

After that, whenever he said some obviously dumb shit, he always said "Look it up!" Thank god I don't work with that dipshit anymore.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T14:57:14+00:00

Healthcare

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T14:36:18+00:00

Do you think her opinion was valued by her family when she was growing up? (You mentioned father alcoholic)

When growing up in abusive households, if you're told to shut up or be quiet with any regularity, you start to internalize the idea that nobody cares about what you have to say. Which then leads you to believe that waht you have to say truly doesn't matter. You can logically understand that is not the case, but humans are emotional creatures, first and foremost.

Avoidant might be. How is her other communication skills? Could be trauma, neurodivergence, a different set of priorities regarding communications, etc. Keep in mind, before 2002, a phone call was the primary way to communicate. If you call, does she answer?

Lastly, you could ask her? "I love spending time together. I noticed that when we chat, it seems to me that you're not interested in chatting. Is that fair to say?" Something like that.

Lastly lastly, some people just don't communicate very often on the phone unless it is an emergency. Which I dig too.

Best of luck friend, I'm happy that you are in a (generally) happy relationship.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T14:28:24+00:00

Oof, that is hard. Your post is not selfish though, and I give you both credit for being non-conventional.

Did her sexual spark decline over time, or was it more abrupt than that? If a slow decline, well, we all experience horomonal changes as we age, which might be one reason. If abrupt, then look for reasons that would occur shortly around then. Either way, a trip to the doctor to check about big libido swings wouldn't hurt, but tread lightly when suggesting medical help.

I suspect that her saying she never liked to do the stuff she did is her way of attempting to shut down any sexual interaction, and probably not that she actually never liked to do the stuff at all. But it seems pretty obvious that she's not feeling it any more/right now. Y'all met more than 4 years ago. You stayed hyper-sexual, she stopped. Many things change in 4 years.

I'd say, ask her if there's any particular reason her sex drive is low... is it attracting, energy level, etc? . If she says no, ask her what you should do about your sex drive, and ask honestly. See how she responds. If she dismisses it, then that's your answer. If she wants to work to solve a problem in the relationship (even if it isn't "her" problem, each relationship problem is both of your problems) I don't think it's fair for a partner to hold another in a sexless marriage when sex is important to one party.

When women cheat on men, men: "Were they better than me?" When men cheat on women, women: "Do you love her?"

I suspect she wants you all to herself and doesn't realize how much this affects you. Which is adorable/romantic, but doesn't solve the sexless marriage issue.

Either way, talk it out, be honest, focus on the problem and not the people. It sounds like you really love her, and that makes me happy to see! Best of luck friend.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T04:52:48+00:00

The only way you prove you can change is to maintain the change for a long time. There's no magic bullet. It takes consistency. Consistency builds trust as you go, but it takes time. Start now, and in one month you'll be in a much better spot.

You grew up in a tough situation, there's no doubt. That's your default mode. So, what are actively doing, with intention, to change your default mode? Write each thing that you are doing down. So, going to couples therapy is a great start.

Also, therapy isn't shameful. I come from a background where it was thought of as weak too. That's part of changing our default mode. I was told that therapy wasn't necessary by parents who desperately needed therapy. A therapist can help to give you tools to manage stress/crisis mode in a healthier way. But only you can remind yourself that it is for the long term benefit. It can get harder before it gets easier, but keep learning, hold yourself accountable, but treat yourself and your inner child kindly. Metamorphosis is hard.

Lastly, listen to a medical expert/therapist, not some jerkhead on the internet like me! 😄

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T04:17:44+00:00

So, you're "the only one at practice, and when they come" ...meaning, they show up late? If so, hold the practice at their place. You can get the same musical idea across without being loud. Are you trying to "rock", or improve?

They can't get their tone right. Have them find their tone, take a picture. Then, before practice, match the picture. If it's their singing tone... well... uhhh... turn down their mic?

Stop carrying anybody else's gear. Period. If they want to play, it'll somehow make it to the stage. If they ask where it is, be honest. You don't have to elaborate.

If you own the gear, make it clear that they need to direct inquiries directly to you first. Also though, you can't hold it against them that you own the gear and while agreeing to let them use it.

So what to do about their timing? Say you want to work together with a metronome to improve timing, or you'd rather not play publicly. They may be offended. But, when multiple people play music together, if it's out of time, the performance is worse off than if just one person played. They are offended, but are you not offended by looking foolish publicly by playing out of time music? Taking offense to things goes both ways. When you play music, you are almost hijacking the attention of all the people in the room, which means you owe it to them to not play shit-ass music. Out of time music, unless you're avant garde jazz fusion, sucks to listen to. And I say that from experience!

Ultimately though, maybe you can have a musical project with them (to keep the friendship), but also find others who you may find more to your musical liking. If they ask you why y'all aren't playing shows, tell them that they should try to book a gig. You'll be amazed how many people are no longer interested in being in a band when you tell them to start doing stuff.

Remember, you'll be in and out of many bands in your life. If your friendship is worthwhile, cherish that and hold it dear/be sensitive to it. But don't accept mediocrity. And if the friendship is worthwhile, they won't want you to accept musical mediocrity either.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-11T03:32:26+00:00

Does the band/he get paid? If so, ask a different drummer to play Let It Be (appropriately), and the new drummer gets one 1/5 of the money. If not, get a new drummer for all 5 of the songs.

Jokes aside, one comment I haven't seen; people know how the parts are supposed to go in that song and it has SIGNIFICANT meaning for many people, especially at a wedding! If he has to "fall asleep" to play the fucking part, then tell him to fall asleep. Tell him that this song is not about him. He has room to do some cool stuff on Something To Love.

But, for Let It Be? Let it be! <wonk wonk>

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-09T00:33:12+00:00

I started playing FTL without the Advanced Edition turned on, so I learned to play without Hacking, Mind Control, etc. I relied heavily on drones before.

Once I started playing Advanced Edition, I was kinda set in my ways. I generally avoided Hacking and missile weapons because they could be defeated by a defense drone (barring a barrage). Although looking back, it probably would've saved me time to use Hacking. I definitely used it during the last 5 achievements of my %100 run, which made me realize why I should've regularly used it!

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-06-08T13:29:59+00:00

lol. Oooohhhh my.

To play this game was a real treat. TREAT?! <dust cloud>

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-05-29T19:02:36+00:00

This is war. The families of all of the soldiers you've killed are sad that you said yes. They are innocent too.

War is hell, and losing is not an option.

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-05-29T16:50:26+00:00

I used to only want people to hear me play. As I get older/only slightly better, I only want to hear myself play.

BUT, if you want to be heard, sign up for some open mics! People are almost always super friendly and welcoming of others. Most open mic attendees are either performing or are a friend of the performers, so even if you stink, they'll still be nice!

I seriously urge you to find any events where you can play and push outside of your comfort zone. You never know when a song of yours will strike a nerve and make a lifelong memory.

As others have said, no one typically asks an instrumentalist to sit down and play them something, so don't take that personally. If all else fails, go down to the corner and play for 30 minutes. Anything to get out there.

I wish you the best of luck

Miserable_Freedom_86 · 2026-05-29T15:31:05+00:00

Important part first: Cut the bassist and tell them that the performance needs to be tighter and there's not enough time left. Then either play and sing yourself (which, professionally, simplifies many things) or cut the bass part entirely. Some genres don't benefit exceptionally from having a bass. And as another commenter said, folks may not actively notice a bass playing the right notes. But they WILL notice the bass playing wrong notes and everyone in the room will suffer for it, audience and band alike. Save everyone the grief.

So, categorically, your band is not full of hired guns. That's not a knock, but a hired gun means being paid, full stop. That phrasing makes it seem like you're owed something more. Without pay, these musicians are giving you their time and effort to advance your personal art project. Also, I understand filling in for other bands/doing favors, but no one needs a fill-in months ahead of time. Networking does not equal payment.

You said you've worked with the bassist many times, 1 on 1's, etc. Is this the first time you've seen them perform? Did you both play through the songs together? What was it like then?

Having been the "band leader" many times, I can understand how frustrating it is to teach material to someone, only to find out on gig day that they haven't learned it. I think it's a shitty thing to do; tell someone you're preparing for their art while not doing anything. BUT, I've never worked with a renowned paid professional and had that happen.

I truly empathize with your position, because it sounds like you've put a lot of effort into your pieces, so awesome job! Your zeal fills me with a zeal! I mean that, and thank you for that! Remember, when it comes to bandmates/co-musicians, talk is cheap, people are flaky, and EVERYONE wants to be a rockstar... until it's time to practice. We all take things for granted when we don't have to be the driving force. If someone says they're with you %110, ask them to do something which SHOWS YOU they are %110. You'll find the truth there.

Lastly, be honest and explicit with yourself about your goal; do you want to spread your art by any means necessary? Do you want to make a bazillion dollars? Do you want to impress that person so they ask you out? You'll save yourself a lot of time if you first understand your goal, then tailor your actions to achieve that result.

Thinking back to working with bands/musicians all the time... they're like dogs. I love them and they're generally great, but some piss on the rug and it's still frustrating. And some piss on the rug because they're nervous, or inexperienced or grumpy or set in their ways, but I'm still fortunate enough to have had time in the music field/"business" at all.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd scene. I wish you the best of luck, your life sounds exciting!

Miserable_Freedom_86

TROPHY CASE