PVE Spathi Tactics for UQM
Channel: Volasaurus
Date: 2019-02-16

Just some basic tactics using the Spathi Eluder against the more common enemies you'll face in UQM. (Played against Good AI simply because the Campaign doesn't feature Awesome AI in most cases) Video recorded using Serosis' Megamod and my music pack.

VUX Intruder: This is a very easy ship to counter with the Eluder, just stay outside of laser range lobbing BUTTs at it without getting hit by the limpets. It didn't come up in this video, but avoiding the limpets is as simple as flying in a circle around the Intruder at max range.

Ilwrath Avenger: This one will be a bit trickier, since you'll have to be aware of spotting a cloaked Avenger (basically watch for when the screen starts to zoom in, then you'll know it's getting close; veterans will swear by watching for blinking stars, but different variants of UQM will feature higher resolutions and less stars, so ymmv). Once you have the Avenger's approximate position, start lobbing BUTTs at its general direction. The AI will attempt to counter the BUTTs with its flamethrower, but will have to decloak to do so, allowing the BUTTs to track onto its position. Even if it decloaks, the BUTTs will usually hit it before it can reposition. Repeat until it dies, and ESPECIALLY avoid letting the Avenger get too close. Prioritize survival over getting that last BUTT in.

Mycon Podship: This is one of the most threatening ships in the lineup. While it is slow and maneuvers poorly, the plasmoids are extremely deadly, especially at the ranges where your Eluder will be most effective. The best strategy I've found to employ takes advantage of the Eluder's MASSIVE relative speed surplus. The Podship usually isn't moving fast enough to dodge its own plasmoids if you kite it back into the Podship. Baiting its plasmoids and then kiting them into the Podship will force the podship to save some of its energy for regenerating crew. You'll notice I got a little aggressive at the end, using the Eluder's seldom used particle cannon, and this is because in those last moments, when the podship is so close to death, the AI will 100% prioritize regeneration, thus giving you an opportunity to get close and latch onto its blind spot.

Ur-Quan Dreadnaught: For being such an intimidating ship with a low skill ceiling, you'd think the Dreadnaught would be more of a problem, but the Eluder can beat it into submission rather easily. You're going to have to pay attention to both the bow of the Dreadnaught and the squads of fighters that it launches, but the Eluder can easily outpace the fighters to get within BUTT range of the Dreadnaught. The number 1 thing to watch out for (I got smacked by it because I got a little sloppy) is that the Fusion Blasts CAN be devastating if you're not predicting their trajectory.

Slylandro Probe: This isn't necessarily the hardest fight, but it will be extremely frustrating. The video also makes it look more frustrating than it will be because the Supermelee AI for the Probe is not the same as the Campaign AI, thus making the Supermelee Probe more skittish and evasive. That aside, the strategy is as follows: Continually keep the Probe at max BUTT range, avoiding firing until it has gained at least 2 ship lengths, then let loose a full volley of BUTTs. This will allow you to safely whittle it down without the danger of being in range of its lightning "tool".