Bio Engineer Archive
Thread: Do you Need mask sent to sample DNA?
I also like my flamethrower (hehe saves my poor wooikie ass) . My question is do you need masksent to sample DNA ? I know you might not need it for smaller critters but for the big'en's agros or that type? do we get masksent skill mods in you proffession ???
And if not why the hell not lol ,
in just about to start becoming a BE , look like fun , any tips on it would be cool ,
if i get some wook clothes for mask sent camo will they work ?
thanks for you time
If you plan to be serious about DNA sampling, you need master scout to max out your max scent, and to get /examine that tells you details about creatures.
If you plan on specializing in higher-end pets, you really need Ranger Tracking 3 as well, so you can locate the pets you're looking for.
Ok next question with the master BE master scout ranger 3 skill s wher you guys put your other skillpionts lol ? what combat skills you get ?
I don't have any ranger skills. You can find decent stuff without them. If you're only intrested in the best fo the best then yeah ranger is probably a good idea, but for me half the fun is checking a critter out, resists and ham are about all you need to know. Your first sample will tell you if they have poison or disease.
My other skill points are in master pike, novice CH, and novice entertainer (its more of a social thing). Pike is good enough to take down any thing I can sample up to the very high end stuff (rancors and such), and Ch is so I can actually use some of the pets I make.
I would say mask scent is necessary to get good DNA samples (animal type not quality). Most of the cool stuff aggros if you don't have it.
Eede
One of the cool things about BE's is that there are so many ways to specialize them. If you take ranger tracking 3, you will not have enough points left to master an elite combat profession. My approach was to take some pikeman skill, since melee weapons are useful when you're up close and personal with your sampling targets, particularly for the evasion skills. But some people like rifle (for conceal) or just plain old pistol, since it is the most versatile weapon.
Masking your scent is only half of the problem, you also have to prevent visual detection. If you're a Ranger, you can create camo kits to help you with this problem. If you're not a Ranger, take one with you. If you don't have the option of taking a Ranger with you, then at least invest in clothing that not only boosts your mask scent capability, but your ability to camo. In addition, don't approach some of the higher level creatures from a direction that will allow them to see you; come up from behind. Experiment with this--approach a Rancor head on, and I will guarantee you they will detect you 99% of the time, while if you come up from behind, they'll stand there and let you sample them until they fall over dead 
Hmm, first I've ever heard this. Worth trying.
However, my experience is that maxed mask scent (125 with Master Scout and +25 tissue) and a little care does pretty well, even against mutant rancors.
The trouble with camo kits is that to get a dath kit, you need master ranger. And Master BE+ Master Ranger = 232 points. That leaves enough to train in CDEF pistol. And for planets other than Dath, 125 Mask Scent is definitely enough.
I'm going to go against the flow and say "No, you don't absolutely need maskscent skills."
If you want to make the toughest pets possible usingrancor DNA, then yes you need maskscent.
But there are some tough creatures that can DNA can be gotten from that aren't aggressive. If you don't mind not being able to make the strongest pets, then you can forgo maskscent.
What I call The Creep Method:
Mask scent, locate a NON patrolling pack of the type of Rancors you want to sample. This type does not have a lair (go to the Rancor valley to find this type), and they don't walk around, they usually just stand in the same spot. Go prone and slowly crawl from 60m away. This will take a long time, and don't just hold down the key to keep moving, move a tiny bit at a time. From my experience this lessens the chance they will break your mask scent. If it does break, stand, mask when you can, then go prone again. Do NOT move when they break your scent, that increases the chance they will agro you. When you get to about 14m stand and sample. Try to position yourself so you can sample more than one creature without moving. Set a timer, space out each sample 1.5 min apart (meaning don't sample the same rancor over and over, sample all that you can from your position, then set the timer).
I'm sure you're thinking that is insane, 1.5 min per sample, however it's faster this way than running from agro and going to the cloning station. Using The Creep Method, I don't get agro'd 75% of the time. If they do agro you, use terrain to your advantage. I can usually outrun them if I go up a steep hill (another reason rancor valley is good), and keep hitting peace and stiming myself, without using burst run. Make sure you don't have a weapon equiped, if you are shooting them, they will follow you further and not give up as easily as they do if you just keep running away.
Where is the Rancor valley?
I have heard it mentioned several times but don't know where it is? I frequent the Mutant Rancor Cave and can normally find enough Rancors on the way there to get my Bull Rancor DNA but a one stop shop would be most useful.
Annago