Jump To Lightspeed Archive

Preface –I posted this in some other forums...perhaps people will be able to use this here too!!!.....But Ive seen too many of my (frustrated) guildies start playing Jtl recently and not use droid programs...so another guide...

If you know about Droid Programs skip this. If you use them, run them, dream about them…skip this…it is a waste of your reading time.

If you are a Space Noob and never ever ever used these things…read on….

What is a Droid Program? Think of a droid program as a special. In the ground game, you learn specials as you move up a profession tree, droid programs are basically the same thing but in space. While technically it’s a command you program into your droid/flight computer, functionally they are the same as a special.

How do I get a Droid Program? As you move up the pilot tree…ie…xxx1 -> xxx2 you learn new programs on your own. But you can also “learn” new programs by purchasing other people’s programs.

Why are Droid Programs so cool? Again think of droid programs as ground based combat specials. Now imagine being a novice Marksman and being able to go to a Master Doctor and buying his ability to use “Improved Bacta Infusion”. Normally you cant do that….In order to use a special on the ground, you have to earn it. Another example – Imagine you’re a dual master Fencer/ Swordsman and being able to go to a Master Pistoleer and buying “Stopping Shot 2” and using it. Absurd really….Not even possible. But in space this is kinds how it works.

So Droid Programs are cool…What’s next? There are 2 ways to learn them…going up the pilot tree or buying from other people. When you buy from other people, you buy them in the form of something called “Ready Chips”. Where and how you find these chips depends on your server. Once you have either learned the programs or found the Ready Chips, you need to also buy a Flight Computer or Astrometric Droid and get a Droid Interface.

What’s a Droid Interface? It’s a space part that is either looted from blowing up another space ship or buying from a Shipwright. Droid Interfaces take up mass and are rated by speed. A Droid Interface with the speed of 15 is better than a Droid Interface with the speed of 30.

Why is Droid Interface Speed Important? Think of Droid Interface speed as a “cool down timer” for using the space “special”. The faster the Interface, the faster you will be able to reuse that or any other command.

What is a Flight Computer/ Astrometric Droid? These things hold the programs you either buy or learn. They don’t take up mass like the Interface, but you do get certified for better ones as you progress up the Pilot tree.

Why do I need a better and better Flight Computer/ Droid? These are rated 1->6. As you get better, you will be able to use a “better” computer/droid. Pilot xxx1 uses a level 2, Pilot xxx2 uses a level 3…and so on. Each version of a Flight Computer or Droid has increased storage capacity. A “better” Droid does NOT mean that you are restricted to what programs you can use….just how many you can use.

How do I load a Flight Computer/ Droid? After you buy them in deed form, you activate them just as any other Droid. They are stored in your datapad and loaded just like any other space part through the “manage” option at starports.

How do I install the Droid Commands? Click on the Unit in your datapad and use the radial menu to program them. It is option #4. If it is a program you know, it will appear as a named program. If it is a program you purchased, you will see “Ready Chip” listed. Install and commit and you are done.

Can I delete the programs I just installed? Yes. Click on your Unit in your datapad and use the radial menu option #5. Open the window and delete the program you want.

Once I learned a program, can I transfer it to a new Droid? No..got to program your next Droid all over again. Which sometimes means buying new Ready Chips.

How do I access these programs I just learned? Once everything is loaded and installed, launch into space. In space hit Cntl A and look up Astrometric. It is listed just like any other combat command and can be put into the F1-F12 slots up above for easy access…and trust me, you will want easy access.

Now the Programs…what Programs are cool?

Neutral – Capacitor to Shield Shunt – This takes all the stored energy in the capacitor and recharges your shields. This program rocks. It’s basically like a “Bacta Shot” for your spaceship. When your shields are almost gone…you’re in over your head…death is certain…*BAM* use this and shields are back.

Neutral – Capacitor Overload – Well if you’re going to use the “Capacitor to Shield Shunt” Program, you probably want as much energy as possible right? The more energy in your capacitor, the more that can be applied to your shields. Besides, this program makes up for an inefficient weapon. Ground analogy -> Think of this as a big boost to your action bar

Neutral – Reactor Overload – This pumps out more energy. If you don’t have enough, certain systems won’t work. Nothing stinks more than getting into space only to run these other programs and then realize that your Chaff Launcher is disabled.

Imperial – Weapons Overload – This is a big & badass powerup for your space blasters. Except here it doesn’t wear out (until you land, get blownup, or reset it)

Imperial – Engine Overload – This is basically adding speed and turning to your ship…ie…burst run until you decided to stop

Whats my typical routine? When I Launch into space I load up “reactor overload 3”, then “Capacitor overload 3”, then “Engine overload 3”, and then “weapons overload 3”. Once they are loaded the only command I need to use over and over is my last program “Capacitor to Shield Shunt 4”. During any given space battle it is this and only this program that I use over and over again.

You said Programs are like using “Stopping Shot 2”? Back to this analogy again. Now that you know all this cool stuff, it is possible that a novice pilot at 1111 could do this -> 1.) get a lvl 2 droid/computer w/ 40 storage 2.) load up and use Engine Overload 2 (10 Storage) Capacitor Overload 2 (10 Storage) and Capacitor to Shield Shunt 3 (20 storage). These 3 commands would all be purchased as ready chips and also make you fast, powerful and safe

***Note on programs – Most people run overloads up to level 3 only. Using Level 4 does decay your equipment and something most people don’t like. Cap to shield Shunt 4 does not cause decay and is also the best program in the game in a lot of people’s opinion.

Final Note – There are a lot of Guides out there that have a lot of technical Info on all these programs and are listed under the Pilot Profession FAQ sticked up top. These guides should be your next stop.