Unknown Menace
From SOTS
The Kerberos Crew have hinted that there are many hazards in the Sword of the Stars Galaxy. Rumor has it there are things so terrible wandering the depths of SotS space that even in the middle of a knock–down drag–em–out war, enemies could see themselves forming a temporary alliance against something…else.
Note that not all Alien Menaces are listed here as we wouldn't want to ruin the ever–loving jaw–smack that occurs when encountering one...
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Unknown Menaces seem to be one of two types: System Confined or Mobile. The Alien Derelict, Asteroid Monitor, Alien Wreckage and Swarm Infestation are confined to the system they are discovered in and will not themselves move from there. They are generated and placed at game creation only. Asteroids, Silicoid Queens, Von Neumann Attacks and the Grand Menaces such as Puppet Master and System Killer are mobile and will move from system to system, attacking anything in their path. Except for the Grand Menaces, these mobile random encounters will not occur before turn 25, but have an increasing chance of occurring every turn that a player is not in a combat. Each combat that a player fights decreases the chance of these mobile menaces. "Grand Menaces", such as the Puppet Master and System Killer, will not occur in a game before turn 100 and then only if there are more than 50 systems in the galaxy. They have a set chance to occur that is not affected by the amount of combats a player participates in.
There can only be one "Grand Menace" per game, no matter what the settings.
Alien Derelict
The Alien Derelict is a moderately armed, automated, dreadnought class piece of floating wreckage. If you can destroy all of its weapon mounts, you will get a one time 25% research boost for 4 turns. If you destroy the Alien Derelict entirely, you will get a one time 10% research boost for 1 turn. Disabling or destroying additional Alien Derelicts while the first research boost is in effect will cause the additional research boosts to stack with the already existing boost. Disabling or destroying additional Alien Derelicts will not extend the number of turns that any one research boost is in effect. This research boost will also stack with the boost from taking control of Asteroid Monitors or destroying a Von Neumann "mothership".
Asteroid Monitor
The Asteroid Monitor is a heavily armed, automated, dreadnought class asteroid base. Once you have encountered it, a Special Project will become available for research. As long as the Asteroid Monitor is not destroyed, completing this Special Project will allow you to take permanent control of the Monitor and give you a one time 15% research boost for 5 turns. Completing additional Special Projects while the first research boost is in effect will cause the additional research boosts to stack with the already existing boost. This will not extend the number of turns that any one research boost is in effect. This research boost will also stack with the boost from Disabling or destroying Alien Derelicts or destroying a Von Neumann "mothership".
Asteroids
Asteroid Strikes increase the resource level of the system that they occur in, with a higher increase if all the meteors are destroyed before striking the planet.
 Hang in there folks...just need another second to get into range and that mean old asteroid is history |
 Oops! Never mind! But we will get the next one for sure! |
 Aftermath |
Colony Trap
A group of ships of unknown design rise from the atmosphere of the world selected for colonization and proceed to use some form of tractor beam to drag all ships in the vicinity of the world down into that world's atmosphere. As most ships are not intended for atmospheric travel, this usually results in the destruction of any ships so caught.
"These guys are a real terror, and they can easily drag away unsuspecting destroyers! Stay together - do not let them separate your fleet under any circumstances - and use accurate, fast-firing weapons." - Terran Academy Instructor
Asteroid Trap
When mining resources (either from mining or refining for fuel) from a system with an asteroid field, a series of gravitational pulses draws asteroids towards the fleet, while preventing ships from leaving the area. The crater impacts tend to destroy all ships present when it goes off, leaving the only good evidence the telemetry info from the ships during the incident.
Puppet Master
One of the "Grand Menaces" in the game, the Puppet Master is a heavily armored, moderately armed, dreadnought class ship. Its biggest threat is from the unique ship capture beam that the Puppet Master uses to increase the size of its fleet. Any ship that is hit by this beam will be given permanently to the Puppet Master, who can use it immediately against the player. Most weapons are effective against the Puppet Master, but long range weapons (like missiles or torpedoes) are preferred, as the capture beam out ranges most other weapons. The Puppet Master does not generally harm planets, so running away is also a valid tactic.
A humorous, yet extremely effective tactic, is to wait until the Puppet Master is set to raid a planet, and have set up there a number of ships (preferably small ones, but anything will do) loaded with Disabler torpedoes or their higher tech variations. The Puppet Master, approaching at full speed, will be unable to stop and will hopefully ram into the planet, dying instantly.
 The Tarkas find a Puppet Master at Kao'Vaanu. Pixellated by Rorschach to tease us. |
Swarm Infestation
The Silicoids (also known as The Swarm or Space Bees) are a hive of swarming alien drones found around planets. While very fast and well armed, the Silicoids don't seem to be very sturdy. Destroying their Hive is the best way to eliminate them as a threat. Provides a small income bonus when defeated.
 The Swarm fighting a Tarka ship |
 The Swarm destroy a fleet at Cetus III |
"fave tactic vs the space bees (The Swarm)....flying full speed at a big asteroid and shattering it at the last second so they plow into the debris and die...well some of them anyway." - Mecron
No light emitters? No point defense? No problem. — Unknown Tanker Pilot
Oh, and the space bees (The Swarm) are always with their hive which will usually be gone by the time you colonize. — Auximines
"Take out their hive and the swarm will stop - simple as that. Heavy point defenses are advised." - Terran Cruiser Captain
System Killer
One of the "Grand Menaces" in the game, the System Killer is a heavily armored, heavily armed, dreadnought class ship. Loaded with both missiles and beam weapons, the System Killer is one of the hardest menaces to counter. But its biggest threat is from its unique Beam weapon. If the System Killer is not destroyed before the end of combat, this weapon will fire, destroying the entire system and any ships still left within. This not only repairs all damage to the System Killer, but it also destroys all Node Lines connected to the system. Any Human or Zuul ships moving along these lines will also be destroyed. Most weapons are effective against the System Killer, but ships with a heavy PD defense are recommended. Also, because the System Killer heals only when it "eats" a system, fighting it in Deep Space (preferably multiple times) before it reaches a star system is also recommended.
 The Humans fight a System Killer at Andor. Blurred out, because this is a really big spoiler. |
Von Neumann Attack
An attack by Von Neumann machines consists of two parts: a destroyer class "child" and a dreadnought class "mothership". Both are well armed with point defense weapons and a unique beam weapon that both immobilizes and begins to consume its target. If the smaller "child" ship reaches the planet, it will attack with its beam weapon. This will permanently lower the planets resource level. Once the "child" ship is full, it returns to the "mothership", transferring the collected resources. Once enough resources have been transferred, the "mothership" will create a new "child" and the process starts again.
Destroying a Von Neumann "mothership" will give you a one time 25% research boost for 1 turn. Destroying additional Von Neumann "motherships" while the first research boost is in effect will cause the additional research boosts to stack with the already existing boost. Destroying additional Von Neumann "motherships" will not extend the number of turns that any one research boost is in effect. This research boost will also stack with the boost from taking control of Asteroid Monitors or disabling or destroying Alien Derelicts.
"These guys ain't so tough, but I won't deny we took a beating. The mothership took some time to wear down too, I wish we'd had some missile or torpedo boats with us."' - Terran Armoured Destroyer Crewman
Rumours persist that if Von Neumann harvesters are able to depart with sufficient resources, that they are then able to use the gathered resources to deploy a different, much larger warship of some kind.
