[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by Slick:
1) Is there any advantage to upgrading a bridge? It seems not. What about upgrading Crew Quarters and Life Support - do higher levels affect crew or repairs or recovery from toxins or anything?

Not that I've noticed, but I may be wrong on that.

2) Those colored clouds (or are they storms?), do they have any other effects other than obscuring sight and/or sensors? I am thinking about the storms in SE4 where some storms make shields useless, etc. Any storm effects?

Again, not that I've noticed, but they may have. I've only just started digging into the data files.

3) Is there a damage radius around stars? i.e. you get too close and take damage? Been too chicken to find out.

I don't think so. I've flown pretty close to them, and noticed no ill effects.

4) Is there a component that counters the effects of Toxic Injectors? Is this in the demo?

I don't think so, but there are Medical Bays in the full Version that help regenerate crew "damage" faster.

5) I *think* I had a problem upgrading engines. I installed 1 Contra Terrine engine with the remainder as Ion Engines. I *think* the CT engine was downgraded to an Ion engine in a similar fashion to the effect in SE4 where you only get engine bonuses if all engines are the same type (not necessarily same level). I eventually stored CT engines in my cargo area until I could replace them all at the same time. Is this the way it works?

I'll have to pass on that question. I haven't been that methodical.

6) What is the exact effect of carrying and/or selling contraband? I was fired upon by friendlies when carrying it. Once I dropped it, they stopped firing on me. If I had sold it, would I have been permanently labeled as a pirate or do the authorities forget about your behavior once you get rid of contaband? Is there a "lawful status" like in Elite? If so, is how do you clean your record? In Elite, you just had to be lawful for a while.

The effect is just as you describe it - you get shot at. I don't think the game handles "rep" like Elite did - it's just a "pay as you go" system, with only racial animosities a factor. That is a bit disappointing, IMHO.

7) I picked up some components that I don't know what they do. They may just be generic cargo for cargo missions. One was an Ice Melter or some such thing. It couldn't be installed on a ship and didn't seem to have any properties. One was a Magnetic Thingamajig; same question. Or are some components only able to be installed on some ships, but not others?

You picked up leftover cargo from some poor freighter that got bLasted. They aren't components, just stuff. You might try selling them at the next spacedock for salvage.

8) I am able to use organic armor. This seems wrong (using SE4 rules) because I am not an organic race. Are there race restrictions and/or special techs that only some races can use?

Nope. Just plug it in and enjoy the bennies.

9) Are there minesweeping components in the full Version? Also, why are mines visible? Again this seems wrong using SE4 rules.

No minesweepers, unless you count your PDC's and your front shields. As for mine visibility vis a vis SEIV, it's just the difference between a strategic-eye view and the pilot's-eye view.

10) What does the "Negotiation" skill do for you? Does it increase profits for selling equipment and for doing missions? Seems worthless because points are better spent elsewhere IMHO.

According to the manual, it improves your prices at the spacedock, I assume in both buying and selling components and spare cargo. In which case, it is probably worth the points.