Hi all I am new to ES2  and I was wondering if anyone knows all the details for the ark ships?

I have read the entire user manule however parts seem to be out of date now due to changes e.g. the science section. But during my reading I read this section 

"The Vodyani don't directly colonize the planets and systems that they find interesting. Instead, they anchor their great Ark ship in the star system, draining and absorbing the resources and the
population. The firstArk you receive in the game is already anchored in your Home System, but like any ship you can move it to another star system at no cost. However, you will lose the income and
advantages of Dust, Influence, and resources that you set up in the initial system."

What exactly is meant by you lose the income and advantages of dust influence and resources that you set up in the initial system?

As you seem to take upgrades such as drone networks etc with you so I don't understand what you lose other than the income from that planet as you population is no longer gathering there due to being moved.

Also would you be able to un-anchor the ark and attack enemy ships in your system then re-anchor it without any penalty?  I am curious if this is worth doing for example when a pirate ship has stopped in your region while they are just passing by.

Also if I claim a planet with an ark that contains population that is not Vodyani will I slowly replace them and gain essence from them in a similar fashion that the cravers eventually eat them (from what I have gathered but I haven't played them properly yet)?

If anyone knows the answers to my questions that would be greatly appreciated

Hi,

What exactly is meant by you lose the income and advantages of dust influence and resources that you set up in the initial system?

It's exactly what you suggest below: what is meant is that you'll lose the income your Ark was generating while being attached to that system. There is no permanent loss of a starting advantage :)

Also would you be able to un-anchor the ark and attack enemy ships in your system then re-anchor it without any penalty?

Currently you are able to and I think it's always a good choice. We're considering making the "Attach" action cost the fleet action point so that you can't attack and attach in the same turn.

Also if I claim a planet with an ark that contains population that is not Vodyani will I slowly replace them and gain essence from them in a similar fashion that the cravers eventually eat them (from what I have gathered but I haven't played them properly yet)?

Only Vodyani pops can live on Arks. If you manage to successfully invade (ground battle) a system with the Vodyani it will turn it into "hunting grounds" after the invasion, which is basically you hunting the population for Essence . Beware though, other Vodyani empires can steal hunting grounds from each other.

jhell wrote:

Hi,

What exactly is meant by you lose the income and advantages of dust influence and resources that you set up in the initial system?

It's exactly what you suggest below: what is meant is that you'll lose the income your Ark was generating while being attached to that system. There is no permanent loss of a starting advantage :)

Also would you be able to un-anchor the ark and attack enemy ships in your system then re-anchor it without any penalty?

Currently you are able to and I think it's always a good choice. We're considering making the "Attach" action cost the fleet action point so that you can't attack and attach in the same turn.

Also if I claim a planet with an ark that contains population that is not Vodyani will I slowly replace them and gain essence from them in a similar fashion that the cravers eventually eat them (from what I have gathered but I haven't played them properly yet)?

Only Vodyani pops can live on Arks. If you manage to successfully invade (ground battle) a system with the Vodyani it will turn it into "hunting grounds" after the invasion, which is basically you hunting the population for Essence . Beware though, other Vodyani empires can steal hunting grounds from each other.

Cool thanks for the clarification :) .  Will something similar work in regards to hunting grounds if a planet is taken with the influence corruption later in the game?  or will it cause allied rebels which you will just get some essence drain from (essentially cause a new allied minor faction).  Also what if someone corrupts your ark to the point they can take the system with influence or can they not do this to vodyani? As like you said only vodyani can live on the arks so how can enemies take them with the influence corruption?

No problem. Sharp questions !

At the moment :

- If a Vodyani player converts a regular system via influence, it becomes hunting grounds

- If a colonizing faction converts an Ark via influence (it is possible), the Ark is destroyed, the Vodyani pops join the converting empire, and they get all the colonizable planets in the system

- Hunting grounds can't be converted via influence at the moment ; however you can reclaim them and turn them into a colony with a colonizer, or steal them with an Ark if you're another Vodyani player (by attaching)

And I think this covers everything :). We haven't gotten much feedback on these specific points so keep in mind they might still evolve before the release.

They don't produce any more FIDSI ?

jhell wrote:

No problem. Sharp questions !

At the moment :

- If a Vodyani player converts a regular system via influence, it becomes hunting grounds

- If a colonizing faction converts an Ark via influence (it is possible), the Ark is destroyed, the Vodyani pops join the converting empire, and they get all the colonizable planets in the system

- Hunting grounds can't be converted via influence at the moment ; however you can reclaim them and turn them into a colony with a colonizer, or steal them with an Ark if you're another Vodyani player (by attaching)

And I think this covers everything :). We haven't gotten much feedback on these specific points so keep in mind they might still evolve before the release.

Awesome :D the game is looking good atm can't wait for it to be complete.  Going to rule the Galaxy and crush my friends with my Ark ships lol

Kweel_Nakashyn wrote:

They don't produce any more FIDSI ?

Arks still produce FIDSI, their support modules are also being reworked so they have a better progression following science unlocks.

Hunting grounds however just produce Essence at the moment.

Awesome. This could make for awesome long-term gameplay options.