X-Tension expansion pack mission **SPOILER**

[Kapakio]

Ok, I think I have all the requirements (according to Argonopedia) to trigger the Perseus mission. I'm commodore, Friend of Priest Duke, Argon Accepted friend, and just over 100 hours of game play.

I keep entering Paranid sectors in and out, docking to stations for over an hour and nothing happens. Am I missing someting?

[Invisible Hand]

You should enter the "Priest Rings" sector from the east gate where you will be greeted by a Paranid destroyer that offers you the Perseus mission.
The destroyer may have to be close to the east gate though.

[Nanook]

[Kapakio]

Thanks to both, it eventually triggered.

Now the wierdest thing happened. Just when I was looking for the goner, not more than 40 minutes after the mission started, I was hailed by the Paranid saying that it was too late, the ship arrived to its destiniy and I lost. Bug?

EDIT. I just loaded a previous save and it seems to be going on ok.

Now the problem is with the dammed asteroid. I'm sure I scanned every single asteroid in 3 sectors away from where I found the goner, and can't find it. So, A question for the experienced, it's the asteroid a new spawn or it's an existent one? And if it's spawned, when? Just after I accept the mission from the goner?

EDIT 2: NVM, I found it, I forgot the zoom out.

[Kapakio]

Ok, one final question, how do you beat this ship??? 250Mj of shields with just beta HEPTs is impossible. Specially because your ship shakes with every shot it does, so it's impossible to maintain a continuous flux of hitting fire. When you reposition again to fire, Perseus shields are up again

Besides, hornet missiles seem to explode everytime before hitting. Some kind of antimissile technology I guess.

[Invisible Hand]

The Beta HEPT recoil makes it very difficult to aim accurately. Try to hit the Perseus with both your HEPTs so as to conserve your laser energy and maximum damage. Having your own escort of M3s, say 4 to 6, would also help take down the Perseus. Missiles won't work because of the ship's anti missile defense system.

If all fails, then you can defeat the Perseus the dirty way: lure it near the Argon capital ship that is in the same sector. It was probably following you and the Perseus, but was left behind due to its slow speed. If you're lucky the capital ship's powerful lasers might do enough damage to bring it down though you won't get the kill. And if that still fails, then jump out of sector while the Perseus remains in the capital ship's are firing range. Once out of sector, the math will take over and the capital ship's entire laser energy will hit the Perseus's shields. This will bring it down, but again you won't get the kill.

Hope this helps.

[Dantrithor]

Seriously, do NOT kill it. Aim to capture the ship. Make each shot count (a.k.a. hit with both lasers).

You'll really enjoy that ship, even in it's tuned down version.

[Invisible Hand]

Considering that the OP has problems even getting the Perseus's shields down, like myself when I played that mission, the kill advice seems more doable. He still gets to keep the X-shuttle which is also a very nice ship.

[Kapakio]

Well, something wierd happened. After about 1 hour and many salvage insurances, I managed to reduce 50% of the shields. Then after hitting several times, the ship exploded. So, a hard coded prize for those with enough patience?

[Dantrithor]

It usually took for me nearly an hour to down his shields and capture the ship. The last 25% shields are the worst, as you're already tired and they regen somewhat faster.

Anyway, for the record, if you capture it you end up with it's same maneuver/speed stats, 2x25Mw shields, and 3xAHEPT set-up in a very, VERY centered position. That guarantees that you will always hit your target with all three, not like for example with the mamba or elite. Of course, you lose the anti-missile system though, which is a pity.

[Rapier]

[Kapakio]

Thanks to all for the advises.

Actually, the destruction of the Perseus (as described in my previous post) counted as my kill. So I got the reward in credits from the Paranid. Since I'm playing this game just for the completion of the whole X-Universe saga, I've no intention to continue after finishing the plot, so, it's ok if I don't get the ship.

Now to see how can I destroy a Xenon M2 with just an M3

[Belgarath]

If you find that you need any information, you can take a look at this:

Belgarath's Perseus Mission Walkthrough

It takes you through the entire mission. The top of the page has links to the different parts so it's pretty easy to find what you're looking for. Good luck.

[Praefectus classis]

As regards the capture of the ship, I found you couldn't exactly match the speed of the Perseus, so I set the speed slightly slower and used the boost to get me closer when I dropped back too far. As already mentioned, make every shot count. For XT, I used a Logitech Wingman cordless joypad with a throttle control. I found the ship jumped around much less than with my Saitek Joystick.

I've done the Perseus capture quite a few times and even found a way to get the 125 MW shields off it!