Reference - PSA - Item Guide Review - 1805 Walkin Whisky to Anti-Espionage Protocol

1805 Walkin Whisky
CONSUMABLE
The oldest known truly fine whisky - just 200 were made in that year. The true name of the bottle has been lost; prized and hoarded by the ultra-rich and hidden in various nondescript air-tight containers to try to protect it from Star Pirates. Share it with the crew for a burst of bravery unlike anything ever seen!

Duration 30 minutes
Weapons +30%
Shields +10%
Malfunction Chance +10%
Damage Modifier +9
Hull Points +100
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $60,000

Notes

The drinking of a Walkin Whisky give a shout in the shoutbox and usually a fair bit of chatter - it's a significant event.

Availability

Extremely rare. Given to Mods for 12 months of service and very rare special occasions.

Price

Difficult to calculate - very high.

Cost/Benefit

Difficult to calculate. The actual power level of the Walkin Whisky is rather low. It's the rarity of this item that give Walkin Wisky its prestige.

Applicability

Rogue: N/A
Turtle: N/A
Juggernaut: N/A
Fighter: N/A
Other: N/A

The Walkin Whisky is not consumed to boost combat stats.

Abhorrence Drive
The origin of this drive is unknown but was found floating around Charon. It has since been retrofitted for use on human ships.

Engines +100%
Surprise Damage +5
Surprise Chance +10%
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $15,000

Notes

Unique Item. Statistically, it's the same as a CXDU, and would likely be NOMed in the same way.

Availability

Given to Hap Banning for an early recruitment prize. See here for details.

Price

Impossible to calculate.

Cost/Benefit

Impossible to calculate.

Applicability

Rogue: Very Good
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Good
Other: Helps any build that relies on high engines.

Advanced Efficient Engines Protocol
Protocol
This upgrade to the EEP enable the user to find and "ride" minute gravitic fluctuations. This boosts engine performance while further diminishing signs of a ship's passage.

Engines +25%
Enemy Malfunction Chance +3%
Surprise Damage +50
Surprise Chance +8%
Rarity Rare+
Sell Value 10 points

Notes

Useful item for rogues, as it increases the first attack damage. The boost enemy malfunction gives you a chance to get a second hit.

Availability

Only found during Ascension.

Price

N/A

Cost/Benefit

The best of the Engine-boosting Protocols.

Applicability

Rogue: Very Good
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Good
Other: Good for engine-heavy builds.

Advanced Phalanx Protocol
Protocol
This upgrade on the Phalanx Protocol allows for more hull protection while reducing the downsides. From this protected position a ship can fire more precisely at its enemies.

Weapons -3%
Shields +20%
Engines -3%
Damage Modifier +1
Resist Critical +5%
Resist Amount +25
Hull Points +75
Rarity Rare
Sell Value 5 points

Notes

Useful item for turtles, if rather defensive. The reduction in weapons and shields generally won't affect turtles, and the critical resistance and extra hull points will reduce the effect of GBAs and other turtle crackers.

Availability

Only found during Ascension.

Price

Not applicable.

Cost/Benefit

The best of the pure turtle protocols.

Applicability

Rogue: Poor
Turtle: Very Good
Juggernaut: Average
Fighter: Average
Other: Average for Shield-heavy builds.

AI Cycle Burst
CONSUMABLE
(Fully restores your Research Units)
Cycle Bursts can be generated when AI's working on research projects benefit from receiving the distilled analysis of OTHER AI's working on the same problem. These are called AI Cycle Bursts.

Research Units Restored +100%
Rarity Rare
Sell Value $15,000

Notes

In high demand from high level pirates with access to top-end labcoats.

Availability

Always findable at the rare slot. AICBs are the only item that can be directly purchased with USD

Price

Sell value is usually around the price of 45+ points, depending on the supply. Based on pure USD value, it's worth about 42 points.

Cost/Benefit

Not Applicable

Applicability

Rogue: N/A
Turtle: N/A
Juggernaut: N/A
Fighter: N/A
Other: N/A

AI Data Crystal
CONSUMABLE
A new use for this old tech has turned a once-dead hunk of plastic and metal into a useful tool. AI Data Crystals are discarded by regenabots during repairs, it being simpler for them to make a new one than to repair the old. Originally considered useless, free captains recently discovered that these used memory crystals contain a vague imprint of an AI's consciousness and, more importantly, an imprint of the protocols which had been implemented on board the ship. Unfortunately, they seldom can be used for extended periods, because the increased functionality quickly degrades as the imprint is replaced with that of the host ship's AI.

Duration 30 minutes
Shields +5%
Engines +15%
Malfunction Chance -2%
Enemy Malfunction Chance -5%
Damage Modifier +3
Critical Damage +15
Critical Chance +3%
Hull Points +30
Rarity Not Findable / Uncommon+
Sell Value $9,000

Notes

A rare item that reduces the enemies malfunction, the benefits of this item far outweigh the drawbacks.

Availability

The AI Data Crystal is currently on the short-term findable list. This means that it is sometimes findable, sometimes not. When it findable, it is set at the Uncommon+ level.

Price

The price of the AI Data Crystal is set by the market, as demand exceed supply.

Cost/Benefit

High - an all-round solid consumable with a steadily decreasing price.

Applicability

Rogue: Good
Turtle: Good
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Good
Other: Good in all builds.

AI Override Protocol
Protocol
Freed ACAI clones have found ways to cut the ACAIs out of their stolen ships controls. When adapted, this protocol allows any Free Captain needs to put their Ship's AI back in its box - for a time.

Weapons +10%
Shields +5%
Engines +10%
Malfunction Chance +5%
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $0

Notes

A non-findable protocol, rather weak. I don't think this will every be used, except by desperate ascenders.

However, with a sell value of zero, I expect it to stick around for a while.

Availability

This item is found during a specific mission in the the Ascension mission.

Price

Not Applicable.

Cost/Benefit

The cost is negligible - but the reward is pretty low. The +25 stats is not worth the 5% malfunction.

Applicability

Rogue: Low
Turtle: Very Low
Juggernaut: Low
Fighter: Low
Other: Poor for all builds

AI-Enhanced Paradox of Galaxiana
An upgraded Mjolnir, this weapon was created when its owner upgraded it to Mk V using Pulsar Beam NOMs. Due to the unique nature of the Mjolnir, the NOMs caused the weapon deviate in appearance from that of a standard PB, such that the resulting item is truly unique. Like any upgrade, it will never leave its owner's ship.

Weapons +120%
Engines +35%
Malfunction Chance -2%
Damage Modifier +2
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $0

Notes

Pirates have the option of NOMing a named item (Smiter or [url=Mjolnir are the usual targets) up to Mark V. NOMing these has the same requirements as NOMing PBs, but when you hit Mark V, you can name the item. You will notice, however, that the stats are slightly different than a Mark V PB.

This item was created and named by Galaxiana (surprisingly enough).

This item is treated in a similar way to a NOMed item. It cannot be transferred, marketed or directly sold to the game.

Availability

Not Applicable - NOMed items can be transferred.

Price

Hard to peg, but probably in the range of a billion cargo.

Cost/Benefit

Very low - NOMing a Pulsar Beam to Mark V is a much cheaper way of getting the same effect. It is impossible to value how much a pirate will put upon being able to name their own weapon.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Very Good
Fighter: Superb
Other: Very good for weapon-heavy builds

Alpha Centauri Rum
CONSUMABLE
Sought after by many crews and captains, breaking open this rum boosts morale and bravery. Better yet, the crew stops stealing coolant and engine fluid - this boosts available fuel, at least until the rum runs out.

Duration 30 minutes
Weapons +10%
Malfunction Chance +1%
Damage Modifier +1
Hull Points +20
Fuel +1
Rarity Uncommon
Sell Value $9,000

Notes

A favorite of Star Pirates everywhere, Alpha Centauri Rum (ACR) is commonly used as a thank you or congratulations gift. Drinking an ACR will get you a 'Shout' in the shoutbox (though repeated drinking will not all show in the shoutbox).

An ACR is an all-round good item. The key boost is the +1 fuel, which improves the value that pirates get when paying points to refill their fuel. Paying points to do Deep Belt runs is a common strategy for power-leveling.

Availability

Always findable at the Uncommon level.

Price

Alpha Centari Rum normally trades at between 10k and 15k.

Cost/Benefit

As a very cheap consumable with a solid boost, the ACR is routinely used by pirates of all levels.

Applicability

Rogue: Good
Turtle: Good
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Good
Other: Good for all builds

Anti-Espionage Protocol
Protocol
When a Captain thinks spying is afoot, strengthening internal security procedures can reduce risks. As a bonus, it can sometimes feed false information to the opponent. This protocol is more resource intensive than most.

Malfunction Chance -5%
Enemy Malfunction Chance +5%
Critical Damage +4
Critical Chance +7%
Energy -2
Rarity Rare
Sell Value 5 points

Notes

The Anti-Espionage Protocol is one of the most popular protocols, mainly due to the malfunction adjustments. I've used it a lot in a snapping turtle build (Shields + GBAs) as I like the lower malfunction and increased critical chance and damage. Enemy malfunction, obviously, is always good.

Availability

Only found while ascending.

Price

Not available for purchase.

Cost/Benefit
Quite powerful, often used even when Pirates have the full set of protocols.

The -2 Energy Modification can be very helpful for pirates trying to manipulate their energy totals to ensure more attacks per energy refill.

Applicability

Rogue: Good
Turtle: Good
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Good
Other: Good on any build.