Vanguard
What is the Vanguard for in Old Light?
The Vanguard is a massive, fragile colony ship, and the only ship that can capture a star you don't yet own. It captures by decreasing a system's loyalty or hostility; once that drops below zero, the system is yours and runs its own economy and structure queue.
A massive, fragile colony ship, and the only one that can capture a star. The Vanguard exists to plant your flag on systems you don't yet own.
| Offense | 0 |
|---|---|
| Defense | 1 |
| Palladium cost | 55,000 |
| Iridium cost | 55,000 |
| Build time | 60m |
| Upkeep / day | 500 credits |
| Speed | 16.9 ly/hr |
| Cargo hold | 0 |
| Shipyard level required | 12 |
What it does
A Vanguard is the only ship that can capture a star. It does this by decreasing a system's loyalty or hostility. Once that value reaches 0 or below, the system is yours.
Why it matters
Building outward is the only way to grow an empire wide instead of tall. Every new star runs its own economy, its own structure queue, and contributes to your empire score.
Requirements
A Vanguard needs your Shipyard at level 12 AND your Command Center at level 12 before it can be built.
Strategy
Vanguards are expensive enough that losing one hurts. One rule of thumb:
Never send a lone Vanguard at a defended star. Without combat escort, your vanguard arrives, gets caught and dies. Bring marauders or sentinels sized to survive the defender's fleet.
Sending more than one Vanguard in the same arrival doesn't help. Only one ever rolls, and if the escort wipes they all die together.
Vanguards are slow and their upkeep is steep. Don't park a stockpile waiting for an opportunity, but build them shortly before you intend to send them.
I aim to misbehave.
Common questions
What do I need to build a Vanguard?
A Vanguard needs your Shipyard at level 12 and your Command Center at level 15 before it can be built. Vanguards are slow and their upkeep is steep, so build them shortly before you intend to send them rather than stockpiling.
How should I send a Vanguard?
Never send a lone Vanguard at a defended star. Without escort it arrives, gets caught, and dies, so bring marauders or sentinels sized to survive the defender's fleet. Sending more than one in the same arrival doesn't help; only one rolls, and if the escort wipes they all die together.
