Why would you hire a mercenary?
In a mercenary encounter, why would it be strategic to hire the mercenary?
- If you fight the mercenary, you've spent 1 fuel, explored 1 beacon, and gained default rewards through battle. This is what I consider a good beacon.
- If you hire them to delay the rebels and use those 2 extra jumps, you've spent 3 fuel, 10-25 scrap, and explored 3 beacons, one of them (the mercenary one) being effectively empty.
- If you hire them to scout the sector, you've spent 1 fuel, 10-20 scrap, and gained the sector map.
I currently always fight the mercenary (they are worse than rebels and I must be honorable). Delaying the rebels does not seem better on average and the only situation I would consider it is if I am able to complete a quest or avoid Rebel elites. Scouting the sector seems situational, such as if you are very damaged and looking for a store.
Why would you let those filthy mercenaries live?
Best Answer
I have always fought them but I have started to rethink this. Besides the fairly obvious situational things usually get mentioned (completing quests, desperate for a shop, no rebel free path to the exit, etc) I actually think it is sometimes economical to delay.
As mentioned in the question, there are two sides
side 1: default battle rewards
side 2: -scrap, -2 fuel, two encounters
Now if we assume every encounter is a default battle, and we feel we can win default battles without injury, AND fuel isn't really an issue, then I think this is actually a good deal. Beyond sector 1, the cost to hire the mercenary is almost always lower then the reward for a default battle, especially if you are killing crew. In other words, 1 default reward is worse than 2 default rewards minus the fee. When you factor in the possibility to get much better than default rewards this is even more attractive.
I want reiterate though, that this only applies if fuel is not an issue and you are feeling strong for the area.
Pictures about "Why would you hire a mercenary?"
Why would someone become a mercenary?
Why Do People Want to Be a Mercenary? Mercenaries are typically thought of as soldiers for hire. Most choose to pursue employment as a mercenary due to the higher pay than seen in the military and police forces in addition to a greater opportunity to travel across the world.Is mercenary a good thing?
Mercenaries have been around for thousands of years. They have been used and extolled by some leaders and condemned and decried by others. At their best they offer deniability, they offer loyalty, they offer competence. At their worst they mask atrocities, they betray employers, they are second-rate.What do mercenaries do in the military?
A mercenary, sometimes known as a soldier of fortune or hired gun, is a private individual, particularly a soldier, who takes part in military conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any other official military.How much is a mercenary paid?
Some mercenaries make $500 to $1,500 per day. Interrogators are rumored to make up to $14,000 per week. The salary ranges from $89,000 to $250,000 per year. Employer, experience, expertise, specialty, location, and danger potential ultimately determine the paycheck.Why you should join the Mercenaries.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Sora Shimazaki, Sora Shimazaki, George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com, Sora Shimazaki