AI Wingmen overview?

PlasmaJedi · Post by **PlasmaJedi** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:29 pm

Forgive me if this is agonizingly obvious, but I can't find anyone talking about how to hire/manage wingmen. I got the master guide PDF compiled by DaveK, and he merely mentions that you can hire them, but how does that mechanic work? How are they paid? Do I need to remember to send them home when done? Do they last for 1 mission or something? Are they likely to eat all my profits? What if they die?

I can't find a search function in ye olde forums here. Did I miss that too?

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:38 pm

Target an AI then press F4. The option button for hiring should be in the lower-right corner of the menu.

P.S. The options for directing your wingmen are on the upper HUD, left side.

[Edited on 1-8-2013 by Marvin]

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:45 pm

Hi PlasmaJedi, welcome to the game and forum!.....Hope to see you out there some time!.....

Busch · Post by **Busch** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:01 pm

You will be hiring and paying for your wingmen from the proceeds of your own burse. Your wingmen will hang around as long as you continue to pay them and use them. Should a hired wingman die in-harness, hire another. You may order them, (from the drop-down "Order" toggle - top-left-of-HUD header) to attack hostiles or defend you, mine commodities, refuel/repair as needed, or dismiss them from their contract. The "hire wingman" toggle in the F-4 trade console starts the ball rolling.

PlasmaJedi · Post by **PlasmaJedi** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:36 pm

thanks! That helps a bit. I saw the button, but wasn't sure if I wanted to do that yet.

Do they have loyalty, like crew? Do they follow you about the galaxy?

Busch · Post by **Busch** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:56 pm

"They" don't have or earn loyalty like crewmen, at this stage, but they don't travel well. As long as you continue to pay them and use them, they will hang around - following you about the system they were hired in. You move thru a jump gate, headed out-system - all deals and bets are off. Your hired wingmen will then look for a new source of revenue.

PlasmaJedi · Post by **PlasmaJedi** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:21 pm

Great! thats all I wanted to know!

Time to form Rogue Squadron!

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:35 pm

Actually, unless it's changed in the Expansion, your wingmen will follow you through jumpgate after jumpgate. They're just a bit slow, sometimes. It helps to order them to form up while you're in an empty sector so you can take a head count.