The Zoltan Cruiser

Zoltan Cruiser

"Learn from the Zoltan, sometimes diplomacy works."

Layout A

"The Zoltan's advanced shields technology give this ship an edge during each battle."

• Default name: The Adjudicator
• Starting Crew: 3 Zoltan
• Starting Reactor: 5
• Starting Systems:
  • Piloting (1)
  • Doors (2)
  • Sensors (1)
  • Medbay (1)
  • Oxygen (1)
  • Shields (2)
  • Engines (1)
  • Weapons (3)
• Starting Weapons:
  • Halberd Beam
  • Leto Missiles
• Starting Augmentation:
  • Zoltan Shield
• Starting Resources:
  • 16 Fuel
  • 12 Missiles
  • 2 Drone parts
• Slots: 4 Weapon, 2 Drone (requires system)

Unlock
See the Unarmed Zoltan Transport random event.
Alternatively, defeat The Rebel Flagship with the Federation Cruiser.

Layout B

"This ship starts with a weakened Shield system and must rely on its Zoltan shield."

• Default Name: Noether
• Starting Crew: 3 Zoltan
• Starting Reactor: 5
• Starting Systems:
  • Piloting (1)
  • Doors (1)
  • Sensors (1)
  • Medbay (1)
  • Oxygen (1)
  • Shields (1)
  • Engines (2)
  • Weapons (4)
• Starting Weapons:
  • Ion Blast (x2)
  • Pike Beam
• Starting Augmentation:
  • Zoltan Shield
• Starting Resources:
  • 16 Fuel
  • 0 Missiles
  • 2 Drone parts
• Slots: 4 Weapon, 2 Drone (requires system)

The Noether starts with a weak Level 1 shield system, requiring 100 scrap to upgrade once to Level 2 and get a first shield layer.

Unlock
Earning two of the three Zoltan Cruiser achievements will unlock Layout B.

Trivia
Possibly named after Emmy Noether, a mathematician who is known for her great contributions to the fields of math and physics.

Layout C

"The designer of this ship was not willing to spend the money for a decent reactor. Instead it relies on its Zoltan crew and Backup Battery."

• Default name: Cerenkov
• Starting Crew: 4 Zoltan
• Starting Reactor: 2
• Starting Systems:
  • Piloting (1)
  • Doors (1)
  • Sensors (1)
  • Clone Bay (1)
  • Oxygen (1)
  • Shields (2)
  • Engines (2)
  • Weapons (2)
  • Drones (3)
  • Battery (2)
• Starting Weapon:
  • Ion Charger
• Starting Drone:
  • Anti-Ship Beam Drone I
• Starting Augmentation:
  • Zoltan Shield
• Starting Resources:
  • 16 Fuel
  • 2 Missiles
  • 15 Drone parts
• Slots: 4 Weapon, 2 Drone

Starts with a weak Level 2 Reactor, requiring 30 scrap for upgrading the first 3 bars.

Unlock
Getting to Sector 8 with the The Zoltan Cruiser Type B with Advanced Edition Content enabled will unlock Layout C.

Trivia
The name "Cerenkov" may be a reference to Soviet physicist Pavel Cherenkov (or Cerenkov) or the radiation that he discovered in 1934. This radiation is produced when charged particles pass through a dielectric material at a velocity greater than the phase velocity of light in that material. It is what produces the blue glow that emanates from underwater nuclear reactors.

Achievements

• Shields Holding - Destroy a ship before it gets through the Zoltan Shield.
• Givin' her all she's got, Captain! - With the Zoltan Cruiser, have 29 power in systems at the same time.
• Manpower - Get to sector 5 without upgrading your reactor in the Zoltan Cruiser.