Learn about the Zoltan Cruiser ships in FTL: Faster Than Light, including their starting loadouts, unique features, and unlock requirements for Type A (Adjudicator), Type B (Noether), and Type C (Cerenkov).
The Zoltan Cruiser in FTL: Faster Than Light comes in three distinct variants, each with unique starting advantages and challenges. This guide covers their loadouts, special features, and how to unlock them.
Achievements
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Shields Holding | Destroy a ship before the Super Shield is completely removed. |
| Givin' her all she's got, Captain! | Have 29 system slots powered at one time. |
| Manpower | Reach Sector 5 without upgrading your Reactor. |
Type A (The Adjudicator)
| Starting Features | Loadout |
|---|---|
| Shields | 2 |
| Engines | 1 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 3 |
| Medbay | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Sensors | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel 12 Missiles 2 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 3 Zoltan |
| Armament | Leto Missile Halberd Beam |
| Augment | Zoltan Shield |
The Zoltan Cruiser Type A, 'The Adjudicator,' features a strong starting loadout with a Zoltan Shield for early protection, a Leto Missile launcher, and a Halberd Beam. While it has 3 weapon slots, only one weapon can be fired at a time initially due to power limitations. The Halberd Beam can bypass one layer of shields, and the Zoltan Shield provides excellent defense against boarders and some attacks. This ship has the potential to become a powerful offensive and defensive vessel.
Unlock: In the Zoltan Homeworld sector, hear out the peaceful ship, go to the Quest beacon, and talk peace with the ship, OR defeat The Rebel Flagship with the Federation Cruiser.
Type B (Noether)
| Starting Features | Loadout |
|---|---|
| Shields | 1 |
| Engines | 2 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 4 |
| Medbay | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Sensors | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel 0 Missiles 2 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 3 Zoltan |
| Armament | Ion Blast x 2 Pike Beam |
| Augment | Zoltan Shield |
The Zoltan Cruiser Type B, 'Noether,' relies heavily on its Zoltan Shield for defense as it starts with no regular shields. Upgrading to a second shield layer is expensive at 100 Scrap. Its armament includes two Ion Blasters, effective for disabling enemy systems, and a Pike Beam for sweeping rooms. The early game strategy involves using the Ion Blasters to take down shields and then targeting other systems. The primary focus for upgrades should be on establishing regular shields, followed by improving Engines and weaponry.
Unlock: Obtain any 2 of the 3 Zoltan Cruiser ship Achievements.
Type C (Cerenkov)
| Starting Features | Loadout |
|---|---|
| Shields | 2 |
| Engines | 2 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 2 |
| Clonebay | 1 |
| Drones | 3 |
| Pilots | 1 |
| Sensors | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Backup Battery | 2 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel 2 Missiles 15 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 4 Zoltan |
| Armament | Ion Charge Anti-Ship Beam Drone Mark I |
| Augment | Zoltan Shield |
The Zoltan Cruiser Type C, 'Cerenkov,' is the most challenging of the Zoltan ships to pilot initially. It features an Ion Charge weapon to lower enemy shields and an Anti-Ship Beam Drone Mark I, which requires power from the Backup Battery. This setup leads to periods without offensive capability when the drone recharges. The lack of automatic shield deployment due to limited Reactor Energy necessitates frequent power shifting for defense. A potential strategy involves using the Zoltan crew as kamikaze fighters via a Teleporter. This ship can become very effective with proper management and upgrades.
Unlock: Reach Sector 8 (The Last Stand) with the Zoltan Cruiser (Type B).
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