Stellar Tactics - Developers Log #3

We learn a lot about dungeons and missions in this Stellar Tactics development update:

DEVELOPERS LOG #3- Dungeons (Oh my!)

I’m using the word loosely, but I think it best defines the numerous mission locations found throughout the Stellar Tactics universe. As you travel through the universe, you will be presented with numerous opportunities to engage in ground exploration missions. You will usually be offered missions on Trade Stations in their bar’s and cantina’s where lively and quirky residents of the Stellar Tactics universe converge for rest and relaxation.

There are two mission engines in Stellar Tactics. The first generates missions dynamically based on your faction, recent events in the vicinity and a number of other factors. People everywhere need your help and you will be sent to planetary cave systems, abandoned research facilities, hidden bases, ancient ruins, derelict ships and more on a variety of missions that are generally dangerous. Some missions are fairly straight forward, others are actually dynamically generated mission chains that will have you traveling across the universe completing a number of tasks. In general, you will be entering dangerous dungeons, some large, some small. The large dungeon locations can take several hours to clear. Smaller dungeons may take from 15-40 minutes to complete. There is usually a boss at the end of these locations that will drop higher tier equipment.
The second mission engine is used for the main story narrative and is fully scripted. The dungeon locations for static missions are all hand crafted and tuned for difficulty and itemization. These locations drive the main narrative.

One dungeon type in particular is related to Ascension and the “Azimuth” system. Azimuth are skills granted by the ancient Aznari, a race of intelligent aliens that have abandoned this area of space. As you explore, you will encounter many of these ruins. Some of them have locked chambers that will grant you unique skills. Examples are AE heals, AE damage, AE buff’s and other temporary team based benefits that are useful in combat. These skills are very powerful.
Azimuth are used by collecting a charge during combat. Once fully charged, you can select a skill and unleash that skill on your friends or foes. Once you are granted Azimuth, you can use them at any time in combat, assuming you have a full Azimuth guage. Azimuth charges persist and can be saved for when they are needed.
ascension screenshot

Dungeons are filled with loot, from valuable baubles to powerful named weapons. They are a large part of Stellar Tactics and important for character progression. Of course, you could just focus on trading, mining and space combat, but then you would be missing out on all the fun of party based tactical combat.