FTL: Faster Than Light Wiki
Register
Advertisement
FTL: Faster Than Light Wiki

RNG stands for Random Number Generator, an algorithm whose purpose is to output pseudo-random values.

FTL, being a roguelike, relies heavily on RNG to create a different game experience every time. In every game run (and instances withing the events) many factors are generated with a certain degree of variation: sector map (sector types, sector sequence and paths), beacon map (beacon positions and connections), events, choice outcomes in events (when a certain outcome is not guaranteed), reward types and scrap amounts (within predefined margins) in predetermined or random rewards, bonus items rewards (with 3% and 6% chances, depending on the reward type), enemy ship type and crew (in case of encountering pirate ships), enemy ship systems and system levels, enemy weapons and drones, environment hazard frequency at hazard beacons, chances for fires to start and time to spread, hull breach chances by some weapons and asteroids, stores quantity and assortment - are all selected at random every time, but according to special rules and schematics.

The Random Number Generator, however, has also generated non-random criticism. For example, Diplomatic Immunity achievement requires certain beacons/events to be visited to make use of the crew for the accomplishment; unlocking the Crystal Cruiser through event path requires certain sequences of sectors AND events to be generated. However, the RNG factor doesn't prevent a player from acquiring the Federation (Cruiser layout) B ship in a single game run; nor does it make impossible to acquire the Crystal Cruiser - at the very least the Rock (Cruiser layout) C ship facilitates this achievement, and winning the game with all layout A & B ships (except for the Lanius ships, which are not required) automatically unlocks the Crystal Cruiser. But only in extreme, negative, very rare odds it is not possible to survive a fight or escape from it (note that some playable ships have certain weaknesses that need to be amended in the early game to avoid such disastrous cases more frequently).

Advertisement