The Dugong is the "entry-level" scout submarine that the Coalition provides to ensure that if you perish, the financial loss is statistically insignificant. It is small, maneuverable, and lacks basic amenities like a fabricator. Think of it as a studio apartment that is also a coffin and occasionally on fire. You are essentially a tenant in a steel bubble, and the local wildlife are very interested in serving you a subpoena. Your life expectancy is currently being outperformed by the shelf life of a standard ration pack. Should the hull breach, please ensure you are wearing your most professional expression for the recovery team. The following tips are intended to mitigate your inevitable demise.
Reliability vs. Power: Its official in-game description claims its "reliability for its price is world-class," which is corporate word for "It's the cheapest thing that won't explode or get wrecked in the first five minutes."
1. The Missing Fabricators
The Dugong does not come equipped with a Fabricator or a Deconstructor, which is a gross violation of your right to self-sufficiency. You must plan your supply runs with the foresight of a corporate tax attorney, or you will find yourself out of ammo and trying to file a motion for dismissal against a Hammerhead.2. Engine Room Noise
The engine room is tucked away at the far rear, doubling as the ship's designated "sensory overload chamber" due to it being the loudest part of the vessel. Between the mechanical roar and the rhythmic thumping, it is the perfect place to experience a quiet, isolated crisis. If you happen to hear a grinding noise that doesn’t sync up with the engine’s usual death-rattle, it’s probably a Thresher filing a countersuit against your hull integrity.3. Jurisdiction of the Blind Spots
The Dugong features massive blind spots directly in front of the nose and behind the engine blades, creating "dead zones" where the local wildlife can loiter with impunity. If a creature decides to lodge itself in these areas, you cannot shoot it, and you will effectively be served from an angle your gunners cannot reach. Smart maneuvering is advised, as the only thing more embarrassing than sinking is being dismantled by a guest you couldn't even reach or see.4. The Airlock Liability
Dugong's airlock is located on the top deck and, due to its design, can be easily mistaken for a regular door by a panicking intern. Opening this door while submerged is considered "contributory negligence" and will result in a localized flood that we like to call "The Great Underwater Eviction."5. Ballast Tank Overload
Dugong's ballast tanks are small, and if you leave the top airlock open, the weight of the water will exceed the ballast pump's ability to compensate. This will leave the submarine deadlocked at the bottom of the ocean, a state legally defined as "Totaled" and colloquially known as "The Sit and Spin."6. Reactor Maintenance Mandate
The default reactor is, to put it professionally, absolute garbage and prone to frequent outages. You should prioritize upgrading the reactor's output and fuel efficiency before the lights go out and the crew decides the Assistant’s harmonica solo is actually a punishable offense. You can do this by visiting a Research Outpost or a Military Outpost and pay for the Submarine Upgrades through the local Mechanic.7. Hull Integrity Warnings
The stock hull is made of what appears to be recycled soda cans and hope. Crashing into a rock at medium speed is not a "maneuver" but a breach of contract that will result in the immediate entry of Europa’s spicy ocean water.8. The Battery Buffer "Loophole"
You can wire your batteries to act as a structural buffer for the reactor, effectively creating a "power shock absorber" to protect your fragile junction boxes from those annoying voltage spikes. This technical loophole allows the sub to handle sudden, panicked engine maneuvers without blowing every fuse on the submarine and plunging you into a darkness. By forcing the batteries to soak up the excess demand, you ensure the Dugong’s electrical grid doesn't have a nervous breakdown every time the captain sees a rock.9. The Electric Discharge Coil Defense
The Dugong features a single Electrical Discharge Coil (EDC) covering the front-top hull, conveniently located exactly where a third gun should be. Since the Coalition opted for budget-friendly electrocution over actual firepower, you’ll need to use this to stun any "uninvited guests" who are trying to enter the vessel without a warrant or a proper ID card. It’s the closest thing the sub has to a "get off my lawn" sign, and it’s remarkably effective at reminding the local fauna that trespassing is a high-voltage offense.10. Upgrading the Armory
As soon as funds allow, purchase the third turret for the upper-front hardpoint. Relying on an EDC to kill a swarm is like trying to win by shouting "Objection!", it might work once, but it’s not a viable long-term strategy a hammerhead.11. Storage Unit Management
With only 8 slots for cargo crates, your storage space is more restricted than a non-disclosure agreement. Use the medium steel cabinets to store fabricated containers to maximize space, or you can just leave your loot on the submarine floor.12. Oxygen Generator Proximity
The oxygen generator is located on the bottom deck, which is usually the first place to flood. If your Engineer is a "no-show" during a leak, the crew will eventually discover that breathing is a non-negotiable part of their employment contract.13. Fire Extinguisher Locations
There are only two fire extinguishers on board, one by the reactor and one by the diving suits. Knowing these locations is mandatory, as "spontaneous combustion" is a common side effect of trying to run the sub on four fuel rods at once.14. Periscope Awareness
The gunners operate two coilguns from the Command Room (three when upgraded), but their visibility is limited. Communication is key, if the gunner is "resting their eyes" during a swarm, they are technically in breach of their duty to protect the submarine and the whole crew.15. Medical Cabinet Prioritization
The Medbay is small but functional, containing a toxin cabinet for your "special" medicines. Keep your morphine locked up, or the crew's "productivity" will drop significantly as they steal narcotics and embark on a journey to the center of their own minds.Trivia
The Weight of Failure: If you leave the airlock open, the Dugong becomes a 6,000-Mark anchor because the ballast tanks are too small to lift the extra weight of the flood.Reliability vs. Power: Its official in-game description claims its "reliability for its price is world-class," which is corporate word for "It's the cheapest thing that won't explode or get wrecked in the first five minutes."
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