Many players have their Vortov maxed by now. Many have upgraded theirs as they got mercenary payments with relic badges. Initial upkeep is 2.5B and increases 3% per rank. At rank 100, it has something like 10B upkeep. Unlike most players around my rank, I do not have Vortov. I do, however, have 22 mercenary payments. I will be purchasing more as I get relic badges. Once I have 99, I'll save badges for Vortov itself. By not adding Vortov to my ship until I have 99 payments to max it right away, I will save close to 1 trillion credits in upkeep (I calculated an estimate of 950B). Patience is a virtue.

I'm with you:

Mercenary Payment (Uses Left: 15)

As incremental as the stats may be, I'd rather be benefiting from them right now. Vortov rank 93.

I thought that is what everyone was doing. His minimal stat bonus is no way worth the upkeep. You are paying for his level 100 ability that you don't have access to.

Relic Badges: 238 (of 246 needed for level 100 Vort.

No, I am paying for:
Attack +301
Defense +301
Hull +752
Shield +376
Invasion Attack +564

And I feel it's worth it with every successful invasion.

If that's your strategy, why wouldn't you save the relic badges and buy all the payments at once?

That would allow for necessary adjustments, like stealing a planet that needs an omniforge.

I am doing the same. The stats really arent worth the price. Only the the ability is. IMO.

Our legion's success rate is around 52% with the missions. Should I be waiting months before I invade a planet? I've already accumulated enough greens for the bio-upgrades and the new green arti structures - with 0 footballs. I've only bought 1 omniforge for my rift and won't buy another till vortov is complete.

I've been ranking him incrementally because I *know* I wouldn't have the self control to look at like 20 possible Omniforges just sittin in my hold.

That's why I spend mine on the Mercenary Payments as soon as I get them.

As for those debating about whether getting Vortov right away is good or bad, each to their own, I guess. The only real reason I'm after Vortov is for the ability, and that's why I'm saving the payments first. Most of the other stats can be gained, for free, through other methods.