Different areas feature different events, encounters and nodes.
- Nebulas will have approx 3+ nodes that are NOT sensor-disrupting nebulas.
- Homeworlds feature specific events that allow you to unlock some ships.
- Pirate sector got plenty of pirates (totally unpredictable)
- Race-controlled sectors will mostly have that race pilots (good luck boarding a Mantis crew of 5)
Although it's randomized, it doesn't take a load of thought to know what you'll find. Zoltan sector = loads of Zoltan = easy to teleport in and slay em. Rock sector = loads of stoners = teleport in, kite them around the ship, breaking their systems (they're too slow to ketchup)
TL;DR: Yes, there is a differense between regions, and red regions have more hostile encounters than green ones.
From this page:
Humans comprise the majority of both the Galactic Federation and the Rebel Fleet. Humans learn skills faster due to their reduced XP ability, have no notable weaknesses and are the cheapest race to hire from Stores.
- Skills improve slightly faster (10%)
Engi originate from the Engi Homeworld. They take 50 to hire, with the following special traits:
- Repair speed is doubled
- Combat damage is halved
The Mantis originate from the Mantis Homeworld. It takes 45 to hire them.
- Inflict 1.5x damage in combat
- 1.2x move speed
- Halved repair speed
Rockmen are strong creatures and take 65 to hire. Their abilites are:
- Immune to fire
- Movement speed is halved
- Health is increased to 150%
Zoltan usually appear in Engi Homeworlds or Engi-Controlled Worlds. They appear rarely, and it takes 65 to hire them. Their special abilities are:
- Provides (1) power to occupied system
- Health is 70
- Explode when killed, damaging all enemy crew in the room
Slugs are one of the rarest crew to find. Their advantage is the ability to see your enemy's crew, and to be able to see the rooms surrounding the slug in your ship if your sensor goes down. They cost 45 to hire.
- Telepathic powers reveal rooms and lifeforms even when sensors are down.
The Lanius are scavengers – metallic lifeforms that rely on the absorption of minerals to sustain themselves. They are available only in advanced edition and even then are almost exclusively found in the Abandoned Sector where they cost 50 to hire. They need no oxygen and also drain oxygen from the room they are in.
- Drains oxygen from rooms
- -20% movement speed
- No damage from suffocation
And a final 'secret' race:
Crystals can be found in Life support pods that are revived by scientists. Doing so also begins a special quest to the Rock Homeworlds.
- Lockdown power: When finished charging, sends crystals to surround the room they are in, making it completly invincible to damage (Only that specific room). Nothing can exit/enter the specific room until the ability wears off.
- Reduced suffocation damage
- Movement speed -20%
- Health 125
Best Answer
My answer to your question is two-fold: it works on the output end, but not on the experience end. I watched the repair experience meter as my crewmember put out a large fire, and nothing changed. However, it does seem like their effectiveness at extinguishing it relies on that repair skill. In response to your edit, I would assume that yes, classes more suited to repairs are more suited to putting out fires. However, I have no clue if the Rockman attribute of stomping on fires affects this.