Elite: Dangerous

[Mr E]

moustachebandit said:

I was just wondering - is it worth me upgrading my ship or just junking it for something better? Any recommendations of what to buy within reasonable reach or the sort of upgrades I could do to the base craft.

I went from the sidewinder to a viper mk4 and it's currently kitted out with 16 tons of cargo space and a passenger cabin. So I do a bit of light courier work, a bit of taxi work and a bit of shooting bad guys.

Anything I can't kill I can probably run away from.

[Speckle]

moustachebandit said:

I have been pinging between systems delivering data in the stock craft and I have made around 160k in credits.

I was just wondering - is it worth me upgrading my ship or just junking it for something better? Any recommendations of what to buy within reasonable reach or the sort of upgrades I could do to the base craft.

I'm pretty new to the game but, here is what I've done so far. I did the bulletin board missions to begin with, mainly delivering data same as you until I had about 400k credits. I then upgraded to a Cobra Mk III (which was about 380k) and fitted a fuel scoop (just in case). At this point, I started doing the 'go and source X and bring it back' missions which are slightly more lucrative.

Having made a bit more cash, I set my cobra up as a trade vessel. Upgraded the FSD, stripped away the hardpoints and shield generator which is risky but saves loads of weight. Then I added loads of cargo space (around 50T capacity) and I'm currently trading rare commodities and making approximately 2 million credits in just over an hour and saving for a dedicated combat ship (no idea what yet but, I suspect it'll be expensive!!)

Edited by Speckle on Thursday 26th January 14:33

[blueg33]

I am waiting for the PS4 version, its taking ages

On orginal Elite I was an Elite Commander (many moons ago) and completed all of the missions.

I assume that Frontier Elite is miles different, obviously the graphics are massively different, but how is the gameplay and difficulty of things like docking without a docking computer?

[MissChief]

blueg33 said:

I am waiting for the PS4 version, its taking ages

On orginal Elite I was an Elite Commander (many moons ago) and completed all of the missions.

I assume that Frontier Elite is miles different, obviously the graphics are massively different, but how is the gameplay and difficulty of things like docking without a docking computer?

I can't say for consoles but on PC docking is relatively easy. I've never even considered a docking computer.

[Puggit]

blueg33 said:

I am waiting for the PS4 version, its taking ages

On orginal Elite I was an Elite Commander (many moons ago) and completed all of the missions.

I assume that Frontier Elite is miles different, obviously the graphics are massively different, but how is the gameplay and difficulty of things like docking without a docking computer?

Docking is actually easier (ie you're unlikely to die) but it is time consuming. The docking computer is not expensive.

The environment is massive - it's probably too big for a human mind to comprehend. Think real galaxy size. Everything is just bigger and more comprehensive. More weapons choices, more missions, just much more flexibility. It's more realistic.

The flying itself, not that much different. Except there are 2 types of hyperspace, proper hyperspace, and zooming around the solar system hyperspace.

[blueg33]

Thanks

Docking was always a massive challenge in the original version, you had to be precisely aligned and rotating at the same rate as the space station. If you weren't approaching it perpendicular to the entrance death followed swiftly.

Shame it wont run on my Surface Pro

[Speckle]

blueg33 said:

Thanks

Docking was always a massive challenge in the original version, you had to be precisely aligned and rotating at the same rate as the space station. If you weren't approaching it perpendicular to the entrance death followed swiftly.

Shame it wont run on my Surface Pro

Oh God yes, I remember docking in the original was a real PITA! Docking in this version is much easier, much more realstic and strangely satisfying. No need to waste a utility slot with a docking computer. I actually uploaded a clip of me docking using my VR headset to show a mate at work:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY8b-QnzpCU

You might want to skip the first minute or so as that is just the approach and exiting supercruise.

[blueg33]

You made that look easy, approach at that angle on the original version and you had no chance

[Mr E]

Manual docking is easy in a little ship, pretty much any angle you want.

I imagine an anaconda requires a bit more care.

I have a docking computer because I'm lazy.

[Speckle]

blueg33 said:

You made that look easy, approach at that angle on the original version and you had no chance

It looks easy because it is easy. As dockings go, it was actually a bit messy because I didn't commit to my angle early enough and so was unsure which way up to approach.

Even if you crash, it isn't generally a problem. Last night, I accidently hit my boost inside a very busy station (oops) and rear ended another ship. There was minimal damage and I only got a 100cr fine for reckless flying. It was quite funny though, I could hear the boost spooling up, knew exactly what was about to happen and knew there was nothing I could do about it!

[moustachebandit]

Thanks for the advice gents!

Did a bunch of Boom cargo deliveries in the Sidewinder - which are netting me 50k+ for about 5 mins effort. So I made enough last night to buy a Cobra Mk3.

I havent had a dog fight yet so went looking for some trouble but a little uncertain on how it works. Google says I need to hang out by nav beacons, but I come out of super cruise next to the nav beacon and wait and nothing happens. I am going to try a resource extraction site next. I am right in thinking I need to be out of super cruise?

Also am I missing something when I fly to signal sources etc - I come out of super cruise and a lot of the time there isn't anything there and says I havent locked onto anything, Nothing showing on the radar either? I flew to one spot. Seemed to have come out of super cruise at the right point but couldn't see anything on the radar, turned the ship around spotted 3 massive ships who promptly blasted me to bits - literally took 3 shots before I was toast. Dont know if I am doing it wrong.

[Chuck328]

Docking computers? If I see anyone using them in an anarchy system they get the full beans Waste of valuable space to

Anyway, I don't know if this is still working but it was last week. It's a bit of a cheat/glitch but it made me millions without even leaving the pad.

Bit of a trek but if you head out to the Robigo System, head to Robigo mines outpost and park up. You need to build rep with the robigo cartel( you can get this by handing in exploration data on the journey out). It was (at least last week) a war zone so there are massacre missions and smuggling slaves.

Slaves are the missions you want. When you get some, stack as many as you can. Then abandon them immediately. Then in black market sell the slaves back. You will get fined for abandoning the missions but you will make money (lots) selling them back. The real winner is that in selling them back you earn more rep with the faction than you lost abandoning the missions. As your rep increases you get larger Slave runs to do.

Obviously the biggest cargo ship you can take helps, bear in mind, it's an out post so NO large landing pads. That means the biggest ship you can take is a Python. I took one out with 256 tons of cargo space.

Can't remember how much money I made (over 100 million) but I currently have 90+ million fine on my head. Of course, I'm NOT going to pay that.....

Easy money without even leaving a landing pad. You can also stack massacre missions in the conflict zone if you get bored, millions to made from that to.

Edit- Oh yeh, forgot to say, when/if you take these slave runs and they all dry up, 'board hop'. That means if you in solo play, jump to open play (you parked on a landing pad so safe from any attack) and vice versa. That will re set the missions board for hopefully more slave runs.

Edited by Chuck328 on Friday 27th January 11:37

[Speckle]

Chuck328 said:

Docking computers? If I see anyone using them in an anarchy system they get the full beans Waste of valuable space to

Anyway, I don't know if this is still working but it was last week. It's a bit of a cheat/glitch but it made me millions without even leaving the pad.

Bit of a trek but if you head out to the Robigo System, head to Robigo mines outpost and park up. You need to build rep with the robigo cartel( you can get this by handing in exploration data on the journey out). It was (at least last week) a war zone so there are massacre missions and smuggling slaves.

Slaves are the missions you want. When you get some, stack as many as you can. Then abandon them immediately. Then in black market sell the slaves back. You will get fined for abandoning the missions but you will make money (lots) selling them back. The real winner is that in selling them back you earn more rep with the faction than you lost abandoning the missions. As your rep increases you get larger Slave runs to do.

Obviously the biggest cargo ship you can take helps, bear in mind, it's an out post so NO large landing pads. That means the biggest ship you can take is a Python. I took one out with 256 tons of cargo space.

Can't remember how much money I made (over 100 million) but I currently have 90+ million fine on my head. Of course, I'm NOT going to pay that.....

Easy money without even leaving a landing pad. You can also stack massacre missions in the conflict zone if you get bored, millions to made from that to.

Edit- Oh yeh, forgot to say, when/if you take these slave runs and they all dry up, 'board hop'. That means if you in solo play, jump to open play (you parked on a landing pad so safe from any attack) and vice versa. That will re set the missions board for hopefully more slave runs.

Edited by Chuck328 on Friday 27th January 11:37

That's brilliant!! I do have a question....your 90 million fine, is that linked to abandoning the slave missions or, are you just a bit of a space rogue?!

In terms of gaining enough rep, will it be enough to use a basic discovery scanner and scan every system on the way to Robigo? (I'm currently in HIP 80364 I think, no idea how far away I am!)

ETA: I'm only 19 jumps away....sweet!

I had a fleeting moment of struggling with my conscience when considering your 'technique' to making money but, it passed quickly

Edited by Speckle on Friday 27th January 12:05

[Chuck328]

Speckle said:

That's brilliant!! I do have a question....your 90 million fine, is that linked to abandoning the slave missions or, are you just a bit of a space rogue?!

In terms of gaining enough rep, will it be enough to use a basic discovery scanner and scan every system on the way to Robigo? (I'm currently in HIP 80364 I think, no idea how far away I am!)

ETA: I'm only 19 jumps away....sweet!

I had a fleeting moment of struggling with my conscience when considering your 'technique' to making money but, it passed quickly

Edited by Speckle on Friday 27th January 11:53

My fine is purely from abandoning missions.

19 jummps where you are will help but I doubt it will be enough even if you had an advanced scanner ( I had that and it wasn't). You need to get to friendly status. I just finished off getting the rep doing basic mission board stuff, didn't take long.

Feeling guilty? feck that, space is a nasty evil place

At some point i'll jump into my hauler ( re buy 32k) and my mate can blow me up. Bye bye fine.

[Speckle]

Chuck328 said:

My fine is purely from abandoning missions.

19 jummps where you are will help but I doubt it will be enough even if you had an advanced scanner ( I had that and it wasn't). You need to get to friendly status. I just finished off getting the rep doing basic mission board stuff, didn't take long.

Feeling guilty? feck that, space is a nasty evil place

At some point i'll jump into my hauler ( re buy 32k) and my mate can blow me up. Bye bye fine.

Still sounds well worth a try. Given that it is as lucrative as it is, I won't have any issues heading to a conflict zone to 'suicide' the cobra - I think the re-buy is similar to yours, certainly not much more. Didn't realise that wiped out any fines!

I think my Cobra has a capacity of about 50T currently. IS this technique still worthwhile or, should I buy something bigger before I get there (I think I have about 7million credits to play with.)

[Chuck328]

I'd check the galaxy map and see what the system status is and that it's still a war zone.

50t might be a bit light, there were (when i was there) individual slave missions requiring much more cargo space than that but you should still be able to pick up a few. At my time slaves were selling for about 8k each so I needed at least 120 tons space to make a million each transaction, with 256 ton in the python it was about 1.8 million ago go. My python was stripped right out, no shields or weapons, just a fuel scoop and advanced disco scanner, rest cargo space.

Fly out on Solo play, the place was hoaching with online players in open play, you'll be asking for griefers if they see you. I'd stick with the cobra if I were you, it's a long way from civilisation to go if it's no longer a waring faction system. The closest ( that I found) coriolis with a ship yard is Ceos, its about 3-5 jumps with a big FSD onboard. I think there was an Asp explorer there, you can get a good 120 tons space in that stripped out, can't remember how much that cost though.

For the massacre missions I took my very heavily engineered FDL down, killed a few online players in that to and made another ton of cash stacking massacre missions, don't try a conflict zone in a lightly armoured cobra, you will get thrashed.

Good luck.

[Speckle]

It would appear (according to eddb.io) that the system state for Robigo is Lockdown, not war.

[FourWheelDrift]

Nice 4k video of a capital ship jumping in and fighting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1s7S51zL2Q

[Chuck328]

Speckle (and anyone else)

Since my last post about this money making glitch, well it's still on. Stack slave missions.

Last time my fine was 90 odd million.

It's now bounty but my earnings are over 200 million for a few hours play.

My current bounty....

[moustachebandit]

I was wondering - If you have a sizeable bounty like that can you meet up with a friend let them scan you with the kill warranty bounty checker and then take you out and collect the bounty? Or is the bounty only collectable by the game factions when you pay it in dock?