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Dust Off

Posted By: DBond

Dust Off - 02/29/20 02:37 PM

Steam says I hadn't played Elite since May 22. That's about right. It seems i play for a few months each spring, then by the time summer is here I burn out and shelve it for the rest of the year.

Last night I literally dusted off the Cougar and jumped through the hoops to get set up. Getting the stick set back up, Track IR, headset and all. Launching Elite I found I had to do all the account linking again, which didn't go smoothly, and I was troubled to see messages such as "must be done when running Elite for the first time" when it does the shader and planet generation thing. I expected to find my account wiped or something, which would have been the end of it for me!

But it was still there.

I then had trouble restoring my custom bindings .And EDMC needed to be relinked to Frontier account. But after nearly an hour of setting up I found myself back in Poison Whiskey (Krait II with a snazzy paint job I had bought just before shutting down last year). I saw I had mounted an Interdictor, so must have been running some assassinations. I was docked at Miller Terminal in Exioce, which is the best bounty system close to my home system of Dvorsi.

I took the Krait out of the station just to get comfortable again, and flew around scanning wakes for a bit. Then landed, refueled and fixed the integrity, then took off for some bounty hunting in the local RES's. It all came back in short order and I managed to add one percentage point to my combat rank. Last spring I set a goal of combat elite, which would mean triple elite, but I failed miserably since it's just so slow.

Jumping out I checked Inara, and Bo's stuff. Got a Mamba eh? How you like it? I also saw you are 63% Deadly, so very nearly triple elite yourself. I could be wrong, but Wingy is the only one here who I know has hit it (apologies to any others who have). For me, goals are essential in Elite. Without a goal I just lose interest. So I am setting reaching Deadly as my goal. I am at 93% Dangerous, so this should be easy if I play more than a couple of weeks.

I looked at Neph's PG and it's up to 30 pilots! Cool.

I looked at my stats and two things jumped out at me. One is, I have never lost a dime to minions. And two, my lifetime fines total 11,000 credits (in 928 hours). I am one law-abiding space monkey. I've lost five ships, but that I knew. Bank account is 1.2 billion, thanks to core mining. I looked at the credits graph on Inara, and it looks like a sheer cliff face reflecting the two or three days where i clocked 750 million mining.

After that windfall I sold half my fleet, and I am down to seven ships (Krait II, Courier, AspX, DBX, Orca, Python, FDL). One on hand I would like trying out a new ship or two. On the other I have zero desire to engineer another ship from scratch.

Deadly here we come! smile

Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 01:15 PM

D,
Hola, mate! Finally picked up a Mamba after vacillating back n forth for a good long while. What pushed me over to buy it was unlocking the Cytoscrambler power play burst lasers. Perfect fit for the 2 small hard points. Still trying to find a good load out for the 2 large and 1 huge slots. The view outta the cockpit is amazing, rivals the iCourier. Other than that, I’m kinda ambivalent about it. Hard to find a role for it in my fleet.
Hit Elite in xplo a short time back, was surprised since I thought I had another full rank to go. Very glad to be finished with that grind! Now, I’m basically just plugging away at the last bit for Combat. I hang out in CNB’s and CZ’s mostly now. The ‘Vette is the ship of choice for those endeavors, for obvious reasons.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 01:57 PM

Congrats on double Elite, that's awesome.

Like the Courier you say? Hmm, might have to check it out. Can I take yours for a spin around the block?

I jumped on last night and hunted bounties in the Krait for a couple hours and managed to bump the rank to 96% Dangerous, so nearly there already. Of course it's then a terrible slog to Elite, but what else do I have to do? biggrin

I'm right there with you in terms of finding roles for new ships. That's a big part of my hesitation in adding a new one to the fleet. What the hell will I do with it? And with no compelling reason nor role, I have no compelling reason to engineer again. I reckon we need a new round of ships with something unique about them.

It's funny, I bragged about my low fines total, and then added another 201 in fines last night. I was bounty hunting and stopping occasionally to fire off a limpet to collect the good stuff, and somehow I ended up with an illicit limpet. Did my limpet scoop up someone else's limpet? Never saw this. So I got scanned and busted for it, then I flew off a bit and jettisoned it and got a fine for that too. 201 credits! It's a police state I tell ya.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 02:26 PM

Such a shady character! I never knew you had such a dark side!

I was on a 3-4 month gaming hiatus but I've started coming back (DCS mainly, but I'm working on a living ship in No Man's Sky). I put a little time in on Elite, last I recall I have a Krait MkII, AspEx, Conda, Cutter, Corvette, and Python in my hangar. I do with my Krait what you are doing with yours - combat! It's well suited to it and fun to fly in that role. The Asp is my taxi/exploration ship, the Conda is my hauler/rescue ship, Python is for core mining, Corvette is for combat, and the Cutter is my laser mining boat. I wouldn't know what to do with another ship quite honestly, and Elite isn't really calling back at the moment anyhow.

If it does, I supposed I'll put some explo time in to get the vaunted double Elite and join your ranks. After that, the combat Elite grind I guess. Not sure what else I really would want to do in the game, unless it was to try some Power Play stuff out, that is the only thing I haven't really at least dipped my toe into.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Such a shady character! I never knew you had such a dark side!



You mean my criminal activity? If you ever wonder what happened to one of your limpets check the log to see if I had been about.

You've all the big three. That's pretty cool. And that you have the rank for both. I am not even close for either, and I'm nearing 1000 hours. How many hours have you played JC, if you don't mind saying. Of course I haven't really pursued superpower rank, but still, I'd think I'd be further along. I'm Viscount and Ensign, so a long way to go. I'd have to get back to taking missions instead of hunting pirates and mats if I wanted to get that moving. But since core mining happened I no longer needed a Cutter, and frankly my time with the Conda showed me I'm a small and medium ship guy really. I haven't flown anything aside from the Courier, Krait and DBX in a long time it seems.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 07:27 PM

Quote
And two, my lifetime fines total 11,000 credits (in 928 hours). I am one law-abiding space monkey.


Oh dear he's doing it wrong!

Welcome back DBond and best wishes working on combat ranking. Combat is the toughest rank to make Elite in. Just keep at it. Ranks for Federation and Empire can be a grind as well. Fastest way on those is to run passenger escape missions from damaged stations taking +++ rep missions to the rescue ship which is very close. The rep you get for every run banks.

See you out there

Wingy
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 09:57 PM

I was running rescue missions for a while, and yeah those a good choice for this. If I decide to chase superpower rank again I'll run them for sure. The Orca is good for this. Well just about any ship is, but I like the Orca. Mine runs really cool and I probably don't even need a heatsink, but I fire one off after entering the station as routine.

I somehow ended up with another illicit limpet. Maybe I need to check a setting. Can't I tell my limpets what not to grab?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/20 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Such a shady character! I never knew you had such a dark side!



You mean my criminal activity? If you ever wonder what happened to one of your limpets check the log to see if I had been about.

You've all the big three. That's pretty cool. And that you have the rank for both. I am not even close for either, and I'm nearing 1000 hours. How many hours have you played JC, if you don't mind saying. Of course I haven't really pursued superpower rank, but still, I'd think I'd be further along. I'm Viscount and Ensign, so a long way to go. I'd have to get back to taking missions instead of hunting pirates and mats if I wanted to get that moving. But since core mining happened I no longer needed a Cutter, and frankly my time with the Conda showed me I'm a small and medium ship guy really. I haven't flown anything aside from the Courier, Krait and DBX in a long time it seems.


If the stats on Inara are correct, I have a little over 300 hours in game. I made getting rank to get those big ships a priority, so I ran a ton of rescue missions until I got there. I also cashed in nicely on the Great Void Opal Rush of 3305, so I was able to afford them. Like you, I tend to prefer the smaller ships, but it's nice to have the bigger ones. The Cutter is especially nice, Imperial ships are quite sexy! Not that the 'Vette doesn't look pretty cool, but it seems to be the exception to the Fed line.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by DBond

I looked at my stats and two things jumped out at me. One is, I have never lost a dime to minions. And two, my lifetime fines total 11,000 credits (in 928 hours).




Welcome back to ED DBond! 928 hours huh? You made me curious so I checked my codex and I currently have 6 weeks, 4 days, 17 hours and 14 minutes of game time logged.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 12:11 PM

I’m must be the exception, don’t really find the Imperial aesthetics attractive.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 12:48 PM

Where are you guys getting the play time and fines stats from? It used to be in the RHS menu but I can't see it. I need the play time from the game itself not from Steam as that won't be my true hours invested in it.

Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 12:54 PM

It should be on the Codex under commander/stats.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 12:56 PM

Found it. Boy,things have changed since I last played it.

4 weeks,3 days,21 hours and 42 minutes,so about 680 hours.

I have received 191 fines totalling 1,639,223 credits.

Of course,if they hadn't changed the exploration mechanics that play time would be over 1,000 hours I'm sure cuss2
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 01:28 PM

The codex has a wealth of interesting stats and of course the lore behind the Elite Dangerous universe.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 01:33 PM

I'm getting my hours played from Steam. I'll have a look at the Codex and see if it agrees.

I have to throw my lot in with JC and confirm Imperial ships are sexy and Fed ships are fugly.

Haha, Chucky's fines total shows how law-avoidingabiding I am. Although I got another illicit limpet yesterday. Gotta work this out.

And just like that, my goal is met. I am now 0% Deadly. I looked at Recluse's Inara stuff and he is even closer to triple Elite. Not far to go at all. I recall reading somewhere that getting from Deadly to Elite takes roughly the same number of ships you killed to get from noob to Deadly. And I was at 2,900+ bounties when reaching Deadly. So this will be a long slog. I doubt I will hit it before burn out. This is a target for next year more reasonably.

So what other goals can I arbitrarily assign myself? Thanks to Inara I have two. I had seen that Wingy and Bo had some spiffy medals on Inara, but there were not lighting up for me. For whatever reason three finally did so yesterday. Most of the medals have requirements I will never hit, like 5000 combat bonds or 1,000 Thargoids. But there is one that I bet few have, and that's the Captain medal that triggers with 5000 passengers transported. Because I spent my formative years mostly running my Interstellar Transport Company I am already 2/3 of the way there. I need to drop off another 1800 or so to qualify. Just a silly medal on Inara, but it gives me a goal. So I promptly ran a couple of transport missions in the Orca and got another 108 safely delivered.

A second thing on Inara that I saw for the first time is a pilot ranking. Both Bo and of course Wingy are well ahead of me. Recluse's doesn't show. I'm the 4,251st ranked pilot on there, though I have no idea what it's based on. I want to be something better than that biggrin So that's a goal, and continually renewable.

If anyone here is on Inara I'd like to add you as a friend so send me your commander name if you want. I have JC, Recluse, Wingnuts and Bo on my friend list there. If you are not on Inara, why the hell not?!

Inara

Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I'm getting my hours played from Steam. I'll have a look at the Codex and see if it agrees.





I can guarantee that there will be a discrepancy between Steam hours and in-game codex hours since I believe the codex doesn't count any time you spend in the main menu. I just looked in Steam and it says I have 1,174 hours and according to the ED codex I have 1,121 hours.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 02:14 PM

Yeah, I'm sure you're right. And 'play time' is a misnomer anyway, as I have many hours idle, with Elite running while I'm cutting the grass or walking the dog or whatever. I'm sure the Codex will be a lower number.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by DBond

I have to throw my lot in with JC and confirm Imperial ships are sexy and Fed ships are fugly.





The Imperial ships are indeed nicer looking but I'll take my fully engineered Fed Corvette up against a fully engineered Imperial Cutter any day. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
The Imperial ships are indeed nicer looking but I'll take my fully engineered Fed Corvette up against a fully engineered Imperial Cutter any day. smile



Can't argue with that, unless it's hauling trinkets and doodads, then whatareyagonnado? biggrin

I appreciate that folks like the Fed stuff, but then again they're nuts lol. My home is right next door to Achenar, so I gotta play it safe. Don't want them coming down hard on me for abetting the evil Federation.

Ya know, now that I think about it, I have never flown a Fed ship, and the Courier, amazing as it is, is the only Imperial whip I've flown.

Oh no, check that, iEagle too.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by DBond



Can't argue with that, unless it's hauling trinkets and doodads, then whatareyagonnado?



That’s what my Type-10 Defender is for! It’s my dedicated mining ship and cargo hauler.

The Fed Corvette is purely configured for combat.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 04:18 PM

Haha, I was just being a smartazz. Vette is a fine boat no doubt.

She's a beast, and I've done some fighting alongside Bo and Recluse when they were flying them.

Matter of fact, here's Bo in his as seen from my FDL Eagle Weslake biggrin

[Linked Image]

And I found a more atmospheric shot, from Poison Whiskey (Krait II), while hunting at a CNB

[Linked Image]

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 05:44 PM

I found how Inara ranks pilots.

These rankings are not official and are based on Inara commanders wishing to participate. The rankings are calculated JUST from the values gained via 'Import Frontier Data' feature to ensure all the data provided are valid and not altered in any manner.

The score for the main ladder is based on Combat, Trade and Exploration ranks, including their progress (1.000 points for each tier) with the addition of points for other activities (bounties, combat bonds, trades, scans, etc.) for a few hundred or thousand points, to differentiate commanders on high ranks. No credits/assets values are used.


I just did the automatic Frontier data importing thing, so that's why i suddenly have the medals I think. I was using EDMC for this previously. At # 4,251 I am only one point behind some dude named Osiris-Rex

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/20 07:08 PM

Digging around Inara I am finding lots of stuff I hadn't noticed before. One is player rankings. Here are some records, and how I compare

Distance traveled 7,889,359 Ly Me-114,213 Ly

Systems visited 204,630 Me-2,612

Level 3 scans 1,054,878 Me-5,931

Commodities Traded 9,570,214 Me-7,033

Passengers Delivered 746,119 Me-3,208

Bounties claimed 131,621 Me-2,979

LOL, what a noob biggrin

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/20 01:44 PM

So I had a look at the Codex, and I have actually played Elite 60 hours MORE than Steam shows. I remember now that in my early days of playing, I had trouble launching the game through Steam. So for a few weeks I played by launching straight from the exe, and it looks like that means the Steam hours were not accruing. So instead of 930 hours I'm actually at 990.

Since hitting Deadly I have been dusting off my other ships. I flew one bounty hunting session in the FDL, one or two in the Krait, and a few more in my ultra-fast Courier. Managed to reach 3% Deadly! It's progress, but slow going, which we all knew already. Money's not bad, and I used some of the proceeds to upgrade the fuel scoop on the Orca to A class. Those be expensive!

The Courier though. In order to make it combat worthy I had to trade off some of the speed potential of course. It could be much faster still. As it is it's still blazing, nearly 800 m/s boost and 2-pips as fast as my Krait boosts. Insane. Closing speeds and escape ability are unmatched. I worked hard on defenses while engineering, but it's still rather fragile. So the potential for destruction is real, and this adds a cool facet to the combat. Most ships engineered to the nines are in no peril, and we all have some of these. My FDL for example has 1700 mj and high resistances and integrity and I don't think I've ever had my shield shot away let alone neared destruction.

But in the Courier, engineered though it is, destruction is just a mistake away. When Bo and I flew some dual-Courier combat last spring I died in a collision, my fifth destroyed ship. I hate losing ships, so this is always in the back of my mind, and this adds a lot to the experience. Big, heavy hitters are cool. But small ship combat is way underrated in Elite, and lots of fun. I'm going to encourage Wingy's off -hand comment idea in the other thread suggesting a small-ship event. So if you don't have a small combat ship let's build you one. If anyone wants to build a Courier I have lots of ideas biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Digging around Inara I am finding lots of stuff I hadn't noticed before. One is player rankings. Here are some records, and how I compare

Distance traveled 7,889,359 Ly Me-114,213 Ly

Systems visited 204,630 Me-2,612

Level 3 scans 1,054,878 Me-5,931

Commodities Traded 9,570,214 Me-7,033

Passengers Delivered 746,119 Me-3,208

Bounties claimed 131,621 Me-2,979

LOL, what a noob biggrin



Odd.. I used to see my INARA ranking, but I no longer do. I even did the IMPORT FRONTIER DATA thing, even though I already send data to INARA with EDMC...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 01:35 PM

Yeah, I had mentioned I could not see your ranking. I would have suggested it's a sharing setting, but if you can't see it either then obviously it's something else. Maybe you broke it. Off the charts smile

I moved up 140 places over the past couple of days, but this fluctuates as the other commanders around me jockey for position haha.

I played some more last night, doing some bounty hunting in the Courier, and then later some combat scavenging in the Krait. In between, I took the Orca out for a few sightseeing missions. I do a lot of scanning. Wake scanning and just normal ship scanning. So it seems I am constantly filling up one encoded mat or another. Then you get the inventory full message and it's a mat lost.

So I flew to an encoded mat trader to trade some of the full ones up and clear some space. I noticed that there was just one encoded mat I had zero of, Modified Embedded Firmware. Matter of fact that entire bottom row of the mat trader matrix is low. I seem to have most others in abundance, but not those encoded, encoded ones at the bottom. Modified Embedded Firmware is a G5 mat, and an important one for me as it's used in overcharged weapons, of which many if not all of my multi-cannons are. I use it often.

I checked the passenger lounge and saw a good sightseeing mission that had MEF as a reward. Three stops, non-criminal, laid back dude and his chums for 5 million plus five MEF! Total jump distance about 350 light years. I took that mission from Dvorsi and flew it and took the mat reward, then flew the Orca to a tech broker to buy a C3 GFSDB, and then did some remote engineering to bring the Orca a little further along, mostly lightweighting the life support and sensors. The upshot is a jump of 50+ with a class 5 cabin.

I checked the lounge and there was another one just like the first. Matter of fact, there were quite a few tasty Elite-level sightseeing missions. Best sightseeing boards I have seen in a long time. So I ran another for five million plus five MEF, and then another! Fifteen million plus 15 MEF, plus new explo data. A good session.

In all my time in Elite I have purchased paint jobs for just three ships, Krait, Courier and FDL. I hate all of the Courier choices. The Krait one is pretty cool, and the FDL is just a gun-metal grey that seems military-ish. But most kinda suck and do not inspire me to fork over my hard earned cash. But the Orca has some very nice schemes available and I'll be picking one up once I can decide. It's such a cool ship. It's the only large-pad ship I still own. Flies great, amazing view, good performance. My Orca rests at 16% heat. NPCs have a hard time tracking it, and it makes a good smuggler too.

When I logged on my intention was to use the Orca for some rescue missions to both bump my superpower rank and get closer to the Captain medal on Inara. But there are no burning stations. So I flew the sightseeing instead. Thanks a lot Adlabs! biggrin

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 04:13 PM

Strange... I know I used to have a rank. A lot of my rank/reputation, credit,fleet information is totally current via EDMC but I show NO INARA badges or ranks...as shown in attachment.

Very odd. IMPORT from FRONTIER is definitely ON now too. Not sure I went into Elite Dangerous since I did it, so maybe no update was triggered????

I am sure I earned a bunch of those badges smile

Attached picture Inara.JPG
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 04:28 PM

Yeah, mine looked like that a few days ago. I did the auto frontier link and the medals popped up and I got the ranking. I've also been using EDMC as well. There are some issues, as I am 4% Deadly. Last night Inara said I was 3% and now it says 1%, so it appears the data retrieval is a bit wonky.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 04:35 PM

By the way, it's mighty impressive you went from Squire to King in a week biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 04:42 PM

The HIP 8444 to HIP 8758 run was pure PROFIT both in Imperial Rank and Credits..

BTW, when I did the Update from Frontier, it gave the option of FRONTIER or STEAM. I chose FRONTIER. That's what I use for EDMC and it works.... Very strange. Auto-Update says 30 hours till next update so it must have done one...but never populated in INARA... strange...
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 07:17 PM

Recluse, from the Galaxy page down the left side select Rankings & Statistics and it should show where you are. Mine on that page still shows pioneer under exploration. a puzzle?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 07:24 PM

Tried that. Couldn't find any way to SEARCH and my Commander name doesn't pop out. Just starts at the first page. ODD because previously, like years ago, it DID and I had an INARA ranking..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 07:36 PM

There's something on the site that says that new authorization is required every 30 days.

The auto-update is being disabled after some time. Where is the problem?
Currently, Frontier's service requires a re-authentication after 30 days. For such reason, you need to perform a new re-authentication/manual import after this period to make the auto-updates start to work again. This "problem" was reported to Frontier and they may or may not adjust this requirement in the future.

For what it's worth I just now re-imported the Frontier data and it updated everything. Things like jump distance, systems visited and bounty claims were all old. Looks like it updated all of that, although the combat % is still off by a point. I have been importing each day but the accuracy of it seems to vary. I wonder if using both EDMC and auto-Frontier conflict somehow?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/20 07:47 PM

Funny, the other night, I was getting messages from EDMC saying TOO MANY UPDATES IN A SHORT TIME.. CANCELLING UPDATES FOR 1 HOUR...

Then it started working again and never saw the message. When I try to UPDATE on INARA, I get the message that AUTO UPDATES ENABLED and the 30 day wait. Cannot seem to force it. I went into ED earlier and EDMC properly updated.... That said, I was pretty sure I already had Frontier Updates turned on, but maybe not
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 01:26 PM

I hope you can get it working. Maybe try clearing cookies or cache and see if it makes a difference?

I hopped on last night for a couple of hours solo. Flew some more bounty hunting in the Krait, scavenging as I went. I am now 6% Deadly. It's slow going sure, but I gotta say it's going a little faster than I feared it would. I am prioritizing Elite and Deadly but I'll shoot whatever is in front of me if it's wanted. Still a very long way to go, and I doubt I'll hit it this year. Plus, I am worried that if I do hit triple Elite I will struggle for motivation. Good progress thus far anyway.

Also took the Orca out for another sightseeing mission. 3 hops, 7 million plus Rep+++++ which moved the needle 3% on Viscount. Ugg. Usually the destinations are near earth-likes and water worlds so while I'm there I can make a few million more by sticking them like a pin cushion. Money's not much of a motivator these days since there's nothing I want to buy really. But it helps make the mission feel more worthwhile.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 01:32 PM

Bo and I had a productive stint at the CNB in AASGAY. I added 2% to my Combat rank and he added 4%. Saw you come online but I didn't know if you were in our PG or SOLO.. Should have messaged you to join us..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 02:10 PM

I didn't see you on, but Bo was when I joined I think. I reasoned he's an early riser and would be off to the sack in short order.

I should add that it's very likely I'll miss any in-game messages, so if you send me one and I do not reply it's just because I did not see it. The top panel on the HUD is off-screen unless I sit back in my seat. But when I am flying I lean forward a bit and the 6dof of TIR zooms in a bit. Helps my old eyes, but removes the comms panel from view.

4% of Deadly rank is a hell of a lot of kills! Especially winged-up. You guys were on it.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 02:54 PM

I messaged you either Tues or Wed nite when I saw u logged in. Figured you missed the text, it is very easy to no see. We should be able to get a gang together tonite or tomorrow for some small ride mayhem. Vacillating on pickin up a Cobra 4 and engineering to the hilt.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 03:02 PM

I'm not around tonight, but tomorrow evening probably. Have fun with or without me! I'm sure Wingy is game too.

Looking at my fleet and I have some Engineered modules I can cannibalize off other ships to fit in the Vulture. I started Engineering a COBRA the other night too, but I need to visit the MATERIAL TRADER to go much further..
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
but I need to visit the MATERIAL TRADER to go much further..



I really try my best to avoid those because they GOUGE you to the extreme. It's usually better to spend the time to try and find those level 4 or level 5 materials instead of trading for them.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 03:18 PM

Material Trader gouges yes, but is a vital resource for me. I use them a lot. Stats say I've done 6,000 or so trades.

Sorry I missed your message Bo. Didn't see it.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 03:20 PM

Me too, but there is some stuff like IMPROVISED COMPONENTS, CONDUCTIVE CERAMICS and DATAMINED WAKE EXCEPTIONS that are scarce to non-existent in the wild, though Wake Scanning will eventually yield some of the latter... I do scoop up any and all 4's and 5's for trade bait.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 03:21 PM

S’all good, D. No worries.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/20 11:04 PM

Hey Rec, your Inara stuff popped up for me. You're ranked way ahead of me too.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 02:51 AM

Yeah.. must have been that 30 hour refresh
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 01:34 PM

OK cool, glad it's working now. I've moved up a few hundred spots in the rankings over the past few days. Just gotta hope the others around me are done playing Elite biggrin

Hopped on last night for a few hours, did some bounty hunting in the Courier, and flew another sightseeing mission in the Orca. This was a long one, four stops and about 600 ly total. It paid 8 million plus five Biotech Conducters (plus several million in exploration data), of which I had five in inventory so a good haul. I've been really happy with the sightseeing boards I'm getting. Good missions for the most part.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 05:17 PM

Passenger missions are generally good for Grade 5 rewards. I just don't often have the patience for them smile

Back in the day, I used to do a lot of Passenger missions. Then, you could make a lot just by stacking transports from Point A to Point B. Now, it seems the large payouts are mainly for sightseeing and the Rich Tourist A to B are less lucrative. If there is a decent Grade 5 Material reward, though, it is worthwhile.

For whatever reason, it always seems Biotech Conductors give the BEST trade ratio at the materials broker, so I usually do take them when offered as a mission reward even at the cost of some credits.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 05:45 PM

Biotech Conductors don't trade any differently than other G5 mats, do they? Maybe I misunderstand. Of course you get a better return if you stay within the same category. You''ll get a better ratio trading them for another 'Conductive' component like Conductive Ceramics then you will for Electromechanical Arrays, even though both are G3 mats. But otherwise I think it's always the same. Or have I missed it?



I like the sightseeing. It gives me reason to take the Orca out. I see some really cool stuff, since the destinations are almost always interesting and are some of the most beautiful places in Elite. The pay is good too. The four stop one I took last night was about an hour. Probably around 20 jumps or so.

As to the rewards, yeah I've been opting for mats. I've plenty of money. Not as flush as you lot. But enough. I'm usually trading a couple million credits for the five G5 mats when choosing the reward.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 05:51 PM

No, I think you are right about the Mat trading. Seems I am always short on stuff in that category which is probably why Biotech conductors always seem to be the best value.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/20 05:56 PM

Yes, perceived value is something else and I totally understand biggrin
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 11:37 AM

People weren't kidding when they told me that the deep core mining fundamentally changed the game. It was overwhelmingly the deep core mining that allowed me to rack up credits so quickly and right now I have a lot more money than I could ever spend since I currently have all the ships I am interested in getting. That can change very quickly though when the carriers come out.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 12:20 PM

The plunge in Void Opal prices made Laser Mining of Low Temperature Diamonds the more lucrative mining exploit. Core Mining was far more fun, though.. except when I just kept screwing up the optimized charge placement
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 12:23 PM

That's true. I made more money core mining in 3 days than I think I had in a couple years to that point. It made us all flush with cash.

I was looking through my Inara friends' fleets the other day, and one of them, I think JC, has one ship worth more than my entire fleet. So it made us all flush, but I didn't really do anything with it. I bought a Krait (which I used to do the mining), but that's about it. I don't even have an interest-bearing savings account so the money just sits there doing nothing smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
The plunge in Void Opal prices



When did this happen? I think the last time I did a VO run was in December and I was still managing to get 1.6 million per canister.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 12:41 PM

It was part of the January update that rebalanced the economics of mined commodities.

You can check here to see current prices on things easily:

Mining tool


VO prices down to the 500-600K range.

LTD's 800K-1M

Jan-Feb LTD's could get up to 1.6, and were commonly 1.1, so they have dropped as well.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/20 12:46 PM

Thanks for that info! I've been exclusively exploring, material gathering and engaging in combat since January so I've been out of the mining loop for a while.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/20 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
That's true. I made more money core mining in 3 days than I think I had in a couple years to that point. It made us all flush with cash.

I was looking through my Inara friends' fleets the other day, and one of them, I think JC, has one ship worth more than my entire fleet.


I did spend quite a bit on that 'vette!
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/20 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo


I did spend quite a bit on that 'vette!



I got lucky and managed to get the prerequisite Fed rank last December when ED had that special event going where you got bonus points for ranking up in the Federation and all Fed ships also had a price discount.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/20 11:51 AM

JC, that Vette is not only worth more than my fleet, but all my stored modules too! Recluse has one of those too.

An update on my quest for triple Elite.... I hit 10% Deadly last night. That 10% was almost exactly 300 kills, so 30 kills per point. This will vary according to the target ranks I reckon, but so far it's held true. It took 3000 kills to get from noob to Deadly, and at this rate will take 3000 kills to get to Elite.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/20 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer




I got lucky and managed to get the prerequisite Fed rank last December when ED had that special event going where you got bonus points for ranking up in the Federation and all Fed ships also had a price discount.


I missed that sale frown Somehow lost interest in ELITE over the holidays. Ended up paying full price (-15% LYR discount) for my 'Vette in January)
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 01:42 PM

I found myself with yesterday unexpectedly off from work. So I fired up Elite and played throughout the day, in between chores and housework and yardwork. Rake some leaves, bounty hunt, walk the dog, material trader, vacuum the living room, planetary landing biggrin

I started the day off by taking the Krait to a CNB for some combat scavenging. This went well enough until I mistakenly shot at a ship in an un-engaged wing. I somehow missed he was in a 3-ship wing, and they all turned on me, and shot my shields down to 30% before I could escape. The Krait is not fully-baked and it was a close call.

I was out of both tungsten and antimony, which I needed to finish up my Vulture build. So I again dusted off the AspX and hit some of the Dvorsi landables. Didn't find a whole lot of what I needed, especially tungsten. But I filled up carbon, iron, nickel and sulphur as well as found lots of others like tin, zinc and more. Then I flew to all three types of mat traders to do some trading and empty some of the full ones a bit.

I'm still doing the SRV shooting rocks sort of prospecting. Old school right? I probably should be looking at the POI stuff? Barnacles and that sort of thing?

I also hit a number of HGEs, scooping up what I found to trade for what I need. Lots of those Proto Radiolic Alloys. I enter a system, hit the nav beacon, then supercruise to as many HGEs as I can.

And still I found time to bump the combat rank another 2%. In all, a very productive day. Raised rank, replenished mat stocks and evened them out so none were filled, and finished the engineering on the Vulture.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 02:01 PM

Seems like you had a fun day of gaming DBond! As for me I worked on my Imperial rank grinding. My ship display shows "100% Marquis" but it hasn't shifted over to "Duke" yet. Very annoying.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 02:05 PM

You need to find an Imperial Navy Mission to complete for the next rank. If you flip the boards enough you can usually find a pretty easy transport mission rather than the dumb "KILL xxx number of ships" type.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Seems like you had a fun day of gaming DBond! As for me I worked on my Imperial rank grinding. My ship display shows "100% Marquis" but it hasn't shifted over to "Duke" yet. Very annoying.


You have to take a Navy rank mission, but you know that or you wouldn't be at Marquis. Maybe I misunderstand.

You get a Cutter at Duke!

Yeah, it was a good day smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by DBond

You have to take a Navy rank mission, but you know that or you wouldn't be at Marquis. Maybe I misunderstand.





To be honest I didn't know that. LOL Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to do a Navy rank mission when I get home today.

There are still several aspects of ED that I've barely touched and I have over 1,000 hours in the game according to Steam.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/20 02:32 PM

Haha, that means you've gotten that far just by taking the correct missions without realizing it smile

Check this link

https://support.frontier.co.uk/kb/faq.php?id=335
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 12:42 PM

Got in some good hunting with Bohemond, Recluse, Wingnuts and James last night.

Started off in a High RES, in the Vulture, and claimed 2 mil. Bo and I flew to a station, where we each whistled for our Couriers, because of course we did.

Took the dog for a walk while Velocity was enroute, and when I returned Wingnuts was on. So the three of us did some more bounty hunting and then Rec arrived. The four of us proceeded to rip sh!t up in a Compromised Nav Beacon. I turned in claims three times over the course of the session, for a total of 8 million credits. That paid for the fuel scoop on the Krait I bought the other day haha.

I had a great time, and thanks to the boys for the content biggrin

My ships performed flawlessly. The Vulture was really good, even if I don't crack hulls all that well. But she shrugged off everything. I was pinballing off other ships at times, spinning like a top. Throughout the night my shields never dropped below 94%, and being fast recovery Bi-Weaves, even this was gone in a blink. Very pleased with this run-out.

I flew the Courier as intended, wide open all the time. and I don't think I was touched. No collisions, thankfully (but close many times!), and I never noticed any hits either. The others kept the targets occupied while I made slashing attacks at speed. Glorious it was, and I had a fantastic time. Over and over I attempted to show off my speed to my wingmates, in search of comments like "Dang DB, but that ship is blazingly fast!" or, "I've never seen anyone fly so fast and beautifully" but this crew's seen it all and were insouciant.

Haha, well, it was a lot of fun, made some good bank and raised the rank 2% to 14% Deadly. And added zero re-buys, fines, bounties or other impedimenta to my list. A rousing success all-round thumbsup
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 12:49 PM

+1 for use of "insouciant"
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 01:16 PM

Haha, well you are you know. biggrin

But I accept your plaudits.

I spent a lot of the time flying formation off each of you. The way cockpits are configured I don't think anyone was aware I was sitting on their shoulders, but that was a lot of fun too. There's something very cool about two Couriers in formation.

This Arx thing (which is new for me having taken a break) is making me buy paint jobs. I like.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by DBond



This Arx thing (which is new for me having taken a break) is making me buy paint jobs. I like.


Don't know if you noticed my Purple Vulture.... Thanks ARX and Frontier Leap Year Sale!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 01:31 PM

I sure did and it looked fantastic. Everyone was sporting snazzy schemes, aside from me and my tactical graphite Courier. But that's stealth don't you know.

I made up for it with a bronze metallic Vulture.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 01:39 PM

I bought the Copper Metallic for the 'Vette
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 01:53 PM

How gaudy biggrin

Last night Bo was talking about how his thermal vent beams weren't icing over his cockpit. I offered that you need to reach zero heat for this to occur.

A little while later I saddled up on a target long enough to test it with my Courier. This effect kicked in when reaching 3% heat. I remarked about this over the R/T but I wasn't sure anyone heard me, so I thought I would bring it up again. If Bo's Courier rests at 48% heat (I think is what he said) I think it's just too much heat to overcome to reach 3%?

My Courier rests at 29% so with sustained firing can reach the ice pit.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 02:16 PM

I heard you say that. I've never used Thermal Vents, though I almost did on the 'Vette when the original Overcharged Beams were overheating the ship very quickly. Went with Efficent/Concordant on one and Overcharged/Flow Control on the other and Heat was fine so I didn't move to Thermal Vent and got a little break on Power consumption with Flow Control.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 03:10 PM

OK thanks Rec. No replies so I wondered if I had been heard, no worries.

I mentioned in a different thread, but one of the reasons I like thermal vent is the fact that when your ship cools so dramatically the NPCs can't target it. They don't just shoot without lock like we do when a heatsink is dropped for example. So while you're hitting another ship and cooling off, you're essentially cloaked to the NPCs.

Plus of course, thermal vents can help offset the heat you may get from other weapons like rails, Guardian weapons, beams without vent etc. And thermal vent has no drawback aside from the opportunity cost of whichever whiz-bang you did not choose instead. For the venting effect to occur, the weapons need to be hitting the target. Misses build heat as normal.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
OK thanks Rec. No replies so I wondered if I had been heard, no worries.

t one of the reasons I like thermal vent is the fact that when your ship cools so dramatically the NPCs can't target it. They don't just shoot without lock like we do when a heatsink is dropped for example. So while you're hitting another ship and cooling off, you're essentially cloaked to the NPCs.



I hadn't thought about that! Great advantage. I remember when deep core VO mining, my cockpit would frost over, and the ship would chill down so it was comforting to be shielded from the sensors of any pirates lurking in the area (though they usually cleared out never to return at the beginning of the session)
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/20 11:26 PM

Thanks for the great time last night. I enjoyed the small ship event and the 7 mil didn't hurt either.

Thermal venting I use on several ships. I get a kick out of the screen freeze neaner. Use them on the Vette and the window will freeze over. I'd run it on the Vulture, but someone has to be a space medic!! I'll probably try a efficient / regen version though as I was fighting overheat most of the night. Just hate to give up that 31.0 DPS.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/20 04:11 AM

I have a thermal vent and an oversized beam (both efficient) on my Vulture because I ran out of mats to make two thermal vents! So when I am getting sustained hits it slowly drops the heat, but never by all that much. It cruises at 29% and maybe will hit 24% after a sustained tethering of my beams to the target. Not enough to ice over anyway. The Krait, Courier and FDL all have dual vent beams though. I will probably do it to the Vulture too, because the single oversize adds like .8 DPS and I'd rather have the cloaking. Like unlimited heatsinks ya know?

I said in the small fighter thread I like to build ships that run cool, fly fast and jump far at the cost of integrity and firepower usually. What you may not know is I appreciate the finest in space travel too. Nothing says refinement and class like the Saud Kruger luxury line, am I right? So combine these things and here's what I built tonight. Well, improved tonight. Quite a bit too.

Sunburst


To break up the combat, I've been flying sightseeing missions, getting back to my roots, the way I funded my early game when money was tight. I've had this Orca for a long time, and it always did the job well enough. It's fast enough and runs cool enough to just submit and boost away on any interdiction. It jumped 50 with a single C5 cabin. But I built it back when I only had a few G5 engineers unlocked, and then spent engineering efforts on other ships. So she was due for some attention.

Before the changes it cruised at 16% heat, on G5 clean, thermal spread drives. Rebuilding it though, and finishing out some of the engineering I was able to add around 60 m/s speed, draw a lot less power overall (just 16 MW), have better shields and integrity and STILL run even cooler. This ship rests at 14% heat. The drawback to the dirty drives is accelerating, boosting or any sort of maneuvering will cause it to run 2 to 3% hotter. Chain-boosting goes to 37%. Once a ship is at speed and flying straight the thrusters produce no heat, so it returns to the cool cruise temp. But I think it's worth that big boost in speed for a little more heat, though the first few interdictions against fast ships will tell if boost is a bit too hot. I could finally finish the ELP shields and the G5 low emissions power plant with my better engineer access. G5 probe radius, a couple of HD E-boosters, a little work on heatsinks and wake scanner. Engine-focused PD.

Flush with Arx I painted it too, a posh blue that underlines the ship's elegance.

No weapons of course, and resistances were essentially ignored. Empty optional slots are for cabin configuration. I have all sorts of them in storage and can swap them in and out as needed for the mission. I usually load one C5 business class (seats 10) and two first class (seat 6 each) before checking the passenger lounge. This way I can take any of the best Elite ones, since some will require first class with more than 6 seats, in which case I take both of those. Whichever cabin(s) do not get used get stored before flying the mission to maximize jump. The empty C2 slot can be used when I load economy. But no need for that until burning stations return. I could add a MRP or HRP there I suppose in the mean time.

Pretty good ship, well suited to the role. And what a view out of the front of this thing.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/20 08:04 PM

Next time I'm on with you guys, I wonder if anyone would be willing to help me run a test. Fly around my Orca and test how well your sensors resolve my ship. Test at varying distances and so forth. Just interested to see if my theories have any basis to them. Of course there's a big difference between As and Ds, and all sorts of engineering options so not sure how to make a good test. Maybe someone would be willing to buy a couple of stock sensor suites for testing purposes. I have no idea if NPC ships can have different grades or engineering on sensors.

But I'd be interested to see how cloaked my ship really is, and maybe player tests would provide some insight, Anyway if anyone is up for it let me know.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/20 12:51 PM

Orca gets no love, and we Orca pilots take pride in that biggrin

That's a hell of an Orca there ya know! But yeah, it fails to inspire I reckon.

Still, I flew it a number of times yesterday, running sightseeing missions for mats and money. Did quite a few bulk transports in my re-born Python too. Got in a little more bounty hunting and another point on the rank. And lastly did a lot of mat gathering, both combat scavenging in the Krait, and hit quite a few HGEs in that ship and the DBX, which I also dusted off.

Worked on a few ships, nips and tucks. I also bought another iEagle to use some of the modules I had in storage and turn it in to a wake scanner.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 12:32 PM

The coronavirus sucks for sure, but it has provided me more Elite time. As mentioned in the small fighter thread, I started a new project yesterday, building an iEagle in to an uberfast wake scanning vessel.

Smokeless

That's faster by 60 m/s than my already-fast Courier. Speed is life smile

(but more likely death, time will tell)

For the past two years or so I have called the Dvorsi system home. Not far from Achenar, it's an Imperial system that pulled me in with 37 landable planets. Virtually every raw mat in Elite is in that system, and I found it very convenient to base there for this reason. It has served me very well. But for the past year I've wanted to pull up stakes. The main reason is I don't like Coriolis stations. It's not hard to find the entrance, but it's a bit annoying at times. On an Orbis or Ocellus station you know instantly where to go as soon as you drop. Plus they look so much cooler.

So after building Smokeless the wake scanner I decided to resume the search I had broken off a year ago. I went on EDDB and started looking around, filtering stations by type. Ocellus or Orbis with a mat trader. I rejected many for a number of reasons, not least of which were names I didn't think sounded cool enough, or that would be hard to type in to various apps and the nav map. Mostly exhausting the Imperial selection, I re-ran the search for Fed stations. One name jumped out at me. Moxon's Mojo. That's the cool-sounding sort of thing I am talking about. The system is called Bolg, which doesn't sound cool, but is rather easy to type smile

So I had a look at this station. It has....

Interstellar Factors
Black Market
Mat Trader (raw)
Tech Broker
Haz and High RES
CNB (low security)
Orbis station
And the kicker is it has six! Fed-aligned minor factions, which is a lot

That's pretty good. On the downside the station is 900 ls arrival, which isn't bad at all really, and the RES are 3,000 ls from the station. And pop is just 125,000. So I flew there in the Krait, and whistled for the DBX and Vulture. Did a little bounty hunting while waiting, to start bumping rep with the controlling faction. When the DBX arrived I flew it back to Dvorsi to get the Orca, and then returned to Bolg to run a couple sightseeing missions. Not sure how long I'll stay, but it's a great spot to raise combat rank and Fed rank too. It's about 35 ly from Sol, very close to Wyrd, an engineer system.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 01:07 PM

Just a heads up, CNB’s can be a transient state. If’n you were not already aware. Is so, disregard. thumbsup
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 01:49 PM

Yes, thanks, that I knew.

The big story here is me infesting Fed space biggrin

Six minor Fed factions. You don't see that often. There was another station I had considered which has three Empire and three Fed factions, but it was a bit too far out in left field, far away from anything important.

I made Count a couple days ago, and Lieutenant is close and I expect to run that up a few ranks if I stay at Moxon's Mojo for any length of time.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 01:56 PM

How far from Shin/I Carinae? Just in case your residence in Fed space drives the land value down! exitstageleft
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 02:08 PM

Too late, prop values have already fallen by 35%. Bad news makes it around the galaxy before good news even gets it's pants on.

I think it's 70 ly from Shinrarta.

Oh yeah, I also bought a Dolphin, but I don't know that I will keep it. Not versatile enough to crack my transportation fleet lineup I don't think. That brings my fleet to ten ships once more.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 02:29 PM

HOARDER!!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 02:32 PM

I suppose I shouldn’t throw stones as my fleet seems to be growing bigly also. A surplus of cash and the boredom of no CG’s, I deem.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 02:45 PM

Yeah, fair point. You're at ten at the mo, too, I think.

I like the Dolphin, but optional space is too restricted for me to figure out a role yet. This is the ship that should have led to the Orca, not the other way around.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 03:20 PM

In all my nearly 1,200 hours that I have dropped in to Elite I have never ventured farther (further? never can get that straight) than 5,077 light years from my starter system. And that was a long time ago to unlock Palin (Jellyfish Nebula). That's bush-league stuff.

So I've been thinking of heading out on a more ambitious journey. It's the flight home that gets me. But I've been eyeing up some long-distance sightseeing missions. There was one I saw yesterday that was 35 million for a 13,000 light year destination. I can double that with explo data I reckon. If only money were more precious to give me a more compelling reason to do it.

Never been to Beagle Point, or Colonia or any of the famous or notorious explorer destinations. Maybe it's time to get out there? Need inspiration.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


Never been to Beagle Point, or Colonia or any of the famous or notorious explorer destinations. Maybe it's time to get out there? Need inspiration.



To be honest there's nothing stunning to see in Beagle Point itself but the view of the galactic core from BP is pretty nice. It still doesn't compare though with seeing the "black hole" in Sag A. That was quite a nice experience for me!


There's really nothing unique to Colonia except for the engineers who are located there. I think there are 3 of them?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 06:38 PM

Inspiration level dropped by 18 points biggrin
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/20 10:13 PM

Just think of the mind numbing headache you would have had after getting there and coming to that realization! Thanks to PM!!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 12:04 AM


Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer


To be honest there's nothing stunning to see in Beagle Point itself but the view of the galactic core from BP is pretty nice. It still doesn't compare though with seeing the "black hole" in Sag A. That was quite a nice experience for me!



I've been thinking about taking the trip to Sag A too. I figure the black hole has to look pretty amazing in VR.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 11:35 AM

Here is a screenshot I took when I first arrived in Beagle Point. I was 65,000+ light years from Sol.

Attached picture ED.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
Just think of the mind numbing headache you would have had after getting there and coming to that realization! Thanks to PM!!


I'm not so easily dissuaded....

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer

I was 65,000+ light years from Sol.



....Yeah, screw that biggrin

I guess that's why I'm thinking of doing something more modest in scale. 13k is 260 jumps each way in the Orca. It's a lot but not so much that I feel I couldn't do it, and still fly back.

Yesterday I spent much of my time ferrying ships from Dvorsi to my new home. I whistle for the DBX, then fly it back to Dvorsi to grab one of my more expensive ships. Transferring the DBX costs 100k. Transferring the FDL costs 1.2 mil. So it's basic economics, not that I couldn't afford it, but no sense just throwing it away right?

I worked on the Python a bit as I try to get it back to it's Krait-stolen glory. Ran a couple of bus missions in that ship and a few assassinations in the FDL for my new neighbors. Killing one ship at a time is not going to get combat rank moving, but I like these missions and it bumps faction rep. At my new station I'm already friendly with the controlling faction, and cordial with the the other five Fed-aligned ones.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 08:17 PM

I have it handy as I posted the build on the FDev boards. Here's my Krait

Poison Whiskey

It's sporting cargo racks as I was running some haulage missions for my new station.

I think it has good everything. Jump, speed, agility, firepower, protection. I think it shows why I think it's Elite's best all-rounder.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 08:32 PM

Nicely balanced build DBond. Have you used in any combat yet? Wondering how the Power Distro holds up?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 08:41 PM

Oh, yeah, that's the main role. Combat scavenging. It does fine. You can see the TTD is a minute and a half and I reckon that's enough, although to be fair I'm rarely running four pips to WEP.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/20 08:52 PM

And I just checked and the PD must not be at full G5, because doing so gains another 30 seconds.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/20 12:37 PM

The build I posted was decked out in racks since I had spotted some good delivery missions on the board. But here you can see how modular it is, and by swapping the cargo racks for HD HRPs, and the wake scanner for a HD E-booster (and fixed the PD!), that integrity is tripled, and the effect through resistance stacking on the HRPs is something greater, with thermal and kinetic HP north of 5,000. Of course if the shields don't get shot away, this integrity is redundant. But it's there should something go really wrong.

Poison Whiskey CNB
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 12:48 PM

These are TRULY the END TIMES. I have received a sign that life as we know it will NEVER BE THE SAME..

I found 9 units of Improvised Components in a High Grade Emissions Signal source......!!!!!
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
These are TRULY the END TIMES. I have received a sign that life as we know it will NEVER BE THE SAME..

I found 9 units of Improvised Components in a High Grade Emissions Signal source......!!!!!



Wow, now THAT is a rare find indeed!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 05:38 PM

What state was the system in where found ‘em?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:00 PM

I think it was LTT 4487 (where I was at the CNB) Was leaving the system and decided to scan for Signal Sources. I stayed and looked for more but only found the usual stuff... Core Dynamics Composites, Proto Heat Radiators etc.. The Improvised components were are real surprise!!
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:10 PM

Speaking of engineering, is Professor Palin the only engineer who can upgrade thrusters to level 5? I just recently unlocked him and now I'm in the process of upgrading the thrusters on my Fed Corvette and Imperial Cutter to level 5.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:21 PM

Mel Brandon and Chloe Sedesi can do it too but I haven't unlocked them. Brandon is WAAAAAAY out there...

https://inara.cz/galaxy-engineers/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:24 PM

He's the only one in the bubble. Mel Brandon can, and Chloe Sedesi can too, but both are far. Sedesi shows she's a lot closer but I've never been to her. System is called Shenve and shows as almost 900 LY from Sol.

https://inara.cz/galaxy-engineer/25/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:25 PM

Ninja'd.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 06:50 PM

Ah yes, I believe Sedesi is by the Witchhead nebula. I have discovered her but I haven't unlocked her yet.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/20 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
I think it was LTT 4487 (where I was at the CNB) Was leaving the system and decided to scan for Signal Sources. I stayed and looked for more but only found the usual stuff... Core Dynamics Composites, Proto Heat Radiators etc.. The Improvised components were are real surprise!!





Nice snag! I’m in that system frequently and have yet to get a jackpot like that. I’ll have to keep my eyes open from now on when I’m there.

As a semi-related topic, I finally unlocked Bris Dekker in Sol. Of course, he is basically useless but still had to do it. Been bugging me for a while...
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/20 10:49 AM

I don't remember the name of the engineer in Colonia who can upgrade the fuel scoops but I remember being VERY disappointed when I discovered that all you can do is shield the fuel scoop thus increasing its integrity. Really? That's it?

I was hoping for an upgrade where you can increase the fuel scooping rate but nope.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/20 11:44 AM

Marsha Hicks

Frontier should add T-shirts to the store:

"I went all the way to Colonia and all I got was a lousy Shielded Fuel Scoop"
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/20 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Marsha Hicks

Frontier should add T-shirts to the store:

"I went all the way to Colonia and all I got was a lousy Shielded Fuel Scoop"




LOL!!! That is brilliant.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/28/20 12:59 PM

I managed to get a little flight time in last night. I've been sailing u-boats again, and writing a AAR which can be seen in the forum above this one, which takes a lot of time. Turns out I had left my Krait floating in a RES for a week. Jumped back in and shot up enough ships to take the combat rank to 20% and scooped up some more mats before docking at Moxon's Mojo. I see Rec and Bo are both well in to the 80s. Who will hit it first?

I had moved, at least temporarily to the Bolg system as I talked about. But it's dark! It's an old dying sun with low 'apparent magnitude', is that the right term? So the entire system seems like the lights have been dimmed. It's kinda bothering me lol. I want my station to be shining and my RES rocks to be visible without night vision some of the time smile

So yeah, I'll probably move again because it;s not bright enough.



Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/20 04:19 PM

Since returning to Elite one month ago I've been doing all sorts of things. I've moved to a new system, at least temporarily. Hit combat Deadly rank. Have done a lot of mat gathering and wake scanning, sightseeing and bulk transport, cargo runs. SRV prospecting. Assassinations. Made Lieutenant and Count. I've flown every ship in my fleet. Bought three new ships, Vulture, iEagle and Dolphin. It was the second time buying the first two. But the thing I think saw the most progress is engineering. It's funny, when I first got back in the pit I commented here about how engineering a ship from scratch was the last thing I wanted to do. Since then I've done two, and made big improvements to a number of other ships, the Krait, the Orca and even the DBX. The Python rose from the ashes of the mothball fleet to reborn as a passenger shuttle, sporting a new paint scheme.

Since I hadn't played since the previous June, I noticed many small improvements and tweaks to the game. New elements added to the map, especially trade info. GUI changes and improvements. Odd as it may be, my favorite new thing is Arx, Before coming back I had bought maybe two or three skin packs for a couple of my ships. I'm always in the cockpit, I never use the camera suite and how it looked externally didn't really matter. But this Arx thing changed my outlook. And now that we can spend it to buy single skins instead of packs means that all of my ships now have new paint. I did buy some Arx from Steam, 16800 of the stuff. That failed to work, so the next day I bought the same package from Frontier which did work, while I sent Frontier a ticket about the Steam issue. They replied the next day and suggested I log out machine on the launcher, which would require a reactivation. Before attempting that, I simply logged out (not machine) to see if I could save the re-activation steps and the inevitable frustration. Thankfully this worked and so I had like 34,000 Arx. Being able to earn it by playing, even if capped each week, means I'll have a never ending supply of it now and so the 'free from here' aspect means I'll keep buying skins and customizing my ships, which is fun, even if I only ever see them in the outfitting screen. It's more to show off to the guys in Neph's PG biggrin

Plus, it seems at a glance that small ships have cheap skins, and I only have one large-pad ship, the Orca.

Speaking of the Orca, I had recently given this ship attention, changing the thrusters and other engineering tweaks to improve survivability, with the goals of making it very fast and run very cool. Flush with Arx I pained it a dark blue. I've been flying it often, particularly for sightseeing missions. Elite-level sightseeing missions pay very well, and are almost always to a destination near a WW, ELW or AW, so I add the scan money to it, another 1-2 million easy. Plus all the data I've gotten on the route. So it's a pretty simple mission profile, laid back, with good compensation for the efforts. G5 mats are often on offer, and I usually take those, or high-rep rewards are an option too. It takes me to many systems I would maybe have never entered. I flew another last night, with three stops,one of which was a planetary ice geyser. These are so much easier now that you can drop in to it like it's a station rather than do the planetary glide entry approach.

The only real danger comes from not paying attention, and sometimes your passengers have traits that will either bring interdictions, or be wanted or criminal and therefore dangerous to transport. For this reason, my Orca runs cool, but of course if you pay attention when choosing your mission, these smuggling runs can be avoided.. The speed and low heat make it easy to escape interdiction and avoid and evade scans by the cops and stations. Since coming back a month ago I realized I had not really opened a ship up on a long supercruise, which of course is compelling gameplay haha. One pitfall that sighterseers in Elite face is the fact that during the mission selection, only the jump distance to each tourist destination is shown. The arrival distance to the actual tourist beacon or geyser is not. So when you arrive in the system, you can find the supercruise to be of any distance. The third stop in last night's mission was 427,000 light seconds. Which is bush-league really, but still took me 17 minutes. The most compelling part of it is rooting for the speedometer to keep climbing to another higher number before the vertex of the speed parabola is reached and it begins to recede. When you think that each 1.0c is the speed of light, traveling at hundreds of times that speed is cool to consider.

Long supercruise gives the ship a chance to open up and breathe, and here Sunburst topped 900c. I've flown faster, longer, I think the fastest at 1300c, but not for a long time it seems. Notice how cool the ship is running. In the end I took a reward for 3 mil, plus Rep+++++ as I'm at a new station and need better faction rep. Explo data was more than 3 million on top of it.


[Linked Image]



Attached picture ludicrousspeed.jpg
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/20 07:01 PM

Up to now I've had no interest in the whole space tourism aspect of ED but maybe some day in the future I might give it a go. With 2.6 billion in the bank, money is not a concern so that just leaves the purely sight-seeing aspect and I can just do that with exploring on my own.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/20 01:54 PM

Good, because I don't need any more competition. It's a tough racket.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/20 12:28 PM

Another thing I had not done since last June is mining. So yesterday I decided to fly the Krait from Bolg to Dvorsi to get the mining modules stored there. I mounted the gear, and had to buy an abrasion blaster as I guess I had sold the last one. Not sure why, but it wasn't there, so I must have sold it. I had also sold my drill-bang rocket launcher so bought another and now was equipped for sub-surface and core mining.

I knew the prices had undergone a market correction, and wasn't sure which was the most profitable, but I keep reading about LTDs on the F Dev boards, so decided to look for these. Recalling my gold-rush days from a year ago I flew to Dvorsi A9 with an ice ring. I was surprised to see that the probe I had stuck in it a year ago was still valid, showing all the hotspots in the same places. A bit rusty at first, I soon got the rythym, and found a good sell location.

I'm not sure what the best rates are right now for LTDs, but I was getting 1.1 million per ton, a pretty good return. Over the course of three runs I mined a lot of LTDs, one rock's worth of void opals and another of grandidierite which I had not heard of before, but it sold for a good price. The forums are awash with claims of 200m per hour mining. In my case it was 180 million in four hours haha, but still a good return for the time invested. This week I had hit my short term goal of 2 billion assets, and now am well north of that, thanks to the mining.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/20 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


I knew the prices had undergone a market correction, .


Yeah, that's an understatement. smile


I went on a major mining run about 2 weeks ago and also discovered that the LTD's are the most valuable resource right now. Void opals have definitely crashed since the maximum you can get for those now is about 700k per canister. In the good old days you could get 1.6 million.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/20 07:04 PM

D, the triple hotspot at Borann is the go to LTD location these days. A2 I believe.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/20 07:18 PM

Yeah, too crowded biggrin

Thanks Bo, I see that laser strip mining is the rage these days, but I enjoy the core mining. Anyway, it's not something I do much of but wanted to give it another go and get some decent return for the time invested. The strip mining seems so boring in comparison, but I imagine it's much faster. I saw a vid of a guy just doing circles around a rock while his lasers knocked off bits to scoop. I get enough of that with the Vulture biggrin

I'll probably do a couple more sessions and get the bank account a little further along. Nothing to do with it, but that may not always be the case.

Which leaves me with a conundrum. As I was converting Poison Whiskey from a combat scavenger to a mining vessel the wisdom of having a dedicated mining ship hit home. Not only flying to where my modules were stored, but swapping them on and then redoing the fire groups showed how nice it would have been just to switch ships and go. But man, the thought of all that engineering just to build a ship I'd rarely use seemed a waste. I know it doesn't HAVE to be engineered, but we all know how that goes.

Sold my Dolphin too yesterday. No role for it.

Should I buy and build a mining Krait? Can't decide. Maybe a different ship with a new slot open. Bah, it never ends....
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by DBond


Should I buy and build a mining Krait? Can't decide. Maybe a different ship with a new slot open. Bah, it never ends....


The Type 10 Defender has been my dedicated mining ship for months now and I absolutely love it. Tons of cargo space and decent FSD range. Sure, the ship handles like a space truck but what else would you expect from a heavy mining ship? smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 12:21 PM

That's cool, it's a neat ship, the T-10. But one I'll never buy. Definitely not a ship for me.

It would bring back the nightmare of T-9 ownership, and I can't do that to myself lol.

I did another session of core mining last night, aiming for low temp diamonds mostly. Made another 140 million, so 320 million in two nights. Good money for me. Now to figure out a way to spend some of it smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by DBond

It would bring back the nightmare of T-9 ownership, and I can't do that to myself lol.




The two ships look similar on the outside but I can tell you with certainty that the T-10 is a big improvement in every category. It's considerably more maneuverable and has a faster sub-hypercruise speed. So while the T-10 handles like a space truck, the T-9 handles like a space 18 wheeler. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 03:33 PM

Haha good point. I think it's a cool ship the T-10. Just not my style. I like shooting them in CNBs though smile

I kinda want another new ship, but there are no ships I want.

Fleet carriers are a bust it appears. I was hoarding money with a view to using some of it to aid one of the guys here if they bought one, and we could donate to it. At this point I'd wager it's more likely no one here will buy one than will. So maybe I'll spend it on something else. A Beluga! no, probably not. A Phantom? Mamba? DBS? wut wut.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


I kinda want another new ship, but there are no ships I want.
.



I have the same dilemma. For me one of the most enjoyable things to do in the game is to custom build my own ship with the best possible modules and then doing the engineering upgrades. As it stands right now, my Fed Corvette is the "end all be all" for combat, the Type 10 for mining and cargo hauling, the Asp Explorer for exploration and the Cutter for when I want to simply travel in style and pretend I'm some sophisticated member of aristocracy.

All of my other ships like the Anaconda, Python and Krait Phantom are extra ships that are just nice to have just in case I get the itch to fly them.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
[quote=DBond]

I kinda want another new ship, but there are no ships I want.
.


Boy I know what you mean there. As for dedicated activity ships, one look at my Inara page will show I endorse that. If you have the Bank, there's no reason not to build activity specific ships.

Engineering of those ships depends on your play style as well. I tend to hoover up materials at every opportunity. I've dropped the Kill Warrant Scanner for a Wake Scanner on several ships. Scanning those System Authority ship wakes can yield some tasty encoded mats. I'm sure I have enough to engineer a ship from scratch right now due to gathering everything presented. Though I'll be heading out to the Crystal Shard locations to refill those tasty grade 5 mats again soon.

Sure hope for CG's coming back soon, really miss those!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 06:44 PM

I've got the mats, and I've got the time, it's the will I am lacking at the mo. And anyway, all I'd need to do on a mining ship is shields, thrusters and DSS probe radius. The rest could be stock. But I go a little overboard really, and would go full bore to G5 everything even though it's not needed.

It's more the thought of doing this on a ship I might not use for nine months.

Yeah, Wingnuts, your covey of Kraits is an inspiration.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 07:06 PM

Wingy DOES like his KM2’s!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/20 08:17 PM

He sure do.

I think I'll do it, build a mining ship that is. Maybe I'll be needing it down the line for tritium

So which ship? Krait II probably

My mini-covey. I reckon I can build this thing at half-ass and I'll be allright.

The real struggle is coming up with a name...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 12:27 PM

I now own two Kraits. I bought the second one and went to work on it, flying here and there to get the modules I want for it. Not only did it need to mine effectively, but I wanted to make sure it was relatively painless flying to wherever I found the best sell prices, which could be anywhere. So it needed to have a good scoop and jump. It also needed to be fast, because I get interdicted a lot when flying to sell, while loaded down with a hundred+ tons of precious space rocks I spent a lot of time gathering. I want to be able to just submit and boost. So speed is a necessity to ensure I make it to market.

I named her Twin Reverb. I already had the power plant and shields in storage, and the mining tools, plus a couple of shield boosters. Everything else needed to be bought, and several stations visited to find it all. In the end, the build has 128t of cargo space, as I needed to use the class 4 slot for the GFSDB so that the ship had that jump to make sailing to a far-flung sell station faster. If I'm going to do this I want to be sure I am getting a good rate, so I don't mind flying a couple hundred extra light years if it means another 20 or 30 million in profits. No weapons at this point, and I left the drill-bang rockets at home. I was using them yesterday, but you get so little at the cost of a hardpoint that it's really not worth it. I get plenty from the core mining.

I know strip mining is the rage now, but I like core mining not only for the big boom, but because it's fun flipping around the rock to set the charges and use the abrasion blaster. But I've three empty hardpoints to mount lasers when I get around to trying that out. The ship still has a way to go, not everything is full G5 and some things not even touched. I'm down to my last two PIs and ICs,and I couldn't bring myself to spend them for a tiny silver of G5 progress, ya know? I need to get some better integrity, so at least HD on the stock bulkheads, or maybe some armor, but that will start to drop the speed and jump, so I'll kick around what to do with the bulkheads.

I spent about an hour building the ship and remote engineering it. Only the shields and power plant have experimentals, as those I already had. The rest await a tour of engineer bases.The PP is G3 overcharged from some ship that was sold. That's way too much power for this mining build, but it was already on hand so I used it, and plenty of overhead for the lasers. I have two freakin' Class 6 G5 FSDs in storage, but of course the Krait uses a Class 5. Once the ship was mostly ready I stocked 64 limpets and flew to Dvorsi A9 and went to work. I ended up mining 50 alexandrite which doesn't pay very well, but I was finding a lot of it so bird in hand and all. And I also mined 72 tons of LTDs. Found a station paying 1.6 mil per ton and sold the diamonds for 115 million, and then flew to another station to get an extra 100k per alexandrite for another 15 million. So 130 million for the first run which easily paid for the new ship.

There are still a few things to finish up, but here's the ship. It'll get faster when I finish the thrusters.

Twin Reverb
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 07:37 PM

Congratulations on the new acquisition and build progress. Have you tried mining at Borann A2 where the triple hot spot is? You'll find core mining there pretty good if you drop in under 1m meters. I rolled out last night with 97 tons of LTD in 2 hours. Traveled to Neto as you did to sell for 1.6m. If I'm going strip mining I'll put a mining laser on the upper middle weapon mount. Still prefer core mining though as the pieces are much larger, BTW you can use your hopper for up to ten extra tons of storage if you choose.

Happy mining!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 08:24 PM

UGH... Never thought of CORE mining for LTD's. I much prefer the Hit Rate for Strip mining. Unless the LTD3 in Borann is A LOT more densely packed with Cores than VO's, I spend way too much time searching. In all the STRIP Mining I have done there, I have never stumbled upon a CORE, but I am not using a Pulse Wave Scanner at all for Surface Mining. Did come across numerous outcrops that I wished I had an Abrasion Blaster for.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 08:31 PM

Thanks Wingnuts. Borann sounds great, but I'm having no trouble finding stuff. Just now I landed from a mining expedition in Hermitage. Two pristine icy rings there, although I don't know if pristine state means anything for core mining. But good cores were everywhere and I filled up in short order with LTDs and some grandidierite and sold it, but this time only 962k for the LTDs. Where's the good price today?

Yeah Neto, that's right. I guess we swamped it with LTDs, but 1.6 mil is void opal gold rush level. I like the core mining too.

Before getting down to work, I flew Twin Reverb to Palin and Selene Jean and got drags, mass manager and put heavy duty on the stock bulkheads. The ship's already paid for itself three times over. I can't find 2A prospector controller anywhere. I guess that doesn't exist?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 08:39 PM

Nope, 2A Prospectors don't exist. Neither do 4A Collectors.

Best price is down to 1.1 million according to:

http://edtools.ddns.net/miner
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/20 08:42 PM

Nice one Rec. Noob miner here. Bookmarked that site. 962k doesn't seem too bad in the current market. That was LTT 12680

Thanks for the module info. I wanted to swap sizes on the refinery and prospector, but it really doesn't matter. Six bins is plenty for what I'm doing.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/20 01:42 AM

Yup Controllers are 3's & 5's.

Recluse if your going to Boran A2 triple try the core from the middle one. Just time your drop at 1m meters from the center and work your way in. It works for me almost always.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/20 12:31 PM

Double and triple hotspots increase the density of existing cores not how much each core yields, correct? In other words you should find more core asteroids, but any particular one does not yield more fragments?

Hey Wingnuts, what's the scoop with your Phantom? I was thinking of building a dedicated exploration ship. I have a DBX and an AspX but was thinking of a Phantom. Folks say it makes a great explorer. What do you think it's strengths are, and what are its weaknesses?

Over the past few days I've pulled in about 700 million mining and clearing out my storage, and maybe I'll splash a little more of it on another new ship. New short-term goal. 2 billion cash on hand. Just need 40 mil if I don't spend any.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/20 03:13 PM

I messed around on Coriolis and did a Phantom mock-up.

Phantom Mock Up

Very disappointed it doesn't use a class 6 FSD! duh

I was expecting better jump frankly, I see reports of 70+, but that must be with everything undersized and lightweighted, like using a class 3 PD for example to save mass.

Is the cockpit vis like the Krait II, where you can see out the top and down along either side?

I loaded an AFMU and repair controller, although I've never used either device in Elite, but there are many slots here and I reckon I should fill them at least in the mock up. This is really no better than some of my other ships. Performance is very close to the Orca for example, and the DBX jumps a lot farther. Just kicking it around. Need to take it for a test drive to check supercruise handling, engine and boost sounds, and cockpit vis.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/20 07:45 PM

DBond give me a few and I'll work up a coriolis of mine. It's max jump is 67ly but usually get 63 - 64 on average, and yes light weight and undersize to improve range.

Actually look at my Inara build of it for module choice / engineering. I do keep the size 5 AMFU off to save power, but the size 3 AMFU is powered up untill empty. The view is exactly the same in both Kraits. Phantom 1 less seat and 1 less large hard point.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 12:50 AM

Just thought I'd check in - I decided to get my 2nd Elite in Exploration, so I hopped in my trusty Asp and set a course for Sag A. Then about 50-60 jumps in, I decided to go to Eta Carinae Nebula first, so I made a little detour. So far it's been honk & scoop pretty much the whole way, though I've stumbled across a couple of water worlds and mapped them out, as well as a good number of high metal content worlds. As it stands, I'm about 70 jumps out of my target system in the nebula. I'm not in any hurry, nor do I like to sit for hours and honk/scoop/check FSS so it will be a few sessions before I get there. I'm hoping for some good screenies though!

I also got my invite from Professor Palin, so I'll be visiting him upon my return.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 04:24 AM

Right on JC, good luck hunting down double Elite! How far are you from Sol? Getting G5 thruster access is sweet, your whole fleet will get a big boost out of that.

Thanks Wingnuts, I checked your Inara build. Do you guys ever use the AFMUs? Do you neutron boost? I can see that would need AFMUs to keep up with the degradation.

I have this exploration bug nagging at me. Not that I'm particularly keen on deep dives, but I've not done it. Farthest out at 5077 LY from start, to unlock Palin. Part of me feels I just have to do it at least once, go 20,000+ at least right? We have this big huge galaxy with billions of stars and systems and I've never been over the county line really. Part of me sees it all as a system 200 light years from home is not any different from one 20,000 light years from home. So if I do this it's not because there is something I want to see, but because there's an odd sense of obligation tugging at me. In a sense I feel like by the time I wrap it all up, if I haven't been out there I've missed one of Elite's core experiences.

But then you're way out there and are thinking about doing it all over again on the way home, and the shine's long worn off and just another 250 jumps to go....

So that's what's got me asking about the Phantom. Right now though I'm leaning toward going light and taking the DBX, if I do it. I spent an hour re-engineering it in Coriolis, trying something, X-out, export from EDMC to reset the current build and trying something else. The obvious problem with the ship is it lacks the internals to pack all the stuff that most explorers take with them. It's surely a big part of the Phantom's appeal, with a number of good-sized slots, nothing needs to be left at home. It could backfire spectacularly with no means to repair the unexpected, but it'll be light and jump far smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 12:55 PM

Right now I'm about 5,400 ly from Sol if EDSM is accurate.

I didn't put an AFMU on my Asp, though I probably should have for such a long trip. I haven't neutron boosted, though I may mess around with that at some other time.

Like you, I felt like I should do it at least once, and I agree that a system nearby isn't going to be all that different on the whole from one thousands of ly away. That's why I chose Sag A as a destination. At least I had something to take a nice screenshot of. There's also a thread on the Frontier forum for folks who have made the journey, so I'll get myself added to that list when I get there. I wouldn't call myself any kind of seasoned explorer, I'm really just flying by the seat of my pants. The trip itself was started on a whim.

I guess I decided to do it because I wanted to have a chance to find something unique, or at least interesting. I haven't been landing on a ton of sites, nor have I even scanned down a lot of planets, so my chances of finding something like that are kinda small I guess! My procedure has been to scan the system and see what kinds of planets are in it. If it has an Earth-like, water, or ammonia world I'll stop and map them. If it has metal content worlds and I'm in the mood I'll stop and map them as well. If not, I'll head out to the next system. I'm kinda making it up as I go. Maybe someone with more experience can give me a different approach?

I'm feeling a need to balance the desire to arrive at my destination in a reasonable amount of time vs the mapping opportunities of a system. I picked the planet types to map based on their payouts. If I read it correctly, Earth like, water, ammonia, and high metal all have pretty decent payouts. That's been keeping me moving along. I only play in short bursts, if I do 30 jumps in a session that is pretty good for me.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo


I guess I decided to do it because I wanted to have a chance to find something unique, or at least interesting. I haven't been landing on a ton of sites, nor have I even scanned down a lot of planets, so my chances of finding something like that are kinda small I guess! My procedure has been to scan the system and see what kinds of planets are in it. If it has an Earth-like, water, or ammonia world I'll stop and map them. If it has metal content worlds and I'm in the mood I'll stop and map them as well. If not, I'll head out to the next system. I'm kinda making it up as I go. Maybe someone with more experience can give me a different approach?



That's essentially how I go about it too. I'm glad you bring up visiting sites. So much has been added to Elite that I'm clueless about. But I'd like to find exotic and rare things. Like I hear about shards and I don't even know what that is. What are the types of places an explorer will want to land on to find these things?

I spent the morning getting Mad Hops ready in case I decide to do this. I have room for a size 2 or 3 AFMU, but I think back to the Palin trip and I never hit anything, took no damage of any type aside from the integrity loss that comes from repeatedly jumping. Speaking of this integrity loss, is it to modules or hull or both? I should pay closer attention. If I add a AFMU I'll have to do something about the power plant as she's right on the edge now. Do MRPs protect modules from things like heat damage or is it just for combat damage?

Anyway, here's Mad Hops as she sits now. I scrapped the clean drives it had and swapped over to dirty, which gained about 70 m/s. Lightweighted a lot of stuff, and put a hangar in. This kills the jump, adding six tons. I used to say I had a 70 light year DBX, but not in this configuration. Still pretty good jump.

Mad Hops
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 04:03 PM

I'm not sure what types of places an explorer will want to land on, I guess that's one of my problems right now! I figure that when I arrive in the nebula I might scout a few systems and look for places that would have some nice views - moons around ringed planets, bodies with interesting georgraphy, that sort of thing. Then I'll land and look around a bit, and when I've had my fill of that I'll head out to the next stop.

I took a little heat damage when I temporarily lost control and dropped out of frameshift drive while scooping. It's weird and it's happened a few times - the dot in the middle of the screen goes away and I have no control for a few seconds, then it comes back and all is well. I don't know what causes it, but it's annoying when it happens, and a little frustrating when it happened upon landing in a system.

I'd say if you have the space, then throw in the AFMU or a repair limpet controller. If I was starting all over again that's what I would have done. But I'm out there now, and I ain't coming back until I do what I wanted to do.

Here's my ASP, it's probably not an optimum build, I didn't really review it before I set out.
Rat
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 04:18 PM

That's a fine Asp and jumps farther than mine did when I took it on the Palin trip, before GFSDBs were a thing. Just have to be careful and pay attention when you don't have repair doodads. Wingy's Phantom has eight classes worth of AFMUs in two modules, so he must find it useful. I reckon he's on the neutron highway at times. Having two allows the AFMUs themselves to be repaired.

I think I'd be OK without that stuff, but could be famous last words.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 06:22 PM

The AFMU adds no mass, but does require power. I imagine it's something you just power down until you need it. To add a little power to my DBX I went G3 armored power plant. Makes sense in an explorer build since it's the one thing other than itself that the AFMU cannot repair. So a little extra integrity is good on the most important part of the ship. It adds a little mass but not much, and boosts power output enough to support the AFMU. Did a little more finish work elsewhere after a stop at the traders and I reckon she's ready.

DBX Deep Diver


500 boost, 64 unladen jump, cruises under 20% heat. Decent shields and integrity for what it is. The DBX really benefited from the additional slots we got last year. and the integration of the ADS. The jump's come down a bit, but I think it can handle the mission without much trouble. The DBX has such fantastic visibility out of the top of the canopy and I like the idea of flying this ship on a trip like this, which is crucial from a mentality standpoint. I have plenty of mats for SRV refuel and repair and to make more AFMU ammo if necessary. Now to decide if I will actually do it, and if so where to go or how far.

Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 07:20 PM

Personally I don't neutron boost and honestly having two AMFU's is overkill on this build. Better to dump the smaller one and power up the large one only when I need it, or replace the large AMFU with a two unit SRV, though that will increase mass. As DBond mentioned Phantom has great optional internals with many modules to choose from. Consider in addition to a moderate AMFU a Repair limpet controller to fix a damaged hull. As my mind wanders occasionally, I do heat damage to the ship, or land too hard and create hull damage. Repair is peace of mind if a long way from home. If choosing Repair limpet controller remember to add a cargo rack for the limpets (you can synth the limpets when you need them).
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/20 08:51 PM

I was sure you were boosting. Not sure why. I just imagine you using all the most advanced techniques as routine for some reason smile

Too late for repair limpets as I've already set sail. Not sure where I'm going. I decided that not naming a destination would free me to return when I'm ready. I considered repair limpets and could have swapped them in place of the HRP, but in the end I chose to roll with the last build I posted.

I read a lot about players who want to find a virgin trail toward the center, so they'll fly off-plane a certain distance before turning in the general direction of Sag A. It seems to me that the majority of these posts say they went down. So I flew up. I planned to go up about 1,200 light years before re-orienting toward Sag A. I haven't even made it 400 light years and I've already got a dozen first-mapped on HMCs and also some lesser types. But if I spend this sort of time in every second system this will take a long time. I was going to ask in the last post how you guys had done recently getting first discoveries and maps. I think most of the regular posters here have done a long exploration trip in the recent past. But I'm already finding them unmapped so probably not too long before undiscovered.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 12:39 AM

I'm just about 1500 light years out and already have dozens of first-maps and entire systems first-discovered and mapped. I'm surprised so many, so close. First undiscovered was 999 light years from Sol. And it's been a steady flow of them since. This is great, as stamping my commander's name on the galaxy is good motivation. Plus it will pay a lot of money smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
I'm just about 1500 light years out and already have dozens of first-maps and entire systems first-discovered and mapped. I'm surprised so many, so close. First undiscovered was 999 light years from Sol. And it's been a steady flow of them since. This is great, as stamping my commander's name on the galaxy is good motivation. Plus it will pay a lot of money smile



I read somewhere that the Milky Way as modeled in the game has roughly about 400 billion different systems you can jump to.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 12:41 PM

I must be travelling one of the more well known routes then - I haven't had any first mapped worlds or systems.

My route took me toward Sag A, but about 1,000ly out then took a hard right turn toward Eta Carinae Nebula, thinking that would get me into some previously unknown systems, but still no luck.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer


I read somewhere that the Milky Way as modeled in the game has roughly about 400 billion different systems you can jump to.


Yep that's true, and only 0.003941 of it has been found thus far biggrin

I've bumped that a bit yesterday. When I was ready to shut down for the night, I had a look to see if I could find any stations or beta sites way out there. I found one called Hillary Port or something, but it was more or less on the highway to Colonia, meaning I had to fly sideways about 1000 ly to reach it, which I did. Turned in all data so far for about 20 million and a couple hundred first discoveries.

The DBX has done great, though integrity was down to 94% already and that was fixed at the station, which is planetside.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


Yep that's true, and only 0.003941 of it has been found thus far biggrin





That number really is staggering to see when you consider it's the ENTIRE Elite Dangerous gamer community that has only managed to find that much so far.


Actually, I'd be very curious to find out how many registered users there are of Elite Dangerous and how many of those are "regular" players. By "regular" I guess maybe the player logs in at least once a week?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 03:18 PM

I don't know much about that, but I think Elite averages around 13,000 players at any given time.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:00 PM

So what happens to your ship if you suddenly disconnect while playing? We are having some vicious winds at the moment and I expect we might lose power. Let's say I was mid-jump in the game and lost power for two days. What would happen to my ship? I'm 3,000 light years from Sol.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
So what happens to your ship if you suddenly disconnect while playing? We are having some vicious winds at the moment and I expect we might lose power. Let's say I was mid-jump in the game and lost power for two days. What would happen to my ship? I'm 3,000 light years from Sol.



The ship will remain in situ until you log back in. If you were in mid-jump your ship will reset to the system where you jumped from. I know because this has happened to me on a couple of occasions.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I don't know much about that, but I think Elite averages around 13,000 players at any given time.



That's actually a pretty small community compared to some other high profile MP games.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:21 PM

Yeah and I might be high with that number. Steam charts average around 5,000 but only some players use Steam. What percentage I don't know. I'm sure a lot of players bought it through Frontier. And then there's X Box and PS4. So maybe I'm low? lol

https://steamcharts.com/app/359320

Fleet carriers and coronavirus brought a spike

Thanks PM, I think I can continue my journey, gale winds be damned.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Steam charts average around 5,000 but only some players use Steam. What percentage I don't know. I'm sure a lot of players bought it through Frontier. .




This current iteration of ED has been out since about 2015 right? My gut feeling tells me that the majority of ED players do not have it in Steam but bought it directly from Frontier. I think ED has been on Steam for only 2 years or so.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 04:58 PM


Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer



This current iteration of ED has been out since about 2015 right? My gut feeling tells me that the majority of ED players do not have it in Steam but bought it directly from Frontier. I think ED has been on Steam for only 2 years or so.




I bought ED Horizons on Steam in Feb 2016. Cost me $30.36. Pretty sure this was my first purchase and I didn't buy ED first and then Horizons...

Nope... Bought ED for 14.99 on Dec 25, 2015

So a whopping ~$45 for 2,215 hours of fun...

$0.02 per hour..


Whole thing On sale now for $14.99



Attached picture edpurchase.JPG
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 05:06 PM

I'd say you've definitely gotten your money's worth with ED Recluse! smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 05:31 PM

Got my first ELW today! Unfortunately I wasn't the first to discover it, but it's the first one I've found so far.

[Linked Image]

Attached picture Screenshot_0000.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 05:47 PM

Rec has certainly gotten his money's worth, but I suspect there are unreported ship upgrade purchases biggrin

Elite's a good deal yeah. Don't know what I paid, but when I bought it Horizons was already a thing. I've thrown in a few bits for skins too.

Hey JC,congrats on the earth-like! If you want to get some first discoveries I can give you the names a few zones to hit on the way back, which may be way out of your way. I'm sure you'll hit some soon. After i crossed about 1000 light years I was finding vast fields of undiscovered systems, probably 16 straight at one point. I took off from Hillary Depot on the Colonia highway a couple hours ago and have a lot more. Leaving Hillary I flew back up and out to starboard as the galaxy map view defaults. No ELWs or AWs yet, but hundreds of HMCs and a number of water worlds. I don't filter my stars to make ELWs more likely, I just take what comes.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:11 PM

I bought into Elite during beta, I just had to because I had played the original game on the C64 and spent a lot of time in Frontier: Elite II. After years of rumors, when it became obvious that this version was actually going to see the light of day, I figured I'd jump right in. I got the lifetime pass too, though that appears to have been a waste of money since there haven't been any paid expansions since Horizons. I still figure I got my money's worth out of the game, though.

DB are you running into any trouble finding fuel stars by not filtering? I was considering doing the same, figuring I'd run across some lesser traveled areas that way.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:15 PM

Not yet, but that's always a concern. Worst so far was three unscoopable in a row, which uses about 60% of my fuel, so one more max jump. At that point I will just look around nearby for a good star and gas up before re-plotting the longer route.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo

DB are you running into any trouble finding fuel stars by not filtering? I was considering doing the same, figuring I'd run across some lesser traveled areas that way.




Oh the rookie mistakes I made when I first started playing ED. One of the more infamous ones was running out of fuel because I had somehow run into a huge brown dwarf field and only realized it when it was too late. Ah well, it was just like 150k I lost since it was a lowly Cobra Mk III. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:26 PM

Hey Panzer, are you on Inara?
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Hey Panzer, are you on Inara?


Not yet but I plan on getting on there. I just have to set aside the time to do it.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 06:55 PM

Next time I'm on I'll try turning off the filtering and seeing how it goes.

There's always Fuel Rats!!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer


Not yet but I plan on getting on there. I just have to set aside the time to do it.


Then I can look at your stuff. biggrin

It's really useful in-game. If you link it through something like EDMC it always knows where you are, so when you alt-tab to find a mat trader, or a system, or a good sell price or whatever it already has it sorted by distance from your current location. It tracks your mats so when you view a blueprint it shows how many of each required component you have onboard.

Maybe the auto-Frontier account link does the same thing, but I usually have EDMC running in the background. I rate Inara as the most useful third party site.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/13/20 07:55 PM

If you're exploring it helps to join up and link your data to https://www.edsm.net/ (Elite Dangerous Star Map) as well (EDMC can do that, and you can also link directly to Frontier). Some good feature helping out exploring and it tracks your progress and discoveries.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 11:53 AM

Made it to a point about 7,000 light years from Sol. The first discoveries continue to come by the bushel. I have no idea how many so far, but it's in the hundreds. Still no ELWs, but lots of water worlds. I found one ringed ammonia world but forgot to map it before I jumped out and by the time I remembered it was too far to go back. Derp.

I'm arrowing toward Colonia, so I guess that's my destination. I had the idea that it would be great to unlock the engineers there. Not to use them, but to get more blueprints pinned. For example I can only have one of G5 armor or HRP engineering. Unlocking that Petra chick would let me pin one of each Not sure I'll hang around long enough to get this done though, and it would require transferring a couple of other ships all the way out there. We'll see once, and if, I get there.

The ship has done great. I've had no mishaps and all modules remain at 100%. In all I've flown about 10,000 light years so far, and have surpassed my old distance mark.

Here's one cool system I got my tags on. I bet there's good bounty hunting here haha. A ringed water world in the center.


[Linked Image]



Attached picture rings.jpg
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 12:20 PM

Thanks for the tips Recluse and DBond.


On a different subject, how likely is it that Frontier will release new ships in the future besides the fleet carriers?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 12:34 PM

I think it's highly likely new ships are released. We can't reach the end with no Panther Clipper I reckon smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 04:50 PM

Now about 8,000 light years out, but still 15,000 from Colonia. Found my first virgin ELW of this expedition. Last system I dropped to had three ammonia worlds, two were in co-orbit or whatever it might be called. I'm passing up a lot of mapping opportunities on terraformable HMCs, Gotta balance the time. I don't want to be doing this for a month. But I try to map all ELWs, WWs and AWs I come across. The route I chose has proven to be amazing, as it's nothing but undiscovered space. Every now and then I'll see a commander's name. But I can tell not many come this way when heading toward the core.

I'd really like to find a beta site nearby to get my first discoveries.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 06:17 PM

Has anyone here gone from the bubble to the extreme "northern" or "western" end of the Milky Way? For my next trip I think I'll go as far "west" as possible. That should be easily over 100,000 LY.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Now about 8,000 light years out, but still 15,000 from Colonia. Found my first virgin ELW of this expedition. Last system I dropped to had three ammonia worlds, two were in co-orbit or whatever it might be called. I'm passing up a lot of mapping opportunities on terraformable HMCs, Gotta balance the time. I don't want to be doing this for a month. But I try to map all ELWs, WWs and AWs I come across. The route I chose has proven to be amazing, as it's nothing but undiscovered space. Every now and then I'll see a commander's name. But I can tell not many come this way when heading toward the core.

I'd really like to find a beta site nearby to get my first discoveries.



Wow you are doing great! On my journey, I did a ROAD TO RICHES jaunt which, I guess took me along a more beaten patch. I did diverge now and then and made a few FIRST Discoveries and FIRST Mappings, but nowhere near yours.

I think I only went about 3-4000 light years.

EDIT: I used the Colonia Connection Highway https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Colonia_Connection_Highway

to plot a Road to Riches jaunt to Amundsen Terminal

https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Amundsen_Terminal

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 07:30 PM

Yeah Rec, my idea was to try and figure out a path that would be less traveled. I know I'm not the first one to think of this, so you never can really know where that is. As I said earlier people always seem to go off-plane by heading down, so I went up. I then angled out to starboard about 40 degrees as you look from the bubble toward the core. I tried to fly mainly along an axis that pointed toward no nebula or other phenomena visible in the galaxy map. At 999 ly I found the first undiscovered. Then a few systems of mixed, where commanders had been along and either scanned or mapped some, but not all, of the bodies. Places visited before exploration was changed are going to have a lot fewer planets done. It's so easy and quick now to scan everything, only the mapping takes time right?

By 1500 light years outbound it was all virgin. I've hit more than 200 systems so far and half of them have been undiscovered easy. No way I was going to keep track (and dammit the game should be doing this for me), but I believe it'll be well over 1000 first discoveries by the time I reach Colonia if we add up every rice world. Some systems are 40 or 50 bodies alone. I'd like to find a grail system with multiple ELWs. So far I've found some good stuff, but not all in one system. I kinda did this as a spur of the moment thing, going from concept to execution in two or three days lol. But I'm having a good time, and the notion of forever tagging my name on the galaxy was the thing that first drew me to Elite. Having so much success doing this on this trip is really cool. Of course someone might be turning in my data right now and not all of these are guaranteed to become first discoveries. I guess we'll see.

When I did the first sideways run to Hillary Depot on the Colonia highway I ran in to tagged systems almost as soon as I turned 90 degrees. After leaving there and heading back out to starboard they started coming back. Now I am on a heading to take me in to Colonia, so angling back to port, and I'm starting to see more tagged systems again. But most are minimal, leaving plenty of un-tagged bodies. Right now I have coordinates dialed in for a station about 6,000 light years short of Colonia. I plan to stop over there, sell my data, spruce up Mad Hops and then leave for Colonia.

I have some screens of some interesting systems, but don't want to post them to the internet until I've turned in the data. If anyone here wants to know where I've been let me know. I've jumped past thousands of virgin, untagged stars on this trip.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
No way I was going to keep track (and dammit the game should be doing this for me), .



EDSM keeps track!! Might also be CODEX entries. After all when you go to SELL The Cartographics department KNOWS what was first discovered/mapped
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse


EDSM keeps track!! Might also be CODEX entries. After all when you go to SELL The Cartographics department KNOWS what was first discovered/mapped



Sort of, and that's part of why I don't rely on it. I've had an account there since the early days. But it only tracks first discoveries that have been turned in to EDSM right? Which is not the same thing, necessarily. Or has that changed? Is it tied to the API and draws data right from the game?

Why first discoveries isn't viewable in the exploration stats in the codex is hard to fathom. I've never seen a reason why F Dev never made a real exploration log type thing.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 08:08 PM

I checked and I found EDMC was not linked to EDSM with the API key. I had it set for output,so I could click the system name for info in the EDMC overlay, but never set it up to send the data. So my EDSM stats are from like two years ago. I think I'll need to dock for it to update now, and that might be a while. I guess I can always import the journal. I have to dock to sell it anyway.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/14/20 10:58 PM

[u][/u]I have mine set up, I got a notice of achieving one of their badges shortly after meeting the criteria (finding an Ammonia World). I have arrived at my first waypoint in the Eta Carina nebula, which puts me a shade over 9,000 ly from Sol but still abut 24,000ly from my destination of Sag A*. So I guess I'll be in the black for a bit more. I turned off the star filter for the trip, but most of the stars I've hit have been scoopable. I haven't even had two non-fuel stars in a row yet.

Approaching the nebula was cool, for the last dozen or so jumps I could see it in the distance, each jump making it just that much bigger.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

Looking toward the galactic core was a nice view too.

[Linked Image]

Did a little system hopping and found a ringed ice world to land on and drive around on.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]


Sadly, not much of note on this planet. However it has moon and I'm thinking it might have a nice view....

Attached picture Screenshot_0002.jpg
Attached picture Screenshot_0005.jpg
Attached picture Screenshot_0004.jpg
Attached picture Screenshot_0018.jpg
Attached picture Screenshot_0017.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/15/20 11:13 AM

Good stuff JC, Rat Bast-ard is doing fine work smile

I'm now over 10,000 light years out. Still just one ELW, but I've seen some cool stuff. I found a ringed star, which may be my first. Don't remember seeing that before. Largest planet so far was a gas giant, 670 earth masses. The views too are changing. Things look a little different out here don't they?

Here's a dense field of stars, but I'm sure the other intrepid explorers here have seen the same thing.

[Linked Image]



Attached picture starfield.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/15/20 02:25 PM

About EDSM.... so I re-linked it as mentioned. Now EDSM shows my correct bank balance and distance flown, though it says I have about 150 total jumps, or 1000 light years per jump (engineering!!). Other stuff is off as well. So maybe I'll need to dock. It shows I have 41 discovered systems, but I'm guessing this was from two years ago. No idea really.

But the weird thing is this.... after logging in to EDSM and re-linking with the API key, I began getting Codex updates in-game for every thing I found, even if I've found it hundreds of time before, like a K star or an ice world. What the heck is that about?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/15/20 02:35 PM

Hmmm not sure about that. I think I linked to them JUST BEFORE setting out, so there wasn't a lot of retrospective data. Not sure what to say about the CODEX... Maybe post something on their forums (if they have them) or in the Frontier forums?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/15/20 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
About EDSM.... so I re-linked it as mentioned. Now EDSM shows my correct bank balance and distance flown, though it says I have about 150 total jumps, or 1000 light years per jump (engineering!!). Other stuff is off as well. So maybe I'll need to dock. It shows I have 41 discovered systems, but I'm guessing this was from two years ago. No idea really.

But the weird thing is this.... after logging in to EDSM and re-linking with the API key, I began getting Codex updates in-game for every thing I found, even if I've found it hundreds of time before, like a K star or an ice world. What the heck is that about?


I keep getting notifications of Codex updates too. When I go to check them, I don't see what it references. Wierd.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/15/20 11:25 PM

Yeah, it is. I had also opened the codex for the first time in forever. I look at the commander stats and the engineer section all the time. But the discoveries codex rarely gets cracked. I wonder if somehow opening that, after many changes to Elite, got it kick started in some way? No worries, as all of these messages makes it feel like whatever I just found is more valuable or important haha.

A couple jumps later and I found a really nice system. Many huge gas giants, the biggest at 1,200 earth masses, but a bunch more a little smaller. And the last planet out was a ringed ammonia world. Which gas giants are valuable these days? It used to be they all paid like sh!t, but I think class II now are paying well? Gotta look this up. I might be passing up some good maps. I feel bad skipping so many, I feel like I should be doing more planet mapping, but it just takes so long. Ah well, it leaves something for those who find it after me to get their tags on. One system early on in this trip had a lot of HMCs with a single rice world out on the very end, like 40,000 light seconds. I mapped every one except that rice world, so a commander will come along later, find everything tagged by me except that one worthless planet way out there and have to decide if he wants to fly out there smile


Mad Hops and the ringed ammonia world


[Linked Image]



Attached picture ammoniaworld.jpg
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 09:22 AM

When I went on my scenic trip to Colonia about a year ago, I only mapped truly valuable bodies, terraformables, ELWs, AW, WW, and their moons or binary partners. And not for all of those would I make a >200kls trip to a body orbiting a secondary star. Very rarely did I map gas giants, normal HMC or ice worlds. Basically only when I was after certain elements for synthesis, or geo or bio signals etc worth landing. But yes, class 2 GGs should be worth a little more than the others.

About the boxy star clusters, that's an artefact of the galaxy generation, you will come across more of those cube sectors.

About the Codex, you know, after a few weeks just hopping and scanning, things may get rather dull. So I decided to try to fill my codex for the respective regions I am passing as far as possible without visiting the same system as the CMDR first reporting it. And even though I restarted Elite for that trip about half a year after the Codex was launched, I still managed to get my (first) "Reported by" entry for a stellar body - seem to remember it was a fairly rare G Supergiant. so now everybody can see that my CMDR was first to find that kind of star in that region whoohoo
I guess now a year later that might be even harder to achieve wink
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 11:23 AM

I've heard from some friends that there are some rare systems out there which have TWO neutron stars in them. Has anyone here encountered that?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by WhoCares

About the boxy star clusters, that's an artefact of the galaxy generation, you will come across more of those cube sectors.



Is this just normal star density? When I was but a humble bubble-dweller I would look at the galaxy map and see how dense it was approaching the core. Now that I'm getting out there it's really quite something. I'm about 12,500 ly from Sol.

[Linked Image]

That's on my way to map a virgin water world. Really glad I did this, the views are so much different than what you see around the bubble. Quite stunning.

Yeah, WC, class II are paying more. Looking through my finds on EDSM the class II GGs are clearly the most valuable. I've been taking the time to map all ELW, WW, AW and anything terraformable. I've skipped some THMCs, but I go and map most of them. Other stuff just gets mapped if it's really close to something else I am mapping, and doesn't require much time to fly to.

No Panzer have not seen this. I have yet to encounter any neutron stars on this trip so far, which is a bit odd really.


Attached picture fieldofstars.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 12:53 PM

Two questions...

How important is it to let the 'refining scan' finish when scanning a planet? This is the thing that resolves the surface points of interest. Is that of any value when turning in data, or is it just info for me to use if I'm looking for something specific? If I'm not planning a landing is there any real reason to resolve these?

When I FSS a body I always get a message that adaptive zoom has failed. What does this mean?
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 01:00 PM

With respect to the neutron stars, nope, I can't remember having seen a binary of those. About where to find NS (and white dwarfs) in general, you have to go up or down beyond the middle plane of the galaxy - in the outer arms it might be enough to get > +/-500ly above/below, further toward the core that will be more toward +/-1000ly and beyond. Also S-stars and some other raritys. Alteratively, maybe you have excluded them from the route finder wink

About the clusters, I don't know the details but it's neither common nor super-rare. As they sliced up the galaxy in cubes and automatically populated them depending on some kind of density function reflecting the arms and such, sometimes the algorithms had a hick-up that resulted in those boxes with such sharp transitions from low to high population. But it's not like you see this every time you cross from one arm to the other or some such, it's still kinda special occasions.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 01:23 PM

I flew up about 1,200 lightyears outbound. No neutrons or white dwarfs so far. At first I was not filtering any stars from route. Once I hit the huge fields of undiscovered systems I filtered out L, T and Y. I still find these stars, but not as main sequence. According to EDSM the most common on this trip is K. I'm still not sure what EDSM is showing me as the numbers don't jive with what I've done. It shows hundreds of first discoveries, but my ELWs don't appear. Not sure really how to use this info, or what it really represents. Is it just since my last dock or something? I'm talking about the exploration page in the dashboard. I don't think it would work for someone other than me, but here's the link

https://www.edsm.net/en/dashboard/exploration

Nothing unique in the URL so I guess only I can see this info?

I can't wait to dock and get this data sold. I have about 3,800 light years to the station.
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 02:44 PM

For my CMDR those infos in the EDSM dashboard are also not correct, like in my trip (stats and more here: Elite forum) I came across 28 ELWs (most first discoveries), but EDSM only counts a total of 14 first and 19 total visited.
That's one reason why I have EDD running in parallel on a second screen while playing.

White dwarfs, neutron stars etc. are basically towards the very upper and low edges of the galaxy, like the last systems you can visit out there, sparsely mixed with other rarities and main sequence stars. As I didn't have a AFMU in my ship, I did not use any neutron or such boosts, only some synthesis to get to some remote systems to tick off an item in the Codex. And those were usually white dwarfs.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 02:57 PM

Yeah, thanks man, for confirming EDSM might not be accurate.

And for bringing up the AFMU. I actually used it! First time ever. Just before logging off last night I thought I'd have a look at my modules. And I found the AFMU itself and the shields were both at 98%. I haven't had any mishaps, so it must just be normal degradation from flying so far and doing so many jumps. So I used it to repair the shields back to 100%.

As I'm nearing my sell station, and should be there by Friday, is there some way I can prepare to get a detailed run-down of what I turn in? Like a summary of this trip so far?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by WhoCares

About the boxy star clusters, that's an artefact of the galaxy generation, you will come across more of those cube sectors.


I've been taking the time to map all ELW, WW, AW and anything terraformable. I've skipped some THMCs, but I go and map most of them. Other stuff just gets mapped if it's really close to something else I am mapping, and doesn't require much time to fly to.



Pretty much my process. I got sidetracked by another game (Frostpunk) the last couple of days, so I haven't spent much time on my tour. I'll have to get back to it soon.

Originally Posted by DBond
When I FSS a body I always get a message that adaptive zoom has failed. What does this mean?


You need to fine tune the FSS on the scale at the bottom. You've found a body you can zoom on but it isn't of the type currently highlighted. At least that has been my experience.
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Yeah, thanks man, for confirming EDSM might not be accurate.
...
As I'm nearing my sell station, and should be there by Friday, is there some way I can prepare to get a detailed run-down of what I turn in? Like a summary of this trip so far?

While the dashboard info we talked about earlier does not seem to be accurate, you can see in my link above that for that trip I found that the "Estimated scan data since last docking" value is indeed rather spot-on.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo

You need to fine tune the FSS on the scale at the bottom. You've found a body you can zoom on but it isn't of the type currently highlighted. At least that has been my experience.


Thanks JC, but I'm not sure that's it, because I get this when I am actually successful in zooming in to FSS scan the planet. That said, I often leave the Spectral Analysis centered so it reveals several types of bodies. Like you leave it in the center of the metal, rocky, ice zone and it will work on all three. Maybe it's a message that I am not accurately tuned using this 'shotgun' method.

Quote
you can see in my link above that for that trip I found that the "Estimated scan data since last docking" value is indeed rather spot-on.



I checked that thread, and that's very impressive. Is it saying you flew 180,000 light years on that single trip? Maybe I should get EDD. I didn't see where EDD was showing your first discoveries. Nicely done WC, and I appreciate your help, and everyone who has chimed in here.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo

You need to fine tune the FSS on the scale at the bottom. You've found a body you can zoom on but it isn't of the type currently highlighted. At least that has been my experience.


Thanks JC, but I'm not sure that's it, because I get this when I am actually successful in zooming in to FSS scan the planet. That said, I often leave the Spectral Analysis centered so it reveals several types of bodies. Like you leave it in the center of the metal, rocky, ice zone and it will work on all three. Maybe it's a message that I am not accurately tuned using this 'shotgun' method.



Hmmm. The other thought is that you don't quite have the planet in the crosshairs? I've had that happen where I had to center the crosshair a bit more for it to zoom.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 05:05 PM

Where are you? Are you heading for Colonia? Want to meet up in a few days?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 06:05 PM

I'm heading out of the Eta Carina nebula on my way to Sag A. Specifically, I'm in Gria Eork GD-O b12-0.

I'd be up to meet up, pick a system and I'll see what I can do!

Oh - I just did a little playing around with the FSS - if you aren't lined up on the crosshair, you get the adaptive failure. Not having it tuned properly gives you an energy tuning failure.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 06:08 PM

How about Colonia? biggrin

I should be there in a few days. I'm kicking around unlocking the engineers there, but not sure I will.

Thanks for the test of the FSS thumbsup
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 07:38 PM

Yeesh. I'm about 25kly away from Colonia. I think I'll just keep on towards Sag A*. If your still tooling around Colonia on my return trip, I was thinking about stopping there and unlocking some engineers as well.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/16/20 07:52 PM

Haha OK. I have to have a look at the map, because I can't wrap my head around how you are 9,000 light years from Sol, on the way to Sag A, and yet 25,000 from Colonia. It's a big space I guess smile

I doubt I'll be there on your swing back, but ya never know. Anyone else out in the black near Colonia?

Edit: Mapped it out and we are 15,454.16 light years apart.

I am in Crookaae UM-W d1-3721
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
...
I checked that thread, and that's very impressive. Is it saying you flew 180,000 light years on that single trip? Maybe I should get EDD. I didn't see where EDD was showing your first discoveries. Nicely done WC, and I appreciate your help, and everyone who has chimed in here.

Nah, I "just" flew about 115kly on that trip, in total I flew about 190kly wink
EDD does not show first discoveries. It gets its data from EDSM and your flight logs, but that does not provide reliable "first" infos, as EDSM solely relies on the players that sync their CMDRs with them, which is about a third, I think?! (all my info from last year, as I haven't played since...) So EDSM has on one side not the information of all players, but it also has info from players that have not yet sold their data, be it because they stopped playing, or have not yet docked, or died before being able to sell the data...

My CMDR happens to be still be in Colonia as I went there to unlock the Engineers, but as I haven't played for a year... If you go there to unlock the engineers, I hope you brought some mining equipment - I remember that not all needed for efficient core mining was available there last year cuss
Hey, maybe there is a business case for a Fleet carrier to sell mining equipment in Colonia!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 11:30 AM

You guys are making me want to go exploring again....ALMOST... smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Recluse
You guys are making me want to go exploring again....ALMOST... smile



I'll be heading out to "The Void" after I do a few more pirate assassination missions in my Fed Corvette.

My wife actually asked me yesterday if Elite Dangerous modeled the entire universe or if it was "just" the Milky Way. biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 12:37 PM

Yeah, come on out. The fishing's really good smile

I finally put in to port yesterday, a station called Caravanserai on the Colonia highway, about 15k from Sol. I started turning in my data, but it was taking so long that I went to bed. I could just sell the page, but I want to do them individually to see the first discoveries. I have EDD, EDSM, EDMC and Elite itself running and none of that tells me directly how many first discoveries I've gotten. By my estimate its more than 1300. I had more than 400 HMCs alone. I started selling the least valuable ones first and hit the sack after 22 million. There's still a lot to go and I'll get that done when I log in shortly.

WC, yeah I talked about unlocking the Colonia engineers, and I still might do. Of course I didn't bring mining equipment in my DBX, lol, but I can always just whistle for a couple ships to do the unlocks if I choose to. It seems a good idea to get additional pinned blueprints, but I'm not sure I want to go through the process for all of them. I'll decide once I reach Colonia.

Again I don't have detailed stats, or maybe I do and I just don't know how to see or display this, but that haul of first discoveries included over 20 water worlds, maybe 40% of which were terraformable. I found a couple systems with more than one and a couple of binary water worlds as well. Just one ELW which was a big disappointment. I found more than 100 undiscovered systems but just a single ELW. The route I took was so virgin that I plan to backtrack on the way home. I reckon I should just about match this haul on the way back.

This is one of the virgin systems found in the second half of the run to Carvanserai. It has a terraformable water world in cahoots with two THMCs. Haha, I don't know the terminology for when three planets have this relationship.


[Linked Image]

Attached picture cahoots.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Iif you aren't lined up on the crosshair, you get the adaptive failure.


This is exactly what it was, and I feel a bit stoopid. I use a X Box controller for the FSS. When I'm scanning the system to locate the bodies I use the left stick to move the camera around and essentially pull right trigger when over a return, but still moving. Inevitably this leads to lots of near misses with an almost instantaneous repeat pull of the trigger. Just slapping it ya know? So immediately after the miss the accurate zoom occurs, while a big honking message pops in the upper right that says :ADPATIVE ZOOM FAILURE" It could just as well say you missed dumbass, for all I notice it. I'm concentrating on the target and Track IR's zoomed me in a little and I don't really see the top of the HUD. After actually zooming in and scanning the planet I finally look up to the right to see what it says and there is 'adaptive zoom failure' since it retains the last message displayed. The one I always miss.
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Yeah, come on out. The fishing's really good smile
...
WC, yeah I talked about unlocking the Colonia engineers, and I still might do. Of course I didn't bring mining equipment in my DBX, lol, but I can always just whistle for a couple ships to do the unlocks if I choose to. It seems a good idea to get additional pinned blueprints, but I'm not sure I want to go through the process for all of them. I'll decide once I reach Colonia....

Good luck with wistling ships from the bubble to Colonia - that costs like maaaany millions (if not 100 millions, can't remember right now), and it would take several days for them to arrive. Equipment might be cheaper, but takes just s long... pilot
But as I said, that's just for most efficient core mining. There is some probe or sensor missing to find the best rocks. But you can still surface laser or blow up the rocks and take what you get. Takes just a little longer to get the required matierial. And as said, things might have changed over the last year, and everything is available now...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 03:27 PM

Exactly, and that's part of why I'm on the fence. About 60 hours to transfer to Colonia I think. It's 43 to the station I'm in now. Money's not really an issue. Just haven't decided if I want to spend the time and effort. Having an additional three or four pinned blueprints back in the bubble would be fantastic though and there's every chance this will be the only time I go to Colonia. I have no problem trading money in transfer fees for engineering gains. Before this trip I was a suburban bubble explorer, reaching Elite there and in the outskirts, with sightseeing missions and the Palin trip. That trip was 5,077 light years from start two years ago and until a couple days ago it was the farthest out I've gone. Now I've beaten that by triple. I'm enjoying it, but I wonder how likely I am to return. So this might be my only shot at these engineers. If I'm honest I'm leaning toward not doing it.

I logged back in to Elite, starting EDD and EDMC so that I guess I'm recording this somewhere smile

In all the data on this trip so far netted 212 million, which is oodles more than I expected really. I found no grail system though and the highest value so far is 7.9m, less than my previous best. I need to start finding more ELWs frankly, where they share the system with a few other valuable planets. I've flown 21,000 light years so far and am 15,500 from Sol. Visited 338 systems so far.


Sanctuary after about 17,000 light years of untouched space. Nice to see civilization. Ship integrity was at 78%. AFMU was at 98% and used once to spruce up the shields.

[Linked Image]


The only ELW I found, other than the system Carvanserai is in, but that's been discovered already of course.

[Linked Image]



Here's the system. Come out and have a look sometime smile


[Linked Image]



Attached picture lysoorbELW.jpg
Attached picture lysoorbelwsys.jpg
Attached picture sanctuary.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 04:35 PM

So I was sitting there thinking about this and I think I should decide now if I want to do the engineers. If I do then I should whistle for my Krait now to this station. Fee is 98 million, 43 hours. By the time I reach Colonia it will have already made it most of the way if not arrived. Once there, call for the much shorter transfer. That makes sense and will save a couple days of waiting. In all, the cost of transferring the Krait both ways will be about exactly what I've turned in for data, so I'd at least be breaking even already smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 04:45 PM

At least it's figured out now. In VR the FSS is HUGE, and the error message is ..er.. HUGER and hard to miss. I think of it as being kinda picky, because to my eye I'm usually pretty well lined up.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 05:03 PM

You're always in VR? I bet Elite is awesome that way.

I decided to go ahead and unlock the engineers at Colonia. I may as well make the most of this visit, and maybe stay around for a while. I whistled for my mining Krait to Caravanserai and she's on the way. I'll depart soon to Colonia, but with another big swing out to starboard to start finding some ELWs I hope, before turning back in on the approach to Colonia.

I believe most every ship and module is available there, and there is a full economy with stations for trade and missions. All mat traders too. Maybe I'll buy some new ship and build access rep with engineers by engineering it. What an adventure this is turning in to.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


I believe most every ship and module is available there, and there is a full economy with stations for trade and missions. All mat traders too. Maybe I'll buy some new ship and build access rep with engineers by engineering it. What an adventure this is turning in to.



Yup, Colonia doesn't have as many stations and inhabited systems as the bubble but all of the amenities and services are there. smile


I forgot his name but there's one engineer in the Colonia region that you have to unlock by giving him 25 occupied life pods. I don't know if I could do that....
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/17/20 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
You're always in VR? I bet Elite is awesome that way.



Always. I highly recommend it!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/18/20 03:02 AM

After turning in the data from the second leg of this expedition, I set sail back out to starboard a bit, and up a little. The second system hit after leaving Caravanserai was undiscovered and all since have been too. Now about 3,600 light years from Jaques. Much better ELW hunting and I've found three more. Stars were F, K and G. I've been filtering out L, T, Y and M for the last 20,000 light years. I'll keep going toward the core for a few hundred more light years, then heel to port and line up on Colonia for the inbound approach.

Of the things I've found the two most rare have been one O class star and one helium gas giant. according to EDSM. Of course that does not count everything I have not found. The O class star had a B class star next to it, and those were the only two bodies in system (I have found a LOT of star-only systems). That was just the second B star I've seen on this trip.
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 04/18/20 08:40 AM

I guess by "finding" you mean the route plotter picked one of these as a waypoint?
Because otherwise it's not difficult to find them - most obvious way by filtering for them in the galaxy map. I sometimes took me the time to untick the usual stuff to check whether some kind of unusual star type is in my vincinity.
An alternative way is to search for the heaviest systems in the sector by using the search function and search for "<sector name> AA-A H[n]" - like for the screenshot you posted above, it would search for "Lysoorb AA-A H0". Often those systems are Os, or black holes - just don't expect them to be not yet discovered, because many people know about this particular sector coding, esp. AA-A H0 wink Oh, and there might also be H1, H2, ... more such heavy systems in the same sector. If you enter just <sector> AA-A H and hit search again and again, it will cycle through all those systems in the sector.
Except that this particular sector was a bad example, as accoring to EDSM Lysoorb AA-A H0 is just a small T Tauri star frown But in many sectors this method yields something big.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/18/20 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by WhoCares
I guess by "finding" you mean the route plotter picked one of these as a waypoint?
Because otherwise it's not difficult to find them


No, not exactly. Many are picked out by the route planner, but most stars found are not the ones I jumped to, and I am not specifically looking for them. A system can have say four or five stars, but only one of those was the one the planner picked out. I wasn't suggesting these are rare in the absolute sense. But when you've scanned thousands of celestial bodies and have found just a single example of something, it becomes rare in the relative sense doesn't it, which is why I prefaced it with 'of the things I've found'. Anyway, it was just an interesting factoid about my specific expedition.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 12:38 PM

The good ship Mad Hops tied up at Jaques late last night, or I should say early this morning. What a trip!

The final leg of the outbound expedition was a good one, with a couple more ELWs and again a number of water worlds. Some stats from the trip so far

Distance Flown: 28,931 light years
Jumps: 469
Average jump distance: 61.6 light years
New Systems: 458
Scans: 3857

I have yet to turn in all the data, as I want to spread it around the Colonia region in order to raise rep with the various controlling factions, but EDSM said it was over 100 mil. I found a couple of systems whose value beat my former best which was around 8.5 mil. Now it's over 10 mil. This was a system with an ELW and a few terraformable water worlds. On the outbound leg I got first discovery on 5 earth-likes, 5 ammonia worlds and 37 water worlds and 700+ HMCs! Yesterday I found a water world moon which I thought was really cool. I expected to get some first discoveries on this trip, but those expectations were wildly surpassed with around 2,000 of them. Really happy with how it all went. Jaques is precisely 22,000.000 light years from Sol.

No mishaps, no damage, it all went smoothly. People complain about the small scoop on the DBX but I wonder if they are actually using one for exploration or just doing speed runs across the bubble. Yeah, it's slower than an AspX and a class 6 or pick your favorite explorer. For me though it's not even noticed, as I'm using the FSS while scooping and by the time I've scanned most systems the refueling has long been done. It's really not an issue and I don't even think it's all that slow. Building a cool-running DBX helps too, as I reckon I can tuck the ship in a little closer for any given heat figure. In all the ship performed flawlessly. I intended to make a landing or two along the way to scoop some raws, but with all the data on board i soldiered on, not wanting to press my luck.

As I made the final run in to Colonia, I could tell I'd be beating my Krait. It was inbound to Caravanserai, but I reached Jaques 6.5 hours before it was due, so I couldn't whistle it's last leg to Colonia before turning in for the night. I'll do that shortly. While I wait for it, I plan to have a look at the lay of the land, find the mat traders and begin raising rep around the region and beginning the process of unlocking the engineers.

This is my new record system (which could change shortly when I turn in the rest of the data)

An ELW and several terraformable water worlds, including a binary pair



Attached picture recordsystem.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 12:59 PM

A few images from the trip


One of the many Water Worlds found on this trip

[Linked Image]


A ringed ammonia world, one of just five I found

[Linked Image]



A beautiful gas giant

[Linked Image]




Attached picture waterworld.jpg
Attached picture ringedammonia.jpg
Attached picture beautifulGG.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 06:27 PM

I flew around to a number of nearby stations to turn in the data while raising rep with a bunch of factions. In all, the data from the trip from Moxon's Mojo in Bolg to Jaques Station in Colonia netted 340 million.

So I have a new side-goal. If I can make just a little more than that around Colonia and on the trip back to the bubble I can hit 1 billion in career exploration data. So I'm going to aim for that. This sure pays a lot better than it used to.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 06:51 PM

Grats D! Almost got me thinking about a trip there...





Nah!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 07:25 PM

Yeah man! Come on out. Seriously. Get these engineers unlocked, and make some cold cash while doing it. Just be sure you have all the invitation prerequisites before leaving the bubble, which I'm sure you do. Come join me we can do some bounty hunting in Colonia!

Everyone here should dust off their explorers and come to Colonia

Except JC, he's already outbound on a different vector smile
Posted By: WolverineFW

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 08:53 PM

Curses....you are making me want to bring my Asp Exp out there even though I hardly have time for this game.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/19/20 10:32 PM

Hey Wolverine, how's things?

While I wait for the Krait (and you guys) I am having a look around the neighborhood. Might as well use the time productively. I hit a few planets in the rover to grab some raws.



[Linked Image]





Attached picture rover.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/20/20 11:38 PM

Is anyone interested in heading to Colonia? I'm just about done with what I came for, but if anyone wanted to head out here I'd hang around for a while. If not then I'll head home. I suspect the answer is a firm no haha, but worth asking.


Twin Reverb searching for osmium near Jaques station in Colonia.


[Linked Image]

Attached picture kraitminer.jpg
Posted By: WolverineFW

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 06:38 AM

You will probably be bored stiff waiting for me to get out there.....gaming time is few and far between lately.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 09:53 AM

I won’t be heading out as I’ve just re pledged to Aisling to get more Prismatics, so I’ll need to stick around here for a month.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
I won’t be heading out as I’ve just re pledged to Aisling to get more Prismatics, so I’ll need to stick around here for a month.



Welcome to the team! I've been pledged to Aisling since pretty much the beginning of my ED journey. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 10:56 AM

OK thanks fellas for replying. I'll be heading home shortly then. I'm going to do a little fine tuning at the engineers then set sail back to the bubble. This has been quite the adventure and it's only halfway done.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by Bohemond
I won’t be heading out as I’ve just re pledged to Aisling to get more Prismatics, so I’ll need to stick around here for a month.



Welcome to the team! I've been pledged to Aisling since pretty much the beginning of my ED journey. smile



I don’t stay pledged to a Power. Once I buy the modules I think I’ll need, I kick that power to the curb. Unfortunately, I’ve bought enuff new ships that I’m starting to deplete my stock of Prismatics. Plus, I’ve recently realized I’m gonna need some class 8’s also.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/21/20 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Except JC, he's already outbound on a different vector smile


Haven't had time or drive to jump back in the last week or so unfortunately! I'd like to get going again, but I've bitten off quite a task.
Oh well, no hurry I guess!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/22/20 12:34 PM

Good luck on your expedition JC. Yeah, no reason to rush, other than being CERTAIN you get the first discoveries and not some random chump smile

I spent most of yesterday in the pit of my DBX flying back to the bubble. I flew about 11,000 light years, so about half-way. That's about 40,000 light years in all so far. Virtually all of that in untagged systems. As long as you don't fly straight along the Colonia highway, it's all virgin out here. I'm closing in on 500 million in data at this stage. Of course I'll spend half of that to transfer the Krait back and forth. But money wasn't the goal, getting first discoveries and unlocking the Colonia engineers was, but I'll still be several hundred million in the black, pun intended.

Engineers are done. And I cannot say for sure, but I would estimate around 3,000 first discoveries to this point. Among these are 8 earth-likes, 6 ammonia worlds, 60 water worlds and over 1000 HMCs. I've found no white dwarfs, no neutrons, no wolfs, no black holes.

This has been a great experience, really glad I decided to do it. I've flown out 4x farther than my previous best. I've doubled my career exploration proceeds and more to come. I stopped off at Caravanserai once again on the way home and sold the data collected since Colonia. I've got another 40 mil on board now and still 11,000 light years to go. When I get back, I plan to visit a number of engineers to shuffle some pinned blueprints. I have some duplicates now. There are a couple more I have yet to unlock like Sedesi and the Sarge, so I plan to do that now as well. My remote engineering choices will be all set, with virtually every blueprint I use.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/23/20 06:29 PM

Nice! I just found a ringed ammonia world today, first discovery and mapping. So now I'm starting to find some pristine space to work in, I'll have a bunch of first discoveries as well.
If I have as productive of a trip as yours, then that 2nd Elite is in the bag.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/23/20 07:23 PM

Congrats JC! Great find.

Yes, I will make a lot more in data on this trip than I had in three years of playing Elite previously. I've made enough already to go from noob to Elite.

I know the forum's dead at the moment. But I hope you keep us updated on your progress.

I made it another 5,000 light years toward the bubble yesterday. I should be home by tomorrow.

Yesterday, while I was jumping home, I made my 5,225th hyperspace jump since starting to play Elite. It is notable not because of the total, which is not all that many, but because it was the first time in those 5,225 jumps that I dropped in to a system by going through a star! I've read about this, but first time for me.

It literally frightened me when it happened. I was so close to the star after dropping that I was sure I was dead. I panicked and tried to bring up my heatsink which I kept looking for as a secondary trigger (it was primary) and I never actually fired one off before low-waking away. I took light damage to my modules, around 2 to 6% for most. Up until this point I've felt that by paying attention, by having routines and standard operating procedures, always doing things the same way, that I could avoid random damage. But sometimes it's not something under my control.

I am now a AFMU believer!

And surely the game cuts us a break. I mean I was inside the star and then right next to it taking heat damage. But in the end the damage was minor.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 12:53 AM

I'm not moving quickly, but I am moving. I'll post anything interesting I find. There's a couple of stations near Sag A* that I plan on hitting...and putting in an AFMU if I can.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 03:32 AM

You're going way past where I did. For me my trip is epic, but I know it's bush-league stuff really.

I'm now about 3,600 light years from the bubble. I found a cool system that had a ringed earth-like and a ringed water world. Those are uncommon to start with and to find both in the same system must be fairly rare. It had been tagged though. I got first map. I had flown several thousand light years in virgin space, find this really cool system tagged, and then fly a couple thousand more without another tagged system. It's like this dude just swooped though space to the best systems. Then always be batman right? Where'd this cat come from?!


I've seen some cool stuff in this expedition, and this might be my favorite planet. The rings are just so cool. Ammonia worlds are sometimes sort of ugly, but this one is not.


[Linked Image]



Attached picture rings1.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 03:12 PM

Got the day off, and it's raining, giving me an excuse to not work in the yard. So I plan to finish my expedition today, just a few thousand light years left to go. The inbound run so far has netted 181 mil. I admit I am not being so meticulous on the run home, skipping the maps on THMCs for example. The valuable planets have been fewer, and my route is quite a bit shorter, so this leg will be short of my goal, reaching 1 billion in career exploration earnings. To this point I have made 521 million in data since leaving the bubble two weeks ago, with 107 million of that pending survival to docking. There is more to come, but it won't be long before it's all been tagged, so the money will drop sharply. That's OK, I'm ready to get back.

Bolg or bust!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 06:10 PM

Safe travels with that haul. Nice little boost to the wallet!

Actually a decent day here, so I'll be doing what I can outside which means no playing inside. Oh well, I'll take the change of pace!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 08:56 PM

The good ship Mad Hops tied up at Fowler Orbital in Dvorsi this afternoon, having traveled 53,296 light years since setting sail to Colonia 12 days ago. What a trip.

That was a lot of fun. I said earlier I felt like I was missing one of the core experiences in Elite by never having really dove all that deep. I know Colonia is just a pitstop for some folks, and it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. For me though it was really cool and I accomplished a goal. Colonia is famous in the Elite lore, and it's something you know about as soon as you start playing the game. In a way it took on a mystical hue in my mind, the whole notion of a self-sufficient, thriving free society so far from the bubble. So I've always had the goal of going there in the back of my mind, but never really determined to actually do it. There's always some sort of thing to occupy me instead.

I didn't even decide to do it until I was several thousand light years out, but the prospect of pinning four more blueprints and visiting Colonia took over. As the untagged systems began mounting I had to just keep going. The discoveries were a motivator, and the thing that drew me to Elite. I had gotten several hundred in my Palin trip, then more here and there after. But this trip was something else entirely. After I began racking up the first-discoveries I logged on to EDSM to see some stats and data. I had registered there a year ago. But I think I never linked EDMC to it with an API key and so I had no history. That's bad on one hand, but on the other it meant that everything it does show were found on this Colonia trip. Unfortunately I didn't see this until I was already 3-4,000 light years out, so all those planets and stars are missing. Is what it is. I know I had found one ELW before this, but no idea of anything else. Still, here's what I know for certain I got on this trip for first-discoveries according to EDSM.

Systems: 558
HMCs: 1276
Rocky: 957
Icy: 1032
Earth-like: 9
Water World: 76
Ammonia World: 11

If I add in the stars, gas giants and others it's a lot more. My commander name is now firmly stitched in to the galaxy smile

Distance Flown: 53,296
Jumps: 887
Systems: 854
Scans: 6,699
Exploration Data: 536 million
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 09:08 PM

Welcome home and grats, D! Not sure I could ever commit to that long of a trip, mebe one day when I’m utterly and totally bored with the Bubble.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 09:49 PM

Good to be back. Thanks Bo.

On the way past I stopped off and saw Ram Tah as I had either forgotten to pin a blueprint there or it had slipped. I pinned lightweight heatsinks of all things. He's not got much to offer really. I then stopped off and saw the Sarge, unlocking him with the shield data he wants and then getting to G5 access with some of this exploration data I'm carrying. I pinned overcharged cannons. Not multi. Sooner or later I'm gonna build a gunboat and use those things.

So what to do now? I'm thinking about heading out to Ceos, Sothis, Robigo area and stack some transport in the Orca. Never did this and from all reports it's a lucrative trade and good for superpower rank. I also want to get the combat rank moving again and start using a KWS. When Bo and I were comparing stats one night his highest bounty put mine to shame. I want to bump that higher.

No, check that. I think I need a medium pad ship to make a go out near Robigo. Python then.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/24/20 11:29 PM

Bah, get a Vette and come to the dark side! We’ll get the crew saddled up and park our azzes at a CNB and get u and Rec ranked right up. As much as you enjoy theory crafting builds, the Vette is a fun one to do. So many ways to do it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/25/20 12:14 PM

I'll probably get a Vette around the time you go to Colonia biggrin

But ya never know and I do like building ships. Like you said the theory crafting, and agonizing over picking this instead of that. First, I'd need the rank, which I do not have yet.

A bit of a shake up in my fleet last night. I sold the AspX and the Python, my two longest-serving ships.The AspX I had since the very early days and the Python soon after. I never used the Asp anymore, and nothing it can do that my other ships cannot I suppose. I also decided that I have new minimum thresholds for any ship in my fleet.

One, it must jump at least 30 light years in it's role trim. If it cannot jump 30 outfitted for it's purpose it's gotta go.

Two, it must be capable of minimum 500 boost in role trim, and the DBX just edges it.

So the Python had to go smile

To partially fill that void, I bought a Phantom. I set it up to run transport near Robigo and flew it out there. It carries less than the python for sure, but it's 100 m/s faster. and can get at least 30 jump with all cabins. I can swap out the GFSDB, sccop and other stuff to stack missions, and 30 jump means just two jumps between Sothis/Ceos and Robigo instead of three. The Phantom is a bit cobbled-together at the moment, and lacks refinement, but I'll get to that.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/27/20 06:16 PM

The Ceos/Sothis/Robigo affair came to an end pretty quickly when I found I had the wrong ship for what I wanted to do as I talked about in the Krait thread. I did manage to run a few. There are stackable one-jump sightseeing missions, and VIP transport too. Good for chasing Fed rank and the pay is good. But there aren't many Fed-aligned factions, some are independent and most missions are criminal smuggling. My iced-out Orca is good for these, but I worry with hotter ships, especially in regions where I have not established a network of allies. So I flew back to Dvorsi to run some missions and build Krait number three.

Since I left for Colonia a couple weeks ago my home system has seen some changes. There is a state of war, the controlling faction swapped from Imperial to independent. The good missions are gone and replaced with ones I don't want to do. Just one faction now is in boom. I might have a look about and see if I can find a system that's in boom across the board and move temporarily to get a better mission selection.

I did follow through and mounted a KWS on my sweeper Krait. I bought an A since I had the power overhead. After using it once I liked the boost in cash, but it took too long so I flew to Achenar next door and put G5 fast-scan on it. Now it's a beautiful thing smile

I saw someone on the F Dev boards say you can set it up for automatic scan by setting it to caps lock and you never have to touch it to use the KWS. For this to work it would need to be in the current fire group though right? Does anyone use their KWS this way?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/27/20 07:00 PM

Fast scan is the way to go on a KWS. Unfortunately, right after I discovered that I removed the scanner from most of my fleet as I find I just don’t use it enough to warrant the tied up utility slot. I’d much rather have an additional SB than the extra geld.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/27/20 10:01 PM

Yeah for sure, I agree and that's why I'm just getting around to it now. I don't care about the extra cash, but I want to set a new high bounty claim and that will take the KWS. I've gotten nothing but small ship spawns since mounting it of course. I'll use it until I am happy with my highest bounty. It freshens up combat a little for me too, something different to do for a while.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/28/20 02:01 PM

I hit up Dav's last night for the first time in ages. Great haul of the mid-level manufactured mats that I've been burning up lately. I've been putting a hell of a lot of time in to Elite. and since returning in February I'd guess I've engineered the equivalent of six full ships. Four totally from scratch and the improvements I've made to existing ships is worth another couple. So that's a lot of mats.

I've built a mining Krait II, a fast express/rumble bus Krait II, an iEagle, and a Vulture. I've essentially re-built the DBX and Orca, and all the other ships have made progress too. And because I tend to use the same mods over and over it really puts a strain on the supply chain. So that means a regular rotation of mat gathering missions. Surface prospecting, which I am still doing the old-fashioned way, but I should start looking at geological sites. I might do that today. My raws are looking pretty good at the moment. I've done quite a bit of this recently, and on the trip to Colonia especially. Plus my temporary home base of Moxon's Mojo had a raw trader, so I used it to even out the stocks.

Encoded mats are in real good shape. I do a lot of scanning, and this is the one category where they fill up regularly. So occasional visits to the encoded trader to trade up and free space for the lower, full ones means I have plenty of every type of encoded mat, except DWEs, which I have just five.I fly a lot of sightseeing missions and MEFs (G5) are common rewards so I always have plenty of trade capital in encoded.

Manufactured mats though were running out. All of my combat lately has been in my sweeper Krait, scooping up mats. But it cannot seem to keep up. I was low or out of a number of ones I need like electrochemical arrays, polymer capacitors, heat vanes and that sort of thing. So I flew to Dav's in the DBX and ran about 14 circuits, getting a great haul of these mats that takes many of these stocks to at least 30 on hand and that will help a lot.

Pharmaceutical Isolators are probably my most precious mat, being used for dirty drives which I really want to get all the way through, and am not OK with leaving it a little short of complete. So I'm completely out after finishing the latest Krait. Until now I've been just popping in to HGEs, grabbing the proto stuff you always find and trading it for the ones I need. But it would be a nice boost to find some of these directly and not by trade. If I recall they can be found in HGEs in outbreak systems and also as drops from Elite Anacondas and big transport ships. Maybe a visit to a CNB is in order.

I think I'll make that my shortest-term goal, Get more PIs smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/29/20 12:32 PM

I was mostly unsuccessful however.

I spent a lot of time in a local CNB, which was great for the rank as the spawns were awesome with tons of Elite and Deadly NPCs. I was specifically looking for wanted T-9s, but found zero. I did blow up a few T-7s which yielded good mats but no PIs. Instead, I flew cover for the clean T-9s I found, swatting all the pirates off them.

Later I did some RES hunting, and did eventually get two (six) PIs from Deadly Anacondas. Nowhere near as many as I hoped, but enough for one more dirty drive smile
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/29/20 05:58 PM

Try an Anarchy system where everyone is Lawless. Can kill em all with no repercussions. Won’t make any coin unless KWS them, but you can farm all you want.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/29/20 06:39 PM

Good call Bo. I'll do that. Need more PIs, but I went crazy on the mat farming yesterday and sure got a lot. I'll do some more this evening and then I should be set for a while. A couple ships easy lol.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/29/20 07:08 PM

copter
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 12:43 PM

I had terrible luck. I went to anarchy systems, RES sites, and CNBs -- and CNBs IN anarchy systems -- and didn't find a single T-9. So still stuck on six PIs. I got a sh!tload of other mats though.

I've moved again, ending up in Barnwell Station in a system called UGP 145. It is an easy system name to type (very important), is an Ocellus station (you know I hate Coriolis stations) and what I was really looking for was dual-alignment in systems in boom. That is, having both Fed and Imp factions present. So far it's been good. I left Dvorsi for the time being as there is a state of war and the mission boards are crap.

I have a thread going on the Frontier boards about finding the qualifying stations

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/how-to-find-dual-aligned-stations.543526/#post-8432461
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 02:02 PM

An Anarchy system in Famine would be the Holy Grail for PI’s, I’d think. Good luck finding them, tho...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 02:47 PM

Yeah, another likely tip. But I don't enjoy hunting specific mats, and I suppose most agree. Not good gameplay. But I'm always so low on the PIs that any tips are useful Thanks Bo.

I have enough to do one more dirty drive with kind rolls. A few more would be good. I just need to find one HGE with six of them and I'd be set.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 04:22 PM

Yah, without fail if you’re LOOKING for something specific, you def won’t find it. All you can do is try n stack the deck to increase the probability of it appearing. Collect everything and trade, that’s how I roll. Pretty sure, that’s how we all do.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 06:21 PM

Yes, I think most of us do this. Someone here is anti-trader as I recall. But for me it's a necessary evil. But I think if I could at least target some PIs I'd get further ahead of the game.

I think I'll head out next saying aloud 'gotta find me some Imperial Shielding' and PIs will be dropping like rain.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/30/20 06:41 PM

Lol, tru dat!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 12:49 PM

Happy birthday Bo old man!

One thing I cannot be accused of is grinding. Since coming back to Elite two months ago I have really mixed up my gameplay. Every couple of days I seem to switch to some new activity. Combat, then mat gathering, a little mining, build a new ship, run some boom time, then a deep dive exploration trip to Colonia, more combat, some mining, a few assassinations, another new ship, then passenger missions, more mat gathering and trader visits, and so on and so forth. I don't get stuck on any one thing for long.

And I've now added another to the list. Scout hunting. I had the idea to buy a Diamondback Scout and turn it is to a scout hunter. I bought it, and A-rated it, but after a bit of theory-crafting, decided I didn't want to go through with engineering it, at least until I tried the scout combat to see what I'm getting in to. I didn't think I'd do so much of it that it warranted building a whole new ship for it. That, and I have Kraits!

So instead, I repurposed Poison Whiskey, my combat sweeper. for the role. The key for scout hunting is raw hull. Resistances mean nothing, and even shields are only partially effective. So you need some meat on the bones. In a virtuoso display of lack of self-awareness, I had only just removed the military grade armor from this ship and replaced it with heavy-duty stock alloy. The armor just isn't needed in PvE and slows me down. But it would have been nice for scout hunting.

So I removed all the weapons and the collector controller from the ship, and mounted two medium thermal vent beams stolen from my FDL, and a G5 heavy-duty 5D HRP from my Vulture. I then flew to Shinrarta, where I installed a C3 decontamination limpet controller, a Xeno-scanner and three C3 turreted AX multicannons, and then flew to Maia to hunt some bugs.

I kept the C5 scoop and C5 GFSDB to get to Maia, which is a bit of a hop of course. After arriving in Maia I docked at Obsidian, only to find out there is no outfitting there. That's odd for a full-size station. So then I flew to Moni's Hub, where I dropped the scoop and FSD booster, and replaced them both with 5D HRPs. I put G4 heavy duty on each, bringing total integrity to around 3,100, and then took off to hunt some scouts.

I FSS'd the system and there were NHSS everywhere. I dropped in to a threat 3 and found my first scouts. They were not too much trouble, but I didn't avoid the caustic clouds at first and needed the decontamination limpets and those work as advertised, removing the caustic goo and even repairing the hull by a point. I then hit several more, having the most fun in the threat 4 instances, and by the time I wrapped it up I had gotten my first 21 thargoid kills.

Glad to have given it a go, and I plan to hang around for a couple days and run up the score. Poison Whiskey is plenty of ship for this, the scouts aren't hard, but damage is inevitable, so the right ship is needed. My hull had been shot down to 64% at it's lowest. Good stuff.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 07:15 PM

Bo had a Birthday? Happy Birthday!!!! band
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 07:18 PM

Happy Birthday BO!!

Hmmmm Scout hunting... I have always thought this would be a good way to up my Combat Rank since all the Scouts are ELITE...but I never really pursued it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 07:31 PM

Yeah, and this is how I'm gonna overtake you mwuhahahaha biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
Bo had a Birthday? Happy Birthday!!!! band



I assume the cake next to his username means today is his birthday, but he could have lied on the application in order to get gifts and well wishes.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 05/02/20 09:52 PM

Thanx all! Another one in the ledger
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 05/03/20 12:02 AM

Happy Birthday Bo!

DB my next activity when (and if! lol) I get back from Sag A is to do some bug hunting, I'll be interested in reading your exploits!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 05/03/20 02:06 PM

Hey JC, sure thing and I started a thread about it. Scouts are not hard as long as you have a suitable ship built for the purpose. If I had done more of this earlier in my Elite career I'd be triple Elite for sure. Its one of those things in Elite, and there have been quite a few, where the impression I had formed in my mind proved more daunting than the thing in reality. It was the same way with rescue missions in burning stations. They seemed daunting and then I did them. Same with scouts. The unknown.

But with a good ship they pop pretty fast and the pace is manageable. As long as you have a way to get the goo off it's pretty easy really.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 05/04/20 12:01 AM

I'll check it out, thanks!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 01:59 PM

Don't feel like starting a new thread, but I've been out for a while, since June, and I noticed that CGs have returned. What's up with these? Are they better, worse or about the same as the old ones? Who is taking part in the new CGs?
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 02:06 PM

I briefly thought about getting a CG when they first came out but after some research and talking to some friends about it, I decided it was not worth the investment.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 02:12 PM

How come? What is it about them that made you draw that conclusion?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 02:49 PM

The latest CG (ending today) was kind of a BUST...

- Cargo Hauling to a station 46,000 light seconds from the Star? No thanks
- Bounty hunting with NO REZ zones. We did a fair amount at INSTALLATIONS that spawned scenarios with WANTED ships but sometimes the scenarios took a long time spawn and if you accidentally clipped the installation, you could get a bounty and have to run off to the IF to clear it. Bounty take per unit time not as good as a decent HIGH or HAZ res..and did I mention you had to travel 46,000 LS to turn in your bounties since the Installations owned by the controlling Faction were that far away?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 03:57 PM

So what's your take, could you say whether you think the new system is better or worse? Just curious, and I guess I'd need to try them myself. I reckon the big update will bring me back, especially so if there are cool new ships in it.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:04 PM

Honestly there isn't much difference in the "new" CG's. They reverted back to the older model because the new one (which I never participated in) never seemed to drive any excitement. This CG was pretty much like the older ones, just in a really crappy system for both cargo hauling and bounty hunting. Back in the day, I could get excited about the possibility of making MILLIONS of credits from a CG, now, the money is meaningless, its just SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRIENDS...

Now if they upped the rewards for CG's to BILLIONS, maybe that would be something.. but even so, I really don't need more credits. I am not buying a FLEET CARRIER and if I wanted a new ship like a CUTTER or a TYPE 10, I could buy it..
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
How come? What is it about them that made you draw that conclusion?



The amount of time it takes for your carrier to recoup the 2-3 billion invested plus running a carrier involved a lot more micromanagement than I was willing to devote my time to.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by DBond
How come? What is it about them that made you draw that conclusion?



The amount of time it takes for your carrier to recoup the 2-3 billion invested plus running a carrier involved a lot more micromanagement than I was willing to devote my time to.


He was asking about CG's (Community Goals) not FC's (Fleet Carriers). I agree with you 100% on Fleet Carriers
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:44 PM

Oh haha I missed that entirely. Yeah, not talking about carriers, but I do agree with you there PM! smile
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by DBond
How come? What is it about them that made you draw that conclusion?



The amount of time it takes for your carrier to recoup the 2-3 billion invested plus running a carrier involved a lot more micromanagement than I was willing to devote my time to.


He was asking about CG's (Community Goals) not FC's (Fleet Carriers). I agree with you 100% on Fleet Carriers



Doh. My mistake. Thanks for clearing that up. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Honestly there isn't much difference in the "new" CG's. They reverted back to the older model because the new one (which I never participated in) never seemed to drive any excitement. This CG was pretty much like the older ones, just in a really crappy system for both cargo hauling and bounty hunting. Back in the day, I could get excited about the possibility of making MILLIONS of credits from a CG, now, the money is meaningless, its just SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRIENDS...

Now if they upped the rewards for CG's to BILLIONS, maybe that would be something.. but even so, I really don't need more credits. I am not buying a FLEET CARRIER and if I wanted a new ship like a CUTTER or a TYPE 10, I could buy it..


Thanks Rec for your insight. Do you still get decals out of the deal?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


Thanks Rec for your insight. Do you still get decals out of the deal?


hehe.. I don't know what the "Global Reward" was for this one..if there were any..

Everyone who owned HORIZONS got a fancy blue Paint Job, though!! Kind of wished they would have also given us a discount on the Odyssey update...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/29/20 07:46 PM

I like blue. My Orca is painted blue. And one of my Kraits is blue. Blue good. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/30/20 03:32 PM

I saw that paint, and me likes. It's this one right?

Azure limited edition paint

I missed this? Or can I still get it? That looks great.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 10/30/20 03:33 PM

if you were a HORIZONS owner (which I knew you were) it is automatically added to your account in the LIVERIES section.

I put it on my Fighter since I would never otherwise buy a Fighter Paint Job. As I understand you can use in on ANY SHIP, FIGHTER or SRV
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 10/30/20 03:45 PM

OK cool, yeah I have Horizons of course. I gotta log in sooner or later and check it out. Thanks Rec.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/01/20 04:05 PM

Cool deal regarding paint job. I totally missed that announcement. With regards to CG’s, I agree that the main reason to partake is to hang with me droogies. Money being basically a non-issue for the majority of us, I’d think.

On the carrier aspect, there really is no micro management of them unless you plan on making geld with them via trade. More thought to follow....
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/01/20 06:58 PM

All I use my FC for is a mobile base/port. All my modules and fleet in one location is a huge boon for me. Not having to pay transportation costs in nice. Operating costs are circa 25 mil per week depending on how many jumps. It’s worth it for me for the convenience of having all my toys always instantly available. YMMV
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/04/20 04:58 PM

Good lord that's some high falutin'!

25 mil per week, and that's regardless of whether you are playing or not correct?

Or is that cost mostly fuel that is only a concern when you're using it?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/04/20 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Good lord that's some high falutin'!

25 mil per week, and that's regardless of whether you are playing or not correct?

Or is that cost mostly fuel that is only a concern when you're using it?

Originally Posted by DBond
Good lord that's some high falutin'!

25 mil per week, and that's regardless of whether you are playing or not correct?

Or is that cost mostly fuel that is only a concern when you're using it?


Last week was 24.7 million if I recall, think I had 1 or 2 jumps( 200k per). I have all services except the black market one. So, yeah 24 million plus per week regardless whether I login or not. The way I look at it, it’s only 6 boom time delivery missions outta Shinrarta if I get lucky. I dumped a billion in my FC bank when I got it, still have around 500 mil. Gotta spend the coin on something, neh? Especially with no new ships on the horizon.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 11/04/20 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond


Last week was 24.7 million if I recall, think I had 1 or 2 jumps( 200k per). I have all services except the black market one. So, yeah 24 million plus per week regardless whether I login or not. The way I look at it, it’s only 6 boom time delivery missions outta Shinrarta if I get lucky. I dumped a billion in my FC bank when I got it, still have around 500 mil. Gotta spend the coin on something, neh? Especially with no new ships on the horizon.


WOW.. Shinrarta still has those good Boom Time missions? Last time I logged in, I was running around my usual stations and the best I could find were only in the 1-2 million range. I even kitted out to haul Passengers, but didn't find anything worthwhile there either like there used to be (High Payout for short hops).
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/05/20 02:01 PM

If the stars align, I can usually get the 180 ton kind for 6 mil or so. Of late, not so much. If not, 25 mil is easy to make doin almost anything. Do a couple of assassination missions, massacre missions, or even bulk hauling.
It also helps if I turn in bounties at my FC. Even tho I lose %25 of the payout to me personally, that quarter goes directly to the carrier’s bank. Helps to offset operational costs somewhat. It’s sort of my own personal IF. Unfortunately, I can’t pay off fines or bounties I’ve accrued.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 11/05/20 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
If the stars align, I can usually get the 180 ton kind for 6 mil or so. Of late, not so much. If not, 25 mil is easy to make doin almost anything. Do a couple of assassination missions, massacre missions, or even bulk hauling.
It also helps if I turn in bounties at my FC. Even tho I lose %25 of the payout to me personally, that quarter goes directly to the carrier’s bank. Helps to offset operational costs somewhat. It’s sort of my own personal IF. Unfortunately, I can’t pay off fines or bounties I’ve accrued.


Yeah true. I was casting around for something to do the other night to chill out and make some cash, but nothing was really popping for me. Be good to join up and stack some Massacre missions sometime, though.. THAT was kind of fun, even though we got hammered with the PATCH cancelling missions. I think I still got paid for that, though...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/07/20 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond


Last week was 24.7 million if I recall, think I had 1 or 2 jumps( 200k per). I have all services except the black market one. So, yeah 24 million plus per week regardless whether I login or not. The way I look at it, it’s only 6 boom time delivery missions outta Shinrarta if I get lucky. I dumped a billion in my FC bank when I got it, still have around 500 mil. Gotta spend the coin on something, neh? Especially with no new ships on the horizon.


I guess so, that you have to spend it on sumpin', that is. I guess it gives you some direction, a purpose or a goal, which in Elite is gold. I see that side of it. But I'm too hot and cold with this game. Fleet carriers had just a fleeting appeal to me, and that was more due to what I thought they would be rather than what they ultimately became.

How do your friends help with this? If I logged on and wanted to help defray your costs what would I do?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/07/20 08:40 PM

The crew helps usually by donating Tritium. Donations only work if my fuel tank is not full, however. When James and are Reccy hitched a ride when I went to Colonia, I had to put up a buy order for Tritium on the carrier’s market in order for them to sell it to me. I generally have that purchase order up, usually at the lowest price allowed.

Another way would be to turn in bounties. 25% of the value goes to my FC bank.

That said, obviously I don’t expect anyone to help me pay for the upkeep of it. It IS appreciated when people do, however.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 01:55 PM

OK cool, if bounties help then that is a good and easy one to do. I have yet to even see a FC up close. I gotta log on at some point and catch back up. I still have triple Elite to hit.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 02:48 PM

Happy Birthday MrBond! happy_bday
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 03:04 PM

Happy Birthday Dbond!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
OK cool, if bounties help then that is a good and easy one to do. I have yet to even see a FC up close. I gotta log on at some point and catch back up. I still have triple Elite to hit.


Happy birthday D!


There’s a CG goin on right now involving conflict between the Fed and Imperials. Some of us are down there kicking in. My FC is a 7ly jump away since the CG systems are always full up of carriers. You’re always welcome to wing up with us.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond



There’s a CG goin on right now involving conflict between the Fed and Imperials. Some of us are down there kicking in. My FC is a 7ly jump away since the CG systems are always full up of carriers. You’re always welcome to wing up with us.


HUH!! I totally missed this. Prefer Bounties to Combat Bonds, but I will try to be there tonight with my Corvette. You guys fighting for the Feds or the Imperials?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 06:35 PM

Looks like it could be DONE before I even get in.. 4/5 for the FED portion already
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 06:43 PM

Thanks gentlemen for the birthday wishes
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks gentlemen for the birthday wishes


Just saw that.

Happy Birthday DBond!


cheers
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 09:10 PM

You're too kind smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 11/09/20 10:11 PM

Hey yeah - Happy Birthday DB!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/11/20 02:31 PM

Thanks JC thumbsup
Posted By: WolverineFW

Re: Dust Off - 11/11/20 06:31 PM

Happy Belated Birthday! cheers
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 11/12/20 01:29 PM

Thanks Wolverine and everyone for the birthday wishes.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 01:20 PM

Hadn't flown Elite since May, but I dusted everything off last night and had a bash. Flew one of the Kraits, did some bounty work, made some pocket change. Bumped combat rank a point.

Did they remove the iced-over cockpit effect? For whatever reason this wasn't happening even when my heat was at zero. Not a big deal, but something I noticed.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 01:31 PM

D,
welcome back, m8!
Can’t answer the cockpit icing query as most of my ship are hot runners. How’d you like the biff to bounty pay?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 01:34 PM

Well, I liked it just fine, thanks for asking biggrin

I didn't get all that many kills, just an hour or so, and I was using a KWS. But I was still surprised to see it all sold for over 7 million.

What's the scoop? How much bonus are we getting, or how does it work?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 01:53 PM

Ballpark, I would say double to almost triple what it used to be. Note that the number that flashes up when the target goes down is the OLD value pretty much. The true value is on the Transactions panel. So e.g. I have seen Deadly Anacondas flash up at 200K, but up to 500K+ on Transactions panel. A fair chunk of change for Bounty Hunting. I have been doing Massacre missions when I can find them with reasonable target counts (6-20 or so). Stacking where I can. Without stacking, it usually works out to about a million credits per ship. In addition to the mission payout, the Bounties add up to another 4-6 million. Good bang for the PEW PEW buck.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 02:07 PM

Hey Rec. Thanks. That's not bad at all.

I don't need any more money really, but if I am chasing triple elite may as well get paid smile

I always need goals in this game, no matter how inconsequential, like hit 3 billion in cash on hand. So this helps.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 02:40 PM

I am chasing 7 billion, though I don't really have anything much to spend it on smile

Pew Pew is kind of fun. Community Goals are back, but the current one is ridiculous... Hand in Anomalous Bulk Scan Data, Atypical Disrupted Wake Echoes, Exceptional Scrambled Emission Data and Unusual Encrypted Files​. You have to TRADE them at a Materials Broker, so you don't even get to keep them for your Engineering needs. NO THANKS...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/22/21 03:30 PM

Dayum, that's livin'!

I have about 2.5B in cash. Total assets is 3.2. So that means my entire fleet and all modules are worth about 700k lol. Shoestring fleet!
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 12:53 AM

DBond, "Thermal Vent" works just fine. I was out at my local HazRez on Tuesday and as long as I stayed close my Vulture was very frosty. If target moved outside a klick effect was reduced but still there. Vulture being so fast and maneuverable no issues staying on their six.

Hopefully next week we'll see a good Bounty CG (fingers crossed)
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 01:23 PM

Hey Wingy. Hmmm, maybe I had the defroster switched on then? That knob's finicky anyway, either blasting all the heat on my feet or the windscreen. Can never quite get the balance right.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 01:50 PM

I find it helps if I roll the window down just a little.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 02:34 PM

That's a good tip JC. Works OK in some of my ships, but it's a bit of a tempest in the faster ones. 780 m/s is 1740 mph. Dust kicking up, coffee cup lids swirling around, maps a mess. I like the feeling of vacuum through my hair, but the post-flight clean up is a chore.

Who here still has a carrier? What is it called and where is it parked? I'd like to stop by for a visit and see one of these first hand.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
That's a good tip JC. Works OK in some of my ships, but it's a bit of a tempest in the faster ones. 780 m/s is 1740 mph. Dust kicking up, coffee cup lids swirling around, maps a mess. I like the feeling of vacuum through my hair, but the post-flight clean up is a chore.

Who here still has a carrier? What is it called and where is it parked? I'd like to stop by for a visit and see one of these first hand.





Bohemond has a carrier called ANGBAND X7Q-D7Z

I think he is parked at LP 908-11 currently according to my Bookmark, but I don't know the bookmarks dynamically update
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 03:09 PM

OK cool, I'll have a look to check proximity. Wingnuts has one too right?

If I find Bo's boat can I land on it?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
OK cool, I'll have a look to check proximity. Wingnuts has one too right?

If I find Bo's boat can I land on it?


Wingnuts doesn't have one. YES you can land on Bo's carrier. Actually most people allow unrestricted landings on their carriers. You can just find a carrier wherever you are and request docking and see if you can land.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 03:25 PM

Wingnuts doesn't? He did though? You don't have one either Rec?

So only Bo?

Inara confirms Bo's carrier location. That's only 70 ly from UGP 145 where I am. One hop in Mad Hops biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Wingnuts doesn't? He did though? You don't have one either Rec?

So only Bo?

Inara confirms Bo's carrier location. That's only 70 ly from UGP 145 where I am. One hop in Mad Hops biggrin


Only Bo...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 04:03 PM

What an exclusive club then smile

I'm going to find it and see if I can sneak past security and raid his beer fridge.

Inara shows 28 carriers in that system. What's all the hub-bub, bub?

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 04:47 PM

He has an Interstellar Factor aboard, so you can turn in bounties and he gets a cut of the 25% that comes off the top. Donate some Tritium too while you're at it smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 05:15 PM

Had a look at the system on EDDB and planet 5 is a gas giant, maybe there's a bit of bounty hunting in the system. Could always bring some with me.

Tritium is obtained how? Mining only? Can you buy some?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 05:18 PM

You can buy Tritium. There used to be HUGE profits to be had BUYING LOW and SELLING HIGH, but I think that is gone now. Have to check INARA for places to buy it as it isn't available everywhere. To SELL it on a carrier, the Carrier owner has to put iin a BIUY order, but assuming the stocks aren't full, you can just DONATE (TRANSFER) it to the ship. At least that is how I remember it from when we went on our COLONIA jaunt.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 05:52 PM

Yeah, I don't care if I turn a profit, but if I'm gong to steal his beer it seems proper to leave something in return for the hospitality.

Maybe I'll pop on by this evening for a spell.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
That's a good tip JC. Works OK in some of my ships, but it's a bit of a tempest in the faster ones. 780 m/s is 1740 mph. Dust kicking up, coffee cup lids swirling around, maps a mess. I like the feeling of vacuum through my hair, but the post-flight clean up is a chore.

Who here still has a carrier? What is it called and where is it parked? I'd like to stop by for a visit and see one of these first hand.





I like a neat and tidy cockpit - nothing loose so nothing flies. I also enjoy the breeze through my...er...scalp, nothing better when flying by a nice hot sun to crank all the windows down, turn the AC on high, tunes blasting through the void....
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/23/21 09:41 PM

Yeah I just need to give it a sweep out. Crack that window a little more and chain-boost should clean it out I reckon.

Or maybe it's time to finally hire a minion. Get to work!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/24/21 01:05 AM

Minion? That's what kids are for!
"Dad can I borrow the AspX? The guys want to road trip to Colonia this weekend."
"As long as you clean it inside and out and top off the gas when you get back. Oh, and do the Krait too while you're at it!"
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/24/21 02:15 AM

Logged on tonight for a bit. Wanted to see if I could find my ships lol. It used to be that I had a red marker above any system where I had a ship stored on the system map, but I don't see that now. Once I left the outpost I had docked at and got to a station with a shipyard I could see where they all were and I started calling the flock home.

Once the Courier arrived I flew it over to Bo's carrier. First time I've seen one up close. Cool. Landed there on pad 13 for good luck and donated some stuff I think. Explo data, some bounties, not much really. Bought a little gas. Thanks for the service Bo. Fine ship you've got there. It was bustling.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 02:38 AM

How does one become a member of the Black Sheep?

I want that Inara badge, the Wingman, and to get it I have to be part of an Inara squadron with at least 8 members for 30 days. If I somehow angled in, I'd be commander number 7. If you don't want to keep me I can drop out when the badge fires.

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 03:01 AM

Heh I don't have the badge either because we don't have 8 members :-)

Just ask Nephilim to add you. I am sure there are others who aren't in it so we should be able to get to 8 without a problem.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 03:08 AM

Yeah, I'd be seven. Sent Neph a PM asking for the secret handshake.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 04:00 AM

Black Sheep Number Seven reporting for duty biggrin

Thanks Neph!

Don't nobody leave it until the badges pop. There's enough for everyone!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 03:00 PM

Thanx for the business, D! Usually I keep my Tritium tank less then full to allow people to donate fuel. Also, I tend to keep a buy order up for it just in case the tank does get topped off.

How’d you like the sexy ATC voice over comms when you landed? smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/26/21 11:08 PM

Classy touch. It's an impressive boat, that carrier.

Squadron Commander Neph says he will recruit another commander to the Black Sheep and it will start ticking at that point. 30 days to the badge.

I'm always going on about how I need to set and chase goals in this game. I finally got a long running one over the line. Spent a couple hours today in Parabellum, my Krait rumble-bus, running transport missions to hit 5000 delivered. Needed about 400 and got it done, and the Inara Captain's medal too. I just took a mission for maybe 35 businessmen or 40 rebels or whatever and flew it. At that station I took another, and so on until I crossed 5,000. That's 5,000 happy passengers I should add, with zero disgruntled or ejected. Need a new thing to go after.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:23 AM

Yah, I’m thinking goals are a problem for most of us at this point. Unless there’s a combat CG goin on, i usually bumble about whilst logged in lately.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:36 AM

I dropped off some Tritium at Angband, then went and did a Massacre mission. 12 ships for 6.9 million. It was by far the toughest one I have ever done. Previously, taken 12, 18 and just hopped from Signal to Signal killing everything and barely had my shields go down. This time all the ships were Deadly Pythons, FDL's and such. Since they leave after awhile, I usually tag 3 or 4 at a time so I can get the highest number of kills per signal. This time I was down to 13% shield when I finally got 5 kills and the rest disappeared. Got about another 8 mill in bounties from it too. I'll hunt around for more tritium.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:06 AM

I ran some Agronomic Treatment trade routes over the weekend. Was clearing 17-18 million per 2 hop trip in my 696 ton Cutter. Tried some mining but quickly realized I've had my fill of that particular endeavor.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 10:37 AM

If you guys need another squaddie I'll sign up - just let me know what to do.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
I ran some Agronomic Treatment trade routes over the weekend. Was clearing 17-18 million per 2 hop trip in my 696 ton Cutter. Tried some mining but quickly realized I've had my fill of that particular endeavor.


Nice!! I think I can only stuff 400 into my Vette or Conda, but that is pretty good money considering.. When I found a place to stack massacre missions AND found missions that didn't require huge numbers of kills, I could clear 40 mil in rewards and bounties pretty quickly..and it wasn't as mind numbing as some other things. I have been finding it tough to find that particular circumstance, though. I hit a station, do some assassinations and whatnot to level up, then start looking for massacres that fit my parameters. Once they dry up, it's back out to some random place smile

I used to love the transport missions til they got nerfed, but it looks like you dug a gem out of the manure pile!!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 12:49 PM

Rec,

To be clear, the Agronomic runs were NOT missions off the boards. Just regular ‘ol cargo hauling trade routes that I found via EDDB. I’ve found that the juicy Boom Time cargo missions have dried up. Don’t know why, but that’s my impression. I used to get 6 million 180 ton missions outta Jameson all the time. Now, they seemed to have vanished. The best I’ve even able to find pay 1-3 million nowadays.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Rec,

To be clear, the Agronomic runs were NOT missions off the boards. Just regular ‘ol cargo hauling trade routes that I found via EDDB. I’ve found that the juicy Boom Time cargo missions have dried up. Don’t know why, but that’s my impression. I used to get 6 million 180 ton missions outta Jameson all the time. Now, they seemed to have vanished. The best I’ve even able to find pay 1-3 million nowadays.


It was part of Frontier's GREAT REBALANCE... nerfing high paying cargo missions and re-scaling them to "RISK" i.e. higher quantities over longer distances pay more, but generally EVERYTHING pays less. Combat got a buff due to perceived risk..

JUST before the nerf I was making bank on TAYGETA runs where some of them were paying 20-30 mill a load and easily stackable. Luckily, even though I was late to the party, I reaped a few days and 500 million worth of benefit from it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
If you guys need another squaddie I'll sign up - just let me know what to do.


I'm the newest one, so hopefully this isn't out of line, but if you're interested PM Neph and request it. If you get in, the badge will start ticking down for all of us. Plus you get a fancy squadron membership on your Inara page smile

Goals. Not sure what to do next, which, after only a week, is an issue. Combat Elite, of course, but that's slow going (42% Deadly) . So I need a shorter-term one. Maybe the next CG will appeal, haven't done a CG in forever. Unlock GSRs? Do some more mining for the Inara miner's badge? No, probably not.

Last spring's Colonia trip took care of the exploration urge for a while.

New ship? I want a new ship, but there are no ships I want. I bought a DBS just before my last break, maybe figure out a role for it? Or just sell it back.

I'll keep on the combat route until I burn out I guess. When does the update drop? That's what we need.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:24 PM

Combat rank got even harder as they nerfed the Thargoid XP. Murdering Thargoid Scouts was what got me over the top finally. Bounties went up, but XP went DOWN (for Thargoids, I think it is the same for NPC humans).
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:44 PM

How about an event of of our own? Let's schedule a big get together with all active SimHQ commanders.

Black Sheep Bug Hunt?

Another small-ship combat day?

Everyone meets on Bo's carrier, he jumps somewhere and we all jump out and kill stuff? Sell it all back to him.

A Guardian site gathering for anyone not having unlocked this stuff yet?

Can we have a private CQC match? Maybe that, which I've never done.

Dav's Hope circuit sprint? We all start on a line in our SRVs and see who can scoop the most mats in a lap. LOL, I can just picture that now.

A race? Maybe do a 1000 light year point-to-point and see who gets there first, and everyone has to have some gold or void opals or something valuable on board. Or some sort of race in normal space? Not sure how that could be done, but I have a couple of 800-boost sleds that would be good for this sort of thing.

Posted By: DM

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:53 PM

Hide & seek? biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by DM
Hide & seek? biggrin


Wing beacons on or off? biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
How about an event of of our own? Let's schedule a big get together with all active SimHQ commanders.

Black Sheep Bug Hunt?

Another small-ship combat day?

Everyone meets on Bo's carrier, he jumps somewhere and we all jump out and kill stuff? Sell it all back to him.

A Guardian site gathering for anyone not having unlocked this stuff yet?

Can we have a private CQC match? Maybe that, which I've never done.

Dav's Hope circuit sprint? We all start on a line in our SRVs and see who can scoop the most mats in a lap. LOL, I can just picture that now.

A race? Maybe do a 1000 light year point-to-point and see who gets there first, and everyone has to have some gold or void opals or something valuable on board. Or some sort of race in normal space? Not sure how that could be done, but I have a couple of 800-boost sleds that would be good for this sort of thing.



First dude, you need to start flying in the Nephilim Private Group instead of SOLO.. SHOW SOME TEAM SPIRIT smile Space is big, but sometimes we run into each other
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
If you guys need another squaddie I'll sign up - just let me know what to do.


I'm the newest one, so hopefully this isn't out of line, but if you're interested PM Neph and request it. If you get in, the badge will start ticking down for all of us. Plus you get a fancy squadron membership on your Inara page smile



PM him here or in game?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:34 PM

I did it here, then sent a request to join the squadron through Inara, he accepted and I was in!


Quote


First dude, you need to start flying in the Nephilim Private Group instead of SOLO


Maybe I will smile

But if I seem deaf and mute and oblivious to the in-game chat you must excuse me. I've said so before but I've often got so much going on in my home that I don't want to disappear in to the headset. Gotta keep situational awareness with the rugrats running around.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I did it here, then sent a request to join the squadron through Inara, he accepted and I was in!


Quote


First dude, you need to start flying in the Nephilim Private Group instead of SOLO


Maybe I will smile

But if I seem deaf and mute and oblivious to the in-game chat you must excuse me. I've said so before but I've often got so much going on in my home that I don't want to disappear in to the headset. Gotta keep situational awareness with the rugrats running around.


Understood.. Honestly there is no real difference between Private Group and SOLO except you see your friends once in awhile and everyone can keep track of your Whereabouts smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 02:44 PM

And there's a minor amount of angst generated by playing a community mode while not being social.

But if you guys know that I might be in there, but not at the same time, if you know what I mean, then yeah, why not.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
And there's a minor amount of angst generated by playing a community mode while not being social.

But if you guys know that I might be in there, but not at the same time, if you know what I mean, then yeah, why not.



If I don't feel like being social, I don't join the TEAMSPEAK server. A lot of times people are hanging around on Teamspeak and aren't even in game.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 07:00 PM

Ok, I've PM'd Neph here and requested to join on Inara, so number 8 inbound as long as I pass the backround check!

I haven't really done anything MP with Elite, I tend to stay in Solo mode (though I am a member of Neph's group).

The problem I've run into when being paged by friends is that typing is difficult in VR, made even more so by the menu-glance system. When I look away from the comm menu to look through the nose gap and type, I lose focus of the chat window so I can't enter text. Until I remembered that I can open the Comm menu specifically by hitting '2' (or saying "Comms Menu" to Voice Attack!). So if I "ignored" anyone, just realize I was frantically trying to figure out how to respond!

Now my biggest issue with Elite is the fact that I've recently upgraded my HOTAS, so I have to basically redo all my bindings. DCS didn't give me this much trouble!
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
And there's a minor amount of angst generated by playing a community mode while not being social.


I always found Community Goal systems to be an adrenaline rush in Open mode when I was actively playing long ago.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Originally Posted by DBond
And there's a minor amount of angst generated by playing a community mode while not being social.


I always found Community Goal systems to be an adrenaline rush in Open mode when I was actively playing long ago.



What I meant by that comment is that if I join a Private Group session, and then just do my own thing without any communication with the others currently in there too, that I feel a little anxious about it all. Like does this guy think he's too good for us? Good enough to use our PG, but not to talk to us? That sort of thing. I don't think anyone actually cares, but that's the way my mind rolls.

CGs are fun, mostly. We've gone a long time without them, but they are back. This one was about donating engineering mats, and well, that ain't gonna happen. Hopefully the next one is more suited to me. I read on the FDev boards there will not be a new CG this week, but I don't really know.


Good luck JC, hope you wore your best jacket and tie. Neph's hard to impress you know.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 07:45 PM

JC,

We use Teamspeak for comms in game. Not sure if you were aware of that. It totally removes have it to deal with the comms menu for n regards to the group in game.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 08:35 PM

I saw it referenced earlier - I hadn't realized that it was that widely used. I'll have to set it up.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/27/21 10:45 PM

I'm on TS now if you want to test it
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 12:37 AM

Assuming you mean the SimHQ TS server, I guess I just missed you!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 01:23 AM

I was on for only about an hour I guess. Compared Cougar mapping with Rec. We have it almost entirely different aside from TMS and we both use the microstick for boost. Oh, and paddle switch is F/A off. The rest is different. That's what I'd expect, but still cool to compare.

I can't work out a good solution for push to talk. I guess that's why I was using voice activated. In Falcon I used the radio switch, but I use that for vertical and lateral thrusters in Elite. Anyone using a Cougar with PTT? Where'd you put it?

I tried to swap it to a shifted radio-up (VHF), but I was getting vertical thrusters even though I had the pinky switch in to shift it when I wanted to PTT.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 02:14 AM

I was using the same switch on my Cougar throttle, even shifted like you did. No problems here.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 01:05 PM

OK, good to know. I'll keep at it. I'd rather use PTT if I can. All these buttons and switches yet I can't decide where to put it lol.

I might put it on DMS down, which is the 'castle switch' below the top hat. I have something there now but can reassign.

Took the Vulture out for a bit of bounty hunting in UGP 145, got a few kills, then Rec came on and we chatted for a while. I had PTT on the microswitch for some reason. So of course each time I spoke I boosted. Duh.

(fast talker)
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 06:39 PM

OK! Neph dragooned Gopher into the Squad so we now have 8!! Johnny would make 9... INARA badge here we come!

Attached picture BlackSheepRoster.PNG
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/28/21 06:50 PM

2 down, 28 to go.

Wingnuts is level 4 on this badge by the way. He's stealth-squadding it appears biggrin

When I grabbed the Captain's badge it made me the 6,742-ranked Inara pilot. I'm looking to keep improving this ranking, and badges are the ticket.

I looked at all the rankings for the other guys and I'm gunnin' for you!

Anyone know much about these? For example I'm looking at my Captain's badge. It shows currently...

Passengers Delivered 5,030/10,000
VIPs Delivered 968/1000

So what am I seeing here? Obviously these are the thresholds for a new level. But what if I only get VIPs to 1000? Am I level 2? Or do I need to hit both of these things to reach level 2? Anyone know how this works?

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 01:33 PM

So I tested it. Hopped on last night and found Wingnuts and Rec on. I wasn't on comms, so sent you each a message on chat. My goal last night was to hit 1000 VIPs delivered to see if that took me to level 2 Captain's badge. I thought I had 986 and needed 14 more. But I had 968 and needed 32 more. So off I went in Parabellum, after waiting 15 minutes for a couple first class cabins to arrive from Dvorsi. Then just ran VIP transport missions for a while until I hit 1001. And I can now confirm that it does not in itself flip it to level 2. I still need another 4,070 passengers delivered. And that's not going to happen anytime soon unless they bring back some rescue missions in burning stations.

So I swapped to the combat crate Krait, Poison Whiskey, and did some bounty hunting for a while while sweeping up engineering mats. Bumped the rank to 43%. Gettin' there! Only another 1,710 kills to go, or thereabouts. I discovered a crashed ship in the system I am calling home at the mo, UGP 145. Didn't investigate but will do.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 01:36 PM

Odd... I saw you come on...but I didn't see any CHAT message..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 01:51 PM

I sent both you and Wingnuts a 'direct message' . They appeared in my comms window, but when neither of you replied I figured something wasn't right.

Is there a way to open a PG-wide chat?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I sent both you and Wingnuts a 'direct message' . They appeared in my comms window, but when neither of you replied I figured something wasn't right.

Is there a way to open a PG-wide chat?



Interesting, I just went in game and checked my Comm panel history and didn't see any DM's..

I don't think there is a PG wide chat but there is probably some way to multi-DM friends. For sure there is WING wide chat.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 03:20 PM

Hmmmm, well the message basically consisted of a greeting, a claim I was not on comms due to rugrat infestation, and that I was going to try and hit 1000 VIPs delivered. smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 03:36 PM

By the way, I got my INARA Squadron Badge. I guess being a member of the Squadron for the required amount of time ++++, the badge triggered once the Squad reached 8 members

Attached picture WingmanBadge.PNG
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 03:41 PM

Congrats Rec! That bumps you to #4,637 going straight to tier 3. What's the weather like up there? biggrin

Do you happen to know, or recall, how many logbooks you had to write before getting the Writer's badge?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Congrats Rec! That bumps you to #4,637 going straight to tier 3. What's the weather like up there? biggrin

Do you happen to know, or recall, how many logbooks you had to write before getting the Writer's badge?


I don't recall how many logbooks. Might have just been ONE for the badge...but maybe subsequent ones raised the Tier
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 05:52 PM

Thanks man, it seems to take more than two. But it also has the word 'quality' in the description, which leaves some wiggle room. So potentially, you could write 728 non-quality log book entries and never see the badge. You obviously have quality in your writing smile
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 06:38 PM

DBond, I noticed your message and replied to it, though it was half an hour later. Badges? Whats up thit these? Where di I find them?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 06:41 PM

OK, well I am glad to know it may have worked, thanks for that.

The badges we don't need (no stinkin' badges) are Inara ones, of which you already have most of.

On your Inara page you see the Wingman, Miner, Traveller, Explorer and so on. Artie said that it's been reworked a bit to make these badges a bigger part of the rank calculation. I want to improve my Inara ranking so I am looking to nab some badges.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 07:44 PM

OK thanks DBond. I haven't looked at that part of Inara for a long time. Inara holds me at rank # 2769, so to move up I need to improve badge standing or score more badges?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/29/21 08:14 PM

I don't know frankly, but my understanding is that you can do both to climb the rankings. It's not just badges, ranks and other things contribute. But once you're triple Elite there's no room to raise those. So that leaves badges (and other stuff I reckon). I sent Artie a PM to see if he could shed any light on how it works. I'll post if anything comes up.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/30/21 01:15 PM

Artie got back to me and gave me this link

https://inara.cz/board/1/378509/#378509

The first time I clicked it it said I must be logged in to participate in this discussion, and upper right showed commander guest. I then clicked my Inara page to see why I wasn't logged in. But I was, so I clicked the link again and it worked. Here's what it says

"Judging from the frequent questions like: "Commander XYZ has a better score than me, although his medals are worse! What's wrong!?" it was apparent that the rankings mechanics are not clear enough and sometimes even demotivating. The rankings and medals are both using the game stats but weren't directly related to each other, and it was the primary source of the confusion. There was made a change that rankings and medals are now more related. It still uses the same game stats, but the connection is more apparent. To describe it simply - ranking up your medals and progressing in these will directly affect your rankings score, so you will always have a clear idea of what to do to increase your ranking score (aside from the regular Pilot's federation ranks, of course). The only exception is the Xeno-hunter medal - as there are no lifetime values in the game stats, it's hard to objectively use such values and thus it has no effect on the rankings (at least for now, let's see if Odyssey will change something). The change favors generalists, commanders doing everything than specialists focusing on a single activity. But I believe it's just fair.
Another frequently suggested feature was adding rankings for the squadron members. So it's here - you can find it under Roster > Squadron rankings on your squadron page.
There was also another bunch of minor improvements and fixes made with this update, as usual. Namely a few new roles, an option to add an image to your fleet carrier, an option to remove ship images, fix for rescue/transport missions not being correctly counted to Thargoid war stats sometimes, and so on...
"
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 01/30/21 04:40 PM

The answer to how many logbooks it takes to get the writer's badge is three, I can confirm.

Interestingly, I now have exactly the same number of points as Artie, the creator of Inara.

Our conversation has expanded a bit and he told me the badges themselves add nothing to your score, but the totals associated with them do, if that fine point makes sense.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 12:43 PM

Doing the Robigo->Sothis passenger grind for Credits and maybe it will help me toward the CAPTAIN badge...but I have a long way to go.

Kind of amazing that with all the mining and tradiing, I am still rather far from those badges!


3799/5000 refined minerals

40,009/100,000 commodities traded

2735/5000 Passengers
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 01:19 PM

It could be worse, you could be me. I'm like 1,359 mined and 8,300 commodities. Pathetic biggrin

I have like 125/5000 combat bonds. 60/1000 Thargoids.

The only ones I'm anywhere near bumping are

The Hunter -- need about 650 more kills for level 2

The Traveller -- need another 59,000 light years for level 2. Secondary (jumps) is already hit.

The Captain -- I stand at 5,142/10,000, with the VIP secondary already met. If burning stations would return I could get this one pretty quick. But I never see these anymore

Nothing else is within reach, both because my totals are low and I don't do it much


Last night I hopped on and flew for a couple hours. Spent my time running Elite level assassinations in the FDL and Elite passenger missions in one of the Kraits taking all the Rep+++++ rewards to bump Federation rank, and did so, reaching Lt Commander.

Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 01:24 PM

#%&*$#. You guys are up early today!

Didn’t do much this weekend. Traded some gold in the markets. Racked up about 75 million or so then the systems I was running got satiated. Went back to CNB hunting afterwards.


Not so early if I factor in the 2 hr time difference. Still not used to no longer living east coast, I reckon.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 01:40 PM

I start work at 6-6:30 am since the commute is short (Bedroom to basement). Idea is I can stop early...but gee, that never seems to happen. At least I have enough hours in the bank that I can go out and make the first shot at Snow removal. About 5-6" on the ground now with another foot or 2 expected by tomorrow. Divide and conquer....maybe. I just hope the frigging Snowblower doesn't crash and burn.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 01:56 PM

My alarm goes off at 6:15 eastern. I'm at work already lol.

So I decided I would run those assassinations, reasoning I would be bumping combat rank (glacially) and superpower rank at the same time. Elite level missions give good rewards, either good pay, G5 mats or high Rep on most of them. I'm based in UGP 145 at the mo, an Ocellus called Barnwell station. These assassinations were right next door, a jump of just 3 light years. My first one was a Deadly Vette, and he dropped some fine mats. He also jumped once when I was giving him the business and I had to hunt him down again. Manual scooping in the FDL is frustrating for me, so I flew back to Barnwell, turned in the mission and made some changes to Eagle Weslake.

With the system so close I didn't need the scoop or the GFSDB, so I removed those and replaced them with a class 4 HD HRP and an interdictor, and swapped one class 1 HRP for a collector limpet controller. Swapped another class 2 HRP for a cargo rack. So now I had 4 limpets and the collector controller to scoop the mats. When I first got in the game I removed the composite armor, replacing it with stock alloy and engineering if for HD and deep plate. Shields never go down on this thing, so I liked the idea of making it lighter and faster. It's a change I've been meaning to make for a while, so finally got that done

But the targets in these Elite assassinations are no joke, so for the moment I added the big HRP to keep integrity at a respectable level, at least for these, just in case. Here's the ship I flew last night

FDL Eagle Weslake Assassination Trim

The interdictor really isn't needed. In all assassinations I've flown, the target interdicts me, not the other way around. But I added it in case I came across any wanted cargo ships while prosecuting these missions. A couple T-9s would help boost stocks on some precious mats, but in my experience, the FSDI isn't really needed to complete these missions.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 02:20 PM

Yeah lately almost all the Assassinations I have taken have been Vettes. Often I will stack Assassinations in the same system and often the second one will drop in while I am fighting the first. ODDLY they seem to beat up on each other so it actually HELPS me.

Since I am usually in MY Vette, AI don't really give me that much of a problem though taking on 3-4 maneuverable ships at a time in a Massacre scenario can be tougher than 2 Vettes.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 03:08 PM

If my FDL has a weakness it's having just the two medium beams, and these high-level targets have some serious shielding. If a human was in that Vette I would struggle to strip it. But against the NPCs it just takes patience.

I wanted to stack missions, but never got two at the same time on the boards, so I just flew them in singles. The Rep+++++ was boosting my Fed rank about 4% per mission. Lt Commander is rung 9, and Count is too, on the Imp side, so those are now level. Still a long way to go. If anyone ever notices a burning station please report it here.

My boards had a lot of the 'Urgent Kill Order' missions on them. Anyone done one of these? Seems you have to make a ground assault just to learn where your target is.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
If my FDL has a weakness it's having just the two medium beams, and these high-level targets have some serious shielding. If a human was in that Vette I would struggle to strip it. But against the NPCs it just takes patience.

I wanted to stack missions, but never got two at the same time on the boards, so I just flew them in singles. The Rep+++++ was boosting my Fed rank about 4% per mission. Lt Commander is rung 9, and Count is too, on the Imp side, so those are now level. Still a long way to go. If anyone ever notices a burning station please report it here.

My boards had a lot of the 'Urgent Kill Order' missions on them. Anyone done one of these? Seems you have to make a ground assault just to learn where your target is.


I steer clear of them. Usually when I am doing Assassinations, it is because I want something QUICK.. No time to interact with planetary data links.

I used to do some of those DATALINK SCAN missions because they used to be more lucrative than other Combat style missions. They were novel for awhile but since you ALWAYS got wanted for knocking out Skimmers and gun emplacements while doing the mission, a side trip to a factor was always needed in addition to the mission itself....and I stopped doing them.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/01/21 05:00 PM

'Bout what I expected, thanks Rec.

I've never killed a skimmer. Zero lifetime total smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 06:40 PM

Hopped on today for a bit. I had left my Courier where the Fed rank-up mission had taken me, and on the way back to Barnwell I stopped off at a high RES and got another 22 kills and bumped rank another point.

I then whistled for my last three ships still in Dvorsi, the Orca, the Phantom and I think the DBS. Decided to run a long-range sightseeing mission. I could take just about any of the ships, but chose the Orca, because I want to fly it in style. This one's only about 3,000 light years each way, but it will pay well, give me another five MEF and add some light years to my total distance travelled. Configured for this run it jumps 52 and cruises at 14% heat. Cool style.

Just crossed 192,000. And over 50,000 of that was in that Colonia trip I took last Spring. That's a quarter of all the distance I've flown. Seems bush-league. What's everyone else done?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 07:51 PM

According to EDSM, 153,216 in 3441 jumps. Dunno if that counts FC jumps, tho. I kinda doubt it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 08:03 PM

Thanks Bo, does the codex agree with those figures?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 08:33 PM

I’ll check when home from work. Curious to know if any of sites track FC mileage.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 08:51 PM

You're at work? Inara shows you in-game.

What a great job!

I would also like to see FC distance tracked somewhere. A commander who uses it continually to travel around the galaxy could really rack up the mileage. I guess fuel puts a bit of a leash on, but if you're dedicated to FC use I bet it's not too hard to work out a system to keep the tanks full?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/02/21 08:53 PM

Oh wait, it says online on Inara. I always thought that was showing players in game, but maybe it's just logged in to Inara at the time?

I see said the blind man
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 02/03/21 09:37 AM

Right now I am on a break again, but since launch I logged almost 400000ly traveled, in >11000 jumps, visiting >10000 different systems, according to EDSM ~7000 first discoveries, earning me ~15.9 billion in exploration data (most of that from the last trip selling the data with LYR bonus) .
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/03/21 01:20 PM

Thanks WC, those are some big totals. Roughly double mine. I passed 195,000 on the way home last night, still about 1,200 to go.

Panzer must have some good numbers, he's been across the galaxy a couple times hasn't he?

The long-range sightseeing mission I am flying wasn't on the best vector. I saw before taking it that the route was pretty much straight down the Colonia highway, with a slight uphill component. I knew that meant that virgin systems would be few and far between. I did find one completely virgin system about 1,800 light years from Sol, but that's been it. Every other system I've dropped in has been visited before.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 01:51 AM

Returned to Barnwell from the sightseeing mission. Added about 6,000 light years and it stands at 197k. This is the Orca I flew on this one

Sunburst

Normally it has a class 3 GFSDB in it to free the biggest slots for cabins, but I swapped in the class 5 for this trip. Good jump, rather fast and as mentioned it it runs cool, Supercruises at 14%. Love cool runners. The Orca is such a great ship, but is right near the bottom of popularity lists. We like it that way.

If you stood out on the embarkation platform and found all of Elite's ships lined up ready to whisk you away to your destination, it would be the Orca you stepped aboard. In the Orca, you have already arrived biggrin
Posted By: WhoCares

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks WC, those are some big totals. Roughly double mine. I passed 195,000 on the way home last night, still about 1,200 to go.

Panzer must have some good numbers, he's been across the galaxy a couple times hasn't he?
...

Yeah, the numbers sound more impressive than they really are - I made it once slightly beyond SagA* - there are plenty of people that made multiple circumnavigations. wink
[Linked Image]
Straightening it out, it would be about one roundtrip.
Another "impressive" number - I still have the grand total of 0 neutron-boosted jumps. despite these long trips. For me exploration is more about vsiting systems than making distance.
Quote
The long-range sightseeing mission I am flying wasn't on the best vector. I saw before taking it that the route was pretty much straight down the Colonia highway, with a slight uphill component. I knew that meant that virgin systems would be few and far between. I did find one completely virgin system about 1,800 light years from Sol, but that's been it. Every other system I've dropped in has been visited before.

Yeah, about 2kly around the bubble it's hard to still find unvisited systems - best chance are K, M and brown dwarf systems, but apart from the Ks, the others mostly just have snowballs in them...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 01:20 PM

Cool trip, thanks for posting that. Looks like you stopped at a few pubs along the way? biggrin

Even though I said your numbers are roughly double mine, that's not true of exploration data. I'm just approaching 1 billion at this point, and 500m+ of that came on that one Colonia trip.

I've been back now for a couple weeks. Dabbling in this and that to boost the Inara ranking. This is an ideal goal, as the posts keep moving and I've a long way to go with progress incremental at best. As of this moment I am the 6622nd-ranked Inara pilot. I've only moved up about 100 spots. But missions like that sightseeing one are really good. The ranking uses your totals to calculate points, and these missions bump the numbers in several categories -- jumps, jump distance, systems visited, level 3 scans and passengers delivered if it's a transport mission.

Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 05:46 PM

I farted around last night with the idea of fully engineered railguns for the stability perk, which would eventually net them 50% less heat output... 5 rails and no shields. Might be fun to try. What's the fastest and most efficient way to get components to do the engineering so I don't waste much time?

Also, what's the fastest way to accumulate cash on the scale of 100+ million an hour? I know there are folks doing this. I have 83 million in the bank, so I have something to work with.


I did a bounty hunter mission last night that turned out to be way more than I expected. Something about having to go to a station on a planet and access a listening post? That was bizarre, anyways, on my first attempt I didn't realize what a data scanner was, or that I had to target some grey object when I got close to the post, so I got shot up. I gave it a second shot, and succeeded, but because I was running a railgun boat with no shields, I lost my engines and FSD trying to fly away, and found myself in the uneasy situation of falling to the ground with no control of my ship...

Reboot repair, fingers crossed, dirt coming closer...

Boom! Drives online, let's FSD outta here!

I don't know how close I came to splatting onto the surface, but I reckon I was a hair's gander on a chimp's arse.

Whew.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:09 PM

OK first, I gotta say I am happy to see your post Blastman. For several years now I've hoped you would give Elite another go. And I bet, with the right engineering you can build a ship with fewer rails that hits way harder than your old all-rail boat did, if five rails still proves too toasty. Heat engineering is something I focus on, so I can help you there. The key I think will be to reduce the heat footprint throughout the rest of the ship so that the rails don't cook it.

The fastest way to get mats you need is to trade for them at a material trader. Inara is very useful for finding the closest one. Not sure if you're on Inara, but if not I highly recommend it. Not only does it keep track of where you are so you can find the things you want in closest proximity, but it has all blueprints and keeps track of your mats on board so you see at a glance what you might still be short of.

=1]Inara Mat Trader Finder

The main problem with mat traders is the exchange rate, which is strongly titled toward the house. And then, you need mats to actually trade. Not sure what you might already have. The two main ways I obtain my mats (among some others) is

-- Investigating Unidentified Signal Sources (USS) and in particular, the High Grade Emissions. They have the highest grade mats in them most of the time. And if they aren't useful at the mo, these become your trade currency to get the ones you need.

-- Combat Sweeping. This is my term for the role I have carved out for one of my Kraits, Poison Whiskey. Configured for combat, with a collector limpet and cargo rack. I then fly it in Compromised Nav Beacons and RES sites, pausing now and then to scoop the detritus of battle. I do a little of this just about every time I log on to keep the stocks high. When categories begin to fill up I then stop by a trader and trade up, evening out the stocks and boosting the counts on the highest grade ones.

The fastest way to make dosh right now is platinum mining I do believe. But the market fluctuates, and Frontier throw curveballs at us regularly so it changes. But mining will be the ticket for quick money.

I think the bounty mission you describe is one of the Urgent Kill Order ones? I avoid those. Assassinations, bounty hunting in CNBs and RES, and combat zones (combat bonds, not bounties) are a better way in my view.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:19 PM

I'm currently running Passenger missions in a Python from Robigo Mines to the Sirius Atmospherics Tourist Beacon in Sothis (60 light years/2 jumps for me).

Stuff the passengers in. Make about 13-20 million per round trip. Each trip takes ~10-15 min or less if you push it.

So for me about 60-100 million an hour and you can probably stuff more cabins in than I have done and raise this a little.

Lots of YOUTUBE videos and guides for this "not yet nerfed" Credit Farming Method.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:29 PM

Yep, stacking pax missions is another good way to make coin. Bounty hunting is hot right now, never paid better too. Exploration can pay off handsomely with the right bodies scanned and probed.

Which ship are you wanting to use the rails on Blastman?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:44 PM

Disclaimer, I have not watched this video, but it seems to be a fairly recent guide to Materials farming..

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:52 PM

Now that you posted that Rec (I have also not watched it) I see I was remiss in my post above, since I only really gave advice on getting manufactured mats.

For raw mats I do the old school 'shoot rocks with my SRV' type prospecting, although there are better ways to do it now (geological sites)

For encoded I scan every ship I can, no matter what I am doing. And every now and again I do some wake scanning outside busy stations. I built a rocket sled so this is fun. No wake is going to get away from this thing. 835 boost


iEagle Wake Scanner (Zoom zoom)

And because money is not important to me any more, I almost always take G5 mat rewards from the missions I fly, if available. Five Modified Embedded Firmware for example will go a long way at the mat trader.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 06:56 PM

Eh, I have a lot of ships, but none of the biggest ones.

Most expensive ship I earned through piracy was a fully upgraded Clipper, but that only has two rails on one side, because the ship is so wide, they never converge properly on targets if I run four.

I don't think Elite has a way to adjust convergence these days? They did not in the past.

My five rail boat is my Cobra MKIV

I sometimes run six rails on my ASP Explorer

My Diamondback has three rails

The game seemed to do something with armor--ships don't feel nearly as tough when running shieldless armor boats, not like they used to be.

The Krait looks nifty, and I always wanted a Python but never got the funds to do so. I'd love to do some robberies at CGs again, but I need engineering I gather to even bother with that now. I wouldn't even think of running rails on my Vulture, and think I have around 12 - 15 different ships.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 07:15 PM

Yeah, Krait II is my favorite ship in Elite. But all have their strengths (even the T-9)

I think this is doable. I just had a bash through EDSY (Elite Dangerous Ship Yard) and mocked up a Cobra IV with five rails. I prefer Coriolis for ship builds, but EDSY is far better for heat analysis. It has a Thermal section that displays heat at full throttle with all weapons firing, so you can run some build theory before spending the mats. The main issue I think might be dissipating the heat, extending the time for follow on volleys. Heat sinks only last so long (although you can synthesize them)

Rails just aren't something I have experience with and I don't even really know the best mods for them. On the mock up I made all long range with a few super pen and a couple feedback cascade. I think sturdy engineering reduces heat.

What I think I would do on the Cobra is put say three rails and two thermal vent beams. The beams can be used to quickly cool the ship either before or after the rail volley.

Another consideration for such a build will be the Power Distributor, which has to support those rails.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 07:45 PM

Yeah, the Cobra had max equipment from when I built it in 2015. At the time I was using the ship to duel fully kitted human piloted FDLs and win. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/04/21 08:14 PM

Heat is primarily a function of power draw. So with your ships already built, any that are too hot can possibly be made right by reducing the power draw. And of course there are other ways, such as thermal spread and low emissions engineering.

You can drop the power through module and engineering choices and also by shutting down modules that aren't needed in combat, either manually or through module priorities in the right hand panel.

The Orca I posted at the top of this page has this sort of engineering to make it run so cool. The Orca isn't a combat ship really, but the concepts carry over. The main issue is that often heat concerns and combat concerns run counter to one another. Just another reason why ship building in Elite is so much fun.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 01:44 AM

I have watched mat farming video and can attest to the accuracy and efficiency of it. It entails a little bit of running around for the raws. I think I had to go 30-40 jumps to a few planets, but I maxed out all the G4's and used the mat trader to get the specifics I needed for what I wanted to do.

I didn't need much of the engineering mats, but I maxed out my Imperial Shielding (G5) in almost no time and it gave me enough trade value to get the rest.

EDEngineer is also a great tool to plan out any engineering you wish to do. It will look at your current stock and tell you what you need and what you can trade for. So if you get a ton of Imperial Shielding for example, using EDEngineer you might find you can trade your way to what you need. It's a little clunky and takes a bit of getting used to, but it's a go-to for me.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 01:49 AM

Yes. ED Engineer is great. INARA can do almost the same stuff as EDENGINEER and is a little easier to use. I was never very good at organizing my blueprints and such but I could always use either tool before making a trip to an Engineer to make sure i had everything.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 02:49 AM

Is this INARA thing easy to set up?

Can I transfer engineered components between ships?

Also, it says I have access to level 3 blueprints for sturdy mount, but it only lets me select one?

Something about must complete all lower grade blueprints of same type. Does that mean I have to do all the kinds of railgun mods before I can go to level 2 grade in one particular one?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 12:02 PM

You basically create an INARA account, link it to your FRONTIER account and it automatically transfers all your information, (ships/Cargo/mats etc.) or you can do manual imports of your logs. I also use ED Market Connector and it can be set to send data to INARA in real time as well. Your engineered components can be transferred between ships, (assuming they are in compatible slots) but you need to Transfer them out of one ship into storage then switch ships and Transfer them FROM Storage to the ship.

You don't have to go through all the blueprints to go up to mods, but you do have to step through the various grades in one particular mod to apply the next one. Your TOTAL access to grades of Mods is granted whenever you rank up with any one blueprint.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 01:40 PM

Rec's got it. I would say it's simple, but not always easy. That's because sometimes I run in to issues linking accounts. Could be my ineptitude, but it happens.

Like Rec, I also use Elite Dangerous Market Connector. This is a handy utility that acts as the bridge between Elite and the third party sites I use. Each time you dock or log it updates your info and sends it to sites like Inara or Elite Dangerous Star Map (which tracks exploration stuff like discoveries). EDMC is also very handy to quickly export my ships to Coriolis or EDSY. And a single click on the EDMC interface takes me to the system I am in on EDSM if I want to learn more about it. Vital tool for me.

When engineering a module one thing that's helpful to know is that when rolling a certain grade, the grade above is locked out until you reach a certain percentage, at which point the next higher grade unlocks. At this point you want to start rolling the higher grade. There is no benefit to 'completing' the lower grade before moving up.


So I logged on last night without much of a plan. I ran an Elite assassination in the FDL, another Deadly 'Vette, and returned to Barnwell. I swapped to Poison Whiskey (Krait II), and brought up the build to look it over. Most of my ships are mostly done, but close inspection reveals many things modified to 97% of G5 or whatever. Not fully done because those tiny little slivers of progress cost precious mats. This is especially true of things like HRPs and shield boosters. As the ship I fly most I reasoned it deserved some attention. Another issue with this ship is the fact I have a class 4 and a class 6 slot with racks. The class 4 used to have a HD HRP in it, but the shields never go down, so I dropped the HRP to shave the mass, you all know how I like 'em light and fast.

And since I don't employ minions, the class 6 slot, which would be very useful for a fighter hangar say, is not being taken full advantage of. So I pondered it and wondered how I could make better use of it. Something I've been meaning to do for a long time is unlock Guardian Shield Reinforcements. I've been carrying a blueprint around since we all did that Guardian site a couple years ago. I had the power cells needed for the unlock, but had zero of Pattern Delta Obelisk Data, Guardian Technology Components and Hardware Diagnostic Sensors. The last one can be purchased, but the others must be found in the wild.

So I looked in to it and soon was off to some Ancient Ruins sites with a couple of SRVs. Spent the next couple of hours relogging a lot, but eventually I had what I need, and a lot more too. Now I am on my way home, and will stop somewhere to pick up those sensors and finally get the GSRs unlocked. This was a nice diversion, mixing up the gameplay. I had forgotten to mount any point defense on the Krait, so I had to be on my toes and quick on the trigger, but sentinels aren't much trouble really.

When I finish it up, this is what it will be

Poison Whiskey

I'm not entirely happy with the shields. These were in storage when I built the ship originally, and have reinforced/fast charge. Thermal resist is lower than I'd like overall, so I may revisit this at some point. But shields like this are never going to go down in PvE unless you've taken on a wing assassination or something. So it's not a pressing issue as what it is is good enough. Eventually I'll probably swap the scoop and GSR around, but class 6 scoops cost a fortune! smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 02:19 PM

Wow good job!! I never did unlock those Guardian Shield Reinforcements... I think I probably have space for them on my larger ships (Anaconda, Vette). Shoot me a link if you have one for grabbing that stuff. I know I don't have all of it, and I will have FOUND PURPOSE in ELITE ONCE AGAIN!! According to INARA, I have some GUARDIAN power cells but nothing else. Looks like i never even got the Blueprint!

1 Guardian Module Blueprint Fragment (0)
17 Guardian Power Cell (39)
20 Guardian Technology Component (0)
24 Pattern Delta Obelisk Data (0)
8 Hardware Diagnostic Sensor (0)
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 02:38 PM

Ah, too bad, we could have done it together. Sure thing Rec, here's the link I used

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDange...farming_of_pattern_epsilon_for_guardian/

This one has the system I used for the technology components Synuefe NL-N C23-4, planet B 3 . Look for Guardian site POI

I used a different, much closer, system for the obelisk data, but still had to go to the above system for the tech components. So may as well just get it all at one spot?

I just rummaged through my flight log on Inara and this is the system where I got the obeslisk data, but there were no material towers, or whatever they are called, there to get the tech components

Synuefe XR-H d11-102

This one was around 250 light years out, while the first one is more like 750.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 02:56 PM

Also found this video...

'

which seems to point to the same spots.

I recall it being a pain in the butt when we all did it together originally for the FSD... didn't think we had to do it all over again, but according to the video it seems necessary for the Blueprint anyway..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 03:03 PM

Yeah, I just looked up the thread from when we all did this. To get those blueprints we went to HD 63154.

This is harder to do solo than what I was doing last night.

https://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/4464863

So if you need some cover let me know and we will work something out. I suggested a Guardian event a few days ago, so maybe we could still make an event out of it.

While I was doing this last night. looking for the Delta Pattern data, I got a lot more of the non-Delta (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc). Turns out the Epsilon is needed for the Guardian fighters. So made sure to get enough of that for when I eventually hit triple Elite and hire a minion. Got 24 of them, only to find out later I need 26! So I would benefit from another visit to get the final two.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 03:19 PM

Yeah, I was eyeing those Guardian Fighters as well. Have to research which variants are the best and make sure i collect everything.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 06:36 PM

A couple of notes. DBond on Poison Whisky swap your Guardian Shield Reinforcement with your Fuel Scoop and upgrade the scoop to 6A. Second, be aware that rebooting your ship to bring back shields will not work. Yup, ask me how I know that. I used them for awhile (Guardian Shield Reinforcements) but, after a few vigorous encounters with shields gone or low I was stuck until they self regenerated. Perhaps a Shield Cell Bank? Hum, I'll have to try that on the Vette.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/05/21 06:46 PM

Thanks Wingy, I mentioned the scoop a few posts back and have the same idea. Actually, it was in that same post, near the end. yeah, I write long posts and I get if if someone doesn't read it to the end smile

Fine Krait though innit?

The shields will never go down so rebooting isn't a concern. I haven't rebooted a ship since err, 2017?

Famous last words maybe, but I'm pretty confident. Recovery is fast with the fast charge, resists are good. And with that speed NPCs can't keep it up if I decide I need to be elsewhere. Maybe I just don't do the most dangerous PvE stuff, but I'm confident in the survivability of the ship.

And by the way, how do you know that?

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/06/21 12:18 AM

Class 5 GSR installed smile

I also splashed the cash on a 6A scoop. I had been lazy, and Wingnuts' advice spurred me to action. That single change increased the value of my crate by 20 million.

On the way back to the bubble I ran an EDDB search for stations selling the Hardware Diagnostics Sensors, and only three results. Can't vouch for the veracity, but that's a mighty small number.

I was befuddled by the absence of GSRs in the shop after unlocking them. Finally found them under module reinforcements. Expected to see a new category like FSD Booster. Class 5D is just like 900k. Peanuts for what it does. Too bad we can't engineer them. I've held on to that blueprint since March of 2019.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/07/21 12:21 PM

I posted some images in the Inara gallery. I'd like to ask the other Inara commanders to have a look, and if you like any of them, click the 'shiny' to help me get the badge. But don't compromise your integrity, click it only if you like them, not just to help me out smile

https://inara.cz/cmdr/69080/

Click gallery on the left



I'll take another shot at this, as there could be a good story here smile

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
Yup, ask me how I know that.


Originally Posted by DBond

And by the way, how do you know that?


Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/07/21 07:21 PM

It popped, so thanks if anyone here contributed.

I added a few more, so shiny's still open lol.

Here's an interesting one that I captioned "Not sure about that"

[Linked Image]


I'm often told I am ahead of my time, but this is going a little too far biggrin

Attached picture Not Sure About That.jpg
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 01:50 AM

lol

2.5 billion

I'm a pauper at 93 million.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 04:56 AM

-DBond I have developed the habit of attacking wings by myself. Now it's not so bad in a High Rez, though I'm fond of a Haz Rez close to my station. I have jumped a wing of three, two Annies and a Courier, succeeded (shields under 20%), only to be followed by another jucy wing Annie, Vulture and Courier which I couldn't leave alone. When my shields dropped during the second encounter, I had killed the Annie in the second group but had the Vulture and Courier pounding me. I had boosted out and attempted to reboot to get the shields back. When the boot finished still no shield and of course I was taking damage. I had to low wake back to station for repairs. I was using "Skittles", you know how I like my Krait MKII. Now having learned a partial lesson, I don't run GSB's, I'll reboot to get shields back quicker and yes I'm still prone to jumping multiple wings in sequence.

Fly Safe
Wingy
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 12:34 PM

Multiple wings in sequence. Well then, yeah. If my shields were to drop below 50% I'm outta there. No kill is worth losing my ship. That's how I approach it and part of why I've only lost five ships. I can't recall the last time this happened, and I chalk that up to tactics, thermal shield engineering and fast ships. Raw mj is the thing that cranks up recovery and recharge. None of my ships use heavy-duty A boosters, no SCBs. By balancing the shields between raw mj and resists I think it results in the best type of shield engineering. Broken record by now, but I feel thermal resists is the most important part of PvE shield engineering.

Poison Whiskey actually has the worst balance right now of my combat ships, since it uses reinforced A instead of bi-weaves with thermal resist like my other combat ships. Looking at the effective shield graph in Coriolis I want these about level, with thermal at the top. Poison Whiskey isn't there. But in PvE it's plenty good enough.

My Vulture Arclight is closer to what I want. Even here, explosive effeciveness is highest, and that's not important in a fast or agile ship in my view. Thermal attacks are what hits you, and thermals are what shields are especially vulnerable to. So to me it makes sense to focus on this when building shields. Because I went bi-weaves with thermal resist/fast charge, kinetic suffers, so I had to attempt to correct that with reinforced shield boosters, and that brings the explosive way up too.

The GSR in my Krait adds very little to recharge or recovery times. I like the additional capacity it offers. I think it's a great addition. I'm giving up on attempting to extract that story from you too smile

Blastman, yeah that's a boat load of money. That shot was from last May while I was on the bug-hunting kick, and why I was at Obsidian. But then I took a long break and have only bumped it another 100m in all that time. I'm also poor compared to some of these other commanders. Wingy, Rec and Bo all have way more than I do. Neph and I are pretty close. Wingnuts has like 12 billion in assets and 9 of that is cash. Of course I don't focus on it anymore. I like making money, but it's now a result of what I do, not why I do it.

For a long time mining was the money meta. Some commanders took advantage in a big way. But for me, I've mined just 1,354t. Even that resulted in billions. Looking at my Inara friends I see them with the Miner badge at levels 1 and 2. It takes 5,000t just to hit level 1. So these cats have mined many thousands of tons and made serious dosh on it. At a certain point it became 'enough', especially since I didn't have anything I wanted to buy. Not interested in a carrier. The money I make now I hope will find a use with the big update. Hopefully there are new ships that I am interested in, or other compelling ways to spend it. We shall see. I did splash 28 million on a 6A scoop the other day, but the 5A trade made it just a net spend of 18m. That doesn't put much of a dent in 2.5 billion.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 05:05 PM

The thing that bugs me in these games is there is no stock market to invest that kind of wealth in, and it gives me the heebie jeebies.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 05:27 PM

What bugs me is my ELITE Fighter Pilot Crew Member takes 10% off the top of everything I earn, but there is NOTHING that can be done with that $$$. At one point I thought maybe it should be used for purchase/repair of FIghters and FIghter Bays etc.. but I guess that is the Commander's burden, and you're just paying the crew to fly. Still it is a significant amount of in-game money that does NOTHING.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 05:41 PM

That's the reason I've yet to hire one, but I check the minion pool now and then. They are all strung out on meth I think.

Plus they steal combat XP. As I've said I'll hire one once I hit Elite. Or maybe at 99% and I'll let the minion get the telling kill.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 06:23 PM

Fighter Pilots are like having a extra class 4 weapon to use. Though your paying alimony whither you use'm or not and there's no tax deduction. Good idea to wait until after getting combat Elite, then get one to try.

I always find it interesting comparing our ship builds to our combat style with each other. Also as we've progressed, become more experienced / affluent how our builds changed. I offer my two combat builds for comparison. Vulture https://s.orbis.zone/cc5w, Mr. Skittles https://s.orbis.zone/cc6t. DPS on Skittles is off the hook as I synth the 15% extra damage amo. I enjoy comparing our different outlooks and play styles.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 07:18 PM

Me too Wingy. It's all in good fun and there are few things I like discussing more than Elite ship building. It's to my constant regret that this forum is dead unless I am playing at the mo. Because even when I'm out of the game for a while, I'd still love to talk about it (that's what the Frontier boards are for I reckon)

From the time I began playing, I've regarded you as my Elite sensei. You've shown and taught me much of what I know, especially as a noob. I'd be far less accomplished at this point without your help and I appreciate it.

OK, to the builds!

Yes, I was just looking at Mr Skittles this morning and don't think that insane DPS doesn't jump right out! But it did a year ago too smile

For our Vultures, I think they show to a degree exactly how our approaches differ. For example, my Vulture has more integrity, but is lighter, faster, jumps farther and uses no armor. Part of that is due to you opting for non-combat modules in the smallest slots. Your Vulture hits harder (DPS higher, hull damage better, while mine may do better against shields. Vulture hardpoints/weapons are a sore subject for me, so this ship is sort of a special case). You also have superior module protection.

As I am fond of pointing out, raw numbers only tell part of the story. And I focus on thermals. Looking at the defense metrics on Coriolis I think bears this out, although you have superior explosive and kinectic shield defense. But in thermal, my Vulture is superior, and this is borne out in the "Shield will hold for" estimate despite your Vulture having higher mj. Same with armor. In my case it's largely a function of resistance stacking on the HRPs, better armor protection even with no armor (and the cost and weight). If you were to replace those class 1 slots with more HD HRPs you would close that gap or surpass it. But blaze your own!

For the Kraits, they are actually built very similarly, but with some marked differences too. Of course I can't touch your hitting power. But again, mine is lighter (by 130t!) faster and jumps farther, which of course is what I am gunning for. Your armor is superior, but the way I see it is in PvE, armor is only needed if shields fall, since no, or few? NPCs can bypass shields. I still want good integrity in case my shields ever collapse, but that's pretty rare. So I'm willing to trade armor and hitting power to attain these goals. I'm not even talking about heat, and that is something else I focus on. My Krait idles at 28%, making it one of my hottest ships actually. Dual thermal vent beams helps to offset this of course.

Honestly Wingy, I'd like to see you bump your thermal resists more, but those aren't my ships, and you are far more accomplished in Elite than I am, so you have every right to do it as you see fit. But I think with different shield engineering, you wouldn't ever be losing these shields, even against those wings you keep chaining smile

There are a lot of ways to build ships in Elite, and most of them are viable! It's one of the most appealing parts of the game for me. The fact that just about every commander goes a different route shows how well balanced Frontier made this.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 07:21 PM

Heh.. I am lazy #%&*$# and always go for the TANKS. That's why I flew the clunky Fed Gunship for so long. Decent shield and hull tanks for slugfests.. and now usually fly the VETTE. Subtlety was never my forte smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 07:31 PM

And that's the way it should be Rec! Blaze your own. Like when Blastman posted his Cobra. I would not own a ship like that, as I'm a shield tanker, but it's still so cool and interesting. I love looking over everyone's builds and I wish there was more of this around here. Right now there is and I'll take it.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 08:03 PM

Hmm, I found this video and looks like it has useful information on rapidly acquiring materials for Engineering:




I'm not sure if these methods still work, but I don't see the point in wasting weeks of life collecting materials, when you can do the same in a few hours of exploiting. This depends on your playstyle, I guess, but for me, interactions with other players are the most interesting, and having ships that aren't engineered is holding me back.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 08:57 PM

Time savers are gold in this game, so why not. I'm at work so can't watch the video right now. Are the actions nefarious? Gamey? What's the conundrum?
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:13 PM

Have any of you guys seen this? Carrier players using noobies as slaves? https://www.polygon.com/features/2021/2/4/22264605/elite-dangerous-newbies-trapped-forced-labor

It was touched upon in today's 'Mingles With Jingles' if anyone follows him.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:21 PM

Hahahahahaha. I was just reading that. Really hilarious stuff.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:37 PM

I'm always amazed at the creativity players can achieve. Personally I'm ok with it. I'm sure such shenanigans are a frequent event in something like Eve.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:40 PM

Yeah, I read that a few days ago. I'm conflicted. On one hand I think consequences for decisions are a good thing, even when they are bad. These players that got trapped made a decision, and they had to live (for awhile) with the consequences. On the other hand I don't want new players to quit over other players taking advantage of their inexperience and trust.

Still, it spawned an even better thing, the rescue. And this is compelling content. And besides, all these players would need to do is self destruct, and bank the lesson they just learned. I would hate to lose a ship for any reason, but this is the price you pay, I suppose.

On my very first day in GTAO I was out in the city on foot looking for my first car. As I climbed the decks of a parking garage looking for one, I got a message, "your Uber awaits at the top". I looked out and there was a helicopter in a perfect hover pointing directly at me. I climbed another deck and the helo did too. At the top I thought "why not", despite my misgivings. I got in. Bad move.

We flew over the city at night, and I took it all in. It was beautiful and peaceful. As we approached the Vinewood sign on the hillside, the pilot set her down. What a perfect spot to take n the sights of the city lights sprawled out below. As the pilot climbed out I saw he was a clown. Clowns are NEVER good. Green hair, red cheeks, big feet, the whole works. Uh oh.

In his hand was a machete of course (what else?). I fumbled for my pistol and instead brought out my fists. Derp. Whack! Ouch, that hurt.

I finally got my gun out and shot him in the face. Nothing happened aside from another machete chop and I died, right there on the hill with Los Santos sleeping and unaware. OK lesson learned. I then respawned. IN THE SAME #%&*$# PLACE!!!

By now homie was back in the whirly bird and I tried running down the hill. He chopped me up with his rotor blades.

"Sorry man, I had to do it" He says.

Homie don't play dat. So I quit. Yeah it sucked, but I earned a valuable lesson (which I already knew). People generally suck, and don't trust anyone, especially when they offer something to you that you didn't ask for.

And the concept art in that article is awesome.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Time savers are gold in this game, so why not. I'm at work so can't watch the video right now. Are the actions nefarious? Gamey? What's the conundrum?


Gamey. If it's the one I followed, you are given certain system criteria (ie a high population system in civil war) and go to HGE sources adn collect the G5's there. Log out completely (exit game) log back in and repeat for manufactured materials.
A few systems give to go to biological sites and get G4 raws, and Jameson's shuttle for data.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/08/21 09:44 PM

Well sh!t, if relogging is bad, I'm the worst!

Or is this different than a relog?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 10:32 AM

If by relog you mean go back to the main menu and re-enter, then yes it's different. You need to completely exit the game and then restart.
I think it's gamey, but I'd rather do something gamey than grindy, so...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 01:26 PM

Yes, that's what I mean, to the menu. I've not done the full drop out of the game to relog. But I don't have a problem with it either. Honestly, since they introduced material traders it's all become pretty easy. Mats are everywhere, including as mission rewards. The ones you actually need, not so much. But the trader bridges that gap, albeit at a cost. Just about everytime I log on I try to do a little bounty hunting in Poison Whiskey, stopping here and there to release a couple limpets, and get dozens of mats each time. When I'm ready to engineer something I identify what I need (Inara is perfect for this) and then a stop at the trader to get whatever I am short of, by trading the mats I got bounty hunting.

High Grade Emissions signal sources are also a big help, since G5 mats have the most value at the trader. I'm all for time savers, but what you need is out there if you know where to look and how to get it. If you weave these things in to your everyday play you'll have lots of mats on board.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 01:31 PM

So re-logging to farm Mats and such might be considered an exploit, but it is somewhat benign. I think the COMBAT re-logging is what is frowned upon... OMG I am about to be destroyed. I am going to log off and live to fight another day (in PvP, mostly, I guess)

They added the mechanic of a timeout that needs to be reached when "ship is in danger" to mitigate this.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 06:31 PM

I seem to recall a discussion on that and I don't think they consider the re-log to be an exploit.
If you want to be REALLY efficient, they you go to the mat trader first, do your grinding/gathering and self destruct back to the mat trader station. I did that farming the raws, which beat 30-4- jumps back.

DB I hear you - when I take missions I'll take the mat rewards. Did that a bunch when I was doing station rescue missions, and I wound up getting a good supply of low grades.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 06:43 PM

Yep exactly JC. Because money has a lower priority for me at this stage, I almost always opt for either G5 mats or Rep+++++ rewards when they are available. Elite-level missions often offer these. Just another reason why I like establishing a home system. The longer I stay, the wider the web of allied factions grows, spreading farther and farther in to neighboring systems. Without good faction rep, the quality of the missions on the boards suffers, and the rewards are generally hardly worth it.

I take a bit of grief on the Frontier boards when I advocate for having a home system. Nomad mercenary isn't really my style, I like both the roleplaying vibe of having a home, plus the net of allied factions in the region. In this way I can take a transport mission for example. And at that station I'll also have high-level missions to keep chaining them together. It really pays off in a big way I think..
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/09/21 08:56 PM

Yes, I've noticed that my home system (has both Empire and Fed factions) was giving significantly better missions before my standings degraded due to inactivity.
I like having a home system too. Something about having all your stuff in one spot so you don't have to try and remember where everything is (though I think I've got modules scattered throughout the bubble!!)
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 12:38 AM

Something else must have happened to cause that JC. Minor faction rep does not decay. Superpower rep does, down to 75% (Friendly), but superpower rep means nothing really. Minor faction rep doesn't decay due to inactivity, but actions taken by the player can cause it to drop. It's a reason to not bounty hunt in your home system for example.

And only faction rep affects the missions you are offered. Superpower rep does not. So there must be a different reason if the mission quality drop you saw was due to lowered minor faction rep.

I'm also based at a station with a mix of Fed and Imp factions, and I specifically sought it out for that reason.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 02:15 AM

Here's one of those good passenger hops. I've only recently moved to this system, but I've got all the superpower-aligned factions allied, but you see the un-alinged one isn't quite there (probably because I shoot them down in the High RES lol.)


[Linked Image]


This is Parabellum, my rumble bus Krait. I can just squeeze that many business class aboard. These sorts of rewards are excellent for a mission that takes about 5 minutes. I could cram a few more in by replacing the C3 GFSDB with another cabin, but class 3 Business only seats three, and there really aren't any missions that call for 55-58 business seats. The scoop has to be dropped for me to hit 55 seats. But when the hops are this short who cares smile

Post Script: I took the Focus Crystals




Attached picture GoodBoards.jpg
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 03:18 AM

Okay I'm highly discouraged again.

How do I get 100% of the materials required to engineer everything in less than 5 hours of time?

This seems like way too much of a PITA to bother. I have no interest whatsoever in farting around with nonsense. I want to get back to killing humans, but without engineering, I can't.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Okay I'm highly discouraged again.

How do I get 100% of the materials required to engineer everything in less than 5 hours of time?

This seems like way too much of a PITA to bother. I have no interest whatsoever in farting around with nonsense. I want to get back to killing humans, but without engineering, I can't.


And there lies the rub. There will be a grind involved to acquire materials to do a whole ship. You will be thankful that you did as the benefits are impressive. To begin gather everything. Collect materials at every USS you come across. Get a wake scanner and scan wakes at stations. Hook up with as many engineers as you can, and keep gathering everything you come across. Holler if you want help.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
Something else must have happened to cause that JC. Minor faction rep does not decay. Superpower rep does, down to 75% (Friendly), but superpower rep means nothing really. Minor faction rep doesn't decay due to inactivity, but actions taken by the player can cause it to drop. It's a reason to not bounty hunt in your home system for example.

And only faction rep affects the missions you are offered. Superpower rep does not. So there must be a different reason if the mission quality drop you saw was due to lowered minor faction rep.

I'm also based at a station with a mix of Fed and Imp factions, and I specifically sought it out for that reason.

Hmmmm....I guess I've angered the natives. Now I have to go back to playing nice!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Okay I'm highly discouraged again.

How do I get 100% of the materials required to engineer everything in less than 5 hours of time?

This seems like way too much of a PITA to bother. I have no interest whatsoever in farting around with nonsense. I want to get back to killing humans, but without engineering, I can't.


The video posted earlier in the thread is probably the best you'll do for cranking out mats in a reasonable amount of time. That video is geared toward maxing out all the high ends, you can get away with just grabbing what you need, but you'll have to do the prep work to know what that is via EDEngineer or Inara.
Personally, since I had to travel so far to get the raws (and that is the biggest grind), I figured I'd max out everything so I didn't have to do it again for a while (ever if I'm lucky!!).
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman

This seems like way too much of a PITA to bother.


I'm happy you're back, but at this point my advice is to just back away biggrin

Quote
in less than 500 hours of time?


Fixed it. This won't be too bad if you have already unlocked the engineers you need. Have you? If not, you've only barely scratched the surface and there is no way you'll be able to do this in 5 hours, or even 100. For example, in your hull tank Cobra you'll need armor engineering, which requires Selene Jean. And she requires 500t mined, which maybe you've done. I don't know what you've done previously. And just to meet her you have to unlock The Blaster. And then gather enough mats to engineer a half-dozen HRPs plus the armor.

And that doesn't even consider your thrusters, FSD, rails, power plant and anything else you'll want to engineer. And if PvP is your goal, then you need to unlock a lot of engineers. Engineering is a long-haul objective. But like I said if you've already unlocked engineers then this can go pretty quickly, a couple of days at most. If not, you're looking at several hundred hours of effort.

Like Wingnuts said the benefits are worth the effort. Each of us has been through it. The massive boost in performance, capability and effectiveness is awesome, but it takes some dedication and a lot of time. If you are already frustrated by it, then it's not worth it, you have a long way to go.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 03:06 PM

I haven't mined anything, ever, and have 500 hours into the game as is, but from "alternative" activities. smile

I've never played a MMO in my life, FYI, and the main reasons are

a) cost. I won't ever pay a dime per month for a game. Thankfully Elite doesn't have this problem.

b) time to win. Skill is not a factor here, only time spent. Those who spend the most time, win.

I prefer competitive games that are 100% skill based, with equal equipment. Everyone gets the same brand tennis racket and shoes. The rest is up to them.

So you can see the more I did how much of a brick mountain this seems.

I have four major engineers accessible on my map, and if I recall, maybe I unlocked a couple of them?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 03:39 PM

Yeah, you've got a long row to hoe.

I'll help you if you do decide to dedicate yourself to it.

But you know what? You might have a blast, man, in CQC.

Equal ships, no engineering grind, all skill.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 03:41 PM

Is CQC alive again?

I used to be decent at CQC...


Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/10/21 03:43 PM

Not sure how busy it is, I don't do it. I've got enough plates spinning to keep me occupied.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 10:04 AM

I fired up my Epic E:D account yesterday with my noob pilot to see if I could persuade myself to play it again.

Lots of things have changed since I last put real time into it. The throttle now closes when coming out of hyperspace. I cooked a few ships in 2015 before I figured that one out. The auto launch I already mentioned in an earlier post. First time using cruise assist too.

I did come across something that I couldn't figure out. I was making for a large station (I can't remember its name) but I noted that the next entry below the station in the list was *station name* 'completed'. Curious as to what it was I flew to it and it just looked like a large spanner. What is it, anyone know. I also docked at my first carrier, the Battleship Yamato it was called. Pretty impressive I must say.

I assume that if I dock with a carrier and leave the game and the carrier moves, I go with it?
Posted By: DM

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Chucky
I assume that if I dock with a carrier and leave the game and the carrier moves, I go with it?


It's been a while since I played too - since before carriers were a thing in fact. My assumption would be that the carrier's purpose is to transport vehicles a long way, and for that they'd charge an amount. Whether you're charged on the way in, just before it jumps away, or upon arrival, no idea smile I'm just riffing really, but I assume that as carriers are not only expensive, but they accrue expenses over time, that the owner needs to make money from it.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 01:12 PM

If you’re on a FC and it jumps, you go with it. This is true if you are logged in or not.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Chucky
I fired up my Epic E:D account yesterday with my noob pilot to see if I could persuade myself to play it again.




It was those shots I posted in the screenshot gallery wasn't it Chucky? biggrin

Welcome back mate. Bo's got it right, and when I did a very long range sightseeing mission last week I found a few carriers at the destination. I was ready to turn in for the night, and briefly considered docking at one, but the fact that I could end up anywhere while away made me just exit in supercruise. 90% of the time that carrier probably isn't going anywhere. But not worth the risk, or maybe it is. What an adventure it could turn out to be, just ask those slaves we were talking about earlier haha.

I think Bo's carrier is safe though. Maybe he would give a heads up here if he was spinning up his drives.

I'm guessing the ship you saw was one of the mega ships? A generation ship perhaps?

Have a look here and see if you can spot it

https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Megaships

I logged on last night and ran some more transport, bulk hauling, 45-54 passengers per hop in Parabellum. I'm gunning for level 2 Captain's badge

I call the ship a rumble bus, because it's role is transport, but it's also fully armed with the intention of engaging any interdictions. The passengers love the action (and survival). I was getting jumped by things like wanted Master Chieftains, and thanks for the bounty.

This is the ship

Parabellum Rumble Bus

Good speed, even stuffed with cabins. Decent jump, but not needed really for these missions. Decent protection and plenty of firepower for dealing with interdictions. Seats 55 Business Class.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 02:04 PM

I just had a look through the Megaships and I think it was a Detention centre? I may be wrong of course but it looked the most familiar.

Any idea on that contact I came across that looked like a spanner? *edit* (it looks nothing like a spanner,my bad)

*edit* Found it.

Attached picture UFO.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 02:30 PM

I believe that there is a tourist beacon smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 02:57 PM

Bluford Orbital was a new station that was built during a previous TRADE Community Goal in order to have an ORBIS Starport station in LHS 3447 (one of the original STARTER systems).

This was a year or more ago, (5 years actually!!!!) so I am surprised it still has the "COMPLETED" tag.

I participated in that CG in 2016


Attached picture LHS3447.PNG
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 02:58 PM

That will explain it then, I've never done a tour. It's the first time I've seen such an object with a name like that.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 03:34 PM

Never too late to start. Those of us in the transport game won't like the added competition, but it's a big galaxy.

I've now hauled around 5,500 butts, with 1,000 of those VIPs (heads of state, celebrities, famous explorers, et cetera et cetera) and have zero disgruntled or ejected. The absolute key is to ignore the messages that pop up when the passengers have a request. Not just don't do whatever it asks, but don't even open the message. Ignore it completely.

Passenger missions are great. There is a nice variety of mission types, the pay is good with high faction rep and perhaps best of all, the passenger lounge has not been polluted by wing missions.

Here are some of the options....

VIP Transport -- Small party for a short distance, usually one hop. Because they can require any class, it's difficult to know which to mount. So I mount several, of different classes before hitting the passenger lounge. These missions take a full cabin regardless of whether it is filled.

Bulk Transport -- Missions with larger groups for a short hop. Again, can require any class. These missions allow you to spread the passengers in multiple cabins, running over from one to the next (if of suitable class)

Sightseeing -- Any class, small parties, often multiple longer range hops to several systems. Restricted to single cabin like VIP transport.

Long-range sightseeing -- The Famous Explorer type for very long trips. All classes, small parties.

Luxury -- Only in Saud Kruger, but these are fairly rare and I don't even look for them any more.

Rescue -- Evacuate passengers from burning stations in incursion systems. Used to be everywhere, now are nowhere. These work like bulk transport. Very short range, but also potentially hazardous. Quick turn around. Stack 'em and go. Rinse and repeat.

There are more, perhaps, and you might come across some that say they require prisoner cabins, this was planned but not implemented and these work with other cabins. Prisoner cabins do not exist at this time.

Always, always read the fine print in the mission description. You don't want to transport criminals if you aren't prepared for it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 03:55 PM

You know one thing I've always wondered about....


Why don't famous explorers have their own ships? biggrin
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 05:23 PM

Why drive when you can be chauffeured and have a nip of bubbly? cheers
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/11/21 05:45 PM

Elite elitists?

Yeah, that does make sense. Fame has it's attendant advantages I reckon.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 01:00 AM

Just landed at this beast


[Linked Image]



Thought I'd drop by. Bo's Nautilus-class is just 70 or so light years from my home system, so a hop, [skip], and a jump. Filled Poison Whiskey with Tritium and deposited it. Combat ship, not much space in the hold, but another 16t and you're nearly full. Got rid of a few claims, bought some limpets, and dropped 4 grand worth of explo data I picked up on the hop and the jump.

There's a High RES nearby so I'm going to go hunt some bounties for a bit. I'll drop by and sell 'em when I'm done. There were a lot of wanted ships in supercruise on the way to ANGBAND. Should have brought an interdictor. Next time.

Attached picture ANGBAND.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 02:17 AM

Another shot of the carrier ANGBAND, base of the Black Sheep smile


[Linked Image]



Got some kills in the High RES about 60ls from the carrier. Not a great spawn, but I turned in what I got. I'm docked at your ship for the night Bo, please don't go anywhere smile

Attached picture ANGBAND2.jpg
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 03:10 AM

D,

You're safe, not goin anywhere. Thanx for the donations, my underpaid crew thanks you. Was on briefly tonight just to remap my controllers. Finally got my throttle back operational, was waiting on a bit of electronics from Ukraine. That arrived Tues, did some quick wire splicing last night. Tonight I got it all wired up and tested. Now all I have to do is NOT fry the electronics again with a static shock.
Came up with a use for my CM4 last weekend. Reconfigured it as a dedicated small miner. Had to do some re-engineering on it, but at least I now have a use for it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 01:27 PM

I'm happy to contribute, only wish it had been more, but that GSR I put in last week took a C5 slot, added a 6A scoop and I'm down to a C4 Rack now. But anyway, your reserves are nearly topped off, so it won't take much more to fill it to the brim.

Sorry to hear about the technical difficulties.

Which reminds me. Rec, you had some gimbal issues recently, did I read that somewhere? Did you ever get that squared away? I probably have one or two stock Cougar gimbals laying around, since one of my Cougars is titanium Evenstrain and one is Uber NXT.

I like that you found a role for the Cobra Bo. So many players attack activities with the biggest hammer. I like seeing commanders being a bit more surgical, using small ships. As you guys know I have no large ships (Orca doesn't count lol) and always encourage folks to use smalls and mediums more. Half the player base would think it's nuts using a Cobra when you could use a Cutter and MOAR! I love it though. Good rock hunting commander smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I'm happy to contribute, only wish it had been more, but that GSR I put in last week took a C5 slot, added a 6A scoop and I'm down to a C4 Rack now. But anyway, your reserves are nearly topped off, so it won't take much more to fill it to the brim.

Sorry to hear about the technical difficulties.

Which reminds me. Rec, you had some gimbal issues recently, did I read that somewhere? Did you ever get that squared away? I probably have one or two stock Cougar gimbals laying around, since one of my Cougars is titanium Evenstrain and one is Uber NXT.

I like that you found a role for the Cobra Bo. So many players attack activities with the biggest hammer. I like seeing commanders being a bit more surgical, using small ships. As you guys know I have no large ships (Orca doesn't count lol) and always encourage folks to use smalls and mediums more. Half the player base would think it's nuts using a Cobra when you could use a Cutter and MOAR! I love it though. Good rock hunting commander smile


Yes I had Gimbal issues. Temporarily fixed now. but it is good to know that I might be able to hit you up for a replacement if needed. I really SHOULD do one of those mods, but I just can't seem to go for the expense and installation needed. Originally I had a lot of wobble in my stick which was not only disconcerting, but also affected the inputs with the X axis never centering and moving all over the place. Largely due, I believe to excessive wear on the central column, but at the time I suspected the X gimbal. A friendly SIMHQer answered my query and sent me his old GIMBALS. I installed the X Gimbal, and wrapped the column with tape. This worked for awhile, until the Gimbal SNAPPED catastrophically. I replaced the OLD Gimbal, wrapped with more tape, and tightened everything down, and SO FAR SO GOOD. I had replaced the POTS with the VIPERGEAR Hall sensors, as my Y pot had gone totally bad, but during the Surgery, the X-Gimbal Magnet "tail" snapped and i had to dig it out. Luckily I had a replacement mechanical POT, and, honestly I like the mechanical X pot better than I like the Y Hall Sensor. Was almost going to replace the HALL sensor with another mechanical pot if i can find one... but for now it is all good. Hall sensor has a smaller raw dynamic range, but calibration gives the full range.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 02:19 PM

OK, yeah let me know. I like Hall Sensors a lot, got them in the sticks and the throttles. I had nothing but problems with the stock pots. They weren't sealed and needed constant attention. The Halls have never needed anything.

Between my two gimbal mods I definitely prefer the Evenstrain over the NXT. If you ever spot an Evenstrain for sale I'd jump all over it (but then again you may not like it I guess). I wrote a little anecdote in another forum a few days ago about how it came to be and I'll share it here

------------------

I bought my Cougar in 2002, nineteen years ago. The stick itself cost about US$300 back then if I recall. But it was designed with inferior gimbals, the metal was too soft, and after a while Cougars would become sloppy, and eventually the gimbals could crack in half. Some owners complained of uneven resistance through the X and Y axes. At that time I was on the staff for a website called Frugal's World of Simulations. I wrote articles and moderated the forums. We were the go-to place on the 'net for Falcon 4. Anyway, when the Cougar was released, Thrustmaster teamed up with us and we hosted Cougar World, which was a support site for the stick. One of our crew, James "Nutty" Hallows, wrote the software suite for it, called Foxy. So it became the main hangout for Cougar owners. When the gimbal issue started to reveal itself in the early production runs, a guy from California joined the forum and said he had a machine shop and had designed a new gimbal system for the Cougar. He showed his designs and offered to make them. The first couple of runs were to be made of titanium. And so the Evenstrain gimbal system was born.

Since I had gotten in on the stick at the ground floor I was in, and off my stick went to California for the replacement. Cost of the gimbal mod alone, in the early-oughts, US$700. This brought the cost of the stick to a cool grand. Outrageous, you might say. But when you also consider it has been used for nearly 20 years, probably what, 20,000, 30,000 hours? Who knows. It's a lot, then it seems like a pretty good investment. Up until the Cougar I was using sticks like Logitech Wingman, and snapping them at regular intervals. I bet I spent as much in $100 Wingmans as I have on the Cougar!

--------------

So yeah, I dropped a grand on this stick. But it was money very well spent.

Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 04:32 PM

I have a NXT modded cougar, but my throttle brake seems to have worn down(I bought and modded my cougar in 2005 when Frugals was still around).

Any idea how to replace the brake?

I have the dial set all the way to the stops these days.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
I really SHOULD do one of those mods, but I just can't seem to go for the expense and installation needed.



The mods are worth the money. Imagine going from a horse and buggy to a mclaren f1. The precision is like nothing you've probably felt, especially around the center.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 05:04 PM

I concur smile

Not sure how to replace the grip Blastman, thankfully that hasn't happened to me (yet), and besides I have a backup smile

Even though Frug's is down for the count, Cougar World isn't. This article isn't about replacing the grip/brake, actually about making the throttle smoother. But it may give you some insight in to how to disassemble it and modify it? Worth a look. It may give you some ideas on how you could reverse it and add stiction?

http://cougar.flyfoxy.com/mods.php#smooth
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 05:11 PM

It's funny.. my Throttle also lost it's friction brake, I just accepted it. After putting it back together after taking it down to install the VIpergear Hall sensor, the friction was magically back! Something must have shifted. So you might have luck by just tearing it down and putting it back together re-seating everything.

It is starting to loosen up on me again, so I may have to try this as well.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 05:26 PM

Thanks for the ideas!

I do have a boxed and sealed fresh cougar in the basement that I only ever opened once to verify a part worked a certain way, that I bought on sale when I got my first cougar. I figured the stick was mostly perfect save for the gimbals, and may need a backup some day in the future, so I could always break out that throttle, but I'd rather see if I can get this brake working on its own.

Are those vipergear hall sensors still for sale? I never got a hall for the throttle, but I imagine it'd be pretty nifty to have.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 05:30 PM

As far as I know they still are. Since I broke the shaft on one magnet, I might get replacements, They sell the magnets only for $10 when I enquired, though they don't seem to have them on the site.

https://vipergear.eu/thrustmaster-hotas-cougar/

also these guys:

https://forums.eagle.ru/topic/188571-tm-cougar-ch-magnetoresistive-hall-sensor-kits

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/12/21 05:41 PM

One of the reasons my throttle may not have had this issue yet, is that I don't actually use it for throttle in Elite. Crazy right?

I use the antenna elevation rotary. Center detent is zero, and rolling it back is reverse and forward is err, forward. I like it better than slamming the TQS back and forth in Elite combat smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 01:07 PM

I feel the Cougar throttle pain too. My solution was to replace it with a Virpil, and I can't say enough about the new throttle. My complaint about the Cougar throttle was always the stiction, and nothing I did ever seemed to take care of it - mods, grease, nothing. Over the years, I wound up damaging the pushbutton rotary - the knob was so firmly attached that it pulled the post out of the pot it was attached to. It still worked - rotary turned, push button...er...pushed, but it would fall out just enough to be annoying. So eventually I replaced the whole thing.

That was the second piece of new HOTAS I've picked up over the last year - I replaced my rudder pedals last year - 20 year old CH pedals with spiky pots - with an MFG Crosswind set. I never realized how nice toe brakes were, and it is so much more comfortable to use re: pedal postion that the CH ones.

I'd been debating whether or not to replace the stick. I do like my Cougar stick - it has the NXT gimbal mod and hall sensors (I put Halls in the throttle too) but I finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago on a new VKB Gunfighter with the MCG Pro grip. Much different feel, but I am getting used to it. The Cougar was a little sloppier (springs probably need to be replaced, they are original!) but the VKB centers quite nicely. I really like the additional buttons as well as the push down on button on all the hats. It does seem a bit more....precise?...than the Cougar, esp in DCS.

I like your solution to the throttle in Elite, DB, it's a logical choice, but for me there's something in the tactile feel of grabbing that handful of throttle and slamming it to the wall!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 01:15 PM

Good post JC, thanks. I hear lots of good things about the Virpil stuff. Let me know what you think after settling in with the new stick. If you're out of the Cougar game for good, maybe it could find a new home in Randolph? Two birds, one stone. You might want to keep it around as a backup.

I've wanted a set of Crosswinds. You had to buy them direct, or how did you purchase those? What did they cost if you don't mind, and anything you do not like about the Crosswinds?

Using the antenna rotary is nice. In jet sims, the amount of throttle movement is way lower than in Elite. In Elite combat there is constant adjustment, and I just find the rotary a more refined solution. My hand can just sit still on the TQS and roll the rotary with the thumb. It's worked out well. I long ago removed my throttle detents, and it's pretty smooth through its range. But I found I prefer the rotary in this game.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 01:30 PM

Thanks, DB - I bought the Crosswinds direct, and I have to say I was impressed with the shipping speed. I'm also quite happy with the pedals. They are much different than the CH pedals I had. On the CH, each pedal would move separately, whereas on the Crosswinds they move together (press right forward and left comes back a litte). As I mentioned I do very much enjoy the toe brakes, my CH pedals didn't have them. I recall the price was in the $250-$300 range. It was the first piece of the HOTAS I replaced early last winter.

The throttle beats the Cougar throttle in practially every way - very smooth motion, and LOTS of buttons. The microstick is far superior as well. That was a big reason for the switch, the Cougar microstick was problematic. You could only program it via Foxy too, because from what I've read it is essentially "hidden" from the OS.

The stick is interesting because it comes with a few different cams & springs to allow the feel to be customized to your liking. Two of the hats are actually analog sticks, but the VKB software will allow you to change them to 4 or 8 way hats (I prefer the hats). Each hat as a press function as well, unlike the Cougar. It is a very good feel, though I admit I've had to play around a bit with springs to get the feel I think I like best so far. One thing the Cougar has hands down though is the fact that it is a metal grip. The MCG Pro is plastic, and it feels plastic. That was a bit disappointing. They did just release a metal version of the grip, but it was not in the bundle I bought so I wound up with the plastic grip. It's solid enough, but feels plastic.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 02:17 PM

Oh and I was planning on selling off the Cougar, but now I'm on the fence. If I decide to ship it out, I'll give you first shot at it.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 02:32 PM

You guys are giving me HOTAS envy!! I think I will just blame my old sloppy Cougar for my dismal success at the F/A-18 Case 1 break and landing and AV-8B hovering in DCS.

Honestly, I definitely think it is PART of it, though my lack of skill plays the leading role in that particular drama.

My CHPRO pedals started spiking really badly and I was going to replace the POT. Since I don't use the Toe Brakes (I would LIKE to but have avoided the rewiring needed to get the COUGAR to recognize the additional axes) I was going to just swap the pot from one of the toe brake axes, but those Pedals are such a PITA to take apart and put back together, I resurrected the old Thrustmaster RCS pedals I had. They are working well now for Rudders.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 02:35 PM

I've also been on the fence regarding the Crosswinds. But it's time I got off the fence and did something about it. They would make me a better pilot. Thanks for that info JC.

What use do you find for the toe brakes in Elite?

Not sure if your last post was directed at me (I mean JC, as Rec posted while I was), but I have two. I was thinking it could possibly be a solution for Rec's travails? But it's awfully presumptuous of me, so please excuse me.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 03:24 PM

I don't use the toe brakes in Elite, but I use them quite a bit in DCS. I suppose I could use them for the buggy maybe? Haven't thought about it to be honest.

Rec have you tried the "Bankler's Case I Recovery" mission? I use that to work on my Case I. I've gotten to the point I'm consistently able to get on the deck. It ain't always pretty, but any landing you can walk away from....
I haven't messed with the Harrier since the new stick, though the Virpil throttle has a lever that is an axis that I use for the nozzle and I loved it when I used it!!

I will say that the new stick is probably responsible for me finally being able to refuel on a somewhat consistent basis! Only my own innate sucktitude is holding me back now!

DB I must have misunderstood, when you suggested the Cougar find a new home I thought you meant with you, but if Rec is insterested and I decide to sell it off, then I'll give HIM first shot at it!

Here's one more toy I got from Mrs. Chemo for Christmas:

HOTAS Stand

I put a trackball mouse on the platform in front of the keyboard and a $10 wireless keyboard on the keyboard mount, and I have it stuck in a corner - with VR, no need to be in front of the computer or have a monitor! It's quite solid and takes up a smaller space than my previous homebuilt wooden beast!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
I don't use the toe brakes in Elite, but I use them quite a bit in DCS. I suppose I could use them for the buggy maybe? Haven't thought about it to be honest.


When I get a pair I'll brainstorm it with you smile


Quote
DB I must have misunderstood, when you suggested the Cougar find a new home I thought you meant with you, but if Rec is insterested and I decide to sell it off, then I'll give HIM first shot at it!


Yeah, I said "new home in Randolph" which is cryptic at best eh? I have a NXT so no need for another, especially as I don't actually use it lol. It's more for spare parts should anything happen to stick #1, the titanium Evenstrain. Don't know if you guys have ever had the pleasure of trying one of these, but it really is sublime. Too bad the run lasted so little. I just thought about how Rec had said he needed to look in to a gimbal mod, and you said you were moving on from one. But it's not mine to offer and that's why I regret mentioning it blush
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
I don't use the toe brakes in Elite, but I use them quite a bit in DCS. I suppose I could use them for the buggy maybe? Haven't thought about it to be honest.

Rec have you tried the "Bankler's Case I Recovery" mission? I use that to work on my Case I. I've gotten to the point I'm consistently able to get on the deck. It ain't always pretty, but any landing you can walk away from....
I haven't messed with the Harrier since the new stick, though the Virpil throttle has a lever that is an axis that I use for the nozzle and I loved it when I used it!!



Obsessively using Bankler's Case 1 Recovery trainer. Actually I have gotten to the point where I can do PRETTY well up to the 90. I always seem to roll out too far left (chasing the localizer bar off to the right) so by the time I line up, I have little time in the Groove to stay on the ball. Tried making the turn more gradual, but then I end up chasing the bar the OTHER way. Gotta find the right sight and ICLS picture to judge the 90 I HAVE managed it several times but not consistently. My best was 41/75 with 3 wire and perfect Groove Time. Pretty much NOTHING else went right smile

I am happy if I trap at all regardless of my score, though. I started doing the PATTERN mode so I launch from the carrier and go around all dirtied up and on speed since I am more concerned with judging the 90 to get in the groove and on altitude than the other pieces,

I use the TQS ANT ELEVATION rotary for the Nozzles in the Harrier and it works well for that.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
The Cougar was a little sloppier (springs probably need to be replaced, they are original!) !


How many years have the original springs lasted you? I have to replace mine every few years. Maybe I am installing them wrong?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
[
Obsessively using Bankler's Case 1 Recovery trainer. Actually I have gotten to the point where I can do PRETTY well up to the 90. I always seem to roll out too far left (chasing the localizer bar off to the right) so by the time I line up, I have little time in the Groove to stay on the ball. Tried making the turn more gradual, but then I end up chasing the bar the OTHER way. Gotta find the right sight and ICLS picture to judge the 90 I HAVE managed it several times but not consistently. My best was 41/75 with 3 wire and perfect Groove Time. Pretty much NOTHING else went right smile

I am happy if I trap at all regardless of my score, though. I started doing the PATTERN mode so I launch from the carrier and go around all dirtied up and on speed since I am more concerned with judging the 90 to get in the groove and on altitude than the other pieces,

I use the TQS ANT ELEVATION rotary for the Nozzles in the Harrier and it works well for that.


I'm usually mid 40's, best is a 61(?) I think. For me the biggest problem is winding up on the correct final bearing. I always drift a bit. I think it's a matter of the bank angle myself, and I usually am in the groove WAY too long.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:27 PM

Real quick JC, if you're still hanging about...

Did you order any accessories? Is there anything they offer you wish you had included in your order? And lastly was there anything confusing about ordering, like adding duty charges or was it all streamlined and intuitive? I'm ready to pull the trigger and treat myself to something nice. Haven't bought any new simming gear since the TIR5 all those years ago.

This is about the Crosswinds, sorry.

Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
The Cougar was a little sloppier (springs probably need to be replaced, they are original!) !


How many years have the original springs lasted you? I have to replace mine every few years. Maybe I am installing them wrong?


I've never replaced the springs, which speaks more to my maintenance than anything. They probably should have been replaced long ago.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Real quick JC, if you're still hanging about...

Did you order any accessories? Is there anything they offer you wish you had included in your order? And lastly was there anything confusing about ordering, like adding duty charges or was it all streamlined and intuitive? I'm ready to pull the trigger and treat myself to something nice. Haven't bought any new simming gear since the TIR5 all those years ago.



I assume you mean the Crosswinds, no I didn't order any accessories. I got the graphite colored ones rather than the white, but that is purely personal preference.
I downloaded and installed all the software before they came, and watched a video or two on the set up so I was ready to roll when they got there. If I recall, it took less than a week to get them.

You're way overdue for a new toy or two!

Personally I'd go VR first if your rig can run it.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
The Cougar was a little sloppier (springs probably need to be replaced, they are original!) !


How many years have the original springs lasted you? I have to replace mine every few years. Maybe I am installing them wrong?


I've never replaced the springs, which speaks more to my maintenance than anything. They probably should have been replaced long ago.


I have original springs too...which could ALSO be part of my sloppy problem. When I replaced the GIMBAL and SPRING with the kind donation, I didn't notice much difference, but from the look of it, those springs were as old or older than mine.

For the record, I bought my Cougar in April 2007!!!

By the way...obsession with Carrier landings is what has kept me away from Elite Dangerous these few weeks. I never did embark on the Guardian Shield Booster/Fighter materials quest.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo


I assume you mean the Crosswinds


I did indeed mean the Crosswinds, and thanks for the info. A set of graphite are on the way! Total cost was US$397 including shipping. They show in stock and ready to ship, no waiting for the next run like the last time I looked in to it.

I bet I would love VR, but I'm not planning it any time soon. I really like my set up with the Track IR. Lets me watch sporting events while I play smile

Originally Posted by Recluse
I never did embark on the Guardian Shield Booster/Fighter materials quest.


If you do it and want some company let me know. I'll go with you and grab some stuff I should have last time.

Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo


I assume you mean the Crosswinds


I did indeed mean the Crosswinds, and thanks for the info. A set of graphite are on the way! Total cost was US$397 including shipping. They show in stock and ready to ship, no waiting for the next run like the last time I looked in to it.


Great! I can't wait to hear what you think of them!

Quote

I bet I would love VR, but I'm not planning it any time soon. I really like my set up with the Track IR. Lets me watch sporting events while I play smile


Believe it or not, I can do that too;)
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 05:24 PM

'Splain, please....
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 05:43 PM

I can open a window on my desktop and pin it to VR and place it anywhere.
I've used it to put things like joystick mappings, materials list for material trader, and yes, youtube windows in the game with me. You can't interact with them in the game, there's that, but you can
watch a video or have a reference open if you wish. If it's something I don't need to reference often I'll put it behind me and turn around and look at it when I need to. A youtube video will go above and to the right or
left so I can watch when I want and keep an eye on the game as I need to.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
The Cougar was a little sloppier (springs probably need to be replaced, they are original!) !


How many years have the original springs lasted you? I have to replace mine every few years. Maybe I am installing them wrong?


I've never replaced the springs, which speaks more to my maintenance than anything. They probably should have been replaced long ago.


I am surprised they have never broken.

What did you do?

Have you had yours over a decade?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 06:44 PM

I've had it since '04. Just lucky I guess, or I don't yank and bank as much as I should!

Though I probably should mention I think new springs came with the NXT, but I can't remember for sure.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 08:16 PM

Thanks for the explanation JC. I'll stick with this setup for a while, well, aside from adding the best pedals on the market in a week or so! I think if I were over at a friend's house and he let me try Elite in VR I would then be on a mission to get it myself. But if I can avoid that I'll be happy with what I have lol.

OK, they may not be the best pedals on the market, because I wouldn't know what's better, if any. But I know I'll be happy with this decision. I've been eyeing them up for two years. But it took talking to you to get me off the fence. Thanks man smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 08:30 PM

Hey - what are friends for?

And if you wanna swing by, I'll be home all night and you can try your hand at VR Elite! Just a few hours west.....
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 09:22 PM

Got the kids tonight, so I'll have to take a rain check. I've been through Buffalo before, so I know the way. Thanks for the invite.

By the way, I hit 50% Deadly today. Just another 1,500 or so kills and I'll join the ranks of the Triple Elite!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 10:10 PM

90 West is all you need to know!
I'm working on my FDL - making it an AX boat. Just finished unlocking Selen Jean and modding the HRP's and armor, on to Didi Vaterman for the shield boosters and I'll be all set!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
90 West is all you need to know!
I'm working on my FDL - making it an AX boat. Just finished unlocking Selen Jean and modding the HRP's and armor, on to Didi Vaterman for the shield boosters and I'll be all set!


I never noticed you were in Buffalo. I went to college at UB... back in the Stone Age (1973-1977) Blizzard of '77 my senior year.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 10:41 PM

Small world! I went to UB as well! A little later than you admittedly...

I have fond memories of the Blizzard of '77 too, though I was in elementary school at the time.
I think I had a whole week off from school!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/13/21 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo
Small world! I went to UB as well! A little later than you admittedly...

I have fond memories of the Blizzard of '77 too, though I was in elementary school at the time.
I think I had a whole week off from school!


My Freshman year, I was at the Governor's Residence Hall on the Amherst campus. The campus was just starting construction, so the dorms and the Law School building were pretty much the only things up. All my classes were on the Main St. campus and they ran shuttle buses back and forth. The Ellicot residence halls opened my Sophmore year but there were few if any classes held on the Amherst campus.

In '77 the University had to shut down for a couple of weeks. Graduation was pushed up as well EXCEPT the School of Pharmacy (which my department was under) which didn't change their date. SO I attended Graduation, got a fake little scroll and THEN had to go study for finals which were the following week. Kind of made Graduation an underwhelming event.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/14/21 03:00 AM

They still run shuttle buses back and forth, but most departments on the Amherst campus now. Main St. is mostly for the medical school.
My son is going there now, but most of his classes are online. I do know they added a bit more even after I left. I got my bachelors in '91
and my masters in '98.

They eventually built a student union too. Not sure if they had one when you were there, scuttlebut was that after all the unrest in the 60's they
closed it (it became the School of Dentistry IIRC) and while they built something on Amherst to replace it, it wasn't a proper student union.
Whatever that means.

Gotta wonder what the thinking was with the School of Pharmacy on that - sounds like a bit of a Charlie Foxtrot!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/14/21 05:53 PM

Oh we definitely had a Student Union back then. Norton Union (on the South Campus, of course) was nice and had a cool Rathskellar where many a beer was consumed. Apparently it closed in 1982.

During my time there, however, they had banned all fraternities and sororities and I don't believe there was a football team either..YES my recollection is correct, though football was reinstated in 1977.

https://library.buffalo.edu/ub-sports/mens-sports/football/


Quote
1970

1970 – Last Season – Injuries and a difficult schedule leads to a very trying and disappointing season.
Coach: Bob Deming
Final Record: 2-9-0
1971 – No Football Team – For the second time in its history, U.B. dropped football in early January 1971.
1972 – No Football Team
1973 – No Football Team
1974 – No Football Team
1975 – No Football Team
1976 – No Football Team
1977
Coach: Bill Dando
Final Record: 0-3-1
1978
Coach: Bill Dando
Final Record: 3-6-0
1979
Coach: Bill Dando
Final Record: 4-5-0

Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/15/21 01:08 AM

Funny, before I followed that link I would have told you they must have cancelled the football program in the 80's because I have no recollection of it existing when I was there. But I do remember a lot of hoopla when they went Division III.
They've got a somewhat credible program now though, in fact they had a player go at #5 a few years ago - Khalil Mack was a UB product.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/15/21 09:37 PM

Crosswinds have shipped, should be here a week from today. Just had to share biggrin
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/15/21 10:45 PM

Woo hoo!! Counting down. Nothing longer than the shipping wait for new gear!
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on Thrustmaster MFD's myself...
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/15/21 11:43 PM

Enjoy them. Mine have been faultless. I’ve combat style foot rests and damper added to mine.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/16/21 01:01 AM

Do you guys have any new-owner tips? I didn't buy any of the extras. Bo these things you mentioned, were they extra, and how did you know to order, or did you add them later?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/16/21 11:46 AM

I don't have any extras for mine. The footrests are adjustable, it might take a bit of adjustment to get them set up the way you want them comfort-wise, but it's worth it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/16/21 12:02 PM

Thanks JC. Can't wait, these are going to make me a better pilot I am sure. In combat, landings, all of it. It's the final piece of the puzzle.

I've been meaning to do a landing video, to show how I do it. I'll wait until I have these and become adjusted to them.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/16/21 03:13 PM

You also get a couple of different cams - Cam 4 and Cam 6, which change the feel of the pedals. I settled on Cam 6 for myself.
It's been long enough that I can't tell you the exact reason why I liked it over 4, but I do remember I like the center detent better.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/16/21 05:20 PM

Thanks JC, I'll experiment if the initial config isn't comfortable. Thanks for the advice.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/18/21 01:16 PM

Logged in last night but didn't have much time. Split it in to two 30 minute sessions. Hit about eight HGEs and did some bounty hunting, all in my home system. Too bad because I got a great spawn of high level ships, but couldn't stick around for long. The HGEs were lucrative of course. Fed, boom, the normal stuff -- Core Dynamics and Proprietary Composites mostly.

Hit 51% Deadly, it's all downhill from here!

Just another 1,470 to go! biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/20/21 08:44 PM

As detailed in the geological biological sites thread I am out farming G4 raws. Farming isn't really the right word. Don't even need to relog. Having a good time, especially with the rover. In all, the trip will add another 4000 light years to my distance traveled total. Need about 45k to get the second tier badge on Inara. And just five days to go on the wingman badge. Haha, lots of cabbage on my page. In all, this trip will have netted me over 1000 of the rarest mats. Time well spent.

All of my badges are level 1, and the higher they go the more awesome they look. Wingnuts' level 4 hunter badge is sweet smile How many bounties is that? 20k?

I still have three stops to make as I weave my way back to the bubble. One for Antimony, one for Yttrium and one for Selenium. Then I need to get back to some combat.

I have two ships I bought for roles I did not end up using them for. A Diamondback Scout for scout hunting, and a Phantom for a fast rumble bus role. Once I found it was not well-suited to the intended role (due to optional slot classes) I put her back in the barn and there she has sat. I decided I wanted to make a deep space scientific exploration vessel out of it with all attendant explo doodads. Maybe I'll get started on that.

The Scout? Not sure really. It's like the Dolphin I bought and sold last year. A really good, underrated ship, but I struggle to identify it's role within my fleet. I know many commanders have massive fleets, but I like the notion of a small, focused, dedicated fleet. Feels right for me. I'll kick the DBS around and see what sticks.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 02:54 PM

Checked my playtime yesterday. I've been saying I am approaching 2000 hours, but according to the codex it is 8 weeks, 2 days and 4 hours, or 1,396 hours in all. I was sure it was more. But I think I'm doing well for that amount of time, some commanders have 5,000 or even 10,000 hours in this game. I'd be interested to know where you guys stand.

Ran in to an old friend from our Falcon 4 days over at Frugal's on the Frontier boards and maybe he will join us here.

Now back from my raws gathering trip, I think I'll pop over and turn in last weeks CG then do some combat sweeping and maybe get another point on the rank. Hit some HGEs, you know, the normal routine smile

Got an email, the Crosswinds are due to be delivered today. Good times.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 03:57 PM

2,533 hours for me according to STEAM.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 04:20 PM

Nice, and no signs of slowing down Rec.

It's an interesting case Elite. It's a game that maybe we all have said at one point is more shallow than deep, yet it's compelling in so many ways that we keep coming back to it, or for some commanders, never left. I started in spring of 2017, Horizons was already out. I only play about 4 months each year, but when I am playing it's at a high burn, ya know? But then one day I just stop and it goes on the shelf for the other eight months, and then come spring I am back again. Weird.

All that Ruthenium I got on that trip is already paying off since it is used for deep plating. Sitting at Prospector's Rest at the mo giving some HRPs the finishing touch.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 04:25 PM

Yes.. for me, Elite Dangerous is the comfortable old shoe that i could always slip into without much stress. Usually, during a hiatus, if I saw a new update drop, I would jump back in so I wouldn't be too far behind when I finally got back in.

It is always amazing to me that I still get sucked back in even after a month or more of inactivity and TOTAL Disinterest..

I'm making the Engineer rounds to finish off the Long Range Asp project. Still haven't accomplished the Coriolis predicted jump range, but it is close enough and is equivalent or slightly better than the DBX, so MIssion Accomplished.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 04:38 PM

Post up the Coriolis build when it's done, I'd like to have a look. Do you have a trip planned for her maiden voyage? Have you been to Colonia, and have the engineers out there unlocked?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 04:42 PM

I went out to Colonia with Bo on his carrier and unlocked one Engineer. Didn't see the point in the others. Nothing special planned. Gonna go back out and get the stuff to unlock the last Guardian Fighter when I can steel myself for the GRIND for Guardian technology components and Epsilon Patterns.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 06:05 PM

OK here is the ASP..

https://s.orbis.zone/cphj

Put on a cargo rack so I could pick up the Fighter Blueprint key.

Could probably drop the Guardian Shield Reinforcement, but I doubt that would gain very much jump.

Good enough..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 06:30 PM

Good jump, thanks for posting it. Two things I want to mention...

Why the D-rated scoop? What's your thinking there?

And a 3D GSR is half the mass, but maybe that's what you had sitting around.

That's fantastic jump range for an AspX.

The reason I unlocked all four Colonia engineers was for the extra pinned blueprints.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 06:40 PM

Yeah I had the 5D scoop in storage. I totally missed the GSR.. Not sure why I grabbed an E. Too quick on the Outfitting click I guess. I will swap that out for sure.

By the way, Wingy gets the credit for anything good about this build.. I just took his design and made a few tweaks based on what I had and what Engineering I could stomach sicko
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 07:06 PM

Nice ship Rec, you gotta come up with a purpose for it now haha. Would make a great bubble runner, planetary lander and plenty of other things of course. I sold my Asp, but for a long time it was my most versatile ship.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 07:55 PM

Hey Rec my build only got to 61.3 ly in game. Did yours accept the 3A power plant? Mine would only do fours. I did it yesterday.

BTW, Phantom still wins for consistent range / jumps
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 08:36 PM

Yes it did accept the 3A Power Plant. My jump range in game closely matches Coriolis.. Right around 64 light years. If i drop the Guardian Shield Reinforcement I can get up a bit, but it isn't worth it.


https://s.orbis.zone/cpol



Attached picture 20210221153952_1.jpg
Attached picture 20210221154013_1.jpg
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 10:29 PM

Hum, perhaps I need to go back and strip the utilities and optional out and begin again. Thanks for responding
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/21 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01

BTW, Phantom still wins for consistent range / jumps


Speaking of which, I have been mocking mine up. I said I was thinking of making a deep space exploration vessel out of it. This is where she is at the mo. If this were yours, what would you put in the two free C3 optionals? What do recon limpets do? Which scientific type doodads am I missing. Someone told me you want a laser to tickle living stuff for science. Not sure what that entails really, but I could add a pulse laser if it is something I might do. I know it would jump further with lighter thrusters, but you guys know me by now and this is not negotiable lol. It's also engineered to run cool, so several choices reflect that. I left a little power overhead for whatever I end up putting in those empty optionals, but I can add or lower power once that's all finalized.

Phantom

Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/21 12:31 AM

Hmm... an Anaconda is within reach now.

Mining is minting credits.

I also found this guide pretty helpful:

https://www.edtutorials.com/mining/smokes-guide-to-core-mining/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/21 02:16 AM

Nice work if you can get it eh? Not like it was back when you started is it Blastman? Back in the VO rush I think I made a billion in three nights. The other day I was looking to take a mining trip, and had a look at the sell prices, and nothing looked particularly good at that time, maybe the best sell was 600k. What's hot right now?

You're core mining? I really enjoy that, and don't care for laser, so I have a Krait set up as a dedicated core miner, with weapons since I get tired of interdictions on the long flights to the best sell stations. May as well just submit and get it over with. I want to get back out there for another run, just gotta know what's paying the best at the mo.

Logged in today several times. Swapped shields and did some engineering at Didi's shop, and a couple boosters on a Krait, plus touching up some HRPs at Prospector's Rest with the Ruthenium I got at the market. Turned in last weeks CG. Spent most of the time mixing HGEs and bounty hunting. The HGEs I was getting today were crap, a lot with just three mats (x3) and a lot of proprietary composites, which aren't bad, but not what you are looking for in HGEs really. I also hit several Encoded Emissions which had no encoded inside. Had a target to hit 4,500 bounties and inched past that, and now 53% Deadly. Got tons of mats, but I can never find a #%&*$# PI. I kill plenty of Elite Condas, but they don't drop them for me anymore.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/21 03:29 AM

DBond consider something like this one; https://s.orbis.zone/cp-j

I like the AMFU's, just don't power them until you need it. I forgot to add the Heat Sink launcher, but you have the power to run it anyway.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/21 01:18 PM

So you put a HRP and a MRP in those slots. I could see possibly adding another C1 HD HRP, but I think integrity is in a good place for it's intended role. I feel like I am missing whatever I need to give it good scientific street cred, but scrolling through the choices on Coriolis doesn't make it obvious if I am. I'll keep kicking it around, thanks for the build Wingnuts.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/21 01:33 PM

Here's my core mining Krait I mentioned earlier

Twin Reverb Krait II -- Core Mining Vessel

Top boost of 550+ and jump near 40 fully laden (128t). This is to submit and scoot if I feel the need, or to quickly shift areas in the ring if I think the fishing might be better over there. The jump makes flying to whichever sell station has the best offer a snap. As a dedicated core miner it only needs two hardpoints for the role, leaving the three large free for bangsticks to turn the tables on any NPC who wants my stuff. Point defense to ward off hatchbreakers. The power plant was a retread from a different ship and I should look to fine tune that for this ship. G3 overcharged isn't needed, but then again doesn't cause any problems either. All in due time I reckon.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
Nice work if you can get it eh? Not like it was back when you started is it Blastman? Back in the VO rush I think I made a billion in three nights. The other day I was looking to take a mining trip, and had a look at the sell prices, and nothing looked particularly good at that time, maybe the best sell was 600k. What's hot right now?

You're core mining? I really enjoy that, and don't care for laser, so I have a Krait set up as a dedicated core miner, with weapons since I get tired of interdictions on the long flights to the best sell stations. May as well just submit and get it over with. I want to get back out there for another run, just gotta know what's paying the best at the mo.



Eh, I'm getting 700 - 800k a ton.

I'm up to 236 mil now, from the 83 mil I was stuck at for five years. This is too easy. Once I know how this is done, I'm going to try some taxation in a new ride. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 12:46 PM

That's still a pretty good rate. It was 1.6m at the apex. I like the core mining in small doses. According to Inara I've mined just 1,354t in all the time I've played. So not all that much, just enough to get rich. A full load in Twin Reverb was paying out 205m at one point. I do want to do a little more soon though. Keep mixing it up.

What is getting that return?
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 03:09 PM

Rhodplumsite
Monazite
Void Opals
etc.


Sometimes one hits a a mil, but I haven't nabbed one of those sales yet.


I could buy a Cutter right now if I had the rank. Hilarious. But I need a more formidable ship than the Clipper to tango with the big traders these days, well, perhaps... I'm still testing the waters. By selling all this rock I am taking note of what folks are flying.

I know, rotten, but, there's no rush greater in Elite than the thrill of the hunt.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 06:12 PM

Cool thanks. I hadn't even heard of the first two lol.

When I was checking sell prices on inara the other day when I wanted to do this, the best sell by far was on a carrier. Most stuff was max maybe 800k like you're saying. This one carrier was showing 1.7m for VOs with a demand of 16. With that low of a demand I wouldn't have done it anyway, but it felt like a trap. Could I dock to sell and be whisked away somewhere, if indeed the commander of that carrier were foul, devious and I dare say, nefarious? Could he be sitting in open, and when he detects a VO sale, jump where his equally foul friends await my arrival? This is how my mind works. One must always expect a trap lol.

I guess it could not work unless I were in open too. But still, never trust a carrier buying VOs for double the going rate is my plan. biggrin

Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 06:20 PM

I haven't tried selling on a carrier yet--not sure someone would be so desperate for lols they'd warp you to another system in their 5 billion credit ship. Maybe?

Don't sell product in something you can't escape easily in.


I only fly in Open. I like that rush one gets from the risk.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 06:30 PM

I've caught on to that smile

I hate losing ships more than I like fighting other commanders. I've done some PvP in CNBs in open. I wasn't there for it, but if something is shooting at you, you gotta shoot back, regardless of how hollow the square is. But engineering is what sours me to PvP. Not that I cannot build good ships for it -- my FDL holds it's own and I've yet to lose it -- it's that there are so many possible specialized attack effects, and no one ship can be prepared for them all. So it feels too much like a game of chance rather than skill. Just my take on it. Jousting sucks too. I've said before and I still feel this way, that if engineering were not a thing, I would fly in nothing but open. If the ships were simply their A-rated versions with all of inherent strengths and drawbacks, I would love it.

But I also like engineered ships haha. So the choice for me is PG/solo PvE. I just don't feel Elite is a particularly good PvP game. I understand the thrill you cite, and sometimes I'll take my Courier out in open just to have that threat about. It makes me feel hyper-aware, and when I am the mood for it it is fun. But I am not seeking PvP encounters, just operating with them being a possibility. The Courier isn't going to be caught by many, so that's what I like about it.

Post more about your PvP encounters Blastman. I like reading about that sort of stuff.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/23/21 10:01 PM

Just landed from my first HGE/bounty session with the new Crosswinds! Putting them together was straight forward, took about fifteen minutes. I know these are printed in Croatia in his garage probably, and the packaging reflects it. They arrived in perfect condition from the other side of the planet, no complaints there, but this had more packing tape than they showed in the video, that's for sure. It (or I) produced quite a mess. Hope I don't need to send them back in the original packaging lol. After getting it all unstuck I put them together, just a few allen bolts, and ready to go. They are exquisite really, and look fantastic. Really smooth, easily adjustable. They are wider than any I have used before, and so much better in terms of control and quality that there is no point in making comparisons. I expect it really for this sort of price point, but products don't always deliver. The Crosswinds do and it's the final piece to the puzzle unless JC somehow converts me to VR smile

I liked them so much I stayed in the RES until all my autoloader ammo was gone and I had bumped combat rank two more points! I still need to get used to them, make it just automatic, right now I am conscious of what I am doing with my feet, but all that takes is time.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 10:39 AM

Glad you like them! I agree - they are quite nice! My old CH pedals were so close together I usually only touched them when I was actively using them. I find the Crosswinds are spaced so they are comfortable enough to use as footrests whilst playing. I haven't been in ED much, but I've been putting quite a bit of time into DCS lately and find them very comfortable.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 01:22 PM

Yep, you guys are right about the Crosswinds and I appreciate the input from you and Bo and anyone else who offered an opinion. I knew these were the ones I wanted, been eyeing them up for a couple years. Talking to you about it though made me more comfortable --not that there was anything to worry about really. But I suddenly felt ready to pull the trigger, and now they are under the desk. My control setup has cost US$1,570 (1000 for Cougar, 400 for Crosswinds, 20 for X Box Controller and 150 for Track IR.) Of course some of that is spread out over two decades, so from a cost per year or per hour viewpoint it's actually sort of cheap. I bet before I bought the Cougar I had gone through nearly that much in $100 Logitech Wingmans. Since then I've never needed another (but bought one anyway, just in case, the Uber NXT)
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 04:00 PM

I wound up adding a set of Thrustmaster MFD's to my setup. Here's my pit.
Sits in a corner - no need for a monitor cuz I wear it on my face!

Pay no attention to the spaghetti cabling....




Attached picture IMG_1780.jpg
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 04:05 PM

D,

Check out Hegykc’s posts on DCS forum regarding the combat style footrests for the Crosswinds. I’ve got a set plus the damper mount. They are well done.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyChemo


Pay no attention to the spaghetti cabling....



Can't see it with VR anyway smile

Nice setup JC!

Thanks Bo, I had followed up earlier in this thread with a question or two about that. I like the idea here. Heel on floor. If there's one thing about the Crosswinds I don't like is the base is so narrow that they tip with one foot on. Which is only an issue when actually putting your feet on them, so you gotta do it both at a time, ya know? Those combat pedals look like a nice solution, and the heel on floor might be a nice way to go. I'm already doing that with the bottom edge of each footrest under the medial longitudinal arch (I looked it up), so my feet are half on, half off. I'll give it a couple months to get used to them, then see what changes I might want to make. Appreciate the heads-up. What do they cost?

Do you use the toe brakes for anything in Elite?
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 04:30 PM

That throttle looks badass, JC.


DBond: Toe brakes for boost!
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 05:07 PM

Thanks Mr B - the Virpil is nice piece of gear! I highly recommend it if you are in the market....
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 07:03 PM

Sorrow bout that, D. Didn’t notice any comments from ya bout ‘em. sigh Regarding the cost, I can’t really answer that as I was a tester. Think I sent him $15 to cover shipping from Croatia last spring. Since then, he has sent me 3 different sets of which I actually received 2. Shipping snafus due to pandemic and me moving 2k miles across country. Now, apparently he has an in States person to do the printing for us Amis. The damper cost $30 from Amazon. I know there is another DCS forum member also printing a set, think he’s charging $50 per set without the damper mount. I can’t imagine hegykc is charging more.

It’s funny, I used to do the same as you with putting my feet on the floor and just using my toes to use the pedals yep
Toe brakes I use as parking brake in SRV
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 07:13 PM

No worries, I think it got snowed under during the BuffU memory lane walk (snowed under, see what I did there?)

Handbrake on SRV would make re-boarding a little easier eh? How long did you guys play before you realized there is a 'board ship' light on the HUD?

Boost on toe brakes? Hmmm, that could wo... crash!

Not that anyone would care or be impressed in any way, but I am gunning for the career record-low fines total for someone triple elite. I'm in with a shout! Suddenly finding myself boosting over the pad could derail me smile
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 07:54 PM

I'm more John Spartan as far as fines are concerned.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/21 08:10 PM

Yes indeed.

And I made it up anyway, There's no such record, but my lifetime fines as of now total 11k I think. 22k in bounties. Been a while since I looked. Been a while since I got one. Last one was for limpeting a limpet, then ejecting it. Fines all around.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 01:23 PM

Logged in last night for a short session. Another HGE/bounty run in my home system in the combat Krait. Again I stayed until I ran out of ammo for the autoloaders, and raised combat rank one more point. Now at 56% Deadly. I've picked up about 16% since returning a month a go. About 1,320 to go. On average it's been one point for every 30 kills.

No one besides myself and Rec posted up their play time. And that's cool, no obligation to reveal. I wonder how many hours Wingnuts has? We should start a pool, and then one day while we are debating it, Wingnuts reveals it like Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan telling the squad he was a school teacher back home smile

My guess: 8,800 hours.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 02:11 PM

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

So roughly 5673hrs and 27min! biggrin Nah, I'm not addicted! HA

Have had the game 2 years 3 months. Took a 8 month hiatus also after that long trip to TIR!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 03:17 PM

Thanks Ram, that's impressive indeed, and you'll hit triple Elite before me no doubt. Thanks for posting that shot, it is interesting to me to compare the statistics. It gives good insight in to how others spend their time.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 04:36 PM

And since you posted up your crimes, I must be honest, and show mine.

Here's my rap sheet!!

[Linked Image]

To be honest, most of my infractions came early on in the game. Lot's of them, a crap load of fines for speeding and bumping into other ships in stations. Yep, I've killed a few Cops, but hey, them fuggers shot at me first......I thinkt!! biggrin Oh, and then there's the fines for illegal or illicit cargo, I'm sure a couple million right there!! HAHA
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 04:39 PM

Who else loves to boost through the slot?

smile
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Who else loves to boost through the slot?

smile



Every time I take off!! copter I take the incoming lane to avoid the outgoing ships!! Hit a few T10's that were incoming, never killed a ship that way, lucky me!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 06:00 PM

I'll offer up mine for comparison's sake

It's interesting to compare. Ram has driven the SRV much more distance. That seems like a heck of a lot. I've got 15k more hyperspace distance in less than half the jumps. Our level 3 scans are close, but my efficiency total is pathetic. So much so that I wonder if it is accurate, but there it is. My explo profits are much higher, reflecting the Colonia trip after the big update that boosted explo payouts. I pulled in over 500m on that trip alone. Looks like we both made Colonia our max distance from start smile

I've played about 1/4 as long, 1,409 hours and counting


[Linked Image]


And here's my crime page. It's 12k in fines, been a bad boy biggrin

25m in fines seems excessive haha!


[Linked Image]


Attached picture crime.jpg
Attached picture explo.jpg
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
And here's my crime page. It's 12k in fines, been a bad boy biggrin

25m in fines seems excessive haha!


Yes it is cool to see the comparisons! Bad Boy................WHAT DOES THAT MAKE ME............Oh yeah, Excessive.

You've played in game 1/4 of the time. But how long have you had ED? Probably a few years more than I, like I said I've only had it for 2yrs and 3 months and took a 8 month hiatus. LMAO!!!

It's all cool. But now, after this CG I've got to get to modding my Conda with Guardian stuff for sure!!

Thanks for posting that up!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 06:24 PM

I think I started in April of 2017.

I love the fact that people enjoy it so much that they put that sort of time in to it. Only a handful of games I've played have more time in to them than Elite. There are several sims that I sunk insane time in to, but before Steam and no way to know a total. Falcon 4 for sure, I bet 5000+ easy. Who knows? Grand Prix Legends would have a couple thousand. Total War Medieval 2 probably. Maybe a couple more? If it breaks out in to series, instead of titles, then sims like Silent Hunter, and games like Combat Mission shoot up in to this list.


Since Steam, my most-played game is Europa Universalis IV, with about 3,500 on the clock.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 06:31 PM

Falcon 4 I have thousands of hours in. I think the other games I have the most time in are...

Team Fortress 2 - 1600+ hours
Team Fortress Quake (original and TFC) - probably thousands
StarCraft 1 - Thousands (world champion titles require dedication)
Supreme Commander - Who knows?

Elite Dangers - 500ish?

Outside of of video games and computers:

Martial Arts - thousands of hours

There's a theme here, if you haven't discovered, already: I enjoy outwitting other humans. smile
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/21 06:58 PM

There's no way I could even comprehend the time I spent in Falcon.

Lets see, original 3.0, then 4.0, then the RP series, the SP series, the original BMS, DarkFalcon/GlobalFalcon, whatever it was called, FreeFalcon for several years and then a developer on the FF team for almost 5 years. Then BMS. All the testing I did. I definitely flew more hours testing then I did flying for fun in our Squadron, the 420th in MP. I still continue to dev on BMS, but not much, it's on the back burner when it comes to ED!

So for the past 20 some years, Falcon was the Sim I played, and ED for the last couple. I've dabbled in a few others but nothing significant.

I'm one of the types that when I find something I like, like Falcon and ED, I just do that. Don't want to be distracted from other games, so I stick to mainly one at a time....for YEARS! LOL

I have played Total War Medieval and Silent Hunter, Diablo and Oblivion(finished both), but not much, for a few months.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 02:53 PM

A number of F4 vets have found a lot to like in Elite. I have smile

Logged on yesterday to catch up with Ram on voice comms. I sent him a PM, telling him I was on comms if he wanted to chant. Haha! Surprised he didn't turn and run right there! Meant chat of course and we did so.

Those pirate threat activity instances are no joke, the ships in there are jacked to the nines. Arriving first, I bounced a Deadly Chieftain solo, and it was soon evident I had grabbed a tiger by the tail. I hadn't lost my shields to NPC fire in nearly three years, but in this single engagement, the Chieftain not only shot my fancy shields away, he chewed the hull down to 61%. I was at the point where I was thinking I might have to wake out. But even though my shields collapsed, they were stout enough to outlast his by quite a bit so I won the race to zero hull. Whew!! I had no idea what I was getting in to, but even though I got shot up I felt like all the engineering I've done to this ship really paid off. A lesser ship would have been lost.

While all this was going on Wingnuts and Ram were having a leisurely chat while I am hanging by my fingernails. biggrin

My previous best bounty was 390k. I added 200k to that in this instance. The ships were paying out very well, and hell yeah they should. But it would have been a much harder if I hadn't teamed up with Wingnuts after he arrived. Once were were in our Rotte, the combination of his frags and my beams and autoloaders made -- well not short work exactly -- but they died all the same. That was fun and the most challenging NPC opponents I have come across in Elite.

We killed enough for me to get in the top 50% of the CG for now.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 03:01 PM

I saw a number of those Pirate Threat instances in SOTHIS when I was doing the ROBIGO-->Sirius Atmospherics Passenger runs and meant to go back there in the Vette for some Bounty Hunting. Never did and I am sure there are some of those closer to home. Had no idea there was a COMBAT CG going on!! Been distracted by Mass Effect Andromeda and haven't been back in Elite for a week or so. I'll have to jump on for some Bounty Hunting fun.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 03:49 PM

Yep, come on and join the fun Rec. The boys cleaned up last night, but I was out on patrol near Truk in USS Bowfin. Kinda lost track of the time, but a spectacular patrol it was!

If you drop in a pirate threat solo, bring your best ship.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 05:36 PM

No joke indeed. I solo-ed a Threat 5 and got my shields knocked down to %51. Ram joined on the next one. Foolishly I had cargo onboard from the first USS. Within 5 minutes I was running with no shields and hull at %50. Never should have gone back in to that Threat 5 with my shields so low. Once Wingy made a troika, it was my Vette, Ram’s Annie, and Wing’s Krait. We were dropping pirate Anacondas like empty crack vials in Baltimore. Healing beams for the win!!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 05:55 PM

Wow, that must have been close Bo. If your Vette hasn't changed from the last build I saw, you don't have much meat on the bones. Under 1000 integrity if I recall. Which in other circumstances is fine because you have such a deep mj pool. But half of that hull might have meant you were down to the last 500 before getting out. Maybe you've revisited this?

Either way, close call eh? What's the rebuy on that, 35 million? smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 06:02 PM

Just headed over there to get a head start. Dropped into a Threat 5 and you were right. Killed an Anaconda, Fer de Lance and Challenger for about 2 million credits, but they were all TOUGH fights and i lost 50% of the shields in the Vette by the time it was over. I added a Grade 5 Guardian Shield Reinforcement to the Grade 4 already on there too! Unfortunately those two GSR's added a LOT of Heat, but so far manageable if annoying (I don't have Thermal Vent on my Beams). I think the ANNIE alone paid a bounty of almost 800,000!

Didn't make it out of the 100% yet, but those Signals are definitely Target Rich Environments with BIG Deadly ships. Also, my fighter got destroyed about 3/4 of the way through the fight with the Deadly Anaconda.


Edit: I didn't fight all those ships SIMULTANEOUSLY... that would not have gone well.

Current Vette Config:

https://s.orbis.zone/cupt
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 06:09 PM

As she stands now, Goeben has just north of 7500 shields. The only change I’ve done recently is drop a SB for a KWS. But, I’ve been configured that way for a while now. Rebuy according to Coriolis is 33 million plus
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 06:16 PM

Right, so integrity is around 1000 right? I could just go look in the Vette thread smile

But these sorts of details stick in my noggin.

And half of that is 500.

Yeah Rec, they pay well and should for the effort I reckon.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 08:00 PM

Not sure what my hull is. I Imported the build from Inara to Coriolis, but the numbers don’t seem right. I’ve no hull or module packages. May have to swap some Guardian SR’s out to bump my integrity a bit, especially since I’m encountering more n more foes with phasing sequence loadouts. The bleed thru adds up, next thing I know I’m down to %50 hull.


For some reason the build Inara shows is not correct even tho I’ve recently imported the game data.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Once Wingy made a troika, it was my Vette, Ram’s Annie, and Wing’s Krait. We were dropping pirate Anacondas like empty crack vials in Baltimore. Healing beams for the win!!!


biggrin cheers boing YEAH BUDDY!!! That's hilarious!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond

For some reason the build Inara shows is not correct even tho I’ve recently imported the game data.


How are you exporting it? If through Inara it currently leaves the engineering out for Coriolis builds (but not EDSY).

EDMC export works fine for me though.


Derp, you said Inara, and I even quoted it. Yeah, it's borked at the mo. Use EDMC
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 08:58 PM

At work, so using what’s on the phone sigh

Thanx for the heads up on Coriolis yep
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/21 09:05 PM

This was her, as of last April

Bo's Vette

If you know what changes you made you can use this as a base.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/27/21 01:27 PM

Logged on last night, had about an hour to play. I decided I would hit one of the RES in one of those Sirius controlled systems I listed earlier. I picked Ross 446, dropped, saw I hadn't been here before and scanned the system. No HGE and a few RES, closest I saw was 3,000ls from the star. Flew there, and since I was not on comms, told Ram to meet me there if he wanted, and he started heading over.

But I picked a crap instance. Dark, far from star, low-level spawn. Just wasn't a good one. I'm trying to shoot ships and maintain a chat conversation, and then Rec came on. Now I'm trying to chat with both of them and do combat and finally I said to Ram lets go to Sirius and the CNB or pirate threat there. I gave up on text chat, told the kids to behave or else, and put on the headset for voice comms. Much better. Bo had now come on, so I got a wing invite (drop current wing first!) and dropped in to the pirate threat 5. Rec had to run, so that left three of us and we were doing fine, racking them up, picking out the Annies, grabbing the booty.

I was getting near the end of my time, ready to head back and turn 'em in. But let's just kill this Conda first. I had been limpeting so not in great position, and as I carved through 180 I saw Ram giving an Annie the good news, so I engaged it too. We had shot her shields away and working on the hull when Bo said he was being attacked. He had multiple Annies engaging him. Be right there!

We finished off our target and I turned to pick Bo up. I saw his ship and a Conda shooting at him. I attacked immediately, but saw this one had full shields. Not Bo's target, but shooting at him, so maybe I could aggro him off. But the chatter told me things were critical, so I switched targets and began firing for all I was worth while ramming the sh!t out of Bo's target. But too late, and we lost a good ship. I felt really bad about it. I could have been more help, could have not been out of position running my limpets at the start, and I should have let Ram finish off the first one while I went to help Bo. When I fly with you guys I see my role as wingman. I am in a faster ship and can quickly shift and cover. But here events and decisions conspired to see me arrive too late to make a decisive difference. If it is any consolation I rammed that fooker until he exploded. These pirate threats are no joke, indeed.

Then I flew back to the megaship and turned them in, a good haul, but somberly since I had failed to save my wingmate. I know it's just a game, and Bo has plenty of money. But that's not the point at all.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/27/21 05:36 PM

S’all good, D. Was totally my fault. The rebuy doesn’t bother me, it was losing the accumulated bounties I had. It WAS refreshing to know I could still be sent to the rebuy screen. First time in a while the Dangerous felt like it was back in Elite.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/27/21 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
.
But too late, and we lost a good ship. I felt really bad about it.

Then I flew back to the megaship and turned them in, a good haul, but somberly since I had failed to save my wingmate. I know it's just a game, and Bo has plenty of money. But that's not the point at all.


Yep, that sucked in an otherwise good session!

I hooked up with Nephilim last night also. We did a few sessions, can't remember the total haul, but between us I think we a hauled in together around 30mil, he can correct me if I'm a bit of....BEERS..LOL

He almost lost his Conda, had his hatch blown out but he has something like 25 mins life support, think he was down to 40% on his ship, but he got back. I was ramming the ship that was attacking him and just about out of MC ammo, he was yelling shoot that Beech! LOL Sure glad he didn't lose his ship!

It was great to fly with Nep, only talked to him a short time when he told me he added me in the PG, so to get to fly with him was pretty cool, he's a laid back dude, just like the rest of you all. Really happy about this CG!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/27/21 06:43 PM

Thanks Bo, I think I'm more bent out of shape about it than you are smile

Been a long time since we all felt any respect for the NPCs!

Neph?! Sorry I missed it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/21 02:31 PM

I logged on last night for an hour, late after the everything quieted down, and found no one on. Went and hit a Sirius-controlled RES and turned in 3m to sit well within the 50%. Gotta visit a mat trader to distribute some mats that have hit the limit. Hit 57% Deadly, and with the Helm and Codex panels disagreeing, I am nearly 58%. Long way to go, but closest I have been!

About 1,260 more to go!

Going to log in shortly to take care of some non-combat stuff. No comms so if anyone is on give me a shout, but it's a pain for everyone involved to type chat with me while on comms yourselves, so I'll just go about my affairs smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 01:18 PM

Logged on yesterday a couple times. Having devoted the previous few days to combat, it was time to mix it up, and mix it up I did!

Swapped Kraits and ran several bulk-haul missions, you know the ones that say 45 businessmen need transport. If there were any cabins left empty I'd stack on a VIP mission, and on the return legs when available. Then flew to Farseer Inc to sharpen up a few modules. I don't even want to look at system maps any more, with all of the carriers. It's nuts! I also hit manufactured and encoded mat traders to trade up my full bins and make room for more.

Then I decided to do a little mining and switch Kraits again. Hadn't done this in a long time, so I used an app to find a likely uninhabited, pristine ring system close by, about 20 light years from Deciat. Dropped and probed, found a number of hotspots and alt-tabbed to Inara to see what they were selling for. The Musgravite looked good, there was one station nearby offering 1.1m per ton, with a demand of 1600 and the info was 9 minutes old. Twin Reverb is a core miner, and I didn't know if Musgravite was a core deposit. But I started waving and before long I found it was and started exploding asteroids. I mixed in Benitoite,and in all refined about 80t combined. Was nearly out of limpets so set course for the sell station, but by the time I got there these were paying closer to 700k and made about 60m in all. It was fun to spend time core mining.

Then I flew back to Barnwell and did another thing I have not done in a while. I took the iEagle out of the station, 820 boost with a wake scanner mounted. And then spent the next half hour zipping to and fro scanning wakes. Tons of encoded mats, but just one DWE. So much fun to fly, boosting past and carving arcs around the station.

Smokeless

Zoom Zoom

So I really mixed it up, passenger missions, engineering, mat traders, mining and wake scanning. Never too long on any one activity for it to burn me out.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 08:39 PM

I did some non-combat gigs myself yesterday. Sold the minerals I had stored on Angband, sold the illegal and legal other commodities ( Guardian Urns and such ), and hit all 3 mat traders. Picked up around 50 mil or so. This week I’ll be revisiting the Vette and T10 loadouts. This CG has really highlighted some serious shortcomings in both builds as currently configured. It has also shown me that the T10 is not as bad in combat I thought. With a bit of attention, it could find a place in the rotation.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 08:57 PM

Your T10 was great. I'm grinding to get to 200Mil in the CG, just about there!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 09:16 PM

You guys and your monster boats.

T-10 eh? I must admit this one intrigues me. I hate the T-9 with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns. The T-10 suffers from such a close association, but it has some cool potential. I had noticed browsing Inara that Wingnuts recently bought two of them and sold them both within a day. If you rebuild these ships, please post about it, I'd like to learn more and bounce ideas off of you.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
You guys and your monster boats.


Originally Posted by DBond
If you rebuild these ships, please post about it, I'd like to learn more and bounce ideas off of you.


LOL

Here's Bo's current T10 build, he posted it to me last night on TS. I'm gonna mock his build with mine, though I'll wait until he tweaks it. Of course, I won't have any Guardian stuff!

https://s.orbis.zone/cx-5
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/21 10:33 PM

Wow, that makes me head spin.

Couple of observations.....

75 hardness, that's nice. Autoloaders, much nicer. TTD of ten seconds. 3-second boost interval, gonna need it!

There is so much going on with a ship like this I'm glad I stick to the little ones haha. The amount of mats tied up in that thing could build out three Kraits I reckon. But there is also a lot to be said for commanding ships that you connect with. So I support the T-10 Initiative smile
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 01:35 AM

Amazingly, that cobbled together T10 did better against the pirates than the Vette.


Cobbled is perhaps hyperbole. I did spec and engineer it out, just kinda threw it together. I will take a deeper look at it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 05:29 AM

Not my roll, the T-10, but Coriolis heaven haha. So many stuffs to mount, install and engineer. What, nine weapons with four large? Look at all those utilities. I also have not rolled with a fighter, but if this were my ship, that would be a certainty. Those shields alone weight 320t, more than my DBX smile

I look forward to flying off your wing in that thing.

Logged on tonight for a bit. Didn't know which way to go, so defaulted to bounty hunting. And if I was going to do that, might as well make it for the CG. And if I was going near Sirius, might as well stop by Angband. So I unloaded the limpets and loaded up with Tritium and dropped by on the way to Luyten Star. Just another 16t, but that brought the fuel gauge to 70%. Picked up some of Bo's special limpets and went and knocked down 6m in bounties for the CG. Mostly getting crap spawns everywhere while this CG is going on. The best stuff is in Sirius. I hit the CNB there a couple days ago, but it's really tight to the star. I was idling 20% over. Hot ships could have trouble there.

So that's 30m for the CG, which should comfortably cross the line on 50%. I liked this CG a lot, so many options for getting the bounties. More of these please.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 03:42 PM

I slipped down to 50% frown Didn't get on at all last night,. Have to make up for lost time and can hopefully finish in top 25. 10% might be a stretch....
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Chucky
I'm just starting to put more time into this after a looong break BUT who thought it was a good idea to have to manually load and unload goods for a mission? This is the second time I've left without the goods banghead



Don't be too hard on yourself. This is a very common rookie mistake and it happened to me at least on 2 separate occasions when I was learning how to play ED.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by Chucky
I'm just starting to put more time into this after a looong break BUT who thought it was a good idea to have to manually load and unload goods for a mission? This is the second time I've left without the goods banghead



Don't be too hard on yourself. This is a very common rookie mistake and it happened to me at least on 2 separate occasions when I was learning how to play ED.


Lol I deleted the post because I thought it was trivial but at least you make me feel better about it.

To be honest,I've been away so long I feel like a noob again,so much has changed.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 06:59 PM

I bought a krait MK II expecting grand things, only to have my top of the line A everything stripped in seconds by an AI python. I guess AI uses engineers, too.

Without shield engineering, it only has a crappy 450 rating with shield boosters, which is pitiful.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 07:47 PM

Chucky, yes it needs to be manually loaded, but it goes fast if you hold the mouse down. And then confirm it by hitting space. It may seem to be a pain, but it does allow commanders to break up larger loads over multiple runs, so I think it's not a bad change really.

I just logged out after another mining run to the same system as last time. Got 114t of Musgravite, Benitoite and Monazite. Sold the first two for 800k+ per ton for 70m. Still have 30t of Monazite on board to go somewhere else for a better sell. Had to fly 200 light years to the best sell I could find, but the ship is designed for it smile
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/21 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Chucky, yes it needs to be manually loaded, but it goes fast if you hold the mouse down. And then confirm it by hitting space. It may seem to be a pain, but it does allow commanders to break up larger loads over multiple runs, so I think it's not a bad change really.




Ah,I never thought about that.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/21 01:23 PM

Right, I reckon it can allow a solo commander to do wing missions, or a player to take a 196t boom-time delivery in an Adder or whatever. This change caught us all out I would imagine, I know I flew my first one after the change without any cargo on board smile

Logged on a couple times yesterday. Did the mining trip as mentioned, in all 114t sold for 94m, and I'll take it. That's an average sell of about 830k. Half what it was in the rush days, but still a good rate. I used two sell stations to sell the three minerals.

Sold the DBS. No role at the mo. Bought it for scout hunting, but never used it for that. Back down to tens ships in the fleet.

Ran a couple passenger missions, and one boom-time delivery to see if the goods count toward the Trader badge on Inara. They do not.

With the 150m I made mining over the past two days I looked at my credits, 370m in the five weeks since I came back. Compared it to my Inara friends, several of whom have made more than half a billion in the same time. Rich bastages!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/21 07:54 PM

By the way, I just happened to step in to a tech trader yesterday. I suggest everyone do the same biggrin

I'll be back later with the results, after I log back onto Elite.

Get those Datamined Wake Exceptions!

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/21 03:21 PM

OK, to follow up on that last, cryptic post....

Well, check this thread

Madder Hops

Having bought one with mats on board, I needed more to buy any others. I was just about out of both Datamined Wake Exceptions and Electromechanical Arrays. So this set my course for the evening. I was determined to stock up on this FSD while the price is discounted, which, since I really don't know much, could be forever.

I knew of several ways to get DWEs, but the simplest is wake scanning. So I took Smokeless outside of Barnwell and zipped around at high speed scanning them. But that only got two (x3) so I needed to pick up the pace. Docked the iEagle, swapped to my legit 70-jump DBX! and flew to the Jameson Cobra where I farmed encoded until I had filled the G5 one. Then flew to a trader and got enough DWEs to buy two more. On the way back I stopped at another trader and got the Arrays I needed. Tellurium is needed, but was one of the raws I got at the bio sites a couple weeks back.

Bought two more of these whizbang drives and put one in the Orca and the other will go in my combat Krait later today. As I said in that linked thread I have ten ships, six of which can benefit from a superdrive. Good stuff thumbsup
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/21 05:40 PM

I flew out to the crystal shards to accumulate materials last night and got stuck on a geyser when trying to jump to catch a chunk and had to self destruct my SRV. frown

Good thing there was a fleet carrier nearby selling them!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/21 05:49 PM

Sorry to hear that. Two things...

You have lat/vert thrusters set on the SRV? Usually you can just fly it off. But it is also possible to become hopelessly stuck, which leads to....

Log out and log back in in non-Horizons mode if this happens again. This will place you and your SRV back in your ship in orbit, since planetary landings require Horizons.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/21 06:21 PM

Interesting, DBond.

Does this also mean now if I self destruct my ship, I'll respawn on the fleet carrier?


That 1500 ly journey was a doozy.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/21 06:24 PM

As far as I know it is always the last place you docked, and if that was a FC, yes you will respawn there. As far as I know....

And then there is always the chance the FC had moved, so I wouldn't want to leave it such chance if I could avoid it. Now if it is YOUR carrier, you have a bit more control. But theoretically, you could dock on a FC in Sol, get blown up two days later, and respawn in Colonia. As far as I know smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 07:02 PM

Logged on last night with a purpose, a definitive goal. I gave in to the grind, and it was glorious. OK, well, maybe not, but it was very productive. I decided yesterday that I would get myself a freighter. And not just any old garbage scow, but the pinnacle of the class, the Imperial Cutter. But it is rank-locked of course. You gots to be Duke, and not a lowly Count, as I was. So the goal became to find a way to gain those three ranks, as fast and as painlessly as possible.

So I took Parabellum, my rumble bus Krait with newly-minted SuperDrives™, 200 light years deeper in to Empire space, to a few outposts in the middle of nowhere. The number of courier and sensitive data missions on the boards is insane. I set up triangle trade between three close stations. Stacked some missions and promptly got interdicted by a deadly FDL on the first one. Submit and scoot and I was on the way. As I stopped at each station I saw that there are zero passenger missions going to the places the courier missions are for. So having the bus was pointless. After the run-in with the FDL I decided to do this in a better combat ship. But outposts have no shipyard, and no transfer. So I flew 120 light years to the closest orbital, whistled for Poison Whiskey, and then walked the dog for most of the 30 minutes to would take to arrive (1.1m transfer, spaceway robbery I tell ya!)

Once it did I resumed the triangle, stacking a hell of a lot of missions, often 20 at a time. I found this is Elite's mission limit haha. I took any on the board for either of the other two stations, and this way just kept docking and launching, for several hours. These missions are all either Rep+ or Rep++ so not much help, but when you are turning them in at a such a rate the superpower rank climbs quickly. Before long I was Earl, and by the end of the session (1 AM!) I docked for the night at 14% Marquis. So just 86% more of Marquis to hit Duke and unlock the Imperial Cutter. That won't take but an hour or two.

I'm staunchly anti-grind, but here I found it necessary with such a goal, and anyway, spending three or four hours total doing the same thing is more like micro-grind in the grand scheme, isn't it? And because progress was so quick and immediately obvious, it spurred me on. If I hadn't needed to work today I would have kept right on going.

It's funny, but after the FDL and changing ships I got interdicted just one more time, in dozens of runs. That was a Deadly Conda who was kind enough to drop a PI! I also started hitting some HGEs, but it's all Imperial Shielding, and I didn't have the foresight to clear out that bin at the trader a couple days back. Anyway, if all goes to plan, I'll be flying a tricked out Cutter back from the Imperial dealer in Shinrarta tonight!

One other thing.... I am beginning to resent carriers. Nothing against the ship, but I am starting to be fed up with what they do to system maps and especially the navigation panel. A hundred carriers to sort through just to find the HGE I am trying to target. I tried filtering them out, but if it is possible I didn't see how. Gotta be a way. If I could get rid of all of them aside from Angband that would be swell. By the way Bo, I stopped by during the last CG and dropped a small load of tritium. Is there a way I can see from a different system how full your fuel tank is?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 07:33 PM

Don’t think so, D. It was at %60 last nite when I logged off. I try to get it with room to spare for y’all just in case yep

Regarding the Nav panel filter, try filtering everything out then go back and check all the boxes except carriers. Ram had the same issue last nite and that cured it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 07:56 PM

If that works I owe you and Rec a beer or two. Another thing I was wondering is, can I bookmark your carrier and the bookmark follows it when you move?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
If that works I owe you and Rec a beer or two. Another thing I was wondering is, can I bookmark your carrier and the bookmark follows it when you move?


Yes the bookmark will follow the carrier around.


And filtering the Nav panel will remove carriers and whatever else. Once I accidentally filtered out SYSTEMS and I was wondering why I couldn't High Wake anywhere.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 08:15 PM

Awesome thanks, you guys just saved me!

I did try filtering, by clicking on carriers. But that made it so ONLY carriers appeared. Almost had a coniption. So what I want to do is click everything EXCEPT for carriers and they will be gone?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 08:18 PM

Yes. You have to check off what you WANT to show.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/21 09:00 PM

Bo and I were just talking about the Idiotic situation with the carriers last night! I ended up filtering them out also. This is STOOPID!!

I'm feeling like there's going to be a CG that has to do with it, you know bounties to kill carriers? HA

Sometimes I feel like I'd like the Goids to take over.....they wouldn't put up with this crap!! LOL
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 01:57 PM

The advice you guys gave me is great, thanks again. Carriers are gone from my nav panel. A huge QoL improvement.

Logged on last night to get Duke over the line. It took a lot longer than predicted, slower progress due to mission board RNG. Since I was flying Poison Whiskey I started mixing in a some Terrorist and Pirate Lord missions, taking the Rep+++++ rewards. I was also getting interdicted more, including three consecutive Expert FAS. Bounties are appreciated, and thanks for serving yourselves up!

Turned in the Naval rank-up mission (I farmed another courier one) and another big batch of sensitive data/courier missions and hit Duke 16%. Then I flew to Jameson and bought my new ride. I made the right choice without a doubt. As I ran down the alternatives in that other thread it's so obvious that only one big freighter was going to cut it for me. It just happens to be Elite's most expensive ship. But that money's been spent now and I am really happy with my new boat.

I confess to fears about taking it home. I had visions of getting stuck in the slot and getting blown up by the station. No SCA (sold first) or DCs on my ships. Portside operations are one of my favorite parts of the game. Landing never gets old for me. But I made it through both slots without scraping my new paint (Tactical Ice for what it is worth) and landed it like a pro, smack on the money. This experience brought a grin to my mug.

There's plenty more to do to sharpen it out. And that will come.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 02:15 PM

So I don't know if it is still active, but I did my Imperial Rankup in the HIP 8444 system. Numerous DATA/TRANSPORT missions all going to the same station in HIP 8758. Basically NOTHING to KING in a week.

At the time, there were a lot of the old style stackable transport missions paying 5-10 mill a pop, so I made a LOT of credits while gaining Imperial Rank and stayed on for the Cash even after getting the KING ranking..

This song was running through my mind the whole time smile

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 02:38 PM

That setup sounds like what I was looking for, and why I took the bus. Where I ended up had none of the transport missions going to the same stations as the data missions. It would have been considerably faster if it did. Your spot would have been better, but I'm still happy with my results, and I had a good time doing it.

For what it is worth, my triangle loop was Mainani - Ngalinn - Avitas.

I used Mainani as the hub. This system produced data missions for both of the other two. Ngalinn only had missions to go back to Mainani, and Avitas had none to either station. But there were so many to Avitas from Mainani that it was well worth the stop all the same. These systems are about 230 light years from Sol. One leg of the triangle was 3 light years, and the other, 20.

I remember when you flew through the ranks, and even commented on it when I had noticed it on Inara. That's amazing progress you made Rec.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


I remember when you flew through the ranks, and even commented on it when I had noticed it on Inara. That's amazing progress you mad Rec.


Yep.. I remember. In part that's what led me to post the above, since I recalled that you had noticed, and I went back to my INARA mission log to find out the system.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 03:25 PM

Is there a faster way to mine crystalline formations? Holy heck that was a chore, at 30 - 40 minutes a site.

I made one interesting observation:

Gravity isn't modeled properly in Elite. On a couple of moons the shard chunks did not accelerate as fast as my SRV did from the height of their climb on the way down. On an airless moon, they should. One would expect a linear modeling of gravity at the least here, not even a more realistic progressive one from center of mass--but alas, we have neither.


Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 03:36 PM

Bio sites? You did it fast already. Each took me about an hour, give or take ten minutes I reckon. Without someone else shooting them down for you I can't see much in the way of speeding things up. If you fill up six bins with G4 raws you won't need to do it again for a while.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Is there a faster way to mine crystalline formations? Holy heck that was a chore, at 30 - 40 minutes a site.

I made one interesting observation:

Gravity isn't modeled properly in Elite. On a couple of moons the shard chunks did not accelerate as fast as my SRV did from the height of their climb on the way down. On an airless moon, they should. One would expect a linear modeling of gravity at the least here, not even a more realistic progressive one from center of mass--but alas, we have neither.




I did notice that higher gravity did show a different behavior with chunks.. Usually when I blasted a deposit everything would fly into the air and slowly settle on a low gravity world. Last place I went was higher gravity around 0.6 g and when I blasted the rocks, the fragments pretty much scattered at ground level. Also noticed much less of a boost when using SRV thrusters..but wasn't able to compare the two.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 04:05 PM

I think someone mentioned this the other night, but I was kind of oblivious since i didn't participate in the CG that granted this.

Might have to go collect some mats (HOPE I have enough trade bait for Datamined Wake Exceptions) to buy some of these super duper 5A FSD's.

Could get some more jump range out of the exploration ships (ASP/DBX) and the Python as well. Discount only good to March 12, so I guess I have to move on it.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 04:10 PM

When I got my first one I immediately thought of your new AspX Rec. Check the Madder Hops thread for details.

You don't have enough mats for one at the mo. You'll need more DWEs and a couple electromechanical arrays will get you two of these. Time to hit the traders. As I wrote in one of these threads, I hit the Jameson Cobra to fill up a G5 encoded bin and then traded for the DWEs since my wake scanning was just too slow.

Good to know the discount expiration. I mentioned these were marked down, but didn't know for how long. Get 'em while they're hot! I've got four so far and want at least two more.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 05:59 PM

I went to Jameson's Cobra before to stock up on tradable G5 Encoded but I burned them all when engineering the Corvette. Guess it's time for another trip. I have full bins of the more common encoded. We'll see what I can squeeze out of the Materials Trader for them. When I was doing Robigo Passenger runs, there was a fair number high grade mats, but I usually took the cash. Bad idea in retrospect...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 06:32 PM

Yeah, I always take the G5 mats if on offer these days. Although my bank account took a big hit yesterday, so maybe I'll start taking the cash haha.

You'll love these things Rec. That higher OM will give your AspX a nice boost. Let me know what it hits once the SuperDrives™ are mounted.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 08:41 PM

The last two mat zones I was able to max out in 15 - 20 minutes each, once I started using mouse to aim the turret like a battlemech.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 08:58 PM

A full bin is 150. Each crystal is worth three. So you need to find, detatch and scoop 50, minus what you started with. To do that in 15 minutes means three crystals per minute. Is that how fast you were doing this? And you want to do it faster?

It took 30 seconds just for the things to fall back to the ground for me haha. So I started jumping to meet them.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
A full bin is 150. Each crystal is worth three. So you need to find, detatch and scoop 50, minus what you started with. To do that in 15 minutes means three crystals per minute. Is that how fast you were doing this? And you want to do it faster?


Yes.

I also did the jumping thing, but mostly it was an exercise of crystal optimization. As I shot one off I'd then identify other targets, while simultaneously moving my SRV to where I predicted the crystal would land. If I could, I'd shoot off one or two crystals nearby as I was doing this so they'd be dropped by the time I got there.

Falcon BMS target prioritization skills come in handy here.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 09:11 PM

Yeah, well then I have no tips for making it faster biggrin
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/06/21 09:14 PM

The worst part is the 44 jumps out there. Good night. Worst thing ever.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 01:07 PM

I wish we had a busy Euro contingent, so that when I get up in the morning there are new threads and posts to read over the morning coffee.

Logged on last night after we got back from my son's playoff basketball game. They won. And I had a brand new Cutter. It needed some attention, half-assed as it was. So I worked on it, taking her out to Felicity to put some experimentals on. Thermal spread on the power plant, mass manager on the FSD, drags, super cap on all those boosters, some lightweight, some probe radius, a few more nips and tucks. Better now, but still some way from done. With no weapons (yet) there's less to do, but still a monster of a ship with a host of requirements. Satisfied though with where she was at the mo, I decided to put it to use in the freight train role for which it was bought.

Using Inara I found a station selling several of the goods needed for the trade side of the CG. In all my time in Elite I think I've done one trade CG, and that just enough to qualify. But now I have a serious hauler, and what better way to give it a run out? The station was across the bubble from Deciat, flew there, and loaded up with 640 tons of coffee. Flew to Sirius and delivered it, a profit of 7.6m. The payout was 7.7 with 100k cost. Not bad. Turned in last week's CG too, for another 58m.

I ran this loop four times, about 130 light years each way. That was 2560t contributed, and good enough for the top 50%, though barely. I'm sure that's gone away overnight. 2560t is more than a quarter of all the commodities I have sold in four years of playing Elite. The paradigm has shifted lol. The Cutter is magnificent, Outrageous capacity. 640t even with so much of the ship devoted to protection. The real test was my first interdiction. Having gotten the thrusters completely done with dirty drags, boost is 525. My first interdiction was an Elite Mamba of all things. I think that's a fast ship -- never have flown one myself, but it looks fast -- and the Cutter easily boosted away to high wake out. The Mamba took a few fleeting shots at me, but could not keep up and that was reassuring. Speed is life!

This is where she is now

WIP Cutter

Lots still to do. Marco is in Sirius, so I'll stop by to put super conduits on the PD. Usually I would go engine focused in an unarmed ship, but I want Preacher's Daughter to have the ability to mount weapons and or mining gear down the line. It isn't my idea of a fighter or a miner, but I want to build her with that capability. Need to visit Selene for some deep plate, and Didi for some booster work. I'll keep working the trade loops for the CG today.

On my second to last loop I dropped at the megaship, got within range and called for docking permission. Denied. Not unusual, just wait for the pad to free up. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Still locked. So I flew closer to see what was holding me up, and saw a very familiar Anaconda blocking the pad biggrin

I hailed commander Ram, but no reply. I reasoned he had fallen asleep on the pad, before he could get her below lol. So I relogged in solo to complete the job. The Cutter has a long way to go to repay her cost, but we are well on the way. It's fun to have a new ship, and probably the most impressive in Elite really -- the sound it makes when spooling up the thrusters is awesome -- and to have a new role to do. Hauling freight isn't completely compelling, but something I have avoided for the most part and one more thing to work in to the rotation.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 02:00 PM

I hate Datamined Wake exceptions. The hardest to find commodity in the freaking game. Last night I logged in for "a quick visit to the materials trader" where I had enough trade bait for enough Tellurium, and Electrochemical Arrays for 3 Super Duper FSD's. I already had plenty of Chemical Processors. What was missing was the #$%A Datamined Wake exceptions. I traded away what I had left of Grade 5 encoded I had gotten previously (I believe it was at the Crashed Anaconda site) but at 6:1 ratio I am still way short. Put on a Wake Scanner and scanned wakes around SIRIUS. I got ZERO DWE's. So my quick trip the Trader was a couple of hours of frustration. I guess I will have to go to Jameson's Cobra and max out my Trade Bait after all.

Seriously, I don't mind MOST of the GRIND most of the time, but DWE's put me over the FREAKING EDGE EVERY SINGLE TIME I need them. If I could find some hapless BELUGA full of passengers that would drop that crap, I would murder them all without a single thought.. Thanks FDEV!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 02:31 PM

I hear ya Rec. I could have written that post if we substitute Pharmaceutical Isolators haha. But yeah, always short of DWEs as well. Needed not only the 50 I have spent so far on the five SuperDrives, but for the Cutter's G5 rolls on the FSD. Wake scanning is slow for me too. I know you drew a blank but that has to be really unlucky RNG. Still, I probably only see one for every twenty scans on average. It's pathetic. But it helps to have a really fast wake scanning boat I think. What ship are you using for this? I built that barebones iEagle that four-pips over 600 and boosts 820 so it's really quick to hit each wake and not miss many due to timing out. That reminds me, I put lightweight on the wake scanner to maximize ship speed, but having used it a bunch of times now I am going to change that to fast scan or log range.

Even then, I realized this was way too slow so hit Jameson's Cobra. It's just a few hops in your new Asp and the fill rate is really fast. I know you've been there before and know the deal. There is a spot you can sit where you can hit all the comms links, but I've never worked it out. So I have to drive around. Even then it was just twenty five minutes until I was full. It gives some pretty good mats.


Atypical Encryption Archives (Grade 4)
Adapative Encryptors Capture (Grade 5)
Modified Consumer Firmware (Grade 2)
Cracked Industrial Firmware (Grade 3)

Those AECs are like the encoded version of Imperial Shielding haha. Fill up and trade 'em for what I need.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 04:25 PM

Grinding it out at Jameson's Cobra. I found a good spot where I can turret scan 4 without moving.

Maxed out a couple of categories but gonna try for more Cracked Industrial Firmware.

Screenshots attache may not be too good, but at least you can see the COORDS of the spot.

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Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 09:07 PM

OK, I cashed in almost all the G5 ACE's and some of the AEA's and got my Datamined Wake Exceptions. Bought 3 of the FSD's. ASP is up to 67.36 LY. Wondering if putting the MASS MANAGER Special Effect will crank out some more. ASP is cruising at 27% Heat, so I don't think I need to bother with Thermal Spread. Does Mass Manager add anything more to jump range for THIS module?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 09:29 PM

Yes, any experimental will work as normal on this. Congrats on the new gear Rec. That's a froggy Asp.

Hey Ram get off the pad!! biggrin

Had to go solo again to land at the CG. Do they not let Anacondas inside or something? lol

There's only one large pad at the CG, and I got a Cutter. I am haulin' da freight.

Rec I'm going to go hit the Cobra again and I'm going to do a Davs run. Been burning them up lately.

I got next! biggrin


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Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Hey Ram get off the pad!! biggrin


biggrin Me and Bo were tech talking, plus I had to get the rear brakes changed on my Conda, and a haircut. The barber was a FOX GOID! Left her a big "TIP" yep
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/21 11:27 PM

Basically you either get maximum jump range with junk internals or you A-rate most everything to excel in combat.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 01:11 AM

I don't know, I think most of us have ships that fall somewhere between junk jumper and murderboat.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
Basically you either get maximum jump range with junk internals or you A-rate most everything to excel in combat.


Originally Posted by DBond
I don't know, I think most of us have ships that fall somewhere between junk jumper and murderboat.


Yeah, Bo and I were talking about this earlier. The double engineered FSD did nicely on one of his ships, I think it was his DBX, gave him something like 5ly's extra, but on the other 2 ships he did it on, it was minimal.

We questioned if it was worth the time and the Mats.

I have everything to get it, enough to buy 5 if I want, but this only applies to medium build ships, restricted to 5A class.

So I'll have to do the grind for my Asp Explorer and Krait Phantom, which is fine as I have the Mats.

But for my larger ships, Conda and Vette, I have to get the Guardian module, so another grind as well.

Look forward to it though!
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
I don't know, I think most of us have ships that fall somewhere between junk jumper and murderboat.





Well my fully A-rated DBX can only do 43 ly loaded with 5 grade engineered FSD and experimental effect.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 01:27 PM

And what would you like it to be? Give us more to work with here. Post your Coriolis build and say what you want to improve or change. The DBX is an explorer, and making it an effective combat ship that also jumps 70 is probably out of reach. My DBX jumps 70 and has several A-rated modules. But it also is unarmed and has module and engineering choices to increase the range. If I were to arm it, and give it good combat shields and integrity that jump number would be far less.

It's fast (for a DBX), has decent protection for an exploration ship, and jumps far

Mad Hops w/rover

A-rated thrusters, power plant and FSD. The rest are D's, not only to help the range, but to reduce power and heat. And it jumps seventy! Sorry, getting carried away....

I know you bought a Krait II, and my combat Krait is a nice blend of speed, jump, protection and firepower, at least as I judge it. Every commander has his own perspective and design priorities.

Poison Whiskey

Jump range is actually 43 unladen now, with the new FSD, but I have yet to grab a build for it.

If you want any advice give us something to work with.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 01:45 PM

Logged on several times yesterday, and mostly hauled da freight. Ten runs in the new Cutter, for 6400t for the CG, in the 50%. Worked a bit more on her engineering, a few nips and tucks. She is getting there, and performed magnificently in the freight train role. Fast enough to avoid interdiction trouble, shields enough to shrug off what hits her, jump enough to ease the pain. 34 jump with 640t of cargo is pretty good I reckon, but I'd like to improve that. Won't happen, she'll not get any lighter. Need a fancy SuperDrives class 8!

I switched over to solo since the pad was blocked a couple times when I arrived at the CG megaship. #%&*$# Condas!

Near the end of the night I decided to get some combat in, signed up for the CG and flew to the high RES at Luyten Star. Turned in 7.5m for 75%.

Bo, we can indeed see your tritium reserves level from the system map. I saw you were at 707t, so dropped off another 16t to take your fuel gauge to 72%.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
And what would you like it to be? Give us more to work with here. Post your Coriolis build and say what you want to improve or change. The DBX is an explorer, and making it an effective combat ship that also jumps 70 is probably out of reach. My DBX jumps 70 and has several A-rated modules. But it also is unarmed and has module and engineering choices to increase the range. If I were to arm it, and give it good combat shields and integrity that jump number would be far less.

It's fast (for a DBX), has decent protection for an exploration ship, and jumps far

Mad Hops w/rover

A-rated thrusters, power plant and FSD. The rest are D's, not only to help the range, but to reduce power and heat. And it jumps seventy! Sorry, getting carried away....

I know you bought a Krait II, and my combat Krait is a nice blend of speed, jump, protection and firepower, at least as I judge it. Every commander has his own perspective and design priorities.

Poison Whiskey

Jump range is actually 43 unladen now, with the new FSD, but I have yet to grab a build for it.

If you want any advice give us something to work with.




Your FSD optimal mass rating is significantly higher?

Is that because of the thing you bought from the tech broker?


I'd link my build but Inara is messing up the export of the DBX right now and modifications aren't carrying over correctly.

Your Krait is a lot like mine, at least for the loadout--I don't run quite as big a scoop. I also don't have everything engineered yet, but already is my favorite ship. I feel like Han Solo flying one--what a sexy ship. The downside with piracy(I'm not doing this again yet) is you have to give up a module slot for a cargo manifest scanner, which already puts you down a notch shieldwise from everyone else who's running boosters. This is a reason why you'll rarely see a pirate fight a bounty hunter when in their pirate ship. We'll run--because we know that it costs to much to be worth our while in repairs and our ship will almost always be weaker than a combat specialized craft because of the changes we have to make internally needed for proper taxation.

There's no shame in running, either.

Heh, last night I had some fun with an Adder pilot while coming in for landing at an Engineer. I eyed his cargo hold and in text chat spooked him while in supercruise(because a seasoned pilot knows you must be interdicted to perform a cargo scan), for right away he was pleading, "But I've got nothing, my hold is only worth 10k!" Heh. "Just kidding!" I replied. smile I'd never rob an Adder, not anymore. I did a long time ago, though...


Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 04:31 PM

Mucho gratias,D And for being the first to test out the V1 Super FSD. I’ve now got em mounted on all my ship that use C5’s. DBX gained 6+ ly to jump 70 and change. Python and FGS netted 2-3 ly each, while my Krait picked up around 6 ly. Of course, my DWE storage is now at a whopping 1. But, that’s what mat traders are for, neh?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Mucho gratias,D And for being the first to test out the V1 Super FSD. I’ve now got em mounted on all my ship that use C5’s. DBX gained 6+ ly to jump 70 and change. Python and FGS netted 2-3 ly each, while my Krait picked up around 6 ly. Of course, my DWE storage is now at a whopping 1. But, that’s what mat traders are for, neh?


Your DWE inventory is 1 more than mine at the moment. And I slipped down to the 50% in the CG, so will have to get back to killing Pirates.

My ASP gained about 4 LY 63 - 67 (BEFORE adding MASS MANAGER which Coriolis estimates another 2-3) Haven't outfitted the DBX or Python yet.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman


Your FSD optimal mass rating is significantly higher?

Is that because of the thing you bought from the tech broker?


Yes it is. Check the Madder Hops thread for details.This FSD added about 6 light years to my DBX.

Quote
I'd link my build but Inara is messing up the export of the DBX right now and modifications aren't carrying over correctly.


Yes, Inara is leaving off the engineering when attempting to export to Coriolis. I use EDMC, set Coriolis as the shipyard in settings, and click the name of your (current) ship in the EDMC interface. Name it, save it, share it.

Quote
Your Krait is a lot like mine...

There's no shame in running, either.


Agreed, and I'd like to see your Krait. Big fan of those, myself. Post it in the Krait thread so it doesn't get lost in this one.

That's awesome Bo, good work. Your Krait is a Phantom? If you got 6 jump on a Krait II please post the build.


Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 05:15 PM

MK2 is my Krait. Combat build.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 05:20 PM

That's double my gain on my Kraits. Poison Whiskey for example went from 40 to 43. What number were you starting from to gain 6? Got a build?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 06:28 PM

At work, will try n post a build afterwards.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 06:52 PM

OK, thanks. If you wouldn't mind, I'd ask you to post in the Krait thread, otherwise it will get snowed under in here.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 07:42 PM

As a suggestion with that fancy new FSD. After putting the experimental on one, take it home and swap it into your other ships to check the benefit. I had no problem doing three (I'm a mat hoarder) and I think I'll stop here. My Asp is already in the mid 50's and I don't use the Python that much any more. Now what to do with three fully engineered 5A FSD's! To bad I can't get the mats back, then I'd sell them. As it is, can't bring myself to sell knowing all the mats I used to get them done.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 07:56 PM

Guess you'll just have to buy some more ships then, that use C5 FSD. No other way Wingy.

I think an Orca, a Challenger and a T-7 should be good for your unmounted FSDs.

No, wait, you'd want the SuperDrives in the Orca.

Make it a Gunship then.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 08:07 PM

Still have that FAS?? smile

I already burned my MATS on 3, so I am using them, DAMMIT! ASP, DBX and PYTHON most likely. I mostly use the Python for Cargo (when there arent large pads) and Passenger Missions as well as Mining, so a better jump range would be good.,,but if it is only a few light years beyond the 32 I already have, then maybe not so much.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 08:19 PM

Last night when delivering some landmines to unlock an engineer, I had the humorous experience of some determined NPC Pirates trying to interdict me.

Not good for them.

The funnies happened when I started slicing their bellies open with my beam lasers. As I was shooting other pirates, I released my drones and scooped up the material guts of their slain comrades while the plasma and lead was still flying. Imagine, for a moment, being a soldier on a battlefield, shooting the enemy while your companions are eaten beside you.

Yes, that was hilarious. smile

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 08:54 PM

That's the way to do it Blastman thumbsup

I've bought four of the double engineered FSD. These have gone in the Orca, DBX, and two Kraits. I plan to buy two more, one for the Phantom and one for the other Krait. How many Kraits do I have dammit!? I might get one just for a ship I have yet to buy lol. Sale ends Friday

Anyone notice a lot of those FSD unsafe operation messages? Was getting them a lot last night.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Anyone notice a lot of those FSD unsafe operation messages? Was getting them a lot last night.


Yes, in Sirius, annoying as HECK!!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22
Originally Posted by DBond
Anyone notice a lot of those FSD unsafe operation messages? Was getting them a lot last night.


Yes, in Sirius, annoying as HECK!!


Me too!! I read somewhere that those FSD's are not good in pure COMBAT ships as there is a significant penalty in INTEGRITY which could result in getting your FSD destroyed, Looking at CORIOLIS, the INTEGRITY was 84 vs. 90 for the normal INCREASED RANGE/MASS MANAGER drives. I guess you could put DOUBLE BRACED experimental on if you were really worried.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 09:34 PM

I'm not worried, just annoyed biggrin

As I wrote in the thread about those things, I've not had a FSD destroyed (without the ship exploding), so I have no concerns there. And anyway, I was getting these messages flying the Cutter, and that's big old class 7!

Now that Ram mentions it, maybe I only got these notifications in Sirius. I went there a lot haha. I'll pay more attention tonight.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I'm not worried, just annoyed biggrin

As I wrote in the thread about these things, I've not had a FSD destroyed (without the ship exploding), so I have no concerns there. And anyway, I was getting these messages flying the Cutter, and that's big old class 7!

Now that Ram mentions it, maybe I only got these notifications in Sirius. I went there a lot haha. I'll pay more attention tonight.


Yes.. Sorry, I kind of mixed up the two ongoing threads. I was getting those messages in the "NORMAL" engineered FSD on the CORVETTE.. IN SIRIUS...

I remember thinking... WHOA did SIRIUS suddenly get a Neutron Star or something?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I'll pay more attention tonight.


The crazy thing is I don't get them every time, it's sort of random! And I'm in a normal engineered Conda.

But when that CHICK start's squawking about it, she just won't shut the H$!! up, sounds like my ex wife!! biggrin HAHA
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/21 11:01 PM

D, cuz I'm too lazy to post a Coriolis link:
Python 39.46 to 42.42
FGS 31.46 to 33.51
Krait MkII 38.08 to 41.71
I clearly remembered the numbers incorrectly on the Krait. My exact DBX gains I didn't jot down.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 01:12 PM

No worries Bo, andd that matches my gains. When I thought you had found 6 jump I had to know how. I saw your build in the Krait thread, thanks for posting it.

Logged on last night and hunted some bounties for the CG. Turned in 11m, and now 61% Deadly. Then I went back to Barnwell, switched to the Cutter, and flew two trade hops, dropping another 1280t to cement my place in the 50%

I had none of the FSD outside safe operating limits notifications or whatever is says.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 05:55 PM

I'm finding that multicannons have become trash since the game was released. I fought an AI crusader last night that took ten minutes to kill once the shields dropped--and they dropped 5 or 10 times. Once down, the ship would hardly take any damage, both from multicannons and beam lasers. Was a total nightmare. It wasn't even an Elite ranked craft, either--I think it was an alliance crusader. Regardless, such a long lasting opponent with shields down in unacceptable. I must rethink my killing tools.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
I'm finding that multicannons have become trash since the game was released.


I run my Conda with 8 MC's, engineered, with high capacity magazines, and I don't have any problems killing the best ships in the game and Elite ships too. I've only had a hand full of ships ending up having their shields regenerate and by then they're toast!!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
I'm finding that multicannons have become trash since the game was released. I fought an AI crusader last night that took ten minutes to kill once the shields dropped--and they dropped 5 or 10 times. Once down, the ship would hardly take any damage, both from multicannons and beam lasers. Was a total nightmare. It wasn't even an Elite ranked craft, either--I think it was an alliance crusader. Regardless, such a long lasting opponent with shields down in unacceptable. I must rethink my killing tools.


That doesn't seem right. Especially for medium ships like the crusader, multis and beams should melt it down just fine.


You should also consider engineering at least one MC with the CORROSIVE SHELL experimental effect. This causes weakening of the enemy hull and makes it susceptible to greater damage from any weapon. Only need it on ONE since the damage is persistent and you don't gain much from having it on both. You can go Incendiary on another cannon for a double whammy, but I run CORROSIVE + AUTOLOADER so I can always have at least one cannon firing. I've always used a mix of Beams and MC's (with a PA or some other heavy hitter if I could mount it). Use the Beam and PA to strip shields, then the Multi's to weaken/damage the hull and use he BEAMS/PA as needed to finish the job.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
You should also consider engineering at least one MC with the CORROSIVE SHELL experimental effect.


I also need to do that!
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22
Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
I'm finding that multicannons have become trash since the game was released.


I run my Conda with 8 MC's, engineered, with high capacity magazines, and I don't have any problems killing the best ships in the game and Elite ships too. I've only had a hand full of ships ending up having their shields regenerate and by then they're toast!!


Then something was wrong with the game, because I literally wanted to throw it out the window as I'd never seen such nonsense. The ship was literally invincible. I could hold my two size 3 long range engineered(level 1) beams on it for 5 seconds and maybe at best I'd do 1% damage if was lucky. The multicannons essentially did nothing, and I have one size three and two size two. My ship isn't even close to fully engineered, but I do now have level 5 engineered FSD, powerplant and power distributor.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
I'm finding that multicannons have become trash since the game was released. I fought an AI crusader last night that took ten minutes to kill once the shields dropped--and they dropped 5 or 10 times. Once down, the ship would hardly take any damage, both from multicannons and beam lasers. Was a total nightmare. It wasn't even an Elite ranked craft, either--I think it was an alliance crusader. Regardless, such a long lasting opponent with shields down in unacceptable. I must rethink my killing tools.

You should also consider engineering at least one MC with the CORROSIVE SHELL experimental effect. This causes weakening of the enemy hull and makes it susceptible to greater damage from any weapon. Only need it on ONE since the damage is persistent and you don't gain much from having it on both. You can go Incendiary on another cannon for a double whammy, but I run CORROSIVE + AUTOLOADER so I can always have at least one cannon firing. I've always used a mix of Beams and MC's (with a PA or some other heavy hitter if I could mount it). Use the Beam and PA to strip shields, then the Multi's to weaken/damage the hull and use he BEAMS/PA as needed to finish the job.



Great idea!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22
Originally Posted by Recluse
You should also consider engineering at least one MC with the CORROSIVE SHELL experimental effect.


I also need to do that!


Corrosive is an experimental, so you also have to apply a "normal" engineering. I like OVERCHARGED, but EFFICIENT and HIGH CAPACITY are also good ones.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/21 06:41 PM

Roger that!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 01:24 PM

Logged on a few times yesterday. Started off with a freight run in the Cutter for the CG. Then hunted a few bounties also for the CG.

I've been burning through my mats lately, with a Cutter from scratch and five of the new FSDs. So I decided to do something about that!

I swapped to the DBX and went to manufactured and encoded traders. Using Inara, I then traded any bins that were full or nearly so. On the encoded side I traded every Adaptive Encryptors Capture away, among others, and flew to the Jameson cobra and farmed it until I had filled that bin up again. I then flew to Dav's Hope and ran a bunch of laps. I've tended to ignore the data point in past visits, but this time I hit it each circuit. Boosted stocks by about 800 mats in total, and now better distribution after all the mat trading. Still a few I have too few of, but I needed to get this done.

Afterwards I returned to Barnwell and ran a couple more trade hops in the Cutter, before wrapping it all up with a quick bounty session at Luyten's Star. Somewhere in there I found the time to work on the Cutter's shield boosters and run a combat test of A-rated sensors in my combat Krait.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 04:22 PM

Imagine someone trying to find all this stuff without the internet in Elite...

They'd take decades, and get their ass shot off the whole time trying to figure these things out alone. Does the game even give hints about these kinds of places?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 05:01 PM

I gave up on that within a month or two. I would have no idea about this stuff without the web. I can think of no game where I rely more on outside sources and sites. It is what it is, and I've adjusted easily.

Jameson Cobra and Dav's Hope are invaluable material sources, and I would not know of them if I just relied on the info gained through in-game sources.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 05:03 PM

Not to mention figuring out the steps needed to unlock the guardian stuff... I just cannot imagine that someone stumbled on one of those sites and figured it all out..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 05:14 PM

I know right? I've done it and still don't know what to do lol.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 07:55 PM

I think once I get my Krait fully engineered, I'm going to head back over to Felicity Farseer's shop and pop some gankers for the lols. I've got no problem with killing folks in Elite, but ambushing noobs who clearly have no engineering on their ships(because FSD is the first engineering you should have done) is pretty lame. Yet there they lurk, waiting for fresh meat. I may even do this in my Cobra MK IV for further humiliation, but I have a special weapon loadout in mind on the Krait with specific modifications that may work well for poppin' hulls.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 09:17 PM

The seal preservation society thanks you.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/21 11:55 PM

biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 02:59 PM

Well the COMBAT CG is over and we are all burned out...

Here's a possible activity: RESCUE PASSENGERS FROM LAVE STATION

https://hot.forthemug.com/current-events/orange-peel/

I recall doing some of these missions in the past. Kind of exciting.. Heat sinks popping all over. Have to reconfigure a ship for it, though I have a Passenger Python ready (just need to add heat sinks). Large Pads available so maybe I'd use the Anaconda.

Not sure I am up for this but it's a thought for those Commanders looking for a new shiny object...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 03:06 PM

Yeah I saw that. My Orca is tailor made for incursion rescues. 14% idle. I'll hit some of these for sure. But not too many.

Logged on yesterday and hooked up with Ram on comms, and then Bo arrived. I went and got the Cutter so Ram could take a snapshot of it but then we lost Ram, so Bo and I took his T-10 plus my combat Krait to a Haz RES and blew sh!t up. Good CG for me.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 05:12 PM

I messed around a little with my HUD colors yesterday. Not sure if I like them, yet, but they sure alter the mood of the cockpit:



[Linked Image]

If you want to mess around yourself, there's a nice tool here:

https://arkku.com/elite/hud_editor/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 05:41 PM

Far out, man.

I've been kicking around changing mine up. I like it, but maybe too light for brighter spots. Like CNBs tend to wash out some of the HUD.

We had a thread about it

https://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4467941/hud-colours#Post4467941

Rec posted a link to some presets
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 06:21 PM

Yeah, I didn't like how the portraits were washed out. Neat link in that thread!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 07:16 PM

Yeah, I changed my colors for awhile, piggybacking on Wingnuts choices. I messed around for awhile but never found one that completely satisfied me. Got used to FRIENDLIES - BLUE ENEMIES-RED COPS-GREEN and never got used to the other colors. Also found some of my Hardpoint labels (like the DSS "TOO FAST" "OUT OF RANGE" etc).. weren't showing up well. I suppose all that could be tweaked, but, in the end I just went back and said YES TO ORANGE...
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
I suppose all that could be tweaked, but, in the end I just went back and said YES TO ORANGE...


Same here. Didn't like the way the radar icons showed up, couldn't tell who was who! Back to the basic!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/21 07:29 PM

Exactly what I did too, Rec. Yet another example of us needed 3rd party tools to do what FDev should’ve included ingame.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 01:39 PM

Logged on last night and brought out the Orca. Swapped everything for econocabins and ran some incursion rescues. She seats 86. These were fun to do again. Pretty easy, and I took no damage of any kind. Pop a sink on the way in, and another after lift off.

Then I swapped to Poison Whiskey to hit a few more bounties. I need 38 more for the next level of the Inara Hunter's badge, so I might try to get that this evening.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 02:24 PM

I did some LAVE STATION rescues for Operation Orange Peel in the Python. Originally had 92 Economy seats, but realized I didn't need the Fuel Scoop or Guardian FSD booster for these runs, so added another 20 seats. Rescued 1083 PAX before quitting for the night

On the board at #41 as of now! No real rewards other than helping out the Truckers...

I take minimal damage every run despite popping heat sinks. Sometimes a Lot of damage when I do something dumb like forget to deploy landing gear and wallow around on the pad forever while overheating.

Only put on 1 Heat Sink launcher so I only have 3 shots. Usually 2 is sufficient like DBOND said, but when I screw up I need the third one.

Attached picture OrangePeel_recluse.PNG
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 02:27 PM

Where did you find that list? Have a link?

Good work rescuing the unfortunate souls.

I found it

https://hot.forthemug.com/current-events/orange-peel/

Only for Lave though eh?

I did mine @ Ito Station in Rhea
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Where did you find that list? Have a link?

Good work rescuing the unfortunate souls.

I found it

https://hot.forthemug.com/current-events/orange-peel/

Only for Lave though eh?

I did mine @ Ito Station in Rhea



Lave is the home station for Lave Radio (Broadcasting from an Orange Sidewinder). They are also part of the Hutton Truckers (I guess...though Hutton Truckers don't have any faction presence at LAVE).

To get on the list, you need to download their plugin for EDMC (or sign up on the Web Version). Keeps your stats for Hutton Trucker initiatives.

I used to listen to LAVE Radio podcasts in the early days of Elite Dangerous, but haven't for awhile. There was also a Lave Radio music station that I sometimes listened to via the INARA link while alone in the Black.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 03:12 PM

Cool, thanks Rec.

It was actually Ito Orbital, not Station. It's the one with the huge shard of the station that moves in front of whichever pad I was assigned haha.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 03:17 PM

When flying from the Lave Station Rescue Ship to LAVE Station, the slot was on the other side of the drop in point. I spent a lot of frustrating time flying around trying to find the hole wink

Then I started just Supercruising past the station and turning around where I could see the slot easily and line up for the drop. The Loop of Shame became the Slingshot of Goodness.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 04:35 PM

Even level 3 engineered dirty drives transforms the Krait...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 04:40 PM

Speed is life as I am fond of saying.

That sucks Rec, what a pain. I would have done the same supercruise thing. And it's a lousy Coriolis too, to make it as troublesome as possible smile

The drop at Ito is right above the slot, and on the right end to boot!

Just mocked up my rumble bus Krait with econocabins and it seats 104. A Krait shouldn't carry more than a dedicated large pad transport! But it do. Anyway, the Orca is right from a roleplaying point of view, and it's the coolest-runner in my fleet. Feels right, even if the numbers don't pile up as quickly and heatsinks mean how cool the ship runs isn't really a big deal.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse


Corrosive is an experimental, so you also have to apply a "normal" engineering. I like OVERCHARGED, but EFFICIENT and HIGH CAPACITY are also good ones.


So I went to Todd the Blaster and attempted to change one of my MC's to Corrosive, I see no option to change it to "normal" and can't get any experimental? Does he not have the capacity to do it?

What am I missing here? Do I have to run to Shinrarta and buy a new MC that is not engineered and go from there, help please.....LOL
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 09:28 PM

You have to have one mod applied to the weapon. G1 is fine

You must 'select' that mod to open up the experimental

It may be defaulting to a mod you have not applied and therefore it appears the experimental is not available.

So if this is a High Cap (or whichever it is), then you must click on that mod first, then your experimental should be available.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


So if this is a High Cap (or whichever it is), then you must click on that mod first, then your experimental should be available.


THANK YOU!! Figured it out, LOL.....Made my 4A MC Oversized, one of my 3C corrosive and the rest Auto Load. Gotta go test her out!!

You guys are the greatest!
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/21 10:38 PM

I'm going for an Enterprise armament. I want photon torpedoes!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 01:18 PM

Any time Ram, glad you got it sorted. I hope you have even more daka-daka now smile

Logged on last night and got straight to bounty hunting. Target was 38 kills for the badge. Lost track after about five, but kept going until I guessed I must be there. Flew back to Barnwell and turned them in. It had been 40 and got the fancy new badge.

Then I went and bought a new ship! A Chieftain, which by the way is the ship Blastman should be flying I think. My idea is to arm it with some weapons that I never use, but theory-crafting it is not easy, so many choices. I have it mocked up but need to finalize before dropping the mats. An interesting project anyway.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 03:23 PM

Yes, Commander FFRAM, please let us know how the Engineered MC's are working for you. What did you put on as the Main Engineering? Overcharged? Combo of Overcharged and the Experimentals you mentioned are great combos, even if you suffer a small hit on Ammo capacity.

It's been a long time since I bought a new ship (not counting the Type 10 in drydock). The Chieftain Pirates were pretty potent adversaries, so was wondering about that ship. Of course the Chieftains all seemed to have the Shield Breaching munitions so maybe it wasn't the ship so much as the armament. Still, I always had a soft spot for the Alliance, so I'm glad their ship is getting some love. One of the reasons I went with a Taipan for my fighter (though now the Guardian Lance gets most of the action).
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 04:18 PM

Yeah, that first drop I did alone in to the pirate threat a couple weeks ago made an impression. That Chieftain was no joke! And as I was saying to Bo the other night I want to build a ship unlike my others. Changing up my weapons. A combat pace-changer. We'll see where it leads. You should get one Rec so we can each benefit from the other's choices, theories and mistakes as they come together.

I even considered a Challenger, but bought the Chief in the end.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 06:19 PM

I did a quick search and found comparisons of the Alliance ships: Chieftain, Challenger and Crusader. CRUSADER?????? I didn't even know that existed. For sure, I never saw any NPC flying one!!!



]

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 07:58 PM

Haha, not many seem to know of the Crusader. Only the Cobra IV and the Asp Scout are less popular.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 08:28 PM

Didn't Wingy have a Challenger or a Chieftain named Froggy??
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 08:45 PM

He still do. Ribbit-ribbit
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 08:46 PM

Yes I do. See Chieftain thread for details though.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
I did a quick search and found comparisons of the Alliance ships: Chieftain, Challenger and Crusader. CRUSADER?????? I didn't even know that existed. For sure, I never saw any NPC flying one!!!


I fought an AI crusader once that took over 10 minutes to kill because he wouldn't take damage. He regenned his shields 5 - 10 times from being fully down, too.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 09:20 PM

I think the Chief is tailor-made for you Blastman. This is your ship for clubbing the seal-clubbers. Your rail-boat, hull tank.

In my occasionally humble opinion.

Challenger works too, maybe even better?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Yes, Commander FFRAM, please let us know how the Engineered MC's are working for you. What did you put on as the Main Engineering? Overcharged? Combo of Overcharged and the Experimentals you mentioned are great combos, even if you suffer a small hit on Ammo capacity.


I left everything with High Capacity magazines.

Experimentals:

4A - Oversized
2 x 3C - Auto Loader
3C - Corrosive
2 x 2F - Auto Loaders
2 x 1G - Auto Loaders

NOT IMPRESSED. I went back to Sirius and jumped into the Pirate Threat 5. Diced up an FDL. Went after a Conda and it stood toe to toe with me, when I killed him, my shields were almost down.

I'm pretty sure I need to go back and remove the HC mags and I'm open for suggestions, please! LOL
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/21 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22
Originally Posted by Recluse
Yes, Commander FFRAM, please let us know how the Engineered MC's are working for you. What did you put on as the Main Engineering? Overcharged? Combo of Overcharged and the Experimentals you mentioned are great combos, even if you suffer a small hit on Ammo capacity.


I left everything with High Capacity magazines.

Experimentals:

4A - Oversized
2 x 3C - Auto Loader
3C - Corrosive
2 x 2F - Auto Loaders
2 x 1G - Auto Loaders

NOT IMPRESSED. I went back to Sirius and jumped into the Pirate Threat 5. Diced up an FDL. Went after a Conda and it stood toe to toe with me, when I killed him, my shields were almost down.

I'm pretty sure I need to go back and remove the HC mags and I'm open for suggestions, please! LOL


It'll take more MATs, but I like OVERCHARGED vs. Hi Cap. Even EFFICIENT gives you a good Damage Bonus.

Also, it is a personal preference, but I never liked all MC builds. I found that Beams or other Laser weapons are better at stripping shields and Kinetic weapons do better against HULL. I guess it depends on the enemy's resistances. But CORROSIVE is pretty useless ( I think) when their Shields are up, so you don't gain much benefit. Overcharged or other Damage increasing mods will give you an advantage against Shield and Hull just by virtue of greater hit points.

That said, Wingy's Skittles do a #%&*$# fine job of taking out Shields, so I guess there is something to be said for Kinetic damage.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by RAM22


and I'm open for suggestions, please! LOL


If only we had had a thread about this ship. biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 01:10 AM

I think he was asking for suggestions on MC engineering for the 'Conda, not the Chieftain/Challenger....
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 01:15 AM

Agreed. Like this ? smile



Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 01:41 AM

Multi's = Oversized & Overcharged, then adjust power as necessary.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 05:51 PM

Bromellite is the worst substance on earth to mine for. F Bill Turner and his bromellite huffing fetish. Look at his photo--you can tell he's a huffer.


Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 05:57 PM

LOL!!!!!! Pure gold, Blast
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 07:10 PM

A rare creature spotted in the wild...

[Linked Image]

A bromellalexandroid!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 08:37 PM

When we were mining Void Opals during the first big BOOM, it seemed that the excitement of finding a CORE was immediately diminished but it turning out to be Bromellite. Back then Bromellilte cores were all over the place!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


If only we had had a thread about this ship. biggrin


HAHA, I will tomorrow at some point. I'm off hunting for RAW mats at the moment, didn't have any Sulfur! Once I get the MC's engineered, I'll update Inara and start a thread!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/21 11:53 PM

The LAVE rescues got me my CAPTAIN badge on Inara!

Speaking of Passengers... WTF??


I pulled your butt out of a burning station and you complain??? If I could figure out WHICH ones were the moaners among the 112 stuffed in the Economy compartments I would SPACE them and let them find their own way to safety

Attached picture 20210314192759_1.jpg
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/21 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22


I'll update Inara and start a thread!


There is a thread already. Is this thing on?! biggrin

It was the first thing you posted at SimHQ. I made suggestions, put up a couple builds, considered DPS, mass, speed, jump, firepower, protection, and even mocked up the mock up with Guardian stuff. And so naturally we talked about Mower.

Congrats on the new badge and welcome to the Captain's Club Rec! I'm gunning for level 2, but still a ways to go. I ran a few more rescues last night to bump the number a little more. I'm around 7,500 butts delivered and have already passed the 1,000 VIPs.

Aside from the rescues I worked on the Chieftain a bit and took her out bounty hunting. I need Selenium to finish the Chief so I think I'll hit the last bio site I planned several weeks ago and stock up. Need a name for it too.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/21 04:53 PM

Apparently there are certain materials that can only be found in Anarchy systems? I joined the dark side again last night and randomly started popping trade ships in these places. T9s are pinatas! No laws, no crime. smile
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/21 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


There is a thread already. Is this thing on?! biggrin


screwy biggrin : OH LORD!!! I forgot all about it!! LOLOLOLOL duh
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 01:09 PM

Guys I need some help. I've come back to E:D after a 2 year absence (I certainly haven't played it more than a few minutes since they introduced that awful FSS scanner thing) and I'm trying to do some more exploring.

I have the keys sorted out and although I've watched a few tutorials it's doing my head in. I kid you not I spent 15 minutes trying to find the last planet in a 3 planet system banghead

I'm sure as I use it more I can bring that time down somewhat but how can you tell which bodies in a system you have done a probe scan on?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 01:14 PM

You can tell which planets you have MAPPED using the DSS (Detailed Surface Scanner) because they will have grid lines on them. If you look in the NAV panel, anything that shows UNEXPLORED is something you haven't yet "Discovered" by either using the FSS or flying close enough to "discover" it.

Some systems will already be 100% discovered if you have hit a NAV beacon, or, I think well travelled settled systems may already show at 100% discovered.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 01:45 PM

Thanks Recluse. I've just found an even better tutorial that answers most of my questions including a tip that would have found that elusive last planet in seconds.

I did notice that you can launch probes whilst in S/C around the planet, is this easier in your experience or is it better from a halt?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Chucky
Thanks Recluse. I've just found an even better tutorial that answers most of my questions including a tip that would have found that elusive last planet in seconds.

I did notice that you can launch probes whilst in S/C around the planet, is this easier in your experience or is it better from a halt?


I think as long as it is showing IN RANGE, you can use the probes.

I usually just stop (still in Supercruise just throttle to zero) as it makes aiming the Probes easier. Also HIGHLY recommend engineering the DSS for wider coverage. Almost impossible NOT to get the bonus after that.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 02:15 PM

Same. I fire from a halt at a fairly close distance while in supercruise. With the probe radius engineering it is easier like Rec noted. If you get in to it this time. I want that double engineered DSS from one of the CGs. Hopefully that gets made available like the double engineered FSD.

So I pull up and stop (well, as stopped as you can get in supercruise) One probe gets sent 'over the top' to cover the back side, and then one to each cardinal point to hit on the horizon using the tick mark as the aimpoint, and sometimes a last one straight at the center to cover this side. Depends on the size of the body of course, some can get done with a single probe, some take a dozen.

Chucky, welcome back, good to see you around. The money you'll make will blow you away compared to what it was paying when you were doing this before.

As long as some unscanned ones exist you'll have that show on the spectral analysis. Discounting signal sources, if there are any lines still showing on the spectral analysis there are more left to do. Scanning while parked close to the star can cause bodies to be obscured by it. I'll usually FSS while scooping, then if anything is hidden on the other side of the star I'll hit S/C for 10 seconds to gain some distance, then they should be visible.

Every now and then you'll come across a system with planets very tightly packed, and sometimes I can struggle to locate them all. The last system I visited when I hit the bio sites a few weeks ago was like this. It was a challenge to resolve every planet. But that's exploration haha.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 03:13 PM

I haven't engineered a single thing with this particular account. Mind you, my two other accounts I'm running have little to no engineering either. I can be very obstinate at times biggrin
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 04:32 PM

Plasma accelerators are fun. I've popped a couple ships now with one shot to the hull. Bye multicannons, I don't miss you.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/21 11:43 PM

Well, I've almost got the hang of it now although I find it easier (not quicker) to fire off the probes whilst orbiting the planet in S/C.

I think I need to do it from a stop for a quicker result. Can someone explain the probe aiming again? If I want to hit the back of the planet where do I aim? What does the tick mark indicate?

Thanks.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 12:03 AM

To hit the back side, go to an extreme, where is says miss (I think) and then back off a little. Fire it then hit the key assigned to see the other side (Y by default? if on PC) to see where it hits and adjust as necessary for the next one. Don't forget to flip the view back or things can get confusing haha.

If you fire with the tick mark centered the probe will hit on the horizon, or edge. Some bodies are moving fast and you need a little Kentucky windage sometimes. Gravity may play a part too?

If you stop you can get off all probes within a few seconds once you get the hang of it. Probe radius makes a big difference. Felicity can do G3 which helps a bunch. But it can be done without it no problem, only the efficiency bonus becomes harder to get.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 12:50 AM

I did wonder if I had to allow for planet rotation speed/gravity. I guess the more I do the better I will get because at the moment 50% of the planets I'm not making the scanning bonus.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Chucky
50% of the planets I'm not making the scanning bonus.


When you get 100% of the planet scanned, you will get the full bonus. I think you have to get to 80% and then it considers it fully scanned, as long as you're equal to or under the estimated probes to scan said planet, then you get the efficiency bonus.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 01:53 AM

My probe game isn't on point..yet. Wasted too many. I'll get better.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 02:26 AM

How often does Fujin tea respawn? I need the thermal vents on my beams.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 12:14 PM

The max buy quantity of rares is dependent on system state. How often it cycles I couldn't say, but was always ready by the time I returned from dropping off the first load. I think it's like 10 or 15 minutes to reset. Maybe a re-log takes care of it?

I logged on a couple times yesterday and did little other than run rescues. I converted my rumble bus Krait with econocabins. The Orca is perfect for these due to its cool-running,but seats 86. The rumble bus seats 104 so I switched to get moar. In all I rescued 4,300+ desperate souls during this incursion. That earned the G2 Captain's badge when I delivered my 10,000th passenger smile

That's enough of that for a bit haha.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 02:55 PM

WTF????

Not sure I would quite trust this... but it seems to be a THING..

Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 03:50 PM

Saw that, Rec. IMHO, kinda cheesy and exploitative. Might be semantics on my part, but I think an AFK method to grind is a bit much.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 04:10 PM

On the other hand, Odyssey is adding FPS to Elite, so why not go the extra mile and add RTS elements where you can send your autonomous fleet out to do boring things like mining and exploration while you do the FUN stuff like....like... er... um...you know...uh...HELP ME OUT HERE!

For the record I HATE RTS games...
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
How often does Fujin tea respawn? I need the thermal vents on my beams.


DBond is correct at 15 minutes. You could also enlist one of us to accompany you to the station, buy the max amount and then transfer them to you outside the station. We've done this numerous times to assist commanders. You just need collector controller and limpets.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 06:51 PM

I might need to do this Wingnuts. I only can buy 1 - 3 units at a time, which is absurd. The tea drunk engineer bastad wants 50 tonnes. Who drinks 50 tonnes? Does he want to seep antioxidants from his pores in his sleep?
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/21 07:31 PM

We're standing by if you decide you need us. Perhaps after the refresh Thursday the quanity will go up some. The 1 - 3 units is very low.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/21 05:00 AM

Thermal vented lasers feel like cheating.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/21 08:57 PM

Is there any way of exiting S/C Assist without going to the nav panel? I can't seem to find a key binding for it (assuming there is one).
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/21 11:09 AM

I haven't used it so not certain, but from what I have read there is not.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/20/21 08:47 PM

Super penetrators.

That is all.
Posted By: Chucky

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 12:04 AM

I'm not sure if this is a bug or not?

I'd just fired off 4 probes (6 probe job) to map a planet when I was interdicted. When I went back to the DSS it said the 4 probes had impacted but the planet mapping had reset. Seems a little unfair to me if intentional.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 12:48 AM

I can fire beams and rails infinitely now without overheating, and have shields. This is super amusing.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
I can fire beams and rails infinitely now without overheating, and have shields. This is super amusing


Same thing with a 4A Beam and 7 MC's, have to watch the power when I'm firing the MC's, but it's minimal, melt them suckers!!
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 05:13 AM

How fast do the MCs bring down shields and pop subsystems?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
How fast do the MCs bring down shields and pop subsystems?


I was running my Anaconda with all MC's before I changed the large 4A to a Beam, which is Effiecient/Oversized.

With all 8 weapons being MC's, compared to the difference between 1 Beam and 7 MC's, I can take the shields down probably 5 times faster than just the MC's, then I use just the MC's to eat the hull and down the ship!

Last night on the last pirate I fought which was a Vette, probably took 5 sec's for shields with Beam, and 5 secs for hull. Of course those are rough estimates, there's several factors involved, chaffing, maneuvering, distance.

I'm saying if we were standing toe to toe at 500meters roughly!

Taking the shields down and killing the hull with 8 MC's would take roughly a minute in comparison. Smaller ships don't stand a chance. I haven't encountered a T10 Defender yet, and they usually are packed with Hull reinforcements, so that will be fun! LOL
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22


I was running my Anaconda with all MC's before I changed the large 4A to a Beam, which is Effiecient/Oversized.

With all 8 weapons being MC's, compared to the difference between 1 Beam and 7 MC's, I can take the shields down probably 5 times faster than just the MC's, then I use just the MC's to eat the hull and down the ship!

ships don't stand a chance. I haven't encountered a T10 Defender yet, and they usually are packed with Hull reinforcements, so that will be fun! LOL


Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Beam!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/21 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse


Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Beam!


Thanks, Good thing you guys convinced me!! HAHA
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/22/21 06:10 AM

Ahhhh, there be no representation without taxation in Elite, err, ahem, cargo surveillance. smile Plenty of good marks today, here's a nice compliant one doing as he should in the presence of government officials:



Alas, there were some unfortunate souls that thought they were above the laws and refused to pay their share to the people's fund, so they paid in blood:

[Linked Image]

Noncompliant novices and harmless fellows 'ave no business flyin' round in cutters and pythons, not if they're gonna challenge the strong arm of the financial bureau.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/22/21 05:20 PM

Really cool planetary descent on the way to an installation while hunting a 3 million bounty:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Elite sometimes has nifty looking terrain, they did a great job with the planet generator.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/21 04:29 AM

I found this Elite 'pit on Youtube:

Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 06:45 PM

So question:

Do ships in combat zones have ridiculously pumped up stats?

Because I tried one last night and ran into Chieftan after Chieftan that would take minutes or longer to kill once their shields went down. Their hulls just wouldn't lose hitpoints, and I'm running fully upgraded long range rails and beams, which should rip them apart. Heck, I even target their modules using super penetrators and triple size 2 rails barely do any damage when they hit directly.

So then I pulled out the PAs, 2x size 2 and 1x size 3, and a full on direct hit might do 4% to 10% if I'm lucky in hull damage, which is sad, given their extreme low rate of fire.

Something feels off. Back when I used to play elite, ships melted, but now they are mega tanks, whereas when my shields drop, my hull still dissolves.


Human players are another story. I melt them just fine with my triple rails and beams.
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman
So question:

Do ships in combat zones have ridiculously pumped up stats?

Because I tried one last night and ran into Chieftan after Chieftan that would take minutes or longer to kill once their shields went down. Their hulls just wouldn't lose hitpoints, and I'm running fully upgraded long range rails and beams, which should rip them apart. Heck, I even target their modules using super penetrators and triple size 2 rails barely do any damage when they hit directly.




What skill level were those Chieftains? I've noticed that AI on "Elite" or even the level below which I think is "Dangerous" seem to be extremely tough to bring down even if you have a fully engineered ship.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 07:12 PM

They are probably Deadly or Elite.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 07:16 PM

They aren't ridiculously pumped, they are just engineered. If you think the ships in a CZ are tough, try a pirate threat.

In CZs you can encounter 'spec ops' ships/wings, which are even tougher than the other CZ ships.

I like the way it works. Fight the sheep in RES or CNB. Fight the wolves in pirate threats and CZs. I like having tiered combat challenge, and where I can seek it out, or not, by which instances I opt in to.
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 07:20 PM

Does better armor penetration rating bypass module reinforcement?
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 07:48 PM

I believe those are two separate things. I stand by to be corrected though.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 08:11 PM

Armor acts as DR. Your shot's penetration is compared to the armor hardness rating. If the pen value is lower than the hardness, the damage is reduced. This is why rails deal full damage. No ship has a hardness greater than the rails' penetration.

I don't think anything bypasses module reinforcement, which also acts as DR. But there is another thing at play here and it is hull breach chance. Hull breach attacks deal damage to the module, but still reduced by any module reinforcement. Add resistances to the equation and it's even more muddled. I don't know how this works really smile
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 08:27 PM

I have been pondering that if you load a ship with nothing but module reinforcement packages, it may become invincible. I read somewhere that your hull could stay at 1% seemingly forever...


I may test this. If true, then I will exploit to the fullest.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/21 09:21 PM

Here's a thread on this... probably one of HUNDREDS... Some good information here about how Module Reinforcements stack, but, otherwise....the usual forum dick measuring.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/hull-reinforcements-vs-module-reinforcements.514757/
Posted By: Mr_Blastman

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/21 05:46 AM

Hmm, blasting pirates to ragtime for biotech conductors ain't so bad. Good 'ole Joplin to soothe the beams down the hatch.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/22 03:44 PM

I stopped playing, or took my annual nine-month break, at the end of March of last year. So this thread came to a halt sympathetically. Matter of fact, the entire forum followed suit. I would have liked to see the discussions continue, but it is what it was.

However! I am at the point where I am thinking about considering how I might ponder whether or not I should contemplate possibly deliberating a return. I'll mull it over smile

But I plan to skip EDO. At least at first. Those first footfalls though....

Dust-Off 2022 is not yet in motion, but may be at some point down the line smile
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/22 09:30 PM

We’re waiting for your return, D.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/21/22 09:48 PM

I smell a trap....
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/22/22 02:00 PM

I don't, really, smell a trap. Just trying to be funny and accelerate the banter.

Had a look at Inara, to get a feel for where I was when the plug was pulled. I have a T-6! Yeah, forgot about that, CG reward. What the hell do you do with a T-6? That's a great ship when your fleet consists of a Sidewinder and Adder, but I seem to have a Cutter. Good lord. I've really forgotten where I've come from. Anyone need a T-6? free to a new home.

Inspiration is what I need, some compelling goal to get me to fire it back up, since it's nearly a certainty I'll need to remap my controls after so long. Right? So there has to be a pay off haha Lack of new ships is a problem, since that would do it. If only all those Odyssey man-hours were devoted to designing new ships (and paints). There are already a lot of ships, it's not like Frontier have dropped the ball there, but we're going on what, year eight? It's needed.

Because for me that's really all I have left. Players find their motivation in different ways, but for me the only real enduring draw is a new ship. Acquiring a new ship, devising a specific role for it, and then designing and engineering it to fit my vision of what it should be is the carrot. I chase that and I'm good. Then it's done, and the void returns. I guess that's why I stop playing for 2/3 of the year. That and combat Elite, which I've been talking about for years now. In an odd way I hope it stays just out of reach, because once it's triggered that is another goal reached.

You guys that have 4,000 or 6,000 hours in Elite have admirable internal motivation capacity.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 02:38 PM

Dust-off 2022 gains momentum as I picked my track IR camera up off the floor behind my desk and re-attached it to the monitor. Can't be long now!

I've had Track IR for a long time now, and I use the Track Clip. But it's so old, and faded and the reflectors are starting to peel off, so I need a new one. Is there a better solution than the Track Clip? I went on Natural Point's site to order one. It's $10, which I can live with, and $24 to ship. That's a lot to spend for what it is, so I'm just checking alternatives.

Maybe I could 'repair' the one I have and regain the bright reflectors with some paint, or marker or tape or something?
Posted By: DM

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:08 PM

Will be cheaper to buy high quality grey reflective tape and replace the old ones yes? I assume your clip is the metal one with plenty of spring left in it? As far as I've seen the newer ones are plastic and separates into 2 parts for easier storage & less chance of you accidentally stepping/leaning/crushing it.

*edit
Something like:
Reflective tape
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:20 PM

Yes it still has plenty of spring, needs bling.

I went ahead and ordered a new clip from Natural Point. I hope they actually have them. There are a number of shipping and delivery disclaimers on their site, but I'm hoping that is more for full device sets and not just the clips. In the mean time I think I'll have a go at refurbishing the one I have. thanks for the link Markwick
Posted By: DM

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:38 PM

Hey how d'you know my name? biggrin
Posted By: PanzerMeyer

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


Because for me that's really all I have left. Players find their motivation in different ways, but for me the only real enduring draw is a new ship. Acquiring a new ship, devising a specific role for it, and then designing and engineering it to fit my vision of what it should be is the carrot. I chase that and I'm good. Then it's done, and the void returns.

.



I was very much the same way with ED. Acquiring different ships and then devising a strategy on how best to equip them and then the subsequent engineering was a HUGE factor behind my enjoyment with the game. Even the exploration aspect I did everything I wanted to do. I visited SAG A and Colonia a couple of times. I visited most of the well known nebulas and I even went as far as Beagle Point. I had seen plenty of neutron stars, white dwarfs and gotten close to many black holes.

So until Frontier adds new ships or at least adds the ability to get up from your chair and walk around your ship during flight (like how you can do in the Mass Effect games) I won't bother reinstalling.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by DM
Hey how d'you know my name? biggrin


Did I spell it right?

So last night I was ironically daydreaming about Elite, putting myself mentally in to the simulation, recalling what I like about it. Thinking of how much I enjoy the dockside operations part of it all. About supercruising, and G-loc in my Courier. Of orbit entries and boost speeds. So I'm nearly there, about time to fire it back up.

But that purpose....

Others probably see my struggle with motivation as silly, just play it man! But I need a goal, something to work on or toward. Odyssey perhaps, holds that key. Maybe what it offers is enough to pull me back. Not in a paradigm shifting way, but with concourses to stroll, or first footfalls to gather. Maybe there's enough new to make it feel fresh?

Maybe I'll fire Elite up this evening, just have a bash about, get everything reconfigured and myself re-acclimated.

Are the CGs any good lately?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer


I was very much the same way with ED. Acquiring different ships and then devising a strategy on how best to equip them and then the subsequent engineering was a HUGE factor behind my enjoyment with the game. Even the exploration aspect I did everything I wanted to do. I visited SAG A and Colonia a couple of times. I visited most of the well known nebulas and I even went as far as Beagle Point. I had seen plenty of neutron stars, white dwarfs and gotten close to many black holes.

So until Frontier adds new ships or at least adds the ability to get up from your chair and walk around your ship during flight (like how you can do in the Mass Effect games) I won't bother reinstalling.


Quoted for truth. New ships would be great, and I'd already be back (and subsequently stopped by now, probably)

But I've been thinking that there are likely a couple existing ships I've not bought that I would like. Mamba, Dolphin, DBS maybe a Clipper. The issue I run in to is I want my fleet as streamlined as possible, everything with a role to play. For a long time I set an arbitrary limit of ten ships, and I stuck to it. But at the mo I'm up to 13 with the T-6. Actually I had owned a DBS and a Dolphin, but sold it them when I could find no purpose for them. I don't care to engineer a ship just to have it sit there.


Posted By: DM

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 04:07 PM

You spelled it right smile

I can't add anything for your personal goals though - I never had a goal for my own playtime, just an urge to see as much as I could see. To land on as many interesting moons/planets as possible, and to romp about.

I'm currently playing Project Zomboid, and after I got the hysteria-driven initial survival out of the way, I find I do need a goal other than to just keep living. So I'm pimping out my living space as best I can (it's full of my trash & gathered items), and I want to make a farm on the roofspace. Plus I need to be able to effectively maintain vehicles indefinitely, I still need to level up & gather that stuff.

Totally different gamng experience for me though. I will say one thing - I've laways played games as though they matter, as though it's my life on the line. Whether it's ArmA, DCS, MSFS, ED, PZ, I get somewhat invested in "how would I really act". In that sense both games are played similarly. I've never died once in ED. PZ I'm on my 5th or 6th guy, but he's by far the most successful and long-lived.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/24/22 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by DM
as though it's my life on the line


Same. Submarine sims, flight sims, even Elite, I have that same approach. I'm a relative lightweight around here in terms of hours sunk (I'm on 1500), but in all that time I have lost just five ships. And aside from losing my Courier in a ludicrous-speed collision more recently, all of those ship losses were very early on, back when I thought I could fly combat in an un-engineered Eagle. Yeah, don't do that.

What I fly, how I fly and how I build my ships all revolves around trying to match landings to liftoffs. Speed is life, after all.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 01:41 PM

The title of this thread was an attempt at a double-cab Tundra double entendre, as it can mean to literally get the dust off, as well as the way it is used for helicopters, although I think that was more about rescue choppers in Vietnam than faster-than-light ships in the vast reaches of space.

Just before shutting it down last March, I had purchased a set of Crosswinds. Good kit, this. The sorts of games I had played since then had little use for pedals, so it is good to get some use out of them. they weren't cheap after all.

After strolling around the backyard with my dog I sat down to begin the process of firing up Elite. I was fearful of the need to re-map my rig, that's usually the case after such a long layoff and the interim updates and patches. Especially if you failed to back up the binds. Got the dust off and plugged everything back in, tested my headset for functionality, and donned my Air Station Wildwood baseball cap with the run-down hat clip.

First hurdle was the launcher, which asked me to log-in and had the ID and password auto-filled. So I clicked that but got rejected. Not valid, I was told. How the fu...

So I requested password assistance, but before going that route I tried logging in to Frontier's site, and it worked fine. So why won't it launch the launcher? Because I didn't buy it from Frontier I reckon, so I found the Steam option and in like Flynn. In the menu (Hi Ram!) I checked my binds, happy to see it was all more or less retained. The only thing that wasn't was my DSS/FSS binds, since I had bought a new X Box controller and I guess it's a different hardware ID or whatever, so Elite sees it as a different device. Didn't take long to set that right.

OK then, that wasn't so bad, time to fly. I found I was 1500 light years out in the DBX. What was I up to? What am I doing way out here? I'll have to run back through my posts as I'm sure I was yapping about whatever it was. So I turned it around and flew back to the bubble, UGP 145 and Barnwell Station to be specific, 70 lightyears at a pop. Along the way I randomly scanned and mapped, probing anything valuable. Turns out all of my firegroups had been re-set to blank, so got that squared away after some initial confusion about why nothing worked like it used to.

The only thing that was worrying me was the landing. I had just boasted on the forum of losing just five ships in my Elite career and if I were going to screw it up, it would be at the station, forgetting some protocol or keypress. I was a little nervous to be honest. So after dropping I took the time to run through an impromptu checklist. Gear, check, hardpoints, OK. Left panel. Right panel. Good. Requested landing permission which was granted and I followed a FAS through the slot, saw my pad straight away and did my standard inverted approach with a last-moment flip and set her down like a butterfly with sore feet. Like riding a bike haha.

All of my ships are at Barnwell, so I sold the 4 million in data I had collected on the trip, and swapped to Poison Whiskey, my battle Krait. Loaded it up with limpets and looked at the map to find a nearby system with some rings and hopefully some RES action. Flew there, dropped in and deployed. Straight in to battle, knocking down a number of NPCs and forgetting completely that I had limpets on board. After about 20 minutes I guess I tagged a cop, 400 credits that will cost you, and suddenly everyone has a bee in their bonnet. But if there's one thing I always have plenty of in this game, it is speed. No NPC can keep up, and off I boosted, having a look at EDDB to find a nearby low-security system to pay my tribute. This was an outpost in a system called Maka. Landed there, paid the fine and shut it down after about 2.5 hours.

And it was fun. Long breaks are good smile
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 01:58 PM

Do you use Voice Attack by any chance? The voicepacks that go along with Elite are quite fun, and being able to ASK for docking permission rather than having to hunt through a menu is quite immersive/satisfying.
And check your PM's for an offer you can't' refuse.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 02:20 PM

No I don't use voice commands. And honestly muscle-memory makes requesting landing permission a two-second thing. It's automatic (if I haven't been away for a year), hardly-think-about it sort of action, like flipping the radio station in the car you've been driving for years.

Thanks for the offer man, very generous!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 04:29 PM

Of course, coming back to Elite means spending much time with Inara. Checking my friends, which means you lot, I see everyone has played recently, aside from JC. Today is day 365 since you last fired it up. Had me beat even. I went 11 months, which is the longest break I've taken from Elite since I started playing five years ago.

And though I had fun, and plan to fire it back up as soon as tonight, I'm still lost for purpose. I'll check out the CG action I guess.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Are the CGs any good lately?


The CG Fight for the Empire, located at Summerland was okay, as were the rewards. I ran it and had 37Mil in combat bonds and got 96Mil being in the top 50%. I was in the top 25% and should have stayed up Wednesday night to ensure I'd stay there but I was too tired to continue.

The Colonia CG's are a farce as far as I'm concerned, a bridge from the world to Colonia with 3 or 4 space stations? Its 22,000+Ly's away. How's that going to help? And the rewards are garbage, free white cockpit lights and engine exhaust...OH, THANK YOU!!! attack

At any rate, just get back in the saddle Gene!! biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 06:40 PM

Yeah got back in last night, saw you were on.

Thanks for the info Ram.

Yeah, not interested in Colonia CGs. I see it's on week 3. How many weeks does the current one run?
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Of course, coming back to Elite means spending much time with Inara. Checking my friends, which means you lot, I see everyone has played recently, aside from JC. Today is day 365 since you last fired it up. Had me beat even. I went 11 months, which is the longest break I've taken from Elite since I started playing five years ago.

And though I had fun, and plan to fire it back up as soon as tonight, I'm still lost for purpose. I'll check out the CG action I guess.



That's not right, I fired it up a few months ago, flew around and said "Nope, not yet." So I landed and logged off. The link to my data must have expired.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 08:05 PM

OK, maybe it was just how long since you logged in to Inara.
Posted By: JohnnyChemo

Re: Dust Off - 02/25/22 09:35 PM

Yeah that sounds like it might be more likely.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/22 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
How many weeks does the current one run?


After the current one ends on Wednesday night, there is one more for a week.

Fought my first Goids last night, Scouts:

[Linked Image]

I guess they were Scouts, had run over to Hip 17403 to gather Sensor Fragments for the engineers and ran into them a system before there. There were two threat areas, threat 4 and 7.

I opted for the threat 4 as I was flying my Asp, they tagged me quite a few times and I did the same to them, which didn't do anything to them. After a while, my shields started to get ate down a little bit and I jumped over to Hip 17403 to do my business.

I've ran into systems before with Thargoid threat areas but never went into them, so I figured I'd see what it was all about!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/26/22 06:41 PM

Scouts aren't so tough, but that goo is a pain. I did some of this a couple years ago, and of course started a thread about it

https://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4519250/scout-hunting#Post4519250

Decon limpets, plenty of integrity and AX turrets. The limpets don't just remove the goo, but also repair a point or two of your hull.

Scout combat XP was nerfed at some point, but it's good to mix things up.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/27/22 06:51 PM

Logged on last night to bring my Krait back from the IF outpost, having paid my penance. Did some bounty hunting along the way, but the redeem station was too far and I was too lazy to fly there so I have 10m in bounties to find where to turn them in. I remembered I had limpets this time and did some scavenging. If I'm going to start some sort of build project I need to stock up.

I just don't know what that is yet.

So having gone a year out, can you guys fill me in on the best special modules that have come out? Like the double engineered stuff? Last one I got was the class 5 FSD I think. Anything worth going for that is available outside of CGs? Don't care what it is, scanners, or whatever, if it's good.

Thanks RAM for the CG info.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 04:36 PM

The only CG rewards I snagged were the size 3,4, and 6 double engineered FSD’s from one of the Colonia Bridge phases. Gained between 1.5 and 3 lys. Unlike the the class 5 ones we got a while back, these were NOT an unlock. Only got one of each class.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 05:16 PM

Thanks Bo, are you saying those were CG rewards and not currently available outside for unlock or purchase?

What is? Anything worth looking at that I can get outside of CGs?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 06:10 PM

Yup, those 3 2xengineered FSD’s are not unlockable like the C5 ones we got previously. They were basically a one time “gift” upon completion of the CG. Honestly, they were not all that. A nominal boost to jump range and they were or still are borked with regards to adding an experimental effect. Not that I’m complaining….

Nothing that I know of worth getting from tech brokers or unlockables.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks RAM for the CG info.


No problem and I took a look at your Xeno thread, thanks for that. I'll go visit them again in the near future!

Originally Posted by Bohemond
A nominal boost to jump range and they were or still are borked with regards to adding an experimental effect. Not that I’m complaining….


There is a way around that. Catch up with Wingy, he has the solution!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 07:59 PM

Ram, I used the work around to add the exp effects to all three. How much of a boost to jump range to you get ?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 02/28/22 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Ram, I used the work around to add the exp effects to all three. How much of a boost to jump range to you get ?


I haven't done it yet. I'm mining at this time, and dealing with my last engineer.

When I get back to Shinrarta, I'll hop in my Asp, run over to Felicity and do the work around and let ya know! I have to change a few things in my Asp first also, I ended up adding to much mass, have to reduce that!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/22 01:35 PM

At Barnwell I have a human tech broker and right at the top of the list is the Engineered Detailed Surface Scanner v1. Nowhere on god's green earth does it actually say what this module does, not even the wiki. It just says something like 'two expanded probe radius modifications'. But the cost in mats is pretty steep so I suspect it must be better than level two probe radius. How much better than a regular G5 scanner is it? What's the advantage expressed in absolute terms? The internet is basically 'scanner is moar' but doesn't actually say in what way. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe Frontier could actually write a description for it, like describe what it does, what advantages and disadvantages it has before you drop 24 niobium, man.

Like is G5 probe radius +30% and this thing is +40%? You know?

Speaking of the gods, they smile upon us with the existence of Inara, which I was looking around. And thankfully I was able to twist up some goals, some targets, to hit. One is the The Soldier badge. Most of you guys have long had this, but I don't. I see the requirement for level 1 is 500 bonds. Has it always been that low? I think Artie must have lowered it, because that's pretty low hanging fruit and I think I would have gone for it before. I had 209 bonds and so spent last night doing some CZ combat. Got about 50 kills splitting time between the FDL and the Krait.

That showed me I want to re-do the FDLs weapons. Gives me a project anyway. Something to think about

There's also now a Samaritan badge, which I'm close to. I checked but there were no burning stations yesterday, just repairing. It's always this way when I want to run rescues.

And if I get the motivation, maybe some mining as I'm not far away from the miner badge.

Combat rank is now around 72% Deadly. This could be the year I hit Elite. smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/22 03:29 PM

Combat Elite was the last Elite Rank I got. Was plodding along in the High 80's low 90% range. What pushed me over the edge was fitting out an Anaconda for Anti-Xeno combat and going out to kill Thargoid Scouts (each of which counts as ELITE).

Somewhere in there they DECREASED the value of Scouts but they were still the best way of racking up Combat XP. Despite a couple of narrow escapes, it was pretty easy as long as I was prudent on what the danger rating of the USS's I chose.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/22 04:04 PM

I made a visit to Barnwell and the Engineered Detailed Surface Scanner v1 is tempting. I can afford it and I will probably go for it later today.
I haven`t done a lot of exploring so maybe this scanner will make it more interesting.
This trader also have an A5 engineered FSD V1. Anybody have any details on this other than the info from the broker?
Lastly, I earned Elite II rating in trade yesterday. Do this entail any benefits?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/22 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean

This trader also have an A5 engineered FSD V1. Anybody have any details on this other than the info from the broker?
Lastly, I earned Elite II rating in trade yesterday. Do this entail any benefits?


Double engineered 5A, added it to my Krait Phantom and it gained 2 ly's.

Never felt any benefit from becoming Elite in trading!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/01/22 07:42 PM

Wigean is talking about a sort of prestige rank that was added? I thought I read something about that, but no clue what it does. But congrats anyway on haulin' da freight! If I had known you were coming to Barnwell I'd have bought you a beer.

I don't know what exactly the DSS v1 does, but I expect it's just bigger probe radius than a bog-standard G5 version. They have no mass or power draw right?

Jumped on this morning and rejigged my FDL weapons, huge thermal vent beam with four overcharged autoloaders. Better but I'll keep kicking it around. I considered frags, plasma, rails but couldn't decide. Bought two new multicannons but failed to see I bought fixed when I was specifically aware of the possibility, and G5'd them. Derp. With not enough mats left to do another pair of multicannons, I stole a pair out of my rumble bus Krait.

Hey Rec, I remember when you hit Elite. I recall calculating how many scout kills you needed.

Today I hit a CNB and several CZs in the FDL. I think I'm 74% now. At about 30 kills per point, I need about 780 to hit it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 02:06 PM

Logged on a couple times yesterday and did CZ, CNB and RES hunting. Good progress, lots of kills, up to about 340 bonds now. I did low, medium and high CZs and it's hard to see what the difference is? They all felt about the same really. Good mat collecting in the middle of it all. Split the time between re-jigged FDL and the old battle Krait.

Went back to orange HUD. I don't like the color, but it does show well against varying backgrounds and everything is color-coded appropriately. Not sure how long I'll keep this, but for now I've come full circle.

I saw several of you were on, and here's the 'how ya doin?' I didn't send then biggrin
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 04:32 PM

I am sorry that I miised the beer. I will send a message next time. smile
You are of course welcome at Dassault/IAH Lanitei where I am based for the moment. I`ll buy you the local beer, which are well known and famous in my part of the universe. cheers

I bought the DSS V1.
Probe radius is increased 40% and ther is no power draw.
I went to a unexplored system and I needed 2-3 probes when the target was 6.
My exploration skills are lacking, so I need to do some work in that field.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean

I bought the DSS V1.


Thanks for the info, but I'm still confused. Is that +40% over a non-engineered DSS?

I looked on Inara and Juri does G5 DSS. Inara shows G5 is +50%.

Can the EDSS v1 then be engineered? Because I must be missing something as 40 is lower than 50. Maybe my error is expecting the special module to be better than engineering can achieve? Maybe the appeal here is one that is already engineered, not it's capability per se.

Thanks for the invitation. I'll drop by next time I'm in the neighborhood.


Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 05:42 PM

I am not sure of how they calculate the increasement really.
Look at the mod status, It says both 40% and 100%.
Could it be that a "normal" modded DSS can give you an increasement of 40% from the standard one and this special one gives you an 100% increase?

[Linked Image]
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 06:10 PM

Nice Cutter.

That's about as clear as mud. Anyone know what 40%(100%) means?

It's moar!
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/02/22 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Nice Cutter.

That's about as clear as mud. Anyone know what 40%(100%) means?

It's moar!


A bit sluggish, but it`ll do as a cargo hauler. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Wigean

Lastly, I earned Elite II rating in trade yesterday. Do this entail any benefits?


It does, indeed. I looked on Inara. If I may, I have to say, it sort of blows me away, how accomplished you are in Elite. I mean, you've sort of done it on the sly, hardly ever posting here until the last couple of years. But the numbers you've put up are fantastic. I think Inara is great, and I like to follow my ranking, and all the other stuff whenever I am playing. After my long layoff I fell to like 14,000 haha. But you're like 7,300 which is way up there, considering the fanaticism some have for Elite. Like that Chiggy Von Richthofen dude (maybe spelled it wrong). Anyone see the post he put up today showing his exploration stats in the codex? Unreal. His play time is over five years I think. 250,000 jumps. 10 million light years flown.

So against such dedication your spot is really impressive. The other regulars here like Rec, Wingnuts, Ram and Bo are all far ahead of me too, but even those guys are around 11,000, which is still way up there too. I guess my point is that you should have been posting here longer haha

Back to the quoted bit above.... the benefits are the sweet Inara badges, the double stars on your prestige trade rank and that star field on your trade badge. Posh. smile

Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 11:19 AM

Thank you DBond. smile
I learn something every day. Good thing.
I have to admit I haven`t been active in checking my stats. I realise I should be more interested in them if I want to chase aims.
I`m not sure when I joined Inara, but your post made me look closer at the different stats.
Bloody hell, the time spent in the game make me feel like a Sad #%&*$# . biggrin
I don`t know if I deserve all the fine words in your post.
I may be rather quiet in the forum, but I have to say that I read the posts here and if you think my stats are good they are a result of the knowledge I have gained here in the forum. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 01:14 PM

How many commodities have you traded? I looked last night and I've done 25 k haha! I can't imagine how many it takes to reach those levels.

I hopped on last night for a bit. Did a couple more CZs, a RES and a combat aftermath, which was lame. Those were worthwhile instances once upon a time.

Did well with mat scooping, even got PI from a Conda in one of the CZs.

I've spoken of it before, but I really like the 'seamanship' in this game. I mean the routine operation of the ship, especially the portside operations. Landing never gets old for me, and the outposts are the best, as your pad could be any orientation to your approach vector. I've never used a docking computer, and I think folks are missing one of the best aspects of the game when setting it all to autopilot.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
How many commodities have you traded? I looked last night and I've done 25 k haha! I can't imagine how many it takes to reach those levels.

I hopped on last night for a bit. Did a couple more CZs, a RES and a combat aftermath, which was lame. Those were worthwhile instances once upon a time.

Did well with mat scooping, even got PI from a Conda in one of the CZs.

I've spoken of it before, but I really like the 'seamanship' in this game. I mean the routine operation of the ship, especially the portside operations. Landing never gets old for me, and the outposts are the best, as your pad could be any orientation to your approach vector. I've never used a docking computer, and I think folks are missing one of the best aspects of the game when setting it all to autopilot.


The stats say I have traded 944.237/1.000.000 commodities.
So there may be an extra achievment prize for rounding the million mark?
Then I will reconfigure my cargo Cutter to reach that goal smile

I left the game when doing some mining yesterday. I`ll fire it up now and finish up and see if I can do some hauling.
Grinding again, but watching sports on my second monitor will help.

I understand your point when not using a docking computer.
I use it in some of my ships. I find it useful not because I find docking hard at all, but it is useful when you need the be effective .
I save time flying on autopilot . Time I use for navigation and planning. Or making a cup of coffee. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 03:52 PM

Don't take it personally -- not that you did -- just my personal opinion. Never used the DC, nor have I used a SCA. Blaze your own.

But yes, I really enjoy that part of Elite, the routine operations.

I can still remember my first attempt at docking in the proper game. I had done so in the tutorial without issue. But there, your pad is highlighted. First time I tried it in the game it was not so obvious,even though your assigned pad is spoken by the controller and displayed on the HUD. I failed to notice it however and kept trying different pads to be scolded while the time was ticking out. I was near panic.

Now though it's all routine. I've never been attacked by a station so I must be doing something right. And only once or twice have I managed to lodge myself in the slot.

And of course aside from that, I also don't want to give up those slots to these devices. I understand the convenience angle, but not an issue for me.

Nearly 1 million commodities eh? That's impressive. And yeah, I gotta do some mining soon too. Is core mining still a thing? Viable?
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 04:29 PM

I don`t take it personal DBond. smile
With regards to mining it`s good for the variation.
It`s hard to find fine the best prices, even Inara gives wrong info.
Sometimes I find it better to use the prices in the ingame commodity menu.
I have parked my carrier nearby and find it more fun to load it with minerals and then use my Cutter to haul as much as I can to a station that pays good price.
Feels better that way. biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 04:31 PM

I use this tool when I go mining. Not perfect either, but usually pretty good! It would be nice to use ONLY in-game information but that is SO LACKING for any number of critical operations.


https://edtools.cc/miner
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 05:10 PM

I use the same one, but thanks Rec.

Using that it looks like Benitoite, Musgravite and VO's are the hot ticket. But that's a long way from the 1.6m gold rush days.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
I use this tool when I go mining. Not perfect either, but usually pretty good! It would be nice to use ONLY in-game information but that is SO LACKING for any number of critical operations.


https://edtools.cc/miner



Agreed.
Thanks for the link Recluse.
I use TCE and EDDB for the most part.
I try to use those resources combined with the sparse ingame info tp prevent going to the wrong stations.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 07:12 PM

Now I joined the CG in Alcor.
Makes good credits. 28 millions in profit each run.
BUT, after selling 2.688 tons of res seps to MacDonald station there is no increase in the commodity stats in Inara after I updated..
Could it be that CG trading doesn`t count?
Or is Inara slow?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 07:22 PM

Yeah Inara is slow to update. I tend to run one day behind. Like right now Inara says I have about 331 combat bonds, but it's closer to 360, so it is not yet including the ones I got last night, even though I always update from EDMC and then do an Import Frontier Data on Inara. Give it another day and today's stuff should show, but tomorrow's will not. Yet. Rinse. Repeat.

Money tends to update straight away, but the other stuff trails at a distance.

Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 07:46 PM

Ah, I see.
Thanks DBond.
I `ve reached 50% now and will take a break.
Time to check out the other forums and read the latest news.
Then I`ll probably watch Ronnie o`Sullivan.
D-amn he is good when he is in form. smile
(hehe, this forum won`t accept the tiniest swear words.You can`t even write #%&*$#, but b-astard is fine. I`m ok with that. biggrin )
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/03/22 09:40 PM

New CG, gents. 3A, 4A, and 5A pre engineered power plants as rewards depending upon tier reached. Moved my FC and currently hauling auto fabricators to Alcor
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/22 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
New CG, gents. 3A, 4A, and 5A pre engineered power plants as rewards depending upon tier reached. Moved my FC and currently hauling auto fabricators to Alcor

Copied.

Have you done any calculation on what is more efficent, a big hauler or using your FC?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/22 01:14 PM

The CG rewards aren't floating my boat. They are not double engineered, just overcharged, which is useful, but nothing special, and probably super hot. Maybe I'll kick in, but just because I haven't taken the Cutter out in a year.

Hopped on last night and did three CZs, and we actually lost the last one. Shameful. The fact I was driving around with the hatch open might have contributed smile

If anyone sees any burning incursion stations would you let me know please?

New track clip arrived and I'll give that a run out and see if it improves anything.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/22 09:21 PM

D the monies are good with "Resonating Seperators" sourced at Alicor next door. I'm doing 31.1m a load. Money almost too easy, and yet, i'm here!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/04/22 09:43 PM

You can't go wrong by simply following WWWD

What Would Wingnuts Do?

Thanks for the info! That's good space ducats.

I might just do, but I don't want to get too distracted from my short term goals here. But then again, you gotta mix it up to avoid the burn out. Well, some of you don't, you don't burn out.

Right now I'm leaning toward waiting for the next CG. I need 125 more combat bonds lol, and then we'll see.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 01:04 AM

There's a burning station in Gabia, which is 173 light years from Barnwell.

I'm going to load out the rumble bus with ecocabins and get my samaritan on.

The system is shown as Thargoid allegiance. Do they always say that? Never noticed before.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 01:24 PM

That turned out a bit of a damp squib.

The rumble bus is one of my Kraits, and it seats 100 economy-class butts with a class 3 scoop, or 104 without. Because the distance to Gabia was close to the full-tank jump range of the rumble bus I opted for the scoop. I could have just made it I think, but nearly out of fuel and any risk wasn't worth four additional seats. And no pit-stop for fuel would be required.

Arriving at the incursion system I dropped out and approached the station, Lee Horizons, which is a Coriolis. Took a while just to find the slot, and then I ran five rescues saving these unfortunate souls. Entering the station is always fun, as your pad can be anywhere and the flames, debris and explosions keep you on your toes. But it all went without a hitch and I deposited 497 mostly-grateful refugees, while ignoring their entreaties which they were bombarding me with before the cabins were even full. Keep a lid on it back there!

Hopped on Inara to check my progress for the Samaritan badge to realize it not only requires 5000 rescues (way past done) but 50 rebooted settlements or somesuch. That's not happening, so scratch the Samaritan badge. Making that squib damper is the fact that only one of the factions at Lee Horizons is superpower-aligned (Fed).

While in the system I saw on the navigation panel that there was also a research vessel with the just-been-thargoided highlights so I went to check it out. Dropping in I saw the vessel hanging there surrounded by a massive green cloud of thargoid gas or whatever it is. It was sort of spooky, and my rumble bus is not fit out for any real combat so I pulled a Sir Robin. Anyone know what the deal is? How can I interact with those? What's the outcome? The game was telling me to data scan it.

I shut it down for the night on the rescue vessel and I hope it's still there! These rescues took my career total to 10,600, and I need 15,000 for level 3 Captain's badge, so there's a long way to go. there's also a 1,000 VIP component to that level, but I'm way past that due to all the sightseeing and VIP transport I've done through the years.

Also did a little CZ combat and now 77% Deadly. 75 more bonds for the Soldier's badge. Goals are gold.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 05:14 PM

D, according to GalNet the reward PP’s are not 2xengineered BUT are supposed to be better than e regular engineered module. Take with much NaCl given FDevs recent history.
You shud only need about 5-7k tons of hauling to get in the top 75% in order to secure the rewards. We’ll worth it in my estimation. YMMV of course
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 05:19 PM

Yes, from what I understand they are over-overcharged. But something like that just doesn't fit the way I build my ships. At that point I'd rather go next higher class with cooler engineering. Many players don't mind hotter ships, but I want mine to be light, fast and cool running. Or as much as s possible when you balance all three of those things.

More power has its uses no doubt, but I can't see a need for a G6-ish overcharged power plant.

This isn't to say I won't participate, but only that the rewards are not appealing for me this week.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 06:16 PM

Fair enough
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/05/22 06:47 PM

But I do appreciate the heads-up Bo.

If you, or anyone gets one of these reward PPs, let me know what the stats on it are. A bog-standard G5 overcharged power plant is

Integrity -25% (bad)
Heat efficiency +25% (bad)
Power generation +40% (good)

Maybe the rewards ones give more power but not more heat? I don't know.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/22 12:45 AM

III.

Surprisingly fast. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/22 02:40 AM

Dude you've clocked a billion and a half in a week. That's a third of all I've earned in 1500 hours.

But congrats, that badge looks great.

Logged on for a bit this evening. Mostly hit CZs to cross 500 bonds, which is done. Soldier badge. Did one high RES too. 79% Deadly.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/22 03:12 PM

One side-effect of the rescues I ran a couple days ago is the fact I am now 83% Post Captain. If I am not mistaken, the next rank is Rear Admiral, other wise known as Icangetavette, which is French I think, but means "walk slow and carry a big stick" in translation. Now that does not mean I will, but I can. Hmmm....

A few days ago I found I was full or nearly so on a number of mat bins. So I flew to a trader and kissed goodbye 650 hard-won materials to clear space, trading up. That's rather regrettable, but needed to be done. It would be a cool thing for Frontier to run an 'exchange sale' now and then where the exchange rates were lowered so we could clear space without it costing so dear.

Since then I've cut that deficit in half, with combat scooping in CZs and RES. Oh well, it had to be done, as otherwise you just leave those mats behind when you're full. Like last night I couldn't accept anymore thermic alloys as they've filled up again already.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/22 04:28 PM

Great progress DBond!


And yes, I did my share of work in the CG during the week-end. smile

Walk slow and carry a big stick eh?
I am an Admiral, so if you don`t want there may be consequences. biggrin
Hehe, just kidding.

I left the CG at 10% last night.
I will do some work now while listening to the latest news.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/07/22 04:56 PM

Well, I have a longstanding rule that I own no ship that cannot boost 500+. There is no way you can get a Vette to go that fast. So I doubt it, but ya never know.

I do however want a new build project, but nothing trips my trigger at the mo.

The hang up really is role. If I'm to jump through the engineering hoops I need the ship to have a clearly defined purpose. But that's all covered already.

I'm leaning toward getting another Dolphin, but what to do with it?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/22 03:26 PM

Logged on last night for a bit and took out Twin Reverb, the mining Krait. I got Kraits for everything!

Did some core mining for Serendibite, because that was the most valuable one in the hotspots where I was. Didn't do very well. The first core I found I botched so badly that I never blew it up. I used up all of the fissures and I had to go find another. I probably spent two hours on this mission and mined 66t, including one platinum core. Not a huge success. Made about 16m. Next one will go better now that I've reacquainted myself. Miner's badge target.

Of course I had no idea which type of rock I would be looking for, and that's half the battle right there. Now I know which one to look for if I am looking for Serendibite (rhymes with serendipity?). But it's not worth all that much at 490k per ton. Musgravite is the only one worth anything really, with a couple stations paying close to 800k at the moment. But then I don't know where to look, and which rocks to shoot. Too bad LTDs and VOs are so low as I know more about those. And icy rings are the best atmosphere for mining.

And I usually grab two or three different ones as I go through the ring, don't have enough patience to be so selective, or enough effectiveness to be fast. And one station has a great price for one of the minerals/metals I mined, but crap for another. So to maximize profit I'd ideally travel to the best sell stations for each, but I don't. Money's not the goal anyway, got enough of that. Refined tons is. But might as well get paid.

I'll give it another go, the stations with the good Musgravite prices have good demand. I checked which type of ring I need this time haha. Rocky, not metal. Need about 390t.

Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/22 04:38 PM

The Krait is great!
I named my mining Krait "Mineur Petit". smile
I enjoy mining with my Krait. Great maneuverability.
I also have a mining Cutter, "Mineur Grand". biggrin
Too large I, but I tried. May be a Python would be a good mining craft?
I`m based at Dassault Gateway in the Iah Lanitei system for the moment, so most of my ships are named in the french tradition.

I decided to try to stay within the 10% in the CG today. I reached the 6 Billion credit mark balance before I quit.
I`ll follow the developement later on to try and stay within 10%.
How to reach within the 10 commanders limit is beyond me. Crazy numbers. May be some are working in teams?

With regards to Musgravite I tried to find some , but didn`t succeed.
So I went for the more common ones. Even of they pay less, it`s probably more effective.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/22 06:41 PM

Those names sound better in French, yes.

Python's great for this, with the additional class 6 slot you can carry more. My mining Krait does 128t, which is enough, as I am ready to head back by the time I've done that much. I choose the Krait over the Python for it's superior maneuverability and visibility, especially overhead. And anyway, I sold my Python. Once I tried a Krait on, the Python was doomed.

Just got back from a much better expedition. Again, about 2 hours, but a better haul. Bird in hand approach and I got five different minerals/metals (is there a catch-all phrase for that? Commodities is too broad). I decided to go to the station selling the thing I got the most of for the best price while still being in fair proximity, willing to accept that I might not get a good price for the other four things. It was a station called Stewart Gateway, in Atagat. When I looked at the sell prices I was surprised to see all of them were high, and some higher than any of the third party sites and utilities were saying. I had mined 118t of the mixed types and it sold for 74m, an average of 627k per rock. That's pretty poor compared to what this used to pay, but better than I expected after looking up prices beforehand.

The very first rock I scanned and stuck was Musgravite. I didn't find another. It was a Benitoite hotspot in a rocky ring.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/08/22 07:53 PM

My last few forays into mining were somewhat diffident. Hit a hotspot and get everything what is supposed to be the hotspot mineral. Hasn’t mattered what type of mineral. Usually still managed to come out with something worthwhile, just not what was supposed to be the main rock.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 01:15 PM

I hopped back on last night for a bit. Stuck around Atagat which has some rings. Hit a Monzanite hotspot, but had more trouble finding cores and took out 90t which sold for 55m. The sell prices had dropped slightly so a little less per rock. Now need 174t for the miner's badge.

This is my mining Krait

Twin Reverb

It's probably my least-done ship, with partial engineering, but it's more than good enough to mine cores. Good speed and agility, good jump and just enough capacity. When I built it I wanted a ship that could mine cores and make a decent profit, while being able to fight interdictors or evade. No NPC can catch a ship with 550 boost.

I also wanted to maximize jump range, because the best sell prices can be anywhere, and I might choose to fly 200 light years to cash in. Fully loaded, it still hops 35, which is quite a bit better than I could have gotten out of the Python. A class 6 slot is very valuable, but for me doesn't outweigh the better speed, agility, visibility and jump range of the Krait.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 03:13 PM

You and Wing are the resident Krait ambassadors! Python and Cutter are my rock hound ships of choice usually. What little mining I do these days is done in a CM4, mostly cuz I don’t have a dedicated use for it otherwise.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 03:23 PM

All good ships for this Bo. Can't go wrong with that lineup.

I wouldn't want to be flying a Cutter when trying to plant my seismic charges though smile

Good use for that Cobra.

I should correct what I said. even though Twin Reverb is partially engineered, it is not my least-engineered. That would be the T-6 that I have yet to touch or even sit in, and the Phantom, which was bought to be my rumble bus, found wanting, re-imagined as deep-diving scientific explorer, and then ignored.

And yes, Wingnuts showed me the Krait light. I have three, the core miner, the rumble bus and the combat sweeper/scout sniper. I think it's the best ship in Elite when all factors are considered. And I have the Phantom too, so four really.

I passed an arbitrary short-term goal last night, with 3 billion cash on hand. Meaningless milestone.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 05:01 PM

Agree on core mining in the big Impy. Just straight surface laser beaming with the Cutter. She’s currently configured for hauling 728t.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 05:16 PM

Yes, I reckoned you were strip mining in the beast.

I searched my commander name on Inara, and as you'd expect I am the only one.

But I was startled to see how many stations use the name.

https://inara.cz/search/?search=sinisalo

I must pay a visit.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 06:32 PM

There’s definitely one in my normal haunts around HR 4734, can’t remember exactly which system
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/09/22 06:54 PM

Interesting, hard to believe there are so many.

No one, I don't think, has ever asked me about it. It's an unusual name.

It comes from the former Finnish Philadelphia Flyers forward Ilkka Sinisalo.

Whenever we would play hockey as kids, and even until my early thirties, I wore his jersey. So often that that is what the other guys called me.

So when I register in a new game I usually go for bond in some way, but if those are taken I need a back up. So it was with Elite and sinisalo became my commander name.

Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 12:54 AM

IV
Ho hum biggrin
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 01:24 PM

Insane profiteering Wigean. In two weeks you've made more than half of what I have in nearly five years. Inara says you've made 2.4b in the past two weeks.

Merchant marine

Logged on last night for a short run. Tried my hand at core mining again but had rotten luck (or I displayed low skill) and found very few cores, having shot off about 40 prospectors. Only found two cores for 31t and headed for home after cashing in, 143t short of my goal.

Flew back to Barnwell, swapped Kraits and did a little RES bounty hunting. 80% Deadly.

Bought a Dolphin. Still not sure what to do with it, but my plan is to make it run as cool as I can. Sunburst, my Orca Interstellar Style Magnet, cruises at 14%. I think I can beat that in the Dolphin. Maybe use it for sightseeing or something. I dunno.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 03:15 PM

Hey Bo, where's your carrier at the mo? I ran in to a couple of tritium hotspots last night and thought I could mine some and make a donation. Do you need tritium now? Can it be core mined?

Edit: Nope not cores, laser mining. Or sub-surface using the drill-bang rockets.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 03:57 PM

Angband is currently at Brizo, a jump from Alcor. I’ll probably move it back to HR 4734 next time I’m on after I collect for the just finished CG. There room in the tank for Trit donations wink
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 04:21 PM

OK I'll look for it. Not set up for strip mining, but could convert. We'll see. Need some more numbers and I don't mind how I get it or what it pays. And if I could help a brother out that works for me. I'll see how far those systems are from me (UGP 145)

I bought the Dolphin, yeah, and mocked one up on Coriolis. This is sightseeing trim. It's all low-draw engineering to make it run frosty. Got to run it through EDSY to see what the heat figures are.

Iced-out Dolphin

Built it in EDSY, and it says 11% idle with this build. Hoping for a little lower, like 9%, but I don't think I can do it without sacrificing either speed or shields or smaller scoop. Don't want to give any of that up. I'll keep tinkering.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Insane profiteering Wigean. In two weeks you've made more than half of what I have in nearly five years. Inara says you've made 2.4b in the past two weeks.

Merchant marine

Logged on last night for a short run. Tried my hand at core mining again but had rotten luck (or I displayed low skill) and found very few cores, having shot off about 40 prospectors. Only found two cores for 31t and headed for home after cashing in, 143t short of my goal.

Flew back to Barnwell, swapped Kraits and did a little RES bounty hunting. 80% Deadly.

Bought a Dolphin. Still not sure what to do with it, but my plan is to make it run as cool as I can. Sunburst, my Orca Interstellar Style Magnet, cruises at 14%. I think I can beat that in the Dolphin. Maybe use it for sightseeing or something. I dunno.


I had a good run. smile
One of my daughters is living here for some days. She is a medical nurse and works nightshifts this week. So she needs to sleep during the day which means I have to be quiet . Result is doing doing PC time. Bummer. biggrin
I still have to work out how to get the rewards from the CG though.

Nice Dolphin.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 04:53 PM

Thanks, but that's still theoretical, I have yet to touch it.

If you work out those rewards will you post the integrity, heat and power percentages of the power plant? I'm interested to see what it is, over-overcharged.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 05:01 PM

II remember you mentioned that earlier in the thread , so I planned to post it. smile
If I only can find it.
I`ll log in now and will do some search.
Stay tuned.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 05:15 PM

OK thanks for remembering. I've heard that's a great skill to have smile

By the way, you and I were talking about Inara updating, keeping current. What I'm doing now is when I'm ready to log off I exit to the menu, then go back in to the game, and then exit out. This updates the latest it seems. Then I hit 'update' on EDMC to be sure. Then I use the Import Frontier Data on Inara and that seems to be working to give me the latest.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/10/22 05:47 PM

Thank you. I`ll try that.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 04:21 AM

Hopped on tonight for a bit. Decided to go mine some tritium. Swapped the abrasion blaster and seismic charges for a mining laser and a subsurface rocket.

Took a few tries to get my bearings again with this, but before too long I was doing pretty good. I should have kept the abrasion blaster. There was plenty of surface tritium, but I couldn't get it, and laser fragments are way too slow unless you're running multiple lasers and limpets I guess. Anyway, I hate it. It's like the first mining experience I had in the game. I wanted to unlock Selene Jean, so I got my Python all pimped out for it, mined exactly one ton, flew back and sold all the mining stuff.

It wasn't until the big mining overhaul, and core mining, that I ever tried again. I know laser mining is a profitable way to spend time, but I'd rather do just about anything else. Core mining is fun for me though, and so are the drill-bang rockets. What I liked about tonight was I found so many asteroids with tritium that I was constantly busy making progress. The difference is that progress is pretty slow. In terms of rocks per hour subsurface is probably less productive, but it's continually engaging. A big part of what I like about both of these types of mining is how much ship control is required, as I flip around the asteroids planting rockets or charges. Using the full suite of controls, vertical and lateral thrusters, the Crosswinds get a good workout.

I stopped on 55t and flew to the good ship Angband, which Bo has parked 71 light years from Barnwell, two hops in the Krait, and donated it to the cause. It would have been closer to 70t if I had kept the abrasion blaster and I'll take that next time. Not much of a contribution I suppose, but gotta drop it somewhere smile
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 11:24 AM

Mucho gratias, D! You guys keep me from ever having to mine or buy Tritium. I actually mined a bit last nite myself. The planet Angband was orbiting had a bunch of so called hotspots. Picked a Benitoite (sp?) and had at it. Found exactly ONE core with said mineral and 1 of Musgravite Granted, I wasn’t on long. Finished off my load of limpets using the mining lances on cobalt, rutile, and bauxite. Made about 10 mil on 37 tons.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 01:11 PM

I'm happy to help. Angband is the Black Sheep squadron's base of operations and helping to keep her going is my sacred duty haha.

Landing there was fun. Heavy traffic. When I requested a pad about five of them all in a tight block lit up and I landed in quick succession with several NPCs, three of us touching down at nearly the same time. Angband was hopping!

With that load I'm now 91t short of The Miner badge. that's one (patient) trip.

Got started on the Dolphin, by transferring modules from storage. Had quite a few actually which was nice, even ELP shields, but not fully engineered. It helps anyway to cut it all down a bit.

To add to the Inara data updating conversation.... last night I had forgotten to start EDMC, which I noticed when I shut Elite down. But I thought let's just see if it is necessary. Imported Frontier Data and yeah, up to date. I still did the last relog to refresh it before closing Elite. But the update from EDMC isn't necessary as it turns out.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 02:51 PM

@DBond. I`ve got the 3 modded PP stored now.
Blueprints on all: Overcharged power plant.
The numbers are as follows:

5A Power plant
Grade 5
Integrity 74 (-30%)
Power Cap, 32.64MW (+60%)
Heat efficiency 0.54 (+35%)

4A Power plant
Grade 5
Integrity 62(-30%)
Power cap. 24.96 (+60%)
Heat efficiency 0.54 (+35%)


3A Power plant
Grade 5
Integrity 49 (-30%)
Power cap. 19.20MW (+60%)
Heat efficiency 0.54(+35%)


Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 03:01 PM

Thanks Wigean, those are better than I might have expected, but still too hot for me. Ignoring integrity (+5%), they are 20% better in power output at the cost of 10% more heat compared to a G5 overcharged power plant. Not bad.

In-class, none of my ships needs that sort of power. But what these would allow me to do would be to downsize the power plant class once again. Most of my ships use undersized PPs since I aim cool, and that means minding power draw. So I can get away with a lower class in many ships to save mass and cost. Even so, none of them uses overcharge above G3.

Thanks for the info. I can see some good uses for these, even if they probably aren't something I would take advantage of often.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 06:14 PM

Hmm, I wonder if it is possible to add eperimental effects to the above mentioned power plants.
Inaria informs of a "thermal spread" effect that reduces the heat efficiency by 10 %.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 06:40 PM

Yes all of my power plants use thermal spread, and it is -10%.

Since the CG rewards are not double-engineered I would expect you can add an experimental to them yes. Even double engineered isn't a block right? I know I put mass manager on those FSDs from last year.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 07:33 PM

Yes, you can add experimentals to 2xengineered. I’ve done it to all of my CG rewards and the special tech broker ones.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 07:52 PM

One of the rewards recently folks were saying wouldn't take experimentals, but I forget now what it was. Maybe it wasn't even true and PEBKAC.

Where's Ram? Every time I log he's on, but not seen around here. Where you at Ram?

I might hit you up Bo with some more tritium tonight. I think if I slap the blaster back on and put my mind to it I can get the 91t I need. Then I can turn my attention to combat rank and working on the Dolphin.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/11/22 09:30 PM

Your had to do a workaround in order to slap experimentals on the last batch of CG reward FSD’s. Really just an annoyance at FDev’s incompetence more than a hassle to actually do the experimental.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 02:50 AM

OK thanks for the info Bo.

Logged on for a bit tonight to see if I could get across the 2000t mined line. This time I took the blaster and dropped in to a tritium hotspot in my home system. With some seat time in the bank I did a lot better, refining 93t in a little more than an hour. The abrasion blaster probably only contributed 10 or 15 tons of that, but it's more. Returned to Angband and dropped it in the pile. A few asteroids yielded 18t, which is about as much as I get out of the best cores, so I was happy with that. Is there anything valuable that can be gotten at with subsurface rockets? I'll need to look that up.

I hope that fuels a couple jumps for ya Bo.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 03:11 AM

Appreciate it it, D
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 03:14 AM

Once I grab the PP’s from the last CG, I’ll post the gains from them if any.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 01:36 PM

With that 93t donation I hit 2002 career tons mined and got the Miner badge. My Inara page looks better now.

So I want to focus on combat rank, need about 570 more kills to hit Elite. Years ago I calculated that I would need roughly 6000 kills to do it, and it's on pace to be very close. Then I think I'll finally hire a minion, which I've never done and start using fighters now and then. Could use a Guardian run to get a blueprint or two.

No progress on the Dolphin, but I dutifully scooped more mats when I wrapped up last night with a bit of RES action. 81% Deadly.

Need a name for the new ship.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 07:43 PM

"D" , the stats follow;

5A Power 20.40MW / 32.64MW
integrity 106 / 74
efficiency 0.40 / 0.54

4A Power 15.60MW / 24.96MW
integrity 86 / 62
efficiency 0.40 / 0.54

3A Power 12.00MW / 19.20MW
integrity 70 / 49
efficiency 0.40 / 0.54

And well that sucks for me. I tried to put experimental "Thermal Spread" and these modules aren't allowed experimentals. I'll try the 4A on Vulture, however I fear the heat will be excessive. I had a thread on it: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/power-plant.600317/

Best to you,
Wingy
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/12/22 08:28 PM

Hey Wingy, how's things?

Thanks for the info. And yeah that is a poor turn that they won't take thermal spread. But it's a small offset anyway, and I suspected from the announcement I wouldn't want these because of the heat, combined with not needing that sort of power in my builds, but wanted to see the figures. Maybe they'd work in a mining build to run a bunch of lasers or something. And some ships probably do need that sort of power. there's lots of whizbangs and doodads I don't run like SCBs that might benefit from the additional overhead, I dunno. Or a Conda to power everything while dropping mass for additional jump or whatever.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/22 03:08 PM

Hopped on last night for a bit. Spent most of the time doing the experimentals tour with my new Dolphin. The build is intended to be a lo-draw cool-runner, fast and with good jump to use for sightseeing and VIP smuggling.

Lo-draw Dolphin

Only the power plant is flush G5, the rest is some thing less as it is painful to spend those precious mats for the tiniest sliver of engineering progress. So it can eventually run cooler, faster and jump farther. But it's pretty good now. Great speed, idles at 11%, cruises at 13%, which is pretty frosty. I quickly discovered that the max scoop rate for a class 4 is 343/s. This build attains that rate at 45% heat! Gulps it full in seconds. Awesome scooping performance haha. 50 jump is good, although my Orca jumps a little farther, and this Dolphin is stealing some roles from a ship that is probably better at it, but I had to come up with something to justify all of this work. Still needs a name.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/22 04:42 PM

Chicken of the Sea? Hahaha
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/13/22 05:47 PM

Under advisement, thanks Bo. It is one of the suggestions I ever got biggrin

I'm gunning for this

Lo-draw Target Build


Most everything was set, but it left several class 1 and 2 slots open. I don't use SCA or SDC, so I think sticking a collector controller and a rack or two will be useful for dropping in to any HGEs I come across. Sightseeing is pretty good for rewards on it's own. And it takes you to some of the best and most interesting systems in and around the bubble. Very often the target systems have earthlikes, water worlds and ammonia worlds amongst other interesting bit and bobs, which get probed for the cash. So since I'm scanning anyway, may as well look for HGEs.

I still need to decide on the utilities. I could add one more E booster. Or I could go with heatsink and maybe a wake scanner. It's all modular anyway and I can swap stuff in and out, but I'm locked in at 13.3 MW with the ELP power plant so it limited what I can do with less than one MW to play with.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 12:41 PM

Took the new Dolphin out and put her through the paces, flying a couple of sightseeing missions, the first of which featured a ringed earthlike. The ship is well-suited, but being limited to one class 5 cabin does leave out a few missions in the passenger lounge. I also flew to a nearby system to buy a class 5 Luxury cabin as I saw a couple of these missions on the boards.

This build, I think, is ideally suited for criminal transport and secretive fares, rebel leaders and criminal mastermind type missions. It's low heat presumably reduces the range at which scans can occur, and the high speed makes evading scans easy. I added a heatsink launcher to facilitate smuggling operations.

So I reckon this project has been a success. In the end I packed enough stuff on board that I didn't quite hit my theoretical heat target of single digits, but it's darn close. The ship is fast, jumps well and runs frosty. Great scooping performance and supercruise handling.

All of my ships must have a specific role, justification for their place in my fleet and time spent engineering. To be honest, the Orca is better suited to this role and the Dolphin is stealing it away. But it had been a long time since I had a new build project and I had to justify it in some way. The Orca is faster, jumps farther, has better protection and has the slot versatility to accept more missions. The Dolphin runs two points cooler however. Small-pad capability doesn't factor in to these missions, so really I didn't have a need to do this. But I did want to build my coldest ship, and in that I succeeded. I can't settle on a name however, and that is key.


My Orca for comparison

Sunburst Orca -- Interstellar Style Magnet

By the way, I unlocked one of the Engineered DSS v1 modules and it is +40% probe radius,and now rides in this Dolphin. I think G5 probe radius is +50%, so unless I m missing something it is not as good. For the high mat cost I don't see exactly what the appeal is.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 01:29 PM

I really wish there was a medium Saud liner type vessel. I don’t have a dedicated bus in my fleet. In the past I just reconfigured the Python for running human cargo, but dislike doing the module swap dance. Dolphin seems too small whilst Orca and Beluga are too big. I know, I sound like Goldie Locks….
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 01:47 PM

The Orca is a medium at heart, but yeah, I get what you're saying. A Saud Kruger which split the difference would be nice.

Beluga is right out smile
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
I really wish there was a medium Saud liner type vessel. I don’t have a dedicated bus in my fleet. In the past I just reconfigured the Python for running human cargo, but dislike doing the module swap dance. Dolphin seems too small whilst Orca and Beluga are too big. I know, I sound like Goldie Locks….


For Robigo/Sothis runs, a Large ship is OUT. Python is the best compromise for hauling passengers there, but agree on the re-configuration. I guess I am going to have to join the CUTTER CLUB as well so I can stop having to reconfugure the Vette for cargo everytime a good Cargo hauling CG comes along. Maybe I ought to make my Anaconda the Cargo ship and leave it at that, but I like to use it for Mining as well.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 03:35 PM

Rec! Hey man, how's things?

Yeah, even I have a Cutter. No excuse for you smile

Here's mine.

Preacher's Daughter Cutter -- Freight Train

Every role should have a ship and every ship should have a role. We are all too rich to be module swapping you know. How proletariat.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:26 PM

Cargo to mining configs aren’t as bad to do. It’s the boats that are combat ready to any other profile that irks me.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:31 PM

For me it's definitely mining. A number of very role-specific modules and firegroup resets. No thanks. Matter of fact, module swapping for mining is what led to my second (and third) Krait II.

The only ship I currently module swap with is Parabellum, my rumble bus Krait. I use it as the rumble bus for bulk transport, rescues and that sort of thing. Or as an armed merchant cruiser. All that's required is swapping cabins for cargo racks, it doesn't affect firegroups or module priorities. If it does, I get another ship smile

Maybe it's time to split those duties and get Krait number four.....

well five if you count the Phantom
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Rec! Hey man, how's things?

Yeah, even I have a Cutter. No excuse for you smile

Here's mine.

Preacher's Daughter Cutter -- Freight Train

Every role should have a ship and every ship should have a role. We are all too rich to be module swapping you know. How proletariat.


Hey that looks good and pretty cheap.

Here is the one config I was playing with on Coriolis

Cargo Cutter aka Clutch Cargo

I went with more Weapons and less utilities, expensive hull vs. shield boosters, but costs twice as much as yours, and probably the extra shielding is better than the extra hull for Interdictions.

Not eager to spend a Billion, on a Cutter, but 500 million is not bad..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:38 PM

That heavy-ass armor is 188 million on it's own smile

Your mock has good jump and capacity, but yeah I would want better shields. My Cutter has good balance between shields and integrity I think, and no heavy-ass armor at all haha.

No weapons as it's a point to point freight train and get outta my way.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
That heavy-ass armor is 188 million on it's own smile

Your mock has good jump and capacity, but yeah I would want better shields. My Cutter has good balance between shields and integrity I think, and no heavy-ass armor at all haha.

No weapons as it's a point to point freight train and get outta my way.


Every build I do, it IRKS me to pay that much for the Military Composite armor..but I do it anyway. This could be the exception.

...and of course I would look for the 15% LYR discount, or at least the 10% Elite discount at Shinrarta

OOPS! No Imperial Ships at LYR systems I think
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:50 PM

Today, out of curiosity, I decided to follow DBonds example of beeing a good samaritan. smile
I loaded my Krait with Tritium and went out to find another forum members carrier.
I found it and landed.
I tried to donate, but the tank was full. frown
So I went to the carriers commodity store and sold 91 Tons of Tririum with a fairly large loss. biggrin
Then the thought struck me that may be the carrier was placed here for a reason ....
Since my Krait for the trip was equipped for mining I departed the carrier and went to the nearest planet. The ring had some interesting hotspots.
The info told me some spots should contain Musgravite and went for one. I did not find any on the first run, but I found quite many other valuable minerals.
I decided to instruct my carrier crew to bring it over to the system. It arrived and I transferred my load. I find it useful to store minerals on the carrier. If I find a station that pays a good price I can sell large volums which give me a nice feeling. smile
I will probably stay in the system for some days before going back to my home base.
Sorry I couldn`t make a donation, but the thought was good. biggrin

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 04:51 PM

Yeah, I did the same the other day, and topped off the tank with 199 tons and sold off the remaining 57 tons onboard like you did.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 05:00 PM

Wow, awesome to see everyone pull together to top Angband off. What a great group of commanders.

Rec, did you mine or buy that tritium?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 05:18 PM

And I see that downsizing your power plant to class 7 would save another 110m. That's nuts.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 05:29 PM

I took the liberty of mocking up Rec's mock up. I wanted to make it lighter, jump farther, be less expensive, increase MJ, raise thermal resist and gain some speed. I G5'd some of the stuff and dropped power plant class, but had to go G3 overcharged to cover the power. The laser weapons have no engineering and if efficient were used then the power plant could be revisited once again.

Shields were improved by filling out the empty utilities with shield boosters --thermal A's and HD D's

This one is 521m on the barrelhead

Rec's Cutter mock up, mocked up some more
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Wow, awesome to see everyone pull together to top Angband off. What a great group of commanders.

Rec, did you mine or buy that tritium?


I bought it... Couldn't be bothered to mine it.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 05:41 PM

Yeah, that checks out. A couple hundred tons would take a while to mine.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 07:49 PM

Here's what I've been using for cargo runs: https://s.orbis.zone/iotk

I did make a combat one, though I do not like it very much. I'm still a medium ship guy (love that Krait II)! I did try that CG power plant in my Vulture. It ran too hot for my taste.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/14/22 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
Here's what I've been using for cargo runs: https://s.orbis.zone/iotk

I did make a combat one, though I do not like it very much. I'm still a medium ship guy (love that Krait II)! I did try that CG power plant in my Vulture. It ran too hot for my taste.



Nice mix of offensive and defensive armament, good jump range and cargo capacity.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 12:18 PM

Update 11 active.
Upgrading now.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 12:28 PM

It's small at 263 MB. I skimmed through the changelog, and it's mostly carriers and Odysssey, neither of which apply to me. I just hope whatever they fixed didn't break Horizons. Frontier has that in them, you know.

Back the truck up, about that engineered DSS. I've been using it, as the sightseeing missions I've been flying usually have valuable planets nearby. Three straight had the target visitor beacon overlooking earthlikes. So that's a nice boost in data over what the mission pays. Anyway, the tech broker DSS is doing six-probe planets in two probes, which is great.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 01:07 PM

Wow, nice boost on the DSS. I reckon I’ll snag me some. Grabbed a pair of the tech broker Seeker Racks last week. Haven’t done anything with em yet, not sure I want to keep Thermal Cascade for the exp. Gonna change that out, assuming that is allowed.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 01:51 PM

Supposedly this is the way it works.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...tiative-trade.582512/page-2#post-9320614

However it is calculated it is quite snappy and you'd need to intentionally foul up to miss efficiency bonus with this thing I think.

They aren't cheap, but probably worth it in the end, at least for your ships that do a lot of this, but the advantage over G5 is small enough that it really doesn't matter all that much. And I'd bet that engineering it yourself uses fewer mats even with some lousy rolls. But if you want the finest DSS mats can buy, I reckon it's this one.

24 Niobium
28 Mechanical Components
22 Germanium
26 Mechanical Scrap
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I took the liberty of mocking up Rec's mock up. I wanted to make it lighter, jump farther, be less expensive, increase MJ, raise thermal resist and gain some speed. I G5'd some of the stuff and dropped power plant class, but had to go G3 overcharged to cover the power. The laser weapons have no engineering and if efficient were used then the power plant could be revisited once again.

Shields were improved by filling out the empty utilities with shield boosters --thermal A's and HD D's

This one is 521m on the barrelhead

Rec's Cutter mock up, mocked up some more


I like it!! If I build it, I will most probably take the reduced Shields from non-Engineered Shield Boosters. Engineering Shield Boosters really sucks up the MATS!! Not looking for the same level of Shielding I would in a Combat ship. Just enough to avoid damage from crashing into stuff and having sufficient protection to survive Interdictions.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 02:11 PM

Yeah, they sure do. I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down. My main concern would be with near-zero thermal resist the shields go much quicker. But all you need to do is survive long enough to spool up the FSD and jump. And nothing mass-locks a Cutter?

But then, you are arming it right? So then the shields needs to be combat worthy. Or remove the weapons and build a freight train like mine.

If you pull the trigger, welcome to the Cutter club. I'd like to check out your build as you go or when it's done.

Messing around in Coriolis, this is that ship, with no weapons and unengineered A boosters. Still gets 1500 MJ. I could also use G3 armored on the power plant instead of overcharged, so it will run cooler. Sticker's down to 513m too.

Unarmed freight train

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Yeah, they sure do. I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down. My main concern would be with near-zero thermal resist the shields go much quicker. But all you need to do is survive long enough to spool up the FSD and jump. And nothing mass-locks a Cutter?

But then, you are arming it right? So then the shields needs to be combat worthy. Or remove the weapons and build a freight train like mine.

If you pull the trigger, welcome to the Cutter club. I'd like to check out your build as you go or when it's done.

Messing around in Coriolis, this is that ship, with no weapons and unengineered A boosters. Still gets 1500 MJ. I could also use G3 armored on the power plant instead of overcharged, so it will run cooler. Sticker's down to 513m too.

Unarmed freight train




Oh, I am going to join the Club eventually. For us long term players, the only point of playing ELITE (aside from the Social aspects) is the SEARCH FOR NOVELTY... which is often in the form of buying, building and Flying a NEW SHIP. Of course Engineering balances the NOVELTY with THE GRIND and when I kitted out my Type 10, I swore I was NEVER DOING IT AGAIN.

I, of course have PLENTY of CREDITS RIGHT NOW, but Psychologically, I want to break the 8 Billion Credit barrier (about 40 million to go), so I will probably try to amass 8.5 Billion before buying the CUTTER to keep my new CREDIT FLOOR intact. That said, even flying pretty casual Trade Routes, the Cutter would probably pay for itself in short order.

I realized that this would be the FIRST Imperial ship I ever owned!! A sorry excuse for a KING am I


neaner
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
And nothing mass-locks a Cutter?


Only by another Cutter, Type10 and Thargoid Interceptor!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse

Oh, I am going to join the Club eventually.....


I completely understand this, and that approach, how you are setting a floor before tapping in to the wealth. Setting goals like that helps propel you through. I could have written that post, well, aside from the 8 billion part. And the Imperial ships bit. I own three of the five Imperial ships, but have never owned a Fed ship.

In the sightseeing hops I've been turning, I am only selecting from the Fed factions, and taking the Rep+++++ rewards, and now am 90% Post Captain. Next rank unlocks the Vette.

Thanks for the info Ram, that makes sense. So another Cutter could give you trouble, but a T-10 can't keep up.

What have you been up to in Elite lately?

I logged on this morning for a bit, flew a few tours in the frosty Dolphin (which I named Interstellar Overdrive, finally) and then dropped in to a RES after swapping to the Krait. I noticed no odd stuff from the update other than the High RES I went to seemed to contain a very small number of wanted ships. Could have been coincidence or RNG. 84% Deadly
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 07:55 PM

That last CG we had generated a truck load of monies. I think RAM mentioned he made almost a billion. A cargo Cutter can pay for itself in15 to 20 runs, assuming 30 million a run. Quite feasible. as we were doing those in the last CG.

Flying a cargo Cutter is tolerable, but a combat Cutter, ugh no thank you. It's severely mushy. Have to boost turn to get someone off your a$$. This is my Combat Cutter: https://s.orbis.zone/ip36
Skittles can kill'em almost as fast, they don't jump away, and I keep maneuverability. Skittles: https://s.orbis.zone/ip39 . Built another to play with "Hoppe's #9" : https://s.orbis.zone/ip3a, though I think I'll run Bi-weaves on it.

Sorry I rambled on the medium ship bit.

Wingy
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
That last CG we had generated a truck load of monies. I think RAM mentioned he made almost a billion. A cargo Cutter can pay for itself in15 to 20 runs, assuming 30 million a run. Quite feasible. as we were doing those in the last CG.

Flying a cargo Cutter is tolerable, but a combat Cutter, ugh no thank you. It's severely mushy. Have to boost turn to get someone off your a$$. This is my Combat Cutter: https://s.orbis.zone/ip36
Skittles can kill'em almost as fast, they don't jump away, and I keep maneuverability. Skittles: https://s.orbis.zone/ip39 . Built another to play with "Hoppe's #9" : https://s.orbis.zone/ip3a, though I think I'll run Bi-weaves on it.

Sorry I rambled on the medium ship bit.

Wingy



Yeah, Any Cutter I own would be purely a Freight Hauler, but I don't have the Titanium Cojones that RAM has flying without Shields, and will always feel better with some Weapons onboard just in case.

I looked around the INARA Best Trade Route calculator, just around Shinrarta and 17-20 million a load is pretty easily doable every day. Probably better routes elsewhere in the bubble. No doubt that CG's amplify this.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/15/22 11:24 PM

It’s an awesome laser miner also, Rec
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
It’s an awesome laser miner also, Rec


Heh.. I barely have enough patience to fill up the Python's cargo hold while mining. Can't imagine filling the Cutter. Payout would be mighty sweet though!
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 11:04 AM

Tru dat, you definitely need the proper mindset to do a Cutter session and fill ‘er up. Main reason I mine in the CM4 these days, easy to fill up with a 52t hold.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 12:18 PM

I doubt I'd ever mine in a Cutter, even if it is well-suited. It has one job, haul da freight. I'll take the cover off her for the next trade CG I reckon. Since my return a few weeks ago I've flown most of my ships, but yet to take out the beast.

The main issue for me with smaller mining ships is balancing limpets and cargo. Limpets are cheap, but I still don't like to jettison them to clear more room for the space rocks. But that is a very minor issue, and I do prefer having speed, agility and a good view. Having a modest capacity means I'll never feel compelled to mine past the boredom threshold. I mean, why take a 700t capacity mining ship out to grab 100t?

Anyway, all of this points to how well 'balanced' ships are in Elite. The proof is the fact that everyone has his or her own favorite, nothing stands out as clearly superior, and outfitting is quite personal, again with no clear winner.

I said that EDSSv1 was two probes for a six-probe planet, but that depends on the planet. I had a few that each probe 'only' did 43% of the surface, so obviously those needed three probes to complete.Others do 50%+ so require two. And anyway you only need to hit 90% to finish it. Depends on the actual size and there's naturally some deviation among 'six-probe' bodies.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
That last CG we had generated a truck load of monies. I think RAM mentioned he made almost a billion.


I actually ended up with 91,100t delivered. I also hauled minerals, supercapacitors and insulating membranes the other way. All told, about 145ktn for the last CG. I did that so I could reach 1M traded commodities. I didn't quite make it to 1M at the end of the CG, so I left my stripped down Cutter as she was and headed over to the Empire lair and hauled silver for the next two days and finally got the 1M!!

All said and done, I ended up with 4.5B in that CG, now inching in on 13B. The day before it ended, it said the reward for Top 10% was something like 210K, when it ended, I got 80M.

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks for the info Ram, that makes sense. So another Cutter could give you trouble, but a T-10 can't keep up.

What have you been up to in Elite lately?


Of course the above and then I finally finished fully engineering my Conda yesterday(zero Guardian stuff). On a mission to eclipse 10K Bounties and 5K Combat Bonds.

I know you're going to love her DB biggrin ....Yo ADRIAN!

https://s.orbis.zone/ipeo

She slices and dices!! boom


Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 05:49 PM

Love looking over builds, yes it's true.

Nice Conda Ram. I can't approve of the D thrusters you know, speed is life after all, but I reckon you did that for jump range since you aren't using GFSDBs. But that's got great protection, good resistances and firepower. And anyway I just checked it and A thrusters add less than 30 to the boost on this ship

If you are interested in getting the Guardian stuff (I recommend GSRs and GFSDB) then I'm sure we can talk the other commanders here in to a Guardian event in the near future. I'll come along to lend a hand.

Reading your trading figures... I have traded 25k in my entire career!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 06:01 PM

Yes, it was for jump range. I might take a look at that later when I make it back to Shinrarta.

So far I've ran her through 6 runs in a CNB and haven't had any issues. One, maybe one and a half shield rings down, haven't had to run.....YET!! LOL

Yeah, at some point a Guardian run would be cool. Thanks
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 06:09 PM

What say you, fellow SimHQ commanders? Could we put on another Guardian event? I'm in.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 06:53 PM

Always down to help fellow CMDR’s
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:11 PM

The 2022 Great Guardian Gear Grabalooza is on!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
The 2022 Great Guardian Gear Grabalooza is on!


Wouldn't miss it!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:31 PM

We'll give it a few days to see who is in. One of Bo, Wingy or Rec needs to be there so that someone actually knows what to do. I can plant myself next to a pylon and press shoot when given the cue.

If this goes down, Ram you'll need a small ship. We usually do this in our Diamondbacks, and I see you have both a Vulture and an AspX. You want the smallest ship with the most jump that can carry a rover.

Once we see who is in we can set a date.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:40 PM

We discovered last time that someone with a laser on their ship can hover over the field and activate pylons making the sequence really quick. It would be a quick trip if Angband is up for hauling us all there!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:45 PM

See what I mean? ^

Dropping knowledge.

And I didn't even consider a carrier. Never rode on one myself. That would actually make that Vulture viable for this.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 07:49 PM

I'm in to help. Remember to have a "Point Defense" mounted on top of your ship to shoot the missiles.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
We discovered last time that someone with a laser on their ship can hover over the field and activate pylons making the sequence really quick. It would be a quick trip if Angband is up for hauling us all there!



Top cover, yeah baby!!!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Originally Posted by Recluse
We discovered last time that someone with a laser on their ship can hover over the field and activate pylons making the sequence really quick. It would be a quick trip if Angband is up for hauling us all there!



Top cover, yeah baby!!!


I can't remember if we could kill Skimmers with the ships too.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 09:03 PM

Indeed we can
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 09:12 PM

Yup. smile
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
If this goes down, Ram you'll need a small ship..


Yeah, I'll use my ASP and it has point defence!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/16/22 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
We discovered last time that someone with a laser on their ship can hover over the field and activate pylons making the sequence really quick.


I have a Beam laser on my ASP!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 12:14 PM

I'm old school and not clued in to all of these newfangled methods.

Logged on last night for a bit. Started off in the local High RES. No not true. Started off by flying to a mat trader and once again trading up to clear space. Then I went to the RES and again it felt like the number of wanted ships was lower than usual. I re-logged a number of times hoping to get a better spawn with higher ranked ships but that didn't work. Finally gave it up not having even raised rank one point. Did great with mats though.

Another odd thing happened. I was attacked by a System Authority Eagle. I wasn't wanted, and all of the other cops in the instance still thought me upstanding. And this dude was relentless. I was way faster in my Krait, but I was constantly under attack as he chased me around. So I was engaging ships and evading this Eagle and sending out limpets all at the same time. I didn't want to open fire on him as I thought that would make me wanted. Odd.

With that over I flew back to Barnwell and swapped to the Dolphin. Picked a nice sightseeing mission. Three stops and good rewards. Flew it, returned and picked the Rep reward, only to see that faction was independent so no Fed rep dammit. Smooth move.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 12:33 PM

We’ve all had those kinda days in Elite where nothing goes right.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
We’ve all had those kinda days in Elite where nothing goes right.



Yeah, but I'm a specialist smile

OK we have to settle on a date for the Grabalooza. Is there anyone else who wants in? Wigean? Panzer? JC? Chucky?

How about Wed March 23 around 7 PM eastern? That may be too early for the left coasters? Too late for those across the pond?

That's a starting point and pipe up with your thoughts and we will narrow down a date and time that works for everyone.

I don't think I need more blueprints, there's nothing I know I want, but I'm going to have a look and see. Do Guardian fighters use the same blueprint?

Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Originally Posted by Bohemond
We’ve all had those kinda days in Elite where nothing goes right.



Do Guardian fighters use the same blueprint?



No. Fighters have a separate Blueprint and different site for obtaining them.

I unlocked 2/3 Fighters and have been thinking about unlocking a third for completeness sake. I don't, however look forward to GRINDING OUT the Epsilon Obelisk Patterns required..

One of many walkthroughs:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/walkthrough-guardian-vessel-blueprints.446206/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 01:13 PM

I just looked and I have 27 epsilon from when you and I did this last year. I should look at what is required. I think it's time I hired a minion and we can cross the Elite line together. But from what I know, Guardian fighters aren't significantly better? A beam Taipan is fine.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
I just looked and I have 27 epsilon from when you and I did this last year. I should look at what is required. I think it's time I hired a minion and we can cross the Elite line together. But from what I know, Guardian fighters aren't significantly better? A beam Taipan is fine.


Wow!! You have enough for 1 fighter. 26 Epsilons per unlock.

I don't know that the Guardian Fighters are that much better. I unlocked the TRIDENT and the LANCE, and I use the LANCE most often. (I don't fly it, my ELITE AI does). I feel like it deals the most damage, with the downside that it is AMMO limited, so it can run out during a long combat session and has to be docked to re-arm. I have a dual fighter bay and also have a Pulse Laser Taipan in there to swap in as needed.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 01:54 PM

Thanks Rec. What's the best approach to hiring a minion? They all look like they've been mainlining meth for the past few months. So, assuming I can find one that doesn't look strung out, how should I go about it? Do I hire a novice or a better one? Are there any tips or just pick any old one?

Oh yeah, another question I have.... does traveling on a carrier accrue mileage? Does it add to your lightyears flown total?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks Rec. What's the best approach to hiring a minion? They all look like they've been mainlining meth for the past few months. So, assuming I can find one that doesn't look strung out, how should I go about it? Do I hire a novice or a better one? Are there any tips or just pick any old one?

Oh yeah, another question I have.... does traveling on a carrier accrue mileage? Does it add to your lightyears flown total?



I think the common wisdom is to hire one at the lowest possible rank. They will SUCK for awhile, but will gain skill rapidly. My Fighter Pilot hit ELITE long before I did.

It's also cheaper that way as hiring one at higher rank initially will take a bigger bite out of your payments. Starting low, they cap at 10% once hitting ELITE, but if you hire them at a higher rank they will potentially take a higher percentage than a ranked up Elite Pilot. There is a handy table in the link below.

Note that they also take a percentage of your XP, so potentially it could slow your progress to ELITE. My recollection is that while they take a share of your credits even when inactive, they ONLY take an XP share when ACTIVE on the ship (even if they aren't actually flying the fighter).

https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Pilot

As to the Carrier question, I don't know...
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 03:30 PM

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I realize they steal XP -- that's why I've played for years without ever hiring a minion -- but with just 15% to go I think I could stand it. And anyway when this goal is gone I'll miss it. So maybe delaying it isn't such a bad thing. Twisted eh?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Another odd thing happened. I was attacked by a System Authority Eagle. I wasn't wanted, and all of the other cops in the instance still thought me upstanding. And this dude was relentless. I was way faster in my Krait, but I was constantly under attack as he chased me around. So I was engaging ships and evading this Eagle and sending out limpets all at the same time. I didn't want to open fire on him as I thought that would make me wanted. Odd.


This has happened to me before, twice! In both instances, it was a wanted ship that had a System Authority Security name, trying to dupe I would suppose? Not saying that's what happened in your situation, but that's what happened to me.

Both times I dispatched them and nothing came of it!
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 08:30 PM

Speaking of CNB's.

I'm in the Byeri System, been here for 3 days blasting stuff away, 162Ly's from Shinrarta. It's a small Empire system, 217k population, Patronage with factions at war. It has a Coriolis station-Windt Colony(Refinery).

The Empire attracks a lot of shady people. The CNB is 1776ls's from the station, lots of traffic in the CNB, lots of Elite ships too!

Just letting you know Dbond!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/17/22 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22


The Empire attracks a lot of shady people.


Outrageous! We are recalling our diplomats.

Thanks for the heads up.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/22 04:13 PM

Regarding the scavving at the Guardian Sites:
A weeknight excursion won’t work for me unfortunately. Getting up at 3:30am for the new job puts a serious hurt on my night time availability. Sunday days would work best for me. That said, I can definitely transport all to the locations aboard the Angband anytime after all are docked. Not a big deal to me if I’m unable to collect more G stuff as I have all the modules I need.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/22 05:35 PM

Sundays are fine for me, unless my son has a game, which is just about every Sunday. If everyone who wants to attend gives us an idea of what works best we can come up with a plan. I'm fine sitting it out if I can't make it when it works best for everyone else.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/22 05:51 PM

My only caveat is 3/28 is out for me as I have friends In town from back east.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/22 08:52 PM

OK, no one else has said when it would be best for them. So let's wait a bit, nix next Wednesday for now. We'll aim for a Sunday. Most importantly, perhaps, is when Ram is available. But he's always on, so no worries I reckon. Who is interested? Bo, Ram, Wingnuts, Rec and I? Anyone else?

I didn't have a chance to log on last night but I'm going to try this evening.

Hey Bo, next time you fly in your carrier would you mind noting if the distance adds to the distance traveled in the exploration stats? I'm curious if it does.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/18/22 08:57 PM

I'm interested, but not sure if the timing will work. I will try to get my DBX off Angband just in case I miss the bus and have to drive there later smile

Have the ASP available which actually has a slightly higher jump range than the DBX, so I'm good either way.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 03:00 AM

Logged on tonight for a bit. Started off in the Dolphin with a sightseeing mission, then swapped to the rumble bus and ran a one-hop bulk transport. Then swapped to the Courier and did some bounty hunting before switching to the FDL and running a pirate lord mission. Four things, four ships.

Had some good collateral explo data on the sightseeing mission, with two earthlikes, a water world and an ammonia world scanned. That's a good boost to the profits. The new DSS is earning its keep.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 02:28 PM

You guys know how I go on about goals all the time. Well another one I am gunning for is Traveler 2. This requires 250k light years traveled. I sit at 228,075, so I have about the exact distance to Colonia left to go. I won't be going there to get it, as I'd then have to fly all the way back, unless I bought a carrier while I was there, and I'm not buying a carrier. Hard to b!tch and moan about them while owning one. Hate hypocrites, so in order to retain my moral superiority I cannot buy one.

So these sightseeing missions are helping. Each is different, but usually good for a few hundred light years anyway. Depends on how many stops there are. Some are a single destination, some are up to four. I rarely take the four-stops, but three is common. And they also (slowly) contribute to Captain 3, which I am still about 3,900 passengers short of. Sightseeing fares are usually 2-7 passengers, so that's slow going, but it all adds up. Mix in a bulk mission here and there, plus some rescues which pile them up at 100 per hop in the rumble bus. But as of last night there were no incursions at the mo.

Combat rank is 85% Deadly, so not so far to go, about another 450 kills or so, unless I hire a methhead. Fed rank is up to about 93% Post Captain, so should hit rear admiral soon, and can at least think about owning a Vette, even if I never do.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 03:25 PM

D, if I recall correctly FC jumps are tracked separately from actually piloting a ship. I believe I checked after my Colonia jaunt. Next time I’m on I’ll verify. Looked on Inara but couldn’t find the info.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 03:35 PM

Thanks Bo, and I appreciate if you would. Just curious how it works is all.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 03:40 PM

Just got notice that I unlocked “classic collection” badge from EDSM. Own 10 ship simultaneously.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Just got notice that I unlocked “classic collection” badge from EDSM. Own 10 ship simultaneously.




Congrats, that's a rare one biggrin

Actually for you it is, with your streamlined fleet.

You might remember how you inspired me to cull my fleet and I trimmed it back to ten ships by selling all the crap. I kept it there as a self-imposed limit for a couple years. But now I'm back up to fourteen and thinking of more. Every ship still must jump 30+ and boost 500+, so I haven't violated all of my standards haha.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 06:30 PM

10 is bout my max. Really 9, as the T9 is just module storage. Almost at the point I’ll need another storage vessel. None of the ships I don’t have excite me, so until FDev drops some new ones 10 it is.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 07:01 PM

I can dig that, and I mostly feel the same way. But without new ships to buy, assign a role and make it so, I don't know what I'd do. It's the carrot on a stick that keeps me steppin'

I mean, I just mostly-fully engineered a Dolphin for cryin' out loud smile

I could see adding another three or four at this point

Mamba
Vette
Clipper
DBS

But yeah, we need new ships.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 03/19/22 08:40 PM

Ten more and you can unlock SHIP HOARDER!!

My current Ship count is 12 (13 when I buy the Cutter). LOL maybe I will buy a fleet of EAGLES and ADDERS to get the badge!!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/20/22 12:41 AM

Oh, another goal! We could hit that one easy smile

Good thing I'm not mesmerized by EDSM badges like Inara badges. But they do like pretty nice.

I don't know if I said it here before or on the Frontier boards but I want a small fast fighter, something like the Courier, with a single huge hardpoint.

Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/20/22 05:19 PM

I can make the trip pretty much any time. Just need a heads up!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 12:31 PM

Logged on for a bit yesterday, not long, but long enough to run one sightseeing mission and a one-hop bus run. The sightseeing one was good. One of the destination systems had four earthlikes all lined up in a neat little row plus a water world. Turned out I had already scanned one of the earthlikes, but this time I scanned all the rest and still netted about 6m in explo data. Since I'm mostly taking either G5 mats (Biotech Conductors, Exquisite Focus Crystals, Modified Embedded Firmware) or Rep+++++ as rewards, and therefore eschewing most of the cash, these data profits come in quite handy.

The system was LHS 3167 in case anyone wants some quick data cash.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 01:17 PM

Spoke with Ram and Rec yesterday, gonna try and aim for Sun 4/3 for the Guardian run.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 01:26 PM

I'll be there if the mini-me doesn't have any sporting events to attend to that day. So consider me a maybe.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 01:57 PM

Obviously, date subject to if we can get enough in attendance. I’d think at least 4 would optimal.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 04:03 PM

Yes indeed. The goal is to get Ram some Guardian bits, and as long as that goes down all's good.

A few years ago I re-built my Orca, re-engineering it to make it run as frosty as I could. At the time I made a post asking the intrepid commanders here if anyone would mind running some tests with me. I believe this post got missed because no one accepted the invitation haha. But now I am keen to do it again, maybe with the Dolphin this time. I hope to accomplish two things....

1. I want to see how stealthy the ship(s) is/are. I am hoping someone will hang around a station or whatever and test the range at which my ship can no longer be resolved by the sensors.

2, I am hoping to test both D and A sensor suites to see if there's actually a difference in how well they resolve cool ships but I can't think of how to do this because they have different inherent detection ranges. However, if the stealth range is the same then we know that As are not better with cool running ship detection.

If anyone's up for it hit me up. Successful applicants should be willing to swap sensors. Ideally we would test As and Ds and maybe engineered version of same.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 04:19 PM

No problem doin that test, anytime we on together or we can set up a time.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 04:24 PM

OK cool great. Maybe if one other commander wished to take part we could run a hotter ship (like 30%+) at the same time to compare ranges. That would reveal more about how temp affects detection range, if at all.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 05:40 PM

My. Vette idles circa %40. Hot enuff for ya?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 05:48 PM

Haha, you could detect that from several systems away! smile

By contrast my Dolphin's 11%
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/21/22 06:29 PM

Since my return I've noticed changes since last year. One of these is the right panel. You know the section on the left of the default page that shows your ranks? Can you focus on this to show rank percentage? If so how? It used to be that I could see my combat rank in panels 3 (helm) and 4 (system). Of course they rarely agreed, but I can't see this there any longer.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/22/22 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
Since my return I've noticed changes since last year. One of these is the right panel. You know the section on the left of the default page that shows your ranks? Can you focus on this to show rank percentage? If so how? It used to be that I could see my combat rank in panels 3 (helm) and 4 (system). Of course they rarely agreed, but I can't see this there any longer.


You can see your combat rank % in the down panel(kneepad view is what I call it). I think it shows under "ALL" and "HELM".
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/22/22 10:55 AM

Yes, I see it there, but what I am asking is how do I focus on the rank section in the right panel?
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/22/22 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Yes, I see it there, but what I am asking is how do I focus on the rank section in the right panel?


I believe that it scrooged up now!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 12:10 PM

I thought I saw an image a commander posted of him zoomed in on that, which showed his progress over Elite toward the next prestige rank. Not a big deal, I can see combat rank on the helm, but was curious to see progress above Elite in exploration.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 01:42 PM

Do you mean this:

[Linked Image]
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 01:53 PM

Yes, but with the number displayed as a percentage. Is it possible? We could see combat rank percentage there in the past, right?

Look how close you are to Trade 5!

Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Yes, but with the number displayed as a percentage. Is it possible? We could see combat rank percentage there in the past, right?

Look how close you are to Trade 5!



I have tried everything for a couple of days now, but can`t find what you are looking for.
Frontier has done changes to the panels over the years so they may have removed this option.

Hehe, I see I am close to a new rank, but I can work on that after the current CG.
I`m doing pretty good with just about 100 millions in bounties.
That qualifies for top 10% for the moment. I`ll do a couple of more sorties to secure my position before the CG ends tomorrow.
I am about 600 from reaching the 25.000 bounties mark, so it will be interesting to see if there are some more rewards. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 02:33 PM

OK, thanks for looking. Not a big deal.

Nice work in the CG.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 05:23 PM

@DBond,
I don`t know if you use TCE, but you can see your progress in percent in that app.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 05:25 PM

What's my explo rank?
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 06:07 PM

I am not able to see your progress in TCE.
Only my own.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/23/22 06:15 PM

Dang, I misread your previous post.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 12:11 PM

Logged on last night for a bit. Just long enough to fly one mission. A three-stop sightseeing tour in the Orca. Pretty good mission, several earthlikes scanned as per usual. Elite level, I took the high rep option plus the 7m payout, plus the explo data. Now at 98% Post Captain, so one more of these and I'll rank up.

This is the Orca. Very fast, good jump, runs frosty, spectacular view.

Sunburst Orca -- Interstellar Style Magnet

About the ranks in the right panel..... I would expect my progress bar on exploration to be beyond Elite now, showing progress toward the first prestige rank like combat and trade do in Wigean's shot above, but it does not. Are these prestige ranks an Odyssey thing?
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 12:30 PM

Nice build.
That motivates me to put some work into exploration which has not been a priority so far.
I have a Beluga Liner in the hangar that may be modable. Hmm.

Just noticed that CPU usage in ED is pretty high.
Inside the station it varies between 50-80%.
Is this noticable for you guys too, or is it just my system?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 12:36 PM

No I hadn't noticed that. I wouldn't frankly, unless I noticed slowdowns in the game or my fans were protesting by spinning too fast. All seems normal on my end, but that doesn't mean it is.

If you want to bump exploration rank but not too keen on exploring.... do the missions I am doing. Proceeds from sightseeing contribute to exploration rank. Destinations like tourist beacons are almost always overlooking an earthlike or other valuable planets too. These missions are pretty easy, rarely interdicted, pay well (money, rep, G5 mats, explo data).and the passenger lounge has not been infected by wing missions.

Build a ship with good hop and a DSS, and which can carry a cabin or two and get in the passenger biz. I had a look through your fleet and while you have ships that could do this (Beluga, Python) none are what I would consider ideal. You want class 6 or 5 slots with good jump. You have ships that would be very good for bulk hauling bus missions, but that contributes to trade rank not exploration.

Hey why not an Orca? It's a magnificent ship, it really is. You see how fast mine is, plus it idles at 13% heat with the lo-draw type engineering. Good jump, glorious view out of the single-pane windscreen and a nice slot arrangement. The Dolphin is all of those things too, but cannot fit a class 6 cabin, is not so fast (but still very fast anyway). Dolphin handles better in supercruise and scoops like a dream. It runs even cooler (11% idle). The Orca is decidedly unpopular among the player base, which is a badge of honour frankly. It's not that the Orca is unsuited to the commander, but the commander is unsuited to the Orca. Orca captains revel in our exclusivity.

The Orca is nice because it has one class 6 and three class 5 optional slots. So I can mix and match cabins, FSD booster and scoop are all modular and interchangeable. What I tend to do is outfit it with several cabins (luxury, first class, business) and go to the passenger lounge where I run the rule over the mission boards. Select one, and then remove all unused cabins to maximize jump range and work in a scoop and GFSDB depending on which slots are now open.

The passenger biz is not good for someone with full module storage. I must have thirty cabins in storage.

Here's the Dolphin, which is also great for this, but the lack of a class 6 slot does lock out a few of the missions, like say a sightseeing trip that requires 7 first-class seats. But it is also very fast, good jump, runs frosty and has a slightly smaller windscreen haha.

Interstellar Overdrive Dolphin -- Sightseer / Criminal Smuggling
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 01:29 PM

So I bought the Orca. biggrin
Thank you for the detailed info.
I have to plan how to equip the ship later today.
My knowledge of modding is rather modest and I don`t know if I have the necessary recources available.

I notice you emphasize on the heat signature.
May be a stupid question, but where is the sweet spot with regards to other ships sensors?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
So I bought the Orca


Well sir, let me be the first to congratulate you on your fine decision. Welcome to the Orca Commanders Club. I hope you enjoy your time with us!

Quote
Thank you for the detailed info.
I have to plan how to equip the ship later today.

My knowledge of modding is rather modest and I don`t know if I have the necessary recources available.


I'd enjoy helping you in any way I can with engineering. Start a new thread maybe?

Quote
I notice you emphasize on the heat signature.
May be a stupid question, but where is the sweet spot with regards to other ships sensors?


Yes, my build philosophy is light, fast, cool. About the sensors question.... I hope we will soon find this out. We are planning a test of sorts and should have those answers before too long. I expect that the cooler the ship, the shorter the range it can be resolved by sensors. With many missions having either criminal fares or the secretive trait, avoiding scans is key (unless you ignore these missions). Cool-runners also scoop better, which is nice in this sort of mission profile.

One tip I have for anyone getting in to the passenger game is to ignore requests coming from your passengers. I don't mean to not do what they ask, but don't even open the message. Ignore completely. They do not need to have 6 appliances right now. I've delivered about 12k passengers and have zero disgruntled or ejected. That's because I pay close attention to what I am signing on for, and ignore the passengers from the time they step aboard until they disembark. Pipe down back there!

It's also very important to read the fine print on the mission description. Wanted criminals can cause problems if you aren't set up for it (cool runners/heatsinks). The fact I built the Orca and Dolphin to run frosty makes them good smugglers.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 06:10 PM

Well thank you DBond sir smile

Let`s see if I can build a version that will be great fun to operate.
I guess my first version will be a close copy of yours, but that is how it goes with regard to learning.


I have not been in Colonia, so I have to use what resources I have here in the Bubble.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean

I guess my first version will be a close copy of yours, but that is how it goes with regard to learning.


I have not been in Colonia, so I have to use what resources I have here in the Bubble.


Nothing you can do in Colonia that you cannot do in the bubble. The only advantage near Colonia is the services are concentrated in fewer engineers in closer proximity. And a visit there can expand the number of blueprints you can have pinned.

If you copy what I've done then not much advice is needed haha. Yeah, I think that's a great path to follow, obviously, but you may have other requirements or build goals in mind. But yes, light, fast and cool. Good jump. That's how I like 'em. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 07:30 PM

Colonia DOES have an engineer that has a G5 blueprint that no one in the Bubble has. Lightweight Life support, I believe.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
showing progress toward the first prestige rank like combat and trade do in Wigean's shot above, but it does not. Are these prestige ranks an Odyssey thing?


Yes, what he ^^^ said!! It doesn't have those % bars in Horizons, totally different UI, I noticed that right away and have been meaning to ask that! What the heck!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Colonia DOES have an engineer that has a G5 blueprint that no one in the Bubble has. Lightweight Life support, I believe.



Fact check: True

*Hangs head in shame for disseminating false information*


Ram, must be an Odyssey thing. I thought no one here bought it, but Wigean did? Or is there another explanation? I want prestige ranks dammit.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 08:29 PM

I’ve got it, just don’t play it. But, I bet the difference in UI is the culprit.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 08:32 PM

Yeah, look at all the stuff at the top of that shot. What is that? Is that Odyssey stuff?

Here it is again so you don't have to scroll for it

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/24/22 11:44 PM

I’ll log in to O. Check next time I’m on
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 02:49 AM

I still don't want Odyssey, right? I don't know. Maybe if it goes on sale.

Logged on tonight for a bit. I wanted to get the Fed promotion. Flew a two-stop sightseeing mission in the Orca and took the max rep option, but that only took me to 99%, so I ran 45 tourists to Triton in the rumble bus. That got me over the line and I went back to Barnwell. Got a Naval Strike mission for rank up. At first I thought this meant attacking a planet-side facility or something. But it was just an assassination. Took the FDL. Target was a Deadly FDL. Hey, I'm a Deadly FDL! But he didn't have 1800 mj and a huge beam, I don't think. Back to Barnwell and now rear admiral. My infiltration of the Federation is nearly complete.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 10:49 AM

I run Odyssey. smile

Not doing inside stations or on planet things.
I heard it was buggy in the beginning. So I ran the intro mission and went back doing my Horizon stuff, but in Odyssey.
The new things didn`t appeal to me then. It might later on.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 10:56 AM

Big congratulations to Rear Admiral DBond!! smile

salute

band
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 10:58 AM

The only reason I picked up O was in case everyone else chose to run it. Can’t be in the same instance unless all are on the same client. Fortunately, hasn’t been an issue with our group.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 12:28 PM

Thanks very much, flag rank has it's advantages, none more so than the snazzy new hat I get to wear.

A few more comments on the passenger hauling game. One thing to be aware of when taking sightseeing missions is the arrival distance is not displayed on the mission description. So you could find a supercruise of any distance. I don't mind this at all, but some commanders find it mind-numbing. In yesterdays mission I had one stop that was 58k ls from the star. So maybe a five-minute run. But some are much farther.

Faction rep at your station is key. I often talk about having a home, and about the advantages of establishing a web of allied stations and factions in the region. It pays off in a big way with better missions on the boards. Elite-level passenger missions pay quite well.

Speaking of pay..... I turned in 13.5m in explo data from the last two missions. That's nice collateral income and helps cover the costs of running your transport gig, or making up the shortfall when choosing other rewards. That's just probing the ELWs, WWs and AWs that I come across along the route.

We were discussing heat before. Since heat is what (presumably) sensor detection range is based on, having fast, cool runners makes interdictions a snap. Submit and boost is very effective, where often I am out of range before the interdictor has even gotten his hardpoints deployed. I assume I am dropping off his sensors in seconds being so cool. Hopefully we can get that test run done and see some hard data about the range at which this might occur.

I just noticed my Orca doesn't have a CG double engineered FSD. I think I have one in storage. That will be a bit of a bump.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 07:35 PM

I`m mostly done building may Orca now.
A couple of small differences. I have a G5 on a module where you have a G3. I wondered if there was a reason for it, but I went for G5 where I had it available. smile
I named it Falcon 77X.
My first jet was a Dassault Facon 20 so I have a special crush for the brand, even if my choice of base is questionable.

I`ll do some missions with it soon.
I just got curious about my trading rank and went for a CG to find out what the reward will be. smile

What about the double engineering?
Where can I find info about it?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 07:59 PM

What's G3? Life support? Old build, I guess. I wondered why I was getting 58 jump last night when my build showed less. I think I must have done some more work to it.

Not sure where to find more info, but most (all?) of these have been CG rewards, which are then (sometimes?) offered for sale through tech brokers with mats as currency. The FSD is class 5 and has long range and fast boot I think plus better optimal mass. I bought five I think since i have a lot of ships with class 5 FSD.

Engineered FSD V1
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/25/22 08:05 PM

Here's the thread I started about that FSD last year, with some more info...

https://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/4562296/

Turns out I had one of these in the Orca when I wrote that thread, but must have transferred it to a different ship. Gotta fix that! That Orca was jumping 60. Which I see now is because it had no cabin. Optimal mass on the double-engineered ones with mass manager is 1856t compared to 1693t on standard G5 long range with mass manager. Nice boost.

My home town of Barnwell sells 'em. Ask for Sneaky Pete. Tell him the admiral sent ya.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by DBond
What's G3?


Coriolis shows you have a G3 Power Distributor.

"Sneaky Pete"?
For some strange reason a Manfred Mann song fell into my head. biggrin

I`ll pay him a visit if I happen to be in the area.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 12:06 PM

Oh yes, the PD. No weapons, little concern for shield recharge rate and the boost interval is fine so yeah, G3's fine.

Logged on last night for a bit, long enough to shoot up some bad guys at the local RES, send out a few limpets and raise rank by a point. This was a great spawn for rank, lots of high-rank Eagles and Adders, but I didn't stick with it for too long.

Turns out my Orca did have the double-egnineered FSD in it. I need to update my build links. And I have a spare in storage, but without mass manager on it yet. Maybe I'll put it in the rumble bus, although in a Krait it's only good for about 3 light years. Still, that's more. It does run a little hotter than a standard FSD.

This is the current cost to buy one I think. When I bought them they were half-price or thereabouts. Not cheap at full boat. And unlike some other unlockables, each copy costs the same. You aren't unlocking them really, but buying them with mats from human tech brokers.

18 Datamined Wake Exceptions
26 Tellurium
26 Electrochemical Arrays
28 Chemical Processors
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 02:16 PM

A good day so far.

Did some grinding on the CG in Reorte.
Got promoted to Elite 5.
Changed plans and went to Barnwell.
I found Sneaky Pete in the bar and told him that the Admiral had sent me.
He lightened up and gave me what I needed .
Told me to send his greetings back to the Admiral. Done.
Got back to my base No problems en route.
Ordered outfitting to transfer new FSD.
Logged off ED.

Now there are some options for the rest of the day.
F1 / Snooker / Chess / Hike outside.
The latter sounds a smart thing to do.
Then I`ll find out later if the FSD was worth the detour. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 02:32 PM

F1 definitely, qualifying at least.

Then the hike.

Sneaky Pete treat you right?

These are definitely worth it I would say, and they will take experimentals as well.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 02:48 PM

Sneaky Pete was, let us say, interesting. biggrin
But he gave me and my crew a fantastic and memorable time on Barnwell.

If you`d seen the weather we have here in Oslo you would spend some time outside. Beautiful weather.
Still 2 hrs to the qualifying so plenty of time for some outside activities.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 02:57 PM

I signed up for a service called F1 TV Pro, so I can watch the practice and qualifying sessions later, since I work Saturdays while it is going on. Or maybe you have a DVR. Yes, after a long winter some nice weather will be beckoning you to go enjoy it. Have a great day!
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 08:16 PM

Thanks. You too!

I watch, or stream, F1 on Viaplay here in Oslo. They`ve got rights for F1, soccer, american sports and also wintersports.
Like you I can decide if I want to watch the events live or not and so many times I wish.
What annoys me is that they spread sports on several platforms that makes you pay a lot if you are willing to do so.
One positive thing is that the amount of commercial breaks are close to zero.

About the engineered FSD.
A little hotter as you wrote. The big difference is the boot time. Only 2s compared to 10s . Really big difference if you are in real trouble.
It also give the Orca between 2-3 extra LY.
Numbers on my ship will be 55.33/55.96/58.08 , IF I decide to do the change. I will use some time to see if I need the FSD in another ship. There is always an option to go back to Barnwell to buy another one if so needed.

OT. I heared MSC is ok. That was a brutal 35G crash.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 08:20 PM

Yes he is fine as far as reports. Jeddah is unsafe for Formula 1. An unsuitable track in an unsuitable nation.

It should be noted that FSD 'boot time' is not the time it takes to spool up, but to come online (power up) from being shut down. Still could be good in a ship where you need it to shut down through priorities to deploy weapons, and need to make a quick escape. But in my ships the 2s boot time is only useful to instantly see which of the FSDs in storage are these double-engineered ones smile
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/26/22 08:34 PM

Thanks for the info.
Then I learned something new again. Good thing. smile
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/27/22 03:38 AM

Additional jump is always good, and the drawbacks are minor. The mat cost is high, that's the only knock on it for me. I bought five right after the CG, when they were discounted for a short time. Not sure I'd do that at full boat. Or yes I would, probably, but it would take a while.

I have them in the Orca, DBX and two Kraits, with one unused. Just gotta slap mass manager on it. It's great in my DBX. 71 jump. I needed this thing to cross that mystical 70-jump line.

Mad Hops

Logged on for a bit tonight. I hired a minion! Five years and 1600 hours in Elite and I finally signed one up. A mostly harmless chick, who doesn't look strung out, and has a marine cut. She looks the business, and she sold me when the blurb said she grew up wanting to fly Imperial fighters. She'll fit right in. It's easy to throw a fighter hangar in the Krait. Dropped out the FSD booster. I bought a fixed-beam Taipan, and it was fun to use. Got a small-ship spawn in the local High-RES so she was never in any danger and was good for aggro, being a pest. Something new to play with anyway.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/27/22 02:55 PM

Good fighters are fun.
I was thinking of trying out a guardian fighter, but I lacked some resources. I will probably go for it later. I have to visit some ancient ruins first. Boring, time consuming but a must.

Did some sightseeing runs with my Orca. Fun and rewarding. I have never earned so much on selling exploratian data. smile
I did also take a red skull mission. Turned out to include illegal passengers which did the docking a little scary. I was scanned, but with no reaction. I guess I can thank DBonds advice with regards to heat that I made a successful docking..
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/27/22 03:15 PM

That's great, glad it worked out well for you. Sightseeing profits were a big part of me hitting Elite in exploration.

That's funny you started off with smuggling. Glad it worked out. The criminals do tend to pay a little better. I checked out the good ship Falcon on Inara/Coriolis and I see you mounted a heatsink which is key for smuggling. The cool ship reduces scan range, I guess, and then I just pop a heatsink if Betty ever says scan initiated. Ghost ship.

Our Orcas are nearly mirror images, you just need to visit Palin or Felicity or someone for the drags. G5 probe radius makes hitting the efficiency bonus a snap.

What sort of planets and how many did you find on your trips? How many stops were the ones you flew?

Not sure what your selection is like at the mo, but eventually you'll want a large variety of cabins on hand if you stick with this role. I always check the missions at the bottom that I don't qualify for, and often a quick cabin change can open those up. Does your station sell passenger cabins? I also keep class 5 and 6 scoops, so I can swap between class 5 and 6 cabins. Obviously you get better jump if you can take class 5 cabin missions, but the class 6 open up some of the best ones, like first-class fares that require more than 6 seats. Or luxury with more than 4.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/27/22 04:09 PM

I`m not sure about how many planets. I`ll pay more attention to that in the future.
According to the messages there was some rare ammonia worlds, some terraforming candidates, water worlds, a gas giant with ammonia based life in its upper atmosphere plus a couple of habitated industrial planets.
I started off with few hops, just to see how the events worked. I could have done more exploring of course, but that wasn`t my priority. So 3-4 hops max between the Tourist spots.
I also don`t now how the passengers will react if I use more time in each system.
There are some missions paying up to 50 millions. Then you have 1 famous explorer as passenger. But going 12000 LY isn`t that tempting. smile

With regards to the cabin selction I`m not sure what they have in addition to the business class I already have.
I am in Reorte now hauling some goods to remain on the 50% level. I`ll check when I return back.

I`m not happy with my choice of base. To far from the sun.
The system has some good res spots, but the distance to the station is a watse of time. I`ll look into that later.

lastly, I have to optimize the engeneering that I have done on some of my fleet. Reading this thread has been an eyeopener and I will try and learn some more so my ships will be better equipped.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/27/22 07:04 PM

I rarely do those long-range missions. I've done a few. I keep finding myself wondering how this 'famous explorer' doesn't have his own #%&*$# ship? Some explorer.

Every now and then I take one that's 2 or 3k ly, but never done one that heads off to Colonia or similar. I'm gunning for another Inara badge and need another 20k light years, so I might mix in a couple of these shorter long-range missions.

For the planets I was just curious how many ELW, WW and AW. The rest isn't important since I am thinking more about money than scientific advancement of the human race smile

As for the base.... I picked Barnwell for a few reasons. It has both Fed and Empire factions. Most of you guys have maxed out superpower rank so that's not important. I don't like Coriolis stations, and Barnwell's an Ocellus. It is a short hop from the drop. There's mining, RES, tech trader and a current war so CZs too.

The problem with changing stations is you might be starting over with faction rep and not get good missions on the boards at first.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/28/22 12:53 PM

Logged on last night for a bit. Took Poison Whiskey and my new employee out to the local RES. Managed to bump it up another point, now 88% Deadly. When I returned a month ago I was 70%, so that's pretty good progress. Not far to go now.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/28/22 06:32 PM

That`s great DBond!

I did a sightseeing mission just now and did some exploring on the way.
Didn`t pay a lot, but it was a rather short one.

After returning to base I went to Universal Cartographics and after I got my paycheck and left the bureau , I got the following message.
Is this rare or is it something you recieve often when exploring?

[Linked Image]
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/28/22 07:09 PM

Must be another Odyssey thing. I've never noticed any 'accolades', but these days I just sell page and go.

But maybe I do get that and just don't notice. Maybe I'd have to sell them individually. Looks like you were rewarded for first-map on these bodies.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/28/22 11:25 PM

I've received those bonuses several times in the past. I'm running Horizons.

The thing with these are, it says first to map, but I've looked them up in the Galaxy map and it doesn't say I'm the first to map on the different bodies. Other people have that distinction.

Not sure if it means first to map entire system or what? Sort of confusing!
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/22 12:24 PM

Bunch of noobs around here...

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/22 06:06 PM

Wow , Founders World!!
Amundsen would be jealous. biggrin

The topic has been discussed:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/uc-first-discovered-message.475959/
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/22 06:23 PM

Are you saying I wasn't the first to find it?

That would be soul crushing.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/22 08:07 PM

It is ok by me.

Just a certain Dog Duggy that might object though. smile
I`ll explore it myself after I done the system I`m in for the moment.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 03/30/22 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Are you saying I wasn't the first to find it?

That would be soul crushing.


Hmm, all the pics I've seen and the screens I've received time and again all say the Commanders name?

So I guess you're name ingame is Commander:Commander....????

And not to pour salt in a wound, BUT, why is it blue!! The moon?

biggrin


Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/22 11:45 AM

DBonds screenshot is 2 years old.
A lot of water has flowed into the sea since then. smile

I went to Founders World and scanned it.
I was not rewarded.
Not that I expected it, but at least I tried. .....
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/22 12:10 PM

Only I get to find it first, you know,

But yeah, that's from a while ago, you can see the date. Maybe it's changed?

Or maybe it's that I am the prototypical commander, and so while all others must have a second name attached to differentiate them, I am simply known as Commander, mononymous.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 03/31/22 04:59 PM

Mononymous isn`t always a good thing. smile
In these days we have a certain Vladimir that soon qualifies for the title.
There are exceptions like Columbus or Nansen.
Well, I guess someone would argue against that as well.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/22 12:25 PM

Yeah, except everyone calls him Putin. Vladimir is too affectionate. Putin is what I hear.

Either way, as the founder of Founder's World, the mononymous moniker of Commander suits me fine. Feel free to insert words like 'exalted' and 'eminence' if you like.

This week's CG sucks. 800 light years away, mining, and three crappy paint jobs as rewards.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/22 02:24 PM

Yeah.
I haven`t decided if I am going to join this CG yet.
I need a new ship for laser mining as well, not sure if I will re-equip one of my existing builds. Also plenty of money in the bank. smile
Don`t care about paint jobs.
The positive is that I could improve my mining statistics and learn more about mining.
So I just repositioned my FC in case I`ll take the trip. Also filled up Tritium.
Then I`ll look into building a mining Cutter, or another big one.

Oh, I meant the name would be Putin of course.

OT: Got my tax returns today. Surprisingly mucho. biggrin
Does it mean a 4K monitor?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/22 02:32 PM

Hey yeah, spend it! You only live once and think how awesome Elite would be on that bad boy.

My judgement is you must have a dedicated mining ship. Module swapping is for poor folks. And with mining you need to swap so much, and then re-jig your fire groups, and module priorities and bah! who needs it? So yeah, you need a mining ship.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/01/22 08:46 PM

Cutter is the penultimate big miner. Assuming you can stand the boredom of filling up a 500t hold.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 04:23 AM

Yo, Guardian foray set for Sunday around 10 am MTN. Who’s in? Wing and D, I’m talkin to y’all. If’n you’re in, dock yo rides on Angband previous to then.
Posted By: WingNuts01

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 04:32 AM

Nav to CMNDR, HD 63154 B3 A is our destination. 964.5LY.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 12:12 PM

I regret to report my inability to attend. As the one who proposed this event I feel guilty having to bail, but the boy has basketball tomorrow, and not only does he need a ride, I wouldn't miss it. I'm glad the Guardian mission is a go and I hope Ram gets his whizbangs and it is a raging success. Good hunting commanders.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Yo, Guardian foray set for Sunday around 10 am MTN. Who’s in? Wing and D, I’m talkin to y’all. If’n you’re in, dock yo rides on Angband previous to then.


Will try to make it. My daughter has softball practice, but I should be able to drop her. They cancelled practice today because it was too cold.

Will get myself aboard Angband sometime today/tonight just in case.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by WingNuts01
Nav to CMNDR, HD 63154 B3 A is our destination. 964.5LY.


not Synuefe NL-N C23-4 ??

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/walkthrough-guardian-module-blueprints.438289/
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 04:56 PM

D, no worries mate. Family trumps all, neh? Can’t remember if you still need to unlock any G modules, but we can always set up another run back.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 05:15 PM

Thanks Bo. I'm out of blueprints, but not anything I really want except maybe a fighter. Have fun.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
Thanks Bo. I'm out of blueprints, but not anything I really want except maybe a fighter. Have fun.


Someday I may want to go get another fighter blueprint as well.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/02/22 08:00 PM

The FSD booster and shield reinforcements were what I wanted, I got 'em. The other stuff is of limited usefulness to me.
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 12:17 PM

I was hoping to log in today regaled with tales of the event. Well, I hope all went well and Ram got his Guardian groove going.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 12:42 PM

Looked to be a successful foray for RAM and Gopher. I was not very helpful..other than blowing apart some towers and generally flying around directing Gopher. Had a lot of stuff going on at home and had to log off frequently, Also the ONE activity in VR that makes me sick to my stomach is driving around in an SRV. Thought I had it under control, but I was honestly nauseous all evening after logging out. Gonna go in 2D next time an SRV is called for.

At the time I left, RAM was still trying to find a replacement SRV and Gopher was harvesting Obelisk data. Don't know what the current status is. If the carrier is still in system, I am probably going to try and harvest some Guardian Tech components and Obelisk Data for a head start in case I decide to unlock the last fighter
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 01:05 PM

Excellent, thanks Rec. How'd it go Ram? You got new whizbangs yet?

How many blueprints did you obtain?
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 02:41 PM

Ram n Gopher have all the mats needed for shields and FSD booster. Ram still needs Delta Obelisk data. Was talk of goin to another site that has easier Obelisk farming. FC still at first location. Will move her back at some point this week. Not really in a rush as I have no plans back in Bubble currently.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Ram n Gopher have all the mats needed for shields and FSD booster. Ram still needs Delta Obelisk data. Was talk of goin to another site that has easier Obelisk farming. FC still at first location. Will move her back at some point this week. Not really in a rush as I have no plans back in Bubble currently.


Yeah, when I was pursuing FIGHTERS I went to that other site as noted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDange...farming_of_pattern_epsilon_for_guardian/


Sat in one spot and scanned multiple Obelisks. The writeup shows 2, but I think I managed to situate myself to scan a 3rd as well in each cycle.

EDIT: I probably got 4 at this site as in one of the comments:

System: SYNUEFE XR-H D11-102 Coordinates: X: -31.7627 Y: -128.9343 4 obelisks at these coordinates, simply scan them, relog, and repeat.


Will try to get on tonight and collect some Technology Components and whatever Obelisk Data I can find. I am maxed out on Alpha and Beta and have enough Delta. Need the harder to find Epsilon


Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by DBond
How'd it go Ram? You got new whizbangs yet?

How many blueprints did you obtain?


I got 2 BP's and a bunch of Guardian mats and a few Obelisks. Somehow my SRV got blown up and had to search through the carriers in the system to finally get one.

I'm staying in the system/area for a while. Found Crystal Shards and Biological sites with Lividum Brain Trees(these areas are just like Crystal Shard sites, one tree yields a Phloem excretion that gives a rare mat, while the other three types give a lesser rare mat.) Logging it all to make a thread about the different sites in and out of the bubble as there are Crystal Shard sites well within the bubble and not 1700ly's out. Good examples are Gliese 828/Mu Capricorni/Alpha Chamaelontis, which have Crystal shard sites!

I'll fly back on my own to the bubble, want the mileage and the exploration!

All in all it was just another grind. We were at the site for about 5 hours by my estimation and then I spent 4 more hours scanning and exploring HD 63154. Had a good time, except for the SRV deal.

And thanks to Bo for the ride/support and Wingy and Recluse for the support also. Great trip for sure.

And DB, I was a wee bit tired at 2:30AM to post up, figured I get it done today!

Yes Recluse, I'll go to the other Obelisk site sometime this week!

Bo, I ended up getting a Delta Obelisk when I went back to the site, and of course some more mats. I parked the ship a few hundred clicks from the site when I called it a night. Will pick up there and get more mats and then figure out what the crystal shards sites in the system yield as the rare mat. Planets A1/A2/A3/A4, B2A/B3A/B4DA all have them.

Also, I was able to find a map of the HD 63154 site for future reference:

[Linked Image]

ALSO, If you look at the bottom right hand side, you will see a Sentinel spawning point...................I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE, that's why they kept spawning in my Shields and getting stuck!! banghead biggrin
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/04/22 09:37 PM

😂
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/05/22 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22


And DB, I was a wee bit tired at 2:30AM to post up, figured I get it done today!



Marathon session! That's great, glad it worked out and those blueprints will be a massive boost to your builds. I assume you'll turn them in to the FSD booster and the shield reinforcements, but there are other options too.

Good work commanders.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/05/22 04:13 PM

Which Guardian fighter is best?
I have the blueprints, but I need more Guardian technology components.
I am in Synuefe c21-r c21-6 system right now doing a mining CG.
I`ve collected 822 units of Coltan that place me among the 10% at the moment. I think I leave it there.
The most important part was improving my mining statistics. I`m pretty fed up with mining right now. smile

I know there is a guardian structure in Synuefe EN-H D11-96 system which is about 100LY from here. Well , it used to be there. Don`t know if Frontier has removed it.
I think I will go there and do some Guardian component collecting.
I will go back to my FC and change to my Federal Corvette, "Super Etendard X" in Pencil sector. That should be the right tool for the job..
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 04/05/22 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by DBond

Marathon session! That's great, glad it worked out and those blueprints will be a massive boost to your builds. I assume you'll turn them in to the FSD booster and the shield reinforcements, but there are other options too.


Yes, that's the plan at the moment. I went back and got 3 more blueprints on my own, and I have a little more exploring to do in that system so I might just go back after a few more just in case.

And grab some more mats, nothing wrong with being filled up.

Originally Posted by Wigean
I know there is a guardian structure in Synuefe EN-H D11-96 system which is about 100LY from here. Well , it used to be there. Don`t know if Frontier has removed it.


According to the Elite Wiki, it's still active!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/05/22 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
Which Guardian fighter is best?
I have the blueprints, but I need more Guardian technology components.



Personal preference. I think the LANCE does the most consistent damage to both shields and hulls, but it uses AMMO so the fighter can easily run out of ammo during a sortie and has to be docked to re-arm. I didn't find the TRIDENT much better than the Taipan. The one I don't have is the JAVELIN (yet) so I can't speak to it. Note, I base this on it being flown by my Elite AI crew-member who is light years better with Fixed Weapons than I will ever be.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/07/22 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Originally Posted by Wigean
Which Guardian fighter is best?
I have the blueprints, but I need more Guardian technology components.



Personal preference. I think the LANCE does the most consistent damage to both shields and hulls, but it uses AMMO so the fighter can easily run out of ammo during a sortie and has to be docked to re-arm. I didn't find the TRIDENT much better than the Taipan. The one I don't have is the JAVELIN (yet) so I can't speak to it. Note, I base this on it being flown by my Elite AI crew-member who is light years better with Fixed Weapons than I will ever be.


Thank you for the info.
I am leaving Synuefe sector today, heading back to base.
I have collected sufficient items to build the Guardian fighters.
It`s been a long time since I have used fighters so the AI pilots need to build reputation.

So I guess there will be some work in the nearby res` . That is if not something more interesting tasks should show up. smile
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 03:05 PM

I have tried both the Lance and the Javelin now.

According to specs the difference is DPS.
I tried the Lance first since Recluse had experience with it. I don`t now if it was my AI (expert) or type of weapon , but I felt the time between when my AI fired a shot was very long.
So I went back and got the Javelin as my second fighter. .I went to a haz res and picked a target and fired off a shot so the target turned hostile.
Then I let the fighters defend me without me firing a shot. Not very scientific, but worth a try. I used the same AI on both.
I thought the Javelin did a much better job. Seemed to be far shorter time between shots and also doing more damage.
The Javelin has a DPS of 133 and the Lance has a DPS of 94, so that`s a rather big difference.
None of the fighters were able to finish off the enemy themselves, but I thought they were helpful and also useful when they diverted the attention of the enemy.

So how big difference is it between the AI crew-member levels?
How many bounty Vouchers are there between AI levels?
Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 03:18 PM

I don't have Guardian fighters so maybe not much help. But as a recent minion boss I ran the rule over the fighters and settled on the fixed beam Taipan. The differences are speed, agility, firepower, survivability and ammunition. I decided that high speed and agility are not so important, after all even the least-agile fighter is going to fly rings around any NPC. So for me it came down to DPM and endurance. Beams never run out of bullets and the AI is great with fixed weapons. The Taipan is robust too, and that's what I based my choice on.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
I have tried both the Lance and the Javelin now.

According to specs the difference is DPS.
I tried the Lance first since Recluse had experience with it. I don`t now if it was my AI (expert) or type of weapon , but I felt the time between when my AI fired a shot was very long.
So I went back and got the Javelin as my second fighter. .I went to a haz res and picked a target and fired off a shot so the target turned hostile.
Then I let the fighters defend me without me firing a shot. Not very scientific, but worth a try. I used the same AI on both.
I thought the Javelin did a much better job. Seemed to be far shorter time between shots and also doing more damage.
The Javelin has a DPS of 133 and the Lance has a DPS of 94, so that`s a rather big difference.
None of the fighters were able to finish off the enemy themselves, but I thought they were helpful and also useful when they diverted the attention of the enemy.

So how big difference is it between the AI crew-member levels?
How many bounty Vouchers are there between AI levels?




Bsed on the stats, the Javelin has a higher DPS, but the weapon it uses is for very close ranges, and I thought the JAVELIN was not as good against SHIELDS as the LANCE . That is the one I DON'T have, so I trust your observations I guess I will start collecting stuff to get a JAVELIN and try it out. My AI in the Lance doesn't have any lag in firing, but she is ELITE. Don't recall how long it took for the AI to reach ELITE, but it was much quicker than me. I was probably already DEADLY when I hired the AI at a low level (Expert, I think) and she hit Elite while I was still grinding through the Deadly ranks.

Once I get an enemy down to about 20% hull, my Fighter can usually finish it off, esp the smaller ships. Helpful when they are trying to Frame Shift away since the Fighter is faster and can usually chase them down.

EDIT: I watched this video:



Looks like the Javelin is indeed potent against Shields..

Guess I need to pick one up!!
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 05:28 PM

Nice find Recluse.

Javelin really shows it strenge there.
I haven`t seen that video before.
Definately going to have Javelins in my hangar.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 05:32 PM

@Bohemond:

Let us know when you are moving the carrier. Thinking I might just stay out here and start collecting stuff for the Fighter. The System for collecting the Key for the Fighter blueprint is only about 260 LY from HD63154. 4-5 jumps or so in the DBX.

I'll try to land my DBX on the surface sometime this evening. Collect some more crap here (Need Guardian Tech Components and Epsilon patterns) and then go over to the FIghter Systems.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
Nice find Recluse.

Javelin really shows it strenge there.
I haven`t seen that video before.
Definately going to have Javelins in my hangar.


I guess the Javelin, like the Lance is Ammo Limited, so be aware that when it runs out of AMMO you have to dock it and re-arm. When it runs out of Ammo, the fighter symbol has a "-" in the center and it will just fly formation until recalled since it cannot attack. It would be nice if there was an audio cue that they were out as sometimes it takes me awhile to realize when I am involved in a fight.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 06:39 PM

Heh, I think in my case I am worrying more how to avoid losing the fighter opposed to run out of ammo. biggrin
But point taken . I will have an eye on the Ammo warning.
Thanks for the tip.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
Heh, I think in my case I am worrying more how to avoid losing the fighter opposed to run out of ammo. biggrin
But point taken . I will have an eye on the Ammo warning.
Thanks for the tip.


Well, If you lose the Fighter, the Fighter Bay will 3D Print a new one up to the limit. In my bigger ships (Vette/Type 10) I have fighter bay with 2 slots and 8 rebuilds per slot. Your AI is via Telepresence, so if the fighter is lost, the AI is still alive (as are you if you are the one flying it).

It used to be that if your ship was lost with the crewmember aboard, you lost the crewmember, but now I think you can "Rebuy" them just like any other module.

Fighters really are somewhat disposable...
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
@Bohemond:

Let us know when you are moving the carrier. Thinking I might just stay out here and start collecting stuff for the Fighter. The System for collecting the Key for the Fighter blueprint is only about 260 LY from HD63154. 4-5 jumps or so in the DBX.

I'll try to land my DBX on the surface sometime this evening. Collect some more crap here (Need Guardian Tech Components and Epsilon patterns) and then go over to the FIghter Systems.



Rec,
Wilco, lemme know when you’re disembarked. I’ll not move ‘er til then.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Originally Posted by Recluse
@Bohemond:

Let us know when you are moving the carrier. Thinking I might just stay out here and start collecting stuff for the Fighter. The System for collecting the Key for the Fighter blueprint is only about 260 LY from HD63154. 4-5 jumps or so in the DBX.

I'll try to land my DBX on the surface sometime this evening. Collect some more crap here (Need Guardian Tech Components and Epsilon patterns) and then go over to the FIghter Systems.



Rec,
Wilco, lemme know when you’re disembarked. I’ll not move ‘er til then.



I'm off. You can leave whenever it is convenient for everyone else.
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 08:20 PM

Wingy already home, Ram still doin his thing and wants to fly back as a pilot. Gopher is the only question mark. I’ll c if I have his email and find out what his plans are.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 08:22 PM

Last time I talked to him, he was looking forward to coming home...
Posted By: Bohemond

Re: Dust Off - 04/08/22 08:34 PM

Not much to do out here if you’re done with the G stuff. Unless you like exploring, which I mos def do not.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 04/09/22 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemond
Gopher is the only question mark.


He left back to the bubble before anyone else. I think that was Tuesday!

I'm making my way back slowly, visiting the other Guardian sites and scanning systems. Should be back in the bubble this weekend, if not, early next week.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 01:51 AM

Well that wasn't bad!!! Got everything for the last Guardian Fighter unlock! Hardest part was harvesting the Technology Components, but that was just tedious. I managed to farm the Pattern Epsilons pretty quickly. When I was getting the Blueprint I was SWARMED by Sentinels. Had to retreat to the ship and clear them out, then it was smooth sailing.

Used these guides:

Pattern Epsilon:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDange...farming_of_pattern_epsilon_for_guardian/

Fighter unlock:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/walkthrough-guardian-vessel-blueprints.446206/

This video has a nice map of the site.







Planning on making my way back to the bubble, but if anyone wants to do the Fighter Unlock, I can stay out here to help. I found the Fighter Site much easier to navigate than the Module site. The Towers are placed pretty much in a line so easy to activate when doing it solo.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 04:51 PM

I don`t know what`s happening to the fighters.
In the beginning I thought their sortie time was reasonable.
Now they last only a very short time before they just maintain formation. Then there is something like a "K" in morse (-.-) symbol on the fighter status symbol.
I googled the problem and there are some stories about there are reports og bugs.
Anyone experience the same?
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Wigean
I don`t know what`s happening to the fighters.
In the beginning I thought their sortie time was reasonable.
Now they last only a very short time before they just maintain formation. Then there is something like a "K" in morse (-.-) symbol on the fighter status symbol.
I googled the problem and there are some stories about there are reports og bugs.
Anyone experience the same?



That's the OUT OF AMMO I was telling you about. LANCE and JAVELIN use AMMUNITION, and, I expect in the case of the JAVELIN it is easily depleted as there are huge bursts. Not sure about the TRIDENT Plasma Autocannons. If they are like PLASMA accelerators or SRV PLasma repeaters, they run out of ammo too.

When they start flying formation, you have to recall them to rearm.

You''ll never see it with FIghters armed with Energy weapons. (LASERS). That's why I keep a LANCE and a LASER armed TAIPAN in my bay. If I need a really long engagement time I send out the TAIPAN. which doesn't have to rearm.
Posted By: Wigean

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 05:48 PM

Yes I figured it was like you wrote earlier.
I just had the feeling they behaved differently than when I first got them.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Planning on making my way back to the bubble, but if anyone wants to do the Fighter Unlock, I can stay out here to help. I found the Fighter Site much easier to navigate than the Module site. The Towers are placed pretty much in a line so easy to activate when doing it solo.


I'll be visiting both soon. I'm at the Guardian Weapons module system now. Scanning the system them I'll go pick up a few blueprints.

I'll also be going to the site you mentioned and then to the Obelisks. But that will take me a few days as I'm completely doing scan level 3's on everything.

So don't wait for me...LOL

Nice that you got what you needed. I don't need anymore manufactured Guardian mats, all filled up. Just lacking the Obelisks.

Thanks for the post!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/10/22 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by RAM22
Originally Posted by Recluse
Planning on making my way back to the bubble, but if anyone wants to do the Fighter Unlock, I can stay out here to help. I found the Fighter Site much easier to navigate than the Module site. The Towers are placed pretty much in a line so easy to activate when doing it solo.


I'll be visiting both soon. I'm at the Guardian Weapons module system now. Scanning the system them I'll go pick up a few blueprints.

I'll also be going to the site you mentioned and then to the Obelisks. But that will take me a few days as I'm completely doing scan level 3's on everything.

So don't wait for me...LOL

Nice that you got what you needed. I don't need anymore manufactured Guardian mats, all filled up. Just lacking the Obelisks.

Thanks for the post!



Hmmm.. what weapons are you thinking of getting? Based on what the Javelin seems to be capable of, I might try to get a Large Guardian Shard Cannon to see if it can replace my PA. Mr. Guardian Skittles!! Most of the Guardian weapons are made for Thargoids, though..

Gonna have to grind out a whole bunch more Guardian Technology Components,if I go that way. Probably not worth it.
Posted By: RAM22

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/22 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by Recluse
Hmmm.. what weapons are you thinking of getting? Based on what the Javelin seems to be capable of, I might try to get a Large Guardian Shard Cannon to see if it can replace my PA. Mr. Guardian Skittles!! Most of the Guardian weapons are made for Thargoids, though..

Gonna have to grind out a whole bunch more Guardian Technology Components,if I go that way. Probably not worth it.



Haven't really thought about it at all. Just figured that since I'm out here scanning all these system, might as well get the Guardian module/weapon/fighter blueprints in one big bang.

I'm totally filled with all the Guardian manufactured stuff, and I'm filled to the max(150) of Alpha/Beta/Delta/Gamma obelisk mats. Epsilon is at 105.

Once I fill Epsilon and get the other blueprint fragments, of course 3 fighter BP's and a few weapon BP's(different system), then I'll head back to the bubble!

I dropped by Synuefe CE-R C21-6 and planet C 1 has 3 ruins sites and of course the fighter BP structure. I stopped at ruins #1 and that's where I came upon what seems to be a Guardian coliseum of sorts, with 10 area's of obelisks. So I've farmed the heck out of it. I'll check the other two ruins sites just for ch#$ts and giggles, then do the BP thing last.

Here's a shot of that coliseum, or what seems to be a coliseum:

[Linked Image]

So there was a ton of stuff to scan. But I found the ones close to each other and did as you did, used the turret to target them each and scan, no sense in using fuel up, though I did go around a few times to check it out, log out/in, rinse, repeat, repeat, repeat.... biggrin
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/11/22 10:45 AM

Impressive!!! You are really getting your money's worth out of the Guardian sites. I don't have the patience. Someday I am going to have to visit that Coliseum, though. Sounds pretty cool!!
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/22 11:18 AM

I unlocked my Javelin Fighter. Flew it around a bit and I have to say it was FUN and effective to shoot the Space Shotgun at ships. Since I seldom fly fighters, I had to re-tune my fighting style to HIT AND RUN rather than GO TOE TO TOE AND BOOST TO RAMMING SPEED... OOPS... doesn't work in a tiny fighter like it does in a 'Vette!

That said, I felt like when the AI was flying the Fighter, they did a lot more damage in the LANCE vs. the JAVELIN. I think I am going to go back to the TAIPAN/FIXED PULSE and LANCE in the Fighter bay, but I need to give the TRIDENT another shot as well since it does ABSOLUTE DAMAGE I had a lot of trouble hitting with the TRIDENT as the Plasma AutoCannons required quite a bit of lead as they need to spool up like a rail gun, but maybe my Elite Fighter Crew will do better.

Posted By: DBond

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/22 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Recluse
doesn't work in a tiny fighter like it does in a 'Vette!


Haha, I guess that is true!

Great info Rec, thanks for the report. Seems like you had a lot of fun getting back the lightweight fighter stuff.
Posted By: Recluse

Re: Dust Off - 04/12/22 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by DBond


Great info Rec, thanks for the report. Seems like you had a lot of fun getting back the lightweight fighter stuff.



I seldom fly the fighters because:

- The AI is better than I am in a fighter
- I think I am better than the AI in the Mothership (may or may not be true)

..but they are fun. I still feel that a failing of Elite is that the Fighters don't SEEM to be smaller than the regular ships from the cockpit. I wish there was more a sense of their smaller size. Hence my initial strategy of getting and staying too close to the enemy ships rather than evading their fire which lost me some fighters..
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