Understanding Exobiology Payouts

[Greasetrap42]

I have made some silly assumptions based on loose observations. Is there any truth behind my beliefs?

I always assumed when scanning a bunch of bio that profits were maximum if:

a) The planet was previously unexplored. Not really because it was unexplored but nobody had landed on it and scanned the bios before me. Really if there was no first footfall.

b) I had not yet bioscanned this sample in this galactic region. If it was a new codex discovery that was a good indication I haven't scanned it yet.

c) If I go to a new galactic region (I've never been there before) both the codex and bio scans start over.

I thought this because after a session of scanning 20 samples:

• In the bubble or other highly visited areas seems to have less profits. Unexplored systems seams better.
• If my codex discoveries are relatively high, so is my exobiology cash-in.
• If I scan a dozen planets in the same system and they all have the same bio, profits seem low.
• If I stay in the same location and keep scanning unexplored systems, after scanning about 100 bio samples my profits will start going down. along with my new codex discoveries.

Are my thoughts correct?

 

[Greasetrap42]

e) As I travel within a galactic region the bio for sampling changes. What is available here might not be available over there. Different samples are found when I move a couple thousand LY within a region.

 

[MattG]

The bonus for exobiology is actually First Logged - so the first to sell the data. If a planet doesn't have a First Footfall tag, it's extremely likely you'll get the bonus for selling bio data - but it is not guaranteed. Someone could scan the bios after you - and see your First Footfall tag - and if they sell that data before you, they'll get the bonus not you.

You get a codex voucher for every bio variant you find, per region. But it's trivial - just 50k. Compare to the cheapest paying biological, which is 1M base and 5M if you get the First Logged bonus. It's even more ridiculous compared to the most valuable bio as that pays 100M for First Logged samples (and Stratum Tectonicas is only just lower than that and quite common).

It isn't worth factoring in Codex vouchers.

 

[Greasetrap42]

It isn't worth factoring in Codex vouchers.

I realize codex vouchers are not valuable for income. What I have noticed after scanning missions of 20 bio is if the relative amount of codex cash-in is high, then my exobiology cash-in is very high too. Low codex and I know my exobiology will be low.

As a result... I like seeing the new codex discovery pop-up on a bio I am scanning. It means I haven't scanned it before.

 

[marx]

It's quite simple: in exobiology, if nobody has sold yet the specific sample from the specific body you got it from, then you get the first logged bonus. In addition, the base payout is always the same: other bodies, systems, regions etc don't matter.
Get a Cactoida Vermis from the Inner Orion Spur, get another from the Formidine Rift, they'll both pay the same. Get six of the same from Kepler's Crest, and each and every one of those will all pay the same.

Codex vouchers are a different cookie, but as Matt wrote, they pay so little that they don't matter.

 

[MattG]

I realize codex vouchers are not valuable for income. What I have noticed after scanning missions of 20 bio is if the relative amount of codex cash-in is high, then my exobiology cash-in is very high too. Low codex and I know my exobiology will be low.

I think that's coincidence, possibly because you're scanning more common and lower value biologicals - the fact they're more common means you get fewer codex voucher payouts for those lower value ones. But I mostly only scan Stratum Tectonicas, and my exobiology payouts are huge while my codex voucher payouts are inconsequential.

 

[Alkibiades]

Is there any truth behind my beliefs?

Are my thoughts correct?

Yes.

There is a lot of data how to find valueable exobio. It depends on the star type, planet type, atmosphere type and if you are the first to sell it which gives you a 5x bonus.

Exobiological Flora - Deep Space Network

This page references knowledge of biological species found on the surface of planets. Detailed species sheets by genus: Note: many of the images presented in this flora were provided by CMDRs who participated in the Artemis Biological Survey, an expedition organised by the DSN. Many thanks...

ed-dsn.net

Vista Genomics values - Deep Space Network

Vista Genomics sale values: The table can be sorted by species or by price. The sales prices at Vista Genomics are taken from the list from Cannon with their autorization.

ed-dsn.net

The easiest money maker is stratum tectonicas on high metal content planets in certian atms. There are 3rd party tools who highlight those planets for you so you dont overlook them.

Overall exobio became a money printing machine.

 

[Suni]

A somewhat related question:
Is there any special benefit (aside from standard income / first log bonuses) for finding all samples on a given body?

I just recently landed on a planet with 8 biological types, and I found 6 of them and took off (but stayed in the system). Now I'm wondering if there is any good reason for me to re-land on that planet in order to find the remaining 2, before moving on, or is it just the same to move on and do other planets in other systems? An accolade like "fully xeno-analyzed a body" or something like that?

 

[K Olley]

Just personal pride, sometimes you can get them all, sometimes they are so elusive or in such hard to get to places that they are just not worth while pursuing

 

[Suni]

Just personal pride, sometimes you can get them all, sometimes they are so elusive or in such hard to get to places that they are just not worth while pursuing

OK, thanks!

 

[jmatt]

I didn't realize there might be some kind of strategy with scanning in different sectors which resets the Codex, etc.

I don't know about you guys but I just plow forward and attempt to scan / identify everything I stumble across in the systems I visit. If I hit a dark planet or one with just cactoida in unlandable mountains I may just skip the attempt. But I see no point in FSSing and entire system, spotting some planets with biologicals, spending five minutes to travel 2800ls to get there, DSSing the thing with probes... and then choosing to NOT land because it's only bacteria.

Also, if I come across something with biologicals but someone is already First Footfall, I'll skip it.

I've only been at Exobiology for a few months now but I'm glad I discovered a forum with others trying to sort this all out. o7

 

[jmatt]

Just to clarify: With Exobiology values, it doesn't matter how far away your are from the Vista Genomics shop you turn them in at, right?

But with Exploration, the further you are from the turn-in point, the greater the value, yes?

 

[MattG]

Just to clarify: With Exobiology values, it doesn't matter how far away your are from the Vista Genomics shop you turn them in at, right?

Correct

But with Exploration, the further you are from the turn-in point, the greater the value, yes?

Incorrect. Only restriction on exploration data is you must be at least 20LY away from the system to sell data (and no restrictions at all if you sell on a carrier but you lose 25% of value). No increased value for how far away the system is.

 

[jmatt]

Next question: Am I correct in understanding that there can be some value to the player as to what faction the data is turned in at? As in it can increase standing with that faction?

If I already have a good standing with one, should I take the time to travel to another faction's system to turn in exo and explo data? Or doesn't particularly matter?

Mind you, I know nothing about faction in the game as yet other than it exists.

 

[jmatt]

Just got back from 97 jumps away and achieved Geneticist. Huzzah!

Also, what should I do with data regarding an Earth-like World? Should I simply turn-in with the rest or can it be used for some other purpose? Is there an engineering requisite for such or anything like that?