How much of the galaxy is actually available?

[Drhankeey]

I'm fairly new, actually im really new to Elite. Used to play & love Freelancer (another space-sim) though.

Anyway I was looking at the galaxy map, and also from stuff I found online is that there's SO much places to visit, but I was wondering how do I even visit places like.. lets say, Earth? Because from the place where you start, and if you want to fly to other places, on the map there's a blue line linking those and I can select and hyperdrive to them perfectly fine. However there's places NOT connected with that blue line and I havent been able to find a way to reach it.

Does this mean that, in fact, the game does not include all these galaxies, and simply it will come in future patches? Because that's what I'm sensing here, it really seems like only 1% of the galaxy is explorable, and all the rest, like visiting our solar system, Earth, the moon, Mars, etc.. is all currently not in the game yet. And if it's not the case how do I even get there?

It's pretty silly because from all the wiki and information pages it seems like everything is included, but now it looks like it's only a fraction. As if the game is still in beta? I might be completely wrong though, im still a noob at the game. Anyone wanna give me some feedback on this?

 

[Esvandiary]

All of it is in the game... You just might need to upgrade your ship (or buy a better one) before you can jump there

 

[Shads]

Try zooming right out in the galaxy map. See all those dots? You can go to any one of those...with the right ship and permissions

 

[azdour]

Actually available, well it's not 100% for everyone because there are systems that need permits.

Earth and it's solar system are definitely in, there are youtube videos showing it.

The blue line is the distance your current ship can jump, to get to Earth you have to make many jumps and it all depends on where you start - it's not an easy journey.

 

[Issmir]

You;ll need a permit to visit Earth (get in good with the Federation to get it)

Also, the route planner currently stops at 100LY, so if you're further than than just head in the general direction and replot once you're closer.

 

[xondk]

Actually available, well it's not 100% for everyone because there are systems that need permits.

Earth and it's solar system are definitely in, there are youtube videos showing it.

true not 100% but its like 99.99% systems that don't need permits... or somesuch.

 

[Leviathan]

In the Galaxy map the maximum range of the "blue lines" is arround 100LY

If you want to plot a route over 100LY you need to make some stops to replot the route

Jump 100LY towards your destination - replot route - if distance is still greater 100LY you need to do this again until you are in range

It also takes a while to build "the net" ( blue lines ) - you cant plot 100LY as soon as you open the map, maybe 40LY - if you want to plot longer jumps you need to wait a few minutes

There are Systems which need permits to visit them ( SOL, Achenar, Alioth for example )

you can find closed of systems even far out of civilized space ( those seem to be reserved for later use in story content )

 

[Stuie]

You;ll need a permit to visit Earth (get in good with the Federation to get it)

Also, the route planner currently stops at 100LY, so if you're further than than just head in the general direction and replot once you're closer.

That's the answer the OP needs. The "blue lines" will only generate out to 100ly from your current location. As you move from system to system, the routes will change to reflect your current location.

So yes, the entire galaxy is really there for you to explore (although you need the aforementioned permits to access some solar systems).

Edit: Leviathan explained it better.

 

[TriumphANT]

I'm fairly new, actually im really new to Elite. Used to play & love Freelancer (another space-sim) though.

Anyway I was looking at the galaxy map, and also from stuff I found online is that there's SO much places to visit, but I was wondering how do I even visit places like.. lets say, Earth? Because from the place where you start, and if you want to fly to other places, on the map there's a blue line linking those and I can select and hyperdrive to them perfectly fine. However there's places NOT connected with that blue line and I havent been able to find a way to reach it.

Does this mean that, in fact, the game does not include all these galaxies, and simply it will come in future patches? Because that's what I'm sensing here, it really seems like only 1% of the galaxy is explorable, and all the rest, like visiting our solar system, Earth, the moon, Mars, etc.. is all currently not in the game yet. And if it's not the case how do I even get there?

It's pretty silly because from all the wiki and information pages it seems like everything is included, but now it looks like it's only a fraction. As if the game is still in beta? I might be completely wrong though, im still a noob at the game. Anyone wanna give me some feedback on this?

You can definitely visit Earth! Galileo orbiter around The Moon is my favourite station by far. Go look!

In a starter ship you may struggle to make some of the medium range jumps required to do the journey quickly. Upgrading your FSD a bit, say to give a 15Ly range, will greatly "straighten out" the flight path, and just remember that every ton of upgrades and cargo will reduce your jump range, so a stripped down ship with a Basic Discovery Scanner will make you enough Credits from exploration to get from A to B. I did it all in my Eagle a few weeks ago and had the time of my life. Exploration. Some back'n'forth trading when I found a decent route, some upgrading. Started off with 10,000Cr and ended up with a 250,000Cr upgraded Eagle and 50,000Cr in cash, which in the early stages is just megabucks. And you can lose it all without shedding too many tears!

It also feels so pilgrimmy heading back to Earth.

 

[Drhankeey]

Woohoo! Awesome, I really didn't think it was finished at all and suddenly the universe looked a lot smaller to me. Glad that's not the case!

But, how and where do you even get these kind of permits?

Also as of now I can only land on space stations right? Planets are off limits? Because sometimes there's a planet or sun that says "undiscovered" but I wouldnt even know where to begin to explore them because you can't get near them.

 

[Joe Spivey]

Planetary landing is coming, be patient Also, FD have made some parts of thje galaxy off limits for now as they are going to use these for some types of expansions... enemy alien races for example. But when you have a galaxy of 400 billion systems to play with a million or two set aside is noting. By the way, there are, I believe, onlu some 100,000 systems that are in human occipied space, so plenty of room for exploreres to do the Star Trek thing Have fun commander.

 

[Evyl Minkey]

Woohoo! Awesome, I really didn't think it was finished at all and suddenly the universe looked a lot smaller to me. Glad that's not the case!

But, how and where do you even get these kind of permits?

Also as of now I can only land on space stations right? Planets are off limits? Because sometimes there's a planet or sun that says "undiscovered" but I wouldnt even know where to begin to explore them because you can't get near them.

You scan the undiscovered stuff with your scanner and then sell it at stations.

 

[AH_ImADot]

Also as of now I can only land on space stations right? Planets are off limits? Because sometimes there's a planet or sun that says "undiscovered" but I wouldnt even know where to begin to explore them because you can't get near them.

The "Undiscovered" objects can be scanned with the "Basic Discovery Scanner", if you have one equipped. Once you are close enough and pointing at the object, you'll see on the left-side HUD that it is actively scanning and will eventually show you what it discovered. You can also map the BDS to a weapon group and "fire" it to discover new objects within 500ls of your location. Then, fly to them and again once in range the actual scan will automatically start.
.
Once you gather this kind of data, you can fly to a system at least 20ly away and sell the info to the Cartographers. But be warned, if your ship gets destroyed, that scanned data is no longer available for you to sell.

 

[azdour]

But, how and where do you even get these kind of permits?

I believe there are certain missions you can do that reward you with a permit - someone will hopefully confirm this. I also believe you have to attain a certain rank/title with that faction before the missions are given - again hopefully someone else will confirm this or put me straight

 

[AH_ImADot]

I recently got the permit to SOL by becoming "friendly" with the Federation and getting a couple of ranks up in the Fed Navy.

 

[Ian Skippy]

Some permits cannot be attained. These regions are effectively 'locked' for players. It is presumed that FD plans to do something here. Considering these places are pretty far from populated space and at some point Thargoids will show up I wouldn't be surprised if they have something to do with it...

 

[eachann]

Some permits cannot be attained. These regions are effectively 'locked' for players. It is presumed that FD plans to do something here. Considering these places are pretty far from populated space and at some point Thargoids will show up I wouldn't be surprised if they have something to do with it...

I can't wait for Thargoids to come into the game.... that is one element of the original elite that is SORELY missing. I used to love fighitng those ships. It was great when they would spawn the little mini ships, and after you killed the thargoids those little ones could be scooped up and sold as alien artifacts... hehe.

 

[Starnr]

Being a member of the alliance I will not go to Earth until it is free of the Federation collar or I may go tomorow Down with the Empire and the federation

 

[DimGook]

Don't worry about permits for now, you're not really missing anything without permits. If you really really want to see what the solar system looks like in game just google it.