Going into deep space

madmann135 · Jan 31, 2015

I am a new fan of Elite Dangerous. I just got my Cobra and I am kitting it out with gear for the weekend.

I plan on going deep space exploring and I truly intend to get lost in space. I have one question though. Is there any special equipment other than the usual a good fuel scoop and reactor that I will need?

EMarkM · Jan 31, 2015

Go all "D" grade on everything you fit to keep the weight down, the only exceptions bring "A" for fuel scoop and FSD.

Ditch all your weapons. Shield...it's up to you; I kept mine.

Take an Advanced (if you want) Discovery Scanner and a Detailed Surface Scanner if you want to actually bring back some data.

Good luck, Commander o7

<~~currently 1,016Ly from Sol.

Devil's Refugee · Jan 31, 2015

Like the man said, no need for weapons or cargo holds. Max the FSD, buy Advanced Discovery Scanner and Detailed Surface Scanner. I also went for the Auto Maintenance Unit but you don't really need that. The scanners are essential for exploration if you want to make your mark.

Sounds like you're new to the game though, hope you have enough credits for this stuff !

crushdepth · Jan 31, 2015

Don't leave home without some weapons and a minimal shield.

Jaiotu · Jan 31, 2015

I just went on my first "long range journey." Just 700Ly really. But yeah... no weapons and went low weight on everything else. Took an Advanced Discovery Scanner and a Detailed Surface Scanner. Came back and sold the discovery data for just shy of 1million Cr.

EMarkM · Jan 31, 2015

crushdepth said:
Don't leave home without some weapons and a minimal shield.

As I've learned from others that have gone before me, this is a mistake.

You will die from lack of jump distance. You will not die because you have no weapons.

Zulu Romeo · Jan 31, 2015

EMarkM said:
Go all "D" grade on everything you fit to keep the weight down, the only exceptions bring "A" for fuel scoop and FSD.

Ditch all your weapons. Shield...it's up to you; I kept mine.

Take an Advanced (if you want) Discovery Scanner and a Detailed Surface Scanner if you want to actually bring back some data.

Good luck, Commander o7

<~~currently 1,016Ly from Sol.

I would also A-grade the thrusters, especially in a ship like an Asp, if you want to dodge those pesky contact binaries upon exiting hyperspace.

Deep space travel is a game of survival and endurance, and you need to make sure your ship is safe and your wits about you. New players forget that in a real time online only world, there is no pause: you stop, but everything else continues. Also, in supercruise, by definition you can never be at zero velocity, so even leaving the controls for a short break you will still edge closer to that star in the distance (which will very quickly no longer become a "distance"). To "pause" your game safely even for a break, drop out safely from supercruise into normal space (to preserve your location and not have to make that million Ls journey to that Earth-like world again) and either slow to zero velocity or quit to the main menu.

Finally, don't fly tired. EVER.

Haggis McMoose · Jan 31, 2015

Zion Ravescene said:
Finally, don't fly tired. EVER.

QFT, I know it's tempting to scan just one more system or fly on just 15 minutes more to reach this far-far-away (tm) nebula, even if it is 4 a.m. and you start to hallucinate from sleep deprivation...
BUT REALLY, he's right, don't fly tired! Doesn't matter how many days or weeks you have survived out there without even scratching your hull, you jump between 2 binaries nesting together and make a bad call and you meet your end as fried space chicken.

Stay alert, stay alive...

Haggis McMoose,
Chicken carebear

ollobrains · Jan 31, 2015

bring all youre data back to pand solar system, we are trying to get as much data to the local faction as we can so that when 1.1 hits we can get one of the 8 terraforming candidates to have a new terraforming colony upon it. Best of luck exploration is fun.

Devil's Refugee · Jan 31, 2015

ollobrains said:
bring all youre data back to pand solar system, we are trying to get as much data to the local faction as we can so that when 1.1 hits we can get one of the 8 terraforming candidates to have a new terraforming colony upon it. Best of luck exploration is fun.

Who is Pand aligned with ?
I'm going pirating across the Empire when I get back, so selling data to them I won't do

mono · Jan 31, 2015

I don't think so. All my data has been/is getting sold in Phekda. Will be exploring Empire space next.

ollobrains said:
bring all youre data back to pand solar system, we are trying to get as much data to the local faction as we can so that when 1.1 hits we can get one of the 8 terraforming candidates to have a new terraforming colony upon it. Best of luck exploration is fun.

madmann135 · Jan 31, 2015

I am new to the game, today is literally my 4th day playing it. I have yet breach 1 million credits earned.
I just got my cobra and I really do not want to ditch my shields or guns.

I am working on my travel plans and doing a lot of trading in my cobra in order to build up some capital for a Detailed surface scanner. That is my last bit of hardware before I am ready.

EMarkM · Jan 31, 2015

madmann135 said:
I am new to the game, today is literally my 4th day playing it. I have yet breach 1 million credits earned.
I just got my cobra and I really do not want to ditch my shields or guns.

I am working on my travel plans and doing a lot of trading in my cobra in order to build up some capital for a Detailed surface scanner. That is my last bit of hardware before I am ready.

All I'll say is that you will be limiting your options in an armed Cobra. You'll see some amazing sights, and bring back some cool stories and screenshots, but you will start to realise that a new, truly long trip is in order with an optimised exploration vessel.

Good luck, sir o7

Agony_Aunt · Jan 31, 2015

And don't forget a clean pair of underpants! You'll need them occasionally when exiting hyperspace. I recommend class A underpants for their larger capacity.

madmann135 · Jan 31, 2015

*Sigh* I will have to delay my plans on the simple fact that I do not have the money at the moment. Deep space exploration is my goal and I will not give up on it but I will delay it until I get enough funds for the proper equipment.

I agree that going with guns and a shield will limit my jump range but I have been interdicted by phantom pirates, that makes one scared to venture out into the unknown unarmed.

I have a shopping list, an expensive one. This also gave me more incite on what is needed for deep space exploration.

As is I will probably go and poke at some of the uncharted areas.

Jesters09 · Jan 31, 2015

You can go in the Cobra, I went 1700lys in the clipper and it was fun.
However, the ASP is by far the best explorer.
Large fuel tank, you can even take a level less on a lot of stuff to get even more jump range. And make all of it D except the scoop and the frame shift.
Your A grade thrusters won't save you in a tight binary, having a key map for stop all engines and a pile of heat sinks might.
You will need shields, because even at 600 lys out, you still get interdicted. No idea why NPCs are that far out, but still, take shields as small as you can fit and again class D.
Dump the guns and cargo holds, they only reduce your range.

After that, have a safe but eventful flight commander, take plenty of screenshots o7.

If you are interested in some company whilst you are out there, feel free to add me -----> Jesters-Ink
I could drop you our teamspeak and share our findings whilst we are out in the inky black.
Come to think of it, there are 3 of us out there at the mo.

S'Rau · Jan 31, 2015

Rule #1 : weight = jump distance, the less you have (fuel included) the farther you can jump with the same FSD (always buy the best FSD for your ship). To lower weight you can buy subclass modules (but not the FSD !).
Rule #2 : 400+ LY away from colonized space you won't meet anyone (beside other players if you play in open, and there is only a tiny chance thanks to the size of the galaxy), so weapons are useless but not weightless (see#1), run to live another day if you meet a player.
Rule #3 : you can very well travel with 25ish LY jump range but sometime clusters are 30+ LY away, an Asp with 37 LY jump range is a must.
Rule #4 : don't forget your detailed surface scanner.
Rule #5 : don't forget to plan ahead your refuel stops, would be a shame to be stranded near a brown dwarf without fuel. Also you lose all scanned data if you die, report alive into known space to sell data and earn Elite ranks + cash.
Rule #6 : take beautiful screenies and post them here

Last tip, read and skim Nutter's and Patau82's megathreads on the forums, they have alot of usefull "i wish i knew this before" tips

Jesters09 · Jan 31, 2015

madmann135 said:
*Sigh* I will have to delay my plans on the simple fact that I do not have the money at the moment. Deep space exploration is my goal and I will not give up on it but I will delay it until I get enough funds for the proper equipment.

I agree that going with guns and a shield will limit my jump range but I have been interdicted by phantom pirates, that makes one scared to venture out into the unknown unarmed.

I have a shopping list, an expensive one. This also gave me more incite on what is needed for deep space exploration.

15 mill should get you well on the way, insurance is well under 1 mill.
As for interdiction, small shields and always submit, then shift out of there, your shields will hold just fine.

Traceracing · Jan 31, 2015

And take some heat sinks, some of those binaries can toast a ship (happened to me, and I didn't have them)... died at 570% heat... a long way from home...

S'Rau · Jan 31, 2015

Jesters09 said:
As for interdiction, small shields and always submit, then shift out of there, your shields will hold just fine.

On the Asp class D shields, 8 tons for ~1 LY range lost, can save your skin and your wallet.
Some will play it without, but it is well worth it.