Long distance smuggling missions

DustyArne

DustyArne
B33 ENN said:
Love to know which station you went to turn that kind of profit/time? :eek: I've done a run tonight with 25 odd missions from Fehu (only half filling my Python!) and made roughly 20 million, but it's taken me all night to turn them in! :eek: It's a great turnover, but a lot of work and many hours also.
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I started in Takurua, there were 4 or 5 BB missions available there. all Toxicwaste missions, no illicit cargo, they payed 600k till 800k each.

Then i went to my Galaxy map, filtered all unpopulated systems out, and i found a fictional string of systems nearby, with Sothis one of them. I sorry, i forgot the names of the other. So i went to the system that was the furthers away form me, picked the BB missions clean, jumped to the next, ect ect, till my 80t Cargohold was about 70% full.

then i delivered the toxic waste. I was in luck that i only needed to travel to 3 different systems to deliver my stuff.

After that i repeated the same loop..


However, i did forgot i had one 5.3 millions smuggling mission. I needed to smuggle narcotics to a Antal system. Sorry about that.
 

_neuron_

_neuron_
B33 ENN said:
Love to know which station you went to turn that kind of profit/time? :eek: I've done a run tonight with 25 odd missions from Fehu (only half filling my Python!) and made roughly 20 million, but it's taken me all night to turn them in! :eek: It's a great turnover, but a lot of work and many hours also.
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I've been to nearly all of the mission-giving systems 300+ Ly from the bubble within the past week, as I've spent most of my ED time during that period on these long-distance hauling/smuggling missions (trying to get my trade rank from Tycoon to Elite, and also provides an opportunity to scan lots of systems for the exploration CG).

I've found that Robigo is far and away the most profitable right now, although I can't give you an exact number since I don't calculate profits per hour/ton/etc. Most of the other systems are hit-and-miss (e.g., Fehu), and some have simply been nerfed to the point of near-uselessness (looking at you, Sothis). Robigo, by contrast, still seems to offer both good quantity and quality of missions: no shortage of 1.2+ million legal missions if you're allied with the local factions and have a high trade rank, plus a smuggling mission here and there. Having said that, even at Robigo, you'll still have to do a fair amount mode-switching to get a full hold (all the more so since you're in a Python, lol).
 
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B33 ENN

B33 ENN
Ranualf said:
...I would NOT recommend that you use a Python for this, because of the lower jump range and vastly greater cargo hold ...I DID use a python for this, and greatly regretted it... Because of the large cargo, i could take a LOT of missions (max is 100 by the way) and you have to figure in the shorted jump distance, and the amount of interdiction that you are going to face... Thus after spending a hour or so filling up and then traveling 300ly+ to the FIRST stop, it took me an additional 7 hours to drop off that damn cargo! And i didn't really make a lot of cash over using the Asp for 2 runs of more (which i could have done).
If i had simply used the ASP, i could have jumped further, faster and done 3 or 4 runs, which would have netted me more than 100 million creds.

Of course use you ADS on every jump, both to and from the stations and you will gain exploration data and more cash when traveling also!
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Very interesting post, and I understand your logic completely the way you explained it. Thanks for taking the time on that. I was mostly getting missions for 700 thousand credits with occasionally more, but I just grabbed them without considering the number of tons per, since I was looking to fill up the massive belly of the Python, which I still couldn't achieve.

Yes, the Python... :D I seem to have lived what you said about it tonight: Shortened jump range, more scoops, half wasted cargo space (I only managed to get 100T filled before running low on time to head back and start deliveries), and regular interdictions. I believe my record on one run from star to station, a distance of about 1200Ls was around a dozen interdictions, mostly repeatedly by the same wing or one Anaconda and another smaller ship that kept following and harassing me all the way to the station door! Throughout I was telling myself, "you should've brought an Asp!" :D

fyo said:
The point is: Take missions that go to the SAME STATION. Seriously consider leaving solo missions to other stations in the same system (or ANY system) alone, unless the pay is way above normal. Choose a starting point with multiple stations... Usually in VARATI, I'll get about 3 missions to every station I stop at and there are three reasonably close stations that all usually offer a lot of missions. Of course, the pay is less from mission in VARATI, so it evens out. I haven't tried a lot of the other stations, but perhaps there's one that combines the best traits of SOTHIS and VARATI?
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DustyArne said:
I started in Takurua, there were 4 or 5 BB missions available there. all Toxicwaste missions, no illicit cargo, they payed 600k till 800k each. Then i went to my Galaxy map, filtered all unpopulated systems out, and i found a fictional string of systems nearby, with Sothis one of them. I sorry, i forgot the names of the other. So i went to the system that was the furthers away form me, picked the BB missions clean, jumped to the next, ect ect, till my 80t Cargohold was about 70% full. then i delivered the toxic waste. I was in luck that i only needed to travel to 3 different systems to deliver my stuff. After that i repeated the same loop.. However, i did forgot i had one 5.3 millions smuggling mission. I needed to smuggle narcotics to a Antal system. Sorry about that.
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No problem, that at least gives me an idea that there are other strategies to this whole thing, which just makes it more fun really. :)

_neuron_ said:
I've found that Robigo is far and away the most profitable right now, although I can't give you an exact number since I don't calculate profits per hour/ton/etc. Most of the other systems are hit-and-miss (e.g., Fehu), and some have simply been nerfed to the point of near-uselessness (looking at you, Sothis). Robigo, by contrast, still seems to offer both good quantity and quality of missions: no shortage of 1.2+ million legal missions if you're allied with the local factions and have a high trade rank, plus a smuggling mission here and there. Having said that, even at Robigo, you'll still have to do a fair amount mode-switching to get a full hold (all the more so since you're in a Python, lol).
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Reckon I'm going to switch to Asp for more efficient travel time and loading. I think the Python is better for shorter runs of more regular trading where you can fill up fast and turn around. I was thinking of giving these runs a rest for a bit though and maybe partaking in the combat Community Goal for a change of pace, but I might look at giving Robigo a try at some point, just to see.
 
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Wasp0

Wasp0
Dominatus01 said:
..........................................

Here's the smuggling fit I use for my Asp, which is a balance of cargo, speed, defence, & speed-scooping. There are many other options, which is the beauty of the Asp, but after much dabbling this is my personal favourite for the task at hand .

http://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/04A5D...020124.AwRj4yvI.MwBj4ywRjAmeQ===?bn=Smuggler3
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Have a look at the ASP i use for smuggling. http://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/05A5D...40022t2f01.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==?bn=Smuggling ASP

Streamlined, but able to carry 108 Tons cargo! These are docking shields only or runaway shields, they won't last in an extended dogfight, so pick your battles carefully when you are interdicted!

Heatsinks, vital for non-detection going into ports (Outpost very rarely have Police around).

If you scoop at every star whilst aligning to your next jump, you will find the class 3 scoop good enough, but if you have to fill from empty it does take over 3 mins to fill your tank, so scope little and often. Also if you have a "Tasty Cargo" type message you know you will be interdicted, so turning your bottom to the star and scoop at a 'No Throttle' 9/10 the interdictor will fly into the sun!

Weapons are up to you, i use this loadout to put down 'Easy' ships, but i only fight in the destination system so i can collect the bounty, NEVER fight anywhere else just Boost, Chaff, Boost, FSD!

Using this loadout will give you 24 more tons of Cargo space, that's approx another 4-5 missions at a Mill or so each!

I always sell all my Bio-Waste so i can stack more missions, and as i unload the other cargo at the outpost i replace with Bio waste bought at that outpost. Once you are in the bubble, dis-able the scoop as you won't need it until you head back out for the next run!

I make 60Mill with this ASP on EACH RUN!
 

jrb

jrb
Granted...I have the opportunity to do the elite smuggle missions...however, I figured I would throw my 2 cents in on how I make the runs...

180 million run last Saturday.

I also use an Asp but only run a little over 50T because I use a 6A Fuel scoop.
I only carry one commodity - slaves
Reason being - I eject all cargo inside the station as I am accumulating missions....then purchase required slaves when I get to the area of deliveries...there are always stations selling in the general vicinity....fill hold - deliver all - repeat process...
The 6A Fuel Scoop is almost instant on 1 jump fuels and the jump range on an Asp make for a typical 12 - 13 jumps to where I need to be....fast and easy
 

Gobbo

G
My experience so far having been based in Robigo for a month now. During that time I have made 400Mill, my Trade rank went up 2 notches now 80% Entrepreneur and my Federation Rank went from nil to Warrant Officer with 5-6 (can't remember exactly)easy delivery missions out of Ceos.
Each run I typically get 17-20 Mill for 5-6 missions of which 2-3 are smuggling each with a reward ranging from 3 to 7Mill (my highest), spare cargo space is taken up with normal deliveries 1.4 Mill each.
Each run will take 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours to return(station to station) this doesn't include the time to obtain the missions. This part is very much down to luck. Sometimes the smuggling missions are waiting for you as soon as logon other times could be half hour. On one occasion was about an hour. I must admit I tend to swap game modes to force BB refresh. Once I get the 1st mission then another a couple more quickly follow, this doesn't seem to be duplicated in the other modes at the same time.

If you want an easy life with fewer interdictions then go to Group Mode. Solo Mode seems to attract far more NPC interdictions and the size of the missions also seems to attract more pirates.

The missions are typically 360-380 LY in clustered systems, 13-15 jumps in an ASP with a 28 LY Fully Laden Jump Range, this take me 15' . Most of the stations are outposts - no problem with security. However a number are Coriolis & Hub stations so do need to use silent running. Beware on the stations I've had 2-3, 50,000 LS which If was a 7Mill smuggle wouldn't be so bad but when its for 1.2 Mill delivery, is not so time effective.
Last point - I'm using an ASP with a 5A fuel scoop, no weapons - don't need them. A class everything else.

Easily out run any interdictions -saves time. Why waste 2-5' minutes and unnecessary risk to cargo and mission fighting NPC interdictions.

After a month I still enjoy these runs - It beats Trade grinding, each run is different you never quite know how each one is going to pan out and the rewards are pretty good.
 

Wasp0

Wasp0
Interesting to read all these different methods of Smuggling! I don't just take Slaves so hunting around for all the different cargo to buy in to complete the missions would be too much for me. As MOST of the regular missions for me are Bio-waste i do this for this commodity, Bio-waste is at almost EVERY Outpost. So i sell Bio to stack missions.

Using the class 3 scoop is slow for a one time fill up, but slurping at every star whilst lining up the next jump is sufficient and only adds a few seconds to the waiting time once the FSD has cooled, staying close to the star also deters interdictors especially if you zero throttle!

Good trading my fellow smuggler!
 

Larry

Larry
From trading imperial slaves to hauling biowaste. Who whould have thought biowaste would be so lucrative? :D

Wasp0, I'm running a similar asp build but will give the bigger hold a try. I didn't even consider swapping a 5A scoop for a 3A one until now. Doh!
 

Foxon_the_fur

Foxon_the_fur
When I went to Maia in the Horizons beta I found some long-range missions, new missions, that were giving 4-7 million credits. They were high rank missions though, and they were the mission where you have to trade some sort of illegal data to a system. You fail the mission if you're scanned.

They are out there, but the 20 mil an hour thing is over.
 

DustyArne

DustyArne
Foxon_the_fur said:
When I went to Maia in the Horizons beta I found some long-range missions, new missions, that were giving 4-7 million credits. They were high rank missions though, and they were the mission where you have to trade some sort of illegal data to a system. You fail the mission if you're scanned.

They are out there, but the 20 mil an hour thing is over.
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20mil an hour is way to much, play for 5 days and there is nothing to do besides ranking up minors and majors.. How it is now, is good. 600k for easy, 3-7 mill for risky.. perfect, since we can stack those mission. Now, if we could only accept one, and no more, that would be another story..
 

Wasp0

Wasp0
Larry said:
From trading imperial slaves to hauling biowaste. Who whould have thought biowaste would be so lucrative? :D

Wasp0, I'm running a similar asp build but will give the bigger hold a try. I didn't even consider swapping a 5A scoop for a 3A one until now. Doh!
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Just remember these are 'Docking Shields' or 'keep you safe whilst you run Shields'. If you pick a fight with a vulture or above, then your shields will collapse like pack of wet cards! Against smaller ships they will be fine. I only ever fight if i have to or if i am in the destination system so i can collect the bounty, being a true trader i only fight if there is money in it!!!
 

Gobbo

G
Larry said:
From trading imperial slaves to hauling biowaste. Who whould have thought biowaste would be so lucrative? :D

Wasp0, I'm running a similar asp build but will give the bigger hold a try. I didn't even consider swapping a 5A scoop for a 3A one until now. Doh!
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When I first started in Robigo I used a 3A Fuel Scoop. After you've run across 2-3 non scoopable stars you are sitting there filling up and a 3A is dead slow compared with 5A. Also, there are times you don't have time to scoop at a star if you can see an incoming interdiction.
 

Wasp0

Wasp0
Killakiwi said:
My Robigo smuggling ASP

http://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/05A5D...40f3f3f2f2.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==?bn=Smuggling ASP

I don't scoop, time scooping is credits lost! I wait 20 minutes on mission stacking then leave i have found i make more credits by doing 5-10 missions quickly and running light and returning for more.
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You are wasting the SCB! you might as well have heatsinks to help you creep in the stations or more chaff, or none! Class 3 shields on here are like paper, using SCB on these shields would be like protecting paper with wet toilet paper!!

Interesting you do really quick runs! Hmmm, might look into that. Nice one and Welcome to the Long Distance Smugglers Group, No mane yet or no group :)

Wonder if we can have our own Ship Skins?.....Hmmm Seem to remember a heated long thread of a particular well known, and may i say BRILLIANT, group of people (Fuel Rats). :)

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Gobbo said:
When I first started in Robigo I used a 3A Fuel Scoop. After you've run across 2-3 non scoopable stars you are sitting there filling up and a 3A is dead slow compared with 5A. Also, there are times you don't have time to scoop at a star if you can see an incoming interdiction.
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Ah Yes the Brown stars. To avoid try routing via Wrigians (Spelling). This usually takes you via a route with fewer non scoopable stars, but that all depends on where your starting point is. It is all about pre planning!

Fail to plan means plan to fail!
 
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