A fun & highly varied evening.

[Kzak]

Last night I did something similar, took a mining contract over 3 units of Methanol Monohydrate Crystals (what a bulky term! ) but didn't want to take my Python for various reasons (not taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut only being one of them) and took my Cobra Mk3 instead. At some point on my way back I was interdicted and since I'm allied with all factions in this system there was immediately a security ship at hand. The 2 vs one was doable, even with my limited Mining Cobra (2x class 2 gimballed lasers) and got me a nice 40k bounty.

That's the crux with mining, you basically fly ships that are horribly crippled for combat, even worse than trading ships: You want one or better two mining lasers, cargo space and limpet controllers. In other words, if you still want to fight with such a ship you need to pick both your opponents and situations *very* carefully. Otherwise your only options would be running.

You can always join one PP faction (I forget which one) and stick with them for a month to get the Mining lance, which is a fixed small mining/beam laser combo. I use a pair of those on my Mining Asp.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

No thanks, really don't want to screw my love for the game with PP grinding (or any grinding at all).

Yes, this part of the game needs to be next on the major overhaul agenda. There needs to be a much greater linkage between factions and powers, & between system control & system state....working the BGS via the factions should have almost as big an impact on system control as engaging in Preparation/Expansion/Fortification and Undermining missions. Also, I think that working for a Power's preferred faction should earn you merits with that power.....if you are pledged to them. Power Play specific missions are a must too, & the power play cycles should probably be fortnightly, not weekly.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Here is a video of me getting the mission whilst engaged in mining.....without limpets, I might add .

[video=youtube;b0bXxkHNSN4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0bXxkHNSN4[/video]

 

[Mike Syron]

Repped and bumped.

That's the spirit! Though I think FD could push these random missions a bit, I remember that it was the only way you could get a mission in the original Elite game (Amiga version). And boy did I went bananas when it happened!

 

[cmdr_Havalok]

+1 rep. Mission updates can sometimes be fun, however the ones offering a bonus if you deliver in "0m 0s" leaves me somewhat ???.

Yeah but if someone ever manages to complete one...think of the bragging rights!


OP. Great story. Glad you shared it. Take the game as it comes and have fun with it.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Repped and bumped.

That's the spirit! Though I think FD could push these random missions a bit, I remember that it was the only way you could get a mission in the original Elite game (Amiga version). And boy did I went bananas when it happened!

Yep, I'd like to see these "random" missions come up almost as often as missions on the mission-board. Not just random as in this video, but missions that pop up from scanning objects in space-like other ships, settlements & debris.....that kind of thing!

 

[cmdr_Havalok]

Yep, I'd like to see these "random" missions come up almost as often as missions on the mission-board. Not just random as in this video, but missions that pop up from scanning objects in space-like other ships, settlements & debris.....that kind of thing!

Start dropping into random signal sources. Even if nothing is happening sometimes there is some intersting Comms Chatter about the system status and their cargo might tell you if there is a famine or outbreak in the works.

 

[Haden Jett]

The more I hear of people clearing their save and then enjoying the game even more, the more tempted I'm to do the same.

I've not got a lot of cash to my name (13Mil) but I do have a number of ships scattered around and I've rep'd up with the Imperials (Allied/Lord) and a number of local factions, but I am tempted to restart.

 

[Freebird]

Great post, a refreshing change. Repped

I've started a second account and having great fun exploring in a sidey. i've now managed to work my way up to an Adder, but still can't afford an ADS yet. It was a real "Yes!" moment when I found a water world, and then found it was terraformable. It paid for my c2 fuel scoop

 

[sonichi813]

The more I hear of people clearing their save and then enjoying the game even more, the more tempted I'm to do the same.

I've not got a lot of cash to my name (13Mil) but I do have a number of ships scattered around and I've rep'd up with the Imperials (Allied/Lord) and a number of local factions, but I am tempted to restart.

I'm with the OP, I clear my save after every major update (3 times in the first year, twice since Horizons) and enjoy it every time. It helps that I do very specialized playthroughs, like my current save is an Alliance bounty hunter/ miner, who hates both the Empire & Feds and avoids all criminal activity. My last save was a Imperial smuggler/pirate who had no morals and hatted the Feds and any security pilots. It's all about the journey and each time it's different.

 

[Haden Jett]

I'm with the OP, I clear my save after every major update (3 times in the first year, twice since Horizons) and enjoy it every time. It helps that I do very specialized playthroughs, like my current save is an Alliance bounty hunter/ miner, who hates both the Empire & Feds and avoids all criminal activity. My last save was a Imperial smuggler/pirate who had no morals and hatted the Feds and any security pilots. It's all about the journey and each time it's different.

Yeah, I often thought about RPing that myself. My current character is pro-Imperial and avoids repping with the Feds. I like the idea of switching roles every now and then though, so thanks for your reply.....it's tipped me closer to a reset.

 

[The Wallet Inspector]

I'm "grinding" right now so I can upgrade to a bigger miner (I'm going for FDS), but I'm not focusing on it. Just focusing on the adventure instead

Grinding is not bad in a Type 9 and a good route, it allows you to catch up with some podcasts...

 

[ElPueblo]

I had a similar experience.

Was BH in High RES, all of a sudden got message from one of the minor factions saying 'kill x pilots from y faction to get z reward'.

I like the random missions popping out in your 'in-ship messenger'

Breath of fresh air.

OP +1, this CMDR knows how to enjoy E'D.

Fly safe o7

 

[lysan]

I have 3 new commanders waiting to be "born". I simply can't delete my hard earned old commander, so I just get a new one
however you're right +1 Repped

 

[Andovar]

Wait a second... are you saying mining is fun again??
I've always wanted to like it, but always found the process tedious and cumbersome. Though admittedly haven't tried it in close to a year. Might be time for me to re-outfit my Asp and give it another go.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Here is a video from my appalling power use......it always pays to check your power priorities before you leave the station.

[video=youtube;Aie9kjAbGQ0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aie9kjAbGQ0[/video]

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I'm with the OP, I clear my save after every major update (3 times in the first year, twice since Horizons) and enjoy it every time. It helps that I do very specialized playthroughs, like my current save is an Alliance bounty hunter/ miner, who hates both the Empire & Feds and avoids all criminal activity. My last save was a Imperial smuggler/pirate who had no morals and hatted the Feds and any security pilots. It's all about the journey and each time it's different.

Yep, my first 18 months was as a Federally aligned commander who mostly stuck to the straight and narrow. This time I plan to play as an Alliance aligned smuggler....kind of a Malcolm Reynolds or Han Solo type though-the loveable rogue.

 

[cmdr_Havalok]

Yep, my first 18 months was as a Federally aligned commander who mostly stuck to the straight and narrow. This time I plan to play as an Alliance aligned smuggler....kind of a Malcolm Reynolds or Han Solo type though-the loveable rogue.

Mal would never be aligned with the Alliance Purple-bellies.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Mal would never be aligned with the Alliance Purple-bellies.

Yes, I did appreciate the irony when I first conceived of the notion .

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Wait a second... are you saying mining is fun again??
I've always wanted to like it, but always found the process tedious and cumbersome. Though admittedly haven't tried it in close to a year. Might be time for me to re-outfit my Asp and give it another go.

I can't speak for fun "again", as this is the first time I have ever done it.....but I am finding it hugely fun right now-even without limpets. Don't think I would make a career out of it though.

 

[Cmdr Thrudd]

Start dropping into random signal sources. Even if nothing is happening sometimes there is some intersting Comms Chatter about the system status and their cargo might tell you if there is a famine or outbreak in the works.

Yeah there are some really cool ones to find. I dropped into one last week and as I did an anaconda exploded in front of me, debris everywhere in a massive cloud. 5 'Rescue' ships turned up and proceed to chatter about searching for survivors and how hundreds of people had been lost. It was pretty cool

I'm with the OP, I clear my save after every major update (3 times in the first year, twice since Horizons) and enjoy it every time. It helps that I do very specialized playthroughs, like my current save is an Alliance bounty hunter/ miner, who hates both the Empire & Feds and avoids all criminal activity. My last save was a Imperial smuggler/pirate who had no morals and hatted the Feds and any security pilots. It's all about the journey and each time it's different.

I've done this with my alt a few times and it's always fun but more so with 2.1. The early game is really well balanced with lots to do, ranks to get, factions to impress and ships to acquire. It's a shame that the elder game stagnates somewhat. Hopefully the devs have some idea's for more things to add for folks who have lots of ships and 100's of millions spare. I think they thought Powerplay would be it but I think they largely missed the mark there.