So I'm wanting to finally really engineer my three multis on my Python; figure I'll go for overcharged and incendiary, maybe one corrosive. Besides the probably obnoxious grinding I'll have to do to get the materials for G5 overcharged, I'm going to have to re-rank him up a couple of times. So will it be quicker to rank him back up by doing hundreds of G1 mods, or to just sit at an Alliance RES for a few hours and hand in my bounties to him? Of course the RES will have the added benefit of actually making me money, so that would probably be preferred; but if it will just take WAY more time bounty hunting than it will making G1 mods, I may just go with the little mods.
Engineers Ranking up Tod "The Blaster": grind G1 mods, or hand in bounties?
- Thread starter Aaronjw
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Yep, it's usually a question of taking sturdy mount and lightweight mount to level 4 (because they always have easier ingredients) and then going for what you actually want at level 5. When I was leveling up the engineers I planned the whole thing in advance. So I'd turn up with a cargo ship full of CMM composite, HN shock mount and all the rest and level all the way from 1 -> 5 in one go. It's actually pretty quick when you plan it.
Ah, okay; I've done that in the past with other engineers, but since bounty hunting is kind of my bread and butter for this game I was kind of hoping Tod might be easier to manage. Guess I'll fill up my Python with some CMM Composites and whatever I need for the G5 overchargeds. Although first I still need to find a boatload of zirconium and modified embedded firmware...
I've taken most of the Engineers (the ones with the upgrades I want anyway) to level 5 multiple times each. The absolute easiest (fastest, in terms of while at the engineers' base) is to collect things for the level 3/4 upgrades (including commodities).
Three of each will get you to the next tier.
That being said, I want specific side effect bonuses, so I use the favor, which in turn means I need to re-do the level 4-5 steps...
It's a pain, yes, but, I found it you take the little bit of prep time collecting things, it's not so bad. You can do it all in one visit. As an example, I visted Sarge for the first time, sold some data/etc, then got him to level 5, then upgraded 4 cannons and favored high yield shell on each. Which translated into 12 G3 and G4 upgrades to regain G5. This is how *I* do things, which other may think is daft, but it beats making multiple trips. I had all the required materials/commodities for all the upgrades when I went there the first time. If/when I decide to get another round of upgraded cannons, I'll do it again. Same applies to Broo/Todd weapon upgrades.
I have less patience re-rolling for a specific secondary effect, so I just "buy" them via favor. The equipment storage/transfer thing helps greatly. I use an Asp for the lower level equipment, and an Anaconda for the bigger stuff, since they have the biggest jump range (upgraded).
Three of each will get you to the next tier.
That being said, I want specific side effect bonuses, so I use the favor, which in turn means I need to re-do the level 4-5 steps...
It's a pain, yes, but, I found it you take the little bit of prep time collecting things, it's not so bad. You can do it all in one visit. As an example, I visted Sarge for the first time, sold some data/etc, then got him to level 5, then upgraded 4 cannons and favored high yield shell on each. Which translated into 12 G3 and G4 upgrades to regain G5. This is how *I* do things, which other may think is daft, but it beats making multiple trips. I had all the required materials/commodities for all the upgrades when I went there the first time. If/when I decide to get another round of upgraded cannons, I'll do it again. Same applies to Broo/Todd weapon upgrades.
I have less patience re-rolling for a specific secondary effect, so I just "buy" them via favor. The equipment storage/transfer thing helps greatly. I use an Asp for the lower level equipment, and an Anaconda for the bigger stuff, since they have the biggest jump range (upgraded).
you'd need 7-10 mio in bounties (depending on your alliance standing) to get todd to L5 .... not sure how fast you do bountyhunting, but for me that would be 3-5 hours haz res.
I gave Tod 1.4mil in bounties and he gave me back Grade 3 (30-40%) access. Not bad for just wanting to unlock him.
I have yet to even have him do any work.
diminuishing returns.This is exactly what I do, I tell people the hardest part of getting an Engineer to G5 is unlocking the Engineer, getting them to G5 is the easiest part. Almost every Engineer I have at G5 I got to G5 within minutes of unlocking them, just have to plan a little and have the materials on hand.
If you've only just started with engineers, do the G1 grinding. Just take-off and land nearby, then spend an hour blasting everything on the radar and picking up every fragment. That will get you to about G3.5, then go prospecting for another hour. that should unlock G5. That makes about 3 hours to unlock level 5 with any engineer - maybe 4 hours. See what you need for the G5 mod you want, then go and get the stuff.
I only counted at G1 and G2 which were 3 and 12. Assuming that the progressions is a factor of 4, that would take us to a convenient (for the programmers) 255 rolls to unlock G5. 255 being the maximum for 2 bytes.
If you've been around for a while and have loads of engineers materials of every type, then the above-mentioned methods will probably be quicker. You need commodities for any mods above G1. It'll take at least half an hour to go and get them. The other stuff is readily available, but if you don't have it, it'll take you probably at least a couple of hours to figure out how to get it and then to actually get it, while at the mercy of RNG. The G1 method is at least predictable and reliable.
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