Newbie Explorer

Sprite43

S
Hi to all fellow explorers.

I am pretty new to all this, but plan to go exploring soon. I've just bumped funds up to $250,000 (including Sidewinder value) and am about to trade in my Sidewinder for an Adder. After a short interim of trading to build up my module grades, my plan is to stop being aimless pretty soon and get exploring.

I am currently still pottering about near the Horizons starting location of Asellus Primus, but could use some advice on which way to go to get to unknown space.

Any advice on a good direction to head (preferably a safe one that avoids me being blow out of the sky by pirates) would be appreciated.

Once exloring, happy to feed back POI's to wherever is useful. Please advise which forum spots and websites to hit to post any interesting finds.
 

[VR] optimal_909

[VR] optimal_909
Adder is a decent ship and I'm also planning to spend time in despite having access to more expensive ships. Though many dislike it because of the restricted view, so perhaps you'll want to earn a bit more and go for a Type-6 - that has excellent view, ample room for modules and very good jump range.

Once you'll pass about 1000ly in any direction, you'll experience a sharp drop of explored systems, so even if you head towards Colonia, you'll fly through unexplored systems most of the time.
Note, that in and around nebulae or other landmark stars, most system are discovered. So aim for the 'empty', featureless regions.

Also, you may want to remain relatively close to the bubble, even after a relatively short trip you'll earn enough to upgrade the ship or buy a better ship should you want so. Any may also gain access to few engineers.

Fly in solo in dangerous areas, or join Fleetcomm private group to avoid other players. Take shields and decent thrusters so that you can survive NPC interdictions. It's worth to compromise jump range in exchange for peace of mind.

Finally, study the sticky threads! :)
 

GreyAreaUK

GreyAreaUK
I'd also add that once you're a very short distance out of the bubble your chances of being interdicted drop to practically zero. Also, minimise the amount of time you're in any one system on the way out of the bubble - jump, scoop, jump, scoop, jump, and don't stop at any stations. This will minimise the amount of time for any pirate to interdict you. If you are interdicted then just submit (throttle to zero), boost, wait for your FSD to cool down (which will be quick if you've submitted) and then just high-wake out of there. Your shields may take a few rounds, but that's what they're there for.

(Hopefully this information is still good...I've not been in the bubble for a while!)
 

Kenneth McGrew

Kenneth McGrew
Sprite43 said:
Hi to all fellow explorers.

I am pretty new to all this, but plan to go exploring soon. I've just bumped funds up to $250,000 (including Sidewinder value) and am about to trade in my Sidewinder for an Adder. After a short interim of trading to build up my module grades, my plan is to stop being aimless pretty soon and get exploring.

I am currently still pottering about near the Horizons starting location of Asellus Primus, but could use some advice on which way to go to get to unknown space.

Any advice on a good direction to head (preferably a safe one that avoids me being blow out of the sky by pirates) would be appreciated.

Once exloring, happy to feed back POI's to wherever is useful. Please advise which forum spots and websites to hit to post any interesting finds.
Click to expand...

Welcome to exploration!

250k credits may be a little low to outfit an adder for exploration of unexplored (unknown) systems at least it will take you some time getting there with a low rated FSD and not having enough credits for an advanced discover scanner. (they tend to be over 2,000 LY away and beyond)

That said dont let it put you off, i built an Adder under 250k for you here
https://coriolis.io/outfit/adder/0p1t3F7l3d8sdf3-----3043v6-2h.Iw1+kA==.Aw1+kA==?bn=cheap%20adder

It has a 16LY of range, scanning some of the unexplored systems in the bubble with this build will soon get you enough credits for the Advanced discovery scanner (1.3million credits) and upgrade that FSD too :)

Just head in any direction you wish, make sure your cargo hold is empty and pirates will leave you alone.

I started out in an adder and loved every minute of it!

adder.jpg


if you want to buy one and all the modules i listed in one place they sell them at Fraser Orbital in the LHS 2936 system

EDDB.io is your friend and best site for all info on stations etc
 

Sprite43

S
That's useful. Yes EDDB v good.

How do I take camera shots outside from outside the ship?

I have downloaded raptr installer to record sessions (AMD Radeon Graphics) and will install Videopad video editor to edit out all the boring bits in case I get enything fun to post on UTube.

Any other techhie comments on settup hardware on PC Win 7 woudn't go amiss either.
 

CMDR Murf

CMDR Murf
Interdictions in unpopulated systems depend on whether you have a reason to be chased (cargo, bounty etc.)
When you return, you need to get to a station asap, use a high security system for that.

As for where to go, you should play the game a bit more and get a ship with a good jump range, advanced discovery scanner (a must have), a detailed discovery scanner and a decent fuel scoop. I was in your position this time last year. I played for a month building up the funds to get a really good exploration ship, then I went to the furthest reaches of the galaxy.

If you don't wanna wait, go "east". Most people go north or south, or up or down, many go west due to all the great places in that direction. If you go towards Eta Carina you'll see many unexplored systems once you get away from the Coalsack Nebula and all the clusters out there.
 
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Evyl Minkey

E
Sprite43 said:
How do I take camera shots outside from outside the ship?
Click to expand...

I don't know if it is the default keybind but CTRL, ALT and Spacebar should get you into debug camera then F10 takes the picture. If that isn't the default for activating the camera you should be able to change it in the options. If you are in solo mode ALT and F10 takes a hi res shot.
 
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Col Frost

Col Frost
Evyl Minkey said:
I don't know if it is the default keybind but CTRL, ALT and Spacebar should get you into debug camera then F10 takes the picture. If that isn't the default for activating the camera you should be able to change it in the options. If you are in solo mode ALT and F10 takes a hi res shot.
Click to expand...

Hit F1
 

Vin Cross

V
optimal_909 said:
Once you'll pass about 1000ly in any direction, you'll experience a sharp drop of explored systems, so even if you head towards Colonia, you'll fly through unexplored systems most of the time.
Note, that in and around nebulae or other landmark stars, most system are discovered. So aim for the 'empty', featureless regions.
Click to expand...

This was right on the money for me. I'm currently returning from my first real trip, and found my first ever unexplored planet about 1000LY out, and my first ever unexplored star a little past that. Hoping to make it back intact to stick my name on some stuff, and maybe actually buy and kit a ship for exploration (I'm in a combat-fitted Cobra with some slight adjustments).

I went out to the California Nebula, then swung by nebula LBN 623 before actually plotting a course back to human space.

And if you can, I've found it's a good idea to bring a heat sink launcher. It only takes one mistake to get you stuck next to a star with your ship frying while your FSD resets.
 

Duckfat

Duckfat
Farm a high res site for a quick credit boost. Just stick to the feds and tag their targets as they're about to die. You can make a mil or two an hour doing this. I recommend farming for a day and then grabbing yourself something like an ASP scout. Easily doable in a day and you'll have a much better time out there than in an Adder.
 

Sapyx

Sapyx
If you haven't left yet, I would recommend keeping weapons and shields on your ship up until the last stop before you leave the Bubble; you can sell them there. No point flying around defenceless when you're still inside the Bubble. Find a good "last stop" high-tech system you can stop off at on your way outbound, so you can swap combat-oriented modules for Exploration modules, like full scanners and an AMFU.

Unless, of course, you prefer to keep your shields and weapons while you explore. I have bi-weave shields and twin beam lasers on my current Asp Explorer build. I engineered them to be lightweight, and back when I left on my current exploration trip in early November, module storage of engineered modules was still glitchy so I didn't risk de-equipping them. Even with these shields and weapons, my Asp can do 45 LY on fumes, and 41.8 LY with a full tank.

As for advice on direction, that does kind of depend on why you are choosing to explore.

Do you want to see the sights of the galaxy, the awesome, fascinating and downright mysterious things other CMDRs have already found? There's plenty of advice on which sites others think are best.

Do you want to be first to discover new worlds, planting your Tag where no-one has Tagged before? Then aim for nothing; the paths to the "famous" sights and galactic landmarks are all likely to be already thoroughly explored and Tagged. Or do what I've been doing: alternating destinations between "interesting/famous target" and "utterly boring-looking place chosen more or less at random". That way, most of your journey will be Unexplored, but you'll still occasionally see things you can guarantee will be interesting.

Do you want to quickly gain Elite exploration rating? Then aim for the neutron star fields, Corewards; that's where the quickest Exploration money is. It's not the fastest way to earn cash, but it is the fastest way to earn an Elite ranking.
 

MrFailfactory

MrFailfactory
Welcome to the game, Commander!

Here is what I would suggest:

Get a fuel scoop, and at least one of the scanners. Detailed Discovery Scanner and Advanced Discovery Scanner are ideal, but try to get at least one of them.

Set your galaxy map filters to the scoopable stars (KGBFOAM), and take a trip from Asellus Primus to Maia, full scanning every system on the way there (including and especially Maia, it's worth like 150k fully scanned), and on the way back. Go about 100ly up or down when you leave Maia so you get fresh systems on the way back. Alternatively, you could visit Maia, both alien crash sites, and the Ancient Ruins, then head home. This whole trip will be approximately 1600ly, or so. If you take the alternative, I would be somewhat selective which systems you fully scan, because it will extend the time it takes to make this trip by a very large margin.

This will do two things for you; you will get a feel for whether or not you will enjoy Exploration, and it will also net you a fair amount of credits. Likely enough to buy a Cobra and put some decent gear on it, or upgrade your Adder.

Good luck!

Riôt
 

osser

osser
Welcome new explorer!
Here's what I did. (and this is going way back) {I've been out for over a year}
Once I was able to kit a decent cobra I ran rare trades. I also did CG's every week. It took some time but I was able to get the Sagan Voyager 1041 (asp explorer) and kitted it for great heat management and 32+ jump range.
I'd recommend the asp explorer. It's the best exploration ship in the game. It has it all. but bring your wallet.
However there are other fine options. (please note my opinions are without engineering)
Cobra: a fine explorer. not great jump range and a bit limited on slots. but you can make it work. inexpensive.
Hauler: decent jump range and a nice little affordable explorer. fuel scoop kinda meh. inexpensive
DB explorer: The poor mans asp. very good with heat, meh on slots and fuel scoop. cool looking ship. mid range expense.
Anaconda: smoking hot jump range. slots are unlimited. cons are it's very expensive and it turns like a whale on downer meds.
Adder: no opinion. but I'd lump it with the Hauler.
Sidewinder: the ultra challenge. you can get 20ly's and Frawd took one to BP (with help) crappy fuel scoop. you might go insane.
Python: not much to recommend. expensive and overall better options are above. nice looking ship though.
All other ships: no opinion.

Edit to add:
I love me some imperial courier. this ship is sleek and lovely looking. AVG 25 ly's can get you just about anywhere.
I'm going to get one while my asp is doing a 6 month repair/refit. I'll take it on a 6 month nebula tour.


CMDR Tootiny
 
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