Raw Material gathering

[EvilMerlin]

For the love of all that is good, give us another way to collect raw materials.

I do NOT want to mine.
I do NOT want to use an SRV.

I don't like planetary landings.

But if we want to keep up with higher ranked NPC's and especially if we want to compete in PVP, we are absolutely 100% forced to Engineer which is bad enough, but the fact that the only way to get raw materials is via mining or SRV exploring is literally crap.

I want to do the pew-pews and occasionally explore. I very much am ed that Frontier forces us to Engineer if we want to compete at higher ranks and that in order to properly engineer we MUST mine or use an SRV. Which means of course we must buy the DLC as well.

I've run over 1000 missions and not one has ever offered Raw Materials. Commodity goods? Sure. Manufactured materials? Yep. Even encoded mats, but not once, ever has any raw material been listed as an award.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

Raw materials are a doddle, probably the easiest of the 3 types to reliably, and quickly fill up on.

Yes, you have to use the SRV, but engineers was designed to push you out of your comfort zone.

But you can minimise the use of the SRV by going to geological sites (or the super biological sites, but that's a bit of a trek), where you can reliably find all G4's, (except Selenium), and then trade then down to fill up the lower grades.

If you need said list of planets with geological features, I can send you the list I made.

 

[Bigmaec]

Raw materials are a doddle, probably the easiest of the 3 types to reliably, and quickly fill up on.

Yes, you have to use the SRV, but engineers was designed to push you out of your comfort zone.

But you can minimise the use of the SRV by going to geological sites (or the super biological sites, but that's a bit of a trek), where you can reliably find all G4's, (except Selenium), and then trade then down to fill up the lower grades.

This.
Raw mats are the easiest of the bunch, as there is no RNG any more … just go to a crystalline shards site, they aren't even that far out.
(a sincere thanks FD!)

 

[EvilMerlin]

Raw materials are a doddle, probably the easiest of the 3 types to reliably, and quickly fill up on.

Yes, you have to use the SRV, but engineers was designed to push you out of your comfort zone.

But you can minimise the use of the SRV by going to geological sites (or the super biological sites, but that's a bit of a trek), where you can reliably find all G4's, (except Selenium), and then trade then down to fill up the lower grades.

If you need said list of planets with geological features, I can send you the list I made.

As I said, I don't want to use an SRV. Its supposed to be a sandbox game where I can do as I want.

Mining is horribly dull and I find it really... well useless.

The SRV is a buggy. If I wanted to use a buggy I would be playing Forza.

 

[Cmdr Green Skin]

Out of curiosity what is your suggestion, I'm all up for new ways of doing things. But you need to be able to interact with lumps of rock to get raw mats.

 

[EvilMerlin]

My recommendation is either giving it as rewards for missions, allowing us to sell/trade Encrypted and Manufactured materials for Raw.

We are literally being forced to mine or SRV if we need to engineer. And yeah, you NEED to engineer if you are thinking about fighting PVE over Expert, because you are gonna run into an Engineered NPC for sure. And if you do ANY PVP, not being engineered is just dumb.

 

[whothe]

Try Sidewinder Scooping >>>>> Go to a surface POI site on a low G planet, in a sidewinder, equipped with beam lasers. Pew pew the rocks causing the fragment to pop up, and then scoop it with your ship. No SRV required, if you miss you can belly rub and get it. Takes a bit of practice but some friends doing it were collecting a fragment roughly every 10-15 seconds once they got it down.

If I think about it later on, I'll come back and post a link to the vid they made, cannot find it atm

 

[JetsonRING]

Another player who wants an "Easy" button. "But Mommy, I don't WANNA use the SRV!"

I did not want to destroy thousands and thousands of ships to get my combat Elite ranking but, there it is.

Stop the whining, dry your tears, blow your nose and get to work. It's not as if collecting raw materials is difficult or anything. o7

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Don't tell Fdev, but I'll sell you all the materials you want for a small fee; If interested let me know. Oh, I only accept American dollars.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

My recommendation is either giving it as rewards for missions, allowing us to sell/trade Encrypted and Manufactured materials for Raw.

We are literally being forced to mine or SRV if we need to engineer. And yeah, you NEED to engineer if you are thinking about fighting PVE over Expert, because you are gonna run into an Engineered NPC for sure. And if you do ANY PVP, not being engineered is just dumb.

It would be hypocritical of me to say this idea isn't viable, because I've been asking for more G5 Manufactured Materials to drop from Elite NPC's, as some still don't have more than 1 reliable (ish) method of gathering.
That said, the more elements that are added to the mission board rewards, the less likely data and the few G5 Manufactured Materials that are offered as rewards would show up. The whole thing needs a rebalance if I'm honest.

However, in the mean time.
Here's a quick list of the "super" biological sites, which are by far the most effective method of gathering elements.

First thing you want to do, is trade DOWN all your G4 Elements, EXCEPT SELENIUM (Because it doesn't spawn from these places because "reasons"), for lower elements, try and fill your G1-2s if possible.
Then make your way to these systems;
HIP 36601, Planet C 1 d. (0.08 G) (154,104 ls) for Ruthenium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 1 a. (0.09 G) (154,099 ls) for Polonium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 3 b. (0.04 G) (154,145 ls) for Tellurium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 5 a. (0.03 G) (154,288 ls) for Technetium.
Outotz LS-K d8-3, Planet B 5 c. (0.07 G) (310,420 ls) for Antimony (go to site #1)
Outotz LS-K d8-3, Planet B 5 a. (0.09 G) (310,420 ls) for Yttrium.
They're about 1600-1700ly from Sol, but well worth it.
When you arrive, scan each system, and map the exact planet you need.
Then land at any of the BIOLOGICAL Sites listed (some may be unsuitable to land, so find another).
Then simply go around shooting the Needle Crystals and scoop up the goodies, and these will guarantee to drop the respective G4 element for the planet you're on. Fill each one, and move on to the next.
The good thing about these biological sites, is there's usually enough needle crystals to shoot, to fill up your G4 material in 1 site, 2 maximum. It's very efficient.
There's no harm in collection the other materials either, as this saves you trading for them later on.
It's then up to you to fly home, or suicide your way back, but I do recommend flying home the first time, for the exploration data, and to keep the planets mapped for next time.
Once home, trade down some of your G4's to get huge stocks of G1-3. Done!
To top up your G4's quickly, simply land at a local geological site which has the G4 you need listed, and no others (pure source), and again shoot the needle crystals for said element.
I filled up several months ago, and still have huge stocks of G4's left. Enough materials for 125 premium synthesis FSD injections.
Took a whole session to do it (including flying there and back - I don't suicide), but well worth it.
The only element that's a pain is Selenium.

For this you need a good jump range, a surface scanner, and ideally two or more SRVs, as it's very easy to get them impaled on the crystalline structures. Lol

 

[Ezren]

"I want this thing but don't want to do those things to get there" seems a recurring theme.

I really want to be an Olympian boxer, but ugh, cardio, am I right?

 

[Dagwit]

If you're so unwilling to go near planets that even the Sidewinder suggestion is unacceptable, you could laser mine mats in planetary rings and trade for what you want at the Material Trader.

It would be painfully slow - what you get you'll likely be trading off at 6:1 or (much) worse - but if you're willing to put in the time (I'd rather grit my teeth and go planetside) it is possible.

 

[Ezren]

If you're so unwilling to go near planets that even the Sidewinder suggestion is unacceptable, you could laser mine mats in planetary rings and trade for what you want at the Material Trader.

It would be painfully slow - what you get you'll likely be trading off at 6:1 or (much) worse - but if you're willing to put in the time (I'd rather grit my teeth and go planetside) it is possible.

Ah, he's not willing to do that, either. Basically it's a "I want raw materials but I am unwilling to collect raw materials" so it's a wash.

 

[[VR] M4st0d0n]

I feel you bro but it just makes sense with the lore. Crazy vegan diet led to pan global selenium depletion in the future.

You maniacs!

 

[Speedcuffs]

It would be hypocritical of me to say this idea isn't viable, because I've been asking for more G5 Manufactured Materials to drop from Elite NPC's, as some still don't have more than 1 reliable (ish) method of gathering.
That said, the more elements that are added to the mission board rewards, the less likely data and the few G5 Manufactured Materials that are offered as rewards would show up. The whole thing needs a rebalance if I'm honest.

However, in the mean time.
Here's a quick list of the "super" biological sites, which are by far the most effective method of gathering elements.

First thing you want to do, is trade DOWN all your G4 Elements, EXCEPT SELENIUM (Because it doesn't spawn from these places because "reasons"), for lower elements, try and fill your G1-2s if possible.
Then make your way to these systems;
HIP 36601, Planet C 1 d. (0.08 G) (154,104 ls) for Ruthenium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 1 a. (0.09 G) (154,099 ls) for Polonium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 3 b. (0.04 G) (154,145 ls) for Tellurium.
HIP 36601, Planet C 5 a. (0.03 G) (154,288 ls) for Technetium.
Outotz LS-K d8-3, Planet B 5 c. (0.07 G) (310,420 ls) for Antimony (go to site #1)
Outotz LS-K d8-3, Planet B 5 a. (0.09 G) (310,420 ls) for Yttrium.
They're about 1600-1700ly from Sol, but well worth it.
When you arrive, scan each system, and map the exact planet you need.
Then land at any of the BIOLOGICAL Sites listed (some may be unsuitable to land, so find another).
Then simply go around shooting the Needle Crystals and scoop up the goodies, and these will guarantee to drop the respective G4 element for the planet you're on. Fill each one, and move on to the next.
The good thing about these biological sites, is there's usually enough needle crystals to shoot, to fill up your G4 material in 1 site, 2 maximum. It's very efficient.
There's no harm in collection the other materials either, as this saves you trading for them later on.
It's then up to you to fly home, or suicide your way back, but I do recommend flying home the first time, for the exploration data, and to keep the planets mapped for next time.
Once home, trade down some of your G4's to get huge stocks of G1-3. Done!
To top up your G4's quickly, simply land at a local geological site which has the G4 you need listed, and no others (pure source), and again shoot the needle crystals for said element.
I filled up several months ago, and still have huge stocks of G4's left. Enough materials for 125 premium synthesis FSD injections.
Took a whole session to do it (including flying there and back - I don't suicide), but well worth it.
The only element that's a pain is Selenium.

For this you need a good jump range, a surface scanner, and ideally two or more SRVs, as it's very easy to get them impaled on the crystalline structures. Lol

This^^^.
I'm no big fan of the SRV, but even I find the Crystalline shards acceptable.
My raws are full.
If any run low, I can trade some of the ones that don't get used. They last a very, very long time.

I suggested more options for some of the mats a while ago, can't see it changing tbh.
And I don't want them cocking the mission boards up (again).

 

[seko]

Another player who wants an "Easy" button. "But Mommy, I don't WANNA use the SRV!"

I did not want to destroy thousands and thousands of ships to get my combat Elite ranking but, there it is.

Stop the whining, dry your tears, blow your nose and get to work. It's not as if collecting raw materials is difficult or anything. o7

Nailed it!

 

[MDHansen]

As I said, I don't want to use an SRV. Its supposed to be a sandbox game where I can do as I want.

Mining is horribly dull and I find it really... well useless.

The SRV is a buggy. If I wanted to use a buggy I would be playing Forza.

So basically money for nothing and your chicks for free eh.
It's a sandbox game where you can do what you want, but if you want something you need to do something to get it. If you wan't raw materials you need to use the SRV (or mining, I agree, that is dull)

 

[Jmanis]

Another player who wants an "Easy" button. "But Mommy, I don't WANNA use the SRV!"

Problem in my mind, and regurgitating another post i made elsewhere, the problem is the srv @ a crystalline site is the easy, and virtually only button available.

I find materials and data a breeze compared to raw, because unlike raw, i don't have to think about collecting them. It's just a byproduct of flying around, running missions and, ultimately, getting on and playing the game, with the mats collection a sidebar to that. For collecting raw, it's a core activity, you down tools and walk away from other activities to collect raw, instead of it being a sidebar activity.

I did the crystalline grind to get raw, and I'd rather have eaten glass. That simply isn't the case with data or manufactured, because it's not the core activity, even if the person rate of collection is "harder" than raw, because non raw is not consciously thought about.

 

[Broken_One]

I want to do the pew-pews and occasionally explore. I very much am ed that Frontier forces us to Engineer if we want to compete at higher ranks and that in order to properly engineer we MUST mine or use an SRV. Which means of course we must buy the DLC as well.

Is it possible this is because the engineering that requires the mats is also a part of the expansion? -- working in IT I find this highly plausible. -- most games have similar mechanics (with enchanting and weapons mods and the like) -- it is part of the incentive.

I am just saying. It would not be unusual (simply from a practical player knowledge level) for there to be programmatic restrictions. It actually happens all the time.

Also have you tried flying your ship to the surface and shooting the nodes? Then using collector limpets?

 

[Misty_Dark]

It appears that there is alot of confusion regarding the play as you want thing... it simply means that you can choose what activities you want to participate in, like:

• Mining
• Blow ships up
• drive around in circles with your SRV
• transport slaves
• smuggle illegal stuff
• hunt pirates
• hunt authority ships
• hunt players
• unlock engineers
• use engineers
• powerplay
• BGS
• Running missions
• Abandon missions
• Play lawfully
• Play as an outlaw
• Play ironman
• Play in Open
• Create/join a Private Group
• Play in Solo

just to name a few things of all the things you can choose todo.

So depending on what personal goal you have given yourself, ie the play as you want thing, this will lead you to engage in one or more different activities, and some of these could be activities you would rather not do, so here your choice comes in, you have to decide what is worth more, achieve your goals, or to avoid the unwanted activities?