Simple one really, I’m just getting back into elite and need some tips on the best ways to make space cheddar as solo.
Specifics too, rather than just “mining” or “pirating”, what’s your formula and what is your cr/hour on that formula.
Thanks!
o7
Hello,
Sorry if this is late, but I didn't see anyone mention deep core mining. I just got back into this game like 2 weeks ago. I only play at night and some on the weekends because of work and kids. But, I have been pretty much exclusively deep core mining for credits. Is it the perfect most efficient way to make money, I have no idea, but it works for me and in a somewhat timely manner. Plus its cool and less boring than running trade loops. Example, I spent about 1.5 hours or so mining last night and made around 90 million credits. (I apologize in advance for the length of this post)
You will need to move up in ship size a couple times to get better cargo capacity, but you'll profit and be able to trade in old ship towards the cost of each new ship. So:
I started with a Cobra MK III but the outfitting needs are the same across all ships for this application. After 2 or 3 runs, I traded up for an asp explorer. 1 run with that and I traded for the Krait MKII. I used this for multiple runs, bought a few ships and played with outfitting. I then traded the Krait MKII for a python. The Python is a great medium size mining ship. Yes you can get a bigger ship with more cargo, yes you can get a smaller ship for more agility. The Krait MKII is an awesome ship and I'll probably buy another eventually, I just wanted to maximize cargo space. I am now considering upgrading to a Type-9 even though I have been advised not to deep core in a giant ship. I'm less worried about maneuverability as I feel I'm very comfortable with my maneuvering skill level. I'm just not sure I have the time to fill 600 cargo in one go. (Also worth noting, if you turn the game off in mid mine when you come back you will get scanned and blackmailed every time. Fight, run, or pay, you decide.
Outfitting necessities are as follows:
Optional Internals:
Detailed Surface scanner
Collector Limpet Controller (you will want to be able to deploy as many as possible up to a max of around 6 to 10, I think at first you'll only be able to fit like 2 to 4)
Prospector Limpet Controller (only need to be able to deploy 1)
Shield Generator (don't consider sacrificing this for cargo cap, trust me)
as much cargo as possible
Anything else is extra
Hard Points:
Seismic Charge Launcher
Abrasion Blaster
Anything else is extra
Utility Mounts:
Pulse Wave Analyzer
(Shield Boosters never hurt)
Also, before each run you need to go to Starport Services in a station, hit advanced maintenance, and resupply. Fill your cargo hold with limpets.
As for core internals, do what makes sense. Really all you should consider is that thrusters can make you faster in flight and maneuver better while mining (we will get to that), and FSD can help you travel to your sell system more efficiently. Also, if you do hook your ship up with a bunch of other stuff, make sure your power plant is actually powering your load out, nothing worse than getting everything put together, getting to your extraction site, deploying hardpoints and boom, ship loses systems.
So, There are tons of guides on deep core mining, but ill explain the basics:
First, I hop on EDDB and check the commodities tab to see what minerals are selling high that day (Void Opals, Grandiderite, and Alexandrite are usually the big hitters). Next you'll want to find yourself a system nearby that has planets with rings. I usually target Icy rings (the three minerals I listed are all found in Icy Rings), but you can make money in other rings too. Cruise on over to a nice planet w/ring and while in super cruise use your detail surface scanner to shoot the ring. It will reveal hotspots. Target a hotspot that offers the valuables that make the most money that day and drop on in to the hotspot. Once your in, you will be spending the next hour + (takes longer you first times, you'll get faster) flying around looking for the right asteroids to mine. Using your Pulse Wave Analyzer, you'll fly through the asteroid field scanning for asteroids that shine bright solid yellow, with red inside. This will be the thing you'll need to get good at. Takes practice knowing which ones to focus on. In a given ring type, you'll find that the asteroids worth probing all have a similar shape/surface texture. And not just every old shiny asteroid, specifically ones that seem like the color is a lot more intense or solid, not really transparent. If you see an asteroid from afar that seems brighter than ones that seem closer, that's a good place to focus. Once you think you've found a good shiny asteroid, shoot it with a prospector limpet. Whilst the limpet is flying out in front of you, target it and wait. Once it hits the asteroid, it will tell you what the asteroid is made of. You only want asteroids that say "Core Detected". And it should be the mineral you are looking for, if not, decide using EDDB if that mineral is worth your time.
Once you've found your baby, fly around and place seismic charges using seismic charge launcher. Target fissures and place charges. There are 3 levels of fissure hardness: low, average, and high. This corresponds with the hold to charge amount of the launcher. There are three bars and you guessed it, 1st is low, 2nd is average, and 3rd is high! Once you place the first charge, a 120 second countdown will start. Place charges until you see on the meter on the top right that you are in the blue zone and see the words, optimal yield efficiency reached or something to that effect. MOVE AWAY BEFORE THE CHARGES GO OFF OR YOU GO BOOM!!!! id slide like 2 kms back. seriously, if you are still messing with charges when the clock hits 15, cut losses and move. Also, if you overshoot your charge yield amount, you can go into contacts and disarm charges.
Once the roid blows, chunks of precious ore will start to fly away. Deploy all of your collector limpets and they will go fetch and bring back (make sure you open you cargo scoop for this part). While your little buddies are playing fetch, you fly around the broken asteroid pieces and shoot the surface deposits with the abrasion blaster. Again, your little buddies will grab everything for you so when your done with the splosions and blasties, chill and wait.
Repeat this process until you run out of limpets/fill your cargo. Ideally you will have to get rid of limpets slowly to make room for cargo. Now you simply fly to the station that offers the most money for your goods based on EDDB and get paid. Sometimes you will have to decide how far you are willing to transport materials for top dollar. The bigger the load, the harder the decision.
I mentioned earlier that I made 90 mil in about 1.5 hours. My cargo was only half full, and I was running kind of slow as sometimes it can be hard to find the good roids quickly back to back. But, depending on how good you get, the market that day, and your cargo cap, you can easily make 50-100mil+ cr/hour. Hope this helps, good luck!!
