Eager early adopters of FC's, are you suspended or fully active?

[Darth CareBear]

Good day all FC owners, it is a great wall of text but some back story to guage players similar to my experience...If you care to spend some time on a humble prospective buyer having waited and looking at a FC purchase.

I did not do any FC BETA testing, i have over 2250 hrs (non-steam) game time. I never really chased credits but my Elite trading rank and 1st Bill was mainly back when Imperial Slave Smuggling to Archon Delaine Black market was still a thing (disgusting ikr ) and finding a trade route of 6K Cr/ ton profit was hot AF...it is a Shamefurrr Disprrray now!

I hoped FC would be a done deal AMAZING ALLROUND, NOT CONTROVERCIAL CONTENT a no brainer...but the excitement for FC was never there for me based on the negative features.

Even 900mil credit profit full cargo hold selling of LTD wasnt enough of a "rush" to keep me logged in, I tried it once or so but never fully utilised it, as i could only ever do 1 or 2 mining trips before i was thinking of playing other games from boredom never to return...so i have +/- 12Bill credits assets since Dec 2014 i believe.

Not much of an explorer (50LY jumping-minigame put me off from this... i know it is about the journey but i cant explain it, i... i...just could not do that for more than 30min), so im far from elite exploration. However getting credits is not an issue for maintaining the FC...credits is ez in ED, it might just mean mining as the go to for the most use of time i have, but i fear only logging in to ED to make sure i have enough to keep it suspended or occasional CG if not in use, as i have not really been playing ED that much my friends list of around 50 old skool players that started with me, only 2 are regularly active. Im okay with playing alone but joining a group like AXI might unlock FC activity more, and im open to that?

The advantages i like and see the most of use to me;

• all 30 of my ships and modules with me and ready for anything (this solves alot of the issue i have about login and seeing that it will take me 30min just to get to an interesting place to do something unplanned, i then just decide to log off)
• 500LY - Opening up Exploration as i might want to do the "must see" spots from youtube vid The Buur pit and other suggestions, but the travelling was a biggy for me. LOL
• Cargo Storage - No longer needing to sell or get rid of something in hold, to change ships (i also understand that cargo in my 30 ships on my FC does not add to the travel wait and tritium use of the FC?)

The issue i have or concerned about, maybe you are like me and you got the carrier and apart from the above likes, you ended up just selling it or suspending it indefinitely? I have read the FAQ and other forum threads still unlcear on...using CMDRs toolbox im looking at a carrier of 5.35Bill exluding Redemption, Outfitting, shipyard, Univers Carto...get them later as needed.

1. Mining Tritium seems to be roughly 200tons per 1hr to 1hr 30min, is finding it generally still an issue regardless of 3rd party tools, do you just end up buying 1000tons @ 44k credits so i need to fork out around 50mil credits for a full tank in extra costs? (i dislike no remote tritium transfer too)
2. Have you been able to make some reasonable passive income with your carrier and how?
3. Am i correct in saying i do not need the Outfitting and shipyard to taxi all my ships/ modules and store them? Only if others want to dock or i want to buy ships/ modules?(40 ship limit does'nt take cargo space)
4. Do the FC select packages offer Guardian modules/ Weapons to buy in outfitting? (i have all things Guardian related allready unlocked) (i know we cannot select individual modules to stock and sell on our FC outfitting)

Any unexpected likes or dislikes you have come to realise while owning a FC, have you started doing different gameplay coz of it?

Thank you in advance!

Update: SAS GINVINCIBLE lives. Thx for all the input!

 

[alexzk]

1. I just buy 23000t for long trips, when I have like 15000 remainder I can do short trade runs around for 10000t cargo.
2. Nope, FC is pure waste & convinience.
3. Correct
4. I think not. Any way to sell it u need (3) installed.

Downside for me is manual jumping yet. Have been on rockham peak couple days ago. 6 hrs jumping there and 6 hrs back - that was worst hours for me of awaiting and doing nothing. Except that it is cool and convenient if you can find what to do while it does jump(s).

 

[Semivivus]

...have you started doing different gameplay coz of it?

I discovered that I no longer had to haul cargo myself but have the peasants do that for me instead.

 

[Darth CareBear]

I discovered that I no longer had to haul cargo myself but have the peasants do that for me instead.

Good point, this related to setting good buying prices for the stuffs u need? Does it take long to get the desired cargo needs like tritium?

 

[Rat Catcher]

I mine tritium at around 200t / hour just from the local hotspot in the system I'm currently parked (main account) - most comes from SSD mining, although up to 30% rocks there.

I've never made passive income from either of mine - but can make large amounts of credits from trade when I feel like it. (My 1st FC assisted in raising the 6 billion for the 2nd)

 

[Darth CareBear]

1. I just buy 23000t for long trips, when I have like 15000 remainder I can do short trade runs around for 10000t cargo.
2. Nope, FC is pure waste & convinience.
3. Correct
4. I think not. Any way to sell it u need (3) installed.

Downside for me is manual jumping yet. Have been on rockham peak couple days ago. 6 hrs jumping there and 6 hrs back - that was worst hours for me of awaiting and doing nothing. Except that it is cool and convenient if you can find what to do while it does jump(s).

Thx for reply, i always forget about the cool down and start timers...i suppose it is working as intended either go try to look for something to do in that time if planned, or time to go play another game while playing ED

 

[goemon]

1. yes. for my bubble centered fc gameplay that translates to the same cost of tritium as upkeep over the last 6 months.

2. yes. paying miners relieable prices for core-mining commodities, and selling those 250t at a time most profitable with my trade python, ones enough of one of them for another week of upkeep.

3. correct.

4. no.

 

[GraphiteGB]

4 nope because there is no guardian tech broker... No tech broker, so no broker items... The same applies to human tech broker items...

Still active FC and yes its making a profit recovery... Transporting all ships at the same time covers its cost... As did selling items and trade to other players...

 

[Agony_Aunt]

I wasn't an early adopter because i needed to get the credits first, but i'm very happy with my FC. Its been useful for both exploration and in the bubble.

 

[Semivivus]

Good point, this related to setting good buying prices for the stuffs u need? Does it take long to get the desired cargo needs like tritium?

Sometimes the price does not necessarily need to be high but just enough. This of course depends on what cargo and other factors, and it also works if you order something rather unusual at a premium price, which would probably be low anyway. Except for salvage items - most of them are too much of a hassle to get for people to bother, and I've only had a handful delivered to me over the months. There are always players willing to deliver, but you need to use EDMC and Inara to advertise your carrier and update listings regularly.

With tritium, I would usually undercut other Bubble carriers in a similar price range by a couple of thousand credits and get the haul within a day. About the same in Colonia despite its station tritium shortage. I could park my carrier 500k ls away, and someone would still come and fulfill the order. You can probably have your listing mingle with lower price listings and still get your tritium soon because it sells.

 

[Darth CareBear]

I mine tritium at around 200t / hour just from the local hotspot in the system I'm currently parked (main account) - most comes from SSD mining, although up to 30% rocks there.

I've never made passive income from either of mine - but can make large amounts of credits from trade when I feel like it. (My 1st FC assisted in raising the 6 billion for the 2nd)

interesting, 2nd FC....gosh. Do you use the FC for group/ Org activities, or you independant as your profile but extend help to players in open or private?

 

[Rat Catcher]

interesting, 2nd FC....gosh. Do you use the FC for group/ Org activities, or you independant as your profile but extend help to players in open or private?

I have several accounts (3 on PC, 1 on PS4) so the main account was used to raise the majority of funds for a FC on this account.
Main account is in Colonia mostly, this account in the bubble (mostly) 3rd account is in the starter systems waiting for a friend to appear (soon).

As a player I'm quite happy to 'lend a hand' to another, and to do 'stuff' for either of the 2 squadrons I support. We are only permitted a single forum account (allegedly) so this one remains independent to be able to post without appearing to represent any particular interest.

 

[Darth CareBear]

I have several accounts (3 on PC, 1 on PS4) so the main account was used to raise the majority of funds for a FC on this account.
Main account is in Colonia mostly, this account in the bubble (mostly) 3rd account is in the starter systems waiting for a friend to appear (soon).

As a player I'm quite happy to 'lend a hand' to another, and to do 'stuff' for either of the 2 squadrons I support. We are only permitted a single forum account (allegedly) so this one remains independent to be able to post without appearing to represent any particular interest.

Good on you!, would the FC keep you happy alone or do you think that the FC along with "Community/Friends" and helping a joint effort allowed extra motivation if needed to keep it and make more use of it?

 

[Darth CareBear]

4 nope because there is no guardian tech broker... No tech broker, so no broker items... The same applies to human tech broker items...

Still active FC and yes its making a profit recovery... Transporting all ships at the same time covers its cost... As did selling items and trade to other players...

Another good point to add, I agree, i forget that we are ready to pay 25mil credits shipping a war Cutter or corvette over to a location and other ships modules, yet weekly FC upkeep might replace that cost perhaps less if suspended. I noticed this more with the recent Thargoid attack in various locations...

 

[alexzk]

Another good point to add, I agree, i forget that we are ready to pay 25mil credits shipping a war Cutter or corvette over to a location and other ships modules, yet weekly FC upkeep might replace that cost perhaps less if suspended. I noticed this more with the recent Thargoid attack in various locations...

My FC takes 8.8mil + jumps. I keep all suspended until I need it for 1-2 minutes.
Also it changes ship builds greatly, as you don't need fuel scoop or FSD booster any more on war/mining ship etc.

 

[Rat Catcher]

Good on you!, would the FC keep you happy alone or do you think that the FC along with "Community/Friends" and helping a joint effort allowed extra motivation if needed to keep it and make more use of it?

The convenience of a mobile base for my fleet(s) and the 'trade' potential alone is sufficient motivation to own a FC, shared activities are a real bonus, naturally.

I had discovered the potential of having a FC in the beta tests, so a decision had already been made by the time they were launched. Playing along with members of my squadron did assist in raising the credits to buy my first.

 

[cheesenbiscuits]

I found looking at a wall for extended periods of time a tad tedious along with the Tritium grind I’ve abandoned my adventure and parked it in the bubble in the vain hope that something changes,in the meantime it’s helping itself to my bank balance

 

[TheRoninX]

I would never get rid of my FC. I want to say it enhanced some of the activities I was already doing. I also comes with the added bonus of being a mobile station plus the upkeep is pretty trivial at this point.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

My carrier:
1) Doesn't move enough that it's run out of the 500t it came with yet. But I topped it up to 1000t anyway easily enough.
2) I'm not trying to make income, passive or otherwise, with it [1]. It's collecting trade goods in anticipation of a potential story event which might need them: if they are needed for that they'll be sold on to haulers at a loss for me.

Having all my ships and modules in one place rather than scattered over a bunch of stations has been surprisingly convenient, even for someone like me who basically just flies one ship 99%+ of the time. Likewise having a little bit of spare cargo storage.

[1] If I wanted to have large amounts of money, I'd just have not bought the Fleet Carrier and been 5 billion richer. Since buying it I've made another 2.5 billion from non-FC activities so how much the FC itself earns isn't relevant to me.

 

[Deleted member 182079]

1. I moved my FC to Colonia from the Bubble a few weeks ago. Since the game showers you with credits I didn't bother mining Tritium, just set up a buy order for 7,000t @80k, which was fulfilled by other players in less than 3 hours. Pricey maybe, but convenient. In Colonia, I actually sold off 1,000t because I don't need it. From time to time I do mine it in a double hotspot, to fill up my fuel tank (so I'll have 4,000t in cargo, and a full tank for the eventual return journey), but that's because I enjoy the activity, not because I have to.

2. Not really, but the cargo storage facility helps tremendously gathering up piles of commodities, which you can then keep and sell at your own pace, and/or when you come across mining or fetch & delivery missions that tend to have good payouts. It is possible to make billions trading bulk with FCs, although I'm not too fussed about that. It used to be easier prior to the Tritium price/supply re-balancing, but it's still possible (running a Colonia tanker service for example).

3. Correct. I actually started using outfitting options to 'extend' module storage - say I want to re-purpose one of my ships, I can just buy whatever I need from my own carrier. It requires a lot of credits but again, I have all the ship hulls I need now, and don't have anything beyond Tritium and weekly FC expenses that I can spend my credits on, so it's another pricey but useful (to me) QoL feature.

4. Unfortunately not. Those would be items I'd keep in module storage if necessary.

Overall, I still absolutely love my FC and can't imagine playing my main account without it now (my alt account is a single ship hobo so no need for one). The only things that grate on me are

a) Jump timers - but I understand why they're required so take it on the chin. Worst case you just queue up a CQC session, or I surf the web while waiting if I really have nothing else to do.
b) The way refuelling works. I got used to it but it's inconvenient and the only reason I keep a T9 in my fleet. Once Odyssey hits, my alt account will likely become a refuelling slave.
c) Lack of auto-plotting. I could've used macros but decided against them when I went to Colonia, because I wanted to explore on the way there. Still, it was pretty tedious as the FC pace (due to the need to refuel in person) actually holds you back compared to a 70ly DBX.
d) Limitations around setting prices for commodities. They only go up to a max of 1000%. Sounds like a lot but with certain items it really isn't.
e) No bridge view, but I've gotten over it.