Admission of Stupidity

Cmdr Frawd Digger · Oct 23, 2015

Hi Cmdrs,

I have an embarrassing admission to make and a request for some advise.

When fitting out my DBE for exploration I managed to get a jump range of about 33LY...pretty good I thought.

I THOUGHT I had also included an automated field maintenance unit in with all the other goodies...will need some repairs on my long voyage. Except...

So the other day I was wondering why my AFMU was not fixing things and I look through all my modules...where is the ing AFMU???

I forgot to pack it.

Now I am out about 2000LY (not far I know but it has taken me a couple of weeks to slowly get there) and my hull is down to about 92% and some of my modules are down to 90%.

At what point do things start cr*pping out? I don't want to head back just now but I also don't want my thrusters or FSD to cark it in deep space.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Frawd

ThirdNostril · Oct 23, 2015

You've managed to take 8% hull damage within 2000Ly? You're not too careful. I would return for that afmu. Pack two, so you can fix your afmu with an afmu[insert xzibit here]

Wouldn't take long either, you can make 1000Ly with 33ly jumps in about 30-40 minutes.

Cmdr Frawd Digger · Oct 23, 2015

ThirdNostril said:
You've managed to take 8% hull damage within 2000Ly? You're not too careful.

Ahem, ah, yes...had a couple of cases of flying while tired...into stars and planets. I'm not picky

Frawd

David Aaron · Oct 23, 2015

Hull damage cannot be repaired in space only modules so fly carefully.

Mike W · Oct 23, 2015

Cmdr Frawd Digger said:
Hi Cmdrs,

I have an embarrassing admission to make and a request for some advise.

When fitting out my DBE for exploration I managed to get a jump range of about 33LY...pretty good I thought.

I THOUGHT I had also included an automated field maintenance unit in with all the other goodies...will need some repairs on my long voyage. Except...

So the other day I was wondering why my AFMU was not fixing things and I look through all my modules...where is the ing AFMU???

I forgot to pack it.

Now I am out about 2000LY (not far I know but it has taken me a couple of weeks to slowly get there) and my hull is down to about 92% and some of my modules are down to 90%.

At what point do things start cr*pping out? I don't want to head back just now but I also don't want my thrusters or FSD to cark it in deep space.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Frawd

Hi Cmdr, based here, on the distance traveled, 2000ly, and the damage suffered up to this point, around 10% off everything, go back and get some AFMU's, around 6 or 7 of em should do ya lol

Cmdr Frawd Digger · Oct 23, 2015

Mike W said:
Hi Cmdr, based here, on the distance traveled, 2000ly, and the damage suffered up to this point, around 10% off everything, go back and get some AFMU's, around 6 or 7 of em should do ya lol

Thanks Mike W...based on previous advice (and yours) and my close proximity to the bubble I have decided to do just that.

Frawd

Zeeman · Oct 23, 2015

Advice:

Learn to fly.

Pay attention.

Take no more damage.

It's that easy. I've flown about 150k Ly on my current trip (at least) and have taken 0% damage in the last 100k Ly. It's easy...

Pay attention! The little things will do it. Basically, always throttle back to 0% when the countdown starts - this will avoid emergency stops upon entering BH/Neutron/White dwarf systems.

Don't let yourself get distracted during a jump -EVER. If you land between binary pair of white giants, you'll want to be very aware of their positions (you'll see this as you drop in) and make a beeline for the best exit point - which you'll know, because you were paying attention... Right?

DOn't leave your ship in SC, pointed at some planet then walk away without making sure you'll be back in the seat in time to avoid a collision. The last bit of damage I sustained was because I emergency stopped into a planet that was 21k Ls from my drop in point. I figured it would take a good few minutes to get there, so decided to go make some tea...

Well...It turns out that I actually lined the ship up so well, that I hit it head on, because I heard the "emergency stop" sounds from the kitchen...

I've yet to line up anything so well since.

Also, it's little talked about, but there is a way to see if the next system has a binary sitting right where you will jump in. Go to the galaxy map, click on the next star, and if it's a binary (or trinary etc) system, the additional stars will appear - if your yellow line crosses through (or close to) one of those other stars... I'd suggest going a different way. At worst, if you have no choice (as I discovered once of twice out ont he fringes of space, when I back myself into a dead end), at least you'll know what you're in for, and you'll be ready to take evasive action.

So, to give you an idea...

I've gone 150k Ly, my hull is at 85%, my weakest module is at 83%. Most of that damage (about 15 percentage points) was done in the first 20k Ly, because I was screwing around with shiny new things, like black holes, neutrons etc... With the remainder in the following 10k-15k Ly. from then on - nothing. You just need to pay attention.

I'd also guess that about 2% points of my overall damage was due to my cats nuzzling my throttle hand or joystick hand when they were sitting on my lap whilst I was playing. So watch your pets!

Z...

popuptoaster · Oct 23, 2015

Meh, many of us went to the centre of the galaxy before they were even in game and with a gal map that wouldn't plot anywhere near 1000ly even if it plotted anything at all.

If you are relying on the AFMUs that much already maybe you should take up another career.

Mike W · Oct 23, 2015

Cmdr Frawd Digger said:
Thanks Mike W...based on previous advice (and yours) and my close proximity to the bubble I have decided to do just that.

Frawd

Morning Cmdr, joking aside, if you're planning a trip of any distance, with a bit of work on the distance/damage ratio 2 should do you no probs, but dont drive tired, you will screw up, always be alert when close to anything, and especially during the jump sequence, zero throttle on the countdown, and heads up coming out ;-)

Mike W · Oct 23, 2015

Zeeman said:
Advice:

Learn to fly.

Pay attention.

Take no more damage.

It's that easy. I've flown about 150k Ly on my current trip (at least) and have taken 0% damage in the last 100k Ly. It's easy...

Pay attention! The little things will do it. Basically, always throttle back to 0% when the countdown starts - this will avoid emergency stops upon entering BH/Neutron/White dwarf systems.

Don't let yourself get distracted during a jump -EVER. If you land between binary pair of white giants, you'll want to be very aware of their positions (you'll see this as you drop in) and make a beeline for the best exit point - which you'll know, because you were paying attention... Right?

DOn't leave your ship in SC, pointed at some planet then walk away without making sure you'll be back in the seat in time to avoid a collision. The last bit of damage I sustained was because I emergency stopped into a planet that was 21k Ls from my drop in point. I figured it would take a good few minutes to get there, so decided to go make some tea...

Well...It turns out that I actually lined the ship up so well, that I hit it head on, because I heard the "emergency stop" sounds from the kitchen...

I've yet to line up anything so well since.

Also, it's little talked about, but there is a way to see if the next system has a binary sitting right where you will jump in. Go to the galaxy map, click on the next star, and if it's a binary (or trinary etc) system, the additional stars will appear - if your yellow line crosses through (or close to) one of those other stars... I'd suggest going a different way. At worst, if you have no choice (as I discovered once of twice out ont he fringes of space, when I back myself into a dead end), at least you'll know what you're in for, and you'll be ready to take evasive action.

So, to give you an idea...

I've gone 150k Ly, my hull is at 85%, my weakest module is at 83%. Most of that damage (about 15 percentage points) was done in the first 20k Ly, because I was screwing around with shiny new things, like black holes, neutrons etc... With the remainder in the following 10k-15k Ly. from then on - nothing. You just need to pay attention.

I'd also guess that about 2% points of my overall damage was due to my cats nuzzling my throttle hand or joystick hand when they were sitting on my lap whilst I was playing. So watch your pets!

Z...

And everything he said ;-)

iain666 · Oct 23, 2015

Cmdr Frawd Digger said:
So the other day I was wondering why my AFMU was not fixing things and I look through all my modules...where is the ing AFMU???

Also - you have to actively repair things, it doesn't happen automatically. If you've got AFMU(s) powered up then the on/off toggle changes to an on/repairing/off toggle for damaged and repairable modules.

Mike W · Oct 23, 2015

iain666 said:
Also - you have to actively repair things, it doesn't happen automatically. If you've got AFMU(s) powered up then the on/off toggle changes to an on/repairing/off toggle for damaged and repairable modules.

And on the subject of using the AFMU's,,, a good rule of thumb to avoid any damage here is,, always bring your ship to a complete stop, somewhere safe, before carrying out any repairs ;-),,,,situation allowing you the time to do so that is

newman1702 · Oct 23, 2015

iain666 said:
Also - you have to actively repair things, it doesn't happen automatically. If you've got AFMU(s) powered up then the on/off toggle changes to an on/repairing/off toggle for damaged and repairable modules.

Exactly. This is why I keep my AFMU powered down until needed. They're power hogs and less modules online means less heat. I also don't think you need 2 AFMU's - by the time your one AFMU is so dinged up that it can't work anymore, it'll probably have been exhausted of ammo a long time ago. Alongside your canopy not being there and power plant having died a long time ago. Particularly true on the DBE, which doesn't exactly have an overabundance of internals. Just take one AFMU.

But since you're in the 90's and close to the bubble, there's no reason to turn back just yet. I'd probably circle around the bubble in your place, get some more first scans before returning. If your canopy is intact you'll be fine. And watch that ship, will ya? Stop speeding over speedbumps and throttle down when your jump countdown starts

Thrawn29 · Oct 23, 2015

You have to do some mistakes before becoming a good explorer...
May be i'm different than other... but i did some mistakes.
This is my third trip and i manage to run 40Kly and only lose 3% of hull, all module about 3~4 under 100%.
- i lost few % while i was "testing" my hotas and hit supercruise twice while at 20C... emergency exit...
- and another few % while testing my hotas and miserably failed to evade a planet.

No Commander Frawd, i won't blame you for those mistakes.

Side questions for skilled explorer, when do you start repairing a module ? 99% ? 90 ? 75 ?

Monolith Preacher · Oct 23, 2015

Cmdr Frawd Digger said:
At what point do things start cr*pping out?

I'd be interested to know a rough % for this, myself. I'm planning to go to Sgr A* in a couple of month's time, and it's be useful to know at what point I might have to turn back, damage-wise...

Hell Razor5543 · Oct 23, 2015

Well, I have yet to go out into the black and do some proper exploring. Just meandering around at the moment in the light grey. I have, however, learnt from others mistakes, my Asp Explorer has a pair of AMFUs fitted. All good advise here.

Cmdr Frawd Digger · Oct 23, 2015

Zeeman said:
Advice:

Learn to fly.

Pay attention.

Take no more damage.

It's that easy. I've flown about 150k Ly on my current trip (at least) and have taken 0% damage in the last 100k Ly. It's easy...

Pay attention! The little things will do it. Basically, always throttle back to 0% when the countdown starts - this will avoid emergency stops upon entering BH/Neutron/White dwarf systems.

Don't let yourself get distracted during a jump -EVER. If you land between binary pair of white giants, you'll want to be very aware of their positions (you'll see this as you drop in) and make a beeline for the best exit point - which you'll know, because you were paying attention... Right?

DOn't leave your ship in SC, pointed at some planet then walk away without making sure you'll be back in the seat in time to avoid a collision. The last bit of damage I sustained was because I emergency stopped into a planet that was 21k Ls from my drop in point. I figured it would take a good few minutes to get there, so decided to go make some tea...

Well...It turns out that I actually lined the ship up so well, that I hit it head on, because I heard the "emergency stop" sounds from the kitchen...

I've yet to line up anything so well since.

Also, it's little talked about, but there is a way to see if the next system has a binary sitting right where you will jump in. Go to the galaxy map, click on the next star, and if it's a binary (or trinary etc) system, the additional stars will appear - if your yellow line crosses through (or close to) one of those other stars... I'd suggest going a different way. At worst, if you have no choice (as I discovered once of twice out ont he fringes of space, when I back myself into a dead end), at least you'll know what you're in for, and you'll be ready to take evasive action.

So, to give you an idea...

I've gone 150k Ly, my hull is at 85%, my weakest module is at 83%. Most of that damage (about 15 percentage points) was done in the first 20k Ly, because I was screwing around with shiny new things, like black holes, neutrons etc... With the remainder in the following 10k-15k Ly. from then on - nothing. You just need to pay attention.

I'd also guess that about 2% points of my overall damage was due to my cats nuzzling my throttle hand or joystick hand when they were sitting on my lap whilst I was playing. So watch your pets!

Z...

Thanks for your great advice Zeeman! I have been guilty of heading to the galley to make tea while in supercruise (wouldn't do it in hyperspace since not enough time). However, my two significant run-ins with suns/planets have been because I was flying while tired...literally fell asleep at the keyboard and woke to the sound of emergency drop-out (I work full time and when I get home I look after the kids until the wife gets home...rarely get to play before 8.30pm).

But I will take your advice on route planning and attempt to avoid multi-sun systems.

Frawd

Cmdr Frawd Digger · Oct 23, 2015

newman1702 said:
Exactly. This is why I keep my AFMU powered down until needed. They're power hogs and less modules online means less heat. I also don't think you need 2 AFMU's - by the time your one AFMU is so dinged up that it can't work anymore, it'll probably have been exhausted of ammo a long time ago. Alongside your canopy not being there and power plant having died a long time ago. Particularly true on the DBE, which doesn't exactly have an overabundance of internals. Just take one AFMU.

But since you're in the 90's and close to the bubble, there's no reason to turn back just yet. I'd probably circle around the bubble in your place, get some more first scans before returning. If your canopy is intact you'll be fine. And watch that ship, will ya? Stop speeding over speedbumps and throttle down when your jump countdown starts

Thanks Newman...I have been a bit gung-ho, although my canopy looks completely intact so that's a positive.

Frawd

Zeeman · Oct 23, 2015

Oh.. Erm.. Don't turn off your thrusters whilst in SC. That'll be another one of those "messing around" ones.

Z...

newman1702 · Oct 23, 2015

Yea, basically don't initiate repairs on thrusters or FSD while in supercruise - it'll result in emergency drops and damage. Dropping out of SC to repair no matter which systems are damaged is a good habit to have in general.

Anyway, you were wise to stay close to the bubble the first time around.