Newcomer / Intro Brand new Player - Making money

[CooterCrickets87]

Say you are a brand new player and you want to make money

<-----Like this guy

You do not mind boring content and want to make Credits.

You also are new and are still learning the game (keep it simple as possible)

any tips for an aspiring adventurer are appreciated

 

[Ashnak]

Assuming you're still in LHS 3447 in your sidewinder:
- upgrade to the best frame shift drive that you can currently afford
- hop over to Scorpii Sector GR-W c1-13 and scan (with the FSS) all the planets that you can find there
- hop top Bennet Orbital in Kigana (you'll need to be at east 20 ly away) and sell your exploration data. That should give you ~3..4 Million credits
- swap your Sidewinder for a Hauler, then run the R2R (road to riches) to the Pleiades (Maia, to be exact). Sell your exploration data there, then either buy one (expensive) or collect (swap the fuel scoop for a SRV) a hold full of Meta Alloys. Sell all of the Alloys bar one, get back the scoop and fly back to Deciat. Hand the Alloy to Felicity Farseer and let her engineer your FSD.

 

[Chris Simon]

Provided you've done the "Welcome mission" and got your 10k Credits, go to outfitting and buy D-rated modules. They are lighter and allow your ship to jump longer distances. Aside from that, buy the best Frame Shift Drive you can afford (Maybe it's D, maybe C. Sell you guns. That will make traveling around much easier. Move a couple of jumps from your starting system (especially if you're playing in Open)
Pick a station that you like, and look for courier data missions. The fact that you're transporting data instead of cargo means that you won't lose jump range, which, in a base Sidewinder, isn't really good.
Be sure to always return to "your" system for next batch of missions. It's important, because as you gain reputation with local factions, the mission rewards skyrocket to surprising heights.

Another thing you could do (If you didn't sell your guns) is to find a Resource Extraction Site (Any except Hazardous), fly around a find a bunch of cops killing pirate ships. Keep close and "steal" their kills by shooting the pirate just before they die.
Though this activity, although quite safe, brings a couple of dangers, like getting wanted if you shoot an innocent ship or a cop instead, or getting dead in general if you aggro pirates on you.

 

[Swift]

I was making spare change until I bought a ships kit for my Cobra and made it look sexy, now, money is rolling in. Buying a ships kit brings you luck.

 

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

In hindsight, I would've made myself allied with all factions in any given system asap. While it's not a quick win, it doesn't take too long and mission payouts really soar.

 

[Maenden]

I love the way you ask people to give you answers that are as simple as possible - then get all sorts of complicated stuff like buying D modules, uprating your FSD and jumping stupid distances.

I'm guessing you haven't got a clue what a D rated module is and don't really want to travel mega distances to get paid.

The simplest answer is to do data transfer runs. They don't take up cargo space and are widely available.
Without a cargo you are less likely to be attacked en route.

Search the missions board and you may get several going to the same vicinity - which will boost your profit margins.

 

[Chris Simon]

I love the way you ask people to give you answers that are as simple as possible - then get all sorts of complicated stuff like buying D modules, uprating your FSD and jumping stupid distances.

The problem is that the simplest questions usually require the most complicated answers.
Double it for Elite.
If you want simple answer your question has to be complicated and thought-through.

How to earn money...
The simple answer for OP's question would be "Use google"

 

[Para Handy]

.......... Hand the Alloy to Felicity Farseer and let her engineer your FSD.

Hmmm.. OK but, the new Commander is going to be short of materials.

@OP - I do a trading / courier progression route to raise funds with new commander (clear saves) but that is just my "thing" - some people take the route of following security ships in RES and shooting already weakened pirates to earn money from bounties. So there are those options to bear in mind as well as the very good payouts from exploration as Ashnak points out.

 

[CooterCrickets87]

The problem is that the simplest questions usually require the most complicated answers.
Double it for Elite.
If you want simple answer your question has to be complicated and thought-through.

How to earn money...
The simple answer for OP's question would be "Use google"

Yes I have done a little research and watched some videos. I know there has been many updates to the game and certain things have changed in profitability since launch (moat of the beginners guides are old)


I just didnt want to get myself setup to do something that was no longer profitable. This game is vast and figured asking folks that have been around would provide some good ideas.

Right now it looks like data transfers are the safest way to go. I plan on stetting up the Sidewinder for decent travel abilities and equip a good scan and fuel scoop and heat sink.

I only have a couple hours in game so far. Been doing mostly training and research to keep myself out of trouble and minimize my noob mistakes.

 

[CooterCrickets87]

I fail to see an Edit post button.

Typos galore

 

[Ashnak]

As long as you're still in the starter Sidey, make as many mistakes as you want - the replacement is free. It only becomes expensive once you start upgrading or buy a different ship.

As for the "Edit" button: if it isn't at the bottom of your post, then you'll need a bit more rep before the mods (ok, the forum software) lets you off the leash.

 

[aRJay]

I fail to see an Edit post button.

Typos galore

It is, will be just to the left of the Reply Reply With Quote buttons.

What you can do in the forums depends on time spent posting but as you have an Avatar I would have thought edit would be available to you now.

 

[Chris Simon]

Yes I have done a little research and watched some videos. I know there has been many updates to the game and certain things have changed in profitability since launch (moat of the beginners guides are old)


I just didnt want to get myself setup to do something that was no longer profitable. This game is vast and figured asking folks that have been around would provide some good ideas.

Right now it looks like data transfers are the safest way to go. I plan on stetting up the Sidewinder for decent travel abilities and equip a good scan and fuel scoop and heat sink.

I only have a couple hours in game so far. Been doing mostly training and research to keep myself out of trouble and minimize my noob mistakes.

That rant wasn't meant for you.
I hope you have some ideas, now.

 

[Para Handy]

Yes I have done a little research and watched some videos. I know there has been many updates to the game and certain things have changed in profitability since launch (moat of the beginners guides are old)

.......

Right now it looks like data transfers are the safest way to go. I plan on stetting up the Sidewinder for decent travel abilities and equip a good scan and fuel scoop and heat sink.
.........

Yes best to check the date on yootoob stuff and Google search results.

I would suggest if you are going to do the courier / trade option - move well away from the starter systems and find a nice group of systems to carry out most of your missions. That way you will increase your standing (rep) with the minor factions you are doing missions for and hence will get more lucrative missions offered.

BTW - do remember to check the distance from arrival of mission destinations (in the mission description) - people get a bit fed up travelling tens of thousands of Ls in supercruise - remember big payouts can have drawbacks.

 

[Mo Ronik]

I believe the "Road to Riches" is still viable to make decent credits with little investment other than a capable ship... maybe with a 20ly jump range.

 

[Mo Ronik]

Yes I have done a little research and watched some videos. I know there has been many updates to the game and certain things have changed in profitability since launch (moat of the beginners guides are old)


I just didnt want to get myself setup to do something that was no longer profitable. This game is vast and figured asking folks that have been around would provide some good ideas.

Right now it looks like data transfers are the safest way to go. I plan on stetting up the Sidewinder for decent travel abilities and equip a good scan and fuel scoop and heat sink.

I only have a couple hours in game so far. Been doing mostly training and research to keep myself out of trouble and minimize my noob mistakes.

As suggested in here, get away from the starter system and if you are inclined, find yourself a home base to run out of. Check the various systems you deliver to and you'll find a place you are comfortable at. A good location would be a big orbital station with a good selection of ships in the shipyard and modules in the outfitting. Then every 3rd or so mission take the reputation instead of the credits. As your reputation increases so will the mission availability and rewards. Invest in yourself. I chose the Aphra system and home base is the Beckman Terminal as it ticked most of the boxes I was looking for. I'm sure you'll find a place that does the same for you.

I still run the data/courier missions but that's because I like doing it and I kept my original Sidewinder just for doing that once in a while. Be cautious of the strategic data delivery or sensitive poll data missions as they sometimes include "enemy ships are being sent out after you" messages. The enemy ships are not your enemy but those of the mission giver and they are intent on destroying you so the mission fails. It's all in big fun evading the attackers and completing those missions because it adds an extra element of excitement to the game. I've been playing now for just over 3 months and so far I've managed to purchase and outfit 9 ships. I've also made probably every mistake a new person can make and so will you. Be sure to have a good laugh over it and have fun out there....

 

[CooterCrickets87]

As suggested in here, get away from the starter system and if you are inclined, find yourself a home base to run out of. Check the various systems you deliver to and you'll find a place you are comfortable at. A good location would be a big orbital station with a good selection of ships in the shipyard and modules in the outfitting. Then every 3rd or so mission take the reputation instead of the credits. As your reputation increases so will the mission availability and rewards. Invest in yourself. I chose the Aphra system and home base is the Beckman Terminal as it ticked most of the boxes I was looking for. I'm sure you'll find a place that does the same for you.

I still run the data/courier missions but that's because I like doing it and I kept my original Sidewinder just for doing that once in a while. Be cautious of the strategic data delivery or sensitive poll data missions as they sometimes include "enemy ships are being sent out after you" messages. The enemy ships are not your enemy but those of the mission giver and they are intent on destroying you so the mission fails. It's all in big fun evading the attackers and completing those missions because it adds an extra element of excitement to the game. I've been playing now for just over 3 months and so far I've managed to purchase and outfit 9 ships. I've also made probably every mistake a new person can make and so will you. Be sure to have a good laugh over it and have fun out there....

Good advice.

Im doing data run missions now and am happy with my progress so far. Upgraded the little sidewinder to give me more range and added a fuel scoop.

I didnt even burn myself up topping off the tanks jumping from system to system.

How did I ever not know about this game is beyond me. Maybe it is just a little involved for the masses to hype

 

[Patrick_68000]

And welcome to the great family of the Elite ! Cmdr.

Fly safe

 

[Mo Ronik]

Good advice.

Im doing data run missions now and am happy with my progress so far. Upgraded the little sidewinder to give me more range and added a fuel scoop.

I didnt even burn myself up topping off the tanks jumping from system to system.

How did I ever not know about this game is beyond me. Maybe it is just a little involved for the masses to hype

Turn on the mouse widget if you haven't already. It puts a tiny orange dot on your screen and it more like a aiming point. When you are scooping you'll see the circle around the star and that dot will tell you your location in relation to the "don't go any closer" range. It also helps when you dock at a big station since you can center that dot in the mail slot. Your ship will be perfectly centered top to bottom in the slot so no problems with crashing. The way to turn it on is in the controls but I don't remember which one. I turned it on some time back and use it all the time. I'm sure someone in here can post how to do it.

 

[Dharrch Streynjer]

HI Cooter.
The fastest way to earn money in any ship is to join a group of players, or player minor faction that will mentor you.
This will open up earning potentials of unimaginable scope. However before you go that route I advise staying as you are for a while and make the most of the steep learning curve that being a noob affords you. Take the time to look around at all the avaible groups and in game player minor factions, the powers they serve and the systems they occupy and control, before choosing.

o7

Fly safe and be dangerous.