Chances of a discovery getting reported by someone else first?

Relatively new explorer here. After building up my ASP Explorer to a somewhat respectable 40ly jump range, I've recently decided to go on my first true out-of-Bubble expedition. Based on EDSM's traffic reports, I've decided that the "western" half of the Elysian Shores region is both close (well, compared to other places) and almost completely desolate, so I could go out and get some discoveries under my belt without needing to go truly far.

Well, today, I've discovered my first ever until-then completely undiscovered earthlike world. I imagine that this isn't all that rare, but I couldn't help but feel excited - I get to slap my name on a precious little blue gem somewhere out there in the galactic boonies. However, here's my conundrum: I didn't actually reach the far side of the Elysian Shores yet, and this system is somewhat close to the route to the Bubble Nebula. Without going into too much detail, think 500-1000ly from the nebula itself; not on the main line between the Bubble and the nebula, but within 90 degrees of it. I plan on staying in the general area a week or two and then going back. Obviously, this is ultimately up to chance, but in your experience, what would be the chances of someone else finding the system in the meantime and reporting it first?
 
Consider this: ED is just coming up on its sixth anniversary. Any time you find an unvisited system, that is a system that went almost six years before anyone stumbled upon it. Unless something attracts attention to it - like uploading the logs to EDSM or something - it might be another six years before the next visit.

Or it could be tomorrow. Probably won't be, but can't rule it out. That's probability for you!
 
Thank you for the reassurances! Yeah, I've reckoned - but, a noob's paranoia, if you will :) . The only thing that really worries me is the proximity to a mid-level popularity route, though considering that it's not really on the direct or even vaguely optimal line from the Bubble to the Bubble nebula, and how massive space is, it really does seem like an unfounded fear in retrospect.
 
The only thing that will significantly increase your chances of someone "sniping" your discovery, is if you go on the forums, Reddit, etc and actually tell people the name of the system, before you hand in the data. So please don't do that. While I trust most of the Exploration subforum regular members to not do such a dastardly thing, especially to a newbie explorer, there are forum lurkers who would be much less charitable and would see it merely as an opportunity for salt harvesting.

Once your data is sold and your name is well and truly nailed to that planet, then by all means, tell us all about it, show us some pics, perhaps even add it to Marx's database of Earth-like planets. But please, for your own sake, not until then.
 

CMDR deserted-crib3

C
The chances of someone claiming your undiscovered planet before you have a chance of selling your data is kinda slim.
Even if someone was travelling through the same area as that system, then because of different jump ranges, it would still be a low chance of someone finding it.
 
That's not a thing I have ever been worried about. If you are just keep it to yourself until you sell the data, but chances are it will be still yours by the time you get to dock again. Before FC's some of us were out in the unknown unknowns for months on end, some in excess of a year, it's just not something to worry about.
 
Also, now that there are fleet carriers everywhere, especially the DSSA carriers, there are more opportunities than ever to sell your data before someone else comes along. And don't forget about the asteroid bases either.

Here's a map link that shows DSSA and asteroid base locations. In the upper left, there's a "crosshairs" button that you can use to scan your most recent journal (assuming you're playing on PC), and pin your latest location on the map too. (nothing gets uploaded, FYI. The coordinates are just plotted in your web browser).

https://edastro.com/galmap/?layer=regions&pins=DSSAcarriers,POImarkers
 
Consider this: there was some seasoned explorer returning from a long trip, who by a strange coincidence visited this system before you. And he is now (using economical plotting and scanning all the bodies) headed slowly to claim his discoveries. And before he manages to do that, you turn around and rush to the nearest station, claiming this ELW, robbing him of his name tag on this planet... How fair would that be? :eek:😂

What I'm trying to say is, that this game is so big, that after a while, you will realise, that it does not really matter, whether you secure all the discoveries... After two weeks, you will have so much data to claim, you will not even notice, whether there is something missing or not... And again, you may not be the first one to scan any of them.. YOu may only be the first one to claim them... Do not worry... 😉

When I started exploration, I would bookmark all the interesting systems, just to realise, that after a while, I run out of bookmarks and I did not even remember why were those bookmarked systems interesting.... Not saying, that you may not stumble upon something truly unique, but most of the interesting stuff will over time become just normal... You will slowly start looking for stuff that is really difficult to find... :)
 
Also, now that there are fleet carriers everywhere, especially the DSSA carriers, there are more opportunities than ever to sell your data before someone else comes along. And don't forget about the asteroid bases either.

Here's a map link that shows DSSA and asteroid base locations. In the upper left, there's a "crosshairs" button that you can use to scan your most recent journal (assuming you're playing on PC), and pin your latest location on the map too. (nothing gets uploaded, FYI. The coordinates are just plotted in your web browser).

https://edastro.com/galmap/?layer=regions&pins=DSSAcarriers,POImarkers
It sounds like OP is still in the vicinity of the Bubble Nebula, so the closest permanent UC offices will be at the asteroid bases in the Heart and Soul Nebulae, which is a fun side trip in and of itself. Is there really not a DSSA carrier assigned to the Elysian Shore?

As far carriers go, there are almost certainly several carriers with UC service in the Bubble Nebula (EDDB knows about at least one showing up there in the last few days), so it's probably possible to sell the data before even leaving the nebula if OP so desires.
 
Last edited:
To be honest, I've snatched by poor accident some tags from discoverers. The reason is that my Journey to the records of the galaxy is based on EDSM data. And three or four times it happened that I arrived in a system that was recorded on EDSM but had NO name attached to it. Which meant, that the data wasn't sold, yet. I'm honestly sorry about that, but it happens.
However, I really wouldn't worry about it … but I remember that "paranoid" feeling after I had discovered MY first ELW. So it's natural and will go away after a while :)
 
To be honest, I've snatched by poor accident some tags from discoverers. The reason is that my Journey to the records of the galaxy is based on EDSM data. And three or four times it happened that I arrived in a system that was recorded on EDSM but had NO name attached to it. Which meant, that the data wasn't sold, yet. I'm honestly sorry about that, but it happens.
However, I really wouldn't worry about it … but I remember that "paranoid" feeling after I had discovered MY first ELW. So it's natural and will go away after a while :)

I shall hunt you down...and we'll have a beer together, done that myself a few times, and some of your may be mine and vice versa 🍻
 
Just made report before somebody.
Charged from NS, mapped there 4 water/TF planets. Then..assistant said system is known for EDSM, checked - I was 2nd visitor :) this week and total.
But bodies were un-known for UC. As I had carrier with me, guess who's names are there :D
 
The only times I got truly paranoid about protecting my discoveries was when I found something pretty remarkable-- My first undiscovered planetary nebula (I've only found two so far), and Undine Haven (in the GMP), which had 7 terraformables, six of which were water worlds. But I also knew that I tend to "explore quickly" compared to most. So just making a straight line to a station was good enough.

EDIT: If I ever find an undiscovered glowing green giant, you can bet I'll sell that data ASAP.
 
Also, now that there are fleet carriers everywhere, especially the DSSA carriers, there are more opportunities than ever to sell your data before someone else comes along. And don't forget about the asteroid bases either.

Here's a map link that shows DSSA and asteroid base locations. In the upper left, there's a "crosshairs" button that you can use to scan your most recent journal (assuming you're playing on PC), and pin your latest location on the map too. (nothing gets uploaded, FYI. The coordinates are just plotted in your web browser).

https://edastro.com/galmap/?layer=regions&pins=DSSAcarriers,POImarkers

It sounds like OP is still in the vicinity of the Bubble Nebula, so the closest permanent UC offices will be at the asteroid bases in the Heart and Soul Nebulae, which is a fun side trip in and of itself. Is there really not a DSSA carrier assigned to the Elysian Shore?

As far carriers go, there are almost certainly several carriers with UC service in the Bubble Nebula (EDDB knows about at least one showing up there in the last few days), so it's probably possible to sell the data before even leaving the nebula if OP so desires.

I definitely didn't know about these carriers before you pointed them out, and I've heeded your advice! There was one chilling out in the Bubble Nebula (Thank you, Moment's Respite!), and I've offloaded my data there, safe and sound. I'm really glad I don't have to go all the way back to the Bubble already, I've honestly dreaded the return trip a bit, lol.
 
Back
Top Bottom