Exploration Rank to Elite

Kaid · May 18, 2016

Hi guys

Starting my way back from Sag A* my first long distance exploration project.

I wanted to know does your exploration ranking increase with each system visited or is it only when you dock and sell your data that your ranking goes up?

I think I have about 3,400 systems under my belt at the moment but seem to be stuck at 11% Trailblazer.

Thanks

Kaid

Kuroshio · May 18, 2016

You have to dock & sell your data. (Or do a lot of SRV driving and material collecting.

)

newman1702 · May 18, 2016

You need about 160 million total exploration earnings, unless you drive a lot

dognosh · May 18, 2016

Rough guide :
At 11% Trailblazer you are around 2.5M credits in to the approx. 160M you need.
Going to SAG A* and back can net you anything from 5M to 100M, again rough estimate as it depends on your style of exploration and whether you go straight there and back or not.

Darth Krayt · May 18, 2016

At Pioneer rank every 1 million worth of data will give you about 1% in rank.

Whiterose · May 18, 2016

Are you a 100% scanner or a honk and scooper? If you aim toward to former then you will get more when you cash in.

Kenneth McGrew · May 18, 2016

only when you dock and sell the data, you need to earn more than 160 million to become elite, although... i read a thread about exploration rank increasing while driving an SRV, i can't confirm this as i dont have Horizons

and maybe this is a beta thing i read?

newman1702 · May 18, 2016

Kenneth Mcgrew said:
and maybe this is a beta thing i read?

Nah, that's worked since Horizons came out AFAIK. Already had elite in exploration by then but I've seen others confirm it when Horizons first came out.

schizrade · May 18, 2016

Yes driving will increase your rank. I have gone up 5% in rank since 2.0 dropped by just driving. I will find out this week how much money I have made since leaving in December.

CaptainKremmen · May 19, 2016

I've driven about 2000km in my SRV, and tonight made ELITE exploration rank...

...with 153.5MCR listed as "profits from exploration".

Huzzah, my first Elite rank.

jasonbarron · May 19, 2016

Congratulations CMDR Kremmen!

Caldeon · May 19, 2016

Kuroshio said:
...(Or do a lot of SRV driving and material collecting. )

I hear that very often, but didnt notice any percent has advanced just for driving. When i collected new materials for the first time, i got 1% for my rank. But by just driving? Has anyone tested that for a proof?

mono · May 19, 2016

Aye good on you Kremmen. I used to love those sketches as well in my youth.

Kaid · May 20, 2016

Whiterose said:
Are you a 100% scanner or a honk and scooper? If you aim toward to former then you will get more when you cash in.

I am more of a honker and scooper as my objective was to get to Sag A* really rather than get the Elite status or pure exploration. However, I do keep an eye out for Water or Earth like worlds as I understand that they are most valuable so will carry out a detailed scan of those when found.

Trying to get back to the bubble before 2.1 drops as I want to avoid the more agressive NPCs and have some fun with the "Engineers"

I am afraid I dont have the patience of scanning every system fully but its been interesting reading the different views and approaches to this on here.

Kaid · May 24, 2016

Just thought that I would update everyone.

I made it back and uploaded my data from my Sag A trip. I netted 30m credits and have made Trailblazer status.

Going to have some well earned shore leave and wait before I jump back in with 2.1

Thank you to everyone for their support.

Kalpa · May 24, 2016

Caldeon said:
I hear that very often, but didnt notice any percent has advanced just for driving. When i collected new materials for the first time, i got 1% for my rank. But by just driving? Has anyone tested that for a proof?

No proof here. I know I got increase from 29% to 30% while out in the black, but whether it was due to driving or materials collection, I can't tell. Bunch of people were pretty enthusiastic about testing it out back when Horizons released, not sure if they got any definitive results in the end... (I'd love to know, btw)

schizrade · May 24, 2016

Kalpa said:
No proof here. I know I got increase from 29% to 30% while out in the black, but whether it was due to driving or materials collection, I can't tell. Bunch of people were pretty enthusiastic about testing it out back when Horizons released, not sure if they got any definitive results in the end... (I'd love to know, btw)

It has been verified by many, I have also gained 3% driving on planets. Left at 91% ranger and gained 3% by driving while out in the black.

Random Task · May 24, 2016

I guess im the black sheep then. I have had no increase and im up to about 800km if I remember correctly.

schizrade · May 24, 2016

Random Task said:
I guess im the black sheep then. I have had no increase and im up to about 800km if I remember correctly.

Distance from bubble is part of it. 1000ly wont give you as much exp as 30,000ly.

Kalpa · May 24, 2016

schizrade said:
It has been verified by many, I have also gained 3% driving on planets. Left at 91% ranger and gained 3% by driving while out in the black.

Yes but absolutely and only driving, not collecting materials at all? This is the big question.

I can verify as well that driving around SRV and/or collecting materials and/or finding materials for the first time does give you credit towards exploration rank.

But which combinations of these actions? I do not know.