Newcomer / Intro Finding the edge of the bubble...

Touchwood · Sep 12, 2016

I've tried trading, mining, bounty hunting - all good fun (except mining) so now I want to try exploring - probably in my Cobra, for starters.

I've had a look at tutorials, etc., all full of great advice, but one thing evades me - how do you actually start? It may seem obvious, but I find the galaxy map quite hard to navigate. It's fairly easy to find a system without any population, I guess, and I suppose just keep heading "outwards" - but will I be able to determine which direction that is? I guess maybe the thing to do is just to have a go - but any advice or tips would be appreciated.

baconster · Sep 12, 2016

I haven't explored myself yet but once you have all the equipment pick something outside of human inhabited space to head towards a area that peaks your interest. On your way to whatever you picked (a example of a destination would be something like Bernard's Loop) any systems you come across that have never been visited or only partially explored start scanning. The data can be sold for CR once you return from your exploration mission although sometimes it isn't worth to scan systems/planets cause they aren't worth much. If you have any trouble getting to your end destination you can set waypoints at certain systems along the way so you can keep your sense of direction.

NorMonsta · Sep 12, 2016

you are right.....its obvious.....get a large fuel scoop, big as you can fit/afford......on the galaxy map pick a star less than 1000 ly out ,plot course and start jumping.ANY DIRECTION.

ALMOST all systems under 1000 years will be already tagged.
suggest you head to ceos/sothis as a start....and a op to repair etc and then go in anydirection fom there.

there are billions of unscanned systems further out, its a patience thing however....if you do not have that it probably will wear thin before you get to the untagged areas

heading towards the core and or jaques the star density increases remarkably...easier smaller jumps......other directions with thinning star density means you have to be careful about jump range and running out of fuel when landing on unscoopable systems......plan ahead...always scoop where you can as the next system/s amy not be scoopable

have fun

also if you get short on fuel switch to economical jumps...you might get three or four chances ti find a scoopable rather than just the one "fastest"jump choice

metatheurgist · Sep 12, 2016

Go to the galaxy map. Filter it by government type. Zoom out until the governments disappear. Thar be dragons.

Ashnak · Sep 12, 2016

If you switch the galactic map to "Power Play", you will see the power's influence ranges, which pretty much show the extent of the bubble (and you'll understand why it's called 'bubble').

As for starting off - all the tourist spots within range of the bubble and/or visible from the bubble or from any of the more travelled routes will be tagged. Still, going there may yield on or another undiscovered system so you, too, canget your CMDR's name up there.
Just choose one direction or one target, and go off. Don't forget the fuel scoop, KGB FOAM (the list of scoopable star classes) and the telephone number of the Fuel Rats.

As for targets: there is/was a nice thread about constellations, special stars and mythology, which can make a nice starting point. Most of these, since they're connected to classical mythology and/or astronomy and therefore are visible from earth, are within or close to the bubble.

If you want to find directions, though, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the galactic coordinate grid (as seen in the Galactic Map).

Oh, and one more thing: consider installing and using one of the Explorer's tools, like EDSM or EDdiscovery (which also can serve as a frontend to EDSM). EDDiscovery also lets you create a map of where you've been - or where a lot of other people have been.

goemon · Sep 12, 2016

- the galaxy map shows coordinates. 0/0/0 is sol. 0/+1000/0 is 1000 ly above sol etc. i suggest looking up your controls, so you can not only scroll out, but move around

- for a first trip you can simply use a target <1000 ly, because that's the max routeplotting range. my personal tip would be eskimo nebula, 800 ly from sol. betelgeuze is worth a visit, too. fit the largest fuelscoop, plot your route and set out.

Touchwood · Sep 12, 2016

Many thanks to all. Off into the dark....!

MjrCARNAG3 · Sep 12, 2016

Don't forget to go up/down, not simply across the galaxy. You'll also want the best ('stellar' I think it's called) scanner money can buy (it costs about 1.5mill). Google (images) 'elite dangerous visual guide to exploration', it's an excellent visual guide of what you should be scanning and what to ignore. (If you have room, which I think you would, get a plant surface scanner too. Extra money.
Don't forget to have a pee before you leave.

SirDavros · Sep 13, 2016

MjrCARNAG3 said:
Don't forget to go up/down, not simply across the galaxy. You'll also want the best ('stellar' I think it's called) scanner money can buy (it costs about 1.5mill). Google (images) 'elite dangerous visual guide to exploration', it's an excellent visual guide of what you should be scanning and what to ignore. (If you have room, which I think you would, get a plant surface scanner too. Extra money.
Don't forget to have a pee before you leave.

Why didn't somebody give me that advice before I left! Forgot to pee and had to turn back after 1500LY!

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As everyone else has advised OP, fuel scoop like there's no tomorrow and familiarise yourself with how the galaxy map works. They'll be your best friends!

Nah, all jokes aside, I'm getting the itch to head out a lot further this time. Might go and pick up my Asp Explorer tonight and head out again!