Ok so the game started and i'm not being given any direction on what to do. I've figured out everything about moving my ship besides how to dock - but what I want to do is blow stuff up. Where can I find stuff to shoot (ideally that wont destroy me until I get more proficient) and make some money? Where are missions- I only saw a bunch of high end stuff in the starter station. Not that I would want to, but where do you go to fight other players once I'm appropriately equipped? How do I join the Empire (better yet, how do I start there since there doesn't seem to be any empire systems near where I started)
Game start- not being given any direction...
- Thread starter strager
- Start date
I suggest you first read the manual (link to it in the launcher).
There's a bunch of links to quite useful information over at the Newcomers forum
(https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=75)
ED does very little handholding, so expect to mess up once in a while
There's a bunch of links to quite useful information over at the Newcomers forum
(https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=75)
ED does very little handholding, so expect to mess up once in a while
I suggest you first read the manual (link to it in the launcher).
There's a bunch of links to quite useful information over at the Newcomers forum
(https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=75)
ED does very little handholding, so expect to mess up once in a while
I did real the manual, played through the tutorials, etc. - but there is still no direction being given to me. Where can I find something to do?
Read the manual, do the tutorials. Learn how to dock BEFORE heading out, getting stuck and then rage-posting on the forums telling everyone how much the game sucks.
Learn to use the galaxy map, and you'll figure out a way to filter Imperial systems, which makes it easier to find them on the map.
EDIT - There is no direction, you make it yourself. Try the Nav Points (upon entry into a system, look for it in the navigation tab). You'll find all sorts of things to shoot there. You might not last long in a stock sidewinder with loaned lasers, but you'll definitely have something to shoot.
Learn to use the galaxy map, and you'll figure out a way to filter Imperial systems, which makes it easier to find them on the map.
EDIT - There is no direction, you make it yourself. Try the Nav Points (upon entry into a system, look for it in the navigation tab). You'll find all sorts of things to shoot there. You might not last long in a stock sidewinder with loaned lasers, but you'll definitely have something to shoot.
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It's a total sand box game, there is nothing to do, lol. Grab a pail and shovel and play.
Go Kill something, trade, do random missions that stations give. There is no plot, no campaign no reason to play other than the one you make for yourself.
You can "pick" one of the 3 main factions and focus on that by getting rep to a specific sub-faction (do missions/trade at ports owned by that sub-faction to get the rep up).
You could make it a goal to get the permit for your chosen main faction.
Or you could go exploring.
And always make sure you have enough extra cash to afford the insurance
You could make it a goal to get the permit for your chosen main faction.
Or you could go exploring.
And always make sure you have enough extra cash to afford the insurance
The game doesn't give you any direction so you have to decide what you want from it by setting your own goal, deciding how to achieve it and adjusting those plans when it all goes pear shaped.
My only tip is to not limit yourself to doing just one thing constantly as the game will quickly become grindy and dull. Do a variety of things you enjoy, it will help keep things fresh and interesting.
My only tip is to not limit yourself to doing just one thing constantly as the game will quickly become grindy and dull. Do a variety of things you enjoy, it will help keep things fresh and interesting.
The trouble with Elite Dangerous is very simple....
TOO MANY THINGS TO DO!!!
There I said it. I'd be thinking "ok today I'm gonna head to this system then I'm gonna do this"... along the way there I'll come across an unexplored system then I'll be stuck there for an hour or so scanning everything in sight. Then when I move on again I'll jump into a system to refuel or to repair, then see something interesting on the bulletin board. Then I'll be stuck there for anywhere between an hour to 3 hours.
Then when I do leave that region, I come across a system with conflict zones. I'll then help the underdogs (Federation pigs can all eat my *bleep*) and be stuck there for a while too.
At the end of the day, I have not reached my intended destination yet
TOO MANY THINGS TO DO!!!
There I said it. I'd be thinking "ok today I'm gonna head to this system then I'm gonna do this"... along the way there I'll come across an unexplored system then I'll be stuck there for an hour or so scanning everything in sight. Then when I move on again I'll jump into a system to refuel or to repair, then see something interesting on the bulletin board. Then I'll be stuck there for anywhere between an hour to 3 hours.
Then when I do leave that region, I come across a system with conflict zones. I'll then help the underdogs (Federation pigs can all eat my *bleep*) and be stuck there for a while too.
At the end of the day, I have not reached my intended destination yet
Go to Lave in open play, and you'll find stuff to shoot...or it will find you. lol I suggest making some cash first to upgrade ship, and cover insurance. You can find a good trade route in your area by using trade calculators: http://www.elitetradingtool.co.uk/#
Click on "find trades". I started by exploring, but trading is better. I don't know how well you can trade with 1000 credits since I didn't do that.
Edit: In any system look for "unidentified signal" while in supercruise. Target that, and fly to it. It's usually npcs, some are wanted, some are not. You can get bounties if you kill the wanted ones. If you pick up cargo you find, just know it's illegal in stations that aren't independent...and they will kill you at the stations if you enter with it. So much more to learn, but that will get you started.
Click on "find trades". I started by exploring, but trading is better. I don't know how well you can trade with 1000 credits since I didn't do that.
Edit: In any system look for "unidentified signal" while in supercruise. Target that, and fly to it. It's usually npcs, some are wanted, some are not. You can get bounties if you kill the wanted ones. If you pick up cargo you find, just know it's illegal in stations that aren't independent...and they will kill you at the stations if you enter with it. So much more to learn, but that will get you started.
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Most systems have a nav beacon. You could go there and just start killing things. See how it goes. You will learn stuff an it might be more fun than reading about it. You can't die - escape capsules are automatic and infallible but you will lose your ship and any cargo obviously if it gets blown up. Have fun!
Then when you get bored with that there are lots more things to do.
Then when you get bored with that there are lots more things to do.
Hole in one. Welcome to Elite.
You don't need direction.
First thing to do is learn to operate your ship for basic flight. When you've got to grips with that you can see about doing other things.
What you want to do is up to you.
In the process of finding out what you want to do you will be killed repeatedly for a multitude of different reasons.
For example(s): Either through mistakes such as getting blown up by the station for loitering, trying to sneak illegal goods into the station and getting a big fine which you forget to pay off so it turns into a bounty and then the station kills you as a criminal before you have even managed to get outside, falling victim to a trap (e.g. your PDTs firing on missiles launched by an idiot inside the station), getting zapped by pirates when you have zero money left to pay the excess charge on your insurance (buyback cost, bottom left of right hand holo panel), and a million other things where you can lose everything and I mean everything (no joke) in a few seconds because you've been stupid (we've all been there) or made the wrong decision.
You can completely screw yourself up by running out of fuel, or overheating, or buying the wrong item in the outfitting store because you didn't understand the rating system so you end up not being able to go anywhere or possibly even launch your ship.
You'll want to get your first kills so you'll go to a combat zone and get a juicy target in your sights then deploy your weapons and then your ship immediately shuts down and your life support death clock starts counting. All because you got too greedy with the weapons you fitted and failed to account for the power they need. Or you'll fail to stop firing when the police cross your line of fire and then wonder why they all turn around and shoot you.
You'll come here and whine about all of these stupid things you've done and try and blame them all on game bugs.
None of them are bugs. Never were, never will be. Some are possibly poor mechanics but they can and will be corrected if necessary as part of the process of development.
So, you don't need direction. Perhaps you could use some advice in avoiding some of the things above, but possibly not.
Learn to operate your ship and then you can find out what you want to do.
Most people fail to do this first step and instead just want to get out there and be the big bounty hunter or whatever.
Try and avoid that if you can. You'll have a much better time of it.
You can learn to be a miner, a bounty hunter, an assassin, a smuggler, a trader, a philanthropist, and explorer etc... etc... You can do anything you like.
Just don't expect everyone you meet to be nice, you'll meet some really nasty people out there and some of them will just want to kill you for no reason. None of them are "balanced", everyone you meet is not going to be roughly the same "level" as you. Some will be much, much better and much more well equipped and can/will swat you like a bug. Others you will laugh at as they bumble about trying to dock for the 5th time without their landing gear down or something.
Learn the ship, get the basics right, try and avoid the pitfalls, and get out there and have some fun.
You don't need direction to have fun.
First thing to do is learn to operate your ship for basic flight. When you've got to grips with that you can see about doing other things.
What you want to do is up to you.
In the process of finding out what you want to do you will be killed repeatedly for a multitude of different reasons.
For example(s): Either through mistakes such as getting blown up by the station for loitering, trying to sneak illegal goods into the station and getting a big fine which you forget to pay off so it turns into a bounty and then the station kills you as a criminal before you have even managed to get outside, falling victim to a trap (e.g. your PDTs firing on missiles launched by an idiot inside the station), getting zapped by pirates when you have zero money left to pay the excess charge on your insurance (buyback cost, bottom left of right hand holo panel), and a million other things where you can lose everything and I mean everything (no joke) in a few seconds because you've been stupid (we've all been there) or made the wrong decision.
You can completely screw yourself up by running out of fuel, or overheating, or buying the wrong item in the outfitting store because you didn't understand the rating system so you end up not being able to go anywhere or possibly even launch your ship.
You'll want to get your first kills so you'll go to a combat zone and get a juicy target in your sights then deploy your weapons and then your ship immediately shuts down and your life support death clock starts counting. All because you got too greedy with the weapons you fitted and failed to account for the power they need. Or you'll fail to stop firing when the police cross your line of fire and then wonder why they all turn around and shoot you.
You'll come here and whine about all of these stupid things you've done and try and blame them all on game bugs.
None of them are bugs. Never were, never will be. Some are possibly poor mechanics but they can and will be corrected if necessary as part of the process of development.
So, you don't need direction. Perhaps you could use some advice in avoiding some of the things above, but possibly not.
Learn to operate your ship and then you can find out what you want to do.
Most people fail to do this first step and instead just want to get out there and be the big bounty hunter or whatever.
Try and avoid that if you can. You'll have a much better time of it.
You can learn to be a miner, a bounty hunter, an assassin, a smuggler, a trader, a philanthropist, and explorer etc... etc... You can do anything you like.
Just don't expect everyone you meet to be nice, you'll meet some really nasty people out there and some of them will just want to kill you for no reason. None of them are "balanced", everyone you meet is not going to be roughly the same "level" as you. Some will be much, much better and much more well equipped and can/will swat you like a bug. Others you will laugh at as they bumble about trying to dock for the 5th time without their landing gear down or something.
Learn the ship, get the basics right, try and avoid the pitfalls, and get out there and have some fun.
You don't need direction to have fun.
The purpose of this game is to explore its options and find your own way.
If you're unwilling to do that, spend hours reading these forums and you'll get some hints.
I could give you loads of tips but what's the point?
Learn the basics from the manual, then explore the game. We all did it. You can too. There's not that much to learn.
Once you have a specific question you can use the search function to find an answer. For example, to find something to fight, you can travel to USS - unidentified signal sources - or nav beacons, or extraction sites. Ensure your target is wanted first before you attack. Or you'll commit a crime.
Before you do this you might want to build a bit of capital by doing missions. Seriously, though. You can find all this out just by playing the game.
If you're unwilling to do that, spend hours reading these forums and you'll get some hints.
I could give you loads of tips but what's the point?
Learn the basics from the manual, then explore the game. We all did it. You can too. There's not that much to learn.
Once you have a specific question you can use the search function to find an answer. For example, to find something to fight, you can travel to USS - unidentified signal sources - or nav beacons, or extraction sites. Ensure your target is wanted first before you attack. Or you'll commit a crime.
Before you do this you might want to build a bit of capital by doing missions. Seriously, though. You can find all this out just by playing the game.
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So you want to kill things, eh? Its easy.
Go to a system with a jurisdiction (a non-anarchy system, you probably started in one). Go to the Nav Beacon (it is near the sun) and drop out of hyperdrive. Fly around, lock ships and wait until they are scanned (left hand display). When the text under the ship says "Clean" leave it alone. If it says "Wanted", kill it. As I expect you are still in your Sidewinder I would suggest you concentrate on Sidewinders, Eagles and Haulers. Definitely dont shoot things that are named "Federal Dropship", "Python" or "Anaconda", they will vaporize you.
A few more notes:
Good hunting!
Go to a system with a jurisdiction (a non-anarchy system, you probably started in one). Go to the Nav Beacon (it is near the sun) and drop out of hyperdrive. Fly around, lock ships and wait until they are scanned (left hand display). When the text under the ship says "Clean" leave it alone. If it says "Wanted", kill it. As I expect you are still in your Sidewinder I would suggest you concentrate on Sidewinders, Eagles and Haulers. Definitely dont shoot things that are named "Federal Dropship", "Python" or "Anaconda", they will vaporize you.
A few more notes:
- Shooting anything that is not Wanted will give you a bounty instantly. Even one stray shot is enough to make YOU wanted in the current system (right hand side of your HUD says WANTED in red). If that happens (and it will), get out of there immediately. Dock somewhere (preferably an outpost, not a station) and pay off your bounty (under Contacts). Its usually just a few 100 Cr and it will prevent everyone and their mother from hunting you.
- To cash in the bounties you earned you have to dock at a station and claim them (under Contacts)
- Do NOT upgrade your Sidewinder at first. I know its tempting, but as soon as you start to upgrade, dying will cost you money.
- Even when you start upgrading do not buy gimballed weapons immediately. Learn to shoot with fixed weapons. You will suck at first, thats normal, everyone does. But it makes you a better pilot and pays off in the long run.
Good hunting!
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If you need directions given to you, you picked up the wrong game. Follow the galnet news network to find out if somethings going on you might be interested in, otherwise...just go out there and fly around. trade. mine. explore. fight. this game has no storymode, and you are not the hero or saviour of the galaxy. no questline, or endgame.
Turn left and keep going.