Gameplay Frustration

[Bdragon4]

I usually do Bounty Hunting, Trading, and exploring, so I decided to break up the routine by starting on the Engineers and working on ranking with the Feds. On my travels, I found a combat bond mission and took it. Got a few kills and took a break for an hour and when I got back, the two factions weren't even at war the system anymore. All of the combat zones had changed to a completely different set of factions, making my mission (and most of the money spent in fuel and ammo for it) wasted.

It feels like the only way to make money in this game is to hunt in Res sites or explore. Sometimes you might find some cargo missions to stack, but that's it. Mercenary work, pirating, and normal cargo runs don't pay much. The only reason why I'm complaining is because it seems that whenever I start to get into the game and love it again, the grinding, odd bug, or limited gameplay ruin it. I'm really hoping that the 2.4 update will add some new gameplay features and missions because constant hyperspace sequences gets old.

 

[Gunnet]

It's unfortunate that massacre missions work that way. My preference would be for any massacre missions which are active at the end of a war to automatically complete and pay out a percentage of their reward based on how complete they were. Or alternatively, generate all massacre missions with a time limit equal to the minimum possible time remaining in the pre-ceasefire part of the war.

I'm sure there will be plenty of new gameplay in 2.4 thanks to thargoids, and Frontier have said that after 2.4 they're going to begin focusing on improving core gameplay.

 

[h347h]

I can assure you if you stick with it being a privateer(massacre missions/conflict zone combat) can be very lucrative. If you have a friend even more so since you can really plow through ships.

My advice is simply make a few friends and keep at it.

 

[kofeyh]

I tend to think some of this will be addressed during 2.4. Frontier do have to revisit the code generating these missions, along with many others, because they will be inserting another faction (essentially) just that faction has, uh, more legs and these really cool flower ships.

Can I just go on record that I really want one. I want one bad. It's like the time you were 5, see those freshly baked goods on the kitchen counter and you never new how bad you wanted something until that point. You know you can't have one, because they are still lava fresh from the oven. But you really want one. So bad?

Same thing. Uh, what was I saying? Oh right. Missions. Yes, they're broken in general. It makes sense for Frontier to address this as they add more mechanics that will almost certainly rely on them. So I am cautiously optimistic.

The most important thing with systems that go into an optimal state for CZ/ Massacre missions is, that is your life for as many hours as you have spare. Short breaks are fine. But like the old adage says; strike while the iron is hot. And if you can rope in others to join you in the lucrative enterprise, all the better. A few hours and you can walk away with some serious credit gain.

 

[Limoncello Lizard]

If you are going to take combat missions in a war you didn't start, I suggest you read the news in the station before taking them. There will be a news bulletin stating when the war or civil war started. If you are in the 4th day of the war, don't take the missions or you could get stuck.

 

[Alex Brentnall]

Been there, nearly quit myself too.
Find something non-profitable but fun and mix that in with the profitable stuff. For me that ended up being racing, fuel-rats and other player groups. Dived into the community and it was awesome.

As for money I think exploration and passenger missions is king after mission stacking. Trading is only really mega profitable on certain routes like slave trading, I never really got into trade too much if I'm honest as evidenced by my Elite ranks... Combat in Res is profitable but doesn't compete at the high end, CZs are even worse for cash. Mining comes out near the bottom and piracy is last.

Personally I'd consider community goals too if you haven't already. A new activity each week and if it's a war-zone CG then guaranteed combat zones until the CG ends.

 

[Stigbob]

As other have said fighting in wars is only hugely lucrative if you catch them early, the best way to do this is via the BGS if you are supporting a player/minor faction you'll know the war is coming and you can be all over it from the beginning. You'll also be on good terms with the faction and get offered better missions.

You can easily make 50 million in a few hours with just a couple of high paying massacre missions plus bonds. I paid for my corvette and components over the course of just two wars.

If you time it badly and can't complete them just let them expire and you'll get a smaller rep hit.

 

[Bdragon4]

Yeah, I hope they improve the mission system. I think I'll go back to doing passenger work again. Boring as heck at the start, but I haven't done the long distance ones or sight seeing yet.

 

[Xenith]

Yeah, I hope they improve the mission system. I think I'll go back to doing passenger work again. Boring as heck at the start, but I haven't done the long distance ones or sight seeing yet.

The long distance sightseeing ones are often not worth what they are offering, not when you can stack passenger transport missions within one jump of one another, and then make twice the amount for a fraction of the distance.

 

[Terry Bruge-Hiplo]

If it's any help, you can see a list of factions / systems at war on Inara's home page under the conflict report section. The system economy also plays a big part in the kinds of missions you'll get as well, so it can be worth putting some time in finding a system with the right economy that has 2+ Fed factions in it...

 

[MottiKhan]

Usually, there are a few CZs left over at the end of the war. They'll be in ceasefire tough. You can still complete the massacre missions by going there and killing the opponents without picking a side. It's a lot more eventful, since you'll get no help from your "allies". I've generally just taken down 7 or so and waked out before coming back in. Sometimes only 3. But it can be done.

You can also try the RES and Nav beacon for ships marked as "Mission Target". I had little luck in those though.

Good hunting.

 

[Kigre]

I've been making a fecesload on passenger missions mixed with cargo. No relogging needed.
Im in a Beluga with most First Class cabins and some mix but no Luxury cabins. Works like a charm. Even when you are not friends or allied.
I do have the highest trade rank though.

And that your conflict/war ended as you were doing it is just pure unlucky and you didnt deliver the bonds when you were done before you took your break. (You shouldve.)

 

[Xious]

It's not really about the money anyway. You can have plenty and still be bored.