Newcomer / Intro How can I find a system with lots of cargo hauling missions in Empire space compatible with my Type-9?

Oh-Cyrus

O
Hello,

My question seems to have a lot of variables. I'm a Viscount with the Empire and looking to reach the Duke rank. I want to find a system where I can get a lot of cargo missions to locations within ~16 Ly jump range so I can pick up multiple in my Type-9 and complete them all together. I have been working out of the Ngalkin system, with deliveries to several nearby systems, but the mission board is always getting polluted with destroy x pirates in the next system, assassination targets, etc.

Are there certain economies that, when adjacent to one another, create a good source of cargo hauling missions? If so, how would I go about finding these? Please note, I'm not asking someone to tell me the best place--I'm trying to find it on my own, but I have trouble knowing what to look for.

I am currently in the Ngalinn/Mianman systems doing courier missions in my Krait Phantom, but it's terrible and I hate it. I spent weeks doing cargo hauling missions and loved every second of it.. something about having physical cargo in my ship that I'm responsible for (rather than an indestructible brain computer) makes it so much more fun.

What in-game or external tools would be best for finding a nice home system?
 

Hooplah

Hooplah
Where you are is the best way to rank up in the Empire. If cargo missions are your thing then there are a lot of good close systems near Achenar. Get allied with them (it will take awhile) flying a dedicated cargo Python and you'll be happy.
 

Oh-Cyrus

O
Hooplah said:
Where you are is the best way to rank up in the Empire. If cargo missions are your thing then there are a lot of good close systems near Achenar. Get allied with them (it will take awhile) flying a dedicated cargo Python and you'll be happy.
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I went to the area around Achenar once, but just to check out Achenar's star after I got the permit. I'll go check out that area, because grinding data missions for 5 more ranks is going to kill me.
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
Good question. Which means I have no specific answer.

Ok, first of all: be wary of high rank cargo missions - see https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...-interdiction-for-an-empty-cargo-hold.548678/ . A T-9 is a (barely) flying building. Get interdicted by a single high ranked NPC, and you'll suffer. Stack high rank missions, and get interdicted by multiple high ranked NPCs (e.g. 3 dangerous Anacondas), and unless you're really good, you're dead.

With this out of the way: I'd look for medium to high population systems in boom. Agricultural, Industrial or Refinery should always have goods to ship around (although Agri goods will usually have lower value, but if you're after rank and not money, that shouldn't matter). The problem with boom is, though, that it doesn't last for long - and you'll need some time to rank up in local REP so you get offered the juicy five star misisons. The good thing is, hough, that through your actions you contribute to keeping the system in boom, and this is where lower population system are advantageous - the actions of a single player in this case simply have more weight.

You said you did courier missions in a Krait? What a waste of a nice ship ;). If you don't like combat missions (sounds like it) and can't be bothered with espionage missions (those "planetary scan" missions), you might also want to take a look at passenger missions. The Phantom makes for a very nice passenger vessel, although I can usually find a mission that suits the single small cabin in my Dolphin.

In any case, after you select a system, spend some time to get "allied" level with all the local factions. That's the guarantee for getting offered lucrative missions - money, fame, materials. If you ratehr want to go freelance, the current fad is for Tritium - although for maximum profit, you'll need a medium ship, as there's a much higher chance to be able to buy low from outposts. Otherwise, the old standbys of course are medicines -> outbreak and food -> famine. The old rare trading loops aren't that interesting any more in terms of credits, but you'll get to see new places.
 

Oh-Cyrus

O
Ashnak said:
Good question. Which means I have no specific answer.

Ok, first of all: be wary of high rank cargo missions - see https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...-interdiction-for-an-empty-cargo-hold.548678/ . A T-9 is a (barely) flying building. Get interdicted by a single high ranked NPC, and you'll suffer. Stack high rank missions, and get interdicted by multiple high ranked NPCs (e.g. 3 dangerous Anacondas), and unless you're really good, you're dead.

With this out of the way: I'd look for medium to high population systems in boom. Agricultural, Industrial or Refinery should always have goods to ship around (although Agri goods will usually have lower value, but if you're after rank and not money, that shouldn't matter). The problem with boom is, though, that it doesn't last for long - and you'll need some time to rank up in local REP so you get offered the juicy five star misisons. The good thing is, hough, that through your actions you contribute to keeping the system in boom, and this is where lower population system are advantageous - the actions of a single player in this case simply have more weight.

You said you did courier missions in a Krait? What a waste of a nice ship ;). If you don't like combat missions (sounds like it) and can't be bothered with espionage missions (those "planetary scan" missions), you might also want to take a look at passenger missions. The Phantom makes for a very nice passenger vessel, although I can usually find a mission that suits the single small cabin in my Dolphin.

In any case, after you select a system, spend some time to get "allied" level with all the local factions. That's the guarantee for getting offered lucrative missions - money, fame, materials. If you ratehr want to go freelance, the current fad is for Tritium - although for maximum profit, you'll need a medium ship, as there's a much higher chance to be able to buy low from outposts. Otherwise, the old standbys of course are medicines -> outbreak and food -> famine. The old rare trading loops aren't that interesting any more in terms of credits, but you'll get to see new places.
Click to expand...
I lost my first 100 million in a Type-9 when I wasn't prepared for strong interdicting NPCs and I didn't have enough credits for a rebuy. I had to start over from 0. That hurt. Today, I have over a billion in assets, enough for 25 rebuys in cash, and my Type-9 is about as defensive as it can get without sacrificing cargo (still hit that 752 sweet spot). I'm ready to move up to the Cutter for cargo hauling, which is why I'm finally trying to work hard on Empire rank.

I'll check out EDDB for the specific things you've mentioned.

The Krait Phantom is my exploration ship, engineered to ~60 Ly jump range with a full exploration fit (SRV hangar, DSS, etc). But since I had it anyway, I stripped it to get me quickly to Ngalinn, then it didn't make sense to use anything else for the courier missions while I saw how I felt about them. Once I find a new home base, my Krait will be back to its exploration fit--don't worry, I do respect my ship!

I did Tritium for the first 2 days after it was around.. found a Famine system where it sold for ~5000 credits and two jumps away was buying it at 80k credits each. This is how I made the money to get an Anaconda, which I didn't enjoy at all, and then traded that in for my Type-10 with a fighter hangar and all turrets--which I LOVE. It's hilarious in conflict zones to see lasers and multicannons shooting every which way while I zip around in a fighter.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll take a look at the stuff you've suggested.
 
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