How to find a maelstrom?

Staarlord · Mar 10, 2023

So I’m coming back to Elite, after about 6 months. I had participated in the last Salvation event, grinding the something 80-odd Guardian artifacts, raked in about 200mil in Thargoid combat bonds and stopped playing just before the Salvation finale, apparently.

I’m looking up YouTube video after YouTube video, each postulating what must be at the center, or older videos announcing the inclusion of maelstrom, but none telling you how to even find one. From the moment I dropped into HIP 30377, I began taking caustic damage and getting interdicted. Nothing shows up on the FSS in the way of an interstellar phenomenon, like a LaGrange or any Thargoid NHSS, nor any other kind of signal otherwise…other than planetary bodies. Are you just supposed to visit every body until you find it?

Hooplah · Mar 10, 2023

They like ammonia planets with an atmosphere far away from the local systems A detailed FSS scan will find them on the lower end of the spectrum bar then once locked on they will show up in the Nav page the next time you go there...while avoiding the constant interdictions to find them. Others may have better ways but that is how I find them.

Or look them up on Google per another player did the work.

Staarlord · Mar 10, 2023

Hooplah said:
They like ammonia planets with an atmosphere far away from the local systems A detailed FSS scan will find them on the lower end of the spectrum bar then once locked on they will show up in the Nav page the next time you go there...while avoiding the constant interdictions to find them. Others may have better ways but that is how I find them.

Or look them up on Google per another player did the work.

thanks! I found it. Problem is it’s 38K ls away and I get interdicted every 500-1000ls. If I’m about to get interdicted 38 times I’m about to be ed.

Hooplah · Mar 10, 2023

38 interdictions? Doesn't sound rightt Seems like you going to the same as mine in HIP 30377. Here is my basic Imperial Clipper build dealing with this and modify depending upon what I want to collect in the Malestrom. One boost in the right direction and I don't get any damage from Thargoid interdictions. Maybe I'll get 5-7 on the way, a very fast ship with hull reinforcements does help a lot.

Jmanis · Mar 10, 2023

Staarlord said:
From the moment I dropped into HIP 30377, I began taking caustic damage and getting interdicted. Nothing shows up on the FSS in the way of an interstellar phenomenon, like a LaGrange or any Thargoid NHSS, nor any other kind of signal otherwise…other than planetary bodies. Are you just supposed to visit every body until you find it?

FYSA, you won't be taking caustic damage on- entry... ships computer will report hazardous environment, and you'll get electrical interference in your HUD, and any guardian equipment will take damage.

But caustic damage doesn't start till you get in the maelstrom.

Bald_Rookie · Mar 10, 2023

Staarlord said:
thanks! I found it. Problem is it’s 38K ls away and I get interdicted every 500-1000ls

I did my research for the Caustic launcher in the Taranis-Maelstrom.
It's only 132 ls from entry-point, so only got interdicted 1-2 times before i arrived at the Maelstrom.
System Hyades Sector FB-N b7-6 https://eddb.io/system/bodies/878280
planet A1 https://eddb.io/body/10344573

alex192004 · Mar 10, 2023

You have a list of all maelstroms in the left menu of the galaxy map. They are always in ammonia worlds, but if you want one easily reacheable, try the taranis maelstrom, it´s pretty close to the star (System Hyades Sector FB-N b7-6)

Brrokk · Mar 10, 2023

Staarlord said:
So I’m coming back to Elite, after about 6 months. I had participated in the last Salvation event, grinding the something 80-odd Guardian artifacts, raked in about 200mil in Thargoid combat bonds and stopped playing just before the Salvation finale, apparently.

I’m looking up YouTube video after YouTube video, each postulating what must be at the center, or older videos announcing the inclusion of maelstrom, but none telling you how to even find one. From the moment I dropped into HIP 30377, I began taking caustic damage and getting interdicted. Nothing shows up on the FSS in the way of an interstellar phenomenon, like a LaGrange or any Thargoid NHSS, nor any other kind of signal otherwise…other than planetary bodies. Are you just supposed to visit every body until you find it?

Check your galaxy map settings. There's an icon for maelstroms; make sure you have it ticked.