If you look on your right UI, and scroll through your accomplishments, at the very bottom, under exploration (I think, I am at work, so I do not have it in front of me) there is the number of systems you visited, plus Level 2 Scans and Level 3 Scans. Now I have a Advanced Discovery Scanner (finds all astronomical objects within a system) and a Detailed Surface Scanner (allows you to scan planets/stars/asteroid fields) once you get close enough. My question is: How do you do a Level 2 scan or a Level 3 scan? Am I missing something?
Level 2/3 scans - not in the game yet, or??
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I'm wondering this too. Nothing I've done has ever resulted in a L2/L3 scan so far. This includes scanning from very close, and scanning while not in super-cruise (which are things other forum posts seemed to think was the answer to getting these kind of scans).
I also have yet to see anything (surface-wise) other than the C/1 detailed surface scanner for sale anywhere. (wondering if there is either an advanced surface scanner and/or a B/something or A/something scanner that is supposed to get better scans).
I also have yet to see anything (surface-wise) other than the C/1 detailed surface scanner for sale anywhere. (wondering if there is either an advanced surface scanner and/or a B/something or A/something scanner that is supposed to get better scans).
I think FD should remove the advanced discorery scanner, or at least change it so it doesn't discoverer ALL astronomical objects in the system. Takes the fun/accomplishment out of finding those far away stars and their potential orbiting planets/gas giants...
You could always set yourself a bigger challenge by using the intermediate instead
Yeah... but the advanced scanner is like half a million credits... that's quite an investment for explorers
I think Level 2 / 3 scans are going to come from modules that aren't in the game yet, that will be part of the planetary landings expansion. Things like Detailed Atmospheric Scanner and Detailed Mineral Scanner.
Regarding scanner levels, I used to agree that a scanner that auto-found everything in a system seemed broken, but not anymore. Something like 90% of the value that can come from exploration lies within 1-2000 Ls of the stars, and 90% of that will be around the primary in a multi-star system.
The fact is that spending the vast majority of your time searching for that last, very distant ice planet, or flying to a secondary star that ends up having nothing...is a tremendous waste of time and energy. You may feel accomplished when you find that moving dot, but you aren't doing yourself or your faction any favors when you find a worthless chunk of ice; and there is absolutely zero skill involved in reaching a secondary star that's a third of a million Ls out.
Regarding scanner levels, I used to agree that a scanner that auto-found everything in a system seemed broken, but not anymore. Something like 90% of the value that can come from exploration lies within 1-2000 Ls of the stars, and 90% of that will be around the primary in a multi-star system.
The fact is that spending the vast majority of your time searching for that last, very distant ice planet, or flying to a secondary star that ends up having nothing...is a tremendous waste of time and energy. You may feel accomplished when you find that moving dot, but you aren't doing yourself or your faction any favors when you find a worthless chunk of ice; and there is absolutely zero skill involved in reaching a secondary star that's a third of a million Ls out.
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There is some skill involved.
Try finding the black hole in Maia without an Advanced Scanner.
Sorry, but that's one example among hundreds of billions. And one that is analogous to beachcombing without a metal detector.
Was searching there. Only basic scanner. Fly on sight. I haven't found that black hole. Told me to upgrade my ship the right way...
The advanced scanner is the equivalent of the docking computer. If you have done it loads of times and you can afford it then there is no value in keeping on doing it over and over again. You can quickly decide that this system of red dwarf and ice planets has little to no value so move on. Simples
I like to think it's more like a Trader upgrading cargo racks in order to do more in less time, but yeah.
i have the 1.5mill advanced scanner and the detailed surface scanner on a cobra kitted out for exploring. as it stands you will have to sell a massive amount of cartographic data to recoup the 1.5mill (getting anything from 200 creds for a single star system to 12000 creds for a system with 55 bodies in it)
as for the detailed surface scanner , it would be much more enjoyable if the time took to 'discover' the contents was much much quicker, its a very slow and tedious process right now.
have explored something like 770 systems so far and gained 750k in creds so it does add up over time....
as for the detailed surface scanner , it would be much more enjoyable if the time took to 'discover' the contents was much much quicker, its a very slow and tedious process right now.
have explored something like 770 systems so far and gained 750k in creds so it does add up over time....
While I completely understand your point, I don't think removing it from the game is the answer, the answer is much simpler - don't use it. If you remove it from the game then you deprive someone who may WANT to just have all the bodies discovered from having that option. More options is good.