Newcomer / Intro Looking to branch out.

Hi everyone,

I've been on Horizons now for a few weeks and have made around 150,000,000 credits by exploring. I've upgraded my ship to an ASP Explorer and have used that for most of the time. I'm looking to get into something different for a change and thought of mining either on planets or out in space to earn some more credits? Obviously each person has their own preference when it comes to a suitable ship but I was wondering if there's a ship which would be considered suitable for starting out. I did wonder about getting another ASP Explorer and kitting it out accordingly so that I can just switch ships as I like for exploration/mining. Having zero experience in mining though I wasn't sure if a 'disposable' ship might be better for a beginner if there's a danger of getting wiped out on a regular basis in asteroid belts or planetary rings for instance.
Am also open to any more suggestions when it comes to 'branching out' and trying something new.

Thanks very much.
 
Get a type 6 for mining for a bit and the asp for everything else. Then buy a python for mining around 198T. This will give you credits but you also need to make progress with engineers which will also give you all round experience of the various different roles and adventures in ED.
 
Mining is definitely a good way of earning money and if you're comfortable in the AspX, she makes a really good core-mining ship.
If you'd like to mine with lasers (which is not as much fun but currently yields higher Cr/hour afaik, I would even recommend trying a T9.

T9 is a really weird ship but in an awesome way, imo. People blast her for being a slog, being unwieldy and slow, etc. but personally I love flying her. Commandeering her around in a slow, deliberate manner feel great. She feels like a truly big ship. She is a different experience, no matter what you decide to do in her.

Another fun thing you can do in an Asp is the Guardian module hunt. You will mostly do it with a walkthrough in your hand so it's not hard or demanding on your intelect, but it's simply the most different thing to do.

You don't have to worry about being killed while mining, tbh. Save the initial check-up by pirates when you enter the ring (when your ship is empty), there really isn't anything else to be worried about
 
Depends, really, because I don't know what you have a mind to do exactly.

If you have your heart set on mining, but not sure what you might want to do later, I'd have to recommend the ultimate starting Swiss Army Knife, the mighty Python. She's tough enough to do mission runs, she's got enough cargo space to do trade runs, that and enough slots and hard points to do mining and, with a bit of focused engineering, she'll even be a decent explorer. Better still, with enough engineering and tweaking, she can do all of the above at the same time!

Since you already have an AspX, though, I'd suggest that you use her to try out mining first before you splurge on the Python. The Asp won't haul as many mining goodies as the Python, but the profit will still blow your mind. You can potentially make as much as you made on your exploration runs in an Asp Miner in a few hours and still have time to spare. More importantly, she's nimble and has enough hard points that you an equip her for every conceivable kind of mining in one go. Core, surface, SSD, strip mining. One outfit to rule them all. Then, if you like it, you can get the Python or an even bigger ship, because by then you can easily afford it!

Dangers of mining? Well, if you're mining in Solo/PG, there are really only two things you need to worry about:

1) When you arrive at your destination ring and drop out of Supercruise, a few NPC pirates will show up and scan you to see if you've got something to steal. Don't mine before they do, because if you don't have anything in your hold, they'll just leave without harming you. You can even boost away from them once they've done their scan to shorten the wait.

2) Bumping into 'roids. They hurt. Bad. Do not, under any circumstances, listen to the peeps who will invariably tell you to use that shield generator for an extra cargo slot. Get "bumper shields" on any ship you have, and by that I mean, say, 3D ones. Just enough to make sure that when you do make a mistake and bump a 'roid, and you WILL, everybody does, I do it myself still occasionally, the only thing taking damage will be your shields, which will regenerate. For free. Hulls don't. And those measly extra 8 tons you might have had won't make up for the existential pain you'll feel when you accidentally back into a 'roid at full speed and the full hold of Painite you spend an hour mining is lost.

You probably already know "Don't Fly Without a Rebuy". Commit this one to memory as well: "Don't Forget Your Rubber Bumpers."

o7, CMDR :)
 
Mining is popular due to the huge income, not necessarily the fun. You look like.yiu are doing fine for cash, so I second the idea of going on a Guardian trip to get that lovely fsd booster.

A bit of mission running or beginning to gather engineering materials or open up some engineers is also an option.

Python is the king of doing anything. Krait is the handsome prince.
 
Hi everyone,

I've been on Horizons now for a few weeks and have made around 150,000,000 credits by exploring. I've upgraded my ship to an ASP Explorer and have used that for most of the time. I'm looking to get into something different for a change and thought of mining either on planets or out in space to earn some more credits? Obviously each person has their own preference when it comes to a suitable ship but I was wondering if there's a ship which would be considered suitable for starting out. I did wonder about getting another ASP Explorer and kitting it out accordingly so that I can just switch ships as I like for exploration/mining. Having zero experience in mining though I wasn't sure if a 'disposable' ship might be better for a beginner if there's a danger of getting wiped out on a regular basis in asteroid belts or planetary rings for instance.
Am also open to any more suggestions when it comes to 'branching out' and trying something new.

Thanks very much.
You can use any ship that can carry an SRV to mine on planets however that won’t earn you any credits but it will get you all sorts of raw materials you will need for engineering, the best ship for that would be something compact though as they are easier to land at some of the awkward geosites and bio sites that are the best mining locations.

For mining rocks in space you want something with at least two medium hardpoints and five or more optional slots, you can get by with less but it wouldn’t earn you many credits.
Larger capacity ships will give you a higher income per trip but I tend to prefer something that lets me get a load of 90 - 130 tonnes I have an Orca that I use for laser surface mining which I like a lot as it has enough speed to get me out of trouble if I make a mistake.

The main rules of mining are
  • Never arrive in a ring with any cargo other than limpets.
  • Never mine close to a RES
  • Don’t start mining until after the nosy parkers have left when you first arrive.
  • If you do get restarted in a ring when you have cargo start to run immediately before the pirates arrive.
 
You can use any ship that can carry an SRV to mine on planets however that won’t earn you any credits but it will get you all sorts of raw materials you will need for engineering, the best ship for that would be something compact though as they are easier to land at some of the awkward geosites and bio sites that are the best mining locations.

For mining rocks in space you want something with at least two medium hardpoints and five or more optional slots, you can get by with less but it wouldn’t earn you many credits.
Larger capacity ships will give you a higher income per trip but I tend to prefer something that lets me get a load of 90 - 130 tonnes I have an Orca that I use for laser surface mining which I like a lot as it has enough speed to get me out of trouble if I make a mistake.

The main rules of mining are
  • Never arrive in a ring with any cargo other than limpets.
  • Never mine close to a RES
  • Don’t start mining until after the nosy parkers have left when you first arrive.
  • If you do get restarted in a ring when you have cargo start to run immediately before the pirates arrive.

Just so as I don't c**k up.. Whats an RES please?
Thanks.
 
Just so as I don't c**k up.. Whats an RES please?
Thanks.

Resource extraction site. Basically the place where all the npcs mine, and where you go to do bounty hunting. Typically full of pirates and probably already mined to hell and back. Avoid them and hit up actual mineral hotspots in pristine rings for the best yields.

As for ships, the python is by far the best. It carries all you need, good jump range, huge cargo space, is nice and maneuverable and even for someone like me who didn't particularly enjoy mining and probably didn't make the most optimal build, you can still make a massive profit quite easily.

Here's the ship I use, as an example; https://s.orbis.zone/8b_b
 
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Thanks everyone for your help. I'll do the Guardian trip in the ASPX for starters and do a bit more scanning en-route. Am I correct in assuming that if I decide to mine using the ASPX, I just buy/store modules and then swap and change as required depending on what I intend to use the ship for. Will doubtless splash the cash and get a Python very soon though.
 
Thanks everyone for your help. I'll do the Guardian trip in the ASPX for starters and do a bit more scanning en-route. Am I correct in assuming that if I decide to mine using the ASPX, I just buy/store modules and then swap and change as required depending on what I intend to use the ship for. Will doubtless splash the cash and get a Python very soon though.
Yes exactly store modules or sell them for what you paid* it is only really important to store engineered modules as you will lose all the effort put into engineering them if they are sold.
If you are going for a Guardian blueprint it is advisable to have a Point Defence turret equipped on the top of your ship, if you park the ship in the right area that can help defend your SRV.

The Python is a very capable ship if you spend enough to get the best core modules with poor undersized Thrusters and Frame Shift Drive it can handle badly enough to put you back in the free Sidewinder.
 
Before leaping into the black towards the Guardians, make sure your AspX is properly attired. And by that, I mean point defence(s).

Without your ship auto-firing on sentinel missiles, you'll be in for a bumpy ride at the site. Literally.

Edit: Ack. Late response. Sorry!
 
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D-Simmo,

Suggest if you want some help with mining or anything - send me a message on Discord. Crash#2684.

I have a carrier so I can give you a place to store it. I am in a Squadron called 12th Fleet and my carrier is called 12th Crash Course. I can certainly give you a crash course on panite or other mining. Doing quite a bit of mining so if anyone is looking for a wing in the haydes sector d11-2 (right next to Bundhar system)... give me a shout.

Also, if you want to store panite on my carrier, thats ok too. Just send me a message on discord with a screenshot of your deposit.

Crash

Aka 12th Crash Course (Bundhar System)
 
Thanks very much Crash, a very generous offer. I'll see how thing go. Have treat myself to a Python but am still doing mileage in the ASPX to get more credits in the bank after the purchase. Once I have a reasonable amount I'll look at kitting out the Python to get the best out of it.
Did the run to buy meta alloys for Ms Farseer last night, flew too close to the star I was refueling at on the return trip and suffered cargo hatch damage. Didn't realise until I reached her base that the meta alloys were long gone and were floating around somewhere in space. Had to lift off and do the whole run again. 😁 Best get some 'L' Plates fitted.
 
Thanks very much Crash, a very generous offer. I'll see how thing go. Have treat myself to a Python but am still doing mileage in the ASPX to get more credits in the bank after the purchase. Once I have a reasonable amount I'll look at kitting out the Python to get the best out of it.
Did the run to buy meta alloys for Ms Farseer last night, flew too close to the star I was refueling at on the return trip and suffered cargo hatch damage. Didn't realise until I reached her base that the meta alloys were long gone and were floating around somewhere in space. Had to lift off and do the whole run again. 😁 Best get some 'L' Plates fitted.
There’s a fleet carrier selling meta alloys in Deciat these days, you don’t have to do the run to Maia for the old bag anymore...
 
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