Need a couple of advises from veteran explorers

[Cherokeedog]

As a short background for this request: I joined this game about a month ago, with the intention of becoming an explorer, decided to boost my way up to an Anaconda by doing long rage trading, got messed up by the 2.2 update, so I decided to switch careers sooner than planned.

Now, I intend to undertake some of those “to the center” voyages that the new passengers keep asking for. So I need to pick a ship for exploration. Anaconda is out of the question, as a reasonable outfit would eat up all my resources.

I studied ships and builds and I’m left with 2 options: change the outfit on my ASP, or buy and equip a Python. Well, each decision has a tradeoff, so I’m asking you veterans for help in this regard. My questions are:

1. If I choose the Python, the only down side is the jump range. Now, is it possible to remain stranded out there just because of the reduced jump range? Could I get stuck and only have the option to go back?

2. If I choose the ASP, I have a shortage of internal compartments. I have to choose between a small rack and a detailed surface scanner. I know the scanner boosts up my earnings, but I’m not really into exploration for the money. Does it make sense to bring a cargo rack into an exploration expedition? Would I find something out there that I would be sorry not to bring back with me?

3. Since I’m asking questions, I’d like to understand something about the tools of exploration. I see 3 of them: the stellar scanner, the surface scanner and the SRV scanner. What I don’t understand is this: what exactly would make me decide to go down on a specific planet? And then, how do I identify (while flying) the potential areas of interest?

That’s about it. I know there’s a lot of information out there and I AM a heavy reader, but the volume is huge, so I barely scratched the surface up to now. I’m not asking for a guide, but if you could point out some good ones, I’d appreciate it.

Also, if I’m looking at the exploration subject the wrong way, please feel free to correct and advise me.

 

[Aura Lorell]

As a short background for this request: I joined this game about a month ago, with the intention of becoming an explorer, decided to boost my way up to an Anaconda by doing long rage trading, got messed up by the 2.2 update, so I decided to switch careers sooner than planned.

Now, I intend to undertake some of those “to the center” voyages that the new passengers keep asking for. So I need to pick a ship for exploration. Anaconda is out of the question, as a reasonable outfit would eat up all my resources.

I studied ships and builds and I’m left with 2 options: change the outfit on my ASP, or buy and equip a Python. Well, each decision has a tradeoff, so I’m asking you veterans for help in this regard. My questions are:

1. If I choose the Python, the only down side is the jump range. Now, is it possible to remain stranded out there just because of the reduced jump range? Could I get stuck and only have the option to go back?

2. If I choose the ASP, I have a shortage of internal compartments. I have to choose between a small rack and a detailed surface scanner. I know the scanner boosts up my earnings, but I’m not really into exploration for the money. Does it make sense to bring a cargo rack into an exploration expedition? Would I find something out there that I would be sorry not to bring back with me?

3. Since I’m asking questions, I’d like to understand something about the tools of exploration. I see 3 of them: the stellar scanner, the surface scanner and the SRV scanner. What I don’t understand is this: what exactly would make me decide to go down on a specific planet? And then, how do I identify (while flying) the potential areas of interest?

That’s about it. I know there’s a lot of information out there and I AM a heavy reader, but the volume is huge, so I barely scratched the surface up to now. I’m not asking for a guide, but if you could point out some good ones, I’d appreciate it.

Also, if I’m looking at the exploration subject the wrong way, please feel free to correct and advise me.

One thing I must point is that you can explore in anything, any ship can do exploration. You need an ADS (Advanced Discovery Scanner) and a DSS (Detailed Surface Scanner) at minimum. An SRV bay with at least one SRV and a good fuel scoop. The SRV will allow you to roam planets and prospect for materials (jumponium, srv refuel/repair/rearm, AFMU refill). You don't need cargo racks. You don't *have* to have an Anaconda. People explore in Cobras and even in T9s. People have gone to the other side of the galaxy in Sideys and returned.

My recommendation is this: first read the various exploration guides from the sticky threads in the exploration subforum, then equip your ship with the above and a good FSD (A grade recommended). Do or don't do engineer modifications it doesn't matter at this stage. Then take the ship to a test run exploring. Just exploring nothing more. Visit a few nebulas perhaps, go to Sag A, got to Jaques, so many things you can do.

This will help you decide what style of exploration you prefer. Do you like to push into jumponium-only areas seeking the galactic limits? Perhaps do a Galaxy circumnavigation? Do you fancy scanning all the planets or just some? Would you prefer to hunt for Earth-like worlds instead?

Read the guides, try things and different ships, and just explore. Find your style, find what works for you, work towards a set of goals.

There is no one way to explore. Just your way which you must discover making it your own personal journey.

Finally when you are in areas that are dense with stars you can't get stuck. If you go to galactic edges you can reach points from which you can only go back. The only way to get stuck since 2.2 is to use a Neutron Star FSD supercharge and jump to an isolated area without a neutron star for returning back. Use the galaxy map, it's your main tool.

 

[Mysturji]

As a short background for this request: I joined this game about a month ago, with the intention of becoming an explorer, decided to boost my way up to an Anaconda by doing long rage trading, got messed up by the 2.2 update, so I decided to switch careers sooner than planned.

Now, I intend to undertake some of those “to the center” voyages that the new passengers keep asking for. So I need to pick a ship for exploration. Anaconda is out of the question, as a reasonable outfit would eat up all my resources.

I studied ships and builds and I’m left with 2 options: change the outfit on my ASP, or buy and equip a Python. Well, each decision has a tradeoff, so I’m asking you veterans for help in this regard. My questions are:

1. If I choose the Python, the only down side is the jump range. Now, is it possible to remain stranded out there just because of the reduced jump range? Could I get stuck and only have the option to go back?

2. If I choose the ASP, I have a shortage of internal compartments. I have to choose between a small rack and a detailed surface scanner. I know the scanner boosts up my earnings, but I’m not really into exploration for the money. Does it make sense to bring a cargo rack into an exploration expedition? Would I find something out there that I would be sorry not to bring back with me?

3. Since I’m asking questions, I’d like to understand something about the tools of exploration. I see 3 of them: the stellar scanner, the surface scanner and the SRV scanner. What I don’t understand is this: what exactly would make me decide to go down on a specific planet? And then, how do I identify (while flying) the potential areas of interest?

That’s about it. I know there’s a lot of information out there and I AM a heavy reader, but the volume is huge, so I barely scratched the surface up to now. I’m not asking for a guide, but if you could point out some good ones, I’d appreciate it.

Also, if I’m looking at the exploration subject the wrong way, please feel free to correct and advise me.

1. I took my (only slightly engineered) Python to Jaques. It took a long time. I would definitely advise an Asp over a Python for long-range trips. If you go 100 - 1000 LY above or below 0 on the galactic plane, you should avoid the "No man's land+ of brown dwarf fields.

2. You don't need a cargo rack for exploring. Any cargo would just be a magnet for NPC pirate interdictions on your return. In the Beta, passengers sometimes made requests like "Can you get me some Domestic Appliances/Consumer Electronics/whatever? It will make my trip more enjoyable." but I think it only increases their satisfaction by a little bit.

3. A Detailed surface scanner shows you what materials can be found on planet surfaces, and the composition of planetary ring systems. Materials needed for jumponium, AFMU restock, ammo, etc can be found on certain planet surfaces if you have an SRV. Rings are only interesting if you're mining.

If you want to explore, do it the way you want to. (Just be careful on your return)

 

[Howe]

long rage trading

I do this, too!

"TAKE MY FISH YOU B****RD!"

 

[BeanpotBeanie]

OK so first I would start with Nutter's guide to exploration. It will give you a good overview of the basics. https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/81653-Nutter’s-explorers-guide-to-the-Galaxy

As for the scanners there are three types of stellar scanners, basic, intermediate and advanced. The difference is how much they discover. Basic finds everything within 500ls of you, intermediate finds everything within 1000ls and advanced finds everything in the system regardless of distance. When exploring you want a discovery scanner, advanced if you can afford it.

The surface scanner provides details on specific stellar bodies in a system such as orbit, temperature and mineral composition. Surface scanning drastically increases the payouts you get when you return to port to sell your data. The surface scanner is also required if you want the "Discovered By" tag on any interesting planets, stars, black holes etc. you find. Stellar scanners do not provide credit for discovery.

Choosing the ship is completely arbitrary. Fly what you like to fly! Whatever you fly though make sure you have a good fuel scoop outfitted. There's nothing worse than running out of gas. If you're making runs to the core you don't need to worry about jump range as there are more than enough stars to get you there. Getting stuck is only really a concern on the outer fringes of the solar system where stars are sparse, and in that case you can always backtrack the way you came. I haven't been able to look at 2.2 yet but from what I understand if you're ferrying passengers you could swap out the cargo racks for passenger cabins. Cargo racks are effectively useless in exploration unless you want to keep an interesting piece of floatsam you find along the way like an escape pod or a random ton of commodities.

SRVs on the other hand are useful. Mostly for finding materials for synthesizing FSD boosts. But also for taking cool screenies to share with the community. To identify planets with the right materials you'll need the surface scanner (see above), otherwise you just identify areas that interest you.

There's really no wrong way to look at exploration, just do what you want to do. I think I've addressed each of your questions but I'm sure the more experienced explorers may have more to add.

 

[Mysturji]

The surface scanner provides details on specific stellar bodies in a system such as orbit, temperature and mineral composition. Surface scanning drastically increases the payouts you get when you return to port to sell your data. The surface scanner is also required if you want the "Discovered By" tag on any interesting planets, stars, black holes etc. you find. Stellar scanners do not provide credit for discovery.

Unless they've changed it, a basic, intermediate or advanced discovery scanner will get you a "first discovered by" tag, as long as you scan the planet up close (not just a "honk").
A DSS gives extra info like mineral composition etc. (and more money).

 

[Aura Lorell]

Unless they've changed it, a basic, intermediate or advanced discovery scanner will get you a "first discovered by" tag, as long as you scan the planet up close (not just a "honk").
A DSS gives extra info like mineral composition etc. (and more money).

That's correct a level 2 surface scan (i.e. without a DSS but only with one of the discovery scanners) will get you a first discovered tag.

 

[Alec Turner]

1. If I choose the Python, the only down side is the jump range.

Looks like you've already had some good advice here but I just wanted to chip in and say that it is actually possible to get a fairly decent jump range (34LY?) out of the Python (even a pretty well kitted out one) if you outfit with a view to keeping weight down where possible (by fitting D-class modules, A-class FSD, etc) and spend a bit of time getting your FSD engineered for extra range ...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...-or-Anaconda?p=4658481&viewfull=1#post4658481

 

[Evoflash]

If you go exploring, do not go without a surface scanner. You will regret it. I wouldn't bother worrying about cargo. I picked up some escape pods once but that's about it. I now do not bother with cargo.

This is my ASP build for exploration. I don't know about passenger cabins yet, I'll have a look when coriolis is updated.

https://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/0pat...2f.AwRjNcuHRqg=.Aw18WQ==?bn=Evoflash Asp X II

 

[Cosmographer]

I just wanted to add in regards to cargo racks that you can use them to decrease your jump range artificially when route plotting. It can be useful for some things (like maximizing the number of jumps you can do before you need to refuel in the Neutron Fields for grinding research.

I opted to put one on my Anaconda because it has more internals than could be usefully fitted otherwise for exploration (also because just maybe these new alien archeology things offer more interesting cargo than corpsicles, who knows? - one can dream) BUT if I would've gone out with a ship with fewer internals the cargo racks would be the first thing to go.

 

[Kuroshio]

If you go exploring, do not go without a surface scanner. You will regret it. I wouldn't bother worrying about cargo. I picked up some escape pods once but that's about it. I now do not bother with cargo.

This is my ASP build for exploration. I don't know about passenger cabins yet, I'll have a look when coriolis is updated.

https://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/0pat...2f.AwRjNcuHRqg=.Aw18WQ==?bn=Evoflash Asp X II

Chiming in with a PSA: Coriolis itself isn't being updated these days, but there's an up-to-date clone available here: http://coriolis.edcd.io/

 

[Cherokeedog]

Very good advises and points. I'm clear now about the ship choice and everything related to that. Thanks guys.

Now, I feel I didn't manage to be clear enough with my last question. So let me try again:

Say I reach system X and I decide to stay and scan all stars. Is there something that can point out that a certain planet is more interesting than other? Is there something that my scanner does, saying "You should go down on this planet."?

And then, considering I decided to go down on a planet...how do I decide where to land? I've read about the POI. Is that the only indication that there is something there? Are there other signals I should look for? Are there other things to find outside of the POI areas? (I understand POI are not persistent)

 

[Aura Lorell]

Very good advises and points. I'm clear now about the ship choice and everything related to that. Thanks guys.

Now, I feel I didn't manage to be clear enough with my last question. So let me try again:

Say I reach system X and I decide to stay and scan all stars. Is there something that can point out that a certain planet is more interesting than other? Is there something that my scanner does, saying "You should go down on this planet."?

And then, considering I decided to go down on a planet...how do I decide where to land? I've read about the POI. Is that the only indication that there is something there? Are there other signals I should look for? Are there other things to find outside of the POI areas? (I understand POI are not persistent)

So this is what I do but of course you need to see what works for you. Let's say I am after Niobium and Polonium. As I go past the systems I do the following:

1. As soon as I arrive I fire the ADS and start fuel scooping.
2. Open the system map to see what kind of planets it has.
3. The Metal-Rich and High-Metal-Content planets are the best for getting rare and very rare metals (with one caveat). They are quite easy to spot they have unique looks.
4. Target a planet, fly close, wait for the DSS to finish scanning (you will need DSS for this).
5. Open the system map, hover over the planet I just scanned, look at the info panel for material percentages.
6. If it has the materials I need, I switch on shields, SRV, sensors, and power distributor.
7. Fly close to the planet and find an area that looks reasonably flat.
8. Fly down there with minimal speed. As soon as the glide is over, switch four pips to shields, kill my throttle, level the ship. I avoid anything over 3G gravity as it's dangerous and you risk losing your ship.
9. Land down, deploy the STV, dismiss the ship.
10. Start driving in one direction looking for mesoderites, metallic meteorites, and metallic outcrops. They all have similar sounds.
11. Keep driving until I'm happy and then find a flat area and recall my ship.
12. Board, four pips to engines, thrusters up, full throttle forward, rotate 90 degrees up, wait until I clear the mass lock, low wake to supercruise.

Hope this helps?

Edit: Forgot to say that because I like driving the SRV I usually find a nice flat icy planet with the metals I need and just drive for a very long time. It yields even more than the high metal content planets. Also don't forget to gather materials for refuelling the SRV, and repairing/rearming. Just the standard ones are enough. Also don't forget to have materials for at least one AFMU reload.

 

[goemon]

As a short background for this request: I joined this game about a month ago, with the intention of becoming an explorer, decided to boost my way up to an Anaconda by doing long rage trading, got messed up by the 2.2 update, so I decided to switch careers sooner than planned.

Now, I intend to undertake some of those “to the center” voyages that the new passengers keep asking for. So I need to pick a ship for exploration. Anaconda is out of the question, as a reasonable outfit would eat up all my resources.

I studied ships and builds and I’m left with 2 options: change the outfit on my ASP, or buy and equip a Python. Well, each decision has a tradeoff, so I’m asking you veterans for help in this regard. My questions are:

1. If I choose the Python, the only down side is the jump range. Now, is it possible to remain stranded out there just because of the reduced jump range? Could I get stuck and only have the option to go back?

2. If I choose the ASP, I have a shortage of internal compartments. I have to choose between a small rack and a detailed surface scanner. I know the scanner boosts up my earnings, but I’m not really into exploration for the money. Does it make sense to bring a cargo rack into an exploration expedition? Would I find something out there that I would be sorry not to bring back with me?

3. Since I’m asking questions, I’d like to understand something about the tools of exploration. I see 3 of them: the stellar scanner, the surface scanner and the SRV scanner. What I don’t understand is this: what exactly would make me decide to go down on a specific planet? And then, how do I identify (while flying) the potential areas of interest?

That’s about it. I know there’s a lot of information out there and I AM a heavy reader, but the volume is huge, so I barely scratched the surface up to now. I’m not asking for a guide, but if you could point out some good ones, I’d appreciate it.

Also, if I’m looking at the exploration subject the wrong way, please feel free to correct and advise me.

1. if you going to the center, jumprange is no problem. star density goes up there. if you don't want to explore the upper or downer regions of the core (-3000 to +2500 ly) you will have no problem. less jumprange = more jumps = more exploration data. also i can't recommend taking a >40 ly jumprange ship to the core, routelotting gets much of a problem. just returned from there i haven sworn myself i will do the next trip to the core in a ~ 30-35 ly jumprange ship.

2. detailed surface scanner adds to the fun. at some point you WILL get interested about the temperature or metal-composition of a strange planet, or you will self-destruct. cargo rack - you never know, patch notes mentioned "mysterious things", but it isn't crucial.

3. materials (for synthesis) and scenery are the two reasons to land. potential areas for very rare materials are crates and hilly terrain, mountains and crates make great screenshot.

your best ressource is the sticky-area of the exploration subforum. tons of very good information there!

 

[Cosmographer]

And then, considering I decided to go down on a planet...how do I decide where to land? I've read about the POI. Is that the only indication that there is something there? Are there other signals I should look for? Are there other things to find outside of the POI areas? (I understand POI are not persistent)

Well, with the new update you can now zoom in on landable planets in the system map (after you have scanned them) and the DSS will reveal the planet materials. It doesn't reveal POIs - I'm not sure how the persistent POIs work exactly, short of someone discovering them and sharing the coordinates on the forums - you have to go down there and look around.

For instance I am about to land here:

Because it has Vanadium which I want and canyons which I like to check out

edit:

8. Fly down there with minimal speed. As soon as the glide is over, switch four pips to shields, kill my throttle, level the ship. I avoid anything over 3G gravity as it's dangerous and you risk losing your ship.

Rhea is very right of course (I pancaked myself on a 4G planet last time I was exploring), however if you do like the challenge of high G (or the bragging rights) I highly recommend watching this in depth guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nErX1tFyC4

 

[Evoflash]

Very good advises and points. I'm clear now about the ship choice and everything related to that. Thanks guys.

Now, I feel I didn't manage to be clear enough with my last question. So let me try again:

Say I reach system X and I decide to stay and scan all stars. Is there something that can point out that a certain planet is more interesting than other? Is there something that my scanner does, saying "You should go down on this planet."?

And then, considering I decided to go down on a planet...how do I decide where to land? I've read about the POI. Is that the only indication that there is something there? Are there other signals I should look for? Are there other things to find outside of the POI areas? (I understand POI are not persistent)

Here's roughly what I did.

0-100 jumps
Scanned everything

100-500 jumps
Scanned planets, stopped scanning moons

500-5000 jumps
Scanned metal-rich planets, hunted terraformable high-metal-content planets, stopped scanning stuff that was far away unless earth-like, ammonia world or water world

5000 jumps-now
Sometimes spend 100 jumps only scanning ELW, WW, AW. Sometimes scan everything, sometimes just the HMC

You will get experienced fairly quickly so my advice is just get out there, go hunt around. Sell some data and you'll start to get a feel for the stuff that interests you

 

[Cherokeedog]

All right. Everything's clear now. Thank you all, guys!