Engineers Need Help Finding Chemical Manipulators

EDIT: I managed to find some, see here: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...lators/page2?p=4561378&viewfull=1#post4561378


I've tried, folks.

I've used the ingame information as much possible.

I've used google, I've searched these forums, and I've combed through every possible post.

I've tried visiting all kinds of USS's and looking specifically for "combat aftermath" ones.

I've tried visiting anarchy systems that are in civil war/war states (verified both in galaxy and system view) and never spotted a single "Seeking Weapons" POI.

I've spent an entire day jumping around in an unmodded Fer De Lance all around the entire human bubble, countless jumps, trying to hunt these damn things down.

I refuse to just become a wanton murderer in some anarchy system, not to mention wasting yet more time sitting in a nav beacon or RES trying to find the right ship spawn. ("Seeking Weapons" POIs in an anarchy system would be fine, though, since in my head I can say I'm killing illegal arms dealers. But that doesn't matter if I can't FIND any of the damn things.)

I've spent much of my time jumping also browsing eddb.io, and it's quite evident that the information there is just too out of date to be of any use when it comes to system/faction states.

This has killed a portion of my soul, and I just can't keep pushing tonight.

It's ridiculous how nothing has worked and none of the information I've been able to dig up has been of any use.

Please, if you have any concrete ideas how to reliably and quickly find "Combat Aftermath" USSs or "Seeking Weapons" POIs in Anarchy systems, leave a detailed post explaining it, because every post I've seen saying to find those things never explains *how*.
 
Last edited:
I have a video that shows 2 ways I did it, but you've already dismissed both methods. You want to see it anyway? It's all I have.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PE73uZPKuQ


PS. Combat Aftermath USSs are all over, not just Anarchy systems. I find them all the time in Semakhmets. I just fly around the planets. There's a planet that Garan Dock is orbiting, and I fly around there and find them.

And since you're not going to shoot anything in there, it doesn't matter if it's Anarchy or not.
 
Last edited:
Hey there!

I think your best bet is killing haulers and other transport ships in anarchy systems (so you don't get in trouble). When I play Pac-Man, I don't feel sorry for the ghosts. However, if you really feel bad about killing innocent NPC's you can try this thread.
I got the Nanobreakers that were so elusive for me.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

LOL... Now I realize the Chemical Manipulators can't be handed over! Stupid me! He he, well if it's engineering specific "commodities" you need, then that thread would help.
 
Last edited:
Ok, ok...

My big way is to go to Anarchy (optional) and enter/exit Pris. Metal rings looking for spawns of miners.


So,,, kill miners for their Chemical Manipulators and Conductive Ceramics, choosing what ones you want to pick on ... some have escorts.

When you target them, the initial scan might give clues as to what materials will pop.

No interdictions, no worrying about-- no auth to dodge (don't go to rez sites... are none in anarchy anyway.)
NO worries about the other pirates in the area - if you carry nothing....

I go to Anarchy to save face on Rep, ... any ring will do .. outer rock.. inner metal... just keep reloading game
or make a small SC move to refresh the spawn.

The main system i've been using is LFT 65, but feel free to bounce me new one to try, if you find a winner!

\\///
Oo
>
--
Spike553
 
I have a video that shows 2 ways I did it, but you've already dismissed both methods. You want to see it anyway? It's all I have.

I did watch your video. The RES murder method is straightforward enough, but you don't show in the video how you *found* that system to begin with for the latter method.

PS. Combat Aftermath USSs are all over, not just Anarchy systems. I find them all the time in Semakhmets. I just fly around the planets. There's a planet that Garan Dock is orbiting, and I fly around there and find them.

Okay, if that's the case, then what's the criteria for finding them? Because I'm at an utter loss. I couldn't detect much of a pattern with what makes them spawn when I tried, none of the ones I found had the manipulators in the system I tried in, and I tried everything from orbiting the planet, to following its orbit around the star, to diving back and forth across the plane, to finding the 'shipping lane' - nothing really seems to "click" here....

Ok, ok...
My big way is to go to Anarchy (optional) and enter/exit Pris. Metal rings looking for spawns of miners.
So,,, kill miners for their Chemical Manipulators and Conductive Ceramics, choosing what ones you want to pick on ... some have escorts.

I don't like being roped into murdering harmless miners minding their own business just so I can pick up some materials that strangely cannot possibly be obtained anywhere else in the galaxy.

I am, at least, determined to find another way, because morals do matter to me when it comes to roleplay!
 
I've tried, folks.

I've used the ingame information as much possible.

I've used google, I've searched these forums, and I've combed through every possible post.

I've tried visiting all kinds of USS's and looking specifically for "combat aftermath" ones.

I've tried visiting anarchy systems that are in civil war/war states (verified both in galaxy and system view) and never spotted a single "Seeking Weapons" POI.

I've spent an entire day jumping around in an unmodded Fer De Lance all around the entire human bubble, countless jumps, trying to hunt these damn things down.

I refuse to just become a wanton murderer in some anarchy system, not to mention wasting yet more time sitting in a nav beacon or RES trying to find the right ship spawn. ("Seeking Weapons" POIs in an anarchy system would be fine, though, since in my head I can say I'm killing illegal arms dealers. But that doesn't matter if I can't FIND any of the damn things.)

I've spent much of my time jumping also browsing eddb.io, and it's quite evident that the information there is just too out of date to be of any use when it comes to system/faction states.

This has killed a portion of my soul, and I just can't keep pushing tonight.

It's ridiculous how nothing has worked and none of the information I've been able to dig up has been of any use.

Please, if you have any concrete ideas how to reliably and quickly find "Combat Aftermath" USSs or "Seeking Weapons" POIs in Anarchy systems, leave a detailed post explaining it, because every post I've seen saying to find those things never explains *how*.

I have found that the easiest way is to just kill every single NPC T-7 and T-9 that you come across. Dealing with the bounty is much easier, in my experience, than having to travel all over and look for anarchy systems with the seeking weapons POI.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

If Morals are important, then you always have the option of going over to Aditi and running data courier missions in groups of 20 or so. You will, eventually, acquire some chemical manipulators as mission rewards. A much slower process than murdering innoncent traders, but at least you will also be working on your Empire Rank.
 
Last edited:
I was looking for a seeking weapons anarchy the other day but got bored of looking and stumbled across a seeking meds in an outbreak system.

Not proud of what happened next but now I have more chemical manipulators...

I found them in random combat aftermath too, no secret, just random.

I guess doing it in low sec would be fine too. I tried hunting them in high sec but security were on me before I could collect the mats.
 
Last edited:
If Morals are important, then you always have the option of going over to Aditi and running data courier missions in groups of 20 or so. You will, eventually, acquire some chemical manipulators as mission rewards. A much slower process than murdering innoncent traders, but at least you will also be working on your Empire Rank.

Firstly, I've already completed the Imperial rank grind to get myself an Imperial Cutter - I don't want to repeat it!

Secondly, I visited Aditi during that grind, and it really wasn't that great for ranking. HIP 10716><Wu Guinagi is bar none the best I've been able to find, it's just a perfect mix of favorable characteristics...though I'm positive that it's possible even better ones exist, somewhere in the bubble.

I feel like trying to figure out what factors into finding "Seeking Weapons" POIs and the "Combat Aftermath" USS's would be a much better idea.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

I found them in random combat aftermath too, no secret, just random.

Well, hold on now. What do you mean, "random"? Like you visited many different systems with different governments & security levels, supercruised to many different 'places' inside those star systems, and there was just absolutely *nothing* affecting where you found these?

Or you just cruised around awhile in a system or two, got what you wanted, and moved on?

Cause that's two very different kinds of random. :p
 
Like you visited many different systems with different governments & security levels, supercruised to many different 'places' inside those star systems, and there was just absolutely *nothing* affecting where you found these?

This^. I am sorry to tell you lol. But I don't seek them out. If I see one I enter it. If I want chemical manipulators I look for "seeking something" sites.

Now you mention it though regarding seeking weapons - I think the previous time I was searching I figured perhaps bigger population anarchies in war/civil war were more likely to have them. So I looked at them and found one. Could have been random or inspiration ;)
 
Last edited:
Just got myself 20+ Chemical Manipulators in 2 days. I've found them in High Tech and Agricultural Combat Aftermath SS. Though it's easier to go to an Anarchy RES. I don't like killing miners either so I wait for the pirates to kill them, then I shoot them once before they die. I just pretend that ships I didn't kill drop materials too. ;) I call it assisted dying. Don't choose an ice ring though.
 
This^. I am sorry to tell you lol. But I don't seek them out. If I see one I enter it. If I want chemical manipulators I look for "seeking something" sites.

Now you mention it though regarding seeking weapons - I think the previous time I was searching I figured perhaps bigger population anarchies in war/civil war were more likely to have them. So I looked at them and found one. Could have been random or inspiration ;)

Hmm, if population is related that could be what I've been missing - and are you *positive* civil wars count too? Cause those are much more common than "war" states, at least currently, and I tried those at first with no success.
 
Hmm, if population is related that could be what I've been missing - and are you *positive* civil wars count too? Cause those are much more common than "war" states, at least currently, and I tried those at first with no success.

Not positive just something I picked up from on here. I can't remember what state the seeking weapons I saw were in.

I guess the easiest stratgey is to look at all systems not just anarchy to establish where to find them and then once you know narrow your targets to anarchy or anarchy plus low sec.
 
I found the system I used in my video by having it suggested by another person. I went there, it worked, so I included it in the video. But I've done it elsewhere, in just about any high-pop Anarchy system, you can use the Nav beacon. Bunda worked, for example.

As for the Combat Aftermath guys, I don't have any system there either. My home base in Semakhmets. I needed to find some, I cruised around there first and found some. My previous home base was Chujohimba. Same deal, I cruised around there and found some.

That's all I know :)
 
I have picked up at least 100 in seeking weapons/medicines in anarchy systems in war/outbreak state. I go to the galaxy map, filter to outbreak and war only, scrolled around and found 5-6 anarchy systems, bookmark each, jumped to them until i find a seeking weapons or medicine and profit. For those unsure, the seeking weapons/medicine sites have shown up in my navigation panel as soon as i jumped into system.

When you get in to one of these sites just shoot the t9 piñata's. Only the winged t9's help each other, the others don't defend the others, when you clean out the non winged t9's just exit to main menu and jump back in and more will spawn, rinse and repeat until you are full.

I have done this at least 3 times and friends have each done it a few times with great success.

Make sure the system government is anarchy so you don't get a bounty, the t9's should be lawless.
 
I've tried, folks.

I've used the ingame information as much possible.

I've used google, I've searched these forums, and I've combed through every possible post.

I've tried visiting all kinds of USS's and looking specifically for "combat aftermath" ones.

I've tried visiting anarchy systems that are in civil war/war states (verified both in galaxy and system view) and never spotted a single "Seeking Weapons" POI.

There-in lies the crux of your frustrations, fellow Cmdr.

The solution to your conundrum?... Widen your search parameters, my friend!!!! :cool:

I too spent the better part of multiple hours of my valuable playtime, scouring the galaxy map for a single Anarchy system in either War or Civil War states, only to make my way to one and find not a single "seeking weapons" POI...

What did I eventually discover? I hear you ask. What invaluable truth did I uncover that would prove to be the salvation of all my pent up frustration over finding "chemical" manipulators??...

Well... here it is...

Don't just look of "Seeking Weapons" POIs!!! Main reason being, that they don't always show up in systems in War or Civil War states.

(Here's the clincher)... in fact any "Seeking X" POI that contains Type 9s in an Anarchy system will net you Chemical Manipulators without the hassle of them pesky cops coming to hunt you down.

In E:D you have the benefit of the following:

- Seeking Weapons POIs - found in systems in a "War" or "Civil War" state
- Seeking Medicines - found in systems in an "Outbreak" state (funnily enough I find Anarchy Outbreak systems to be far more common and reliable)
- Seeking Food - found in systems in a "Famine" state
- Seeking Goods - found in systems in a "Bust" state

Best thing to do is pull up the galaxy map, filter for anarchy systems. Look for those in Outbreak, Famine or Bust states, and then go blow up some Type-9s in blissful impunity.

Ignore looking for seeking weapons altogether, as they don't appear reliably enough to waste your time looking for them. The others are both far more common and at the same time far more immorally delicious to ignore :D
 
Last edited:
Funnily enough, in Anarchy systems in Famine states, they often have "Distribution Centre" POIs, which consist of a group of Type 9s, lined up near a planetary ring, handing out rations to groups of sidewinders that show up, pick up their rations and bolt.

I thought I'd try... you know... doing the decent thing and reducing the Type 9s to slag to see if they drop Chemical Manipulators. Obviously, FDev thought that this heinous act of wonton savagery actually crosses the moral line, as to my surprise the destroyed Type 9s, didn't even drop anything when they perished in a blaze of fire... not even a single focus crystal.

Oh well, i think I'll just stick to murdering the defenseless Type 9s that pop up in POIs begging for food instead [big grin]
 
Funnily enough, in Anarchy systems in Famine states, they often have "Distribution Centre" POIs, which consist of a group of Type 9s, lined up near a planetary ring, handing out rations to groups of sidewinders that show up, pick up their rations and bolt.

I thought I'd try... you know... doing the decent thing and reducing the Type 9s to slag to see if they drop Chemical Manipulators. Obviously, FDev thought that this heinous act of wonton savagery actually crosses the moral line, as to my surprise the destroyed Type 9s, didn't even drop anything when they perished in a blaze of fire... not even a single focus crystal.

Oh well, i think I'll just stick to murdering the defenseless Type 9s that pop up in POIs begging for food instead [big grin]

Those distribution centres are fantastic for an infinite supply of wakes to scan though. The sidewinders jump in and out faster than you can scan the wakes.
 
Well, I wanted to verify, mostly for myself, that my method of finding them in USS's is sound. So I launched from my home base and did my usual sweep of the area for USS's.

I didn't see any Combat Aftermath ones right away, but I did find an Encoded Emissions one, and it had Chemical Manipulators in it.

From my experience they don't show up in those types as often, but clearly it's worth dropping in to check.

I recorded the entire thing, it took me just under 15 minutes to get some Chemical Manipulators.

Maybe by watching my search pattern it will help you.

Random drops are always a pain, though, there's no getting around that.

[video=youtube_share;C9r_Kpl9vr4]https://youtu.be/C9r_Kpl9vr4[/video]
 
Back
Top Bottom