Not everyone would agree but I've always maintained that your first few thousands of CR's are best made doing combat.
Now this might seem like a wall of text, in fact it's not that difficult to do, I'm just explaining stuff as best I can. So, the easiest way to do this legitimately is:
- While docked at Azeban City open the bulletin board and look for the mission to take down Eranin or Federation ships that pays 500CR on completion. You will also get 350CR per kill.
- It's important to take note of which faction they want you to destroy
(it will be Eranin or Federation) and accept the mission.
- Undock and head towards the planet called Eranin 2
(you can select this on the left panel, default key 1). Remember to put your landing gear up
(default key INSERT or INS).
- Put all pips in engines
(default key UP ARROW) and boost a few times
(default key TAB) to get away from the station.
- When the blue mass lock light on the right hand side goes out, engage the frame shift drive
(default key J). Remember to keep your throttle in the blue area while in this "supercruise" mode - the chances of overrunning the destination that way are dramatically reduced.
- When you get within 20Ls to this planet, you should see other circles appear in your view near the planet; slow down a little and point your ship at them until you find the one called "Federal Distress Signal". Then head for that.
- If the throttle is still in the blue area your ship will start to slow down on approach to the combat zone. Once within 1,000 km the blue message to disengage supercruise should appear
(default key J). If not, slow down until it does. If you overshoot, travel away from the destination for several seconds, then loop back and try again.
- After disengaging supercruise you should drop into the zone about 5km from the navigation marker - don't instantly boost towards it, just sit still for several seconds. I say this because it takes a little time for all the ships to pop into the instance. You don't want to be inside that big ship when this happens!
- Now remember or check from the left Missions panel who your target faction is, then go to the right hand panel and select the opposite faction. For example if it says kill Federation, go to the right panel and choose to be on the Eranin side. Don't worry if you choose the wrong side, just supercruise out and back into the area, then you'll be able to choose sides again.
- You'll probably see several red icons on your scanner now, and hopefully just as many green
Shoot at the reds! You should also receive 350CR per kill (although it doesn't go straight into your bank account).
- With the starter lasers I personally have full pips in weapons
(default key Right Arrow). Of course it's up to each person what energy they have where.
- Selecting the highest threat
(default key H) will save time looking around. Also try to stay near some green guys - they're your allies and may well save your backside.
-
This mission has the caveat that you must not die - so at this point if you get attacked, don't be a hero; just put full pips in engines
(key Up Arrow), retract your weapons
(key U) and run away! Normally you can outrun the NPCs while your sheilds recharge. Or if you're really being hammered just supercruise out of there, and if damaged, back to Azeban City to repair. I would save retaliation for later on when you have more money, skill and confidence.
- Once you reach 5 kills the message "Objective Complete" will appear at the top, notifying you that the mission is complete. However as with each kill, the mission reward does not instantly go into your bank account.
- At this point it's worth heading back to Azeban City to collect your rewards. Retract your weapons
(default key U), point towards Azeban City and engage supercruise.
- Once docked, open up the Bulletin Board and select the completed mission on the bottom left, and hand it in for your reward. Then go back and choose Contacts from the station menu, then Local Security Office. From there you'll be able to cash in your kill vouchers.
That's your first 2,250CR
The same mission may be available again, or even other missions, or you could start trading with the 3,000CR+ you should have by now. Agri-Medicines from Aulin to Eranin nets you around 1,700CR in a Sidewinder, although there's probably better routes. I haven't done much trading in Beta yet. Generally buy where there's high supply and sell to where there's high demand.
Hopefully this helps people, if not I'm sure someone else will do a tutorial video if they haven't already.
Above all, stick with things and don't get disheartened if you explode all the time. That's what the free Sidewinder is for
