Nothing I can do as new player...advice please

[Altissimus]

Hi,

So, I'm getting a bit frustrated with the beta.

I'm still in a sidewinder and a pulse laser, unlike (it seems) everyone else I meet.

- Trading (with 4 tons of cargo capacity) is laborious and boring. I've done some, I made about 5k, it took ages, I don't want to do any more.

- Combat is fun...until another player turns up. I die, a LOT, to other eagles/cobras with WAY better guns than me that kill me in seconds. There's nothing I can do. No evasion works. Fighting doesn't work. Running doesn't work.

- I only have about 11k. If I spend any (additional weapons, etc) then I fear I'm throwing it away, because I will only die. It will cost me money to buy a sidewinder with my "same loadout" instead of the freebie, and I die (to other players) so often at the moment that I will spend insurance money far faster than I'm making it by killing AI ships.

- Federal distress location / low intensity locations all seem to be camped by players with cobras/eagles and better guns. This means that I can't even get one kill on an AI sidewinder before I get attacked.

- I've been at 11k credits for the last 6 hours game play, which equates to 3 days for me.

- I fly out from station. Supercruise for a while. Arrive. Fly to distress signal. No enemy ships. Wait a bit. One warps in. Engage. Player turns up, kills me. I fly out from station....

- I'm not enjoying this.

How do I break this cycle? I reckon I need at least ~35k (hull upgrades, weapons x 2, enough cash to pay insurance) so that I *may* then be able to kill bad guys (or possibly other players in cobras/eagles, but probably still doubtful) faster than I pay out in death costs. It's taken me ages to save 11k. It seems my only option is trading...which, to make another 24k+ is hours and hours and hours and hours of boring play.

There's not enough instances of play, so save&quit to menu and back in puts me back into the same instances with the same players at the time of day I play.

I'm out of ideas.

Thoughts?

 

[crowbar2]

Try the ressource extraction site in Dahan (?). It's by the loacal starport (.39ls) and you can get some money without flagging yourself for a faction. The returns are smaller and you have to be aware not to take on more than you can handle (most of the Cobras, Anacondas) so stick to the sidewinders, they usually get you 100 to 500 Credits each.

 

[Mephane]

I recommend that, if the Distress Call is already bustling with players, to check out any of the more remote conflict zones in Eranin; there are also 2 in the Dahan system. Usually at least one of them is devoid of any players, or just has a single player (so you can join their side and be allied with them).

 

[Barns]

I'm in the same position. Few hours to play so very slow progress trading, only up to 5k ish at the moment. Those credits are SO valuable to me in terms of real-elapsed-time investment I'll be extremely loathe to risk them in any form of combat.

The risk/reward ratio is totally skewed at present. Yes it's beta, but FD need to be aware that "casual" players with few hours to spend in the game will find it utterly frustrating if things aren't tweaked one way or another (faster rewards, or lower risk, or combination). Currently I just won't go near "All" group until I'm reasonably kitted out as PvP will just be lethal due to all the much faster progressing players with more time to spend in the game.

 

[DraigUK]

Do what your doing until you get to about 16k.
If you die, don't worry just take the free ship and keep building up the creds.

Buy 2 gimballed lasers for the Sidewinder.

Goto LP98-132 and to the asteroids.

Scan and kill NPC ships with a wanted status. Each kill will get you anywhere from 50 creds to 1500 creds. You can fairly easily make 10k or more in 30mins or less.

As soon as you see another player ship, run, until your more confident at fighting.

All power to engines, get out of there and hit your C key to engage warp as soon as possible. Don't wait, don't think about it, just go.

As soon as you enter warp, (well wait maybe 1 second) hit C again to drop back into the asteroid field, but usually a different instance.

This will also save your game. I'd recommend doing this semi regularly even if you don't see another player to save losing chunks of cash such as 15-20k due to a crash to desktop etc. As you can probably guess this has happened to me too many times to count.

Check for other players, if none, kill pirates, if you see one, get out of there etc.

This will get you into an Eagle at least in next to no time at all.

Hope that helps.

 

[Simon853]

Earn 4k and then get a second laser, saving 2k-ish for insurance. Then head to the extraction site in the anarchic system. Scan ships and attack NPCs with a wanted status only. Save and exit every kill (until you get good) and re-enter, repeat. Easy money as it's dead easy to outfly NPCs in the asteroid field providing you're proficient in keeping the optimal turn speed and managing your energy distribution.

Si

 

[NeoRacer]

Sounds like there's a lot of D***s in space...

 

[Blinde]

If I'm not in the mood for PVP, I fly to federal distress beacon and don't pick a side. I wander around following any players (once you get close enough, they're visible on the scanner as hollow markers, rather than solid) I see until I can tell who they're shooting at, and then I join the side opposite who they're shooting at.

Most people (as far as I can tell) aren't shooting people who are neutral or green, just ones who are red. If you join the same side as them, they're much less likely to shoot you. You should expect people who are red to you to shoot at you.

Also, keep an eye on your scanner. If a player shows up red in your scanner, then extend and go to frameshift (run away, run away). If you want, you can immediately drop out of frameshift, be back at the federal distress beacon, and be able to choose sides again.

I waited till I had about 6k in funds before buying the second pulse laser, because that way it didn't cost me anything to lose, and it's good training trying to kill NPCs with only one. once I had a reasonable buffer, I could expect to kill enough NPCs with two lasers between getting blown up to afford the insurance.

Hope that helps.

 

[ZeeWolf]

If you aren't enjoying it, take a break, while it shows a whole of potential it isn't a universally fun experience yet as it's missing most of what Elite will have. There will be more content coming soon. Feedback to the devs, read the newsletters and enjoy the speculation. Don't force yourself to enjoy it if you aren't

 

[Maxim Jameson]

First question:

You want help? testing or playing?

Playing will come at a time when all stats are wiped just before play begins, so why worry about playing during this testing phase?

Just test those things others may have missed at your current level.

Or play the single player missions again and again until you control the fight and you ace them in your sleep.

Not being harsh here, but I'm replying to the tone of your post which suggests you want a level playing experience where no dev time has been spent on making such an environment - yet.

Key word = yet.

 

[Wulfsok]

I haven't made a single bounty and have been playing for around a week. They keep disappearing (I presume they're jumping?). So I can not take anything down with 1x C2PL. 2x C2PL changes everything, but it's also stressing because the several times I've fitted an extra C2PL I get jumped by AI Cobras or Player Eagles.

Just bad luck/skill so far with the latter, and I'll work on it. But it'd be nice to get started in bounty hunting with a single pulse laser... Even if I have to work harder to prevent them from jumping, it's nice to have the option.

 

[Asp Explorer]

Might be worth creating a fire group containing just one pulse, and another that contains all three if you get in trouble.

 

[mojonaut]

Frustration ain't the word, I don't even know how you guys can stay in-game long enough to do anything.

My longest session without a crash to desktop or freeze while exiting Supercruise or crash while using HUD menu's or getting wasted by other players/AI etc. etc. is all of 30 minutes.

Hell it has even locked up when selecting a new Sidewinder in the Crash menu.

I've just travelled to 'Beagle 2 Landing' to see what that was all about and sit here whilst typing this on another PC watching the cockpit shuddering away after exiting Supercruise its not going to return me to the game. The only solution is Alt-Tab to Windows which will result in a crash to desktop report Window.

Yes I've submitted reports for ones that aren't listed as known.

Add to that it keeps forgetting some (not all) of my key bindings.


I'm sure it will be good, love the look and the sounds are awesome would just like some fluid gameplay for once.

 

[Wulfsok]

Frustration ain't the word, I don't even know how you guys can stay in-game long enough to do anything.

My longest session without a crash to desktop or freeze while exiting Supercruise or crash while using HUD menu's or getting wasted by other players/AI etc. etc. is all of 30 minutes.

Hell it has even locked up when selecting a new Sidewinder in the Crash menu.

I've just travelled to 'Beagle 2 Landing' to see what that was all about and sit here whilst typing this on another PC watching the cockpit shuddering away after exiting Supercruise its not going to return me to the game. The only solution is Alt-Tab to Windows which will result in a crash to desktop report Window.

Yes I've submitted reports for ones that aren't listed as known.

Add to that it keeps forgetting some (not all) of my key bindings.


I'm sure it will be good, love the look and the sounds are awesome would just like some fluid gameplay for once.

Peak hours today didn't go so well. I usually wait until off-peak and get a few hours.

I have to be honest CTDs don't really bug me, and I've never lost money or cargo due to it (knock on wood). Most of the time the game runs a bit more stable after a bad run, and after flushing the network address (which everyone should do regularly).

There are many more people playing now than I assume during the Alpha, obviously: The original backers who took a break probably came back for the beta, and of course all of us folk who cashed in at 150. I appreciate that because it makes even off-peak hours Dangerous.

Might be worth creating a fire group containing just one pulse, and another that contains all three if you get in trouble.

This is a good point. Less weapon energy consumption means more potential power to engines/systems.

Even getting good with changing fire groups and energy dist. on the fly can make for a much more optimal dogfighting routine. I love the variety so far in the options.. It's not easy taking down a Cobra but it is sure possible with a single pulse.

OH and to amend my previous post.. I've been getting kills in Federation Distress Sites but I didn't know to change my Faction in the HUD!! All I was doing was shooting at the side which seemed less beefy. I've lost a fair bit of profit here!

 

[KickahasTier]

If you aren't enjoying it, take a break, while it shows a whole of potential it isn't a universally fun experience yet as it's missing most of what Elite will have. There will be more content coming soon. Feedback to the devs, read the newsletters and enjoy the speculation. Don't force yourself to enjoy it if you aren't

This is my solution too.

 

[Tylermon]

First. You have 11k. Buy a second gun.
Trust me. You will kill faster and die less.
If by chance you die. A second ship is only like 1200 credits. Thats less than a laser alone.


Make sure you join factions!
This is not a permanant decision!
Every time you supercruise in-you get to choose again!

--TIP--
Join a faction with other players.
Fighting against players can be hard.

As for trading, I dont have a ton advice outside of buy low sell high.
To me, faction warfare gets me about 500credits a kill. Which earns more than trading time-wise.

If your aim is bad--or simply OK. Try gimbaled weapons. They dont do as much damage. But ,make up for it in accuracy.

--pro tips--
Target subsystems.
Avoid killing faction anacondas
and try doing more than just flying backwards in combat. Get close and personal, use those vertical and lateral thrusters.

Try spaceship tag. A game we at The Elite Armada made up. You have to bump into eachothers ships to have one player be "IT" It really works on learning to be versatile and do quick maneuvering.

If all else fails. Join a community. Play and chat with people that can help you and talk to you!
The community in my sig has 24/7 mumble. When people are on they love giving tips.
You can also check out and take part of the community livestreams. Our Streamers are here not only to entertain but to also educate!

 

[Katkon]

My advice: upgrade to 1 gimbaled pulse laser ASAP, and keep the loaner until you feel comfortable that you have a reasonable buffer left. It is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier to kill (and do so quickly) with a gimbaled pulse laser than the stock fixed unit that comes with the Sidewinder.

I lost my Eagle due to a name reset yesterday and started out today with the stock Sidewinder. It was humbling - had forgotten how hard it was with 1 fixed laser. Takes forever and a day to get the enemy's shield/hull down, and more often than not another player with superior equipment would swoop in and steal the kill. That happens a LOT LESS frequently once you start to use gimbaled weapons.

 

[Dr Wookie]

If you're very new, then it's definitely worth going through the single player scenarios to learn how to control the ship better, and to fight in general. Otherwise, you could do what I do and take a brake from it when frustrated... We're not going to be able to keep progress, so there's no rush

 

[commiekaze]

Well, I'll say this much. With more of these topics popping up recommending the meteor rings, its almost impossible to play there as people just sit and wait for you to engage a bounty and just kill you with eagles. It has gotten much worse since yesterday. Add to that the ships disappearing with 1 or 0 % health and crashes extremely frequently and it is indeed a frustrating experience. I think the Distress signal at this point may be better of us newcomers. Theres a bunch of people with better ships now and they are out to kill us all sadly.

 

[CR33P]

Do what your doing until you get to about 16k.
If you die, don't worry just take the free ship and keep building up the creds.

Buy 2 gimballed lasers for the Sidewinder.

Goto LP98-132 and to the asteroids.

Scan and kill NPC ships with a wanted status. Each kill will get you anywhere from 50 creds to 1500 creds. You can fairly easily make 10k or more in 30mins or less.

As soon as you see another player ship, run, until your more confident at fighting.

All power to engines, get out of there and hit your C key to engage warp as soon as possible. Don't wait, don't think about it, just go.

As soon as you enter warp, (well wait maybe 1 second) hit C again to drop back into the asteroid field, but usually a different instance.

This will also save your game. I'd recommend doing this semi regularly even if you don't see another player to save losing chunks of cash such as 15-20k due to a crash to desktop etc. As you can probably guess this has happened to me too many times to count.

Check for other players, if none, kill pirates, if you see one, get out of there etc.

This will get you into an Eagle at least in next to no time at all.

Hope that helps.

Fantastic advice thanks! I'm currently sharing the OP's pain, I'm a good pilot but not really focusing on combat right now, this seems like a good way to progress in cash and skills in a fairly safe way. Appreciated!

CR33P