Returning commander needs help

[schlowi123]

I know this is probably the wrong place, but all those years ago when I was a tad more active, I never really ventured much outside Exploration. So for me this is the natural place to ask.

Some background:
I originally explored the galaxy on consoles and was really happy doing so. But when consoles were abandoned by FDev I stopped playing; it just wasn't the same, playing in quarantine. And i say that as one of the very few PS-Commanders that got the Platinum trophy for this game.
All of that was around the end of 2021.

I thought about switching to PC but I stopped PC gaming 20 years ago in favour of my beloved PlayStation. I also didn't really want to use windows and running E under Linux seems outside my level of competence. And well, my financial situation didn't really allow buying a gaming PC.
The Odyssey situation at that time was also not really uplifting and so I decided to "let it go"

All the years I sporadically looked in here (and over at reddit) and followed E from the sidelines … and all the years I missed venturing out in the black. This missing feeling became a lot stronger the last couple of months and by pure accident I checked the E subreddit mere hour before the new Trailblazer update.
Well, I'm not overly interested in colonization but that made me still all exited and I looked for more stuff … and discovered the Mandalay … which made me all giddy.

So … 4 years later important aspects of the points I mentioned above have changed. Even more important: my son will allow me to play on his gaming laptop (good that he's a lot more interested in playing the guitar these days). It's still under windows … but I might get the Linux situation solved when I'm convinced that it's worth buying my own laptop just for E.

That's my story so far.

I've figured out how to transfer my account and I guess I'll figure out how to use a PS5-controller with the PC. But I need some elp with the following.

• Which 3rd party tools should I install (?) to have the best EXPLORERS experience? And how does that work? Do i really just start the game + said tools? These never were of interest over at the PS4 so I really don't know. Yes, I've seen several "Essential E 3rd party tools" lists but that actually confuses me just more.
• Can I continue to use my (now) PC account with EDSM? It was originally linked to my PS-account.
• Do I need to install something to use EDSM?
• Is there anything else I should be aware of?

That's it for now. I don't know if I stick with PC gaming for E or if I will be as active as in my "prime", but I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[marx]

Hey, welcome back!
Let's see then... First, there are no essential tools. There are some highly helpful ones, but you can explore perfectly fine without them. Just make sure to upload your data, here are your options for that (copied from the GEC):

Spoiler

EDMC, Elite Dangerous Market Connector:

Releases · EDCD/EDMarketConnector

Downloads commodity market and other station data from the game Elite: Dangerous for use with all popular online and offline trading tools. - EDCD/EDMarketConnector

github.com

EDDiscovery:

Releases · EDDiscovery/EDDiscovery

Captains log and 3d star map for Elite Dangerous. Contribute to EDDiscovery/EDDiscovery development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

EDDiscovery-Lite, a lighter version of the above:

Release EDDLite 3.2.0 EDDN Update · EDDiscovery/EDDLite

Robby and the EDDiscovery team bring you EDDLite. This brings EDDLite core internals to EDD 18.1.6 standard: EDDN sending of FSS Body Signals Inara sending improved with mission completed and init...

github.com

EDDI, Elite Dangerous Data Interface:

Releases · EDCD/EDDI

Companion application for Elite Dangerous. Contribute to EDCD/EDDI development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

There are also sites where you can upload your journals manually, from your browser:

EDAstro manual browser-based upload:

Elite:Dangerous Astrometrics

edastro.com

EDSM manual browser-based upload (requires registering an account, doesn't record everything):

EDSM - Elite Dangerous Star Map

The Galactic Positioning System of Elite: Dangerous at your service.

www.edsm.net

Journal Limpet, can retrieve your journals from Frontier (up to the last 30 days) and store them longer:

Journal Limpet

Journal Limpet is a long term journal storage for Elite: Dangerous, and has connections to other third party applications in the Elite-community

journal-limpet.com

For exobiology, either EDMC + BioScan or Observatory + BioInsights will get you good estimates of what might be down on a body's surface. EDMC will take care of your data uploading, Observatory is for browsing your journal data to give configurable alerts about potentially interesting stuff.

I don't know about EDSM and consoles, sorry. The site hasn't been developed much since you left, and it's not fully up to speed on Odyssey yet.

Oh, something about that PS5 Controller of yours. Under Linux, it should be much easier to use than on Windows. (At least, that was my experience with PS3 and PS4 gamepads.) Since I've no idea about what hardware is in your notebook, can't say much otherwise. Don't forget however that Microsoft is EoL-ing Windows 10 in October, so if your notebook can't run 11, then you should either buy a new one, or just run Elite on Linux.

 

[ORANGEORANGE]

To add on to above, some major advances in technology have made its way to exploration outfitting.

As you may know, there are 4 new ships (5th on its way). Generally they are better at their respective job than their counterparts, and the new Mandalay is very good for exploration as it has the best jump range while being a maneuverable medium ship, good amount of optional internal space, runs very cool (doesn't heat up very easily), and being a new ship it is FSD SCO optimized meaning unlike the older ships it won't overheat while using SCO (more on that later). Also, it's just a very graceful looking ship, I like the look of it very much. It just got released for credits meaning you can buy it like any other ship for 15 million credits.

There is a new frame shift drive called FSD Supercruise Overcharge or FSD SCO. The FSD SCO can perform supercruise overcharge which lets you boost (using the same boost keybind as normal boosting) in supercruise and lets you rapidly accelerate while guzzling a good amount of fuel. Makes interplanetary travel much much faster. Search up a video on youtube to see how amazing it is, because it really can reduce minutes of travel into seconds in some cases. On top of this, there was a community event that brought the "double engineered" or pre-engineered FSD SCO to market, so basically the best FSDs now are the pre-engineered FSD SCO which you can get 1 copy of at human tech brokers by giving them materials.

Even if you don't care too much about jump range it helps a lot to have the SCO as it cuts down interplanetary travel immensely and having a better FSD lets you put more QoL modules without worrying about their weight too much.

If you have a fleet carrier not much has changed on that front, although the new colonization update is overloading the fleet carrier jump queue, and travel times with fleet carriers are around 1hour per jump so I would hold off on using that as a mobile base for now.

Feel free to reach out for more general advice, I believe I've covered the essential changes to the cutting edge of exploration post-exobiology.

 

[Dragsham]

One app that hasn't been mentioned which is extremely handy and diverse, is edcopilot.

Also if your not into that jaffa orange hud.
Try edhm

It's a hud modder alters the colours


Oh and let's not forget inara.cz

 

[schlowi123]

I knew this was the right place to ask .
I'll look into all of these (EDMC sounds familiar, albeit I never used it). It's a bit sad that EDSM is somewhat "out of date" (?) Because that one was the only thing I could use with PS4.

I'm looking very much forward the Mandalay and I've hear "rumors" about this SCO thing. Is the SCO version always the one with the best jump range?
I remember for the Anaconda that with a "trick" one could put in a smaller reactor than actually was needed (I don't remember, I think I had to switch sth. off or sth. like that) but it increased the jump range a bit since the "underpowered" reactor was lighter. I found it actually quite neat … like alchemist knowledge. Anyway, can sth. like this be done with the Mandaly, too?

The change of HUD colours is sth. I look forward, too. I had forgotten about it, but that was the only thing that I really wanted on the PS4 … and VR, that I wanted, too.

It'll be a bit before I'm in the cockpit again (due to other things in real life). IF the game hooks me again, it'll be even longer before I buy the mentioned gaming PC with Linux, until then I can't play much since I share that PC with my son.

So, now I just need to know where said offspring left the power cable while he's on vacation … but that's a task for tomorrow.

Good night everyone

 

[schlowi123]

Even if you don't care too much about jump range […]

I do care about jump range … A LOT. Only compromise I made was for the SCV (I've seen there're now three versions!) and a small shield against scratches in the pain for rough landings (I will never fly without one, after it saved me from exploding after my galactic circumnavigation (but before uploading all the data) when I became a bit too cocky for my own good)

 

[ORANGEORANGE]

I'll look into all of these (EDMC sounds familiar, albeit I never used it). It's a bit sad that EDSM is somewhat "out of date" (?) Because that one was the only thing I could use with PS4.

Maybe outdated isn't the right word, but it's been mostly unchanged in the last 5 years (but has kept up with updates such as log changes for data uploading and new ships). I use EDSM daily since it's the simplest way to look up a visited system and see what's there. I also use the EDSM api to upload my data. Basically when you use one of those 3rd party tools like ED Market Connector (EDMC) or EDiscovery (EDD) you will have to supply EDSM's API key and it will upload your data. You can also upload through Inara.cz's API by supplying inara's API key, and there shouldn't be any major differences. These are all different ways to upload to ED Data Network (EDDN), the overall shared data standard that most 3rd party apps for ED use and it's been like this for years.

I'm looking very much forward the Mandalay and I've hear "rumors" about this SCO thing. Is the SCO version always the one with the best jump range?

The SCO will always have better jump range than its normal counterpart, assuming same engineering. This is because SCO FSD inherently has +11.9% optimal mass compared to the normal counterpart (optimal mass is what dictates jump range for FSD). Summary:

Stock FSD = Baseline optimal mass
G5 Jump Range FSD = +55% G5 jump range + 6.8% mass manager = +61.8% optimal mass
Pre-engineered FSD V1 = +55% G5 jump range + 15% G5 Faster boot + 6.8% mass manager = +76.8% optimal mass
Stock FSD SCO = +11.5% optimal mass inherently (varies from class to class within 0.5% due to rounding)
G5 Jump Range FSD SCO= 1.115x +55% G5 jump range + 6.8% mass manager = +68.9% optimal mass
Pre-engineered FSD SCO = 1.115x +55% G5 jump range + 15% G5 Faster boot + 6.8% mass manager = +85.6% optimal mass

So pre-engineered FSD SCO is the best FSD for range.

I remember for the Anaconda that with a "trick" one could put in a smaller reactor than actually was needed (I don't remember, I think I had to switch sth. off or sth. like that) but it increased the jump range a bit since the "underpowered" reactor was lighter. I found it actually quite neat … like alchemist knowledge. Anyway, can sth. like this be done with the Mandaly, too?

I know exactly what you're talking about because I used that for the past few years, until just a week ago with the release of the Mandalay. The Class 4D thruster trick still works but it's probably not necessary anymore since the Mandalay barely edges out the anaconda in terms of maximum possible jump range when you add their respective FSD SCOs. Anaconda gets just shy of 99 ly, while Mandalay gets 99.38 ly. Mandalay also can jump further on the same fuel tank since it uses less fuel per jump to achieve that range. Mandalay is optimized for SCO and generally just runs very cool and is way more manuverable than the anaconda. The anaconda still gets way more storage space but to be honest, that's just going to be used for AFMUs and you can put those in the Mandalay.

Jumpaconda for SCO build
Jumpalay SCO build

 

[schlowi123]

What a fantastic answer. Answering all the question that came into my mind while I slept .

I saw that i need some rare component for the double engineered SCO FSD which requires to rummage around in Thargoid area. The problem is not that I have to be patient before it appears. The problem is that I have NO Thargoid experience.
1.: I am NOT a fighter, at all! Are there any tips how to outfit my ship so that I'm "invisible" to them (like "cool running")? Can I "run and jump" if I get discovered? How should I pimp my ship to survive a possible encounter?
2.: How should I pimp my ship to withstand the acid damage?

And the Mandalay came out just last week (for ingame money)? I have impeccable timing it seems.

Right, now I just need to find this power cable. … Well, after work that is.

 

[marx]

Maybe outdated isn't the right word, but it's been mostly unchanged in the last 5 years (but has kept up with updates such as log changes for data uploading and new ships).

Well, I didn't say outdated, but it also hasn't entirely kept up with data uploading (and new ship images are missing too, but that hardly matters). Several exobio events are missing from sending on the EDSM uploads, fleet carrier stuff too, miscellaneous exploration events, there are issues if you set to delaying sending until you're docked. Basically, it's best to set whichever tool you're using to upload to EDDN (and elsewhere too) too, it only takes seconds to do so anyway.


As for the SCO talk: it's also great for taking off from planets, it saves you significant time there too. Also, while the pre-engineered version is the best, it's only better for actual jump range by a small margin (about 10% at best, on a Mandalay it'll be around 5%) and it takes a lot more time and effort than just engineering an SCO FSD yourself does. If the RNG smiles on you, it might take less though. At the end of the day though, you might spend hours on squeezing out a tiny bit more extra jump range, which doesn't even matter much at the 80+ ly jump ranges we're talking about.
You did say though that you care about jump range, so I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. I'm just saying that the time required is something to consider too.

About TDC diving: you'll want caustic heat sinks against the caustic damage, and to get a ship that has excellent heat characteristics - the Mandalay should do well there. Get an A-rated power plant so that your heat efficiency is the best (you could engineer it even lower too), and get your base power consumption as low as possible. (Since that translates to heat.) Otherwise, try to have your ship as quick as you can, and for surviving Thargoid attacks, you'll want hull armour first and foremost.

 

[schlowi123]

"Well, I didn't say outdated […]"

I'm sorry, that was my unfortunate wording … which probably has mostly to do with the fact that I was "emotionally attached" to EDSM.

"If the RNG smiles on you […]"

I might misunderstand again, but wasn't the end result all the same, just that one might need more resources to get there? But maybe you mean that with RNG?

"You did say though that you care about jump range […]"

Yes, and that is totally just a vanity project. I've learned that those last 0.1 ly in jump range don't matter since I stayed even for long jumps, approx. 5 % beyond what my Anaconda is capable of. Which on the other hand is the reason that I put a shield and a SRV hangar in … still the feeling of "I could if I would want to" is quite satisfying

"About TDC diving […]" … uff … all tips are in an area that I never bothered to look into. But that's alright, I'll just do that. Not looking forward the material grind, though.

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[marx]

I might misunderstand again, but wasn't the end result all the same, just that one might need more resources to get there? But maybe you mean that with RNG?

I meant the RNG around finding the Titan Drive Components. When it comes to Engineering, if you spend the materials required, you are guaranteed the same result - both in regular Engineering and in purchasing the pre-engineered equipment.

Oh, and since you mentioned the material grind: that has become much shorter since you left. High Grade Emissions pump out crazy amounts of materials now, Jameson's gives extra data, and so on - and even if you don't get what you need, you can easily trade for what you do need. It's only the TDC that's the bottleneck, really. (Technically you could purchase some from other players, but well, good luck finding a seller.)

 

[DjVortex]

I guess I'll figure out how to use a PS5-controller with the PC.

I believe the PS5 controller is probably usable in Windows and, thus, in the game, but I would nevertheless recommend purchasing an Xbox One / X / Series X controller instead. This is because Windows (unsurprisingly) supports it natively without having to install anything, and likewise ED supports it really well. All the default controls you are accustomed to from the PlayStation are the same. Plus, the Xbox One (or newer) controller is really high-quality and really comfortable to use (not a paid ad, just my experience and opinion).

(If you get the Xbox One (or newer) controller, I also recommend getting the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, which allows using the controller wirelessly and more reliably than with BlueTooth, especially if your PC does not have BlueTooth support at all. This is what I use, so I can recommend it.)

 

[schlowi123]

One more day and the (Gaming) Laptop owner will be back … alas, it'll be very late and I expect that I have to wait another day before I can even try to get back into the cockpit. I also wonder how long the transfer from PS to PC takes.

While I'm on that.
How is game progress saved? Solely on the servers or also on the harddisk?
If the latter, can this be transfered to another PC and I can just continue playing there?
And can this be done from a windows system to a Linux system? (I don't really expect to get an answer to this one, but it didn't cost me anything to ask.)

 

[DjVortex]

If the latter, can this be transfered to another PC and I can just continue playing there?

The console migration service transfers your commander data, which includes your credits, ships, modules, ranks, unlocked engineers and other commander-specific data, but excluding ARX. System discoveries (ie. your commander name appearing as "first discoverer" on stars and planets) that you may have made after the legacy/live split are not transferred.

 

[Darrack]

Which 3rd party tools should I install

Dont install any, you dont need them, if your exploring why get a program to find stuff? Exploring is about looking for yourself.
Everything you need is in game (where do you think these sites get it from?), folks either don't know how to find stuff or cant be bothered to look.

Exploring/trading learn from the information in game and you will have a far better and more rewarding experience.

Have fun out there

O7

 

[schlowi123]

Ah well … I understand your sentiment but I'm not a purist. I started after the triangulation era, but a good while before the "honk" was introduced. And the QoL improvement due to the latter are just to great to dismiss. I guess I want to say that I'm all for QoL improvements.
Also: I've used the EDSM data to build a navigation tool that helped more than one commander out of a pickle and thus I want to contribute to this

Otherwise I partly agree, since I'm not a trader I'm fine with looking up commodities on Inara (?); don't need a tool for that.
But the colour changer mod … that one I'm looking forward to .

 

[Valije]

If you migrate your account to Steam it will work in both Windows and Linux. I used to play in windows back in the day and after the data collecting shenanigans from MS I am now 100% Linux now. I didn't have to do anything to make it work.

The "hardest" part is install Steam itself. Then log into your Steam account, activate Steam Play in the Compatibility section of Steam settings and install the game. It is as simple as that.

As for external tools, my recommendation is EDMC. It works in linux in the same way that works in windows. Read and follow the instructions in the "Running from source" page or their github account. With EDMC you can send data to EDSM, EDDN and Inara and you should be able to continue with your old account.

Another useful tool is the Odyssey materials helper. It is made in Java and works in Linux with no problems.

Unfortunately most of the other tools are made with C# and, right now, it is a bit of a mess to deal with outside windows.

 

[schlowi123]

AHA! The transfer worked. Now the additional tools.
Also: The PS5 controller was recognized without ANY problems under windows.

 

[schlowi123]

OIOIOI! After getting the key bindings right am I back in the cockpit! It feels great! Albeit, I probably won't be flying as much as I used to.

I love being able to see my ship(s) "through my own eyes". Yes, we had the free camera before, but it's different.
Otherwise (after the introduction mission) do I not care too much about the on foot stuff so far. We'll see how exobiology works.

Now I need to get this Thargoid thingymajingy for the superduper FSD and afterwards I have to re-learn how to get all the materials for engineering. Gosh … I've forgotten so much.
And then it's time to get the Mandalay.

Thank you so much for all the answers. I guess more questions will pop up soon.

 

[DjVortex]

Otherwise (after the introduction mission) do I not care too much about the on foot stuff so far. We'll see how exobiology works.

There are quite a lot of on-foot missions of different kinds, but even if you aren't interested in any of them (which I don't blame you), just being able to disembark at a station or on a planet is cool in itself. Just being able to land on thin-atmosphered planets is really cool (the visuals are even better than on no-atmosphere planets), and being able to disembark adds that extra coolness to it...

On top of that, exobiology is insanely profitable. It's the easiest and fastest way to become a multi-billionaire.