Returning from long distance exploration - Advice requested

maddog_uk_69

maddog_uk_69
Greetings Commanders,

The LCU Beats Working is about 5000l/yr out from inhabited space on the return leg of a journey that has taken me to the "roof" of the galaxy, down through the core and the obligatory Sag A* selfie, to the "base" of the galaxy and back, taking in various nebulas and the black hole/neutron fields on the way.

Since my loadout forgoes weapons in favour of things like scanners and repair modules (although I do have shields), I will be somewhat vulnerable once I start encountering other ships, and I'm guessing I need to pick my return landing spot carefully!

My question is this: what advice do my fellow explorers have for "coming in from the black" so to speak? Are there any preferred types of systems to approach (not anarchy/feudal, naturally!) or any other suggested procedure for making sure one gets back safely with my ship (and exploration data!) in one piece? Or is it all fairly trouble-free and am I worrying unnecessarily?

Any and all advice and experiences gratefully received!
 
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Traveller_GG

Traveller_GG
Stuff worrying about interdictions (go solo to minimise grief)

Practice Docking off-line before trying for real. Make sure you are happy handling a ship in a letter-box, or do what I did and find an outpost, and go veeeerrrrryyyyy slowly.
 

Mysturji

Mysturji
To minimise player/NPC interactions until you sell your data, find the closest inhabited system with a short SC flight to the nearest station, then make your jump to that system as long as possible.
 

maddog_uk_69

maddog_uk_69
This will sound daft, but it's a mark of how long I've been out here since I genuinely can't remember, but do all outposts allow selling of exploration data?
 

marx

marx
Looking for a system with an outpost or station as close to your jump point as possible is also a good idea. You can check distances on the system map.

Also, I don't think there are any criminal factions near Jaques' station (I haven't been there recently, but there weren't a couple of weeks back), and it's far enough from other inhabited systems too.
 
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PGleesonuk

P
I recently returned to Lakshu.

Has a station 7ls from the entry point.
It's independent and not anarchy.

I never saw any NPC on the way in. Just a couple in the Lakshu system.

This was coming back from the core, so may not suit your direction.
 

Thrawn29

Thrawn29
Last time i came back i prepared my return using Elite Trading Website
and of course the GalMap.

I was willing to rank in Empire, hence i searched the closest Empire system from my entry point in the bubble,
and then searched for one with a station close to the sun.
UNfortunately this tools is for trader and does not show if there's cartographic service.

It helped me a lot anyway.

Another thing i did is... avoid as much as possible to SuperCruise.
It means i also avoid scopping while in inhabited space... being interdicted while scooping is a nightmare.
 

Ben Ryder

Ben Ryder
If you are returning in open, the come via Takurua, an Antal exploration and research control system. Fines and bounties are increased by 100% and an escort of Enforcers could be arranged to deliver you safely through our systems to the centre of civiliastion. We also have non aggression pacts with Sirius and many of Delaine's Kumo Crew. Safe flying commander.
 
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Whiterose

Whiterose
Land in a station on the extremes of the bubble. The only thing you need to worry about is NPC interdiction, in which case submit straight away and hyperspace asap. If you have another ship stored head for that as well. I have sold a lot of data in open, and never had any problems.
 

Goblin King

Goblin King
Most of the stuff I would recommend is already on here but the only other thing I would suggest is, if possible, arrange to wing up with a friend in a private group so you have an armed escort to help shield you from any unpleasant NPC types and no other players can bother you. If I'm logged in at the time you return then PM me and I'll happily run escort for you. CMDR Todgergoblin
 

Alex Traut

A
Unless there is a specific system where you want to go sell your data, pick an outpost on the very edge of the bubble where the outpost is very close to the arrival point.

To find an ideal location for the direction from which you're approaching, go to the Map View and color by allegiance. Uncheck "None" and (optionally) increase the population slider to just above zero. Now pan around the edge of inhabited space until you find the borders where no colored dots appear. Ideally you want to do this as soon as you get within a kylie of the bubble, when you plot your final route.

Oh, and unless you have something to prove or some kind of silly principle about always playing in Open regardless of the risk, switch to Solo before you get within 500LY of your destination system. There is absolutely no good reason to gratuitously risk losing all that time and effort to a random griefer.
 
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Mysturji

Mysturji
I don't like doing it (or admitting it) but I generally switch to solo or private group the first time I see another ship on my return journey.
 

Ozric

Volunteer Moderator
Ozric
Mysturji said:
I don't like doing it (or admitting it) but I generally switch to solo or private group the first time I see another ship on my return journey.
Click to expand...

*Gasps* shocking :p only joking.

I actually think that if you move to Solo then you're increasing the risk of interdictions as the NPCs are slightly more trigger happy there to compensate for the lack of human players (who I find generally leave you alone). I've returned from 3 long haul expedition trips now and the last 2 times I have flown straight to the specific system I wanted to go to and sold the data there without any worries.

I can understand you'd be nervous, although I didn't think the Dog got nervous ;) In my opinion, the biggest decision to make is who do you want to sell the data to? Depending on how much you stopped to pee on things on the way to Sag A* you could probably get to Allied with a couple of different minor factions and help their influence a reasonable amount within a system.

If you're not bothered, then just the first inhabited system you come across ;)

*Edit* - Just to say, I know it's different for everyone, but I've been playing in Open while in colonised space since launch and I've only had 1 interdiction attempt by a human player.
 
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Winterwalker

Winterwalker
Alex Traut said:
There is absolutely no good reason to gratuitously risk losing all that time and effort to a random griefer.
Click to expand...

Well, there is .. it's EXCITING.

A lot of advices on this thread means of course there's no real "right" way to go. Me. I play in open at all times (and yes, that's despite being '84 veteran) I just try to stay frosty at all times! If you're not carrying any physical cargo I don't think you're much interest to pirates, but with what happened to that Cmdr who arranged a welcome party to "escort him" in, and who was therefore nailed, by one of them .. I'd suggest, slide back in with no fanfare or special fears. Staying in Open means then you can say you did! Get a wingman only if you know you can trust them, make your first landing at an outpost (no toasting yourself in a toast rack) and by the time you've reached the local faction of your choice, halfway across known space with your secret databank stashed onboard, your adrenalin should be high as a kite .. and THAT ladies, gentlemen, and commanders (for me) is what it's ALL about.

GOOD LUCK!
 

Alex Traut

A
Winterwalker said:
Well, there is .. it's EXCITING.
Click to expand...
So is being shot at with a real gun, but that doesn't mean those are dice I care to roll for the sake of getting a thrill or being able to say I did it. That, to me, falls into the category of acting like you have something to prove.

No matter how good you are or how alert you try to be, there are still plenty of cheaters and griefers out there, as well as exploits capable of one-shotting you or conferring invulnerability--and you're betting everything on being lucky enough not to run into one. If you personally enjoy playing those odds, that's obviously your call to make. But the OP asked for advice on getting back safely, and the correct advice for someone with that as their priority is: don't come back in Open.
 

maddog_uk_69

maddog_uk_69
Thanks for everyone's advice, it's much appreciated! Like Winterwalker, my instinct says to go with the butt-clencher and fly back in Open mode. That said, I would probably cry if I made it through untold close scrapes with black holes, neutron stars, binary star fuel scoops etc. only to get fried by a random NPC or griefer... so Alex Traut's cautious approach has some resonance.

Not home yet, so have a bit of time to decide on my strategy, but this has given me a lot of good pointers.

Fly safe, Commanders and have some Rep! :)
 
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