Returning to Elite and VR question

[Paulusw]

Hi everyone - I have been out of Elite for a few months but have 100's of hours playing Elite in VR using my Oculus Rift. I basically had other things to do and have loads of credits and I had all the ships I wanted and I engineered my ship pretty much as far as I wanted, without grinding every single engineer, so I lost some interest.

I have two questions and would appreciate anyone who has thoughts on this.

I have a hankering to come back to Elite, I miss it. I have missed out on the whole Thargoid thing (I was hyperdicted once before I stopped playing). What do you suggest I do to get my juices flowing again in the game? I have done just about everything Elite has to offer. I have traded, done passenger missions, mined in asteroids and surface and spent lots of time bounty hunting. I am not great at any one thing but am not bad at all of them so any suggestions would be welcome.

After the break I am confused with a lot that is going on, I don't know anything about the new alien engineered equipment for ships or even if I am ready or able to help with the Thargoid threat. I need some guidance, I have searched YouTube but I don't know which are still relevant or current (for example some things I have seen have subsequently been nerfed by Frontier).

I know this is a long and boring post, I don't expect many of you to reply, but know that anyone who does I will be grateful to them.

One last thing for fellow Oculus users - has anyone come up with a good way of using Dash just so I can type responses to other commanders when they send a message of Hi or o7. I normally wear glasses and I have lense inserts so I can wear my Oculus without glasses so I cannot just look through the nose gap and type.

 

[mossfoot]

Well, Q4 is coming, so exploration be fresh once Chapter 4 goes live! Prep yourself for an expedition!

 

[Paulusw]

Strangely enough exploration, for the sake of exploration, is not something I have ever done. Sure, when I enter a new system on my way to or from somewhere I use my long range scan and even possibly scan the main star as I fuel scoop and I sell the info as an extra perk when I have a few pages. So I have a reasonable exploration rank (I cannot remember at the moment what any of my ranks are).

If you are an explorer, can you tell me what the fun is, what makes you go out hundreds of light years to just scan?

 

[mossfoot]

In my case it was just to see what was out there. The thrill of the unknown. But there is going to be more to see and find out there than before in the new update, and it will be easier and more interesting to find with the new mechanics.

 

[Xopotl]

I've recently returned to Elite and have been playing exclusively in VR.
I'm currently flying the Autumn Odyssey completely in VR, some 12.5K Ly so far.
I got VoiceAttack and haven't regretted that for a minute. Along with the EDDI-plugin it livens up the Elite experience sooo much, syncing your progress with EDSM, it's awesome. I'm not using any of the available voice packs but have made my own custom controlscheme with Windows TTS (it's really good enough for me). Took me some time and adjustments, but I'm very happy with it now. I don't just control the ship but I can play music, change radiostations, etc... all with voice control (with VLC-mediaplayer in the background).
As for Oculus Dash, I sometimes use it to superimpose a border-less Netflix screen (http://www.lorteau.fr/miniflix/) where I watch shows while I'm out exploring. Keeps the space madness off... Just pull out the screen and pin it on top. It's pretty cool.

 

[Alec Turner]

I'd recommend going to one of the burning Thargoid attacked stations in VR (these can be seen on the galaxy map if you have the right map display option ticked) and rescuing people. That's a terrific scenario to play through in VR. Also, go and check out the new Guardian planetary sites and beacons in VR - they're super cool too.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I'd recommend going to one of the burning Thargoid attacked stations in VR (these can be seen on the galaxy map if you have the right map display option ticked) and rescuing people. That's a terrific scenario to play through in VR. Also, go and check out the new Guardian planetary sites and beacons in VR - they're super cool too.

Those are nice, but driving around the sites made me sick with all the bumps and objects that either makes the SRV spin or suddenly stop.

@OP: I'd certainly go for the Engineers then. On one hand their bases are usually at a scenic location, on the other hand they bring a sense of purpose for activities, like a story mode. It doesn't mean you have to grind, you can get in contact with at least 3-4 initially, broadening the possible activites.
Also, you can consider joining a player group.

Thargoid fighting is properly challenging, but for that you really need Engineers and Guardian stuff.

Oh, and in Q1 metallic/rocky planets got updated textures, so many planets now look more interesting.

 

[Xopotl]

Those are nice, but driving around the sites made me sick with all the bumps and objects that either makes the SRV spin or suddenly stop.

Oh, you have to enable the "Vehicle Maintain Horizon Camera" option.
It makes a big difference from the default setting as it moves the SRV around you while keeping your head level. Give it a shot, might solve your problem.

 

[PIXEL]

I too am confused with what's going on. I haven't played for a very very long time... and now there's an update; Q4 coming out?

Wander how do newcomers to ED find out out how to play and ultimately enjoy ED? .. seriously, point me in that direction as comments regarding: EDDI-plugin, EDSM etc make me feel sooo inadequate.

Good luck @Paulusw, hope you find what you are looking for, maybe see u out there if my ol' Cobra starts up after all this time, but my commander name is Newb so doubt i'll be there long (-:

 

[Cliché]

I'm waiting for Q4 to start playing again. Hoping mining will be interesting as well as exploration. Then I really hope updates start coming a little, make that a lot, faster.

Oh, and then there is that expedition, but I may have to drop out because it looks like they are planning on a crazy long time to complete it.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

Oh, you have to enable the "Vehicle Maintain Horizon Camera" option.
It makes a big difference from the default setting as it moves the SRV around you while keeping your head level. Give it a shot, might solve your problem.

I am considering it, but I thought I'll try to get used to it first.