So Cmdrs, today I accepted a Federation Mission to rank up to Lieutenant which entailed finding a Black box. Helpfully it said I should look for a signal source in Wolf 1453. Sounds like a doddle to a Cmdr of my calibre I thought, chuckling. After reaching aforementioned System I Discovery Scanned it and was rewarded with a message in the Info section on the top right to say a mission critical signal had been found. My cup overflowed with delight. Selecting the first USS in the Nav panel I ran to it as fast as my little DBX could handle only to be disappointed. This disappointment became a regular phenomenon with each USS I arrived at. Using a Wily Coyote manoeuvre I left the System and then raced straight back but that hasn't helped. I'm feeling a bit ed off (if you'll excuse my French). Any ideas chaps?
Spot the black box
- Thread starter Millomite
- Start date
as the wki comments suggest this can be a little hit an miss https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Box
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What I usually do for signal source missions is drop into the system, do a scan, then open the FSS, and look for the orange signal source. It looks the same as other signal sources, apart from the colour difference. Depending on your keybinds, you should be able to select the signal from the FSS directly. It should also show in the navigation tab as blue.
That said, I don't usually do black box missions, so it may differ, sorry.
That said, I don't usually do black box missions, so it may differ, sorry.
Best way to do Black Box Salvage Mission is to scan the Nav Beacon in the target system. You should now have a Comms email telling you a rough area to search. No need to search. Go to supercruise. Once back in supercruise, the Navigation tab of the HUD's left panel, with Signal Sources showing, will have a blue entry for a Mission Target as a Degraded Emission SS.
Note: If the Mission SS is near enough to the spawn star of the system, you get the Comms email right away. The blue Nav Panel entry should aalready be visible without needing to scan the Nav Beacon.
Works everytime for me. Hope it will for you too.
Note: If the Mission SS is near enough to the spawn star of the system, you get the Comms email right away. The blue Nav Panel entry should aalready be visible without needing to scan the Nav Beacon.
Works everytime for me. Hope it will for you too.
I do them a lot, also. Usually great pay and Exploration rank if it's needed.
More importantly, there's opportunity for many game-play situations to happen.
Also Note: If you ever leave the system, you'll have to scan the Nav Beacon upon your return to the system.
More importantly, there's opportunity for many game-play situations to happen.
- Wing of 4-6 enemies (or security?) may drop in during your scooping (or before if you wait long enough).
- Enemies (and security) will shoot you. Enemies may use hatch-breaker limpets against you.
- Enemies may be sent after you as you go to deliver the salvage. Comms email arrives for Incoming Enemies instead of Mission Completed/Successful.
- If salvage is illicit at delivery station (mission giver and usually indicates "Illegal" in the title of the mission), smuggler's docking protocol is needed. No problem for experienced smugglers, but auto-dockers need not apply.
Also Note: If you ever leave the system, you'll have to scan the Nav Beacon upon your return to the system.