Newcomer / Intro Stuck on my first mission :/

[GZed]

I purchased and started Horizons today and immediately got stuck on something that doesn’t make sense. I spawned on a base where there appeared to me no missions on the board which I thought was strange so I Launched to see what I could find. When I got to my first destination I found that I couldn’t buy anything because there was something filling up my 2 cargo slots. Turns out I have 2 Consumer Technology in my hold to be delivered to Fossey Station in Aulis. I thought that’s weird because I didn’t accept any missions and yet it seems I’m already on one.
Next I open up the Galaxy Map to find Aulis and find that I cannot set a path to Aulis because it requires a jump range of 6ly which is too far for my starter ship.
If I sell the cargo it will be stolen goods and if I just fail the mission I miss out on my 35,000 credits to get started. So what do I do?

 

[Codger]

You automatically get one mission when you start the game. It will pay 10,000 credits. Looks like you missed that one. The one you have is paying 35,000, and asking you to deliver cargo. You're on another mission, somehow.

If the mission board is showing nothing, you've probably been lucky enough to start at a time when the system is in lockdown or something like that.


I have a video that shows me starting out, using Horizons, so it may be useful for you to watch.

Here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRTC5XcRgdw&t=928s&list=PLfWbIi9YGRbdxeiOWS9Pkxnxp4FboSQm6&index=1

Also, there's no shame in clearing your save and restarting a few times until you get the hang of things. You may wish to do that.

If you really want to just go from where you are, you'll have to muck about, abandon your mission, sell the cargo at the black market if there is one, or just dump it, and then attempt to get to another system that has missions.

Personally, I'd try starting over, and completing the original 10,000 credit data-delivery mission. Then use that to upgrade my Frameshift Drive so I could jump a bit further, which will open up some new systems for you.

Good luck!

Edit:

There's also the combat method of getting started, if you prefer that. Here's a vid by another commander about it:

https://youtu.be/DQJZMW33KCQ

 

[Commanderhumpster]

if you have literally just started you could clear save and start again?

 

[SeaFireliv]

I`m not a fan of restarting, this is one of those games where you can mess up and still pull things back without restarting. Though that said, I got the sim\game just before they added starting missions, but I don`t mind missing stuff knowing new opportunities will arrive.

 

[d8veh]

You'll get started a lot more quickly with a lot more money if you forget about the missions and use te easy combat method in that video link in post #2.

 

[Wyaston Hypatia]

On thing to that might give you the jump range is to put you Planetary Vehicle Hangar into storage (don't sell it!) as it is heavy - use outfitting to do this. This could give you the jump range. Then when you have made the jump you can get the Hanger transferred to your current station (if it has outfitting) - it will cost you 100Cr.

 

[CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned]

On thing to that might give you the jump range is to put you Planetary Vehicle Hangar into storage (don't sell it!) as it is heavy - use outfitting to do this. This could give you the jump range. Then when you have made the jump you can get the Hanger transferred to your current station (if it has outfitting) - it will cost you 100Cr.

Nice idea but I just reset my test account and started from Horizons. The only way the OP will make to Aulis is to store the hanger/lasers/shield and discovery scanner. They'll also need a fuel scoop (which they can get) but it's circuitous route.

Go for it if you want OP or just clear save from option in the main menu.

 

[bookmite]

You're not the first and won't be the last to learn that ED is unforgiving. If you listen to those who's trod the same path...( all of us lol ) you will save your time and frustration just by starting again. You really need that mission to kickstart you in the game.

If you're a purist, don't go for the get rich quick schemes, get some hours under your belt, lots of us change directions after a few weeks and do clearsaves. It's great fun but a S.o b of a learning curve...others no doubt will be posting their advice, mine would be, grab it by the neck see and try everything . Yes you'll mess up...but it's the only way to learn....no one is out there to do it for you...you'll see all the guys with every ship in the game...you'll see lone wolfs who's seen and done it all, and then start all over again because it's such an enjoyable experience .

It's a lot more than just a game...it's got gaming aspects to it, but it's more of an open world simulator...I am totally obsessed, as a lot of us are....so good luck from me...and remember this forum will be your lifeline

 

[d8veh]

Here's what I think about starting the game. The starter mission is a complete waste of time and it leads you into doing missions that are confusing, perplexing, dangerous and frustrating. You have a lot to learn at the beginning of the game. I think it's much simpler and more fun to start off as a bounty hunter, which is relatively safe for a noob. It'll earn you more credits than missions or trading, but it's not a get rich scheme. The main thing is that it'll give you some confidence to deal with the bad-guy NPCs, who'll come after you whatever you do.

I can still remember my first start. I tried a bit of trading, and after a few days, I'd made a couple of thousand credits, then I thought I'd have a go at some missions. After a week, I owed more money than I had because of fines that I didn't understand. I did a restart and kept getting blown up, so I figured I just sucked at computer games like this, so I gave up with it. A couple of days later, I was on Youtube and it gave me an automatic link to some guy in a starter Sidewinder making money by bounty hunting. I thought it looked really easy, so I decided to have one more try. I never put the game down for the next three months until I was triple Elite. Now I have about 3500 hours in the game.

Each person has there own way of playing. I've now done just about every type of activity there is in the game. I must admit that I find trading, passenger missions and exploring a bit boring without a story/purpose behind them. Instead I like a bit of excitement, which often means a bit of risk; however, what's most satisfying is using the skills you learnt and your experience to overcome the dangers.

 

[GZed]

Nice idea but I just reset my test account and started from Horizons. The only way the OP will make to Aulis is to store the hanger/lasers/shield and discovery scanner. They'll also need a fuel scoop (which they can get) but it's circuitous route.

Go for it if you want OP or just clear save from option in the main menu.

Thank you so much to all of you for giving up your valuable time to help me out. I really appreciate all the advice and different thoughts and opinions and I will take all of it on board (pun intended).

I ended up going for the Hail-Mary run after work, with 45 mins left on the mission clock. I stripped off the hanger, lasers, shield and discovery scanner (as suggested) and got my range up to 9.23LY - Easily enough for the last 8.68LY jump to Aulis. Then, half way there, I docked and refueled. It worked! I got my 35000 credits, with only minutes to spare. Amazing! What a blast to have such a complex problem, and yet there was still a solution if you know what you're doing.

BTW, I was a massive Elite addict back in the 80's. I first played the wire-framed Elite on a borrowed Commodore 64 (with tape drive). I then owned my own solid colour version of the game on my Commodore Amiga. Absolutely brilliant game in its game. I ran out and bought Frontier: Elite II on release day and must say was a bit disappointed and never really got into the whole "real physics" thing.

But with ED it seems like its the best of both worlds. I have a feeling I won't be getting much sleep over the next month.

Thanks again all. What a great community.