The Fortune Hunter's thread (combat)

[Hyperlethal]

I have spent too much Time in this game complaining about the lack of reward for combat vs trading my main argument being a python shouldnt be able to make more mony from trading than combat! if a T-9 can make more from trading than a T-7 then a python should be able to make AS much more than a cobra from shooting. and while it can melt things faster than a cobra, finding these bounties, conbat bonds, unsuspecting cargo ships is another story!

So, iv made a decision to sell all my spare ships, deck out my python for killing and let the chips fall where they may. if i cant afford to stay in it than il downgrade to what ever ship financially allows me to run and gun indefinitely, be it clipper, asp or a humble cobra! Elite dangerous is a trading simulator for some (or most) but not for me and im done being sucked into it with easy profit trade routs

All that being said and with the promise of more profitable and exciting content such as better USS' Id like to open a thread all about making money from combat.

Heres some techniques iv been using to hunt my fortune but id like to hear from others on this subject

Assassin missions tend to center around one system or even 2. when i see these missions appear il go from station to station and cue as many as possible. find the locations first which is usually one system or 2 neighboring systems and then kill the target close to an outpost that i can quickly re-arm at.
Anarchy systems have extremely big fish especially in navigation beacons. not uncommon to find ASPs, Pythons, dropships and even anacondas i also see big bounties out in super cruise near warring systems and iv noticed an escalation in USS content in anarchy systems. RNG luck?

It isn't clear to me where combat is meant to scale with the player in the game (if it is at all) but if it is then i want to find it.

 

[Dai-San]

Here's my story from experience.

I did a reset on release day as I didn't think it fair to carry over money or assets made during beta so I started afresh.

I didn't trade at all apart from mission trading (bring us this, deliver this, etc) from the BB and have managed to build up to a fully fitted Viper and 6 million ish credits. The Viper is my choice (tried a cobra, Asp etc).

I belong to a group that is trying to play the game as intended and we're trying to influence systems and change ownership of stations etc.

My long winded point is this, I have capped out at 6 to 7 million. With this I can maintain my ship (repair, rearm and refuel) buy goods needed by factions (the donation missions) and have a buffer for insurance should the worst happen a few times. But that's it. Unless I resort to trading any better ships are WAY out of reach.

I thought maybe I could sell my combat services to escort others in our group who are trading in dangerous areas for a fair price. But there is no way to get paid apart from them dropping cargo and me picking it up and selling it (in a Viper?).

Something really needs to be done to make combat a viable option that pays well enough to balance the risk and to raise Elite above what it is now, Euro Truck Simulator in space.

 

[Hyperlethal]

I preffered the cobra for its range. viper can be extremely tediouse when you have bounty bonds that take you up to hundred light years out. ASP is even better for that reason not to mention it probably has the best HP placement in the game! I wont be too saddened if i end up back in one of those again

 

[Dominico]

Here's my story from experience.

I did a reset on release day as I didn't think it fair to carry over money or assets made during beta so I started afresh.

I didn't trade at all apart from mission trading (bring us this, deliver this, etc) from the BB and have managed to build up to a fully fitted Viper and 6 million ish credits. The Viper is my choice (tried a cobra, Asp etc).

I belong to a group that is trying to play the game as intended and we're trying to influence systems and change ownership of stations etc.

My long winded point is this, I have capped out at 6 to 7 million. With this I can maintain my ship (repair, rearm and refuel) buy goods needed by factions (the donation missions) and have a buffer for insurance should the worst happen a few times. But that's it. Unless I resort to trading any better ships are WAY out of reach.

I thought maybe I could sell my combat services to escort others in our group who are trading in dangerous areas for a fair price. But there is no way to get paid apart from them dropping cargo and me picking it up and selling it (in a Viper?).

Something really needs to be done to make combat a viable option that pays well enough to balance the risk and to raise Elite above what it is now, Euro Truck Simulator in space.

They can drop 8 to 12 tons for you. 12k a ton itemz? Thats 100k + i forget how much gold is but its nearer 20? Do it q couple of times 1/4 of a mill.

So they can pay you a hefty amount for escort even in a viper. If you think thats underpaid you got spoilt by broken trading.

Im glad i never did any of the luxuries or checked routes. Im similar to the op and loving discovering things and struggling for money

 

[Hyperlethal]

They can drop 8 to 12 tons for you. 12k a ton itemz? Thats 100k + i forget how much gold is but its nearer 20? Do it q couple of times 1/4 of a mill.

So they can pay you a hefty amount for escort even in a viper. If you think thats underpaid you got spoilt by broken trading.

Im glad i never did any of the luxuries or checked routes. Im similar to the op and loving discovering things and struggling for money

12 tons of gold or is worth scoping for sure, i wouldnt say no lol