The most fun I have had with Elite for sometime...with a PSA included : )

[Frame Farmer]

While it was probably unintended gameplay, tonight's server downtime ended up providing me with a racing heart after a fully clenched, holding-my-breath experience, left my HOTAS dappled with sweat and a (hopefully) repairable Conda'.

See I am out in the boonies, deep space, hunting ELO's and surveying neutrons along the way so when tonight's server shutdown messages started appearing I thought--just a one or two more and I'll safely save and exit...20 minutes...now 10 minutes...then what feels like suddenly "pilots move to a safe space" or some such flashes up and I am thinking call up the nearest FOGKBAM to park right?!?
Only lately the planets are BEAUTIFUL again and I have been dropping down to surface pretty regular so I thought first solid body I see will do...I was in a rush so I just looked for the blue halo...

Now I am good with my Conda' we've been together for years and I know how to land her well but that first rock we spotted tonight was a great deal closer to its parent star than my usual fare and in this case that translated into gravity...no please permit me all caps on this one...GRAVITY, and in this instance I was headed down way too fast. By the time I realized my reverse thrust wasn't gonna do me any good I was in full panic, I have been out here a while, it cannot end like this...

Here lies the PSA: Explorers, do not undervalue shields.

I understand as a fellow explorer--shields are so blase--' as they shave precious fractions of a light year away but thankfully Elvira and I have been together for a while now and one visit she told me she cared for me and then she hooked me up with a deal on a lightweight shield. Heck, with the threat of the Thargoids looming, even though I was headed in the other direction--a shield just made sense this time around. Flashback to seconds left to land tonight but running into high gravity--I saw the first explosion on my craft ever as I slammed into the surface but with shields I lived to tell about it : )

I also packed a couple of AFMU's so I should be able to repair and continue but I think I will be taking a few resources from this rock for certain--as a memento of what happens when you don't pay attention out here--thankfully I lived to tell about it this time.

Elite is always Dangerous, especially when you get comfortable and complacent--stock up on shields and safe travels out there!

Lastly, +1 rep to FDev! Thank you for giving me the software to hatch such an awesome experience from the safe and forgiving comfort of my own home.

 

[BuzzBee]

Thanks for the PSA. Thought I’d take advantage of the updated planets, so just in the process of fitting out my Conda for it’s first exploration trip, after serving me well in multiple roles. Off to find a shield suitable right now

 

[Frame Farmer]

If you will allow my two cents, pack it full! Load up an SRV, keep a fighter in the bay. That extra weight seems like a hit on the frameshift drive until you find your first mile high or so cliff that let's the SRV really toy with gravity and then there are the canyons...of the canyons!!! And my fighter--she can go so much faster than my conda! Like KITT rolling outta F.L.A.G.
Just my two cents at the moment, I can also fully appreciate the stripped down going the distance load-out : ) but I will forever. and ever. always. and amen. from this point forward, pack a shield.

Oh and about me and Elvira...see we are not exclusive. What she has done for me she will do for you in so much as the shield, but be gentle and kind to her getting to know her--the powers that be have been playing with her work of late and she's and artist and in a mood.

 

[BuzzBee]

Thanks. Yes she’s filling up nicely. Can’t decide which fighter will give the best cockpit view. Any suggestions?

 

[Frame Farmer]

Ohhh man, do not judge me by my SLF but Imperial all the way. Unbelievably fast with the boost and the view mirrors the Conda in a strange sense that makes it feel like a natural extension when I strap in--mind you I can smell the Gutamaya genuine leather through my scrubbers...