Time to Anaconda / Elite - opinions welcomed!

[Istaria]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about the fastest route to an Anaconda and Elite (Trading), and have come to the conclusion that the following seems to be the most efficient way in terms of upgrades. I could be wrong ofc, and opinions are welcomed! I have made a couple of assumptions:

- Your trade route will return 8800 credits per ton you can carry, per hour. I am aware that higher routes exist, but this figure is a good starting point.
- From sidewinder -> Hauler the best path is to pick a platform station, and do the illegal Find Goods missions (prototype tech, rebel transmissions etc)
- Hauler -> Cobra would be trading. It's not a long grind.
- Cobra -> T6 is quickest by running rates. A few hours will see you safely to the 3 million credit starting point below

Note: I have included a link to the build I would use for each ship, but I am not saying these are optimal. They are a decent balance of cargo, jump capability and shielding (for the larger ships).

Note 2: The convention I have used is:

<NAME> <CARGO>

<LINK>

<COST>

<JUMP DISTANCE>

<RANGE OF HOURS TO NEXT BUY>

Note 3: Ships in Italics are options which will arise as you trade, but that I cannot recommend. They just don't seem justified to me in terms of what you get for the extra money. Having said that, assuming you sell all your hard points before trading in a ship, you would lose 10% only of the ship value. So if you'd lose a million but can make it back in an hour, you might decide to do that, and that is fair enough. Fun is also a part of it

Thought welcome!

Ist:

----------

T6 104


http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30W,,2-5K6u6Q3m4s3m6k,08c08c0720727Q403w03w


3062K


19.3 LY



To next step (Clipper): 32-36 hours




Asp 120

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30g,,2-8S8S886u6u8S8I,0AA08c05U05U7Pc03w03w

9459K

20.35 LY








T7 216

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30X,,2-6u8S886u4s5K8I,0AA0AA08c08c7Ro07203w03w

20146K

13.9 LY








Imperial Clipper 232


http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=303,,2-A0A0888S9i8S6k,0Bk0AA7RA07205U05U03w03w


28765K


12.7 LY


[15.5 LY @ 32167K - A-5 FSD]



To next step (Type 9): 51-55 hours


Python 276

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=305,,2-BaA0886uBaA08I,0AA0AA0AA08c08c7RA05U05U03w

63288K

12.75 LY






Type 9 500


http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30Y,,2-A0Ba9i8SA06u9s,0DI0Bk0AA7Sk07207205U05U03w


103173K


12.9 LY



Time to Anaconda (if upgrading): 46-50 hours
Time to Elite (if skipping Anaconda): 210-220 hours




Anaconda 452


http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=306,,2-D8Ba9Y8SCgD88I,0Bk0AA0AA0AA08c08c08c7RA07207203w


199443K


17.4 LY

Time to Elite: 190-200 hours

 

[Derath]

I'd do finding prototype tech/slaves/rebel transmissions until cobra actually its pretty reliable income should only take you a couple of hours to get cobra, less if you are lucky enough to keep getting USS with extra transmissions or prototypes in them.

 

[Shads]

Again.....having the biggest ship should not be your goal. Having the one best suited for what you enjoy should be. For an Explorer that may only be an Asp. For a combat pilot that might only be a Viper. For a trader, sure go for the T9 or if you want something multi-porous maybe a Clipper. But theres a fair chance you will burn out before actually getting the Anaconda without actually doing anything you enjoy within the game. You wouldn't be the first

 

[Istaria]

Again.....having the biggest ship should not be your goal. Having the one best suited for what you enjoy should be. For an Explorer that may only be an Asp. For a combat pilot that might only be a Viper. For a trader, sure go for the T9 or if you want something multi-porous maybe a Clipper. But theres a fair chance you will burn out before actually getting the Anaconda without actually doing anything you enjoy within the game. You wouldn't be the first

It's not my goal at all My goal at the moment is to finish my Asp which is almost done, and then try to work on some reps and other missions. I have no intention at all of going for those heights. It was an exercise only, to satisfy my own curiosity