Voyage Unknown Reboot - Crusader, shieldless

[Christian-A-Hill]

Hello amazing ED community!
If you have read my other post Voyage Unknown - DBX, you are aware that back in May I set out on a long exploration in my DBX. Due to a very critical real-life relocation, I had to suspend my ED activities. So decided to head back to my Colonia home and park for several months. Also, I really started missing my Crusader. This is the same Crusader which took me to Beagle Point and back. To my knowledge, this was the first Crusader to make it to Beagle Point.

Without a doubt, I also love my DBX. I will not part with it for the universe! I have a thing for unloveable ships probably because I hate snakes named ships. I do own a Krait mk2 and can do great exploration in it. But it's too easy and it's named after a snake. DBX is the only ship I will tolerate with a snake name. I decided to pause my journey in DBX and refit my Crusader to continue on. My real life has settled down and I am back in ED. I am restarting my journey with a shieldless Crusader equipped with SLF. I do miss SLF greatly it appeared during my time in DBX.

I will follow the same flight plan as originally planned and will post my progress here as I continue the journey.


Here is the build I am putting together: https://is.gd/i7pp3p

Yes, it got slightly above 30 ly jump range. But I am not looking forward to zooming through spaces but take time to really look around and perhaps do Economic plotting. At this moment I am heading to Petra Olmanova in Asura to engineer the Lightweight Alloy armour with Heavy Duty w/Deep Plating exp. I will be doing a lot of planet landing. So adding 2 engineered HRPs along with engineered Lightweight Armour seems to be enough. I have a total of ~1950 armour. Any thoughts? I know the 3A Fuel scoop is a minuscule one. But this is the only size I can fit with other important stuff.

Once I reach the bubble, I am planning to stay there for a few days. There I am picking up a new Dropship to replace my Krait for good. Another unloveable ship.
Also planning to explore Sol as I have never been there yet. Then continue on to the rest of the journey.

Any last-minute suggestion/feedback on the build is hugely appreciated!

 

[Achtung-Goomba]

I’m not clever enough to give you any advice on your build but I’m disappointed I can only ‘like’ your post once for going against the meta with the Crusader. I have one myself, the cockpit is a proper cockpit and it handles smart, but I can’t settle on a role or outfitting. You’ve given me some food for thought to go against the grain and try to make it more multirole.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

I’m not clever enough to give you any advice on your build but I’m disappointed I can only ‘like’ your post once for going against the meta with the Crusader.

Thank you!

I have one myself, the cockpit is a proper cockpit and it handles smart, but I can’t settle on a role or outfitting. You’ve given me some food for thought to go against the grain and try to make it more multirole.

I know what you mean. I used it extensively in PvE. Works great. I have slowly engineered a few things, making it much better. Did few cargo runs but had to sacrifice the shield. The 3 engineered HRPs in the military slots and engineered reactive armour made up for the lack of a shield. Since I have NO desire for Large ships, I have no huge need for credit. I like to imagine FireFly style gameplay/narrative.
Since I am in Colonia and modules are hard to come by, I simply swap the modules from Crusader to Krait to do a hardcore comparison. I really tried my best to like Krait MK2. Engine sound is great (very important). But almost everything in it is too easy. I keep coming back to Crusader.

 

[marx]

Looking at your route, that 32 ly jump range could well prove problematic when you're flying through the inter-arm voids. Frequent use of synthesized boosts (jumponium) should get you through though.

Me, I'd recommend adding a Guardian FSD booster and shuffling stuff around... but since you're around Colonia, there's no way of unlocking them there.

Basically, I'd recommend the following:
1. Remove the ECM, it's pretty much pointless. Maybe replace it with another PD turret, but in a shieldless Crusader, you really should be hell-bent on avoiding any combat:
even NPCs will likely disable your thrusters with some dumbfires. (The Alliance ships are highly susceptible to this.) Chaff is of little use too, but I guess you could use it for experimenting with some screenshots.
2. Remove the repair limpet controller and cargo rack: at 1A, it's going to take ages to repair any significant damage, you'd be better off stopping at some carriers to repair instead
3. Downsize the class 4 SRV hangar into class 2, you shouldn't lose an SRV - and if you got careless and somehow did, you could still restock somewhere along the way
4. Fit a fuel scoop in the freed-up class 6 slot, and you no longer waste a lot of time refueling
5. If you had them: fit an FSD booster (a class 3 still gives you some good extra jump range)

I'd also remove the fighter hangar and put a shield generator instead, but I guess that's the theme of your build.
This way, even with the hangar still there, you could do a comfortable 40 ly as well.

In any case, bon voyage!

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Thank you marx!!

Looking at your route, that 32 ly jump range could well prove problematic when you're flying through the inter-arm voids. Frequent use of synthesized boosts (jumponium) should get you through though.

I have enough mats for 40 Premium FSD injections. I topped off from Crystal shards before going to Beagle Point/Ishum's Reach back in January. Planning to top up again during this trip.

Me, I'd recommend adding a Guardian FSD booster and shuffling stuff around... but since you're around Colonia, there's no way of unlocking them there.
Basically, I'd recommend the following:
1. Remove the ECM, it's pretty much pointless. Maybe replace it with another PD turret, but in a shieldless Crusader, you really should be hell-bent on avoiding any combat:
even NPCs will likely disable your thrusters with some dumbfires. (The Alliance ships are highly susceptible to this.) Chaff is of little use too, but I guess you could use it for experimenting with some screenshots.
2. Remove the repair limpet controller and cargo rack: at 1A, it's going to take ages to repair any significant damage, you'd be better off stopping at some carriers to repair instead
3. Downsize the class 4 SRV hangar into class 2, you shouldn't lose an SRV - and if you got careless and somehow did, you could still restock somewhere along the way
4. Fit a fuel scoop in the freed-up class 6 slot, and you no longer waste a lot of time refueling
5. If you had them: fit an FSD booster (a class 3 still gives you some good extra jump range)

I'd also remove the fighter hangar and put a shield generator instead, but I guess that's the theme of your build.
This way, even with the hangar still there, you could do a comfortable 40 ly as well.

I switched things around a bit. Downsized SRV to 2G and replaced it with a 6B Fuel Scoop. Upon testing with the 3A fuel scoop, it did take a very long time and things were heating up a bit. Changed 1A Repair limpet to 3D.

The reason for the ECM and PD, I was hoping to break the lock and destroy incoming missiles as I make attempt to escape. Replaced the ECM with another PD. Can exploration damages to modules be reduced using MRPs or are they only useful against actual weapon attacks?

Here is the updated build. Will remove the MRPs if they offer Zero protection against bad landings: https://is.gd/eFxbKK

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Looks like MRPs offer module protection only from weapons fire. So no need to take them along. Based on @marx suggestion, I have now finalized the build. I dropped one of the engineered HRPs, added 2G SRV and 6B scoop. Just going to stick with one PD.

I don't think there is anything else that could be changed without dropping the SLF Hanger. SLF of course is a must https://is.gd/8lQCjo

Got a special coat of paint done for this special journey:


Hope I am not missing something before I head out.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Given my daily ED time, I decided to make 10 pure jumps daily then do scan/exploration/srv/slf/bask etc for ~1 hour. If a system does not offer anything, then make single jump to next system in the route and repeat activities during the 1 hour period. I think this way I can make good progress through the whole planned route and still enjoy exploration. I am manually plotting my route while keeping a particular destination point in mind. Finding lots of untouched bodies.

Basking in the Sun


At the end of today's planned activities, decided to make a landing and test out the shieldless setup of the Crusader. The rocky planet only had 0.23G so not bad. Going to see if I can land with 100% hull points.

Trying to find a spot for landing:


And touch down. Nothing broken! Still 100% hull. I took my time for landing and used combination of thrusters and FA off.


Taking a look at the ship. Love it!


Spent few minutes configuring the SRV controls for future landings and just driving around. Nothing worthy of seeing on this planet. Time to head back and move on:

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Checking out a HMC planet. Also wanted to test out the SLF and do some surface skimming.


Admiring the Crusader from my SLF.


Got to know about the 30km range between mothership and slf today. I ordered my AI to hold position in the mothership while I went for some high speed skimming only to find out I can go maximum of 30 km from the ship. That's not much! I boosted only once and hit 30km range in seconds. I guess I can ask AI to fly in formation and just follow me around. But If I running through a canyon in the SLF would not it put the main ship at risk? Any suggestion from SLF equipped explorer?

Tried to fly in formation, but the main ship was way too close to the ground as I was in my SLF. If I am flying through peaks and valleys, I am not sure if my AI will be able to keep up nor I want to put it to the test at this moment while I am on a long voyage.

Heading back to main ship:


It is really surprising how big these ships are. I had to pause and admire the size as SLF auto docking sequence was doing its thing. It really creates immersion in VR, naturally.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

My very first 50+ bodies system! Took a while to do entire FSS. This system has 58 bodies.


I have noticed this system Mylaiffaa KN-J D9-308 does not show up on EDSM. Probably because it has not been visited before or if someone did they were not using app such as EDDiscovery, EDMC and such?
I am about 3,000 LY away from Carcosa system, my home in Colonia. Perhaps what they see about ED galaxy is true that there are still many many unexplored bodies even close to home.

I have not landed on any planets/moons since last log. Nothing really worthy of a look. I am finding mostly ice bodies with flattish surfaces.

 

[CMDR SleepyDelegate]

I remember when I was in Colonia and then departed to continue my exploration trip, I started finding unexplored system continuously some 1000ly from Colonia... I headed diagonaly up...

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Trip has been mostly uneventful except my light touch with a brown dwarf. Even though I was careful mistakenly I got into the exclusion zone and dropped out of SC. Took 2% hull damage and 1% module damages across the board. If I was using orbit lines the accident could have been avoided.


2 stars circling each other and no other bodies in the system. Is there a possibility this happening in real galaxy?


My progress thus far. I am making my way to the first major waypoint Floasly CO-L B26-2. I hand picked this way point and it does not show up in EDSM. I am assuming no one visited before or if has did not send data to EDSM.


I am finding mostly Ice and Rock bodies thus far with no interesting features to explore thus far. Still following 10 jumps --> explore --> 10 jumps. I am probably missing out many systems in those 10 jumps but still finding tons of unexplored bodies. I am manually plotting my route.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Came to inspect a Icy body as it had interesting terrain. From System Map looked like canyons. FSS showed there are 35 geologicals, Water Geyser.


Instead of landing decided to check out in SLF. I am not sure about bringing SLF on exploration again. That 30km range really annoying. If I have to lag around the mothership during a canyon run and take risk of exploding, there is no real point to bring SLF. On the other hand it is somewhat useful to do close visual inspection of something without landing a shieldless ship. Have to give it a thought.......


Decided to land after all and camp out here for the day. Wanted to stretch my legs. (soon to exist ). Nipped 1% off the hull during landing. I think it was because the terrain is not fully flat. I felt the starboard side touching the ground while trying to level off.


Beauty of the galaxy never seizes to amaze me, even in ED.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

My very first discovery of a Neutron Star!


I modified my original route plan a bit. The route was going to take me to the bubble in several weeks to make a pit stop and visit SOL for the first time. But Core Dynamics's offering Federal ships with discount seemed a good opportunity to make the trip now. I decided to replace my krait with Fed Dropship. I was going to pick it up when got to the bubble. The discount certainly helps since I have to ship it out to Colonia.

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

I am finally here, almost. Although have been living in ED galaxy little over a year now, never visited SOL until now. Getting ready to jump and visit the nd zero of Humanity!

For obvious reason decided to visit Earth first. I sure wish atmospheric landing was a thing already.

Good old Earth!


I sure didn't expect this look of Mars! Sure it got hint of red, but mostly blue?

Anyone know the significance of the permit locked Triton moon? There does not seem to be any solid reason for it.


Jupiter. Also does not look like all the picture I have seen.

Touch down on the surface of Ganymede. I think this is the only landing I will do here before leaving SOL and continue on with the journey.


I was hoping at least the SOL would not be procedurally generated. But great to be here nonetheless. Looks like I also unlocked 'Home Sweet Home' badge on EDSM by visiting SOL.
From here I am going to make way to Hawkin's Gap. This will be my first visit at that quadrant of milkyway. While at station I dropped the SLF Hanger and installed a FSD booster. The fact that SLF has max range of 30km was a bit disappointing. Defeated the whole purpose of 'running the surface'. Also upgraded my fuel scoop from 6C to 6A. Quite a difference.

Going to check few things and lift off in few hours from Ganymede.

 

[CMDR SleepyDelegate]

My very first discovery of a Neutron Star!
View attachment 202134

I modified my original route plan a bit. The route was going to take me to the bubble in several weeks to make a pit stop and visit SOL for the first time. But Core Dynamics's offering Federal ships with discount seemed a good opportunity to make the trip now. I decided to replace my krait with Fed Dropship. I was going to pick it up when got to the bubble. The discount certainly helps since I have to ship it out to Colonia.

Wait wait wait... You are going to obtain a Federal Dropship, so you already have the rank needed, yet this is your first Neutron Star?

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

Wait wait wait... You are going to obtain a Federal Dropship, so you already have the rank needed, yet this is your first Neutron Star?

My first Neutron Star that I discovered which now have my name in the tag.
I of course have encountered many neutrons while going through neutron highway between bubble and colonia.

 

[CMDR SleepyDelegate]

My first Neutron Star that I discovered which now have my name in the tag.
I of course have encountered many neutrons while going through neutron highway between bubble and colonia.

I was just teasing you...

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

As per of the trip, I was scheduled to visit the Crystal Shard planets to top up the raw materials. First stop Polonium at HIP 36601 C 1a. There seems to be glitch in ED galaxy, my blasted Polonium stuck at the top of the crystal formation.

It happened multiple times, then I accidentally figured out if I use vertical thruster while kissing the formation, I can actually scoop up the material!

Leaving HIP 36601 C 1a after topping up Polonium. The site was at the bottom of this canyon.


I am always impressed how everything looks in VR. But there are few times when I am really awed. This site was one of those moments. The terrain at HIP 36601 C 1d looked surreal. Stopped here to top up Ruthenium.


Inches away from touching down on HIP 36601 C 3 b for Tellurium.


No matter how many times I look, but the sight of the ship from SRV while in VR never seems to get old.


Sloppy terrain of one of the Tellurium site on HIP 36601 C 3b. Dont know how in the world I was able to land.


Next stop Technetium, Antimony and Yttrium. I might go to a station to trade all these 6 high grades mats to low grade and come back to full once more. Not sure yet. I am not planning to engineer many ships, just the Crusader and Dropship. So I may have enough.

 

[CMDR SleepyDelegate]

Greetings my dear friend, today is the glorious day: my HP Reverb G2 has finally arrived! In a while I will start connecting it to my rig and setting things up. I expect to be in VR this evening, if everything goes well...

I will also install voice attack, as I have no joystick and using keyboard while in VR is probably not possible... At least not to the extent of using several combinations of keystrokes...
Then I will finally be able to see, whether your excitement about how everything looks like in VR was justified... I will report back ASAP...

Greetings Commander! o7

 

[Christian-A-Hill]

I am pretty sure it happens to everyone, one day life gets in the way and next thing you know you haven't seen your ship for days or weeks.
Here I am back again to continue my journey. Back in January I left off in the middle of Crystal Shard site visits. I had Antimony and Yttrium left to farm.

Was trying to land on Outotz LS-K D8-3 B 5c for Antimony. The sloppy terrain around me was somewhat avoidable and got my hull down to 78%.


Just a drone shot of shard site.


And it is done. All high grade mat storage are now full. Time to get back to the journey.


I see some sign of wear and tear on the ship. Thinking of making a quick stop at a station before the actual journey. I have never been in Empire region of the bubble. This would be a good time to visit and repair/restock for the journey ahead.


Getting some hull repair done.