No one has mentioned this, but just in case...you STILL get rewards for exploring tagged systems if you have no data on it. Obviously, untagged systems are more valuable, but if you run into high-value systems that have already been tagged, go ahead and scan them. It's still worth it.
What direction to go...
- Thread starter Clear Horizon
- Start date
IMO I say look for everything “interesting” looking, and head away from it. You can bet another explorer beat you to it. That’s my formula. I started playing in mid-September. Made enough to buy a Cobra and do a cheap outfit for exploration. Could only jump 12 Ly, but could carry a lot of fuel. Only had a basic discovery scanner, and DSS. Went out about 800 Ly, scanned everything I could. Would even fire off the DS if I was at a planet 500 Ls out. Actually found stuff that way. Either way, upon my return, I made 4.5 ml which got me in my Type 6 Flying gas tank. I can only jump 22 Ly when filled up, but can go 700+Ly on a tank, 30 Ly if I let the fuel run low.
I’m now out 11,000 Ly, in the basement, and loving it. Last night was the first time in over a week that a came across a system that another Cmd got to first, and it was a neutron Star, so no big surprise.
I also don’t us AFM units. Seems to me if someone can make Sag A in an Eagle, I should be able to get by with out one.
I’m now out 11,000 Ly, in the basement, and loving it. Last night was the first time in over a week that a came across a system that another Cmd got to first, and it was a neutron Star, so no big surprise.
I also don’t us AFM units. Seems to me if someone can make Sag A in an Eagle, I should be able to get by with out one.
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It gets to the point that when you DO stumble across a previously explored system you feel slightly 'dirty'. It's a very odd sensation. The only time I anticipate it is when I am approaching a tourist spot (nebula, big sucky holey thing in the middle, and so on)
Indeed. The place suddenly feels so crowded!
What Kancro says. Many of us started with a mini trip of few days. It's usefull to understand the job and the scale of the galaxy. Mine was Coalsack, a mere 600ly away. It seemed that far. Now I'm a little nostalgic when I look at Coalsack from 60000ly.
Also note that Exploration can be a starter career. If you feel the call just fit your current ship at your best financial possibility and go. There's no need to wait.
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Same here. My first exploration trip took me to Coalsack and Pleiades Nebula. Even in that little trip I had the chance to have some first discoveries, but honestly, that was a nice surprise when I got back, because at the time, I didn't even notice that I was the first to see those systems.
Exploring is a thrilling thing, being the first is not important, really. It will always be YOUR first time, when you arrive in a system you have never been there before, so it does not really matter if you are the first also for other people.
Just fit your ship as best as you can, look at the forum for some very useful fitting for almost any ship, and then head to a close nebula to test your skills and your ability to scoop. Little Hint: if you go to the pleiades nebula, you can also scan an easy black hole, it's on Maia system and is Maia B*. Easy to reach, but with all the thrill of seeing a black hole from your cockpit. You will learn a lot about yourself as a pilot, and about your ship.
Fly safe, and go find some shiny thing!
Or I can quote NCIS New Orleans Agent Pride: Go. Learn things!
I scan and explore every system I come across...even those discovered before me. In fact, I only just became first discoverer for a system last night (I am travelling slowly going the eco route rather than fastest route)
Frawd
Don't count your chickens...
You've got to get that data back and sold before it counts as first discovered...
I'll second the "don't go where everyone goes" comment.
I'd recommend moving up the Galactic Arm a ways before heading to the Hub. No worries about jump range, the stars are thick moving up the Arm.
I went up the Arm about 12,000Ly before I started curving towards the Hub, now about 16,000Ly in...and I haven't seen a single tag out here, for a couple of weeks now.
Black Holes and Neutron stars showing up with regularity now, along with O-Types, Wolf-Rayets, Herbigs...all untouched.
I'd recommend moving up the Galactic Arm a ways before heading to the Hub. No worries about jump range, the stars are thick moving up the Arm.
I went up the Arm about 12,000Ly before I started curving towards the Hub, now about 16,000Ly in...and I haven't seen a single tag out here, for a couple of weeks now.
Black Holes and Neutron stars showing up with regularity now, along with O-Types, Wolf-Rayets, Herbigs...all untouched.
I've been playing since December and furthest I've gone is abut 1000ly (I think), and it was the only exploring I've done but I got quite a lot of first discovered tags. It was during the 1.4 beta though, so it all got wiped. I'm saving exploring for plandings and when/if I get my mining machine(s).
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Go straight upwards or downwards on the map, most people don't think that way. I have been to Sagittarius A but when i was looking to test the DBX when it came out i just took it straight downwards from Empire space and I was finding completely unexplored systems less than 100Lys from the bubble.