What should I do? (Selling Exploration Data)

[JimboG]

Hi there,

I am looking for some advice please as I am not sure I've been able to get a 100% solid answer on this subject, thank you.

The Situation:

I have been exploring for almost 6 months, gradually working my way to Sagittarius A, gathering exploration data and loads of (complete) system scans.

My Intention:

After I get to Sag A, take a selfie and a screenshot I'll hot-foot it back to The Bubble to sell the data, BUT first:

1.) I want to park my Asp (that I am using currently)
2.) Get my Python out
3.) Join Li Yong-Rui on PowerPlay
4.) Using my Python only, work up to Rank 5 to get the 200% Exploration Data Bonus
5.) Jump back into my Asp and sell my Exploration Data

My Questions:

1.) Can I do this safely?
2.) Does the Exploration Data STAY with my Asp (on a "hard drive") or does it MOVE to my Python when I switch ships?
3.) If 2 is the former and I blow up my Python then is my Exploration data still safe?
4.) If 2 is the latter and I blow up my Python then is my Exploration data still safe?

My Concern:

1.) That I do ANYTHING that would risk my Exploration data before selling it, it would be a bummer to say the least to lose all that data.

Thanks very much for any thoughts on this.

Kind regards,

James

 

[fruitbat]

Exploration data is tied to you, not your ship, you die, you loose the data no matter what ship you're in, you live to sell your data, again doesn't matter what ship you're in.

I used the Li Yong Rui bonus to make 700 million from an exploration trip, see here,

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=216075

You should be able to do it pretty safely in a Python, of course there is always an element of risk though. Are you planning to fast track yourself to rank 5 (costs 100 million, effectively 50 as you get 50 back for being rank 5), or grind it?

 

[cmmcleod]

My Questions:

1.) Can I do this safely?

Yes, in solo with a ship like a Python (tough enough to get you out of most sticky situations)

2.) Does the Exploration Data STAY with my Asp (on a "hard drive") or does it MOVE to my Python when I switch ships?

As mentioned previously, exploration data is linked to your pilot/account.

3.) If 2 is the former and I blow up my Python then is my Exploration data still safe?

You blow up - you lose all your exploration data.


I actually did the very same thing as you are planning. Came back from a big exploration trip (100M+ in exploration data). I used my Anaconda (trader build) to fast track my Li Yong Rui rank to lvl 5. It took about 10 hours of game play to do this in my Anaconda. In the end I made ~350M from that single exploration trip, so it was well worth the initial 100M investment to rank up quickly (as mentioned you get 50M back, then 5M the following week, so the sunk cost is 45M). This is significantly less risky than grinding out through other means (combat for example).

 

[JimboG]

Exploration data is tied to you, not your ship, you die, you loose the data no matter what ship you're in, you live to sell your data, again doesn't matter what ship you're in.

I used the Li Yong Rui bonus to make 700 million from an exploration trip, see here,

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=216075

You should be able to do it pretty safely in a Python, of course there is always an element of risk though. Are you planning to fast track yourself to rank 5 (costs 100 million, effectively 50 as you get 50 back for being rank 5), or grind it?

Yes, in solo with a ship like a Python (tough enough to get you out of most sticky situations)

As mentioned previously, exploration data is linked to your pilot/account.

You blow up - you lose all your exploration data.

I actually did the very same thing as you are planning. Came back from a big exploration trip (100M+ in exploration data). I used my Anaconda (trader build) to fast track my Li Yong Rui rank to lvl 5. It took about 10 hours of game play to do this in my Anaconda. In the end I made ~350M from that single exploration trip, so it was well worth the initial 100M investment to rank up quickly (as mentioned you get 50M back, then 5M the following week, so the sunk cost is 45M). This is significantly less risky than grinding out through other means (combat for example).

Thank you both very much, that's some great advice there!

I've got a few weeks to go at least before I get to Sag A* - but this has got me thinking about the next phase of my journey.

Kind regards,

James

 

[Alex Brentnall]

I have done this twice already and will probably do this again after my current trip (estimated at 8 months+ duration).

The above posters are correct. A few notes I'd add:
-Be unaligned and only convert to Li Yong-Rui once in your Python.

-Arrive back in human controlled space on a Monday/Tuesday & power to rank to 5 before the cycle tick on Thursday morning. This means you are at risk for the minimum time necessary assuming you have the playtime available to get to rank 5 in two days.

-I'd advise a clipper if you have one though since I've never even come close to dying in that whereas if things go sideways in my Python (especially PvP) things tend to get explody. The golden rule is don't die with data since it acts like unclaimed bounty vouchers.

 

[JimboG]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your advice, makes perfect sense.

Unfortunately I don't have a clipper and am still a Knight, the Python is the toughest ship I have. I'll also have to sell my Bounty Vulture and Explorer Asp to raise funds for the fast-track and see how I go. I take it however, that as I start to fast-track the grind will be minimal to get to Rank 5 - assuming I put the hours in during that window from Monday/Tuesday to Thursday morning.

But I take it if I miss that window I will need to wait another week before I could sell my data at Rank 5, assuming I hit the target during that following week?

Sorry, likely a noob PowerPlay question - I have been out in the black since June!

Cheers

James

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

Don't accept friend request from strangers.

 

[fruitbat]

One other thing I should of said, really pay attention when docking and undocking whilst getting to rank 5. Its the only time I have ever obeyed the speedlimit. Last thing you want is to be going 102m/s and a dumb ai sidewinder bounce of you and die, and the space station to open up on you and clear you of your precious exploration data.

Fast tracking is buttton pressing hell, but other than that is pretty straightforward.

 

[Zenith]

As a fellow long-term explorer, I'd suggest avoiding the PP element to reduce your risk. What you're thinking of doing is gambling with 6 months of exploration data. If you win, you double your money. If you lose, you lose EVERYTHING.

Could you in all seriousness face those consequences? Winning is great, but losing that much data would kill the game for me.

 

[Muetdhiver]

More like triple your money. I made close to 450M with LYR, then 100M more by carrying over the rank 5 (before merits decay "fix")
as long as did not get too annoying.

But yeah, there is an element of risk, especially now with the constant interdictions.
Though if you got python or anaconda you should be pretty safe. And then you have enough money to do whatever without having
to think about credits.

 

[EUS]

Bank 100M, go exploring, come back, join Li Yong & buy your rank 5, sell data; profit.
Do not die before selling data.