Newcomer / Intro What to do?

[Touchwood]

I'm going exploring in my Cobra - but before I outfit it and take the plunge I have a question.

How much do I need to outfit the Cobra as well as possible for the task (or at least pretty well, if not the absolute dog's bo**ocls)

My total assets are about 11.3 M CR, of which 6 M CR are cash, the rest my Cobra and an Eagle. I'm happy to sell the Eagle, but, before I do, if I need more cash my preferred method of making it is in the Eagle at RES sites, picking up bounties on wanted NPCs.

I know I could use one of the excellent web sites there are to work it all out for myself, but I prefer to ask advice from you excellent people as I'd sooner be playing the game than messing about with web sites over much.

 

[Chris Simon]

Nebulae are great places to visit.
Or supergiants. Betelgeuse, VY Canis Majoris and X Cariane are the most famous and they are not THAT far from the bubble.
Then Neutron fields.

You could also visit Jacques Station or the Sagittarius A*

Or just point at random direction and go see what you find.

 

[Gator Country]

I'm going exploring in my Cobra - but before I outfit it and take the plunge I have a question.

How much do I need to outfit the Cobra as well as possible for the task (or at least pretty well, if not the absolute dog's bo**ocls)

My total assets are about 11.3 M CR, of which 6 M CR are cash, the rest my Cobra and an Eagle. I'm happy to sell the Eagle, but, before I do, if I need more cash my preferred method of making it is in the Eagle at RES sites, picking up bounties on wanted NPCs.

I know I could use one of the excellent web sites there are to work it all out for myself, but I prefer to ask advice from you excellent people as I'd sooner be playing the game than messing about with web sites over much.

If you're looking to make good money from exploring, you're going to need, at a minimum, the following items -

A really good fuel scoop - a 4A, the best you can fit in a Cobra, will cost you about 2.8 M credits. The 4B, which is about 14% slower than the A, will set you back about 715,000 CR. If you haven't been practicing fuel scooping, you need to before you set out. Buy a cheap one and try scooping stars on your flights, and learn the types of stars you can scoop (KGB FOAM); it's not a hard skill to learn, but it does take a bit of practice to do well, and to avoid being yanked out of SC by the star and burning up (or taking heat damage). Once you leave the bubble, there are no stations for you to dock at and top off your gas tank.

An Advanced Discovery Scanner - about 1.5 M credits. Otherwise you'll take forever trying to discover all of the objects in the system you visit. I wouldn't even bother with the Intermediate Discovery Scanner, it only increases your discovery range to 1,000 ls, and frankly isn't worth buying.

A Detailed Surface Scanner - 250,000 CR. You'll scan the planets and other bodies you discover with this and substantially improve your income.

If you haven't bought an A-class FSD yet, you'll want that. The 4A will run 1.6 M credits. You will want to maximize your jump range as much as possible. D-rate most of your other modules to save mass and increase your jump range further.

Those are what I would consider the essentials. You may also want to consider an Auto Field Maintenance Unit to repair your modules while out exploring. If you go top of the line that will run another 4.7 M credits, but you could probably get away with a cheaper model, depending on how long you stay out. You might also consider a vehicle hangar if you want to try planetary landings and prospecting for materials. But those are pretty cheap.

Buy all of this stuff in a Li Yong Rui controlled station and you'll get a 15% discount on everything.

I'm also working to get my Cobra ready for its first exploration trip. Still need some more stuff though, so I'll continue trading for a bit. I'm planning to refit for it once I hit 15M CR in the bank. Hopefully I can get that within the next week or two.

 

[Touchwood]

Or just point at random direction and go see what you find.

That's the plan!

 

[Touchwood]

If you're looking to make good money from exploring, you're going to need, at a minimum, the following items -

A really good fuel scoop - a 4A, the best you can fit in a Cobra, will cost you about 2.8 M credits. The 4B, which is about 14% slower than the A, will set you back about 715,000 CR. If you haven't been practicing fuel scooping, you need to before you set out. Buy a cheap one and try scooping stars on your flights, and learn the types of stars you can scoop (KGB FOAM); it's not a hard skill to learn, but it does take a bit of practice to do well, and to avoid being yanked out of SC by the star and burning up (or taking heat damage). Once you leave the bubble, there are no stations for you to dock at and top off your gas tank.

Not sure of the reasoning here - is it not the case that the cheaper scoops are just slower? In which case - I'm in no rush! Or is there something else?

An Advanced Discovery Scanner - about 1.5 M credits. Otherwise you'll take forever trying to discover all of the objects in the system you visit. I wouldn't even bother with the Intermediate Discovery Scanner, it only increases your discovery range to 1,000 ls, and frankly isn't worth buying.

A Detailed Surface Scanner - 250,000 CR. You'll scan the planets and other bodies you discover with this and substantially improve your income.

Definitely both on the list.

If you haven't bought an A-class FSD yet, you'll want that. The 4A will run 1.6 M credits. You will want to maximize your jump range as much as possible. D-rate most of your other modules to save mass and increase your jump range further.

I already have the A-class FSD - I read somewhere that it's worth considering the D -class as it's so much lighter?

Those are what I would consider the essentials. You may also want to consider an Auto Field Maintenance Unit to repair your modules while out exploring. If you go top of the line that will run another 4.7 M credits, but you could probably get away with a cheaper model, depending on how long you stay out. You might also consider a vehicle hangar if you want to try planetary landings and prospecting for materials. But those are pretty cheap.

Buy all of this stuff in a Li Yong Rui controlled station and you'll get a 15% discount on everything.

I'm also working to get my Cobra ready for its first exploration trip. Still need some more stuff though, so I'll continue trading for a bit. I'm planning to refit for it once I hit 15M CR in the bank. Hopefully I can get that within the next week or two.

I'm in Li Yong Rui space at Wrangell dock where my Eagle is stored (incidentally, why do I have to go back there to sell it? To pick it up I can understand, but logically I should be able to send instructions to sell it from anywhere?)

Looks as though I'm going to need a bunch more CR before I can set off - annoyingly I just handed over my last accumulation of bounties to "Blaster" McQuinn - but couldn't modify my weapons 'cos they're on the Eagle on I was in the Cobra, which has no weapons, just mine layers.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

You may not be in a rush, but the class A fuel scoop which is faster means less exposure time to the star - all the time you are scooping you build heat (well, there are ways of scooping at a slower rate but constant temp but that takes yet more practice).

So as a general rule you want the fastest scoop out there to minimise heat damage, which will be important once you have nowhere to repair yourself.

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And FSD - it may be lighter, but you will trade far too much jump-range. ALL explorer builds I have ever seen (and I am not an explorer) fit an A rated FSD and fuel scoop, and then D rate pretty much everything else.

 

[Touchwood]

Thanks for the reply.

I've done a little fuel scooping - my chicken livered technique is simply to come to a halt as soon as I'm close enough to scoop, and I never had any problems with heat - but then, it was only a very few times I did it,maybe different star types would be more of a problem?

With regard to the FSD, maybe my memory is faulty, maybe it was something else that was D-rated which one might expect to be A-rated. I'll take your advice.

Again, thanks.

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

Thanks for the reply.

I've done a little fuel scooping - my chicken livered technique is simply to come to a halt as soon as I'm close enough to scoop, and I never had any problems with heat - but then, it was only a very few times I did it,maybe different star types would be more of a problem?

With regard to the FSD, maybe my memory is faulty, maybe it was something else that was D-rated which one might expect to be A-rated. I'll take your advice.

Again, thanks.

I've always wondered actually - in my opinion I am fairly sure that I heat up faster with some stars rather than others......although there isn't a lot in it (i.e. the difference isn't great enough that I am convinced either way.

Generally speaking I don't have the luxury of minimum throttle when scooping, however once you are out in the black I guess no problem - the A rated will still minimise your exposure though and therefore reduce time possible for damage.

One other thing, on my (very small) foray into exploration I fitted an AFMU as I had read so much about how invaluable they were. Well, I appreciate I didn't go far, but not a single percentage damage on my ship made the whole thing rather pointless! Depends how far you are thinking of going I guess!

 

[Glastinghouse]

I've always wondered actually - in my opinion I am fairly sure that I heat up faster with some stars rather than others......although there isn't a lot in it (i.e. the difference isn't great enough that I am convinced either way.

I experienced that the heat damage is different. While scooping on red/yellow suns I could stay forever next to them. The heat rises up to maybe 70%, then remains there. Whereas white stars are dangerous. The emit so much heat from a very far distance so that scooping is not possible because the heat is too strong to even get an optimal scoop position.
Be careful with these white stars. They can bring your heat to critical levels almost the same moment you arrive at the system.

 

[Ashnak]

Ok, this is a basic explorer cobra suggestion.

Regarding the fuel scoop: yes, the larger/better scoops 'just' scoop faster. And it adds up. With a fast scoop, you can scoop just by passing the star while aligning for the next jump. About percieved 90% of the systems out there aren't worth lingering around. And you'll find out that the biggest constraint in exploration is the time you have vs. the time you need to spend in a system you're just jumping through.

The rest of this loadout is boilerplate. No guns, everything D graded except for:
- FSD
- power plant (best heat efficiency)
- power distributor (use the smallest that will still let you boost)
- fuel scoop (get the largest you can afford)

If you don't want to rely on running once the biowaste hits the atmospheric processor, you'll have to take on some guns. And in general, it's a good idea to get some engineering mods on the FSD at least.

Regarding the empty compartment: if you can afford it, put an AFMU in there. That one is useful on longer trips. Otherwise, just leave it empty. Cargo capacity is not needed while exploring, and if you put anything in there, you'll have to cope with NPC pirates when you return.

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

You may want to watch this long exploration tutorial if you haven't seen it already (if you open it in YouTube you can skip through the sections):

Spoiler

[video=youtube_share;7bUXHhMjX0c]https://youtu.be/7bUXHhMjX0c[/video]

Also if you don't want to go solo you may want to check out this expedition starting soon involving only small size ships such as the Cobra:
Small Worlds Expedition

Small Worlds Expedition is to provide the support and ability for new and casual players to be able to explore our galaxy without worry. We aim to help develop the skills and knowledge required for long distance exploration. Additionally, we hope we can provide veteran explorers an interesting and challenging alternative to the more commonly accepted exploration vessels.​

The thread contains recommended ship builds, e.g. 8.3 mil Cr for the Cobra Mk III (7 mil if you buy at 15% discount in Li Yong Rui space).

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

I'd say give it a go. You will learn quickly why you need certain things (like a good fuel scoop and scanners) but until you try a long journey there is no point trying to tell you how big the galaxy is. FYI I went to Jaques in a 20ly jump ship. 22,000lys so well over 1000 jumps. The fastest I could do a jump (no scanning other than a quick honk) was 1 minute. I.e. 1000 minutes of play time (~16.7hours) just to travel that far with no scanning. If you stop to scan then you are looking at many multiples of that.
.
Hence, I would recommend you pick a random direction and just go on a trip to see how it suits you before committing to a long run out into the void. Ideally get an Asp X with an engineered drive if you want to go a long way but that would require a significantly larger budget than you currently have.

 

[Touchwood]

OK, so - I'm beginning to doubt my sanity, either I'm getting senile or I'm suffering from early-onset dyslexia. I haven't got a Cobra Mk IV, I've got a Cobra Mk III. I THOUGHT I had a Mk IV, until I started looking in detail at outfitting for exploration and realised I didn't have the same slots as the guide I was following! What makes it worse is that the first time I thought I'd bought a Cobra Mk IV I'd actually bought a Viper!

I'm now looking for a Mk IV - and having no luck at all. I'm using the roguey.co.uk web site, been to about 6 or 7 of the systems where they say one's been bought recently (in some cases a matter of hours ago) and can't find one.

So - maybe I'll have a look at Mr. Boombastic's suggestion - getting a bit frustrated TBH - when gaming I always like to do things PROPERLY, i.e. seek some good advice and follow it - but I'm getting to the point where I just want to get out there. Trouble is, I just know if I'm not fully prepared it's likely to be a very frustrating and maybe pointless exercise - Rob_the Sparky's post was an eye-opener.

 

[P3nT4gR4m]

If it's any consolation, I did the Witchhead nebula early on, in a MkIII cobra (had no idea about loadouts at the time, so it'd just be whatever random stuff I could afford) Took about 4 hours out (scanning and exploring everything) then an hour or two back.

My patented scoop technique is to fly toward the star, at about a 45degree angle, until my heat gauge hits about 60% then drop speed down as low as it goes in supercruise. By the time I slow right down heat level should be about 61-63% then I angle myself parallel with the star and go make a cuppa. Any higher than about 63% and my ship will be on fire by the time I get back from the kitchen. 63 seems to be the sweet spot.

 

[markkuk]

I'm now looking for a Mk IV - and having no luck at all. I'm using the roguey.co.uk web site, been to about 6 or 7 of the systems where they say one's been bought recently (in some cases a matter of hours ago) and can't find one.

Cobra MkIV is available only for early purchasers of Horizons or lifetime upgrade pass holders. http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Cobra_MkIV

 

[Touchwood]

You may want to watch this long exploration tutorial if you haven't seen it already (if you open it in YouTube you can skip through the sections):

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/7bUXHhMjX0c

Also if you don't want to go solo you may want to check out this expedition starting soon involving only small size ships such as the Cobra:
Small Worlds Expedition

The thread contains recommended ship builds, e.g. 8.3 mil Cr for the Cobra Mk III (7 mil if you buy at 15% discount in Li Yong Rui space).

I've had a look at the small worlds expedition - it looks great, but there's one major drawback - if I'm understanding the concept correctly it would lead to divorce! I'm assuming we travel in a group (at least mostly, I guess there would be the option to "catch up" maybe?) I do spend many hours playing, but it's at very random times. The main reason I quit WoW was because my dear wife threatened dire consequences if I didn't, I was raiding with a guild three nights a week and it impacted too much on our social life. She's happy with me playing Elite, but if I even once say "got to go play Elite as I've arranged to do such and such with so-and-so" I'll be a dead man!

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

Actually the Cobra Mk III can be a better ship for exploring due to its higher jump range compared to the Mk IV.
Just depends if you need the extra internal slots.
From the Small Worlds Expedition: Recommended Ship Builds

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I've had a look at the small worlds expedition - it looks great, but there's one major drawback - if I'm understanding the concept correctly it would lead to divorce! I'm assuming we travel in a group (at least mostly, I guess there would be the option to "catch up" maybe?) I do spend many hours playing, but it's at very random times. The main reason I quit WoW was because my dear wife threatened dire consequences if I didn't, I was raiding with a guild three nights a week and it impacted too much on our social life. She's happy with me playing Elite, but if I even once say "got to go play Elite as I've arranged to do such and such with so-and-so" I'll be a dead man!

I believe they take account of people travelling at random times and at their own pace. E.g. take a look at the progress of this current expedition:
https://www.edsm.net/expeditions/summary/id/11/name/Galactic+Nebula+Expedition

 

[Touchwood]

Cobra MkIV is available only for early purchasers of Horizons or lifetime upgrade pass holders. http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Cobra_MkIV

Thank you! If only I'd known that a couple of hours ago! There's always a silver lining, though, I see the Mk IV is slower, and it's the speed of the Mk III that's got me out of trouble many times so far on trade missions when interdicted, so maybe I've been better off wtih the Mk III anyway.

I'm just going to fit out the Mk III for exploration and head out. Enough planning, let's just get doing!

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

I did quite a few trips out a few thousand ly exploring in random directions before setting off for Jaques but got really caught out just how long it would take. I intended to scan stuff on the way out but in the end I only scanned earth likes and water worlds as it was just taking too long. I would have taken the time to engineer my FSD before I left if I knew quite how long it would take me...roll on ship transfer.

 

[aRJay]

As far as the scooping goes there are two techniques I use the main one is to swerve to just miss the yellow exclusion ring around the star at the same throttle setting that just initiated the jump then steer around that ring until closest alignment to my next navigation marker depending on tank size and jump range I then loop and roll around till scooping complete or just steer for the mark with what I have got so far.
The other technique I use when I arrive somewhere with nearly dry tanks, I start out in my usual reckless manner but when scooping starts I chop my throttle and turn away from the star this does reduce scooping rate but has two advantages as I crawl away from the star the temperature drops and anyone wanting to interdict the sitting duck has to fly behind me closer to the star which tends to make them go boom. This is my technique for a quick break.