Newcomer / Intro Where should I explore

Hey Everybody!
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My name is izaznz and I am a newer player with about 50 hours of gameplay to my name. Ive been interested in exploring for a while and I just recently bought myself an Asp Explorer. My only problem is I have no clue where to go! My goal is to go explore some currently unexplored worlds and collect data to try and find some good new mining spots. I however dont really know which to way to go off. So I guess I have a couple questions.

1) What is considered the edge of known/explored space?
2) Where do you think I should go?
3) Any tips and tricks for my journey?

Thanks and Happy Flying!
 
1) personally, I double the size of the bubble. Look on the powerplay version of the galactic map.
2) pic a direction, and keep going
3) A-rated FSD (with at least one level engineering), and the best fuelscoop that you can afford. Pack a hip-flask
 
1 and 2 can be combined inasmuch as PopPhil says - pick a direction and keep going. When you get far enough, you'll start picking up the unexplored reaches.

If you have the cash, A rate the scoop and FSD. D rate and/or undersize core internals for light modules to increase jump range but engineer them if you can.

I'd go for clean drives but most folk promote dirty as heat shouldn't be an issue when scooping efficiently.

Fire probes at planets for an extra bonus when handing in the carto data.

Don't get blown up with loads of un-handed in data on board.

Have fun!
 
  1. Once you get a couple of hundred light years out of the bubble, ref PopePhil, your chances of a first discovery increase however;
  2. Routes from the bubble to Maia, Colonia, Sagittarius A*, Beagle Point and any pretty looking nebulae or famous stars will be heavily travelled as indeed will routes straight up or down to the edge of the galaxy. Your best bet for undiscovered systems is to pick a semi random destination that doesn’t lead anywhere interesting. Consider going out as far as 5,000Ly as that will unlock another engineer later.
  3. Make sure you are happy with your ship choice you will be in it for a long time. While maximising your jump range is only absolutely essential for fast travel it is still a useful thing for an explorer. You will need to fit a fuel scoop (6A or 6B), a Detailed Surface Scanner, a shield, a Planetary Vehicle Hanger and SRV, an Automatic Field Maintenance Unit with maybe a second as it cannot repair itself, a couple of Heat Sink launchers. Don’t force yourself too hard in any session, besides scanning and mapping systems between jumps land on planets (check their gravity first) or look for photo opportunities.
 
Hello,

and welcome :)

I started exploring with a Hauler (back in March 2019), earned a lot of money, bought myself an Diamondback Explorer (DBX), and went to it. The DBX since has brought in its value around 100 times, and it was and still is fun. I chose the DBX over the ASPX, because of the better jump range. I have a DBX with an A-rated shield and weapons, and still it has 60.9 ly jump range. But the AspX has its advantages.

Now to your question:
I do not know where your home system is, mine is LTT 15574, where I have all my ships. First thing I went out left towards 'Galactc West'. Starting with a distance of about 100-300 ly (only a few jumps) you will arrive in unpopulated systems. If you are out for money, you can find valuable systems to scan and map, but this is not exploring IMHO. Exploring is possible quite close to the Bubble, but do not expect first discoveries.

If you want first discoveries you need to go out a bit further, but not by much. Several first discoveries I had, when I went out in westerly direction again, but this time over 5000 ly, since I had the Guardian FSD booster and my 60.9 ly. This I celebrated by going out real far. And promptly I first discovered several systems!

One big journey was towards the Galactic South, there are biological spots, where you find Crystalline Shards, but you have to go around 1600 - 1800 ly outward into the Sangineous Rim, for example HIP 36601. If you travel towards it, just FSS-scan every system you come through, and the journey will pay for your AspX, I would say. DSS (surface map) every Earthlike World (ELW), every Waterworld (WW), every Ammonia World and every terraformable High Metal Content (HMC) world. This is the minimum, and you always should look for terraformable bodies (you will know after FSS), these you should surface map (DSS).

Another longer journey I made to the Galactic North in the Sag A* direction, also around 1500 ly out, and the best journey in terms of first discoveries and payout, and also in fun and interesting (not necessarily valuable) systems I made toward the Galactic East, into the Outer Orion Spur. There I first discovered a lot of systems, including several WW, two ELW and two Ammonia Worlds. Maximum distance only 2200 ly.

Also I recommend to think about Guardian modules, the FSD booster is really nice and (IMHO) essential for the ASPX in the long run. This also leads you towards the Galactic East, there is a very good description where and what to do, this works fine. It is here. At the end of the thread you will find several comments by Cmdrs who have done this recently, including mine. And it also counts as exploring, since the jopurney takes you through unpopulated systems, which yuo can scan and sell later.

One hint at the end: Think about what other player may have done, and do things different. For example, most ways towards famous sites are well traveled and therefore no first discoveries. Also if you go up or down from the bubble, and the towards any direction, you will find a lot, because most people travel in a direct line and therefore stay in the plane.

Also - start rather small, to learn the mechanics, it is not very hard to do, but you should develop your modus operandi, because all things will go smoother and faster.

I which you luck and fun exploring with your new ASPX :)
 
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