Why Do You Own a Fleet Carrier?

[GreySix]

Mine is a mobile base for deep-space exploration. Since I rake in lots of money through exploration and biological discoveries, it easily pays for itself.

I'd like FDev to include an option of parking my carrier over a planet with tritium in its rings so that NPCs could mine and slowly fill up my tank for an extra carrier maintenance cost, but since that's unlikely to occur, my SOP is to mine every third jump or so. I carry around 12,000 Tritium in cargo.

 

[Shurimal]

option of parking my carrier over a planet with tritium in its rings so that NPCs could mine and slowly fill up my tank for an extra carrier maintenance cos

Oh, yes, please! Even if it needs to be an extra service installed, even if I had to personally buy and equip the mining ships the NPC-s use. Not only would it make life easier while exploring, I'd love to see my carrier crew flying around in the system the carrier is parked in. Would add so much atmosphere and immersion

 

[Astaran]

My fleet carrier serves as the mobile fight ops base, obviously. It has about 10K tons of Tritium since I don't go all over the galaxy with it yet. I have about 20 ships on board. It has all of the functions I can fit. The weekly upkeep is about 27m Cr. It has a buffer of 28 years of upkeep. Obviously upkeep isn't an issue, nor is having enough Cr to do anything. For me, it feels more like I have a presence in the system other than being a visitor if my FC is there in the navigation panel.

What do you do with yours? Short of "anything I want" and the obvious role of storing ships, did you have a more specific activity in mind when you purchased a fleet carrier than having a mobile base of flight operations? I know some do some buying and selling, some do some exploring, some do some other things. What is your current FC activity and plans??

When I was still playing, I used mine as a mobile base. It greatly improved the time lag between starting Elite and actually playing the game, especially when I switched between activities (e.g. from a trade CG back to mining at the opposite side of the bubble). Best investment I've ever made in Elite. You have all your ships and all your modules at one place and can freely switch between them.

I also used it as a mobile base of operations when out exploring, since it allowed me to bring multiple ships and to use ships that normally aren't top tier explorers (Chieftain, Imperial Courier, Cobra Mk III, Keelback etc). It also allowed me to break up the monotony of jump-honk-scan(-occasional land) with some mining. Thanks to UC and Vista Genomics, I could immediately cash in my discoveries, so it greately reduced "risks" like a bad landing or jumping right into the middle of three suns surrounding the entry point of a system.

If I recall correctly I had almost all services installed which would run at ~34mil a week. I think I had some 4 billion Credits in my FC account last time I logged in, so the Havamal should stay afloat for a while longer (whereever it was I parked her).

 

[Evazan]

Mine is used as a storage locker. I've collected examples of all the salvage and rare goods that are available (still need some Wolf Fesh).

I also use it to haul commodities for CG's and combat ships to warzones. I do wish I could build a planetary base to store my salvage and rares though. Then my FC would be a pure hauler.

It doesn't feel like home though, as it isn't a proper base and the crew don't recognise me. They wont even move tritium fuel from storage or consider following a multi jump planned course. I might have the best chair, but I still have to do all the work. I paid for the entire bar and they still wont even serve me a drink.

 

[D Ghost NL]

I have 3 carriers in Live.
My Main acquired his first carrier after Colonia Bridge phase 1, now replaced by another following transfer from console. As a wandering trader it freed me from attachment to any specific system and expanded my ability to haul commodities many times over.
During Thargoid incursions it allowed me to participate in multiple aspects with rescue ships to evacuate civilians from burning stations, AX ships to fight off the Thargoids and cargo space to help restore the damaged stations.
The first alt to gain a carrier did so as they were gaining autonomy from my Main having been housed aboard the Main's carrier. As they had interests in different directions it became clear she needed her own carrier rather than being dragged around by my Main.
The exploration alt gained a carrier just before the transfer from console. This allowed me to boost the mats available to my Main once they transferred and swapping mats between accounts rapidly developed my Odyssey kit.
Following this the exploration carrier was fitted for the black so freeing the alt from needing to return to the Bubble.

all ready to much carriers in game causing instancing prob ect, this cmdr has 3 lol

 

[Helmut Grokenberger]

this cmdr has 3 lol

No. This person has paid for three game licenses resulting in three CMDRs, who each own a carrier. There's a subtle difference, see if you can spot it.

 

[D Ghost NL]

No. This person has paid for three game licenses resulting in three CMDRs, who each own a carrier. There's a subtle difference, see if you can spot it.

lol , game share and still one person with 3 accounts and carriers. carriers are way to cheap imo.

 

[Kira Goto]

lol , game share and still one person with 3 accounts and carriers. carriers are way to cheap imo.

Keep in mind that their cost was created with lesser payouts than we have now, in mind. And it’s still a significant investment for anyone that is new(-ish) to the game at an up front 5 billion payout, plus a lot more to outfit, though dependent on choices of the player.

If you rush to obtain a carrier as a new player with things like the ongoing CG, you probably should rethink your priorities in the game.

 

[Frankymole]

It doesn't feel like home though, as it isn't a proper base and the crew don't recognise me. They wont even move tritium fuel from storage or consider following a multi jump planned course. I might have the best chair, but I still have to do all the work. I paid for the entire bar and they still wont even serve me a drink.

At least we're now allowed to sit down at the bar!

 

[Frankymole]

all ready to much carriers in game causing instancing prob ect, this cmdr has 3 lol

What instancing problems do they cause?

 

[Hellrider]

And it’s still a significant investment for anyone that is new(-ish) to the game

I'm not sure, why we use new players as argument in conversation about the most expensive asset, literally mobile station for your whole fleet, tons of cargo, which can reach any point in bubble in 15 minutes, or even load other players on board.

They were laughably easy to buy even when they added that (remember times of great painite/ltd rush?
And now are laughably easy to obtain too, if player only have minimal knowledge how to make optimalisation of his favourite gameloop.
So sorry, but I agree with ghost. But generally- with currently payouts everything is to cheap. I think, that nearly all gameloops can provide 100/200m/h. In game where 90% of ships require let's say 200/300 millions. 4 the most expensive ships, depends, with reactive hull can hit 1b. Even carrier isn't big challenge. Especially if paying attention on fact, that after buying one it can accelerate any activity, what make it easier and more effective.

 

[Schmack]

There's nothing wrong with the number of fleet carriers in the game. The issue is that the activity is too often funneled into one or two systems so everyone wants to park the RV there.

 

[SteveWW57]

There's nothing wrong with the number of fleet carriers in the game. The issue is that the activity is too often funneled into one or two systems so everyone wants to park the RV there.

Depending on the number of bodies in the system and the location of the CG station, it can be better sometimes to park in a close by system for short SC travel.

Steve

 

[CMDR Snailman]

It's a home away from home.

One where my commander can do... things... he possibly can't do in a station with other people around. And yes, in my lore my 'crew' is purely A.I. / robotic (that's why I'm using the 'Hannah' ATC voice)

 

[Frankymole]

I'm not sure, why we use new players as argument in conversation about the most expensive asset, literally mobile station for your whole fleet, tons of cargo, which can reach any point in bubble in 15 minutes, or even load other players on board.

They were laughably easy to buy even when they added that (remember times of great painite/ltd rush?
And now are laughably easy to obtain too, if player only have minimal knowledge how to make optimalisation of his favourite gameloop.
So sorry, but I agree with ghost. But generally- with currently payouts everything is to cheap. I think, that nearly all gameloops can provide 100/200m/h. In game where 90% of ships require let's say 200/300 millions. 4 the most expensive ships, depends, with reactive hull can hit 1b. Even carrier isn't big challenge. Especially if paying attention on fact, that after buying one it can accelerate any activity, what make it easier and more effective.

Yes. Credits aren't the currency of time invested, materials are (for engineering, especially for suits and small arms).

'Twas ever thus. The "grind" people complain about/celebrate was never about money, it's about all the other rewards. BGS influence, unique modules from Powerplay, tags for exploring, rank in the Empire or Federation to unlock new ships, and engineering advances.

Credits just mean you don't lose other assets (FCs) whilst concentrating on real advances or blazing your own trail.
Probably just as well when some people don't have much time available to play, they don't want to spend it all on trying to scrape together enough credits to stand still.

 

[Frankymole]

It's a home away from home.

One where my commander can do... things... he possibly can't do in a station with other people around. And yes, in my lore my 'crew' is purely A.I. / robotic (that's why I'm using the 'Hannah' ATC voice)

Do you do the... things... near a Black Hole, perchance?

 

[OrdinaryMan]

I've changed my mind since I posted on this thread.

Because they don't let us buy this:

And a Cutter doesn't quite take its place.

 

[Jmanis]

'Twas ever thus. The "grind" people complain about/celebrate was never about money,

And yet, it was at a time. I wonder what changed...

 

[Frankymole]

And yet, it was at a time. I wonder what changed...

More things to do. It's not just a trading game any more.

 

[SteveWW57]

The "grind" people complain about/celebrate was never about money,

I have found hauling gold for this CG grindy, and I have interspersed this with a few other activities.

So although I have found the gold hauling grindy, I have been willing to do it for a carrier or upkeep. I can stop when ever I want. It is though, too good an opportunity to miss, as I am not into bio scanning or stacking massacre missions.

Steve