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...probably.
Hello,
I have a couple of questions regarding which ship(s) to buy as credits are starting to pile up without much work now. This is the first time in a year or so playing on and off that I've had the opportunity to actually ponder which +10mil ship to buy (without using the stock exchange anyway).
My meagre empire at the moment consists of a Space Fuel complex next to Legend's Home which is running nicely and a few CLS traders dotted around the place, along with my personal Fujin, Solano, Zephyrus and Phantom. That's it. However, my "mission fleet" has earned 7 million credits in a few hours of gameplay and now I'm considering what to spend it on.
The options as far as I can see:
- Expand my trading empire. More factories and traders.
- Buy an M3
- Buy an M6
- Continue saving for an Elephant or a Guppy, depending on which will be of more use.
As for purchasing a real combat ship, my fight rank is low. Anything I can't handle in the Solano get's to taste the Mass Drivers on the Zephy. This is probably a good thing as I'm not much of a fighter ace, so the shielding and turrets help me out a great deal.
I'm about to begin the plot(s), and I know about the corvette shaped present that will come, and that just throws more spanners in the works. Keep it and save, sell it and buy a bigger ship, etc.
Questions:
So what would you guys suggest I do with my funds?
Regardless of the outcome, if you could only have one, which would you pick out of the Elephant and the Guppy?
Elephant or Guppy? Plus more questions...
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X3: Albion Prelude »
Elephant or Guppy? Plus more questions...
Sundancer
Rookiguey (4)
Rookiguey (4)
Posted 10 years ago.
Kirlack
Specoguey (14)
Specoguey (14)
Posted 10 years ago.
I tend to shoot for a TL as soon as I can afford one, and the Elephant is my usual choice as it's the cheapest TL available. It offers a huge amount of flexibility, in terms of missions you can take and ease of building complexes, and the Elephant in particular can act as a 'poor man's carrier' with a full compliment of 14 fighters. If you think the Mass Drivers on your Zeph are impressive, wait until you see 14 Solanos all running 6 MDs 
They'll tear M6 apart in a heartbeat 
They'll tear M6 apart in a heartbeat
Madder than a Bastard on fathers day.
My DiDs: Peace(s) of Eight - Way of the Gun - Status: Online, A Xenon DiD
My DiDs: Peace(s) of Eight - Way of the Gun - Status: Online, A Xenon DiD
AlphanInfidel
Proguey (12)
Proguey (12)
Posted 10 years ago.
#Sundancer.
If you are thinking about moving on to do the plots gradually, I'd suggest buying stations in relatively safe sectors that provide basic foods/minerals etc., and to equip them with CAG traders. See other threads about training CAG/CLS pilots quickly (E.g. Kirlack's and others) you might even want to train pilots before buying stations. Trained CAGs & a few stations are a fire and (almost) forget way of increasing rep with other races, and the profits will let you have some form of growth without the combat, if you aren't so keen on that aspect.
I reckon that you will eventually need greater production/purchase capabilities to do the plots in less than lifetimes.
Have fun,
AlphanInfidel.
If you are thinking about moving on to do the plots gradually, I'd suggest buying stations in relatively safe sectors that provide basic foods/minerals etc., and to equip them with CAG traders. See other threads about training CAG/CLS pilots quickly (E.g. Kirlack's and others) you might even want to train pilots before buying stations. Trained CAGs & a few stations are a fire and (almost) forget way of increasing rep with other races, and the profits will let you have some form of growth without the combat, if you aren't so keen on that aspect.
I reckon that you will eventually need greater production/purchase capabilities to do the plots in less than lifetimes.
Have fun,
AlphanInfidel.
I am an Alien!
Sundancer
Rookiguey (4)
Rookiguey (4)
Posted 10 years ago.
That was my thinking too, with regards to the Elephant. I know they're often used as mini carriers, which is basically why I'd be buying it anyway. It's just a bigger version of cruising around looking for missions. Just with the Elephant I'll be able to carry everything I could possibly need.
You make a valid point about the Solano's... Hadn't thought about that. But even so, they're expensive
Far more so than lobbing missiles at a problem
The only place the Guppy wins here are weaponry (which the Elephant can sort with missiles) and the fact it can dock a TP. That was what was originally swaying me. But at the end of the day I can just jump the Phantom to me when it's needed.
AlphanInfidel, yeah I'm planning on doing them a bit at a time. I had originally intended to start the Albion plot about 5 hours ago in-game, but I guess I'm part Teladi 'cos I got a big payout on a mission and I've been chasing them ever since. On the plus side, I'm opening up sectors I've never been to before.
I'm okay with training the CLS/CAG guys up, I set them off shuttling E-Cells from The Wall to Ringo Moon and Power Circle to Argon Prime. Plenty of flight time, and they make profit. Eventually I'm hoping to cover all of that region's trades, working up. Or at least supplying the factories that I need, such as satellites etc.
You're quite right though. I need to set up more factories and traders to keep the profits rolling while I'm doing plot missions. This is where I miss flying around in a TS, doing that it was obvious where the shortages are and what you can do to solve them. Zooming around in my Fujin, not so much. But hey.
Edit: When should I start preparing for the Hub?
You make a valid point about the Solano's... Hadn't thought about that. But even so, they're expensive
Far more so than lobbing missiles at a problem
The only place the Guppy wins here are weaponry (which the Elephant can sort with missiles) and the fact it can dock a TP. That was what was originally swaying me. But at the end of the day I can just jump the Phantom to me when it's needed.
AlphanInfidel, yeah I'm planning on doing them a bit at a time. I had originally intended to start the Albion plot about 5 hours ago in-game, but I guess I'm part Teladi 'cos I got a big payout on a mission and I've been chasing them ever since. On the plus side, I'm opening up sectors I've never been to before.
I'm okay with training the CLS/CAG guys up, I set them off shuttling E-Cells from The Wall to Ringo Moon and Power Circle to Argon Prime. Plenty of flight time, and they make profit. Eventually I'm hoping to cover all of that region's trades, working up. Or at least supplying the factories that I need, such as satellites etc.
You're quite right though. I need to set up more factories and traders to keep the profits rolling while I'm doing plot missions. This is where I miss flying around in a TS, doing that it was obvious where the shortages are and what you can do to solve them. Zooming around in my Fujin, not so much. But hey.
Edit: When should I start preparing for the Hub?
Roguey
Trueguey (22)
Trueguey (22)
Posted 10 years ago.
Well I know its abit late, but id recommend boosting your own ship. Having a strong combat vessel is always useful, for kill-missions, defending your empire (this will happen from time to time) and boosting rep.
For me, TL's/M7C have too little shielding for any combat reasons, and must be kept safe.
Ideally you want to aim for a M7, as one of those will probably turn into your favourite player ship.
For me, TL's/M7C have too little shielding for any combat reasons, and must be kept safe.
Ideally you want to aim for a M7, as one of those will probably turn into your favourite player ship.
Zipmeister
Fightguey (6)
Fightguey (6)
Posted 10 years ago.
If you are just starting out, I would suggest grabbing a Split Jaguar Raider. (M5) Upgrade speed and steering. (594 top speed?) Add a freight scanner and do a few freight scans for the pirates in pirate sectors. It lays some groundwork that boosts pirate rep and minimizes future pirate problems against your assets. I've made over 2 million on a freight scan mission on several occasions. (Rarely, but sometimes concurrently with other pirate scan for freight missions) As far as I can tell, doing so has no down side with respect to other race relations.
Good money when you are starting out.
Good faction boost to make your life easier.
Good price. (M5's are cheap and available early on.)
As far as I'm concerned it's win/win with a side order of win.
I would have to agree with the Split Elephant suggestion.
It's respectable as a carrier. It handles station building (docking at shipyards) in a timely manner with highest in class top speed, it's weaponry is substantial for it's class and, as a mobile base of operations, it has substantial storage. When (If) you need a better carrier in the future, M7C is a kinda dissapointing. You might want to hold out for a true carrier class ship.
Good money when you are starting out.
Good faction boost to make your life easier.
Good price. (M5's are cheap and available early on.)
As far as I'm concerned it's win/win with a side order of win.
I would have to agree with the Split Elephant suggestion.
It's respectable as a carrier. It handles station building (docking at shipyards) in a timely manner with highest in class top speed, it's weaponry is substantial for it's class and, as a mobile base of operations, it has substantial storage. When (If) you need a better carrier in the future, M7C is a kinda dissapointing. You might want to hold out for a true carrier class ship.
Sundancer
Rookiguey (4)
Rookiguey (4)
Posted 10 years ago.
Thanks for the replies.
The suggestion for a decent combat ship was very handy. Ended up purchasing a Yaki Tenjin and, while not very well shielded, the speed and weapons compatibility are fantastic. The only thing that worries me so far are groups of Xenon, since the N's are too fast to catch and everything else has PBE's which are evil. Shields stripped in seconds and then the N's do all the hull damage. But, that's where the TM comes in as a resupply for missiles. The Elephant works well for this too.
I ended up buying an Elephant, which I'm still sourcing shields and weapons for. Not had the chance for station building yet as I haven't had the spare credits, but when I can get in on that it should pay for itself very quickly.
Ah yes, the pirate freight scans. I love those missions. They are incredibly lucrative. Especially when a Boron military patrol (Shark with full fighter escort) comes through. Made 2.5 million off that mission alone.
The suggestion for a decent combat ship was very handy. Ended up purchasing a Yaki Tenjin and, while not very well shielded, the speed and weapons compatibility are fantastic. The only thing that worries me so far are groups of Xenon, since the N's are too fast to catch and everything else has PBE's which are evil. Shields stripped in seconds and then the N's do all the hull damage. But, that's where the TM comes in as a resupply for missiles. The Elephant works well for this too.
I ended up buying an Elephant, which I'm still sourcing shields and weapons for. Not had the chance for station building yet as I haven't had the spare credits, but when I can get in on that it should pay for itself very quickly.
Ah yes, the pirate freight scans. I love those missions. They are incredibly lucrative. Especially when a Boron military patrol (Shark with full fighter escort) comes through. Made 2.5 million off that mission alone.
Morcain
Fightguey (6)
Fightguey (6)
Posted 10 years ago.
Do ships other than the TSesesess still count toward the total in AP? I've done a few of those and sometimes the actual number of ships they say i scanned doesn't sit right with me (scanned a full m1 battlegroup in hatikvahs once and the mission said I had scanned 15 ships, which was about the numbers in the battlegroup, nevermind the 10 preceding minutes I have camped the east gate and scanned so many ships I was starting to lose focus)
RandomTank
Assoguey (17)
Assoguey (17)
Posted 10 years ago.
I know for certain that any Military ships didn't count for freight scans in TC, so I would assume they wouldn't in AP either... someone correct me if I'm wrong!
lol, you could say TS's
the TSesesess
- Morcain
- Morcain
lol, you could say TS's
I will be the one to take you down!
Sundancer
Rookiguey (4)
Rookiguey (4)
Posted 10 years ago.
Really? The mission said I scanned 8 million CR worth of freight and gave me around 2 million credits return. Granted, I was scanning every High Tech/Weapons Dealer that came through either gate, but even so that doesn't add up.
But then, it also doesn't add up that there was only 8 million credits between a Shark (fully loaded I guess they add up to around 8 million credits alone) plus 5ish Skates and the rest (20 or so) Barracuda variants...
You guys might be right, I think between all those ships there should have been at least 20 million credits in weapons alone.
Maybe those freight scan missions only include items that are actually "freight" rather than installed hardware. However, if that's the case I must have found some idiotic traders moving through Farnham's Legend with 1/2 million credits worth of items...
I don't think it's only TS's though, since a lot of the High Tech traders and Weapons Dealers use M4/M3 class ships and I've definitely received a payout for scanning them. Likewise with the TM "Heavy Load Transporters".
I can say for certain though that Hatikvah's Faith is the best sector for these missions if you get lucky. Traders coming from Aladna Hill and Thuruk's Beard are usually laden with high value products, provided the stations North and East of Hatikvah's are kept supplied. Which is usually where my CLS networks are working their hardest. The region around Argon Prime, while profitable and useful, is nothing compared to the four or five sectors around Hatikvah's for traders moving high value goods into lawless zones.
All I need to do now is work on my fight rank and obtain a bigger ship to encourage those pesky TS/M4/M3 traders to bail more often and I'll be rolling in virtual credits.
But then, it also doesn't add up that there was only 8 million credits between a Shark (fully loaded I guess they add up to around 8 million credits alone) plus 5ish Skates and the rest (20 or so) Barracuda variants...
You guys might be right, I think between all those ships there should have been at least 20 million credits in weapons alone.
Maybe those freight scan missions only include items that are actually "freight" rather than installed hardware. However, if that's the case I must have found some idiotic traders moving through Farnham's Legend with 1/2 million credits worth of items...
I don't think it's only TS's though, since a lot of the High Tech traders and Weapons Dealers use M4/M3 class ships and I've definitely received a payout for scanning them. Likewise with the TM "Heavy Load Transporters".
I can say for certain though that Hatikvah's Faith is the best sector for these missions if you get lucky. Traders coming from Aladna Hill and Thuruk's Beard are usually laden with high value products, provided the stations North and East of Hatikvah's are kept supplied. Which is usually where my CLS networks are working their hardest. The region around Argon Prime, while profitable and useful, is nothing compared to the four or five sectors around Hatikvah's for traders moving high value goods into lawless zones.
All I need to do now is work on my fight rank and obtain a bigger ship to encourage those pesky TS/M4/M3 traders to bail more often and I'll be rolling in virtual credits.
Kirlack
Specoguey (14)
Specoguey (14)
Posted 10 years ago.
Only ships marked as some kind of trader count towards those missions, as I discovered during one of my DiD stories. TS/TP/TM/certain M3/M4 will all count towards your total. Military ships absolutely do not count.
You're quite right, installed hardware doesn't count, only freight. As for idiotic traders, I've often seen them carrying 3-5 heavy shields (1-2Gj), multiple Flak Arrays and PPC/Gauss Cannons, all in one ship's bay! That's several million credits worth of goods right there
Maybe those freight scan missions only include items that are actually "freight" rather than installed hardware. However, if that's the case I must have found some idiotic traders moving through Farnham's Legend with 1/2 million credits worth of items...
- Sundancer
- Sundancer
You're quite right, installed hardware doesn't count, only freight. As for idiotic traders, I've often seen them carrying 3-5 heavy shields (1-2Gj), multiple Flak Arrays and PPC/Gauss Cannons, all in one ship's bay! That's several million credits worth of goods right there
Madder than a Bastard on fathers day.
My DiDs: Peace(s) of Eight - Way of the Gun - Status: Online, A Xenon DiD
My DiDs: Peace(s) of Eight - Way of the Gun - Status: Online, A Xenon DiD
Morcain
Fightguey (6)
Fightguey (6)
Posted 10 years ago.
keeping on diverging from the topic but still about missions in pirate space, I took a patrol mission from a regular split in Hatikvah's last night....(AP, bankrupt assassin start) aaaaaand..it's still going on, killed paranid for 5 hours straight, is this mission going to continue until i fix my rep with the paranoids (they show up red to me and gets marked by the mission marker)?
Morcain
Fightguey (6)
Fightguey (6)
Posted 10 years ago.
You're quite right, installed hardware doesn't count, only freight. As for idiotic traders, I've often seen them carrying 3-5 heavy shields (1-2Gj), multiple Flak Arrays and PPC/Gauss Cannons, all in one ship's bay! That's several million credits worth of goods right there
- Kirlack
- Kirlack
This! during the patrol mission I had to call in one of the Demeters that I had found mysteriously abandoned....ahem..because first i got 4 gauss cannons and 6 FBL (what is the name of those..? something Bomb Launcher) and the next ship had 4 2G shields!!
I drive a Venti now
Sundancer
Rookiguey (4)
Rookiguey (4)
Posted 10 years ago.
keeping on diverging from the topic but still about missions in pirate space, I took a patrol mission from a regular split in Hatikvah's last night....(AP, bankrupt assassin start) aaaaaand..it's still going on, killed paranid for 5 hours straight, is this mission going to continue until i fix my rep with the paranoids (they show up red to me and gets marked by the mission marker)?
- Morcain
As far as I know, that is the case.
Do the bounty hunters spawn in AP? I've heard they do in TC, but I've messed around with that start and never seen any...
It's times like those where racial allegiances go out the window, at least in the early game
XeNoN
Instruguey (13)
Instruguey (13)
Posted 10 years ago.
Dude why guppy? That ship is shite really, go get Argon Griffon its way better and worth every penny you invest.
Also about M7's:
Tresher is good from long range (high dmg output but has bad battery regen)
Tiger is extremely powerful (useful for combat missions)
Panther is also nice, also provides hangar
This three M7's are my fave in vanilla game, but i always start with Griffon + Elephant.
About M2's well its pretty simple:
Boreas or Python
If you have a tons of credit go for Megalodon, and if you got Cobra why not cap Xenon I?
Also about M7's:
Tresher is good from long range (high dmg output but has bad battery regen)
Tiger is extremely powerful (useful for combat missions)
Panther is also nice, also provides hangar
This three M7's are my fave in vanilla game, but i always start with Griffon + Elephant.
About M2's well its pretty simple:
Boreas or Python
If you have a tons of credit go for Megalodon, and if you got Cobra why not cap Xenon I?
In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him.
-Andrew Ender Wiggin
-Andrew Ender Wiggin
Morcain
Fightguey (6)
Fightguey (6)
Posted 10 years ago.
The Guppy has a very specialized ability which would be very nice for some type of games (ever had someone offer you 2.3M for a split M5?), I'm planning to start a humble merchant game and renamed my char to Jused Sheeperus
fighters/TS/TP docks FTW!
Hmms..what about TMs? can the Guppy/Ariadne dock TMs?
fighters/TS/TP docks FTW!
Hmms..what about TMs? can the Guppy/Ariadne dock TMs?
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