Elite Dangerous : A new player's Exploration guide

[@chianasgeek6730]

When using neutron stars to boost jump range, remember that each boost is 1% off of your FSD condition, and that you should use AFMU to repair it once that condition reaches just over 80%, to avoid malfunctions o7 xox

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

It can be more than 1% in smaller FSDs and if you sit in them longer it can go down more.

[@astroseia3380]

@@MinistryOfMagic_DoM Though I could be wrong, I think it only takes off the 1% after you've made the jump, not while sitting in the scooping zone.

[@martinmc0950]

@Drew Jalen how does this contribute to the comment whatsoever?

[@Priotech]

Supercruise Assist is essential to exploration for me, the hyperspace dethrottle stops me faceplanting stars when I'm sleepy and with the assist autothrottle disabled you can drop in signal sources quicker or more lazily

[@MATTIUS]

Fair enough.

[@rclines001]

The best way I have figured out in getting started in exploration? Once you get your ship setup like you think you want it, go to a station and click on passenger lounge. Look through those missions and take note of several around 1000ly in range to start with(work your way up after you get more confident). Don't accept them(unless you want to take a passenger). Just write down the locations. Maybe plan a couple stops in the same general area, and then go. This makes for a good short distance test run, and you actually get to see some cool stuff in the process. You don't end up flying 5000ly in a random direction, getting bored, and going wtf am I exploring for anyway, theres nothing out here. I started off and did the random direction thing. Sure it was cool to get my name on some systems, but I never really saw anything really cool. I was so bored. As for great cheap exploration ships? Sure the DBX is great, but you will spend so much time sitting at a star refueling it will get maddening. Buy a Dolphin and use the class 5 slot for a fuel scoop. Engineer the FSD and go unlock and get a class 4 FSD booster. Downgrade the power plant to a 3A, load a SRV bay and scanner and a AFMU and go. This ship will scoop fuel super fast, and it runs so cool that you can literally start your next jump while you are scooping fuel.

[@Jenna_Talia]

Honestly I have a DBX and the fuelling is fine. The jump range on the DBX is *nasty* which is why I have it, that, and it's very capable in combat.

[@XxkemiluvsuxX]

This isn't a bad idea, it's like personal tourist routes stolen from other companies!

[@marsluco1917]

AFMU don't have any weight so the rating selected doesn't matter so once able you can go for a 'B' rated (3B from your example). Reason, other than being no weight issues, 'B' rated AFMUs have a higher repair capacity than the others, downside being they take longer to repair the module that's under repair. Also there's a double engineered FSD (Class 5) available from the Human Tech brokers (form a community goal that just finished). It has both Faster Boot Sequence (+80% Boot Time/+15% Optimal Mass) and Increased Range (+55% Optimal Mass). You will need to add the experimental effect of Mass Manager yourself. This module is has just over 9% better range (with Mass Manager added) than the normal Increased Range/Mass Manager combination. Breakdown of the material cost is below, these will be needed for every module you buy it's not an unlock. Values in brackets are valid until March 12th. You don't have to have been involved with the community goal to get the module. Tellurium 26 (10) Electrochemical Arrays 26 (10) Chemical Processors 28 (12) Datamined Wake Exceptions 18 (10) Thanks for the video :)

[@gerryheynes5082]

What a brilliant examination of exploring. As a newbie, I hadn’t realised how complicated it was going to be (until I get in the swing of it), but your guide has certainly helped a great deal with kitting out a ship and heading off into the black. Many thanks, Gerry [edit - subbed]

[@MATTIUS]

Thanks Gerry. Glad you found it useful.

[@schlirf]

Exploration is GREAT, but the jumps are hell. One piece of advice from a New Elite Explorer: Don't overlook the M class red dwarfs. Pulled several Earthlike and Water world discovery bonuses.

[@DragonNexus]

Thanks very much for the guide! I haven't played this game for years and came back to carry on exploring just to find my ship stuff had changed, scanning worked differently, suddenly I had probes and stuff and an FSS system that was weird, despite the in-game tutorial. I was used to flying near a planet, holding a button for a bit to scan it, then flying to the next one, rince and repeat. Or finding a star 500LY away in a system and flying to it for half an hour to scan it. The rules changed while I wasn't looking and this got me up to date.

[@alekmosingiewicz]

Oh, so I'm not the only one who uses nebulas as signposts when navigating outside of the Bubble... Well, figures :)

[@XellithUS]

I would say you definitely want a weapon of some sort so you can transfer energy to guardian sites to activate them. You never know when it might come in handy.

[@TheMJCMike]

Sound advice. Thank you!

[@adamw.8579]

SRV have built-in plasma guns, no need add more weight and power draw to exploration ship.

[@XellithUS]

@@adamw.8579 Srvs can't be used in space without effort.

[@adamw.8579]

@@XellithUS But Guardian sites are on planet surface.

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

Good job on the content Mattius. Would love to see a whole series on How to Get Started from you. Always interesting to see other folks opinions.

[@MATTIUS]

thanks for the watch. Next one in a few weeks

[@platypusrex2287]

Almost Elite in exploration been making it my first one...

[@Cohen.the.Worrier]

You can start exploring immediately, get a Hauler, equip it with a DSS and you can easily make 1.000 ly trips outside the bubble.

[@Fresh_Baklava]

I would consider myself a seasoned player already. Im here because I enjoy your videos! Lol Thx for sharing o7

[@MATTIUS]

Glad your enjoying it. This one was the new players mainly but im glad you enjoyed it :)

[@chairbornefobbit]

Great starter guide. Here's a little more info. I've found water and earth-likes are most common around F-class stars, followed by G. A-stars commonly have water worlds, but ELWs are less likely. Also - systems with mass code D have the highest probability. The system mass code appears in the name, for example, Eos Aod LC-C d13-24 is the most valuable system I ever found. The "d13-24" is the mass code (D13) and star number (24) with that mass in this sector. It is an F-Class binary star system with 5 terraformable HMCs, 3 terraformable WWs, and 1 ELW, worth ~25 million credits when I sold the data. I have also found far more ELWs around D-mass G star systems than C-mass systems, the more common variety.

[@WR-yc8ts]

So your basically telling me that's where you can get alot of money

[@edmartin875]

@@WR-yc8ts He is telling you where HE has found the higher possibilities.

[@CrzBonKerz21]

Omg that’s the first time I’ve seen a neutron star in game.. that was so cool!!!

[@SVSunnyJim]

The best tutorial on exploration for me yet. Thanks,

[@CasanOffi]

I use the Lakon T6 for exploration, because it´s cheap and provides the best canopy beside the Asp Explorer ^^

[@MATTIUS]

Fair enough :) Its all about finding your own path really.

[@rocknroger7108]

A strange choice, the Cobra. I've always found the Hauler the best exploration vessel, as a beginner player. Outfitting costs half the price of the Cobra and the jump range easily surpasses 24ly.

[@alpha0040]

Nice vid here is a noob question when you are out of the bubble exploring and need to log of for the night what do you do with the ship? I know it seems daft but you have to ask these thing's. keep the vid's coming

[@MATTIUS]

The ship disappears when you log out.

[@kevin60uk]

@@MATTIUS Thanks

[@ivobrick7401]

I don't recommend anyone to filter stars with. You don't have an set goal for "XY" thing in game to find ELW, WW, terraformable planets. You save yourself from a dissapointment - every planet/system scanned. If you travel further from a bubble ~ 1500 ly into dark, and not points of interests, you will find your every single jump in a given area is undiscovered. People think in a straight line, don't be them, reach your point and then start your scientific mission.

[@gearswarrior902]

Been looking for someone who is putting out ED content, thanks and keep it up!

[@MATTIUS]

Welcome

[@knightspearhead5718]

ASP Explorer is best for a starter explorer its what i used my first few years. Way i used too explore for my first hundreds of millions was the colonia/sag A* run Nowadays im currently on a round the galaxy trip, in the The Veils sector You do the same as me with a FSS :P High G planets make it much easier too planetary mine but they are indeed harder too land on.

[@dclark142002]

I decided not to head towards a nebula...just a specified distance (1000 LY) out from Alpha Centauri (after grabbing the mug)...and now I am heading generally towards galactic center...just taking in the sights and beginning to find undiscovered systems. Patience is right. There are so...so many ice worlds and bodies out there...

[@MATTIUS]

Try verging of the well trodden path to SAG A. Find a random star to the left or right and take a detour for a bit. you will get loads of good stuff then. There is also a sort of slice like area made of neutron stars below the galactic plain. try and find it

[@dclark142002]

@@MATTIUS, I am not heading towards Sag A right now. Just generally towards center. I am utilizing the grid on the map to pick stars to head for about every 400 LY. I also am not trying to get there fast...so neutron stars are not what I am looking for. The whole point is the journey, not the destination for me.

[@MATTIUS]

​@@dclark142002 Yeah fair enough. My Krait isnt the highest in terms of jump range for that reason. I think i am just obsessed with heutron stars and pulsars haha.

[@zzntzz]

As always nice content, waiting for follow up video. keep it up

[@MATTIUS]

Thanks for the watch.

[@malyxxplays7949]

So i just got the cobra mk3 and was thinking about mining. Can someone tell me what modules i need to buy to start mining? Like a list?

[@MATTIUS]

You need a refinery, prospector limpets, collection limpets, a surface scanner for scanning rings of planets.

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

And mining lasers.

[@RogerH_CxP]

You've just earned a new subscriber! Keep it up!

[@MATTIUS]

Thanks for the sub!

[@louisavondart9178]

Get yourself a T6 and kit that out with explorer goodies. Use solo play and you wont get hasselled by kill happy players and if you don't carry cargo, pirates will leave you alone after scanning you. Once you are out in deep space, there won't be any pirates anyway so you dont need weapons. The T6 has great range and you can fuel scoop and have no range limits. 2 million will get you everything you need.

[@kovanova9409]

Alternatively to the cobra if you have a bit more money the dbx can be Maxxed out with about 8mil with no engineering

[@emre30489]

Amazing video!!! Thanks a lot.

[@diszruptiveent3634]

Wow I didn't know this game was so in depth

[@Nites2k]

I bind the discovery scanner to my controls, it says either 1 or 2. But it's the same as my fire controls so when I try to use the scanner it says to switch to combat? I'm confused on what is going on there lol.

[@MATTIUS]

Are you using a mouse, a hotas or a gamepad... If you use a game pad there is combination buttons that work to bring up extra menus such as the FSS, surface probes etc. Have a look art your bindings and try setting the fss scanner to some random button on your keyboard (if you are PC) such as the tilde key.

[@Nites2k]

@@MATTIUS ok yea I think I figured out the fss button last night. I guess I meant I binded the scanner to the second fire control group. I assume if you are in combat mod and press mouse1 or 2 it fires your weapons and if you are in analysis mode you press mouse1 or 2 to engage the scanner. So say discovery scanner is mouse 1 and in analysis mode I press mouse1 but my weapons deploy. I think I have gotten the button bindings confused with fire control groups?? I feel like it's hard asking some elite dangerous questions via text cuz it may sound confusing. I hope my reply did tho

[@MATTIUS]

Yeah combat mode and discovery mode. Not a problem bud. Anything i can do to help, just ask :)

[@Nites2k]

@@MATTIUS fo sure. This game is wildly lacking in explanation. And questions are easier asked than typed as well. Gotta find a group of peps I guess

[@knightspearhead5718]

I dont think you know or forgot too say Volcanism(on the system map in the info tab) is what decides the geological sites with vents

[@MATTIUS]

Yeah silicate geysers etc. Forgot about that. Cheers

[@AdrianHilder]

Great video, but puzzled by ship choice for exploring. The Hauler is cheaper, has enough storage compartments and a longer jump range. Maybe the Cobra's larger fuel tank means fuel scooping less often, or you simply prefer spending time in the Cobra...

[@MATTIUS]

Personally i use the Krait Phantom. For en explore ship the Cobra is best as a starter as to its increased module slots, more hull strength and better flyer.

[@AdrianHilder]

@@MATTIUS I have ambitions to go exploring in a Krait Phantom - I here it has more space than the "default" choice ASP X. I also have ambitions to explore in an Anaconda, but that's a way off yet. Only just got into a Hauler having just started to play Elite for this first time since 1984 and the ZX Spectrum. I'll guess have to take a turn in the Corba III so as to not miss out.

[@Resident_Nightlord]

I already have a main account for bounty hunting and mercenary work, and I've been wanting to make a second one for exploration.

[@MATTIUS]

Its worth it if you have the time. Just make sure you have a podcast or show to watch on the second screen.

[@Resident_Nightlord]

@@MATTIUS Yeah true. Thanks for the tip

[@Jenna_Talia]

I honestly kind of wish high metal content worlds were rarer. It becomes such a chore mapping 5-6 planets per system, but leaving them isn't an option at all.

[@MATTIUS]

100%

[@ringa1770]

How much do you get from 1 HMC world?

[@Jenna_Talia]

@@ringa1770 actually not much it seems. They're still worth picking up given the sheer quantity of them. However it's considered a must if the planet is terraformable. In other cases, it's worth picking up HMC worlds but only if you feel like it.

[@ringa1770]

@@Jenna_Talia Oh okay, thank you

[@SledgeFox]

Thank you very much!

[@MATTIUS]

No worries!

[@TimePlanck]

This is an elite rig my dude.

[@MATTIUS]

It was just how I did it personally. Other players have done it differently using different ships, but using this build will get you up and running making money with exploration. Aim for the krait however 🙂

[@Superschokokeks]

yes it was helpful. thx

[@fosty.]

So are there still places out there that nobody has discovered?

[@MATTIUS]

There are many places. If you get around 10000 light years away from the bubble, you will find them in abundance.

[@ComedicLetter]

Something like

[@Bakastarwind020779]

I like what your doing for new player's, However, I beg to differ on how much one can ern throo exploration. I know this as I've been set a challinge that they call 'The New Explorer' challenge, not sure if it's a real thing, but i'm enjoying the story's, mystery's and vista's that I've come across in my five week's of this challenge so far. Also, Pardon my spelling as I'm Dyslexic and spell check's realy hate me. First thing I had to do was buy a standerd Sidewinder, then before outfitting it, transfer all my credit's to my fleet carrier so my bank is empty. I am then band from selling any of my ship's,, withdrawing any of my credit's from my carrier, I'm band from the Job's Bord, Passinger Mission's, Mineing, and bounty hunting. Next i vissate the Cannon Reaserch Website and update'ed my list of Generation Ship location's from 7 to 16 and vissate all of them, mapping every system as I go. Supriseingly, this ernd me enuf credit's to traid up to an Asp Explorer, outfit it for Planet Exploration. I then Vissate the Cannon Reaserch Website agen and update my Abandond Settelmint Location's from 28 to 62. I then go to the first 23 as their old Text story location's, good for practissing and salvateing materials. When finished, i was suprised to find out I could traid in my ship for a Krait Phantom, and outfit it for Planitery Exploration. I then cheeted a little and engineerd the ship so I could make a Jump of 62 Light year's. I could do more but I prefer the largest fule tank as it's handy for places like the Formidine rift. I then headed out for the Dynasty Project Site's. First I went to the Formidine Rift Site's, stoping at the Soal Nebula Station and was suprised when i traided in my Eploration data for 110 Million credit's. I then headed out further to the Zurara wair i found a Fleet Carrier and traided in my data for a further 56 million credit's. I then head for the site's at the Conflux stoping at the Bubble Nebula for some nice vista's. I then head for the Eagle Nebula's Station for some repair's and traid in my Exploration data for 220 Million credit's. I then head for the site's in the Hawkin's Gap wair i found a Fleet carrier wair i also traid in my data. I currently have 481 Million Credit's. I am currently heading for the Witch head nebula as I've not been their, once their i plan on continuing the challange by exploring the 10 Inra Baces, Commander Jameson's Crashed Cobra, and Bug Killer's Crash Site before finnishing with the other abandond settelmint's as I hear that Thargoid's can turn up at them. I here their will be some Salvage so I'm glad I already have a size 32 cargo rack installed. Wile I know I will have enuf to buy and outfit an Annaconda when I get back to the bubble, I think I will stay with the Phantom as it's easyer to land at site's. But then agen I did enjoy scouting planet's for location's with my fighter's. I would highly recomend this challenge for thow's looking for somthing a little difrent than what their doing just now. Starting a new save, Enginnering one's ship, or getting rid of their credit's is every player's choice! Agen, Pardom my spelling, I'm dyslexic and spell check's realy hate me.

[@MATTIUS]

Phantom is a better exploration ship. It handles better, and although the jump will be bigger engineered on an annaconda, you will mush systems out when out on long range survey trips.

[@Bakastarwind020779]

@@MATTIUS That's true. I've spent the last year trying out a few thing's in the bubble, and the year befor in the Annaconda exploaring the Guardian Ruin's. It took me over a week just to get out to the Formidine Rift settelmint's, but now I've got that down to covering that disdince in just 4 day's, thow I think I might make it to the witch head Nebula in three. I realy think the Phantom handle's better on planet's. Pluss, I don't have to fly up side down when serching planet's, witch was the reason i put a fighter in the Annaconda. Still like leveing a few planet's out their for other's to find. Their's an Earth like within a 120 light years of the Conflux site's waiting to be map'ed if any one's up for the challenge to find it.

[@edmartin875]

@@MATTIUS Any new players following your advice will not have ANYTHING engineered.

[@Enforcer_Hound1]

Me personally I like the diamond back explorer now I just have to figure out engineering

[@MATTIUS]

Its a great little ship, used it myself in the past.

[@Enforcer_Hound1]

@@MATTIUS I mainly use it I’ll have to re buy it once I get my gaming PC supposed to be here in March so that’s fun. I nicked named the ship the Star skimmer ( or surfer) I can’t remember what it was my ps4 died last year

[@WanderingPilgrim]

It's how I started. o7

[@baminecrafta]

@@Enforcer_Hound1 If you can't get on your ps4 anymore you might look into transferring your assets to your new pc account. It will liquidate your ships and modules into credits and won't transfer ranks or anything like that, but it is better than nothing

[@astroseia3380]

I'm just glad you didn't recommend the DBX as a starter explorer, cause I don't think it deserves the amount of praise it receives. The AspX is better in just about every way in my opinion, and if you buy it in Li Yong-Rui space, it's only 5.5mil rather than 6.6. But that's just my opinion.

[@MATTIUS]

I was working with a 1 million credit Budget. The Asp is an amazing exploration vessel, but it is slightly out of reach for new players who dont want to use the road to riches route.

[@astroseia3380]

@@MATTIUS Totally understandable, though I ran RtR on my secondary account and was able to get an AspX in under an hour of play. If they just put in a bit of time at the beginning, their journeys will be a little more comfortable over long distances. Though I know finding the right 3rd party resources in the beginning is sorta hard. (And honestly, who wouldn't want to admire a few more water and earthlike worlds?)

[@sbssmachine1]

@@astroseia3380 solid advice. Just did exactly the same. Sidewinder-aspx in an hour or two.

[@sbssmachine1]

MATTIUS I'm kinda confused. So the target player is brand new and super keen to explore but doesn't like the idea of flying about for a bit and scanning stuff to get some money? That's exploration in a nutshell though really

[@MATTIUS]

@@sbssmachine1 They want to get into exploration as soon as possible. Take it you dont like exploration. Gotchya

[@BjornBultinck]

Not completly agread on the no weapon thing. You will find expensive stuff on some planets, pirates like that and will engage if they know you have some. If they have modules that makes your fsd charge very slowly, you will have no means to defend yourself and if they kill you, you lose all your precious data. You don't want this to happen.

[@MATTIUS]

The build was intended as a beginners exploration ship, one you can learn the ropes with. The best defence when it comes to exploration is evasion. If you kit the ship out with weapons, better hull and shields then your jump range will suffer. One gun for the guardian sites yes, a full suite, not for me.

[@Crested-jh3mb]

If a new player has done things right they should already have a Cobra Mk III and enough credits to upgrade to a better ship by the time they leave the newbie area.

[@ComedicLetter]

Alright, I’m out deep in the black with a lot of data now, thanks. Now... how do I get back?

[@The_Jinxed_Joker]

i always find the concept of "exploration guides" funny... i mean... just look at the two words together and tell me thats not funny

[@scribbs3525]

"New Player" - Except you need 1 million credits. Not very helpful for a new player.

[@MATTIUS]

1 million credits can be obtained in around 3 hours using the get rich quick guides, scanning the systems as you fly through the bubble.

[@TBoneHEMA]

I million credits can be obtained in 15 minutes if you go to a haz res zone and follow the authorities around. It's easy.

[@sadlife8495]

Is the point of this game to convince strangers on the internet to fly in one direction for 30 minutes just to realize they are getting no closer and quit?

[@MATTIUS]

No closer to what ? making money ?

[@TBoneHEMA]

No? What are you on about?