Fuel Rats: My 200th Rescue (Elite: Dangerous)

In this video commemorating my 200th rescue, I walk through a challenging case red scenario to find a CMDR out of time in the black.
More details and discussion can be found on reddit:
/ behind_the_scenes_of_m...
Want to learn more about the Fuel Rats? Check out fuelrats.com
Want to see more of my work? Check out my website: mattoco.com
Audio:
"Beyond our Dreams"
• Really Slow Motion - B...
by Really Slow Motion
www.reallyslowm...
This video was created using assets and imagery from Elite: Dangerous, with the permission of Frontier Developments plc, for non-commercial purposes. It is not endorsed by nor reflects the views or opinions of Frontier Developments and no employee of Frontier Developments was involved in the making of it.

[@jackhat40]

this guy needs to narrate audio books

[@VainqueurRoy]

Huzzah!

[@jdude5786]

Exactly what I thought the first time I chatted with the dude on discord.

[@SOU6900]

Ironically I just had an ad for audio books.

[@Yaminity]

F*ck yesss.. i will feel like im in a movie with dwyane the rock johnson only by an audiobook

[@Tony-dh7mz]

The Pork Chop Express driver is right,

[@CrimsonGamer99]

Wait, the fuel rats are REAL PLAYERS? This makes me respect the game's community even more. I have never had to place a call because I am a timid little assclown of a pilot.

[@MrNomadic76]

How honest of you, made me lol.

[@CrimsonGamer99]

+MrNomadic76 You know, I say that, and not two weeks later here I am, pulling full frontal assaults on high security bases looking for MORE FUCKING SPECIALISED LEGACY FIRMWARE. I already lost like four SRVs this evening.

[@MrNomadic76]

CrimsonGamer99 Haha, so a not so timid assclown of a pilot then.

[@CrimsonGamer99]

+MrNomadic76 I prefer the phrase "risk-taking". Nah, I'm just an assclown. No more timid part.

[@Velvex_Vancreed]

They have a discord you can contact them from

[@GhostGiraffe]

Brings little water to the eye as the Sidey blasts off =)

[@rchessmasterc]

Ghost Giraffe!

[@KirstenBayes]

It really does! "Fly safe, commander"

[@kslatter1168]

The hero we need but the one we don't deserve.

[@zarbonthedestroyer7232]

a lot of players in this community are shit and don't deserve the respect of honest players

[@Will6753]

I never saw the point of this group until one day I found myself without fuel with thousands of credits worth of tea in my hold. And the response time was amazing.

[@Life-tastic]

Zomboing tea. they saved you because you had tea.... try six months worth of exploration data.

[@troykemp5329]

How much tea was it XD

[@firehunterz2311]

British are we, ay?

[@cogspace]

@@Life-tastic No man, they saved him because he had no fuel. =)

[@57thorns]

@@Life-tastic The thing is that several thousand credits is a lot of money for a new player, while six months of exploration data is, well, a stupid risk from someone that should know better?

[@Xbox_HonorGuard_Ra]

I'm not a Fuel Rat, but I remember my first rescue. I received a text from my best friend during dinner. He'd run out of fuel on a VIP transport mission; drifting with a $750k payday. Refueling a Type 6 and watching it jump away was very satisfying. Hats off to the Fuel Rats! No spacer left behind!

[@1616scarecrow]

the rats are awesome. that make the game unique

[@robertweller1137]

Nearly brings a tear to my eye. I love how you you have no elitism. You don't mock him/her for being a noob, don't dismiss there free ship as being unworthy of saving. Great job.

[@ohigetjokes]

I'm relatively new to the game but I have to say I love the fact that you guys even exist. It's just another sign of how amazing this community is. Hope I can find time to join you guys someday!

[@Angel_Underscore]

So, did you?

[@isziahs5951]

So, did you?

[@Angel_Underscore]

Copycats

[@roguewipplash1]

So, did you?

[@a_randomdude3343]

So, d҉i҉d҉ y҉o҉u҉?

[@danielmahon1589]

This type of help within a game is oftentimes what makes or breaks a title and more experienced players need to help out the noobs because they haven't been playing the game for five years like you have been so imagine all the high level players of your favorite mmorpg going to all the low level areas and showing the new player the ropes not because there is a reward but because they are there to have fun and so are you

[@duramirez]

I did that sooooooo many times in MMO for as far as 20 years now. I do it because it like helping people :)

[@57thorns]

@@duramirez The fuel rats are just a small part of the community, but a vital one. I guess there are people on other MMO games as well that help new players just for the fun of it. They just do it on a case by case basis and they do not need this whole organization around to make it work.

[@bububibi6315]

Lemoh nade run out of juice .

[@TekkyEntity]

Hahaha

[@bobguy6542]

Take your like 3 years later, and gtfo

[@archeryguy1701]

You guys are awesome! I'm a new player and got a big shock when I ran into a fuel shortage problem. I had cut it close a few times in my play through today and I kept finding myself unable to jump to my next sector on a route due to a lack of fuel and no local stations. However, I always had just enough fuel to get to 1 or 2 other nearby sectors, so I could always get myself out of trouble. Late this afternoon, that all went out the window. I managed to find myself in a sector that was at least 7LY away from every other system, and not enough fuel to cover that distance. I started Googling around on my phone to confirm whether or not I was completely screwed. Most signed pointed to the fact that I was hosed, but I stumbled across somebody posting your link in a forum. Expecting to either not get any response, or to possibly be griefed, I sent the Rats a distress call. Your guy Ma7hew was there within minutes and got me sorted right out. He taught me about the Fuel Scoop and how to use it, and I thanked him for his service by accidentally boosting into him... oops, haha. Good thing he was shielded and my shields ***just*** came back up. This is an awesome service, and it's neat to see a bunch of people spending their playing time helping out and rescuing other players rather than being a bunch of pricks, haha.

[@rchessmasterc]

+

[@TheBestOfFeatrob]

Tom Londe Two words; Fuel Scoop

[@silverphoenix2450]

Brand new, started 3 hours ago. Was meeting a friend when my galaxy map messed up my plot and sent me to only non scoop able stars. Let's just say it was great to see you guys

[@head-honker]

I know this video is old, and I've not yet had to call the Rats, but these guys are amazing! This kind of dedication to serve the game's population is unheard of anywhere else.

[@roondarmurnig338]

He was trying to super cruise to Eravate? and he did it for *50* *minutes*?!

[@ranger7544]

Why even do it in Supercruise? He could've just jumped with the FSD.

[@fluffyrevenge22]

Cat I think he just did it for the novelty lmao

[@intorsusvolo7834]

In a sidewinder...

[@TekkyEntity]

Pretty sure he was low on fuel so he was trying to get close to the system so he can FSD and then he ran out of fuel.

[@joshuathegrate2000]

iv actually had had that happen when i started out, ended up in a system that i could not scoop from and did not have any fuel to jump anywhere else so i supper cruised towards the nearest system in the hope that i would be able to get close enough to make a jump. my friend ended up rescuing me.

[@Radintoriov]

Congratulations on your 200th rescue! Talk about cutting it close with 20 seconds left on life support! :P

[@midnightstarfall8166]

I have a legitimate respect for you guys. A Fuel Rat got me out of a small situation where I overestimated my fuel reserves and got trapped in a system without a scoop, I learned a valuable lesson from the event.

[@TypicalDutchSaysHi]

This video is recommended to me today in 2023. Awesome, congratulations with the 200th mission many years ago :D

[@jvinton7002]

Fuel Rats rock! Had to ring you dudes a month or so ago, bought the game on ps4 and misjudged the distance and fuel drain on my newly purchased Eagle and wound up stranded with no fuel scoop. The rat that answered the call was super friendly and helpful, gave me enough fuel for my trip to the closest port where I promptly bought a fuel scoop. Lesson learned, I love ED!

[@TheSixStringGuy]

Truly amazing a game company developed such a massive game to the point people have "jobs" and "dutys" within the game itself ...so rewarding thank you Fuel Rats

[@ranzreich8918]

holy cow. I dont even play Elite and didnt understand most of that stuff but I can't express how awesome this is. the fact that you have thw most perfect narrator voice helps with that!

[@GhostEmblem]

Why do all of these videos get me teary eyed

[@JosephLinares]

Hats off to the Fuel Rats. For me, they represent what Elite can be at its best.

[@kongolandwalker]

I love emergent gameplay. Those rescue services were not intended by the game, but players found out a new role to play as.

[@dragonborn2314]

O7 CMDR. The fuel rats will forever be the heros we need in our darkest time

[@Zeinon7]

Man! I just watched and listened to the most epic story telling ever. This guys shoild be in Hollywood with thtat voice!

[@legendaryavocadogod7290]

as someone who recently received a save from a fuel rat a salute to you all and what you do

[@GokouZWAR]

I just joined the fuel rats yesterday. This is what they do every day guys. It’s amazing.

[@th3battlefi3ldfreak29]

Had to call them once and I couldn't believe how fast they got there. They are awesome people!!

[@KirstenBayes]

Although I have never called the Fuel Rats, I have known the panic that comes from bingo fuel (those Vipers can be tricky when you leave the starter system...). It inspires me to know that there are such heroes in the dark reaches of space.

[@telfer3388]

Wait a minute. People use IRC in 2017? Serious nostalgia points for You Good Sir. Now i have to subscribe.

[@TheLaptopLagger]

I once got stuck in a system (near Kamadhenu) with a station. But I had so little fuel left that entering supercruise would fuck me up. I got saved by a group of fuel rats You guys are the glue to hold all elite dangerous factions together From explorers to traders From miners to pirates You somehow help us all And for that We salute you. o7

[@lion9f452]

The rats remain one of the coolest things about Elite

[@aliservan7188]

These guys are heroes... They've saved my ass sooooo many times.

[@goobot829]

Damn fuel rats are loyal like that's a sidewinder yet they still put in all that effort it's great

[@gotsteem]

OMG, that was extremely cool. I had no idea just how intense being a fuel rat could be.. Most excellent. Thanks. I'm glad you're there. CMDR Bullet

[@quantomic1106]

Thank you for your service, Fuel Rats!

[@avvshux]

I'll never forget the time this dude saved me. Such a great community of people.

[@AGuy12908]

Came here because I thought the Fuel Rats had a YT channel, stayed because this particular Fuel Rat has the voice of an angel and the diction of an audiobook narrator. Consider me subscribed! (update: I didn't know the account hasn't posted in years :( sad. Staying subbed just in case!)

[@radardog1]

That supercruise drop was a work of art. I am amazed.

[@robostusSophie]

this is why i choose to play this game. because it has a very very amazing community and it always makes me emotional

[@Tehed82]

Jesus Christ... I can't express how awesome it is that something like the fuel rats exist. Brilliantly done!

[@Quester91]

You guys are heroes

[@BigSimpin420]

Jesus I thought I was watching a legit movie for a second. His voice is perfect! So good. Loved this video a ton!

[@brutlern]

Rats of Fuel FTW! I almost needed your assistance as well just a couple of days ago, but managed to barely (and I do mean BARELY) jump to a star that was scoopable and had a big sigh of relief.

[@alientje97]

when u realise not all hope is lost for humanity after being cubstomped every day by the media about humanity's evilness. o7 respect

[@GrilledCheeseObamaSandwichMMMM]

I don’t understand anything he says but it’s so awesome that i keep watching!!

[@korulsstoragehub3822]

That was amazing dude. 1.3 million LS from everything and you managed to nail it.

[@jordanheeren1424]

im an eve player, generally you have to pull teeth. there is always spys and people like goons out to monopolize the game. getting help is like asking to get ganked. which is all the more reason, i find it amazing people like your faction exist. a faction that seriously out to help players without compensation! all the love man, all the love

[@Rik079]

It's fun to see how much IRC communications and procedures have changed

[@BTultras]

anyone else got that Optimus Prime feeling at the end? i got chills over my body from your voice! thank you for helping those in need!

[@konigwolff]

I just called the rats for the first time a couple weeks ago. It was less than 5 minutes when they arrived. I now carry all the supplies on my Anaconda to do the same thing.

[@WexMajor82]

This is one of the most wholesome things I have ever seen. And I don't even know what game it is.

[@Some1fromTheCrowd]

What a Great RP, and a noble purpose. Reminds me of the glory days of freelancer Discovery.

[@wildmonkiesJR]

You get a like my friend. I met one of you guys once and it was a honor to meet a group of individuals like you

[@RiminiVirage]

Outstanding job, splendid narration . The Rats are just ACE, glad to know you have our backs in the black.

[@cranbers]

Wow, the narration made this video as others say bring a tear to me eye. So cool people take this game so serously to help out strangers for nothing more then feeling like they did a good thing. Kudos!

[@LaughingKrow]

I've never needed the Rats myself. Always rocking those 5A or 6A scoops. And always make sure to make the last jump to a scoopable. But I have some beginner friends you people have saved. Tremendous respect. I kinda hope someday I'll need it. o7

[@TESI303]

You guys are Elite Heroes! Keep up the amazing work!

[@gamersforge]

7 years later and this video is still legend. Elite player community is the best and the rats snack their cheese nonchalantly at the very top! Fly dangerous CMDRs! o7 ~~~

[@HPmcDoogle]

The idea of the fuel rats is just spectacular, and to think Radlock is a part of it. I just recently got into E:D and man, this game is something else. It fulfills my need for scale, and my love of space. Never run out of fuel yet though, but if i ever do, i know who to call. Just bring enough for a type 9 eh? Haha.

[@Horotoma]

You make fuel rat rescues look like an art.

[@CrestOfArtorias]

Thanks for your service, brave fuel rats.

[@torquaymouse2236]

The best guild ever created in any game ever, fuel rats are awesome.

[@falco566]

I have been rescued by them, once, far from the bubble, in 2017 or so. As professional as it gets. A nice Cdr drops in with a shiny Asp, enquires about the reasons for this incident and gives you fuel and all the info you need to avoid that carelessness. This cdr had spent at least 40 hours jumping, felt like hugging him IRL. Totally worth 20 bucks on their patreon or somewhere, it is a lot of work and coordination. Indisputably in the pantheon of the very best ED communities. I hear they still operate. The thargoid war may not impact them so significantly. But I dont know the player base today. Ive always had a pirate ship (challenger) around, some best memories from relieving a grumpy noisy Russian Grom anaconda from 30 cans of stuff, and pirating has a code, dont shoot to kill unless the target has value and refuses to comply. To stop and threaten an explorer or even worse a fuel rat is already below the belt. To attack them is the equivalent of war crime.

[@PerrenialMillennial]

I have never played this game, but I get a sense of how epic this is, you guys rock!

[@szibur8324]

I've called the Fuel Rats once...when I miscalculated my jumps i've ended in the empty space somewhere near the Beluga System...apparently, i wasn't loosing oxygen so the help didn't have to hurry ^^, but they are awesome players and living tutorials how to prevent the lack of fuel and they can always help with almost everything, not only with the lack of fuel. Lot of expect for you guys and hope i'll join the Fuel Rats someday...when I...get more credits and ships...

[@sneakyrodent1853]

Love this video! The Fuel Rats rescued me not long after I started playing and I will always be grateful.

[@FoolioBeardy]

Good thinking on the client's part, both to have noted their travel time and to screencap their nav panel!

[@damienweeks8581]

o7 commander. I'm glad we have people like you willing to help us out. Thank you!

[@jimc7022]

Bravo man. I love what u guys created out of a sandbox game. You are even referred to in Novels. Very inspiring

[@pallenda]

I just saw The Gaming Discourse video on the Fuel Rats and saw this video in the list.. Holy crap this is like future rescue 911 TV show. Your story telling is very good!

[@jhbutch]

Haven't had to ask for help from the Rats yet but glad you are out there doing your thing. Keep it up

[@JazzyMcJeff]

After getting the help of the Fuel Rats just yesterday, watching this video was absolutely inspiring. I hope to one day become a Fuel Rat.

[@LRR-333]

This was SOOO Awesome man!!! I used the service one a couple of years back, FLAWLESS!

[@BritishTexan707]

OMG I actually felt emotion for this video

[@FallenActual]

the story telling made me more emotional than it should have good video!

[@alexandredeoliveirapenna198]

Wow! Amazing narrative! Almost crying here

[@charlesnchrg3]

O, Man, you guys saved me in my ED infancy. Much respect and love for the fuel rats.

[@danny5937]

One of many reasons why I can't wait to finally start playing Elite dangerous on PS4, a matter of days now, great video 👌

[@57thorns]

This was intesnse, and it makes returning to Elite slightly less daunting. I played several years ago but just setting up the joystick proved a hurdle. Today I downloaded a settings file and printed a cheat sheet and started training, And if I mess up, I know the Fuel Rats are there.

[@wmhazim5030]

This morning i fell asleep while supercruise and travelled about 1ly from reference point in my FDL. Lucky when i woke up i still got 5% fuel left. Tried to jump to nearest system that have starport but not enough fuel. I was panicking until i remember about the economical route. You can travel further if you jump to the nearest system in the path until you reach the destination compared to jumping straight to the destination.

[@FlyLeah]

Yup, I believe fuel consumption is exponential as how many light years you jump along your jumprange

[@LewandowskiDamianManager]

Haven't seen mIRC since 2005... Your video brings back good memories. 👍

[@ryanturner6920]

I have to say... you guys rock! I salute you. Way to play the game. I play in VR, which really narrows my ability to interact with others... but I wish every day that I could have both the communication tools of a keyboard and the experience of VR at the same time... someday.

[@RadLockRecursion]

You might want to look into OpenVRDesktopDisplayPortal or Bigscreen. In combination with Autohotkey you might be able to get a VR Desktop setup working that can allow you access to IRC within VR that can be viewed from ingame and toggled to easily enough to chat without taking off the headset.

[@Shambalamc4]

or learn how to type blind.

[@vracan]

I use voice attack with dictation for text chatting. Works pretty well!

[@ryanturner6920]

vracan I have been looking into this after the suggestion by Radlock above. If you wouldn't mind sharing... How do you switch between Voice Attack and dictation? What dictation App do you recommend?

[@ryanturner6920]

ShotgunBettyShambalam That has been on my "Talents to learn" list since I was 19! Lol! I type enough that it should be easy. But I think there is a mental block when I "know" I can't look at the keyboard. I second guess myself.

[@EverPaintP]

I used mIRC back in early 2000's didnt know it is still a thing. Good to know.

[@wockymottle]

this made me cry thanks

[@QuackersForMath]

Always love it when a CR comes together. o7

[@ayzen1024]

Man I know it’s older now, but I love you guys. Watching this is amazing lol. So intense

[@anonimodoanonimato7672]

This is how awesome humans can be. Great work fuel rats

[@BiasedGamerV]

This gives me chills

[@SagaciousDjinn]

Absolutely beautiful videography, this seemed like art. Well done commander. You've done us well again. I'm new to the game, yet focusing my goal as a fuelrat as my end goal. Good on you sir.

[@VeggieGamer]

Never played this game before, in fact I was just only looking it up yesterday, then today got recommended a video all about the Fuel Rats so watched and found it fasinating, then this popped up and I have to admit.. this was an awesome watch!! XD Even for someone that has never played Elite: Dangerous! Nice work making it there on time!

[@ghostofonyx777]

That was amazing. Not just the situation but also how it was told. Loved this.

[@cervantes01]

You guys are heroes, respect 07

[@andresrosa2352]

I have to say that thanks to you guys I've learned how to be more efficient in my travels and I will forever thankful for the two fuel rats that saved my Python in the deep black!

[@StephenGoddard-MiisterSpiice]

Well done guys your altruism is amazing.

[@mattmurphy1065]

A sidewinder, it all makes sense now… This makes me want to join cause I have definitely been there.

[@dusantrajkovic79]

I enjoyed in every second of your video. Eternal respect!

[@cmdrterrorfirma4244]

Fuel Rats you guys are awesome!

[@TafTabTah]

I've never heard of this game before. Just learned about the Fuel Rats. I find this absolutely amazing!