The No-BS Exploration Outfitting Guide (Elite Dangerous)

This first episode of my comprehensive exploration guide revolves around ship choice, ship outfitting, and getting introduced to the galaxy map. I go over not only the best choices for exploration, but options for beginners without a lot of credits to their name yet. Stay tuned for more episodes where we go over the in-and-outs of exploring and navigating in space!
Support the channel at Patreon! / sepulchergeist

[@bobsaget3874]

10:00 "it's a sponge. it's a sponge for haters. it's a heatsink for haters... a hate-sink"

[@nonchip]

"what's a flight assist? yoink" :P

[@rikkilleen3169]

"You're ship configuration isn't optimized." "Yes, it is. It's configured for optimal FUN!"

[@aXYZGaming]

You are ship config isn't optimised is the universal truth

[@ADuckful]

You want to see "non-optimal build, purely for my enjoyment", take a ride in my Explor-De-Lance.

[@mrboatface4023]

holy shit, same. Mine has 37 LY and I'm still building her up

[@Solnoric]

I did a handful of shorter jaunts into the black in a tuned up chieftain. That was fun

[@HaloACE56]

Care to share the build?

[@ADuckful]

@@HaloACE56 build? She's a pvp-fit pve'er with a surface scanner :D

[@CommanderKrieg]

Sounds like taking a joyride in my federal cruisette

[@marcuscross1]

When I'm out exploring (I have kind of a mid grade fuel scoop), I decelerate to where the fuel scoop just starts picking up, set the throttle at zero and park there. You don't have to be moving to pick up fuel, but it does go faster that way. However, I use the extra time it takes to fuel to use the FSS and do a survey. If you're out in the black, you're not going to run into npcs, so you have all the time in the world to sit still and take a good look. Cheers, commanders 07

[@GerLeahy]

In the Elite you really do learn something everyday. Thanks.

[@AlexandreLollini]

Agreed, but there are times when you just want to fast forward, and then the fuel scoop time need to be short, multiplied by 1000. Also FSS from close to a star often blocks you part of the system, my style is to fuel scoop first, then do FSS, and I plan ahead and don't fuel scoop everywhere, except when space is darker and it becomes dicy.

[@unclemikeyplays]

This has been my method so far, too -- Scooping and FSSing seem to go hand in hand really well, especially in a system with lots to scan. I have been hit by pirates a couple of times doing this (scored my one and only kill to date and got an unlooked for bonus bounty), but it still seems like a good combination.

[@marcuscross1]

@@unclemikeyplays yeah man, it's a little dicey within the bubble sometimes, and Pirates can hang around the entry star... But I'm rarely carrying anything of value for them to be interested in if I'm exploring. Lol outside the bubble(s), this isn't a concern. Go as far as a couple hundred lightyears out, and the npcs disappear. If you're in guardian territory, for example, you'll never see anyone but other players, and then only if you're in open mode, and that's roughly 600ly or so outside the main bubble. Pleiades and witch head sector bubbles will contain pirates and/or thargoids, so you gotta be careful around there. Otherwise, have a great time!

[@JonathonBarton]

@@AlexandreLollini Honk the system, figure out the orbital plane, then take a second to Supercruise away from the star and re-enter near the North or South pole of the star - where you can see the whole system from slightly above or below the orbital plane...then leisurely scoop while you FSS everything.

[@Striker9]

I showed my father in law the galaxy map, told him it was pretty close to real life, explained how each star could hold other planets and some in the goldilocks zone could be like earth. He just said "Well shit maybe there are aliens!"

[@friedonionjuice4858]

“No bs guide” “And so I just repaired my ships paint and got it looks sparkly”

[@spoonlamp]

Can I just say, as someone who's had this game for a while but only just installed it - omg ... space is...so big!

[@boiledelephant]

Terrifying, isn't it? And due to baked-in limitations in how the universe actually works, we'll almost certainly never travel to another star besides Sol IRL... Edit - oh and all this is just "our" galaxy, one of countless billions of galaxies, and the distances between them scale up like the distance between stars. Trying to imagine how far away other galaxies are makes me feel dizzy.

[@thesampion628]

@@boiledelephant Interestingly enough, galaxies are *relatively* closer to each other than stars are. But in *absolute* terms, they're still very far away.

[@amunra4015]

@@boiledelephant If you really want to feel dizzy imagine this. If you had a space ship that could travel between stars in 1 second(no matter the distance), and you did this from the beginning of big bang until the end of the universe(approximately 5 billion years from now), you wouldn't have even explored 1/100th of 1% of the KNOWN universe.

[@MrTwhispers]

@@amunra4015 what about instant teleportation?

[@MrTwhispers]

@@boiledelephant That isn't that true. CERN will mostly likey find and store antimatter (which could possible fuel an Alcubierre-like drive which in theory can travel FTL) sometime this decade.

[@jcole1679]

Dude, supercruise assist is amazing lol. Just installed yesterday and its basically autopilot while in a system. Takes you to any object and if it's a planetary body puts you in orbit, great for mapping.

[@SepulcherGeist]

Yeah I've played with it a bit since making this video, but I didn't know it full on put you in orbit. Thanks for the info, commander. o7

[@torvahnys]

Hmm, I may put it on the exploration ship I'm building on my alt account... which I bought just for exploration.

[@Daikael]

@@SepulcherGeist If you pull it off right, It can be used for very aggressive entry profiles where a human just can't hit that 'j' button fast enough, been using it for a while. Alos good for being a lazy bum.

[@escknx]

I wonder if there is a control key that can be assigned to turn on this function instead of going 1-d-space-d-space sequence every damn quest.

[@SerLagsalot]

it's feels a good deal slower you a pilot at the controls could be, though

[@Halinspark]

With Fuel Scoops, once you get good at finding the sweet spot when balancing your heat, you can run a lower fuel scoop so you have a built in spot for bathroom and snack breaks.

[@bobingabout]

Docking computer: Don't need one, use one anyway. Watch is it crashes into towers inside the station, and makes my type 7 hump a queuing orca while it tries to undock me.

[@bingibus4553]

I got flamed on reddit for saying that i run a Class 6 fighter bay on my ExploraConda. But i'm gonna tell your now, racing with your exploration buddy (if you have one) through a vast canyon is real fun.

[@paulp.l.4869]

Good idea, I actually didn't think of using the fighters to "explore"

[@titanf30]

I do the same thing with my Anaconda. It gives you something more to do when you just want to take a break from exploring. Too bad it's currently parked in Colonia and I'm about 29000ly away in the Formadine Rift with my AspX to use it though lol.

[@lesath7883]

I must try this! Thanks for the idea.

[@MrZega000]

Reddit is toxic af, just sayin'

[@Systematix]

I am just now getting into this game (on Xbox One X as I do not have a good PC right now) and I love that you are making a tutorial and add in all of the bits that make you happy, and help you feel the part is SUPER appreciated. I play most of my games this way over just simply optimizing every different aspect, and I always feel like I get so much more out of it. I am excited to start exploring and really just get into the feel of this game.

[@sammorrow8420]

FYI, you can fuel scoop at zero throttle in Supercruise. You must get it going first and get close enough but not too close to the star where your heat is not increasing before slowing to zero throttle in Supercruise. Just sit and wait for it to be full. Having the best fuel scoop your ship can fit usually negates the need for this method. A 50% hotkey/keybind is better than a 75%, less LoS... 😜

[@unclemikeyplays]

Also: thank you for these videos. Some of them have confirmed what I've figured out on my own; some have shown me things that were hidden in plain sight or that I just hadn't found yet. Your approach is awesome, and your attitude positive.

[@bob38028]

I just found your channel man, you're really easy to listen to and understand compared to other people. Keep it up!

[@stingray1irwin0]

dude, fuel scooping becomes completely passive with supercruise assist. just set assist to orbit the target star and set down the controller

[@SepulcherGeist]

Cool to know; I'll try it sometime

[@MechanisedChaos]

I didn't know that either, totally trying that out

[@stingray1irwin0]

I should have stated obviously the speed you'll get will depend on your ship's ability to passively lose heat, don't expect to get 300+ per second if you're letting your battle conda scoop while you do the dishes

[@57thorns]

@@stingray1irwin0 On the other hand, you will not have time to do the dishes when you only need 4 tons of fule and the scoop gets to 450 kg/seconds. (Or something in those lines.)

[@AbideinChristFully]

Things that satisfy you in game are optimal. I like that

[@Stryyder1]

Love your no BS guides. You should have more upvotes for these. Thanks for doing this it has taken a ton of the frustration out of the game for me. Seeing things done makes doing it so much easier.

[@unknownbandit6509]

Wow this is a nice genuine rundown of exploration in my fav ship. You deserve my sub!

[@Harzner]

Thanks for the hints. I think, that's what I'm about to delve into some more.

[@judeg.8101]

I completely agree with your reasons for set up of your ship.

[@tantaluss68]

man your idea about the fuel scoop was amazing thank you

[@Golem501]

I blew up my asp explorer from heat yesterday... as at a friends place, different keyboard and hit a wrong button. Ship went to silent mode and I couldn't find how to turn it off in time. Most shameful moment of my career so far... I would say more shameful than when I was bounty hunting and shot the pirates target instead of the pirates...

[@Knight3rrant]

Thank you, so much for your videos. Especially, for me, the exploration-focused content. As of late May 2021; I finally have a PC able to run this game decently well, a joystick, and the game (ED:O). After my PC died about 10 years ago various factors kept this aging but life-long gamer from experiencing (what felt to *me* as) a golden age of gaming. Three daughters, economic struggles, relationship struggles, my wife's breast cancer, eventual separation from her, trying to avoid divorce, and striving for a reconciliation while starting my whole life over. Then, sadly, the metastasis of her cancer, her death, and the death of any chance of reconciling with my wife of twenty-plus years.. 💔 Heavy stuff. I apologize for dragging you through that for a moment. I do so only to give you the perspective to grasp *why* I appreciate your content so much. As I re-engage my long dormant gamer nerdity and dive into modern gaming - holy shit. You and the other fellow geeks-nerds - who are passionate like I am - are a life-line. You make this process far less frustrating and so delightful; as I see/hear in you, a similar passion for the game(s). Very much a "I hear the song of my people" sort of thing. So, thank you. Keep up the great work... Nerd-a-ste`

[@danshaffer8339]

Great job bud, appreciate your work

[@satorukuroshiro]

It's been a while since I've started this game, and guides like this one have led me to a diamondback that I'm happy with called the Starseeker. My recommendation now that I'm close to my first Elite ranking: make your exploration vessel capable of handling guardians. How I do this is by having as many point defense turrets equipped as possible while leaving a heatsink slot and having an SRV. SRV can do damage and PDTs will handle any rockets they fire at you. Regardless though, as SG says, make something you find fun, otherwise there's no point to the game. o7

[@aitoluxd]

Excuse me, what's a PDT? 🤔 Also, I was just randomly jumping to places practicing exploration and scanning planets for fun, and stumbled upon some occupied escape pods. But I had to fight some skimmers for it. My ship acted as a distraction while I snuck up on them. But now that I think about it, I'll install some turrets on my "Khador Drive" (DBX) XD.

[@satorukuroshiro]

@@aitoluxd It's been so long since I've played the game that I don't even remember what I meant by PDT, I know it wasn't the time zone though.

[@gormorus196]

Love how personable you are in these videos

[@wiaf8937]

subbed, you got exactl the voice to help me cth up on all dem juicky intel. (just started like 4days ago) Loving your content, keep it up!

[@Flipthot]

Something that I love is an A graded powerplant engineered with low emissions. The weight difference between A rated and D rated powerplants isn't too drastic, and you get the heat efficiency down from 0.4 to around 0.14, making fuel scooping much easier, especially for ships that aren't as heat efficient to begin with or ships with small scoops :)

[@kessilrun6754]

I can relate to the "quality of life" explore idea. I've gone exploring in purely fight oriented configured ships, incapable of greater than 20ly jumps. Xeno combat builds, too...with TONs of hull weight...like heavy duty military grade armor and hull reinforcements, fully loaded Guardian Gauss hardpoints, drag drive thrusters (full sized, A-class), Prismatics, SLF etc. Obviously you have to lose two hull/ module reinforcements for the SRV and scoop...and since the scoop uses power, which I'm already overclocked on, in Xeno builds, I have to usually ditch a utility, or two. It's actually mostly my relocation build, for moving it to a combat zone, where I then unequip the scoop and transfer my hull modules and utilities to the new station. But, still, it's amusing, to know you're backed by, like 5500+ Mj and 5300 hull health in a combat Cutter lol. The only issue with that is you increase you're temperature signature and, so, fuel scooping may have to be done in two parts, as you'll overheat, quick. But I do recommend clean drive tuning (you can use drag drives to offset the slight loss in speed), small shields and, if to using weapons, they are efficient/ low power. If going with full size shields? Same...opt low power draw, as it reduces weight, power and heat signature. Right now? I'm exploring in my Cutter #2, which is typically used for passengers, cargo, or even bulk mining. I'm sporting 5A reinforced Prismatics (820Mj), 8B scoop, SLF and everything else is engineered to reduce weight. Why an SLF? I like an SLF because A) It's fun B) Composition scanning...especially low to the surface (A fellow explorer taught me this and makes it more fun) C) Potential defence or distraction D) Photo ops for neat places. With everything I get 45ly jumps...which is much more than I need. There seems to be a misconception that explorer fvessels jump range should be max. You're screwing yourself out of jumps, jumping over good prospects, and also are very vulnerable. I like a little padding. When I explore? Once I've gotten to my region? I explore a large ass bubble. That means jumping 0.5 - 5.2LY at a time. Not 70. Sure, if I want to get to Beagle, fast? Sure, then I'll ride in my stripped out and gutted Conda. But getting somewhere fast and exploring are two different things. Use what you like. Many commanders even use Alliance ships. They lose too many compartments to military class compartments, they aren't the biggest jumpers, nor the best with heat but people like them. I've explored in a Mamba...because I like the cockpit...it felt more spacey. I've used the Challenger myself...it felt more Prometheus.

[@boiledelephant]

Sorry, what does SLF stand for?

[@GerLeahy]

@@boiledelephant It's the only thing I didn't get either

[@kessilrun6754]

@@boiledelephant ship launched fighter.

[@ZephyrusAsmodeus]

I definitely agree about the map that was by far my biggest hurdle starting out... like, yesterday. Took me like fifteen minutes to realize I could go up and down and not just side to side, really opened up my eyes as to making trips in increments like in No Man's Sky

[@stumpygnome1834]

There's a KZbinr who has a shirt that says, "If it works, it's not stupid". If your build isn't "optimal" but it works for you and you enjoy it (most important factor), then run with it and bag the haters. I'm very new to Elite Dangerous, only been playing about a week (mainly on weekends, due to work), but exploration was one of the things at the top of my "I wanna do this", list in the game (along with mining and eventually being a fuel rat). I've already worked myself up to a Cobra Mk III, and now with the knowledge you've imparted in this video, I'm going to try and get her outfitted best I can following your suggestions and start stepping out into the big black. I'm really excited about this game, but there's just so much to chose from that I have a hard time deciding on a starting point. Thanks to your video, and others of yours I've seen, I now have a better idea of a jumping off point and am really pumped to get out and get flying. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, noobs like me really appreciate the information and assistance. Fly safe!!

[@gerrardandstuff]

Had a great time with the Cobra when I started out. Did my first couple of mini expeditions in it and learned the ropes. Those two trips got me enough credits for an AspX and the basic outfit for that. I'm just coming back to the game after not playing for over a year and I think I'll have to revisit this video when I eventually get back to the bubble haha.

[@Tarmaccafe]

I’d say I know everything to do with exploration in elite but less than 5 mins in I’m learning new shit, thanks man glad I came back to this video!

[@Xbal32]

Thanks for the video I got the game on ps4 a couple of days ago and just bought a cobra mk 3. I subbed to you and will watch your other videos! Thanks again

[@krisis21]

You won me over as soon you said you're not doing it "optimally" you're running what makes you happy!!!!

[@SenderBudYerGood]

Just got the game in the winter sale and curious to try exploration into the deepest parts of the system, thanks for the tips and advice.

[@flynnkay]

Of the galaxy*

[@boiledelephant]

Fair warning, you can bite off an unchewable amount if you pick a random spot in the galaxy and just head for it. Some journeys can take dozens of hours realtime.

[@SenderBudYerGood]

@@boiledelephant Yes I found that out VERY quickly. it's jummp after jump after jump after jump for hours on end to get to some of the void sell spots. lol Fun game though, just with there was an fps element to it where we could explore the different stations for hiring firing and buying selling. Also fps raids on enemy locations would be cool to.

[@andrewfraser7818]

huh i've visited places discovered by you.

[@gurrag79]

09:30-10:30 got me hooked... I've seen a couple of your videos but that's that, I'm subscribing...

[@kodiakmkv]

cool video,clear and to the point,great pointers,i run what i want,i like to experiment and make it my personal ship.but i like to learn from more experienced commanders.

[@ThePilot591]

great guide to start exploring

[@ural0304]

Thank you for this. I still totally want to explore in an Imperial Courier.

[@Dude13450]

Just a head's up for people watching this video now, when it comes to engineering your FSD, mass manager does more for max jump range than deep charge does! Also, DBX vs AspX, my personal opinion is go for the DBX. In my opinion, it looks better and even though it can only utilize a 4H Guardian Booster (compared to the AspX's 5H), you can still build it in a way that it'll actually get more jump range than the AspX (73.42 vs 70.46 Ly) for almost half the cost / buy back if you somehow kamikazi a planetary landing... Just my $0.02!

[@boiledelephant]

I've had a DBX as my main ship for a year now and it's fantastic. Very maneuverable, very thermally efficient, light, easy to fly. It's the package. The big drawback for me is no multicrew, no fighter bay, and not many optional internals - I keep looking at the internals of other ships and imagining having all the options (fighter bay for multicrew, planetary vehicle hangar, mining tools, refinery, cargo space). But not having those options is what makes it so maneuverable and light. Swings and roundabouts.

[@hungrydino51]

Yeah DBX looks sick, but overall i recon the ASPX is better for deep space

[@lynallott3404]

@@hungrydino51 DBX is great for going somewhere and coming back, ASPX is great for wandering. One has a set of bunks like a truck, the other has a full cabin.

[@davidludwig7501]

Just bought this game today on PS4 pro. Space is awesome. It looks complicated but I like that. It looks like what I was hoping to get from No Mans Sky. More realistic in a sense. Subscribed. Great video.

[@57thorns]

For exploring most people are claiming that you must get the most jump range out of your explorer. As a newbie explorer I do not feel that is necessary to have the best kitted ASP to do explorer. If you stay close to the bubble, (

[@SteveSiegelin]

The one thing I can recommend is if you're going outside of the bubble find a Xeno scanner and a field neutralizer. The field neutralizer will stop any thargoid from being able to shut down your ship. You equip them to your utility mounts.

[@Mp57navy]

Not seen any thargoids while exploring. I've been around since Horizons came out. All I do is exploration.

[@SteveSiegelin]

@@Mp57navy That sucks. I have been intercepted two or three times and have had two encounters at the Lowell class station in Farseer's star system. Not all where hostile but one or two killed me.

[@SteveSiegelin]

@@Mp57navy Got good data.

[@sentry1009]

I went to sag a* through a 23k neutron route in 4 hours In my conda with a b grade fuel scoop Also you can take repair limpet controllers and a few limpets so you can repair your hull if you take a ton of damage somehow.

[@diamondflaw]

For the fuel scooping "mini-game" it cracked me up the first time that I set up a DBX that I could just park next to the star scooping while I poked around FSS.... of course it scooped so slow that I HAD to take that time sitting there next to the star.

[@josa310]

Frame Shift Drive 5 or higher benefit best from Mass Manager Experimental, FSD 4 or lower deep charge is your friend

[@smstnitc]

Great advice. I like to Max out everything for satisfaction. I've been tooling around exploring in my dolphin. I love it, it runs so cold that I don't worry about heat damage from scooping. I do want to get the guardian module for the range boost though so I can take my python out exploring, right now I keep it for diamond and opal mining at my home base.

[@tosspot1305]

someone in my squadron uses a dolphin as a bubble bus. he says he can charge fsd while scooping and it doesnt go above 65 percent heat. that thing is a tank

[@deeku.4009]

Man, you have *_no_* idea how long I've searched for someone else who like, constantly makes it clear that shit is satisfying. And although I occasionally try to like... get into the meta for whatever that satisfying shit may be... I can't. I can't help but come back to the shit that satisfies me. Whether it be the way that something looks, even though it's not as strong as something (Because for some damn reason, in almost all video games, the best in-slot something-something, always has to be balanced by being the literal ugliest thing on the face of the Earth) or be it wanting to have all your core internals say 4A just because it's good to know that they are. That's it.

[@skullyairsoft80]

One of the big reasons I love the Clipper for exploration is that big ass Class 7 Fuel Scoop. Makes fuel scooping almost instantaneous.

[@WhiteWulfe]

I've had some try to talk me into a smaller shield, but I've had that 4A shield save my ass more than once from a rough landing... As for the docking computer, I used to not see the point until someone pointed out they weigh nothing, but on top of that... First couple of times I used it it just clicked as to why they're popular - they just work! Same with supercruise assist. Oh gawds, it's a handy thing, especially for mapping - well, except for things like gas giants, where it has you fly around too fast to map, but still. As for the Scarab... Half the fun is zipping around in a scarab!

[@klausgartenstiel4586]

could use a rear spoiler for increased satisfaction. just sayin.....😎🌼🌿

[@johnterpack3940]

I just watched another video that went with what I assume is the "standard" plan of lightening everything to increase jump range. Frankly, that ship scared me. I mean, I get that a 60ly range is better than a 50ly range when you want to cover a couple thousand light-years. But what do you do when you get 3,000ly from a port and find yourself with 40% hull because you scuffed one too many rocks while exploring? That's going to be a tense ride home-- probably take three times as long because you need to be extra careful. As someone who's been across the country multiple times behind the wheel of a big rig I have a very real sense of what ED exploration is like. I wouldn't even think of doing it in a ship that was designed to run on the razor's edge. That would be like driving an F1 car across the country without a support crew. So I really appreciate your approach of using top-tier stuff and "sacrificing" some jump range in favor of durability.

[@boiledelephant]

"You can explore in pretty much any ship..." *laughs in Vulture* No hate, Vulture fans, it is my main combat ship and I love it, but hot damn, those jump ranges suck.

[@Pariatical]

Jump ranges become less of an issue when you really going system to system scanning. To get out there though....

[@lesath7883]

I traveled almost to Colonia (21 lys) in an unoptimized Dolphin. 28 lys each jump (freaking passengers). Maybe you can jump closer to the bubble in a Vulture and have better ships for the longer trips?

[@Noah-hg5zx]

@Selken might be confusing it for the diamondback lmao

[@zachboo]

@@lesath7883 you meant 21 kLys, but I get the point.

[@Acekiller1995]

Laughs in fed dropship

[@garrettharriman6333]

Thank you! I've gotten shit for running to sagittarius A from the bubble in my Cutter. It's fun!

[@janetcameron4652]

Thanks SG.

[@torvahnys]

I prefer to run my exploration ship with all the frills to handle any possible situation... except combat. Xeno scanner, shut down field neutralizer, afmu, repair limpets, dss, cargo space, small refinery, mining laser, and one small beam laser are a few things I remember. It was a Conda, only had a 45Ly jump range. Building a new one from scratch on a new account.

[@JohnSmith-cm7zp]

Your advice around 10 12mins is the mentality one needs to truely enjoy the game. Like your advice of naming your ship helps to build a sort of bond when you get lonely on long journeys, lol dont worry i too talk to my ship.

[@boiledelephant]

My ship is called Nicolas Cage's Face. Just because it makes me laugh every time I look at the info pane.

[@kapjoteh]

Anaconda - Don’t Want None

[@CluelessGuyAXI]

A mining laser is also a good idea imo. It maximizes your chance to get mats

[@Big_Brimz]

Awesome video bud. I've started the game trading and wanted to venture out into exploring. Got my Hauler and went off but now I want to go deeper. I never want to mine. It's just not my thing even if it makes lots of credits.

[@unknownbandit6509]

Im not to sure mining makes alot of credits. Unless you find really good veins in deep space or something lol

[@tosspot1305]

i use a phantom, fully engineered for lightweight and jump, 65ly. plus all the usual goodies like heatsinks, 6a scoop and 2 afmu's. Great for deep space exploration

[@alex830815]

I'd say it's the better aspx

[@SovereignTroll]

I LOVE the IQ reference to haters. I think you convinced me on to BUY ED!

[@SteveSiegelin]

Now that I put my two cents in on the video though I have to say I never knew having your stuff in a higher or lower slot would affect the way it works. My fuel Scoops always been at the bottom of the Run and I never have a problem. I'm usually running 62% Heat at 80 on the fuel scoop. That seems to be very acceptable for my ship but I'm flying the same asp Explorer. I'm also running boosted Shields and a hull package. I've only been seriously playing for a month now but I've had the game for almost a year. I mainly spend my time outside of the bubble and playing around in the Hyades sector. Just unlocked my third engineer so I'm hoping to expand my jump and be able to come play with the big boys soon.

[@Flynnycore]

lol, you're really trolling hard with the "no-bs" title and talking about your stats, nice looking stars and your decals for the ship for the first 5 minutes ^^

[@johnnycorcoran6622]

ever heard of the fast forward button?

[@Flynnycore]

No I didn't. Oh and it was still entertaining.

[@doommaker4000]

@@johnnycorcoran6622 Ok, but he promised a no BS exploration guide and it's faaar from that. I'm not complaining, I like these things, but people can get reasonably upset. And they don't know where the actual points will be made. So you're advice is extremely useless.

[@johnnycorcoran6622]

@@doommaker4000 ok.

[@cranky_gamer]

This is my goal. I'm only 4 days in and currently stuck on a stupid mission, but exploring the far reaches of space in my self contained home away from home, is the ultimate goal for me. And I get exactly what you mean about making it yours, even if it makes the minmaxers loose their minds :) Thanks for the video and the tips. Does the SRV provide any additional benefit to exploration itself, by landing on some planets, or is all the data gathered through scanning?

[@rusticgeek9400]

How do you extend your total power capacity on the ship.? there’s room for expansion on the end of the retracted/deployed bar. Can you max out that bar at all? I’ve seen Asps with full power bars But I can’t find information on it anywhere

[@Kaiyening]

Totally agree, ED is a game one is supposed to enjoy. I thought that was its purpose.

[@sirdee9607]

Oh u are so right, I always have Landing and Starting Comp in my Ships, also in my Exploration Vessels. And i personly need a nice Cockpit, so i explore in a Beluga or my Cutter, or Orca or a Dolfin. I cant look hours and hours an ugly Cockpit

[@brainscott]

I like this guy, he's good but doesn't let his ego get to you. He tells you how it is and helps beginners without being rude like others. Gives it to you real.

[@MrDeni23n]

"There are people who literally do not have working, functioning brains..." Instant like and sub.

[@LordRenegrade]

I am 100% behind the big fuel scoop. When I was doing that 5Kly run for Palin (or ..whichever engineer it was), I was basically racing my much-more-experienced buddy. He had like a 3A or some crap and I had some discount 5B or 6C fuel scoop, and we arrived pretty much at the same time. Even though he had guardian FSD booster and stuff and could jump like 65LY and I had a partly-engineered combat-oriented AspX and could only do like 40-50... He'd get ahead but have to stop forever to scoop, whereas I'd just zip past a star and be full in the blink of an eye and already jumping again. Now my superlight, fully engineered AspX does like 67 light years a jump and has a 6A scoop and is engineered for max coolness, so can easily handle max scooping even without player input...heck, on dimmer stars, I can jump from the fuel scooping area without overheating.

[@Fooma777]

So you’re saying they’re.........Elitist Dangerousist?? 😎 This is actually quite a nice rundown, your personal touches for sake of connecting you to your ship make a lot of sense. Feelings are important!! I strip everything down to D mods except FSD and power plant both which I engineer to blazes. Also, Diamondback explorers are cheap and can get ludicrously high jump ranges, I’m sitting on 55LY minimum and when ya get that neutron boost boy o boy. Also also, AFD Maint are like, necessary if you plan on neutron star jumpin

[@ilmanti]

Can confirm the Cobra 3 is incredible for starting players. I collected 1M cr from the starter missions, bought the Cobra 3, refinanced to 1M CR, and did "exploring the galaxy". Once I arrived at the station I bought what I could to upgrade my Cobra leaving me with 750K CR, loaded the Road2Riches website and went on a 50 jump trip. Came back, sold for 22M CR. Not bad for a starter ship.

[@jay3fox]

I have only been playing this game for a few weeks and I love exploration, I have just got my self a Diamondback and I love it and the jump range isn't too bad either, I still have a lot to learn I have not come in to combat with anyone yet although I did accidentally kill someone when I thought they were wanted it turns out the poor guy was just mining! lol, I did get a bounty on my head and then got blown up so karma did happen! lol

[@nr2717]

Mass manager actually gives you further jump range then deep charge does for FSD modules 5 and above, 4 and below it's reversed where deep charge is better then mass manager.

[@troybrice4531]

Ahh yeah that's right. I forgot about that little quirk.

[@lesath7883]

Depends on the build. Planning the build in Coriolis helps testing this part. The latest Chieftain I planned gained like 0.2 ly jump from Deep, compared to Mass Manager.

[@LordRenegrade]

@@lesath7883 - possibly, but don't forget that Deep Charge consumes more fuel. You can end up sacrificing total range for individual jump range. That's another variable to consider. I noticed that while trying to design an AX Chieftain - D.C. gave it a very slightly better single-jump range, but it lost nearly twenty lightyears from the total unladen...

[@lesath7883]

@@LordRenegrade I guess Deep would fit better light vessels, while Mass Manager works better for heavier ones. I've been toying with ultra Lightweight Asps, and the difference is around 0.02ly. So, in general, Mass does seem to give better results overall.

[@silverstrings5569]

I usually toss on a heat sink, and a chaff launcher, and a single mine layer while exploring. It's just prudent planning for open play. Though in solo, I roll nothing except basically what you have there, except D rate most things that is not absolutely necessary.

[@kingflynxi9420]

Silver Strings pin stead of d rating a module, use the A rated module of the class below, usually better with still lower weight

[@jacksonms212]

yep had to use a heatsink just a few hrs. ago . only been playing a week or so now red giant almost got me heatsink saved my asp

[@ParanoidCarrot]

I started doing exploration in a Imperial courier and have gotten super mixed comments about it, i like it but im wondering should i engineer it, i have never done that so wondering how much time it will take me to engineer it and then head back to the black

[@unclemikeyplays]

Cobra Mk III is my second ship since starting out, and so far I'm really enjoying it, so I can see why people stick with it. Still, at some point, I'm going to want a few more/larger Optional Internal slots, I think, probably when I get ready to start going much further afield. I'm still a n00b and entirely inside the Bubble!

[@unknownbandit6509]

GET THE ASP EXPLORER ITS THE BEST PURCHASE FOR N00BS

[@Djmack1992]

The Anaconda class Exploration Battlecruiser is my favorite roleplay.

[@AstroKing9619]

The main reason I explore in my conda is for the size 7A Fuel Scoop. Fills the expanded fuel tanks in seconds.

[@diceman199]

Trouble with the Conda though is in SC it handles like a beached whale. It's great for murder hobo missions though

[@rustydenison9391]

I love this game.

[@fredh8733]

ive been building up a fully armed Type 10 as a long range material gatherer/ alien ruins expedition ship... currently 46ish LY jumps feeling indestructible, great canopy view, 4 SRVs... unarmed version im almost at 50 LY jumps... massively expensive though

[@adamw.8579]

It's like halfway to fleet carrier.😉

[@thedoctor323]

Funny enough I run an anaconda loaded for bear. Jump range is only 17 LY, but it's still my exploration ship. I tend to go to a location and spiral outwards, visiting every star in a nebula or around an O-class. Gives me a lot of time out in the black before I run out of module durability, especially running 2 field maintenance units. I've found so many earth-likes by doing hundreds of short jumps...

[@adamw.8579]

In my experience is worth get power plant one class higher than minimum needed, because it's only one module that can't be repaired by AFMU. No heatsinks needed, smallest shields for hull protection = no repair limpets heeded. AFMU has no weight, so two or more is very handy, especially when neutron highways are used and module damages are inevitable. In my DBX I have 3A power plant with 62,3% utilization, all unused modules are off due unnecessary heat generation. Even with power plant degradation down to 65% I keep full functional ship. Because I fly cautiously I lost only 1% hull, and 2% power plant in halfway to Beagle Point (actually Arcadian Stream area) due landing between stars after jump and emergency drop off supercruise. I recommend A class power plants, because they run very cool and keep ship cold as possible, in my accident case standby heat was 23%, after FSD charging below 50%, after SC drop I had 95% and raising. Quick throttle full, FSD charge and escape vector. Boost is killer in these situations, full throttle is enough to activate FSD and not generate additional heat. Single jump when heatsink would be handy. Tip for long journeys: Filter all scoopable stars on, fast route settings and scoop fuel when needed, for my DBX I have 6 max jumps tank and scoop every 5 jump (one leave for safety). Scooping get some time to enter and leave corona, scooping every jump is waste of time. Simply enter position, throttle zero at max scooping efficiency but precisely at borderline, not too deep because overheat occurs, wait to two dots from full and go out. For me static heat in fueling is 64-65%. Don't be hurry, better waste one minute than exploration data worth weeks. o7 Commanders, keep cool.

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

I cannot help but giggle at 'asp explorer' 😂 My buddy at work told me he has one, I said, yeah, get away from me.

[@magburner]

I do not know how fuel scooping works on PC, but on PS4, I always park my ship at maximum scoop range, and wait for it to fill up. Heat is never an issue.

[@lesath7883]

It should work the same. The closest you get to a star, the fastest you recharge but the more heat you gain. The heat depends on the ship and the modules too. I can park my Dolphin within maximum recharge speed, FFS the system away, and still start charging for the next jump while close to the star, but my DBX overheats even at nonmaximum scooping speed.

[@achillenero3135]

U can push yourself until heat is around 62/63%, no soaring, and then stop and wait.

[@kasperpaasch9558]

It works the same, but you scoop at a faster rate if you move and get closer

[@rickallen673]

Using this build (minus the guardian and engineering stuff) and hot damn shes a good ship, Named her the Bebop because shes ugly as sin and a clanker but gets the job done better than any ship i own. Lovin the vids, should do more build...like your Krait for example.

[@tobiasstamenkovic9628]

I use to put a bunch of light weight shift-lock/ion disrupter mine launchers on my explo vessels, just in case. 0.4 tons a pop really doesent make a difference, and somehow i feel MUCH safer with a "get out of jail for free" card in my sleeve. Allso, go mass manager over deep charge on your FSD, there are times when the additional fuel consumption will backfire on you. (You could argue the fuel rats need stuff to do ofc, but id rather not have to call them AGAIN. ;) )

[@Dyre05]

I run heat sinks when I explore primarily for if I accidently hit a black holes exclusion zone or something

[@userunknown4331]

I like these no BS tutorials

[@RichardAdkins]

Someone told me last night that it is possible to use a Repair Limpet on yourself to repair your own hull. That can't' be right, can it? btw, great video, thanks! I parked my Anaconda at Colonia and bought a Krait Phantom to go the rest of the way to Beagle Point, neither ship was/is optimized so I am getting better range out of the Krait at the moment. After watching your vid, I'll go back via Colonia and pick up my Anaconda to return to the bubble and start optimizing IT.

[@SepulcherGeist]

Yes you can repair your hull with a limpet if you have a Repair Limpet Controller. This is a separate module than prospector limpets and collector limpet controllers. But yes, you can repair yourself with it if you launch a limpet using your repair limpet controller module without anything targeted. Then it defaults to repairing your own hull.

[@RichardAdkins]

Sepulcher Geist, that is SO cool. I wish I would have known that before I was 3/4 of my way to Beagle Point. Lol.

[@novatriio]

My recommendation for new players: A hauler. Use a hauler. Max FSD, engineer it if you can... D rate everything apart from the fsd and the fuel tank, and fit some A thrusters if you can... Guardian booster is optional, but a good fuel Scoop and some extras... You're set

[@penguingamer9882]

All of the Saud kruger ships have insane heat management. An unengineered dolphin can charge its fsd while fuel scooping at max speed, and not go above 60% heat. every time.

[@Expunge6667]

I explored in my gunship. It wasn't optimal, but the chances I would lose my data were low enough that I felt secure.

[@TheRealLegosi]

Currently planning a trip to Colonia with my Corvette, so I know how you feel.

[@jamespfp]

RE: Fuel Scoops; I did my best research into this question using the Cobra III and testing different sized Scoops against the different Classes of Fuel Tank. Since the FUEL TANK is what determines how long it will take to fill it, and since the FUEL TANK is the only Mass that concerns the Fuel Scoop, there are times when the smaller fuel scoop can win out over the larger, faster, more power hungry and more expensive options. I think your advice to pick the a Scoop that fits into the Highest or Second Highest Class slot available is otherwise fine advice, though, with the one proviso that Combat Traders need to have cargo space, more than a fuel scoop.

[@jamespfp]

^^ AND COMBAT TRADING isn't Exploration, so fine.

[@AlexanderWilithinIII]

I love my Exploraconda because it's pretty much the "no compromises" choice of exploration ship. Class 7 fuel scoop, guardian FSD booster, 32T cargo space, SRV bay, fighter bay, 2x AFMs, repair limpet controller, docking computer, supercruise assist. All that and it still pulls 71.9 LY jumps _at worst_ . I'm pretty confident that I could stay out in The Black for years if I needed to. Do I wish it had a better view? Yes. Do I wish it was a medium ship so I could dock at Hutton if I wanted to? Also yes. But for all the utility it provides, I'll take those downsides. And why the Fighter Bay? Why, finding biological samples at high speed of course!

[@truckerallikatuk]

I prefer mass manager on my FSD, and heavy duty on the lightweight plating. But you do you dude. Sure you can do thiings better with an optimal, but an odd jump distance will let you visit places all the optimal dude just jump past. Which is why I explore in a Beluga.