X4 Foundations v3.3 Beginner Guide - How to Start in Patch 3.30 - Captain Collins

[@CaptainCollins]

And if you want to see more quick and easy guides, that's your playlist: bit.ly/x4guides Btw, check out some merch: bit.ly/CaptainCollinsMerch

[@c0wtschpotato]

Hey man, just came across your vid cuz im currently downloading x4 for the first time. and i just wanted to tell your that your tut is very well made, you can skip through and know where youre going since you named all the chapters. This saves me a lot of time learning, keep it up man!

[@peterfugleberg7915]

Hey :) I'm 5 hours in :D Just did all tutorials....and now I know what to do : - Absolutely brilliant guide. Thank you Captain!

[@CaptainCollins]

Nice!

[@dragonhunter8807]

I am so linking this to all the beginner questions on reddit and discord. I thank you for doing this for the community.

[@CaptainCollins]

Thank you for enjoying it so much 😅👍

[@dragonhunter8807]

@@CaptainCollins It is really not about me, i despise video tutorials. Maybe i am too old for this. I watched the whole thing just to measure it's value and you do a good job explaining everything, which most people seem to need and enjoy. You did a really good job here. Also the video sections are really nice, i love that feature and you put it to good use.

[@CaptainCollins]

Oh well, even better. Glad that you see the value in it. It's always work to do such videos. Thank you for recognizing it

[@dragonhunter8807]

@@CaptainCollins I still enjoy some of your other x4 content, like the turret guide ;D the quality of your videos is really high.

[@chalyflavour]

Great tutorial! This is the best "getting started" guide I have ever seen on yt - and i have seen a lot. It is compact, doesnt really spoiler too much, has a lot of Does-and-Donts, gives good ideas how to find ones own playstyle while avoiding the biggest mistakes. I did a 50hrs learning-by-failing game on my own. This was ok and I knew this would happen. So I found your clip while gathering some tips before I reroll. One single question I still have left is about numbers. I wont nail anyone and mentioning numbers is dangerous as there will be no "correct" answer. So this is more about recommendations for new players, based on your style. 1. At how much income do you aim (e.g. number of auto-miners) before thinking about story and/or the first station? 2. What would you recommend to try out to avoid those situations: (e.g. have more stable income/ miners first, let your HQ earn money first, have your HQ just for research at first, build first station and then do the story..) Background: I tried to build a first station and some production at my HQ at once in my first game. I only had a few miners and had to learn a lot about managers autobuying and wasting my money, so I lost hours until I fixed those mistakes. Unfortunatly the ingame statistics (e.g. income history) is the worst part of this lovely game. Maybe this isnt that bad, because you cant only play by numbers.

[@CaptainCollins]

Chaly, thank you so much! That's awesome and the best compliment I've got on these videos. Just "wow". To your questions: 1. As soon as possible. You can afford a ship? Buy one! Starting with miners and move on. You can afford 3 ships? Well, now you can afford a station :) Spend all you get and reinvest it the best possible way. 1b. Story. You can do a lot of storylines right when you start the game. Some stories will definitely show you the limitations you face to continue, but you will find out. 2. If you have the HQ, then you can try some station building there, but it's not cheaper then just buying a station in open space (except for the permission). Try to build station which won't request money to buy stuff, that way you can only do profit. Two sources for this: watch the video about "trade rules" and then look at this site to see what you need for producing goods: x4-game.com/#/station-calculator There you go. If you need more input, please join the stream :) Every thursday, 7pm Central European, we're playing X4 and there are a lot of knowledgeable people in there ;)

[@chalyflavour]

​@@CaptainCollinsty for your helpful answer. Seems like I confused myself putting too much complexity in the early game. Sometimes simple is better.. at least for a start. I already subscribed your stream. I hope, I'll have some time for twich in the next couple of days though. Safe travels o7

[@CaptainCollins]

There, when you need it :) If you want to have a chat some other folks, take a look at the discord server S.O.D. Command Center: discord.gg/b2AMmgQ

[@nimmron]

Once you get the M miner, the best thing to do is mine for Nividium in areas with Trade Stations and ore deposits (there are usually Nividium deposits there too). A M class miner can net you half a million passive income, in about 20 mins in the Grand Exchange III. Demand seems to reset every ?30? mins, so having more than one M miner per Trade Station is pointless. These easy missions at this point are just to pass time and get to the large warships that would enable you to "mine" for SETA and speed up faction relations building by doing the harder missions. But this is perhaps more of a jump-start and not recommended for new players.

[@Nevarden]

thank you very much!

[@stickydude8921]

Thanks so much for this guide. I love this game, but I get overwhelmed by how huge it is quickly.

[@CaptainCollins]

No worries, just take your time to learn it :)

[@MLKdasBedRock]

I came from X3 ap and the interface makes me want to cut my head off, your guide is greatly appreciated

[@OOZ662]

It's vastly different, especially for those of us who had memorized what number keys and how many HAT switch clicks to do any action in X3, but once you get the hang of it, it is a lot more streamlined in getting you to the menu you want to access while showing you what's going on. It certainly could still use some improvements but I'm into it.

[@mickelodiansurname9578]

heavy British and German influence in this game... its nice to see those two nations finally collaborating on making war enjoyable!

[@eko1127]

Am few hours in. I had a chance to play x4 when it was release but it had too many bugs. Now that they are on version 6 am going to properly give it a try. Your videos are very good.

[@chargeshottyftw2632]

The quality of your videos and your professionalism is seriously impressive. I'm surprised you funny have more subscribers thank you do. I wish you luck growing your channel.

[@CaptainCollins]

Thank you so much!

[@Big_Un]

Thanks Cap! Good tips. Maybe you would consider a Beginner Guide on how to use the controls and in game menus? May seem kind of basic, but I don't know what I'm looking at half the time and the other half, I don't know where to find it! LOL

[@CaptainCollins]

hm, lets see ;)

[@JohnWaclawski]

This is a good idea for a video. Hope to see something like this. I'm still learning the game and feel this would be helpful.

[@MrVilla2000]

I have been flying around stations trying to get mission without success. Have started on the storyline, but they seem to be a bit much with only 90 K in the bank. I will try to search for minerals now. Exellent advice!!

[@CaptainCollins]

Glad you can work with it

[@ll_ELMO_lll]

Wow thank for making this video easy for me. I just bought the game today . Keep up the amazing work...

[@CaptainCollins]

Have fun playing it :)

[@ll_ELMO_lll]

@@CaptainCollins Thank you some much . I got tired of playing Star citizen it keep crashing for me sometimes when I do mission.

[@olbrennadarckimp997]

I'm a french gamer and i think that the start in X4 is difficult, but this video help me a lot. Thank you.

[@CaptainCollins]

Je vous en prie! A lot of players are from france, I try to at least greet them in french :) Welcome on board!

[@jcataclisma]

I was actually searching for (other) good reasons to restart a brand new game in X4. Thanks for the tips!

[@CaptainCollins]

I don't understand 100% 😅 but glad to help (?) :D

[@jcataclisma]

@@CaptainCollins ...crap, I am WAY better translating English to my language than trying to speak what I want in English. Sorry! :-D I wanted to say that I have been looking for an additional mood/reason to start a new game in X4 (after I finish my current efforts on Starpoint Gemini 3) and, now with this video, I will have a very effective "motivational" kick on the six to go on ;-D Cheers!

[@CaptainCollins]

AH! 😂 Well, even more glad to give you that last bumb to the game :) Welcome (back) to our galaxy :D

[@Igiveashitofaname]

For me X4 is the best out of the series after X3! Even i have a total worth of 300 mio and full reputation with every faction, i still enjoyed watching this guide very well made!

[@CaptainCollins]

But did you already did the 1 billion credits mission? 😉 thank you for watching!

[@Igiveashitofaname]

@@CaptainCollins No, i haven't played for a while and it took me very long to get there because i found it all out by myself even i was familiar with the X genre. But 1 Billion Credits sounds sweet, i will look into it :D

[@ProxySpam]

Goodness! You are a space pilot! Mama would be so proud!

[@dewj12]

this is the best tutorial for the game

[@CaptainCollins]

Thank you! I will make a 2022 version of it soon :)

[@tanvaras9961]

Sent this Video Link to a friend who just bought the game, saving me a ton of voip to teach them the basics. As always great stuff Captain Collins!

[@aimannorzahariwod]

THANK YOU CAPTAIN. I'm gonna buy the game now haha

[@CaptainCollins]

Yes, good choice :D

[@averymackey2966]

I really like the video! I can't wait to start playing this in a few months. That being said, you sound just like Kermit the Frog and it's great.

[@CaptainCollins]

Thanks for the future job opportunity idea :) Glad you liked it!

[@averymackey2966]

You just earned yourself a sub

[@JDarkona]

Captain, thank you for your guide, it is just what I needed to get off to a great start. However, and I mean no disrespect at all, but I find you sound a lot like Gunther from the film Sing ;) and thats kinda funny

[@CaptainCollins]

Thank you... voice acting is on my future job list :D

[@majorplothole2620]

Love your videos! Very helpful!

[@snaphaan5049]

These are terrific x4 guides! You ever played any of the previous x-series titles?

[@CaptainCollins]

X: BtF, X:T, X2: The Thread. No X3 or Rebirth ;) And: thank you!

[@lycon7000]

Imagine if you could land on planets and do hand to hand combat etc in this game as well :O it would be the ultimate space game ever made!

[@ash072]

I was playing around with a miner and collected 25 spacefly eggs to make caviar, just to check out what it was. Turned out I could sell it at the Argon trader for 1.2 million!

[@jamesbb3307]

Dzięki fajny poradnik. Dodałbym kopanie Nvidium i sprzedaż xD

[@CaptainCollins]

Dobrze xD I'm so bad at polish nowadays, but thank you for your comment, can read it without translation ;)

[@skylinepower8186]

thanks for the help mate

[@sophiajayprice5107]

Great tips thank you enjoyed the video.

[@CaptainCollins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vaydendar]

Did you have to wait long for the 77 hull parts to arrive when you ordered that first ship :)

[@CaptainCollins]

No, about 2 minutes ;)

[@ownageDan]

funny that you say the HUD only view is not immersive. for me, its more immersive, or let's say realistic - i'm pretty sure civilizations with technology as depicted in the X games would also have augmented reality goggles for their pilots giving them a non obstructed view, no? ;)

[@DeltaTwoZero]

Thanks dude. I'm thinking between this, Starpoint 3 and Elite.

[@onlyxans6920]

which one you go for?

[@DeltaTwoZero]

@@onlyxans6920 Elite is more focused on you as a pilot and it's semi MMO. Between X4 and Starpoint I went with Starpoint Warlords simply because it had better reviews. You spend much less times in the menus there and right now that's what I'm looking for. I play Elite when I want a really good and immersive exploration feels. Their next expansion, Odyssey, should be a banger as well!

[@onlyxans6920]

@@DeltaTwoZero i just recently got into elite. i’m excited for odyssey too

[@onlyxans6920]

@@DeltaTwoZero ima look up starpoint now

[@onlyxans6920]

@@DeltaTwoZero holy shit starpoints player base is like 100% dead. i can’t play games that have no one else playing them lol idk it just doesn’t sit right w me

[@LudantoP]

soooo help full

[@wmgthilgen]

I hope there is a tutorial showing how to scan, fly, etc etc etc. What you show assumes one already knows how to do.

[@CaptainCollins]

That's right! But I don't want to take all learnings away from you. There's still a tutorial. But after the tutorial's over, there are so many things you will either figure it out after some trying or by accident, and that's where my tutorials will help you :)

[@ganderstein3426]

Good video. Do you have to take a college course to learn the basics of the game?

[@CaptainCollins]

The same amount of time like a college course maybe :D

[@Spasstiskur]

I havent checked, but have you or could you make a guide how to do long scan effectively, i get the blue/gold circles but cant seem to figure out where they are. Cheers

[@FreeFragUK]

Thank you for putting together this video. I played X2 and X3 in the past but I must admit I didn't spend anywhere near as much time in X3 compared to my time in X2. I'm currently looking for a more involved and more satisfying space simulation over Elite: Dangerous (ED) but I'm primarily a combat pilot. The capital ships definitely look intriguing but I was curious if you have any thoughts for a more combat orientated pilot. I previously spent a lot of time in Wing Commander, FreeSpace 2, I-War 2 and numerous other titles although part of me would love to continue with ED I've had my fill due to broken mechanics, under developed features and a variety of other factors. I'm interested in forms of gameplay beyond fighter/bomber level play, such as exploration but I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback.

[@richjenkins8794]

Hey, FF. I'm sure you've already figured this out, but in case anyone else is wondering I'll give you my take. In X4 you will need a mix of capital and fighter ships (just as you saw in this video). Captain Collins was on one of the capitals as an observer/strategist. However, you can take direct command of any ship. So, in your case get your fleet together, give them some basic orders (go 'here' then 'attack all enemies in range') then jump in the fighter of your choice and swing away!

[@Yokenshiro11]

can't find the ressource calculator (16:00) u said u would put in the description,

[@CaptainCollins]

You're right! Sorry, deleted it while updating infos. It's in there again, the link is: x4-game.com/#/station-calculator

[@sandydesimone4843]

you're the man

[@CaptainCollins]

Thank you

[@Andre-uy3lv]

nice video! do you use any mods for your x4 game? can you recommend any? thanks!

[@CaptainCollins]

I use some in the ZAY only run. Have a look at these videos. Every other video is without mods. :)

[@brainscott]

Captain - I'm a bit confused by the different game starts like in Terran in Cradle of Humanity, are there completely different story lines or time lines?

[@sounan84]

Cool vid. By the way, you have not mentioned your system config in your "my gear" section. I am worried about hardware limitations in the latter part of the game (being a sandbox where calculations will become more complex with time) as I have a fairly low spec laptop (Dell g5 5587, 16 GB RAM)

[@CaptainCollins]

You can find it on my twitch channel: www.twitch.tv/CaptainCollins

[@storytsunami]

15:08 Is that a mod of some kind that allows the wharfs and shipyards to show up in the colors of the faction they belong to? Or is that a graphical option somewhere?

[@CaptainCollins]

This is a logical filter, you can set this option on your map screen, top right corner. It says something like "enable faction colors".

[@storytsunami]

@@CaptainCollins Excellent. Thank you for responding so quick :).

[@CaptainCollins]

Always 👍 thank you for participating so much on this channel :)

[@Gorthek1]

I am considering to buy this game. Would you reccoment to buy the Split and Terran addon right away or should I start only with the base game to not get overwelmed? (I am not worried about wasting money in case I dont like it)

[@Demiurge13]

like someone else asked, is this guide still valid? There have been many patches and dlc since, so is this still a good beginner guide? For that matter, is this still a good beginner start? Or is one of the others better now?

[@skidderskunk649]

I'm thinking about getting this game, but I'm hesitant because many reviews talk about the massive amount of bugs mainly around AI. What are your thoughts on this?

[@CaptainCollins]

The AI is a part of the game, that you need to learn too, but the bugs are almost all gone 👍 They're working a lot on every detail. Search for review that use version 3.5

[@ruffnarbobnar5960]

I have untold hours on x3. I got this game at launch and was not happy with it. I didnt return it knowing eventually it would be a good game. It's looking like it's time to check it out again

[@simonbrett40]

hi captain collins. i have a problem with unlocking data vaults and i dont know why they not unlocking due to repairing all i can find of red areas of the satalite ,no cargo item or data leaks no more but i have unlocked 5 of these at the time and it wont work anymore on any new vaults i come across .any hint of what i should do.?

[@paxis76]

Very good tutorial. How many hours did you spend in X4?

[@CaptainCollins]

I'm now about 300 hours in, but I focus on exploring new things in the game

[@paxis76]

Captain Collins I hope you know the X Rebirth. Could you compare both games? I spend just over 200h in XR and now try to start X4. What I see is large similarity between both games. What makes X4 better than XR?

[@CaptainCollins]

@@paxis76 Sorry, last X game I played before that was X2: The Thread. But as far as I know in Rebirth you only had one ship and that was all. In X4 you can fly everything, buy everything and build everything. And you can walk around all that stuff :)

[@Spinksickles]

Hey, I just got the game with both DLCs, could you explain each start? I'm struggling to pick one

[@CaptainCollins]

No, not really. It's explained in the menu good enough. Just pick any start, it doesn't matter too much after a while ;)

[@radoslawmazurekwaw]

This is only one option. The other one is, for example, trading. This game is very flexible, there is many options.

[@greybadger3142]

Do you have to shop around for a “best price” with those gems you mine at the start? Or will any dealer give you the same price.

[@CaptainCollins]

Almost the same. I saw prizes varying at around 10-15%. But that really does only matter when you got a lot. Good thing: you can collect as many as you want, the inventory is never full ;)

[@greybadger3142]

Thank’s Captain. Now if I can only find a good written beginners walkthrough to have in front of me while I play, I’ll really be able to sink my teeth into this one. The in game tutorials, sadly seem broken and about as much use as a chocolate teapot. :)

[@Adykai]

ohh yeah lol !

[@davidquint2512]

How did you scan for stations at 2:41? edit: never mind. I found it in a tutorial.

[@CaptainCollins]

At least something that you can find there... 😅

[@AdjointGaming]

Hi all ! Is this guide still valid (since we have more patches after this) or a more updated one needs to be created ?

[@Demiurge13]

was wondering the same thing

[@LuisEdGm]

In your other guide you mentioned the Ares is the best overall S fighter, how can i get one as fast as possible?

[@CaptainCollins]

buy it :)

[@LuisEdGm]

@@CaptainCollins I figured the faction would be hostile, i guess i can just go there and buy then

[@coltencollins268]

Why does my map look so small compared to yours? Mine only has like 13 system's.

[@CaptainCollins]

😅

[@stevecarter7612]

No matter what I try to do my autominers just aren't generating ANY income. I see them moving and they move around but they don't ever make any money in their logs. I have left the game going for a few hours and nothing. I've tried those seminars to upgrade the pilot and I've tried buying extra software than what you state in this video but nothing has worked :( I'm not going to get very far in this game if I can't make any income! Please help!

[@CaptainCollins]

Problem is maybe that there are no productions around that need ressources. Try to change the mining sector. And one tipp for far sectors, fly them directly there and then order mining. Another trick can be simple stations with only storages. They operate as distribution hubs.

[@stevecarter7612]

@@CaptainCollins thank you so much for replying. I'll give your suggestions a go. Thanks.

[@Ksla]

How did you scan to find the stations?

[@CaptainCollins]

Shift+3 then hold R

[@Ksla]

@@CaptainCollins thanks 👌

[@efxnews4776]

I have 500 hours in the game, i stop playing a few months ago. But i'm playing again, and ONLY NOW i learn how to use the auto pilot function. This game has too much mechanics and functions that you really need to make the tutorials for it. In fact even the tutorials aren't enough sometimes, some of the most advanced mechanics of the game are too complicated. The economy system is hard to master and is basically and high end mechanic that you could learn. Sure you can hauler some stuff at the beginning of the game and think you have figured out... Yeah, right.... Combat is also another important part, that is more centered around how well you operate your ship, than skill itself that alone won't help you... Some mods actually improve the game, like the npc progression system were your employees will always learn until reach 5 stars otherwise it would take ages for them to reach this level and you would probably be dead after all of them reach 5 stars.

[@crizbee1]

gibt es sowas auch mal auf deutsch son erste schritte tutorial ?

[@Anto86rock]

Dlc 2??Any news?

[@CaptainCollins]

It will be here, before our sun goes supernova :)

[@Anto86rock]

@@CaptainCollins lol in a million years.

[@CaptainCollins]

Well, I said "before" :D

[@and324fsjsef]

I set my ship to mine then it filled station up and stopped, i only earned a few hundred K

[@Qcpally]

damn dude, you are wearing a tac vest?

[@CaptainCollins]

Gotta stay safe in space and on the ship ;)

[@HalkerVeil]

But he didn't cover what to do with that ship he made for $300,000

[@moguldamongrel3054]

Idk but I got x4 an dled a bunch of quality mod improvements like menu stuff. Started up a custom start that gives me some peregrine ship. I've looked it over it's got quad beams on turrets an 2 front gimballed. Sounds like a gunship cool. Hmmm flat broke. Cool Don't know where I'm at. Cool, let's go to this jumpgate. Oh look a red guy... Oh look a couple red guys. Oh..... Look a bunch of these xenon ks... Surrounded by ps an ms an ns.. tf is all this? (My previous piloting games kick in) Ok kite the perimeter, pick off what we can. Slide in quick doing 2kms, drop down to 200 ms and holy shit this things 6 beams shred these fighters. Ooo nice 50k for these things. Ok pick off an boost back out. So far this game is da fuqin shiiit!!!

[@CaptainCollins]

:D

[@moguldamongrel3054]

​@@CaptainCollins one of the best starts ever! Im fairly certain thats just how the factions handle each other via automation and what not, so its not like a "set piece", which makes it all the more impressive, at the scale this game goes. Its all impressive from a technical level, though ive spotted some shortcuts. Like in stations when your on the turbolift, and you go to the hallway with offices, you dont actually go anywhere. the elevator just makes a noise, one door is locked and another unlocked, maybe a level load, and the door opens. its funny i noticed that, but again for how big this game is its nice, especially when your standing on a giant ships docking bay watching the hustle an bustle. Im a fucking ant. A speck. Ill say speaking of bridges, i wish they had more to say on them. Aside from a few lines about jumpgates, and travel drive activation, its so eeerily dead silent. Even text boxes would be nice. Like I wish they'd say things when the ship altered course about course corrections this, and in battle they'd start listing off random ships stats, like enemy blah blah is at so an so health, and our peregrine has sustained blah blah. Ya know what I mean? Elite Dangerous has the right sounds. The ships have that growl of a nasty engine to them ya know? And it wouldnt take much for x4 to have the right uumph either. Its got the foundation for sure lol. Its gonna be interesting what these kinda games are gonna be like when we get x4 mixed with battlefield 2142 (specifically titan vs titan fighting, where you had to board your enemies ship via drop pods/helos, and target key systems on the bridge, and make your way to their engine room to detonate the reactor) only itll be like with spaceships an shit. Full on expanse style!

[@moguldamongrel3054]

@@CaptainCollins oh new to your channel subbed an all that jazz. Great video! great game.

[@vampishmemo]

buy sheeps, got it

[@Prime.Consciousness]

This is good BUT NOT a beginner guide. If you have never played this game, he tells you; "do this", "go there" but not how. He should probably say to do all the basic tutorials first.

[@prika2000]

You are scanning, but you do not explain how to do that. Click what? Remember...we are BEGINNERS!

[@AlexJones-ue1ll]

I think the most basic tipp is left out: drop a satellite near every station you visit. You can thank me later.

[@CaptainCollins]

I do it now: you're right, thank you!

[@JosephMason]

I stopped doing this. I just put them near gates and shipyards/wharfs. If I'm looking to target a specific product I might selectively place a few on out of the way stations that sell/buy stuff I'm dealing in, but that's it. I found that pretty quickly that my ships will keep trades updated and adding some alerts in to check for enemies is enough.

[@dbrowdy]

@Sam Guevenne Picking up ship traffic is a great way to find Plunderers. Capping them is quick easy money in the mid game!

[@Aleksandar6ix]

In a connected universe....the future.....how do you / your character NOT know what's around you? I understand there's some level of discovery to be had, but it's like this guy was just born as a clone with no memory and nobody told him where he is. He didn't even update his navigational database! At least in my Cessna 172 my GPS will tell me what's around me and oh, what country I'm in! LOL. I thought the X-series would have gotten over the 'mystery' of one's location by now....so archaic.

[@YardaFreeman]

Exactly 4:00 is why I uninstall this game every time. This game is asshole.

[@hellodarkness5644]

What is that accent lol

[@CaptainCollins]

Guess, at least once, for me :D

[@ConsolePCGaming]

not really a beginners guide, too much essential things missing like what keyboard shorctuts u using etc, way too generic

[@Omniwrath]

This isn't a gameplay mechanics tutorial... That's actually in game...

[@Ioraek]

Ooof, that opening voiceover, ie Val Selton's log, is pretty cringey.

[@dirtybeatfreak]

It's one of their devs. Remember Egosoft are a very small studio :)

[@joeyeve2643]

Could you maybe quite easily condense all that into lets say.... a 5 minute video ! NO ONE CARES HOW MANY SUBSCRIBERS YOU HAVE.

[@MrMethadrine]

The fact that you have to touch the loot with your ship in order to take it....lol

[@efxnews4776]

Well it has a scrub function so it isn't all that hard