Gauging Interest and signing Up: Halfway Halfassed Tour

[Xebeth]

I like the idea of a private group, although like JohnLuke I have Mod access to both groups.

And just as an aside, we should have some sort of group theme like all having the same paint job.

I hope we can convince Kharma and Dawg to come along, although I suggest Dawg isn't put on point

[JohnLuke]

I'm curious about what to do about meet up times. Ideally for me it would be after 5PM EST as I'm working (yes, I'm "working" right now). JohnLuke may want it later than that, depending on his situation.

My play times usually align with Euro players, due to my work schedule, so no worries there.

And just as an aside, we should have some sort of group theme like all having the same paint job.

It would look awesome to have a bunch of Asp's in a screenshot with the same paint job!

[pargyrak]

Well we might want to evaluate what ships to have with us. I would sugget Asps and Anacondas because of the jump range.
Asp can perhaps have SRVs since they are easier to land while Anacondas can have some more fuel tanks to act as Gas stations in case someone needs.
Perhaps an Anaconda with weapons also could prove useful at least until we clear the bubble

[thebs]

Well we might want to evaluate what ships to have with us. I would sugget Asps and Anacondas because of the jump range.
Asp can perhaps have SRVs since they are easier to land while Anacondas can have some more fuel tanks to act as Gas stations in case someone needs. Perhaps an Anaconda with weapons also could prove useful at least until we clear the bubble

So, that also begs the question ... How much less fuel does the Diamondback Explorer (DBE) consume compared to the Asp Explorer? I'm almost tempted to take a DBE if it does, especially since they both have the same gas tank size (Class 5, 32 tons). E.g., a refueling Anaconda could offer a lot more fuel to a pack of DBEs, instead of Asps, if there is a difference. If not much difference, then disregard.

I'm still tempted to just go with a Python that has eight (8) SRVs in two (2) hangers, as I fully expect to blow up a half-dozen doing stupid things. Of course I'd have to find some like minded idiots who will put up with its reduced jump range, but I've seen people take Pythons on these expeditions before. But in the end, I think I'll just end up going with an A-spec Asp Explorer, like most. As much as I try to be different, and a fool, sometimes I just have to conform with common sense.

In any and all cases, don't say I didn't warn you if I wing up with you, especially if you unknowingly winged up with me upon my invite. I am literally still weeping at the thought of not being in my FDS soon. There's just something about its character! As I clarify often, not an Asshat, a literal Dumbass.

[Roger Wilco Jr]

As for what ship to take, I wouldn't worry too much about taking anything. Low jump range ships will just take a bit longer each day. The Fuel Rats are always available if needed, but after being in an Asp for 3 months, I think I'll take an Anaconda, loaded for bear, with fuel limpets too. I'd be happy to provide armed escort on the way back into the bubble.

If this is Loriath's trip, and we are just tagging along, I think he needs to think about how long he wants to take. 26,000 LY is a long way. At 2,000 LY a day for travel, that would take an Asp about 1 hour just honking. Taking time to scan some interesting systems in detail can easily push that up to 2-3 hours per day or more. Then there is the time spent at the meetup, which could push it up to 4-6 hours per day. And that will still take 2 weeks just to get there. Maybe just meet up every other day and on weekends? Of course, if you are looking for virgin systems, it may take quite a while just to find them.

With that in mind, I'd suggest taking it day-by-day. Just pick the first waypoint about 1000-2000 LY away, see how long it takes, see how the meetup goes, and then scan the sky and map for the next waypoint. That way you may zig here, then zag there, wherever your whim takes you, and you won't have to try and hold to some rigid schedule.

As for meetups, maybe just show up when you can and see if anybody is there and hang around as long as you want. Maybe Euro players can travel and explore during the day and meet up at night, while American players can meet up first, and then travel to the next waypoint after, depending on people's schedules.

[pargyrak]

Schedule will be a problem with real life obligations and with the weather getting better in the Northern hemisphere some of us will most likely have a cold beer in th elocal outdoor pub then stay in and fly towards the core. But this is of course everyones choice .

thebs you can play around in http://coriolis.io/ to see what will be your loadout before you buy. Of course we should arrange the fleet structure well beforehand.

I can take either the conda or the Asp even the Python can be configured with shields and some weapons to have a 25+ly jump range which is not bad

[charlie2alpha]

Likewise I can use either my ASP or fit my Anaconda for exploration. The Conda needs at least an additional fuel tank for such tasksm everything else is subjective to personal preferences. The ASP is good for the task as it is, but I wouldn't take a full A rate one, cuts too much of the jump range if everything is A rated.

[Loriath]

Wow! You're all talking like its a done deal! Love it.

This was just to gauge interest in the idea. We can hammer out details later as I think it will not happen till after 2.1 has dropped and we see what is working and what is broke

I can say that Coriolis has a great option for looking at builds.
First, go to Coriolis on the HTTPS side as there are more features there and although the https site is still Beta, it will be the destination of the release when it is done.

https://coriolis.io/ and select a ship.

Then in the column header above where it shows the power plant and FSD drive, etc. you will see it says standard. Click the word and you will get options to do a preconfigured build. There are Explorers, Planetary explorers, Max jump range etc. there for you to look at.

As far as what ships, I can confirm that the run to Sag A can be done with anything. Take a look at the Buckyball racers. They show times for every ship in the game to Sag A and many were done before we had FSD Boosts in game. People have done it with T9's, Sidewinders, Orcas, even Eagles. You don't need the biggest most expensive build, just the desire, a fuel scoop, A rated FSD and Scanners.

Now we are all taking about how to organize meetups and such, and that is important, but this thread is not the place for that. I will start a Separate thread later today for some sort of organizing. Consider this Signup thread. I will change the thread title to reflect that.

[Ghworg]

I'm interested in this. I've never been exploring before, but I assume noobs are welcome I made one experimental trip ~1000ly out in a Cobra Mk3 many months ago, to put my name on a few stars, and have been intending to do a proper exploration run but never got round to it.

Depending on the pace and frequency of meetups I may or may not be able to keep up, I have commitments and can't play most weeknights but I can put in quite a few hours at weekends so hopefully I can catch up then. I'd like to try at least, I have an Asp I'm using for smuggling runs at the moment so I can refit that for exploration any time.

Also, I've been away from the game since just after PP launched so I know nothing about the planet landing stuff. Is it just for sight-seeing fun or are there practical benefits to taking a car with you?

[Roger Wilco Jr]

Also, I've been away from the game since just after PP launched so I know nothing about the planet landing stuff. Is it just for sight-seeing fun or are there practical benefits to taking a car with you?

Yeah - fun!

Plus you can mine material to do stuff like jump farther, make stronger ammo, and repair your SRV...