Ramblings of an Argon Nephew-(Trader's guide)

[microtheraver420]

Thank you for clearing up about how to get used ship, this will help me out greatly.

[TTD]

Glad I could help.

Now this next stage may take a while for me to put up here,so if you don't see anything tonight ,don't worry.

I recently upgraded to Vista Ultimate,so having difficulty finding all my files etc.

I have relocated Zoner 10 ,which I use for editing. In my new rig ,when I get it running,I will probably purchase Zoner 12 which has just been released.For me,this is a simple ,yet comprehensive photo editing suite,which suits me,as I am not to technically minded in photography etc ,But it has many features that others would benefit from.

There are of course many other editing suites that are popular.

I have relocated Photobucket for my pic hosting.

So the plan is to move forward with complex building,taking screen shots and editing them to size in Zoner and uploading to photobucket.

Then I must go back over the notes for fitting them onto the forum in this thread.

==========================================

Here you will see the layout of my complex prior to adding the mine and CCKs (Complex Construction Kits)

[ external image ]

Where possible,it looks neater if you position similar factories together.
Can you guess where the Mine will go?

Award yourself a peanut if you said in the space next to the the SSPs and Bofu Chemical Lab.

Now to get the Ore Mine.
I have fitted the Tractor Beam to the front of my M6 Hydra.
In my main game I fitted it to the front of a Skiron and I find it much easier than jumping into the rear turret,each time I want to us it.

[ external image ]

Note I am quite close and I aim near the top of the mine.
Some players actually fly away first,at the projectory of the central column and then come back for a direct hit.
Wherever you connect,it will orient itself towards you as you start to pull away and tow it.Then it will stabalise.
Right then,if we are all ready,we will tow our factory to the desired spot and orientation.
As the mine follows you,you will have to make your first stop a little ways away from where you want it,then moved to just beyond where you want it with the mine facing towards you.

You will see from the next pic how it follows behind.

[ external image ]

And now why I send it away from where I want it.

[ external image ]

Now buy your CCks and connect the furthest two stations from where you want your docking hub to be....
Ask captain to drop station here ,as you did for the stations.First select
the first station,then the second.
You will then have a flashing hub-cursor which you can move to wher you would like the Hub to be.If it flashes red,then you are too far from your first two stations.Just move back a bit.

I was lucky with my first go at this complex...


[ external image ]

More tomorrow...

I will say now that it is best to save before you start tese connections.And save each time you are happy with the connection.
Otherwise you may make a mistake and have to start again from the beginning.
Likewise with station placements.

Tomorrow I will show you how to position the docking hub to face the way you want it and how to correct a wrongly positioned hub.

=========================================

Note for the Moderators who assisted me in getting pics/thumbnails running....
I have ran sometime without any pics,but I feel this section needs some to show what I am talking about,a bit clearer.Hopefully I won't go over the limit.If I do,please help me decide which pics are not needed as much as others.
Cheers,

TTD

==============================================

[EmperorJon]

Just as one of my famous side notes, that accent note was infact a joke, I am from England and know the 'retired airman' accent as you put it... I was just mixing a sort of posh-ish accent with a queen-accent.

[TTD]

Oh ,I just thought you were brought up on black and white airforce movies.

While on the subject...another question you might hear in Wiltshire is "Werz bin?"
Any guesses what the real question is?

Answer:

Spoiler

Show

Where have you been?

==================================

[EmperorJon]

That wasn't hard to work out!

[TTD]

ok

Just in case any of you want some extra help with complexes,before I finish this section,here is a good guide...

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=1942860

[TTD]

Just to re-cap then.

We have put all our stations where we want them,close enough for connection,and towed the mine to it's new location.

[ external image ]

Now ,for the purpose of showing how to reposition your docking hub,I am not going to put the first one where I want it to end up.

So,select the first two stations you wish to connect,then you have to positon the hub.I normally have it one grid line below the rest of the stations,but circumstances vary.Just press [Insert] to change elevation with the [8]/[2] keys on your number-pad.Then change back to normal again to position the hub.
If the cursor changes to RED you have gone beyond allowable range from your stations.Just move back again.

Now,if this is going to be your connection point for your whole complex,you may want to change the angle of the hub.Default is South.

Press [K] if you have not already done so and zoom in on the hub,you can then use the [1]/[3] keys to change the direction it points.

[ external image ]

Now call the captain and ask him to drop the next CCK.
This time select the hub first and then the station you want to connect.
Keep doing this until you have at least two stations not connected.

[ external image ]

The next two stations will be connected to gain a second Hub.
Position the hub where you want it.
Ask the captain to drop the last CCK.

This time be careful I sometimes rename the hub I want to keep.
Select that station first and the hub you don't want ,second.
If you did it right,you will have your hub where you want it and facing the right direction.
If you have a large complex,you may have to connect hubs this way several times until you arrive to where you want the final position.

You may have noticed I gained an extra Crystal fab M instead of the 25 MJ shield production.This was a mistake,but may prove useful later,so I will connect and switch off production of the paranid one.

Meanwhile I must chase the Paranid for my factory.You know the one who gave me a crystal fab instead of a 25mj shield production unit.
Well that's how the story goes,but I probably moved the cursor too far

All sorted and connected.

[ external image ]

You can see the docking hub is lower and forward of the main complex and facing away from it. This is my preference as it gives plenty of space to help avoid collisions.
Others have their own ideas.Just pick the one that suits you.

========================================


......" Hey Argon!".....

I look up towards the bar.I had come hear for a quiet drink.Been so busy lately getting my staff organised on my shild / satelite complex....Just need to chill out a little...

"Yessss you!"

That sent a chill down my spine.

"Perhapsss you like to ssshare ssome profitsses withs usss? We hear you are looking for good tradersss to pilot your rag-tag hulks around. sss sss sss " he hissed a sort of laugh." per..hapsss we could be of asssissstance?"

"Not right now,thanks." and I made a guesture to leave.

"Not sso fasst,...friennd",the other other Teladi said,pointing me to sit down agin.

Hmmm.Ok . "Oi'm not in any rush.What say you to a few pints on me?"
After all they might know something useful.

"why thankyou.We are sure you will make profitss too."

The long and shart of it was that if Oi give 'em work,they would tell me some things I need to know.Now I don't trust em but Oi have plenty of ships,so if one or two is taken from under me nose,Pi ain't gonna miss much.In exchange for a ship or two,in which the would work for me,they would provide details of where certain equipment ,which they say I need,can be bought.
I would really like to send this Discveror out delivering Adv.sats evrywhere.It would save me a lot of time doing it manually.Oi see an advantage to me,if they can help me with that.
My idea was,give them the disco and let them face the unknown enemies out there while I stay safe at home.But it did not quite work that way.

Instead I signed an agreement ( danced with the devil,more loik ).They get to trade but give me info on where I can buy some equipment.

I'm not sure who came off best there.

So I end up taking the disco into Teladi space.Ceo's Buckzoid.The EQ dock has the Explorer command.Now I need to find a pilot for this.Meanwhiles Oi get my Hydra captain to meet me here.

[TTD]

The Discoverer is busy putting Adv Sats where I have been.This will give me quick trade access to each sector they put in.

Meanwhile I have returned to Legends Home to think of what to do with the credits that are beginning to role in.
All those 2nd Hand traders working for me are really doing well now.I have reach the point where I am giving them UT status.

However,if any of you are wondering what to do with Freight Drones then take a look here...

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=265743

[TTD]

So,I have got 13,543,635 credits and increasing as I type.

I am in Legend's Home at the OTAS Shipyard.

My passport says I am a Harmless , Master Industrialist (0,73%)

Argon Federation Marshall ......44%
Boron Queen's Guard..............64%
Split Shameless Creature........79%
Paranid Priest Protectorate.....78%
Teladi Profit Opportunity..........91%

No licence with Split or Teladi.

To buy the Boreas I need to be Argon Federation Overwatch,but
otherwise they will let me buy any other ship.

And although I am not doing much for the Teladi,They have just
upgraded me to Company Helper 17%.Maybe those two hired hands ARE helping me after all.

Well I pop over to the OTAS HQ and get me a Triplex scanner and see if any 2nd hand ships are
worth getting.Find myself an Express.62% shields.
Now I have credits rolling in,I could consider paying for repairs.Not for now,though.I'll give it a
jump drive and fuel and send it to Ore Belt ,as normal.

Argon Shipyard will let me buy any ship except Colossus,Titan and Minotaur.
Again I need to be Federation Overwatch.

It is one of those rare occasions when I am allowed to buy ten of nearly any ship I choose,but I will
leave it for now.At least I know I can buy a Heavy Centaur for very little more than I have.

Headed North to Akeela's Beacon and searched four SPP's oi bin told were there.And then docked at the cheapest to refuel.
Meanwhiles oi not shameless any more...jus' creature,though oi'm not even in their sectors yet.They must be a buyin' vrom my gomplex.

[muadiib]

Not been on here in a while and ive just read the full thread. I have enjoyed it immensly. i in fact loved the accent. Most people initially start as you in argon space trading all the commodaties (sp)
I would love to see fudge go back to his roots and trade in other empires space and give ideas on how food/secondary products can be used to make money.

thanks for the work you have put in so far

[TTD]

Woi , thankee very much. Oi bin a thinkin' moi Uncle would be doin' a bit more in the lines ov factory production with food an' stuff,zo Oi'l get me ah bit more credit an' get moi own TL.Then Oi can get to business.

Now oi've heard about those "strawbags",the Split are not good tempered,but I know they are beggining
to take notice of me and trade enough with me to up my status with them.
Oi've also heard that they be almost giving away their TLs at under 20,000,000 credits.
But Oi need to know where they be based.

I dock at the shipyard at Light of heart and discover one of Julians franchises.Argon caffe+ Terran Caramel...
Yup just what Oi be a needin' roight now...and maybe a bit of information...

...."Well who wants to pay nearly thirty mil for a TL when you can get one for
nearly half the price?"said a young Teladi on the table next to me.

I caught his eye and said "Well they say you get what you pay for,and everyone
knows that Argon quality does not come cheap.They make good battle ships and many military
fabricators have set up shop assisting in Mammoth production."
"That may be true" he replied,fixing me a stare,"But what would you give me for the whereabouts of
a shipyard that sells slightly smaller TLs at good prices...and I don't mean pirate stuff either ?"

Now that's the trouble with Teladi.They tell you half of what you want to know for free....
Then charge you for the other half.

....A few hours later I'm one my way to find this shipyard.He said the nearest one is at the heart of the
Split Empire.A place called Family Pride......One drawback though.Not on my computer
charts ,and there's another Pirate sector to go through.At least Oi'm still in me Hydra.


Uncle always said,if you travel alone,don't travel empty.Young as Oi was in them there days,Oi thought he meant lack pleasure compensated by good food.
But havin' done some trading ,I know what he meant. Even if he privately thought the same as me.

So Oi have bin tradin' e-cells an ore on my ways. Met a couple of my UT pilots along the ways.They'd bin a monot'rin me to see if Oi could lead them to some good bargains.They're in for a bonus for usin' their 'eds and not the books.Who'd pass up sellin' ore for 206?




Teladi

That Teladi forgot to tell me somethin'.

My passport says Split creature 20%
The Split won't sell me a TL until they consider me Distinguished Associate.!!!
Hmm. Looks loik Oi need some traders in Split sectors.

Time to call in my TM again.Need to get them new 2nd hand ships turned into traders.

[Rednoahl]

<snip>give ideas on how food/secondary products can be used to make money.

thanks for the work you have put in so far

Seconded.

[xcal13]

keep goin

[theoffy]

Have only just started reading this. Excellent my fellow trader. May big profits continue to rain on you.

Just a communication to say brilliant posting, keep it going

[Mr. Reeves]

Hey TTD you would be proud to know I have gone legit. I now make enough money from my complexes i only have to steal a destroyer everh 2 or 3 hours of game play.

Here is the scoop. I've built a HUGE self sufficiant complex in antigone memorial that makes flails, hammers, gauss cannon, cannon ammo, EBC, and EBC ammo.

In Argon prime I have a big but not huge micro chip plex that needs energy and silicon. I am just buying the Energy from the A.I. as setting up an energy core is a pain.

In Ore belt I am harvesting all the astroids over yield 20. I have 2 complexes one for silicone and one for ore.

So I am working on a day when I can put down the boarding pods and ... now that I think about it... what would I do If I wasn't a thief?

[TTD]

There are many points of satisfaction and thrills in TC.

Some players get greater "kicks" by surviving a long battle with less than 10% hull and no shields left.

Some get it from pirating.

Some get it from watching the money roll in after setting up complexes,stations STs etc.

Sometimes though,even a tame trader like me likes to feel the rush of adrenalin by taking on a few lone pirates,Kha'ak or Xenon.

Or conversely , a committed pirate likes to relax once in a while and deal with station management.

============================================

So my advice to all is to explore the different facets of TC when things start to feel "boring" or "completed".

You can never complete X,because there is always something that can be done.
Some players come here and say
" I've completed X.There's nothing else to do."
What they really mean is they have done all that they they have set themselves to do,but have failed to give themselves another goal.

If a player can give us a saved game that has

All plots (bluebook) and main missions (Corporation missions etc)done.
Has a complex in each sector giving as much support to NPC stations as possible
Has bought or capped every ship available
Has REd evrey ship possible
Has the highest rank in race commerce and battle

and does not have enough stations to spread his credits in so that he/she always has maximum credits in every station and main account...

Then "maybe" I could agree that the game is done and dusted.
Now do the same from another start,and again until all the starts have reach the above position.
THEN perhaps it's time to find another game.

But this is just my personal opinion Feel free to open another thread,using my comments to reply to if you wish.

==============================================

I will be exploring the ideas of building an economy based on secondary resources.

[microtheraver420]

I really love this story. I have been playing when I have time but just feel lost sometimes between the long hours it takes for some things to happen. I tend to go hunting pirates, but then they get mad at me and hunt down my traders. I try to assign 3 fighters to my traders, but that doesn't ever to seem enough. I'm up against a wall. I'm playing DiD and the only saves I use is to get into the game after exiting. Any ideas on what to do or how to solve my pirate problem?

[TTD]

pirates are forever troublesome,but you can reduce the problem by doing missions for them.This will increase your rep.Especially Station build missions.

As much as you can ,set pirates as friend in your race settings menus.

Avoid attacking them...(set turrets to missile defence only,on all traders with turrets).

Also try using restricted traders. STs that you restrict the maximum number of sectors to trade in. These traders are often called Local Traders on the forum.

optimum efficiency is set to 2 (= home sector + 2 radius = 3 sectors in any direction).Then overlap the next LT by one sector.

Find something else to do when things go quiet.

In real life,if you keep annoying the local gangs,they will get annoyed.So it is in X. Upset the Pirates or any race,and your popularity will drop to the point where you can't go near them.

[Mr. Reeves]

I agree about your pirate problem. They are just another band of thugs like any other gov. You have to deal with the powers that be unless you commit to destroying them all like how i am destroying the boron.

also I don't have any ST or UT. I get tired of babysitting. I set up factories and to fund this i steal stuff and sell it.

[microtheraver420]

I'm starting to hate pirates, I had to start yet another new game because i play DiD. even from the get go, pirates hate me. i'll try again but it sucks starting over every time. sorry about my typing, i've to much ale tonight.