Is using trading tools cheating?

[christoff]

Just wondered what other members think?

I have been using a trading tool this last couple of nights, and am making a fortune on the missions now. This has allowed me to keep my Viper, Hauler, and purchase a Cobra in a pretty short space of time.

While I have been enjoying the cash rolling in, I'm beginning to wonder if by using the Trading tool, I am removing some of the skill from playing the game, or some might say "frustrations." In fairness, it's not always accurate. I can travel to a station and there's not quite enough of what I need to purchase, but it doesn't take long to source another supply using the tool.

So am I a cheat, or just using what is available to me?

[Philip Coutts]

I think this is entirely up to the individual. Is it cheating, well for me, no it isn't but I do feel it takes away a lot of the fun of finding your own trade routes. I guess I don't use them because I feel like I would be "cheating" myself!

[GlobusDiablo]

I think this is entirely up to the individual. Is it cheating, well for me, no it isn't but I do feel it takes away a lot of the fun of finding your own trade routes. I guess I don't use them because I feel like I would be "cheating" myself!

What Philip says. Having to leave the game interface breaks my immersion, and I love zooming around the trade routes in the Galaxy Map Pill.

[Avago-Earo]

If getting an advantage 'out of game' is cheating, then yes.

I don't see the problem in this group though as someone who gets a head start and is tooled up to the nines isn't going to attack me anyway and I can play it my way at the pace and imagination I like, you can play it your way.

[Mr_Average]

1) Its a video game
2) You aren't making money to play it
3) Any other player has access to these tools without paying or hacking the game
4) Its a video game

[Sniger]

I will have to admit that I am using external trade information as well.
I have a laptop on my desk running a database of systems and commodity prices, but I think that in 1300 years from now, any savy interstellar trader would use any and all means available to secure his/her profit, just like any trader today uses available info on the internet and whatever other sources.
We might as well face the facts: Trade info will be collected in various ways and distributed more or less publicly, this is the nature of the internet today

[BiggBno]

I used to use Slopey's tool when it had the market scraper, but only in offline mode as it meant I still had to travel to the systems but didn't have to write them down. Now I use mclaines trading spreadsheet as I too think I'm cheating myself out of the experience of trading.

I have no problem with anyone else using them though. As the motto says. To each his own.

[Rune]

I have used Slopeys tool now and then but usually because I get annoyed about the inconsistencies of the trade routes on the galactic map. Went about 120ly out from Eranin and would see the trade lines going to where I wanted to go, the system map showed the goods as one of the main imports at the station and once I got there the goods were cheaper at the station than where I got them from so was constantly hitting losses.

If they get that fixed then I'll stop using external tools.

[Avago-Earo]

Does anyone know if there will be a ship module that can 'remember' the market of visited stations? My mobile phone could do it so a space ship in the 3300's should be able to.

[Combiseries]

I think its down to preference. For those who need help with trading, its an invaluable tool - when it works. I tried Slopeys tool for a bit, but didn`t like it because some of the trading info was wrong, I actually lost some cash on what was supposed to be a profitable run. The data is updated by the community which uses it, and if there is a typo, well it might not be noticed until someone else does the trip.

Personally, I quite enjoy taking note of what star system needs what. I don`t take note of prices, I just take down what the supply and demand is for each system - wether it is low, medium or high demand/supply. I find that as I trade, I explore the systems available more, rather than doing the same route all the time. Using this technique I can create my own route, and I can bypass it whenever I like.

There are a number of sites that do trade calculators online etc. You only need to use the relevant search terms to find them.. I`ve found that most are out of date.