I enjoy thinking about ED more than actually playing it

[JimmiG]

For example yesterday I had been thinking all day about how I would find a profitable trade run and spend an hour or two trading until I could upgrade my ship a little, then try some bounty hunting and actually get better at combat.

Here's how the evening of ED went:
1. Found a good deal on Geological Equipment, thought I had discovered one end of a good trade route so I bought a bunch
2. Didn't find anywhere to sell them. Had to use the trading tool. Had to make about 10 jumps to sell them at ~50cr profit. That didn't even pay for the fuel.
3. Wandered around aimlessly looking for good missions, didn't find any.
4. Figured I would try combat anyway, dropped out at a nav beacon
5. Instantly lost my shields and got my hull shot to 60% by a Viper
6. Fled (thank god for the boost speed of the trusty old Cobra), docked at the nearest station, repaired and rage quit

I basically lost thousands of credits and several hours of my precious spare time and didn't get anything in return. I guess the game gets more rewarding as you get better? Right now it doesn't feel like there's any return of investment for sinking time into the game compared to other games. The idea of being a space pilot in a limitless galaxy sounds amazing, but when actually playing the game, I find it hard to actually enjoy it.

[JohnLuke]

Sometimes my plans for a gaming session in E-D gets derailled, like what you experienced. It happens to me a lot, actually. I was planning on working on my Fed rank on Sunday, and only raised it 1% when I got sidetracked with something else in the game.

If you ever want to wing up for some combat, I'd be happy to help you earn some credits.

[Xebeth]

Hi JimmiG, it's worth checking out some of the great trading tools that are available (Inara, Thrudd's, eddb), these will help you find good trade routes in your area.

As for combat, what spec is your Cobra? If it's still stock spec then you'll struggle a little so pick your targets carefully, also were you still carrying cargo? Best to hunt bounty with an empty hold so you don't become a target for pirates.

The game can be quite unforgiving at times, but it really is worth sticking with.

[Black Rose]

Trading: the in game trade tool is, IMO, useless! An offline item such as Inara is the only way to go. Trading in a game that has no player trades, no player interaction what so ever, aside from effecting the availability of goods, is pretty boring.

I use trade as something for a little entra cash while doing missions.

Set yourself up in an Asp Explorer and run missions, explore and trade as you go

Here is a suggested build. Needless to say if you are still in a Cobra you can use an Asp Scout instead until you get some more cash.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/25A5A5A4B4A5D5C0s0s242424240004040l054a02v62t2i2f.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==?bn=Asp%20Explorer%252FHauler

Here is a build for something similar only using the Cobra as the base ship:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_iii/24A4B4A3D3A3D4C27270p0p0004030345542f2i.Iw1-kA==.Aw1-kA==?bn=Cobra%20Multi%20Task

Combat:
Id start off in the basic Resource Source sight LOW. There are system security cops there, the number of NPCs is more manageable. Follow the cops around and attack what they attack AFTER to passive scan the targets. You will get credit even if you don't do allot of the damage. Also, on the build I linked, replace the shield booster for a kill warrant scanner and get even more bounties on the kills.

Be aware of what you are shooting at, my biggest fault, lol Thats why I am wanted in over 60 systems and almost always have a 2 million + bounty. But LOOK, CHECK, LOOK again before you fire. When you hull is at or below a level that you set for yourself, then dock, repair and cash in. Don't be afraid to dock, you're not gonna miss anything and the NPCs will be there when you get back.

Now one downside to working with the cops is they are no very forgiving. Sure a stray shot here and there they let it go, but sustained fire gets you an "assault" fine of 400 cr and wanted tag for 8 minutes and every cop in the area will attack you instantly. So you have to bugger off into cruise. When the timer counts down it will say 0.00 min H-Jump. That means you have to jump out and back to clear it. When you dock there will be a 400 cr fine you can pay or ignore, up to you.

Now if you are like me and get on a target and won't stop until its dead and that target happens to be a cop, then you get a murder charge, the bounty is 5,000 or more +400 for assault and the bounty is on you for 7 days.

[Roger Wilco Jr]

I basically lost thousands of credits and several hours of my precious spare time and didn't get anything in return.

Well, you did gain experience and hopefully learned something. The more you learn, and the more experience you get, the better the game becomes. And at least you didn't get murdered in cold blood in open.

As for trading tools, I never use them myself. I get more satisfaction out of playing the game and finding my own profitable routes, but I have "cheated" a bit with the outrageously profitable smuggling runs.

As for your thread title, I chuckled because I'm always having similar thoughts - but that's because I'm always thinking about how the game could and should be so much better - not that I don't still enjoy playing it after 15 months.

[CapitanAceRimmer]

Don't be afraid to go to the Mobius teamspeak area and ask if anyone wants to wing up or even here on the Mobius PVE website. I always think the best way for a beginner to make money is to contribute to a CG. Currently, if you deliver 1 ton of metal to Worlidge Center in LHS 2447, you are looking at making at least 500000 CR. Just make sure you are signed up before you sell it at the station market.

[Falcon_D]

Use the Cobra to run missions 1st till you can upgrade. If you can't find any missions that you like in one station move to another station or system.
If you don't want to use the online tools for trade, check the item description of where it's imported from. Also I believe there is a toggle on one of the trade columns stating where the item is exported to. The galaxy map also shows trade routes if you've visited the systems around the one you're currently in or have bought trade data for the system.
Always make sure that when you change ship you have enough cr to cover the insurance for your new ship.
The Cobra is a great ship. I got hooked to ED because of it. Got an Asp later but didn't much like it. Got a Cobra in my fleet now, just so I can take it out and fly fast just for the pure joy. It's not that great in a CZ but I usually can outrun what I can't kill. Brought to to a Haz-Res, mounted 2 small rail guns to it and had a lot of fun. Though not much money.

Have fun, fly safe. o7

[TorTorden]

The cg is in Lhs 3447 (not 2447).

There are a few who are partaking in the cg purely by finding and selling metals on planet surfaces.
Means you need horizons and you won't be competing neck and neck with jackholes in a cutter but it will bee all 100% cool mostly legal profit with only aneed srv for investment.

[kirimaru]

I may be completely wrong as I'm still a beginner but I seemed to notice the missions 'teach' you trade routes. Sometimes the commodity for a trade mission can be bought again and used as standard trade with a fair profit. If not the commodity then the route itself can be a good one. I've repeated mission routes and made good profits. This is just early game I'm referring to, no idea about late game. But I never buy blind, I always try to find out if the destination buys the goods. I enjoy trying to use the trade tools ingame though I'll probably start using external resources. I think the game does guide you but in a very subtle way. Re the OP: I'd suggest don't try to plan, just go with whatever happens.

[Vences]

In a cobra you could do rare goods trade to earn some credits. For instance this one http://imgur.com/gallery/lkRWdtw. Although I don't know if is still totally accurate.