Oolite Bulletins

This poll has been inspired by the fact that I'm seeing lots of new names in the forum, so we have some new commanders out there still coming on board.

For me, nothing beats the fuel injectors for a first upgrade - nothing can end a Jameson's career faster than a lazily lobbed hardhead missle, unless they can outrun it...for me it's safety before profit, so the cargo bay is an optional extra until I've got the cash to fill it.

Always lasers for me. The Leesti-Diso trade run needs some shootin' irons for the Diso leg of the trip. For some reason those pirates want to divest me of my cargo of meat and two veg. They get VERY insistent.

On the bright side, though, the bounty and the rank increases are a nice compensation.

It has to be the cargo bay expansion ... it's so cheap, and it pays for itself in one good run. Then it makes chasing all the other upgrades that much faster.

In the original Elite where injectors did not exist, my upgrade path was:
Cargo bay expansion
ECM
Beam laser
Fuel Scoop
Docking Computer
Military laser

For Oolite it was much the same
Cargo bay expansion
ECM
Injectors
Beam Laser
Fuel Scoop
Docking Computer
and so on.

Edit: Fatleaf reminded me of fuel scoop.

I voted for the cargo expansion as that is by far the most sensible option to speed things up in a Cobby 3. Having said that, personally I 'downgraded' to a Cobby 1 with lots more kit.

My first thought was for ECM, but I re-voted for cargo bay.

All the combat equipment should be after the cargo extension, as Jamesons should avoid all combat (by flying out of the spacelane) and concentrate on trading.

Laser upgrade!

I would say it is the fuel scoops. All that spoil of battle just floating away. Plus free fuel.

Since I hate floating along at a snail's pace, I regard my Injectors as vital kit. Also great for Running Away!!!!!!

i think it depends on your routes. if you play it safe in the calm systems you can get Docking puters to remove the stress (unless you've practiced!). elsewhere, i think on the BBC i got an ECM - i was ok at combat but usually missiles would be the end of me unless i got lucky enough to shoot the incoming bugger.

I vote for injectors first - good for running away from too hot furballs, and missiles. Those who fight and run away live to fight and run another day, and there's no shame in getting the hell out of dodge.

Absolutely has to be the fuel injectors as it is both defensive(run from pirates and missiles), offensive(get into combat quickly and onto the target's six without taking much damage) and a time saver(getting past mass-locks quickly). In short, it allows you to control the encounters you have with other ships. Only buy injectors when you have enough money that you can still keep the cargo bay full. Follow with the large cargo bay, then ECM, then fuel scoops, then a beam laser. At this point you can engage a 2 or 3 ship group of pirates with high confidence. Just injector in behind the farthest ship of the group, get on his six and start blasting. ECM any missiles. Run from hardheads(the way I do it is to combine running from hardheads with attacking behind other ships and ECM every so often until the hardhead bursts as well, just have to be careful when you still only have the basic shield is all and learn when to retreat.) When the combat is over fuel scoop all the booty for 100% profit. Combat practice at this early stage in the game is crucial and playing it safe will not make you better at combat. At later stages in the game you will know how to survive with most of the equipment damaged. Very important. The next thing to buy is shield boosters, then military lasers, then military shield enhancement. Docking computers are only good for tired old dogs, weary from a run full of combats. If you don't know how to dock, how are you going to do it when the docking computer is damaged? Practice, just like combat you should be able to dock in your sleep. You will only get that good at it if you practice.

The real fun part of the game is the combat. Trading and the money that results from it are only a means to fund more combat. At this point one may look for other things to do such as missions and jobs but it all comes back to the fundamental point of the game which is trading to get money to buy equipment and ships to have fun in combat.

And finally become * ELITE *. Well done commander!

Technically, my very first equipment change on a new start is to sell off all my missiles for slightly more starting credits.
Later, I might re-buy ordinary 30 credit missiles to use on lone pirate types that are unlikely to have ECM.

My first regular equipment upgrade is a large cargo bay...but fuel injectors isn't a bad idea also.
If including OXPs, my early upgrades might be different. Fuel tanks comes to mind in particular, right after fuel injectors.

Docking Comp first, ECC second, laser third, cargo scoop, fuel injectors.


BTW who put trumbles in there???

Zireael wrote:

...BTW who put trumbles in there???

Every good poll has at least one nonsense category!!