Advice for a noob please

[Advent]

Greetings fellow Citizens and thank you for taking the time to read this post. I've been keeping an eye on Star Citizen since the very beginning, but only decided to pledge very recently during the last anniversary sale. I did as much research as I could and came to the conclusion that the best ship for me was the Carrack. I loved the Constellation, but the Carrack seemed like it provided so much more with it's med-bay and repair shop, not to mention it's getting even bigger. I also decided that the Cutlass Black would be a great ship as well to play with my friend. Now I have but one final question/concern. Do I stick with the Mustang Alpha or upgrade it to an Avenger Titan. Usually the Answer is get the Titan, but because I have a Cutlass Black is it even worth it anymore. I would like a nice single seater ship that I can use while playing solo, but at the same time I'm sure i can hire an npc and with over 5x the storage capacity I'll probably be able to offset that cost. Am I over thinking this, is there a clear answer here?

For a clearer picture of what I have/might have:

• Mustang Alpha(60 Months) or Avenger Titan - My main starting ship when my friends aren't playing
• Cutlass Black(LTI) - 2 seater, perfect for playing with an other friend
• Carrack(LTI) - 4-6 seater, great for when I finally get a group together and we can just go off and explore

P.S. One small question as well. When getting LTI on my Carrack and Cutlass I missed out on the VFG hangar, do you think that will matter much at all or should I find a way to get this hangar?

As always Thank you all for the help!

 

[marctek]

I always say buy all the ships.

Well, buy what you can afford and what fits your playing style. I personally have an Avenger Titan for tooling around in. It works for small runs and can defend it's self a bit. I also have a Cutlass Black and love it almost as much as I love my Freelancer. In the game, I doubt I will use the Titan much unless I'm hauling something small and sensitive. Otherwise, I plan to pay for an NPC or find a helper for my Cutlass or Freelancer.

 

[Vavrik]

I figure don't worry too much about your hangers. All you can do in them is gawk at your ships, and they look much better in space, than in a hanger. You can always buy a ship that gives you the VFG hanger later.

Well, buy what you can afford and what fits your playing style. I personally have an Avenger Titan for tooling around in. It works for small runs and can defend it's self a bit. I also have a Cutlass Black and love it almost as much as I love my Freelancer. In the game, I doubt I will use the Titan much unless I'm hauling something small and sensitive. Otherwise, I plan to pay for an NPC or find a helper for my Cutlass or Freelancer.

This is basically what I would say too. What you want to do in the game should govern what you invest in. I own a Cutlass Black, and a Connie among others, and have use of a loaner Freelancer. I tend to use the larger ships for cargo, but if I'm going to a un protected outpost the Cutlass Black wins. It's fully capable of being flown single handed, and still hold it's own in a dogfight.

The one thing I would say is contrary is, I am not putting any faith in NPC's for helping. I want to fly with crew-mates who can think on their feet, anticipate, get suspicious, improvise, develop new strategies and tactics, learn from mistakes, and possibly more importantly tell stories when we're cruising. Scripted AI's (Subsumption is not an AI development tool, it is a visual scripting tool) are unlikely to have those characteristics. Not that I won't ever use them, just... i don't think they're going to be as good as even a mediocre player.

 

[CrudeSasquatch]

Buy an Aurora and earn your way

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

The mustang is in the middle of a rework so I'd say hold off until you know what you'd be giving up, the reworked 'stang might be just what you are waiting for.

 

[Advent]

I always say buy all the ships.

Well, buy what you can afford and what fits your playing style. I personally have an Avenger Titan for tooling around in. It works for small runs and can defend it's self a bit. I also have a Cutlass Black and love it almost as much as I love my Freelancer. In the game, I doubt I will use the Titan much unless I'm hauling something small and sensitive. Otherwise, I plan to pay for an NPC or find a helper for my Cutlass or Freelancer.

I would love to buy all the ships haha at the same time though buying a ton of ships would kind of be boring. I do want some fun and the challenge of earning ships in game. One thing that someone brought up and had me consider was the fact that my cutlass black may suffer an unfortunate accident and your ship doesn't instantly respawn, so it may be nice to have a decent back up ship in an event like that.

I figure don't worry too much about your hangers. All you can do in them is gawk at your ships, and they look much better in space, than in a hanger. You can always buy a ship that gives you the VFG hanger later.



This is basically what I would say too. What you want to do in the game should govern what you invest in. I own a Cutlass Black, and a Connie among others, and have use of a loaner Freelancer. I tend to use the larger ships for cargo, but if I'm going to a un protected outpost the Cutlass Black wins. It's fully capable of being flown single handed, and still hold it's own in a dogfight.

The one thing I would say is contrary is, I am not putting any faith in NPC's for helping. I want to fly with crew-mates who can think on their feet, anticipate, get suspicious, improvise, develop new strategies and tactics, learn from mistakes, and possibly more importantly tell stories when we're cruising. Scripted AI's (Subsumption is not an AI development tool, it is a visual scripting tool) are unlikely to have those characteristics. Not that I won't ever use them, just... i don't think they're going to be as good as even a mediocre player.

Very true, I also read that Hangars will be locked to a single location and you'll have to get a hangar elsewhere if you want to store your ship or just pay for hangar space at a station. I just want to make sure my Carrack is safe lol Since the Carrack is an exploration ship I doubt it will be spending much time in the starting location anyway as well. My only issue is that I really don't plan on purchasing anything else and most ships that come with the VFG hangar cost at least $100

Buy an Aurora and earn your way

I don't not agree with you...almost. Mustang over Aurora all the way for me in a starting ship. Sadly a bit to late for that with my purchase of a Carrack haha, but I plan on really only purchasing these 3 ships. I do want to earn everything else in game because honestly that's part of the fun. I just felt a need for the Carrack because I want to be an explorer on the edge, have my mini Firefly/Enterprise and be one of the first to discoverer something new including easter eggs!

The mustang is in the middle of a rework so I'd say hold off until you know what you'd be giving up, the reworked 'stang might be just what you are waiting for.

I wont lie, that's one of the reasons that I'm questioning this decision a bit more. I saw some of the pics and think the updated Mustang looks pretty awesome. At the same token I think it might be easier to purchase the Titan now and then earn enough to purchase a mustang vs the other way around. In the end the Mustang is a starter ship though and I worry how much use I'll end up out of it since I have a Cutlass Black.

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

I wont lie, that's one of the reasons that I'm questioning this decision a bit more. I saw some of the pics and think the update Mustang looks pretty awesome. At the same token I think it might be easier to purchase the Titan now and then earn enough to purchase a mustang vs the other way around. In the end the Mustang is a starter ship though and I worry how much use I'll end up out of it since I have a Cutlass Black.

Fair point, the Space Penguin is a damn fine ship which has only become more attractive since the update has been released... And lets face it, a Mustang Alpha pledge won't break the bank if you want a nippy little runaround later on ;)

 

[Talonsbane]

Personally, I'd take the chance to invest in a new 100i with LTI & then upgrade that to an Avenger Titan. After the rework is released, I suspect that it will be closer towards the size of the Cutlass black than it is now. At which point, should you have to file a claim on your Black, you can have the enhanced Titan to run errands in while you wait instead of wasting UEC on expediting since that is now active & the economy is rather restrictive trade wise.

 

[Beerjerker]

When I started the melting and unmelting game, I quickly came to the decision to leave my game package ship alone. Not upgrading the actual game package ship means it wouldn't have too much cash tied up in it, just in case I wanted to liquidate everything for whatever the latest deal was. You could just get another one, but it might have less features (both games) or go up in price so you might want to wait for a buyback token.

So, if your Mustang is your game package, I would suggest not upgrading it at all. Even if you rarely ever use it.

Or do upgrade it. But do it soon, because I would not be in the least bit surprised if the Avenger gets a price bump when its rework gets released. I think it will always be a good boat, cheaper to fuel and repair than Cutlass, and likely always more teeth than a Mustang.

On the other hand (third hand?), the ships you pledge for, especially the smaller ones like Avengers, just think of what you want to play with in the alpha. Every tier of starter (Aurora to Cutlass even) will probably be the quickest ships to get access to, once the game actually comes out. If they were difficult to obtain in the actual game, it would be a frustrating barrier for new players.

If you want to play with an Avenger in the alpha, go for it. But come actual game time, I wouldn't even worry about it. Avengers will probably be coming out of your ears after a month of playing. I currently have both a Freelancer and a Cutlass, and I enjoy both, but I'll surely turn one into something else before launch, just for variety's sake.

(Edited for tons of typos. I need to go to bed...)

 

[Deroth]

Upgrade it to a Caterpillar!

Also, hangers are planned to get yet another rework so don't sweat them right now.

 

[Darth_Razor]

Avenger Titan: Great all around ship, a perfect starting point for anybody who is undecided as to what career they'll choose in the game.
Cutlass Black: This one is a keeper, it does everything and it does it well, fights, hauls, drops, can hold a couple of Dragonflies, etc. and it will not break your bank.

 

[SullyQuindarius]

Wait until 3.2. Both the Avenger and the Mustang are getting reworks, so I'd check em both out and see which one you like better. I'd personally go with the Avenger, but you might like the Mustang better...

 

[Wolfy]

I would rec....

Wait until 3.2. Both the Avenger and the Mustang are getting reworks, so I'd check em both out and see which one you like better. I'd personally go with the Avenger, but you might like the Mustang better...

Damn he beat me to it...

 

[Printimus]

Really depends on what you want to do in the game. We get the "should i upgrade" question all the time. Honestly, it depends on you and your wants/needs in the game.

 

[Deleted member 6105]

Personally, with the titan rework, I think it will be far more useful. If you want a mustang alpha in game, credits wise, likely be cheap as dirt and you will have an avenger with a better insurance package.

 

[Advent]

Personally, I'd take the chance to invest in a new 100i with LTI & then upgrade that to an Avenger Titan. After the rework is released, I suspect that it will be closer towards the size of the Cutlass black than it is now. At which point, should you have to file a claim on your Black, you can have the enhanced Titan to run errands in while you wait instead of wasting UEC on expediting since that is now active & the economy is rather restrictive trade wise.

I was honestly considering that as an option; however I'm trying to avoid putting any more money into the game. I've never spent this much on a game before and the game isn't completed yet lol

When I started the melting and unmelting game, I quickly came to the decision to leave my game package ship alone. Not upgrading the actual game package ship means it wouldn't have too much cash tied up in it, just in case I wanted to liquidate everything for whatever the latest deal was. You could just get another one, but it might have less features (both games) or go up in price so you might want to wait for a buyback token.

So, if your Mustang is your game package, I would suggest not upgrading it at all. Even if you rarely ever use it.

Or do upgrade it. But do it soon, because I would not be in the least bit surprised if the Avenger gets a price bump when its rework gets released. I think it will always be a good boat, cheaper to fuel and repair than Cutlass, and likely always more teeth than a Mustang.

On the other hand (third hand?), the ships you pledge for, especially the smaller ones like Avengers, just think of what you want to play with in the alpha. Every tier of starter (Aurora to Cutlass even) will probably be the quickest ships to get access to, once the game actually comes out. If they were difficult to obtain in the actual game, it would be a frustrating barrier for new players.

If you want to play with an Avenger in the alpha, go for it. But come actual game time, I wouldn't even worry about it. Avengers will probably be coming out of your ears after a month of playing. I currently have both a Freelancer and a Cutlass, and I enjoy both, but I'll surely turn one into something else before launch, just for variety's sake.

(Edited for tons of typos. I need to go to bed...)

The good news is that I already have a buyback token right now, so I'm not to worried about that. My game package is the 5 year anniversary one, but I could get 100i one with LTI and upgrade to a titan which would be an even better deal. Sadly you can't get the LTI package with credits. DAMN YOU WARBOND!!!

I'm actually not playing the alpha, I've been traveling the world the last few years with only a laptop so sadly I can't run the game. I am however obsessed with it and trying to put myself in the best position possible come release/when I get home and build a custom PC.

You're right there, I'm sure it wont be to hard to acquire in game. I'm sure acquiring a Mustang with a Titan though would be even easier. The annoying part is not knowing how important insurance will be.

Upgrade it to a Caterpillar!

Also, hangers are planned to get yet another rework so don't sweat them right now.

Haha no Caterpillar for me, If I do get one it'll be earned in game

Good to know about the hanger situation though. I do have an idea how to acquire what I want though.

Avenger Titan: Great all around ship, a perfect starting point for anybody who is undecided as to what career they'll choose in the game.
Cutlass Black: This one is a keeper, it does everything and it does it well, fights, hauls, drops, can hold a couple of Dragonflies, etc. and it will not break your bank.

I have a general idea of what I want to do, GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE AND EXPLORE THE FINAL FRONTIER lol at the same token it'll be important to build funds. I don't want to start the game too crazy either though Carrack is as far as I'll go along with my 2-3 other early game ships ie. Mustang,Titan,Cutlass Black.

Wait until 3.2. Both the Avenger and the Mustang are getting reworks, so I'd check em both out and see which one you like better. I'd personally go with the Avenger, but you might like the Mustang better...

My biggest concern honestly is that if I wait, the price may increase. As nice as the Mustang might be, it'll probably disappear in a showroom(my hangar) in no time at all. Earning the Mustang, as strange as that may be in game, might end up being the best option.

Really depends on what you want to do in the game. We get the "should i upgrade" question all the time. Honestly, it depends on you and your wants/needs in the game.

Very true, I'm sure you guys are sick of that question by now so I do apologize for asking it.

I want to explore, that's why I got the Carrack. I want a simple ship for me and my friend to get started with and to earn some money, that's why I got the Cutlass Black. I want a ship that I can use to do basic things and complete missions while my friend isn't online, that's why I'm torn between the Mustang and the Avenger Titan.

Personally, with the titan rework, I think it will be far more useful. If you want a mustang alpha in game, credits wise, likely be cheap as dirt and you will have an avenger with a better insurance package.

This is honestly one of the big things I've been thinking about. You are right I'm sure it'll be a joke to get a Mustang Alpha in game and having better insurance would be great...well if I knew how important insurance would be.

Semi-Conclusion:

Currently my "Cutlass Black" is sitting as an un-upgraded LTI Hawk. I would like the VFG Hangar too, so I think I've found a way to acquire everything I want

1) Upgrade 5th Anniversary Mustang to Titan (or buy LTI 100i and upgrade that to Titan using melted funds to grab Cutlass since Hawk is only $90 and Cutlass is $100, extra funds for Nox?)
2) Wait for 6th anniversary and melt my Hawk and purchase 6 year insurance Cutlass with VFG Hangar
3) Keep my LTI Carrack the way it is
4) If the Mustang is really that nice I can literally just earn it in game in no time at all.

By the time that insurance runs out either I'm a billionaire playboy philanthropist or I'm done with Star Citizen lol

If you guys think I'm making a mistake somewhere or could do something a bit different, I would love to hear. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[maynard]

I recall CR saying early on that a week's mission-running would be enough to upgrade from a starter ship to a Freelancer-class ship

so if you have a limited budget just stick with the Mustang and earn your Titan or whatever in-game

 

[Printimus]

I was honestly considering that as an option; however I'm trying to avoid putting any more money into the game. I've never spent this much on a game before and the game isn't completed yet lol



The good news is that I already have a buyback token right now, so I'm not to worried about that. My game package is the 5 year anniversary one, but I could get 100i one with LTI and upgrade to a titan which would be an even better deal. Sadly you can't get the LTI package with credits. DAMN YOU WARBOND!!!

I'm actually not playing the alpha, I've been traveling the world the last few years with only a laptop so sadly I can't run the game. I am however obsessed with it and trying to put myself in the best position possible come release/when I get home and build a custom PC.

You're right there, I'm sure it wont be to hard to acquire in game. I'm sure acquiring a Mustang with a Titan though would be even easier. The annoying part is not knowing how important insurance will be.



Haha no Caterpillar for me, If I do get one it'll be earned in game

Good to know about the hanger situation though. I do have an idea how to acquire what I want though.



I have a general idea of what I want to do, GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE AND EXPLORE THE FINAL FRONTIER lol at the same token it'll be important to build funds. I don't want to start the game too crazy either though Carrack is as far as I'll go along with my 2-3 other early game ships ie. Mustang,Titan,Cutlass Black.



My biggest concern honestly is that if I wait, the price may increase. As nice as the Mustang might be, it'll probably disappear in a showroom(my hangar) in no time at all. Earning the Mustang, as strange as that may be in game, might end up being the best option.



Very true, I'm sure you guys are sick of that question by now so I do apologize for asking it.

I want to explore, that's why I got the Carrack. I want a simple ship for me and my friend to get started with and to earn some money, that's why I got the Cutlass Black. I want a ship that I can use to do basic things and complete missions while my friend isn't online, that's why I'm torn between the Mustang and the Avenger Titan.



This is honestly one of the big things I've been thinking about. You are right I'm sure it'll be a joke to get a Mustang Alpha in game and having better insurance would be great...well if I knew how important insurance would be.

Semi-Conclusion:

Currently my "Cutlass Black" is sitting as an un-upgraded LTI Hawk. I would like the VFG Hangar too, so I think I've found a way to acquire everything I want

1) Upgrade 5th Anniversary Mustang to Titan (or buy LTI 100i and upgrade that to Titan using melted funds to grab Cutlass since Hawk is only $90 and Cutlass is $100, extra funds for Nox?)
2) Wait for 6th anniversary and melt my Hawk and purchase 6 year insurance Cutlass with VFG Hangar
3) Keep my LTI Carrack the way it is
4) If the Mustang is really that nice I can literally just earn it in game in no time at all.

By the time that insurance runs out either I'm a billionaire playboy philanthropist or I'm done with Star Citizen lol

If you guys think I'm making a mistake somewhere or could do something a bit different, I would love to hear. Thanks again for all the help.

Avenger will be a good well-rounded ship for starters.