The making of an LTI Perseus.

[Brictoria]

To go alongside Chovan's "CCU chain contest ends June 01 2023" competition in the marketplace on Discord, I thought I'd put together a thread here where I attempt to build the target shp (an LTI Perseus) for educational purposes. I will be putting together the chain from what is available on the pledge store (no grey market additions) for the duration of the competition, explaining the choices made as new items are added to (or removed from) the chain\store, to try and help others understand how CCU chains work - Feel free to ask questions about anything you are unsure of, or want a more detailed explanation for the reasoning behind... Or to make alternative suggestions.

The restrictions on the chain are:
Start date April 8 (Nothing that was not available on or after then)
End Date June 1 (Nothing made available after that date)
Target ship is Perseus
Must have LTI on final ship

What was not defined (Hence alternate chains being provided):
Whether Perseus must be "bought" on\before June 1, or whether chain may be left open to add further savings in the future
Whether the final ship must be "giftable".
Whether the final ship must be "meltable".

Chains in progress:

Spoiler: 1 - LTI, non-giftable, non-meltable, Perseus "in hangar" by June 1

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Ballista			$140	Start Replaced 14 April
$0	P-52 Merlin ($25)	$40	$25	-$40	April 14 Payment credited May 15
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Ballista ($140)			$115	April 14 Replaced April 22
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Arrow ($75)			$50	April 22
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Ballista ($140)			$50	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22
	Total	$20	$45	$610	Start
	Total	$60	$45	$585	April 14
	Total	$75	$90	$525	April 22
	Total	$75	$115	$485	May 15
	Total	$80	$125	$470	May 24
	Total	$90	$135	$450	May 26

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
F7C-R Hornet Tracker ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Avenger Titan Renegade ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Reliant Tana ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Eclipse ($300)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)	$5	$20	May 21
Eclipse ($300)	Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	$5	$20	May 21

Spoiler: 2 - LTI, giftable, meltable, Perseus "in hangar" by June 1

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Ballista ($140)			$140	Start Replaced April 22
$0	Arrow ($75)			$75	April 22 Replaced May 19
$0	Fury\Fury MX ($55)	$50	$5		May 19
Fury\Fury MX ($55)	Arrow ($75)			$20	May 19
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Ballista ($140)			$50	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22
	Total	$20	$45	$610	Start
	Total	$35	$90	$550	April 22
	Total	$85	$95	$495	May 19
	Total	$90	$115	$480	May 24
	Total	$100	$125	$460	May 26

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
F7C-R Hornet Tracker ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Avenger Titan Renegade ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Reliant Tana ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Eclipse ($300)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)	$5	$20	May 21
Eclipse ($300)	Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	$5	$20	May 21

Spoiler: 3 - LTI, non-giftable, non-meltable, Chain open indefinately

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Razor ($145)			$145	Start Replaced 14 April
$0	P-52 Merlin ($25)	$40	$25	-$40	April 14 Credit returned May 15
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Razor ($145)			$120	April 14 Replaced April 22
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Arrow ($75)			$50	April 22
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Razor ($145)			$55	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Razor ($145)			$5	May 24
Razor ($145)	Vulture ($175)	$5	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start Replaced April 22
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start Replaced April 22
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start Replaced April 22
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22
	Total	$15	$45	$615	Start
	Total	$55	$45	$575	April 14
	Total	$70	$90	$530	April 22
	Total	$70	$115	$490	May 15
	Total	$75	$125	$475	May 24
	Total	$85	$135	$455	May 26

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$20	$20	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Eclipse ($300)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)	$5	$20	May 21
Eclipse ($300)	Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	$5	$20	May 21

Spoiler: 4 - LTI, giftable, meltable, Chain open indefinately

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Razor ($145)			$145	Start Replaced April 22
$0	Arrow ($75)			$75	April 22 Replaced May 19
$0	Fury\Fury MX ($55)	$50	$5		May 19
Fury\Fury MX ($55)	Arrow ($75)			$20	May 19
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Razor ($145)			$55	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Razor ($145)			$5	May 24
Razor ($145)	Vulture ($175)	$5	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start Replaced April 22
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start Replaced April 22
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start Replaced April 22
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22
	Total	$15	$45	$615	Start
	Total	$30	$90	$555	April 22
	Total	$80	$95	$500	May 19
	Total	$85	$105	$485	May 24
	Total	$95	$115	$465	May 26

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$20	$20	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Eclipse ($300)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)	$5	$20	May 21
Eclipse ($300)	Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	$5	$20	May 21

 

[Brictoria]

Changing CCU options
Start date (April 8):
Note: If you missed these, "Concierge" members stil have access, so someone may be able to help you until April 18 (from memory, this is when they lose access as well)

LTI option - Scorpius Antares ($210, saving $20)
Optional purchase, as it is likely (not certain) that a cheaper LTI starting option will become available before June 1 (RSI Lynx Rover in 3.19, for example), or a referral bonus may be offered. Due to high price, I would pass on this.

CCU option - Vulture ($150, saving $25)
If chain is to be "ongoing", $5 from Razor.
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, $10 from Ballista or F7C-R Hornet Tracker, both of which will be on sale at Invictus in late May. I would acquire one of each as insurance in case there is a CCU for either at Invictus, with the other being available to "melt" for credits to fill holes.

CCU option - Scorpius Antares ($210, saving $20)
If chain is to be "ongoing", you could risk $10 from the Vulcan prvided the chain would be closed before it releases, otherwise I would pass on this.
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, you could gamble $15 on the Hurricane's price not increasing above $215 (a $20 increase), otherwise $20 from the Constellation Taurus - If I were doing the chain for myself, I would still likely pass on this one.

Update 1 (April 14):
LTI option - P-52 Merlin ($0, save $25) - Not meltable, not giftable [1]
If chain is to be "ongoing", it might be worth passing as more expensive "free" ships like this would likely be offered in the future - I will include it to ensure the Perseus will be able to have LTI should it be closed anytime from June 1.
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, this is worth picking up, as there is no guarantee there will be another such offering before then (some free fly's offer armor, or no bonus at all), and even if there is, the $40 "investment" would not be able to be returned to the main account for use in the chain in time.

Update 2 (April 22):
CCU option - Gladius ($80, saving $10)
If chain is to be "ongoing", a CCU from one of the available options would be woth getting, but due to the high price of the target ship and the $5 cost of the CCU's, one of each option could be ideal if you could afford them and want to have the chain closed as fast as possible. Options are Arrow, Avenger Titan Renegade, Cyclone MT, Reliant Tana, ROC-DS.
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, I'd suggest having a CCU from each of the following ships likely to be on sale at Invictus - Arrow, Avenger Titan Renegade, Reliant Tana.

CCU option - Ares inferno ($220, saving $30) [2]
If chain is to be "ongoing", a CCU from the Hurricane is worth considering, as it allows the option to use it rather than the Lower saving Scorpius Antares which was recently released.
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, a CCU from the Hurricane is worth picking up, as it allows the option to use it rather than the Lower saving Scorpius Antares which was recently released. With the high price of the final ship and limited time to build a chain, whichever isn't used can be "melted" and credits used to fill any holes.

CCU option - Redeemer ($300, saving $25)
If chain is to be "ongoing", A CCU from the Vanguard Harbinger would be worth considering, although it may have limited options in chains due to the prices of more expensive ships and the limited options available..
If chain to be "closed" on June 1, A CCU from the Vanguard Harbinger would be worth acquiring.

Update 3 (May 15):
"Referral" gifted back to main account and "melted" for $40 in store credit.

Update 4 (May 18):
CCU option - Vulture ($160, saving $15) - If the CCU that was available at the beginning of this exercise was missed, this should fit into the chain in its place, albeit with lesser savings.

Update 5 (May 19):
LTI option - MIRAI Fury - $50 WarBond (save $5)
LTI option - MIRAI Fury MX - $50 WarBond (save $5)
If the chain does not already have an LTI starting point, one of these would be suitable.

CCU option - Hercules A2 ($675, saving $75) - As the price of the A2 is higher than that of the Perseus, this won't fit the chain.

Update 6 (May 20):
CCU option - Mercury Star Runner ($240, save $20) - For $5, having a CCU from each of Cutlass Steel and Vanguard Hoplite would be worthwhile as "insurance" in case new CCU's are released which link to this and provide better savings while overlapping the "Hurricane-> Ares Inferno" already in the chain.

Update 7 (May 21):
CCU option - Eclipse ($280, save $20) - Despite overlapping the recent Vanguard Harbinger -> Redeemer CCU, picking up a $5 CCU from each of Retaliator Bomber and Vanguard Sentinel would be good insurance, as it's possible they make get a CCU which links from them in the coming days.

Update 8 (May 22):
CCU option - Avenger Warlock ($80, save $5) - While nice to see a CCU for a cheaper ship, the recent Gladius CCU already in the chains provides better savings. Of course, picking up one (or more) of he options for this can't hurt, but I'll pass on it for this exercise.

Update 9 (May 23):
CCU option - Gladiator ($155, save $10) - While potentially useful, this overlaps with the Vulture that was available at the beginning of this exercise, as well as the more recent offering for it as well.

Update 10 (May 24):
CCU option - Baliista ($130, save $10) - This is suitable\advisable for all 4 chain options, connecting directly to existing CCU's in some, and requiring a $5 CCU to connect in others.

Update 11 (May 25):
LTI option - Tumbril Storm - $70 Warbond (Save $10) - If not intending to "close" the chain for some time, this may make a better starting point for the chain, as it has the possibility of increasing in price by $5 (matching savings to that point in the chain), or $10, providing additional savings.
LTI option - RSI Lynx rover - $55 Warbond (Save $5)

CCU option - Constellation Aquila ($290, save $20) - I'd pass on this, as it overlaps the Redeemer CCU's already in the chains, as well as using the same source ships as those for the eclipse, while costing $10 more.

Update 12 (May 26):
CCU option - Nova ($110, save $10) - This seems like a good low cost CCU that will fit into a gap in the chain, but not linked to any existing chains (Currently a $90 Gladius to $125 F7C-S Hornet Ghost gap). Suggested source would be Cutlass Black for chains to close by June 1 (Cutlass Black may get a CCU in next 2 days), otherwise your choice of Hawk, M50, or Cutlass Black.

Update 13 (May 27):
CCU option - Corsair ($230, save $20) - For CCU chains to close by June 1, this isn't worth getting, as it roughly overlaps the May 20, Mercury Star Runner, with the same saving, but it is less likely to get a CCU that links with it in the rmeaining time. If not concerned about closing the chain in the the near future, a CCU from the Defender may be rewarded with a linked CCU in Alien week, although both the Defender and Terrapin are known to have had recent WB CCU's.

Update 14 (May 28):
CCU option - Cutlass Red ($125, save $10) - While a very nice CCU, that would fit with the recent Nova CCU, it has the misfortune to overlap the earlier Ballista CCU which provides the same level of savings, meaning it would only be useful as a "backup" in the hope of future CCU's that make use of it.

Update 15 (May 29\30th):
CCU option - Gladius ($80, save $10) - Already discussed in Update 2
CCU option - Nova ($110, save $10) - Already discussed in update 12
CCU option - Baliista ($130, save $10) - Already discussed in update 10
CCU option - Hurricane ($195, save $15) - This would well well, in connection with the Scorpius CCU that is also available, to provide a better discount than the Ares Inferno CCU currently in this price area.
CCU option - Scorpius ($220, save $20) - See Hurricane CCU above.
CCU option - Corsair ($230, save $20) - Already discussed in update 13
CCU option - Mercury Star Runner ($240, save $20) - Already discussed in update 6
CCU option - Eclipse ($280, save $20) - Already discussed in update 7
CCU option - Caterpillar ($305, save $25) - This would work well, connected to the Eclipse CCU purchased now, or earlier and kept as reserve, providing a much better combined discount than the Redemmer CCU in the chain can provide.
CCU option - Hercules A2 ($675, saving $75) - Already discussed in update 5

Notes
[1] For this, either:
a) Have someone create an account using your referral code and spend $40+ on either a game package (The discounted Mustang Alpha pack at $40.50, for example) or a ship,
OR
b) Create a new account, using your own referral code and purchase a Mustang Beta, Dragonfly Black, Aurora LN, or STV on it - in 30 days, this new account wil be able to "gift" the purchased ship to your main account, where you can "melt" it to have $40 credit there for use in filling gaps in the chain.

For the purposes of this exercise, I will be using option b.

[2] This is where things get messy - Do you stick with the CCU you have, or do you buy a simialar CCU which overlaps with your existing CCU? At this point you would need to consider the savings (and cost) of the overlapping CCU's, as well as whether you already have other CCU's which link (or can link) to the new option (Do you have CCU's already which start (or end) with the starting\ending points of either the new or owned CCU's.

For the first instance in the chain you have a $10 (Vulcan) or $20 (Constellation Taurus) CCU to the Scorpius Antares ($200\$190 to $230) compared to a new $10 Hurricane to Ares Inferno ($210 to $250). In this case, you are essentially "gambling" on whether you feel the potential future CCU's on other ships will link with a $250 "MSRP" ship or a $230 ship - Both chains have multiple options "below" them in price depending on what WarBond CCU's are offered in the future.

 

[Doyzer]

Also consider buying back any Hurricane and SRV upgrades as price will increase next time it is sold

 

[BUTUZ]

I don't chase LTI CCU chains many more because the one minute you change your mind - you've lost the chain.

My fleet is now 10 yr ins individual ships, buy and melt what I want - no losses. It's worth thinking about.

The only proper old chains I keep are my BMM because that as like 50 bucks in the old days you'd have to be insane to melt it.

 

[Brictoria]

I don't chase LTI CCU chains many more because the one minute you change your mind - you've lost the chain.

My fleet is now 10 yr ins individual ships, buy and melt what I want - no losses. It's worth thinking about.

The only proper old chains I keep are my BMM because that as like 50 bucks in the old days you'd have to be insane to melt it.

I currently have around 30 chains I'm slowly working on, but I don't intend to "lock in" any of them until much closer to Beta\the release of the game. Not only does this allow the opportunity to increase the savings on a given ship, but it is also a form of insurance against existing ships being changed in ways that make them unsuitable for how I play, or being "replaced" by a ship being released which is a better fit than one I had been working on a chain to, requiring reworking the chains I have. The chance to evaluate how various features under development (Persitant "law related" reputation, Multiple systems, NPC crew\blades, "crafting", etc.) will function, and what I would need\want with regards to this is another benefit - For certain ships, it also allows the ability to "sacrifice" some of the savings for a grey-market (or not yet released) CCU to a variant of the final ship (One day, I'll hopefully track down "affordable" CCU's for the 2950 BIS Cutlass Black, 2950 BIS Valkyrie, and Valkyrie Liberator).

I also have a "small" pool of credits and a number of ships which I can melt and use to switch the ships I have in my hangar depending on what I want to do in the game... The fleet I need in a single system where wipes are "regular" is likely to be different from what I'd choose if wipes were no longer a feature and there were a number of systems to play across.

 

[Brictoria]

Also consider buying back any Hurricane and SRV upgrades as price will increase next time it is sold

Hurricane CCU's should certainly be a priority to be bought back, as CIG have confirmed a price increase for the next time it is on sale (Likely to be Invictus late next month). The SRV, however, may have a slighly longer timeframe to buy the CCU's back as It hasn't been "locked in" for release yet, and wasn't available at Invictus last year - I'm personally starting to think we'll see the SRV and Hull C in a 3.20 patch at some point later in the year, alongside an updated cargo refactor (larger containers, manual\"paid" loading required instead of it magically appearing, potential "personal hangars").

At the same time, the Vulture CCU's (still available to "concierge" for a couple more days) are worth considering acquiring - At the $175 price point, most CCU's will give a $10 CCU discount (For example, the $190 Constellation Taurus and $220 Terrapin at Invictus last year, $195 Hurricane and F7C-M Super Hornet Heartseeker ealier this year all had $10 Warbond CCU discounts), so it has the chance of giving much better savings on a chain than you would otherwise be able to achieve.

 

[Dirtbag_Leader]

I don't chase LTI CCU chains many more because the one minute you change your mind - you've lost the chain.

My fleet is now 10 yr ins individual ships, buy and melt what I want - no losses. It's worth thinking about.

This is a valid plan; I'm rather 'stuck' in that most of my 'main' ships are tied up in Ye Olde Exploration Pack which I'm pretty sure at this point will never get melted. I also have an unapplied STV-BMM chain for only $230 which will *probably* get applied but I'm waiting until after BMM release to make sure I really do want it first, and to your point I COULD use all those CCUs to go to something else if I decide I don't want the BMM for some reason. But other than that, I think you're right that quick'n'easy stand-alones are probably the way to go. Plus, to some extent, don't standalone ships 'keep' their original price in your buyback, while the CCU prices always jump up with the new values? Maybe that's only 'special' IAE, etc. versions of standalone ships though, I'm not entirely sure, I just know I have some $220 Ares still in buyback.

 

[Sirus7264]

i used an old exploration pack and upgraded massive stuff in it i think i have a 80% discount on it or something crazy for the ships i have in it atm.

 

[Talonsbane]

Greetings & yub nub to all. I like space ships, especially those in Star Citizen, which is why I own a few. The contest / challenge seems interesting, but I already have an LTI Perseus that was gained through CCU chain to be part of my UEE Exploration 2948 Pack along with my Carrack, Polaris & a couple other ships to be upgraded into something better eventually as finances allow. So my Perseus won't qualify, but it'll still be willing to shoot spent & ruined space beer kegs that get ejected from TEST ship airlocks. Cheers!

 

[BUTUZ]

Yeh I've got exploration pack carrack > perseus CCU readyt to go too. I do have a standalone 10 year perseus thundercloud in buyback incase I needed to do something else with the carrack at a later date.

Either way the perseus stays the carrack does not :o

 

[Brictoria]

Updated for Xenothreat sale.

I am really not looking forward to Invictus and the updates here if they do another "daily CCU" that may not return for the final day(s) like they did for IAE last year...

 

[Sirus7264]

You know what i want.... A new capital class war destroyer like the javelin.

 

[Brictoria]

A quick PSA for those following along and who "self referred" to get a "P-52" for themselves during the April "free fly" event:
The P-52 on the newly created account appears to be giftable, and so can be gifted to your main account when\if you "gift" back the purchase made to qualify for the P-52. Whether this will be "returned" to that account by CIG at some point in the future, or will be allowed to remain is unknown at this time.

 

[Brictoria]

For the duration of Invictus, I'll be referencing the CCU's and my thoughts in the first reply in this thread, but may leave updating the tables in the initial post until later in the day - The new CCU's become available at 2AM here, which is not an ideal time for making the required changes to the tables.

 

[Brictoria]

Finale chains:

Spoiler: 1 - LTI, non-giftable, non-meltable, Perseus "in hangar" by June 1

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Ballista			$140	Start Replaced 14 April
$0	P-52 Merlin ($25)	$40	$25	-$40	April 14 Payment credited May 15
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Ballista ($140)			$115	April 14 Replaced April 22
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Arrow ($75)			$50	April 22
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Ballista ($140)			$50	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22Replaced Finale
Vulture ($175)	Constellation Taurus ($190)			$15	Finale
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Hurricane ($210)	$5	$15		Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22Replaced Finale
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22Replaced Finale
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22Replaced Finale
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22Replaced Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Cutlass Steel ($235)			$25	Finale
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Mercury Star Runner ($260)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)			$15	Finale
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Eclipse ($300)	Caterpillar ($330)	$5	$25		Finale
Caterpillar ($330)	Perseus ($675)			$345	Finale
	Total	$20	$45	$610	Start[/S]
	Total	$60	$45	$585	April 14[/S]
	Total	$75	$90	$525	April 22[/S]
	Total	$75	$115	$485	May 15[/S]
	Total	$80	$125	$470	May 24[/S]
	Total	$90	$135	$450	May 26
	Total	$90	$160	$425	Finale

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
F7C-R Hornet Tracker ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Avenger Titan Renegade ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Reliant Tana ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted

Spoiler: 2 - LTI, giftable, meltable, Perseus "in hangar" by June 1

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Ballista ($140)			$140	Start Replaced April 22
$0	Arrow ($75)			$75	April 22 Replaced May 19
$0	Fury\Fury MX ($55)	$50	$5		May 19
Fury\Fury MX ($55)	Arrow ($75)			$20	May 19
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Ballista ($140)			$50	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22Replaced Finale
Vulture ($175)	Constellation Taurus ($190)			$15	Finale
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Hurricane ($210)	$5	$15		Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22Replaced Finale
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22Replaced Finale
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22Replaced Finale
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22Replaced Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Cutlass Steel ($235)			$25	Finale
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Mercury Star Runner ($260)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)			$15	Finale
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Eclipse ($300)	Caterpillar ($330)	$5	$25		Finale
Caterpillar ($330)	Perseus ($675)			$345	Finale
	Total	$20	$45	$610	Start
	Total	$35	$90	$550	April 22
	Total	$85	$95	$495	May 19
	Total	$90	$115	$480	May 24
	Total	$100	$125	$460	May 26
	Total	$100	$140	$435	Finale

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
F7C-R Hornet Tracker ($140)	Vulture ($175)	$10	$25	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Avenger Titan Renegade ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Reliant Tana ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10	April 22
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted

 

[Brictoria]

Spoiler: 3 - LTI, non-giftable, non-meltable, Chain open indefinately

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Razor ($145)			$145	Start Replaced 14 April
$0	P-52 Merlin ($25)	$40	$25	-$40	April 14 Credit returned May 15
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Razor ($145)			$120	April 14 Replaced April 22
P-52 Merlin ($25)	Arrow ($75)			$50	April 22
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Razor ($145)			$55	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Razor ($145)			$5	May 24
Razor ($145)	Vulture ($175)	$5	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start Replaced April 22
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start Replaced April 22
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start Replaced April 22
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22Replaced Finale
Vulture ($175)	Constellation Taurus ($190)			$15	Finale
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Hurricane ($210)	$5	$15		Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22Replaced Finale
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22Replaced Finale
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22Replaced Finale
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22Replaced Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Cutlass Steel ($235)			$25	Finale
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Mercury Star Runner ($260)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)			$15	Finale
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Eclipse ($300)	Caterpillar ($330)	$5	$25		Finale
Caterpillar ($330)	Perseus ($675)			$345	Finale
	Total	$15	$45	$615	Start
	Total	$55	$45	$575	April 14
	Total	$70	$90	$530	April 22
	Total	$70	$115	$490	May 15
	Total	$75	$125	$475	May 24
	Total	$85	$135	$455	May 26
	Total	$85	$160	$430	Finale

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$20	$20	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted

Spoiler: 4 - LTI, giftable, meltable, Chain open indefinately

Chain

From	To	Paid	Saves	unpaid	Updated
$0	Razor ($145)			$145	Start Replaced April 22
$0	Arrow ($75)			$75	April 22 Replaced May 19
$0	Fury\Fury MX ($55)	$50	$5		May 19
Fury\Fury MX ($55)	Arrow ($75)			$20	May 19
Arrow ($75)	Gladius ($90)	$5	$10		April 22
Gladius ($90)	Razor ($145)			$55	April 22 Replaced May 24
Gladius ($90)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$35	May 24 Replaced May 26
Gladius ($90)	Cutlass Black ($100)			$10	May 26
Cutlass Black ($100)	Nova ($120)	$10	$10		May 26
Nova ($120)	F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)			$5	May 26
F7C-S Hornet Ghost ($125)	Ballista ($140)	$5	$10		May 24
Ballista ($140)	Razor ($145)			$5	May 24
Razor ($145)	Vulture ($175)	$5	$25		Start
Vulture ($175)	Vulcan ($200)			$25	Start Replaced April 22
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20		Start Replaced April 22
Scorpius Antares ($230)	Perseus ($675)			$445	Start Replaced April 22
Vulture ($175)	Hurricane ($210)			$35	April 22Replaced Finale
Vulture ($175)	Constellation Taurus ($190)			$15	Finale
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Hurricane ($210)	$5	$15		Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30		April 22Replaced Finale
Ares inferno ($250)	Vanguard Harbinger ($290)			$40	April 22Replaced Finale
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25		April 22Replaced Finale
Redeemer ($325)	Perseus ($675)			$350	April 22Replaced Finale
Hurricane ($210)	Cutlass Steel ($235)			$25	Finale
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Mercury Star Runner ($260)	Retaliator Bomber ($275)			$15	Finale
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20		moved from "reserve" during finale
Eclipse ($300)	Caterpillar ($330)	$5	$25		Finale
Caterpillar ($330)	Perseus ($675)			$345	Finale
	Total	$15	$45	$615	Start
	Total	$30	$90	$555	April 22
	Total	$80	$95	$500	May 19
	Total	$85	$105	$485	May 24
	Total	$95	$115	$465	May 26
	Total	$95	$140	$440	Finale

"Insurance" CCU's:

From	To	Paid	Saves	Added	Melted\Disposed
Constellation Taurus ($190)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$20	$20	Start
Vulcan ($200)	Scorpius Antares ($230)	$10	$20	Start	Removed from chain April 22, not melted
Cutlass Steel ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Hoplite ($235)	Mercury Star Runner ($260)	$5	$20	May 20
Retaliator Bomber ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21	Added to Chain finale
Vanguard Sentinel ($275)	Eclipse ($300)	$5	$20	May 21
Hurricane ($210)	Ares inferno ($250)	$10	$30	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted
Vanguard Harbinger ($290)	Redeemer ($325)	$10	$25	April 22	Removed from chain Finale, not melted

 

[Brictoria]

Final savings:
LTI, non-giftable, "in hangar" - $160
LTI, non-giftable, "ongoing" - $160
LTI, giftable, "in hangar" - $140
LTI, giftable, "ongoing" - $140

Not the best series of events for discounts, unfortunately.

 

[Raven_King]

This is a really good piece of work, @Brictoria, and a good illustration of something I think is quite hard for new players to get their heads around. Well done!

I'm curious, would you consider doing something like this (doesn't have to be the same end ship) at the much bigger sales for IAE in November? Does the payoff in helping newer players feel worth the effort to set it up and maintain it? Not asking for myself - I am okay doing this sort of thing, and have 8 chains I've been updating in CCU Game for a year or two now, including a Perseus one. But I'm conscious of the time and effort it must have taken you to keep this all updated!

 

[Brictoria]

I can certainly give it a shot... I should have recovered from this exercise by then :)

While this was done (in part) in pursuit of a possible hangar addition, I'd also noticed that most CCU guides tend to rely on hindsight regarding what CCU's you "should" have bought earlier in the sale, and I thought something that people could follow along with and ask questions would be a good educational experience.

As long as someone reminds me closer to IAE, I'll try to do an LTI Polaris (Given that it should be entering production in the next 12 months according to ISC) but I'll limit the work to a single "LTI, meltable, ongoing" chain, as this forum isn't the best for editing tables, and while waiting until 2AM to see the new WB CCU offering isn't too hard, keeping track of, and updating, 4 independant chains takes a bit of work, as well as explaining reasoning for choices where something may be a good pick for a "finish at end of event", it may not be useful for an ongoing chain (Similarly, meltable\non meltable can require different considerations in the early portion of a chain).

As a side note, regarding these chains, I'd consider switching out the Fury for a Storm on the "meltable", ongoing chain - For the "non meltable", the referral token works out better, and for the close by June 1, the Fury gives a better outcome, but for a meltable, ongoing chain, the Storm saves $5 less at this moment, but will likely release in the next few months, with the price jumping either $5 (matching the listed savings from the Fury and CCU for the Gladius which it would replace), or $10, giving a better saving on the final ship... There is a chance another CCU (or more) could become available which matches (or exceeds) the savings when used with the Fury, but it is something to consider.

 

[Brictoria]

A quick addition:

Due to CIG's "timely" communications, a couple of changes to the "ongoing" chains could add to (or remove from) the expected savings:

Extra $5 saving for the "non giftable, non-meltable" chain, splitting the "P-52 to Arrow" ccu into 3 sections:

• A CCU from the P-52 to one of 100i, 85x, Ursa, X1 Force (This can be bought at a later time if the chosen ship is not on sale now)
• A CCU from the chosen ship in previous CCU to the Avenger Titan - This costs $5 now (You can use credits for this), but the Avenger titan will be increasing in price by $5 in late June so needs to be bought before that time.
• A CCU from the Avenger Titan to the Arrow - To be purchased after the Avenger Titan price increase in late June.

The "Gladius to Cutlass Black" CCU will be gaining a $10 "savings" at the expense of the "Cutlass Black to Nova" CCU.

• Ensure you own this "Gladius to Cutlass Black" CCU before late June or you will lose $10 of the expected savings... This CCU can be bought with credit as it is not a "Warbond" CCU.

The Vanguard Hoplite is scheduled to increase in price by $5 before the end of June and will be available to CCU to before that time - This shouldn't impact the chains, but is worth bearing in mind.