Just do jobs, basically. You're probably on a neutral or postitive base right now, do the jobs available there and earn some cash. If you're not friendly enough with the base to get jobs there, hop to the nearest place that is. Remember to upgrade your guns and Shields as you go. If you find the guns you're getting are too advanced for your ships, or you simply aren't doing enough damage, look for a new one(the Battleships usually have the better Heavy Fighters, look there).

If you're using a Freighter, though, then look for profitable trade routes. There are numerous of them you can find in this forum itself, and the trade helpers in the download section here.

Edited by - Naliworld on 16-03-2003 12:00:40

As for finding derelict ships, weapons, etc... you can either stumble across them in your wanderings or you can listen to rumors. For example, someone at West Point in NY will eventually show up in the bar and offer to sell you the location of the lost Patrol 27 in the badlands. The wreck of Flint's ship will be mentioned as a rumor in the bar at Buffalo base. I've also seen hints in the news about ships that never arrived at their destinations.

Tips for finding derelicts:

1. I've never found one in open space. They are in dust clouds, asteroid belts, radiation fields, etc.

2. Leave your scanners on "All". Derelict ships do not show up on "Important" or "All Ships". Derelicts will show up as white (neutral) in the list.

3. Check your nav map ocassionally. If you passed one, but missed it in your contact list at the time, it will still be marked on your map as a little red 'x'.

4. If you want to search an area, search in a grid pattern using the sector grid lines as a reference. I've noticed I can typically spot something about a half sector away (~7-8 klicks), so if you stick to the sector lines, you won't miss it. Set waypoints and use GoTo to automatically avoid obstacles in the cloud/field.