First i flew through certain sectors at random paths. Then i checked the patrol paths in the system map because those paths seem to converge on every jump hole, so that's in easy way to find them. At last i set up a search pattern with custom waypoints to explore a certain area completely. That's the best way to find derelict vessels because no patrol paths lead to them, as far as i can tell by the demo version. I only explore areas like debris/asteroids fields and clouds. I don't think there is something to find in the totally empty parts of a system.

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"In all likelihood you're going to die out there. We're all going to die out there, but none of us needs to be reminded of that fact. So you die, you never existed." - Lt. Cmdr. 'Angel' Devereaux

Edited by - Lev Arris on 09-03-2003 03:53:26

This is what I do...


I set waypoints which lead me from one "edge" to the other.
Set it to "go to" in cruise mode.
Go mix a rum & coke , smoke a...um...ciggarette , read a book , then come back and see what showed up on my map while I was "away".

I do that back and forth until the whole map is visible...if I get hit by a disruptor and kiled... no biggie, death doesn't seem to have any consequnce in FL other than going to a base(SP or MP).

Fly well,

Pyrate Dredd

bah that kinda ruins the way the game should be played, I explore in a realistic pattern, engaging hostiles on the way and investigating anything I find as soon as I find it.

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world:
those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Lev is right, checking the patrol paths on your nav screen is a good way to find places that you might want to visit, but flying around in other places can be beneficial as well...check your nav map frequently if you're doing that and things will suddenly just appear sometimes on the map for you to go and check out...and there's lots of them out there!

Serch patterns as he mentions are also a good idea....

Also, when you're going through nebulas, gas clouds, asteroid fields, etc., I just recently found it immensely helpful to set your sensors to display everything (the last selection). That way, if you come across an abandoned shipped or station or whatever, you're gonna see it listed (and in my experience, they're always white, so they stand out from everything but neutrals).

Set waypoints to a point where lots of patrol routes meet, and you'll most likely find summing.

I noticed 99% of the bases/wrecks/j-holes are located in asteroid/ice/scrap metal fields.

Right now i'm exploring the FL universe, taking my time. My stratergy is going through the fields in a circle, that way I cover everything in it (You can see things on your map a couple of K's away) and also checking patrols.

Any comments on this method?