This next link is a total spoiler for those of you that do not want to get a quick fix to trading, this link is from Jolt Forums, and is quite a few trade runs. So if you just want to explore, then do so, but if not, use it wisely ;):
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=173445
As I said, there are tons of trade routes, and tons of exploring to do, so have fun at it.
There are 3 trader ships in Vanilla, A Rhino, sold at Manhattan, Dromerdary, sold at Mactan Base, in Magellan, and a Humpback, sold in the Hamburg system. Keep in mind, each ship is different, the Dromedary holds the most cargo, while the Humpback is more maneuverable, however, do not be fooled by traders, I have seen Humpbacks take out Eagles in one pass with an experienced polite behind the helm.
For those of you that do not like trading, you can start with missions, however as I said, keep in mind if you shoot 1 faction, you will piss off another, but sometimes its fun :P.
Some servers start you out with a neutral reputation, meaning you are neutral to all, and you may not have to take bribes to fly around safely. It is best to have 1 trader character, 1 fighting character and 1 mission character. Your fighting character can be neutral to all, with a Junkers and Zoners bribe. Do not shoot any npcs, just take those two bribes, and be off. You can also make a very friendly character if you shoot about 75-150 Xenos, you will piss off the Xenos but the entire universe will love you. Keep checking the reputation Icon, which is in the upper right hand corner of your hud. Xenos can be found in a lot of places, the frequent the Colorado Jumphole in New York, Detroit Munitions, also in New York, and another good place to move your rep faster is Keplar, Gnome base, (b6 grid reference). However, they fly hawks there, so you may want to pick up a Defender at the New York System. Speaking of which, a Defender is best to do missions with in New York.
A Bit About Ships
Many people fly many different ships, you have to find what is best for you. The standard level 10 ship is an Eagle, sold at Freeport 9, in Omicron Theta. It is the easiest to fly for a beginner. The standard set up to begin with for a level 10 ship is 2 Tizona Del Cids, with 4 Nomad Blasters. Tiz’s are sold at Tripoli Station in Omicron Gamma, and Nomad guns are found in the Unknown system. The NPC’s drop them, when shot. Nomads will drop either Blasters or Cannons. A good tip to decide which is best is this. If you have aim use Nomad Energy Cannons, if your aim ain’t so hot, use Nomad Blasters.
Your setup should look like this:
2 Tizona Del Cids
4 Nomad Blasters
1 turret of your choice, Salamancia is my favorite, sold at Leon Base, in Omega 41. Some people like rapier turret, level 8, those are sold also at Tripoli also in Omicron Gamma.
Advanced Counter Measure Dropper
Advanced Thruster
1 mine of your choice, my mine is a cutter mine dropper, sold at Freeport 9, in Omicron Theta.
1 wasp/hornet, sold throught the Omicrons.
The above is just one reference to a level 10 ship. I know people who can take out a level 10 ship in a Hawk, because they are very skilled pilots. A very good friend of mine called [WP]Dragonfire can take an Eagle in a Patriot, so again, play around with the ships, see what you like and what you don’t like, and try them all, because they all are fun.
A Bit About Guns
There are many different combinations of firepower in this game, you have to find what is good for you. If your aim is bad get guns with a lower refire rate, if your aim is good, get guns with a higher refire rate. Keep in mind, your ship will only hold the level of gun it is capable of.
A word about Code Weapons, do not use them, if your aim isn’t godlike, let me repeat that, do not use them, if your aim isn’t godlike.
A Bit About Ship Movement
Keep in mind, when you aim your weapons you have to compensate for ship movement. You must learn to strafe and engine kill to be an effective pilot. Sliding is a term that can make your ship slide either left or right, its almost like skating on ice, and make you very hard to hit. A good lesson for ship maneuvering is to fly around stations, or fly through a debris field and shoot the debris while strafing and moving. Once you have mastered movement, your aim will come in time.
Server Life
The most important thing I can stress about making the jump to multiplayer is this. Be respectful, do not flame. Most people have been playing this game several years, and will kick your butt from here to kingdom come, if you flame them. Do not call people names, or tell them they suck, because that guy will get 3 of his friends and hurt you :P.
Each and every server has established players, be nice to them, tell them you are new, most will help you if you ask, just be respectful.
Clan Tags
stands for pirate. DO NOT under any circumstances, make a character with a clan tag if you are not in that clan. You will get the daylights beaten out of you, or on some servers get banned.
Role Play
for Pirate, they are the bad guys, and for Rogue, stay away from the players they are always really good players. As I said there are many tags and also some different tags servers use, Be sure to check the server board of the server you intend to frequent and introduce yourself and see what that particular server has to offer.
The Use of Mods
The only mods you should ever use is the server mod of the server you frequent. If you intend to go to a server and use an indestructible mod, one where you can not be shot, and cause havoc to other people on the server, you will be banned. So keep in mind, unauthorized mods are a BAD thing on ANY server.
So, now you pretty much have the basics of the game you intend to play on line, have fun, remember to be respectful.
If anyone else has something to add to this to make someones MP experience better, please do. I consider this a work in progress.
