From Start to Elite trade rank in 6h 14min
09 Jun 2020Boni58
Hello, I am Cmdr Boni58 (also Cmdr Giant Hamster) and after 4 years in game, I decided to try a run from Start (penniless) to Elite rank in trade.For this I used a new account with Cmdr Zejein.
It may not be an official record, but it is my best time and a personal achievement, eventually the best time in game Pre-Fleet Carriers Update.
I knew the best time in a competition last year was 7h 4min, and to do better certain conditions had to be favorable.
One needs experience in the game, a good planning, also some luck, and ... be perseverant.
I did the run in Solo Mode, like it was done in the competition, to make sure that there is no external help, in a wing for example.
First 30 min are crucial, one needs to get the first million as soon as possible.
That is usually done bounty hunting in a High Res, with the help of some feds.
(Other ways were tried, for example the "road to riches" scanning some valuable bodies, but they were not so successful).
Then, with my first million credits I changed to an Adder, went to Borann, and got some Low Temp Diamonds (LTDs).
Sold them (12 LTDs), got an Adder. Next I bought an Asp X, got more LTDs (70), changed to a Python.
All these steps were planned with detail. I needed to get the right modules in the right stations, and save some jumps.
Final decision: to make 3x cargo with a Python or to change to a larger ship (Anaconda or Type-9).
Considering the flexibility of a Python, range, time lost to change, etc. I decided to keep the Python, if price of LTDs was a very good one (above 1.5M).
Then, still had to wait for the proper moment and be fast.
Last but not the least, one must use the experience, fill a Python cargo of 202 (with refinery) in 50 min, jump fast, avoid interdictions.
I confess that in a previous attempt I did fail close to the end.
The whole project lasted for nearly 3 weeks, so I did my best in this last trial.
Codex-Exploration-Approx time played, at Start = 1D 18H 18min, 0818 game time 31Mai3306 (2020)
Codex-Exploration-Approx time played, at End = 2D 00h 32min, 0905 game time 01Jun3306 (2020)
6h 14 min! effective game time played from account reset to Elite rank, eventually less 1 or 2 min because I needed to reset game to verify last value.
Note: if the game is not restarted after getting Elite rank, the value indicated in codex is the one of the session start.
Chronology of important moments:
35min 1.1M Bounty Hunting in ResHigh
37min Bought miner Adder
1h 33min Bought miner Asp x
2h 23min Bought Python
2h 32min Left station with Python
2h 40min Arrived in Borann Hotspot
3h 29min Finished mining
Went to Galiano Terminal, HELGARDU, to refuel and buy better modules, thrusters and PD
3h 36min Left from Galiano to sell
3h 44 min Sold first Python loaded
3h 52 min Irula to supply fuel and limpets
3h 57 min Borann ready to start
Cycle mining, selling, refueling and returning to hotspot = 1h 17 to 1h 20min
6h 05 min Finished last mining
6h 14 min Finally Elite Rank!!!
See a short movie: https://youtu.be/JUkdp-i0bcg
Builds of ships used:
Sidewinder, the one we get from start
Adder: https://s.orbis.zone/76au
Asp X: https://s.orbis.zone/76bo
Python: https://s.orbis.zone/76av