X3 is just one of those games with mods that pulls me back every few years. With 2.2, Mayhem just isn't letting me go.
From scratch start. Re-rolled until i had a Drake. (Don't judge me!
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Still on day 1. First sanctuary setup in USB. Currently working to develop the sector and get a research station.
Being able to setup in USB instead of USO is a preference. In the thick of the action. Pirates have taken two nearby Teladi sectors and are camping out in force in the Teladi's safe sector IZ. The true mayhem experience indeed!
Combat missions are great for something to shoot at while the empire is in its infancy. Nice to have them around. Station defense missions are low risk as the enemy starts focused on the station and you can pick most of them off one at a time. Only LXs and the like are too much for my Eurus to handle.
Just the tip: That TS+ Drake is like a M6- gunboat with 1 GJ of shields and 12 PRGs. I ended up using that Drake a few times to complete combat missions that were beyond what my M4 could handle alone.
Little extra: once your Drake has had a taste of the easy Mk3 trading money, it is far less useful as an improvised gunboat. It'll run away from any piece of debris that harbours a menacing thought towards it. Sissy spoiled traders, am i right?
First sanctuary up in USB, first thing i realize is that the local economy is far less stocked at first than it was in 2.1. Not enough wares around for the research station; have to build the factories to produce what i need. Delayed research, delayed logistics, delayed military... OCV are out there.
And we no longer have lasertowers as a hasty bulwark against the OCV... so this could be interesting.
No research, no ship production. Thanks to missions I've been able to purchase another Drake for UT, Vulture Advanced for DA, and an Angel for reaping. Always looking for more opportunities as i go.
Been selling claimed ships to fund sector development. ASAP, I'll have to start forming a rag tag combat wing out of them.
Wait, i lied. I did build the Goner Rangers. Good for exploring, scanning, and networking. Highly recommend.
Relations with all races that can be positive are on positive trends. Unlike 2.1, where decay and my own indifference quickly had me at full war with the Paranid and Split. Seems less hectic so far, but it is early.
Maintenance costs haven't been a concern as yet. But, I'm imagining a future where I've got a self sufficient empire at war with all races. No other need, or source, for credits. Too early to worry about that though.
Excited to take advantage of the sanctuary ecell perk. In 2.1, the majority of my station slots were ecell related. Seems like it'll more than double my productivity. Still got to accumulate 4 more threat for it though.
Loving it. Thanks!
(ok i miss the point where i could build the ocv but ok 
).
But that would generate a 3rd set of Solar Power Plant!!!! Yikes!!!! Not that I mind LOL, but that would screw up my game!!