[X3TC] - The Galaxy is Out of Stock for CIGs...

[Morkonan]

So, I'm trying to restock my own supply of CIGs. I'm getting ready to buy a few Heavy Osprey's for OOS defense of some stations, with a fighter contigent protecting them, and there isn't a CIG to be found in the Galaxy...

I have around 400 million, give or take, but could ramp that up a bit with some build/transport missions pretty quickly. However, I want a better solution than dumping cash into a CIG complex, right now. (Still working on the Hub plot.)

So, what should I do? Could I build a player owned Station and then hope that AI ships would feed me CIGs if I paid decent money from them? Or, is it best to chain a CAG pilot to run a route and go to every darn CIG plant and Equipment dock in the galaxy, buying up whatever CIGs are available?

Inventive, automated or relatively trouble-free suggestions are welcomed. Remote Best Buy with a bajillion jump range doesn't quite cut it, no matter where the start position.

[jkjklkl]

I would just board military ships. If you save when they start hacking the core you can reload from there and get different loot every time. The best I've gotten was about 10 CIGs and a full bank of shields, but that's only ever happened twice, and the first time it didn't have CLS for whatever reason so my marines all died.

[Sinxar]

If you have control of the hub you may be able to use it to buy them. Ive honestly never tried to buy anything other than stuff needed for the plot but it might work.

So add CIGs to the hub at avg + 1 then have a CLS pilot to unload it when/if any are sold to you. If nobody is selling, try upping the price. Hell even set it to max if you really need them.

[Morkonan]

I would just board military ships. If you save when they start hacking the core you can reload from there and get different loot every time. The best I've gotten was about 10 CIGs and a full bank of shields, but that's only ever happened twice, and the first time it didn't have CLS for whatever reason so my marines all died.

I'm running a game where I don't board friendly vessels.. yet. I also am trying to keep my combat rank down as I haven't done OFF yet.

If you have control of the hub you may be able to use it to buy them. Ive honestly never tried to buy anything other than stuff needed for the plot but it might work. ..

Great idea! I'll try that.

But, anyone have any advice on whether or not I should try to attract some vendors with a station or run some automated/scripted trade ships targeting CIGs?

[David Howland]

Congratulations on doing hub on such a small cash budget Morkonan!
Although CIGs were never awash, I never found the odd CIGs too difficult to find before I was rich enough to build a fleet. Once I had wealth and needed a flow of CIGs I built CIG production into a couple of my Complexes and found that this supplies all I need!
On the subject of boarding to gain your CIGS, I recommend strongly my Dukes Domain Marine Fight Training Centre which I think you are familiar with. When I take yet another Dukes Zeus I usually choose the 12 IBL package but another goodies package offered includers 6 CIGs. Should you need details of my Dukes Dom. Marine Fight Training Centre, please ask!
Good Luck!

[Samuel Creshal]

Yeah, I'd recommend producing all supplies you need yourself. The economy just isn't reliable enough, and selling the surplus production gives a nice cash.

[Flozem]

Find an EQD in a Shipyard sector that carries them. Make sure they are in stock. Buy 10 fighters and fill the cargobay with CIGs and sell 1 back.

Rince and repeat... works for most hard-to-come-by weapons.

[whiteraider]

Find an EQD in a Shipyard sector that carries them. Make sure they are in stock. Buy 10 fighters and fill the cargobay with CIGs and sell 1 back.

Rince and repeat... works for most hard-to-come-by weapons.

One solution if you can find an EQ that sell the item

The other is a boarding op on a TL replacing the station..

[Morkonan]

Find an EQD in a Shipyard sector that carries them. Make sure they are in stock. Buy 10 fighters and fill the cargobay with CIGs and sell 1 back.

Rince and repeat... works for most hard-to-come-by weapons.

I am trying to get through the game without taking advantage of exploits, bugs, mods, etc... But, I might have to do what you suggest, anyway.

The problem is, I can't find any EQ docks that have them in stock, else I would have bought them all up already. So, I can't exploit that particular mechanic right now.. Hmm, there's a menu slot/trade exploit, though, that I could possibly use. Have to familiarize myself with it to be sure. I hate exploiting a vanilla-dedicated game, though.

I'll likely build a complex for this, but I hate doing it just for darn CIGs! I'll see if I can combine something with CIGs that is a bit more desirable in the long-term.

[Sinxar]

you could always just sell what you dont need. Or you could make it into a switchable production complex.

[Ebonyfly]

If you have a spare CAG/CLS pilot lazing about you could use the generate waypoints command for CIGs and leave your CLS to buy at an acceptable price as soon as any CIGs become available. Add CIGs to your Hub wares and a CAG could perform a similar function.

This won't magic CIGs out of thin air but it's a hassle-free way of building your stock over time. I sometimes use it to stock Firestorm Torpedos in advance of grinding Corporation Missions.

If you are in more of a hurry you could also use the generate waypoints command to set up some CLS ships to supply the NPC factories with resources.

[Morkonan]

If you have a spare CAG/CLS pilot lazing about you could use the generate waypoints command for CIGs and leave your CLS to buy at an acceptable price as soon as any CIGs become available. Add CIGs to your Hub wares and a CAG could perform a similar function.

This won't magic CIGs out of thin air but it's a hassle-free way of building your stock over time. I sometimes use it to stock Firestorm Torpedos in advance of grinding Corporation Missions.

If you are in more of a hurry you could also use the generate waypoints command to set up some CLS ships to supply the NPC factories with resources.

Interesting. Will they automagically generate waypoints for suppliers of a specific item? I know I could set up waypoints manually, but I'll have to look at the documentation a bit more to figure out how to do that automatically. (If at all.)

I'll likely use a combination of all methods in this thread. (Except the exploits.)