Space flies: AP 3.0

[seroto9]

OK: I need just a few space flies for reasons I will not divulge for spoiler reasons. How the heck do you get them?
I've checked the forums, and followed instructions, even checked out scripts for space fly hunting (which I think don't work for X3AP 3.0 Cycrow?).
All to no avail.

Could all of the little buggers be squished upon my cockpit viewscreen, and now extinct? Any hints as to where they might be found?

I say "hints", but I would prefer definite instructions, as it's ruining an otherwise joyful weekend with the new plots.

[Rupert Hound]

I spent ages working on this, I just could not find them. I read post after post and watched video after video and yet was still unable to find them.

Then I found them. I found them in the Unknown Sector next to Xenon sector 534 north of Getsu Fune. I checked there earler in an M3 but they didn't appear although this time I went in an M7 Griffin Sent and appeared almost straight away.

If you don't want to risk burning through the sector in an M7 I did it in a scout ship first then jumped back got in my M7 and jumped to the West gate in Xenon Sector and reversed into the UK sector.

Also try breaking a few asteroids I heard that works. You obviously need the Ion Distrupter and Spacefly collector installed.

[willyshop]

I haven't played 3.0 yet since I'm on a mac, but I will say that most of the times I've ended up with spaceflies in my cargo hold it was from hunting pirates. I've tried spacefly hunting a few times, but never with much success. My suggestion: go kill a bunch of pirates, sooner or later one will drop some flies.

[seroto9]

Thanks Rupert: I will try that sector. @Willyshop, yes I know but I've killed several zoinks of pirates since I realised I needed them, and predictably...not a fly, not even a wing or the merest probiscis.

Must...resist...cheating them in...

[seroto9]

I tried that sector, and yes I remember being there before and looking for them in vain. However, the bounty I put their head (top price at my equipment dock) has finally borne fruit (fly).

I've got five! Let's see how many days it takes to get the rest...

[DrBullwinkle]

1) If your ship can mount Ion Disruptors, then keep a couple in your cargo hold. Or just mount them. (Do not forget to buy a Spacefly Collector for your ship at a Split Equipment Dock.)

2) If you stop your ship after a battle, spaceflies will often fly around your ship -- sometimes splashing into your cockpit. They make a unique sound ("song"). Spaceflies live on asteroids, so stopping your ship near in a thick asteroid cloud can also attract the spaceflies. When you see or hear them...

2a) Quickly mount your Ion D's, if necessary.

3) Shoot briefly with your Ion Disruptors. If you see "targets" near your ship, then they are probably stunned spaceflies. Quickly scoop them up by moving forward and using your strafe controls for maneuvering. Spaceflies will only remain stunned for a couple of seconds, so fire a short burst every few seconds to keep them stunned. (Too many blasts will kill them).

3a) If shooting did not produce targets, but you think that spaceflies are nearby, then turn your ship in all directions (still at zero speed) while making a short burst with the Ion D's every few seconds until you see the targets. If you find no targets, then move on.



Alternatively:

Spoiler

Show

You can buy spaceflies at many Pirate Bases.

[lavadingdong]

Spaceflies also stop SETA, as unreliable as that sounds.
Works best if you're away from the traffic of the sector.

[Earth Ultimatum IV.]

There is one less time-consuming way to get spaceflies:

1. find some pirates
2. scan them
3. if they have spaceflies aboard, save the game
4. kill them, they will probably drop the spaceflies as container, if not, reload and try again
5. pick up the spaceflies.

My tip: Pirate Novas usually carry spaceflies. Don´t bother scanning escorts, capital ships and sector defences. They never carry spaceflies.

[seroto9]

I found one using the pirate method (eventutally), however the tactic of just offering a lot of credits for them worked in the end: I've now got more than enough. Phew.

[Earth Ultimatum IV.]

I found one using the pirate method (eventutally), however the tactic of just offering a lot of credits for them worked in the end: I've now got more than enough. Phew.

Offering more credits to pirates for spaceflies? How? Have you got a trading station in pirate sector or what? Explain please, I might use some flies, too.

[TTD]

I tried that sector, and yes I remember being there before and looking for them in vain. However, the bounty I put their head (top price at my equipment dock) has finally borne fruit (fly).

I've got five! Let's see how many days it takes to get the rest...

Now that is a briliant idea.

Now why had I not thought of that before?
Think I'll set up the Hub to buy Spaceflies and other contraband.

[Earth Ultimatum IV.]

Indeed!
I have four spaceflies at the moment, I can put one in my Hub, reconfigure the gates to surround pirate and teladi sectors, put the price super-high and I will get enough of them!

This is also a great way to get the flyswatter achievement! Transfer the space flies you got to ship with IonDs, eject them and quickly stun them before they escape! Yay! Dude, you are a genius, respect.

[Killjaeden]

Sit tight in a sector for a while, manage your empire/ build new trading routes, etc - occasionally use SETA. Sitting in space will attract spaceflies and they will fly around you at some point (and possibly collide with you and knock you out of seta). Just fire a very short burst of IOND around you occasionally to see if there are some. They make a distinct sound.