Using M4s and M5s in trade network in early game

[FriendlyFirePhoenix]

Thanks for the advice folks.

I'm currently setting up a whisky run from Nyana's Hideout. I buy the whisky in a Mercury hulk. The booze is transported to another hulk in Eighteen Billion by a Logistician equipped with a Jumpdrive (to get past my good friends the Xenon). Then a bunch of M5s and M4s transport the booze from there to Montalaar and Akeela's beacon. The booze is sold at the trading stations in those sectors. I'll let you know how it all goes. I'm fully upgrading every smuggler's speed to keep them away from the fuzz.

I'm also trying a similar plan with Space weed. I'm using a freighter to feed the dream farm in Eighteen Billion. Another freighter then transports the Swamp plant to the two Bliss places in Scale Plate Green. (Yes - the same freighter takes booze to Eighteen Billion and then grabs swamp plant from Eighteen Billion) I'll then use light fighters to sell the Space weed.

I am peripherally aware that weed isn't illegal in Teladi space so I could just use a freighter to take the weed to various trade stations. But meh. I gotta use 'dem M5s and M4s for something.

I did try to do some trading with Qtubes, Computers and microchips but it was all a bit meh. Just like you folks said. Will tackle that market when I've got more cash to splash.

[Ronin/Outrider]

If you haven't pissed off the Yaki (only mentioned pirates thusfar), there's 2 booze fabs in weavers tempest and 2 weapons fabs that use booze.

Since nobody else trades down there, you can buy booze at min and sell most of the way to max (along with wheat, energy, and ore at/near max price).

[FriendlyFirePhoenix]

@Ronin I have pissed the Yaki off something fierce unfortunately. Because of 'True Relations' mod, anything I do which impresses a race, annoys it's enemies. So since the Yaki are enemies with everyone it's very hard to not become their enemy. Otherwise I'd love to sell them booze.

My space fuel run is making money rather nciely. The weed is working out well too. I transport the weed from Scale Plate Green to a hulk in Eighteen Billion. This is so I can pick up the weed with fighters and take it to the Paranid trade dock in Trinity Sanctum. The three eyed psychos buy it at full price. When that is full, I just sell at one of the many Teladi trade docks nearby. The cops have only caught me once so far and the brave little M5 pilot made it out alive. Very fun.

[ajime]

Thanks for the advice folks.

I'm currently setting up a whisky run from Nyana's Hideout. I buy the whisky in a Mercury hulk. The booze is transported to another hulk in Eighteen Billion by a Logistician equipped with a Jumpdrive (to get past my good friends the Xenon). Then a bunch of M5s and M4s transport the booze from there to Montalaar and Akeela's beacon. The booze is sold at the trading stations in those sectors. I'll let you know how it all goes. I'm fully upgrading every smuggler's speed to keep them away from the fuzz.

I'm also trying a similar plan with Space weed. I'm using a freighter to feed the dream farm in Eighteen Billion. Another freighter then transports the Swamp plant to the two Bliss places in Scale Plate Green. (Yes - the same freighter takes booze to Eighteen Billion and then grabs swamp plant from Eighteen Billion) I'll then use light fighters to sell the Space weed.

I am peripherally aware that weed isn't illegal in Teladi space so I could just use a freighter to take the weed to various trade stations. But meh. I gotta use 'dem M5s and M4s for something.

I did try to do some trading with Qtubes, Computers and microchips but it was all a bit meh. Just like you folks said. Will tackle that market when I've got more cash to splash.

actually i liked using capped m4's as cargo transporter when attached to a TL. i usually get a high hangar bay TL like ryu/elephant and have it floating in profit center alpha. the since it has 12 hangar bays, i used 11 as distribution and 3/4 as supply buying(so it doesnt get stuck when the disti's are waiting for supplies in hangar. Now thinking to implement using a carrier after having 10 TL's across the sectors doing their job so i can manage less amount of capships for disti.

[ancienthighway]

For the most part, I sell what I capture (or buy 2nd hand), to include all M4s.

I am looking forward to giving this a try. Unfortunately the pirates loathe me like my kid loathes vegetables so it won't be easy to put this plan into action?

Unless you've attacked the station, pirate bases will allow you to land and trade. If you have a problem with hostile ships, an Advanced Satellite will warn your trader and it will dock until the threat is clear. Or don't use a sat and just use speed to out run the pirates.

As far as the tech and armaments trading, I prefer to use TPs, and many times they are directed unscheduled flights.

Look into getting a couple of TMs, an M7C, an Elephant or Ryu. Don't forget a transporter device. Put a couple of those captured ships onboard equipped with upgrades needed to jump medium and big ships to safety, and park captured small ships onboaard to deal with later.

If you do go the route of M7Cs and TLs, use similar fighters as onboard escorts (keep their speeds within 5m/s of each other).