I have a cheap Thurstmaster HOTAS and bought Elite Dangerous. I completed most of the training missions and I am good enough at flying now to start the game, only I have run into a few problems:
No explanation of what the hell I am doing - LOL. I just bought a game I could use with my HOTAS and read this was good. I like it, but not sure exactly what I am doing. Had a look at some guides and it seems you travel to other systems, doing missions, earning money and upgrading your ship.
Button Binding - This game seems to have a lot of depth and menus. If using a HOTAS, do you need to also use another control system, like keyboard and mouse? It seems there are loads of buttons to be binded and the HOTAS I have just won't cut it.
If you do need to use a keyboard, then how much of a pain is it removing your headset all of the time to get into certain menu's or am I being stupid and missing something here (likely)?
If you are starting bounty hunting as suggested I would recommend buying an eagle as soon as you can. Fast and manoeuvrable and a pretty cheap ship considering and in the price range for beginners. As you get money for the bounties you definitely want a warrant kill scanner (as you get no just the local bounties) and keep upgrading your Eagle (shields, guns Etc) until you cannot anymore (keep an eye on the power output on modules when buying)then start saving for a bigger better ship. You will want two pulse laser with gimballed mounts at least.
I was an actual miner for 30 years. Strange as it sounds to want more of the same, I'm leaning toward just finding me some rocks to break.
A few tips on mining:
1. Buy a refinery with as many bins as you can afford. The more bins you have, the more types of ore you can refine at the same time.
2. Know the market prices of the ore. Alot of them are basically worthless and you'll save yourself alot of wasted effort.
3. Buy yourself some mining limpets. They save alot of time chasing each ore fragment around with your cargo scoop. Don't target them onto a piece of ore though as they will be destroyed when they return with it. Launch them untargeted and they'll happily grab each piece of ore as you crack it off. They don't last forever and self destruct after 15-20 minutes of gathering.
4. Watch your back. Where there are miners there are pirates and anything in your cargo hold will start an attack. Best to team up with a bounty hunter. While you mine and attract pirates they'll keep you covered and earn their own cash.
