Trading Tips for the Noobies

[cabinn]

EDIT: I'd say that it's likely that newer players feel not only timid about RPing a character, or "making believe" as Unselie reminded, but also may think that RPing to decently RP a character one has to be a novel writter and prepare it with two pages in the stories section in the RP forum. I don't think it's about that.

More experienced players, but still not all of them, but the ones who like writing will do that because it's fun to further the life of a character and go beyond the stereotype.

What sometimes younger players may misunderstand is that stereotypes are a great way to start a character. They are a launching point. You don't have to figure your character's whole life from day one. You can start out with a name, a fisical appearance, an occupation, and something that will drive it from there. Also, RPing is much more about action and, in our case, what you do in game, than pages of RP in the forums. Of course, those are fun and important to, to a level, but really wearing the shoes of your character in game (remembering those starting points) is what will get you going. This applies to all types of characters. Once you unleash your imagination, there's no stop to it.

So, if you have problems coming up with an ultra original new thing, go for the old battered clich? and add a twist of your own to it.

I agree with this! I had a hard time RP'ing in the beginning with my trader - I had to think of myself as something of a space-trucker - so mentally I looked for Space Trucks stops and began talking to other traders about... trading - duh. Ask other traders if they have seen pirates. Talk to police and military by telling them what you are doing - ask for clearance - and give them reports on pirates...

In my mind I had to envision myself with a CB radio saying: "breaker 19 - anyone got the 20 on the smokies...?"

Another newbie tip: Fix that rep. don't fly a train with a Navy rep!

Somebody else recommended getting chatty with the pirates - I agree - but some of them get impatient. I had one pirate who kept nuking my shields while he waited for me to pay. The annoying thing - there were hostile NPC's around that were pecking at my hull - so I cut the conversation short and paid the guy so I could get away without to much of a repair bill. When I get pirated - I want a little conversation and a bite on the neck at least!!!!

---

[tfmachad]

When I get pirated - I want a little conversation and a bite on the neck at least!!!!

That's a tad disturbing. Seriously.

...

One thing I'd like to add is that characters, and players for that matter, have moods, good days and bad days. Days of abundance of inspiration and days of total lack of it. Sometimes a player will let his/her frustration and other bad things get through to his character. Most experienced ones will try to dampen that, but its not a very easy task.

I myself had that problem yesterday. I switched characters and brought the anger and frustration from one to the other (because those were actually mine) and was unlucky enough to get right into another stressful situation. Even though I managed to keep to RP in the second character, his reaction to the whole situation perhaps went beyond what was called for (or maybe not).

The thing is. RPing is a two way street. Please, don't get OORP to correct someone else's RP with lines like: "// You were not supposed to do it like that." and the sort. Try to turn the situation around still in RP. It's an exercise. At times it won't work, at times it will work beautifully.

Don't go public (system chat) with OORP complaints, that spirals very quickly into an OORP madness that makes the game less enjoyable to everyone trying to immerse. It's better to contact the person in private and politely and try to work it out between yourselves (if you can't do it in character) than have a whole mob of witch hunters join the verbal fray. Don't throw gasoline into the fire.

---

Meet the Kriegers - The story of a family and of two men that shared more than just a name
Fantasmas de la Nube Siniestra
I Mon'Star: The Strange Case of Elizabeth Wallace

[Jihadjoe]

Gronath, that is ridiculously good advice.

Another thing which I did with my smuggler is I did a little bit of research into similar real life individuals. Not spending hours and hours trawling the internet looking for character reference points, thats just silly, but just looking into what goes on in the drugs trade a little.

I live in a little place in th south west of england which, rather unexpectedly, gives me quite an insight into drug smuggling (3 million pounds worth of cocaine was found in a small cove on the estuary near where I live). But things like FedEx and UPS are not that hard to find out information about. just look up how the large logistics corporations work (if thats your deal), or how small-time HGV drivers earn their living. Its worth it and it'll make disco a better place.

---

[Angelfire]

The advice in this thread is amazing, make sure you go back and read every post... you'll enjoy disco a lot more!

As for RP in trading, I'm loving it!

For the first time in my 2 million years of gaming, including the very painful world of hellcraft, i actually have a RP background and something besides grinding and crazy peer pressure to play to.

My take on an RP server is this: Treat it like a whole new world where you could be someone else, a pilot version of you, a pirate version of you, a trader version of you. It becomes so much more than just a pissing contest betwen insecure kids, it becomes a place you can go for inspiration and fun.

cool stuff... have fun, make money and blow up stuff:)

---

The Chronicles of Angelfire

[Reise]

Some people might object to this but, I often check the player list for pirate locations. In case you know which pirate groups are active in your routes you can plan your trips around them. Or if you're looking for interaction you can plan your trips through areas they may be waiting in.

I'd also like to say that if you find yourself running a certain payload often, find out what faction would likely do the same thing and get tagged and ID'd to match it. That way you can RP as an employee of that organization, and make things just that much more interesting.

---

Reise[Merc] (Mercenary, Orca) -- Raserei (Ageira Tech., GMG Miner)

[sovereign]

I'd like to add my humble little comment about seeing others flying way OORP: (like the BHG tagged, Junker ID'd Rheinland Cruiser I saw in Liberty a while back...)

I suggest against going "OMG _____ is OORP in that thing!" in any fashion. Instead, say something like "Wow, I knew there was tension in the news but didn't think RM would go so far as to send caps into liberty..." and then mention it to the navy in the system (I almost thought the three bombers that showed up might have been overkill...) and let them handle it. Calling for sanctions usually breeds resentment; letting the people who are supposed to deal with it (in this example, Liberty Navy/LSF) work it out or destroy the target is probably a better option.

Also keep in mind that this is my opinion with a whopping 4 days on the server, so vets please give me some feedback...

---

[Virus]

I'd like to add my humble little comment about seeing others flying way OORP: (like the BHG tagged, Junker ID'd Rheinland Cruiser I saw in Liberty a while back...)

I suggest against going "OMG _____ is OORP in that thing!" in any fashion. Instead, say something like "Wow, I knew there was tension in the news but didn't think RM would go so far as to send caps into liberty..." and then mention it to the navy in the system (I almost thought the three bombers that showed up might have been overkill...) and let them handle it. Calling for sanctions usually breeds resentment; letting the people who are supposed to deal with it (in this example, Liberty Navy/LSF) work it out or destroy the target is probably a better option.

Also keep in mind that this is my opinion with a whopping 4 days on the server, so vets please give me some feedback...

Four days on the server?... Amazing. o.O

---

Into the Maelstrom - A Measure of Salvation - Reaver Company Database

[Eppy]

Quick, give him a Medal! That's, like...perfect.

---

Quick comment - we thought that Panzer was the Leader, Swift. -Agmen

Which Dreadnought was that?

One of your nine.

[Reverend Del]

I'd like to add my humble little comment about seeing others flying way OORP: (like the BHG tagged, Junker ID'd Rheinland Cruiser I saw in Liberty a while back...)

I suggest against going "OMG _____ is OORP in that thing!" in any fashion. Instead, say something like "Wow, I knew there was tension in the news but didn't think RM would go so far as to send caps into liberty..." and then mention it to the navy in the system (I almost thought the three bombers that showed up might have been overkill...) and let them handle it. Calling for sanctions usually breeds resentment; letting the people who are supposed to deal with it (in this example, Liberty Navy/LSF) work it out or destroy the target is probably a better option.

Also keep in mind that this is my opinion with a whopping 4 days on the server, so vets please give me some feedback...

You win at Discovery, sir. That's excellent advice.

---

Saint Del is considered a holy healer of diseases of children, but also as a protector of cattle.

[sovereign]

Quick, give him a Medal! That's, like...perfect.

...wow... I feel special now. Thanks.


Word of advice so post is not complete waste: don't do niobium/diamonds if there are any phantoms on the server. It will get you killed.

---