X3:Reunion Manual - Steam

A: There are a few things, which any good trader should try, if they are to take advantage ofthe full range of opportunities.• The Economy: The economy is dynamically changing in response to over/underproduction, wars and theft. In various sectors of the universe this will produceshortages and surpluses on an ever-changing basis, giving those wise traders whokeep up to date with the latest Bulletin Board News a clear advantage over those whodon’t.• Local wars or border disputes will provide many additional opportunities for a quickand resourceful trader who can command transports or salvage equipment to collectresources and equipment while battles are underway, before others do the same.Salvage Merchants or Scrap Dealers in yards are always willing customers and willexchange Credits or Ore for your scrap. Additionally there is great wealth to be hadby looking out for opportunities to set up missile and other high-tech factories close tonearby war zones, as the local supplies may not be able to keep up with the demand.• Various merchants and station traders will be looking to make mutually satisfactorytrading opportunities. These may be in Bulletin Board announcements or tradingagreements from local merchants.• Well-armed and protected traders can jump into enemy sectors to scoop up missilesand wares that the less fortunate lost, and although the risks are high, the profits aretoo.• Make sure you harden up your ships with good shields and weapons at the earliestopportunity; it is a harsh universe out there with plenty of bad pirates who would liketo get rich by taking what you have. If they try, return the favour and take what theyhave and sell them and their ship as punishment.• Exploration and attention to rumours have a place in a trader’s portfolio; there havebeen many tales of traders who wandered off the main space lanes to stumble upongreat riches in the misty voids by finding containers of Credits and weapons, lost inskirmishes with dangerous enemies. If you obtain coordinates for such finds use thefly to position navigation command and with the [ 2,4,6,8 ] numeric keys to target thecoordinates and press the [ Enter ] key and your ship will fly to that location.• It is good to develop and improve your status with various races, as this will makeadditional equipment and ships available to you. Their improved trust in you will resultin them giving you bigger trading deals and at the same time greater rewards.52• Be aware that when you are carrying goods you are subject to random scans fromthe local system police. These inspectors usually travel in scout class, highperformanceships which are difficult (but not impossible) to outrun. As certainproducts (particularly Space Weed, Squash Mines and Space Fuel) are illegal insome systems, trading in them is done at your own risk. If caught, you will be requiredto ditch your illegal cargo, you will lose your police license if you have one and yourreputation will suffer. But if you get away with these smuggling jobs, the profits can bevery rewarding, especially if you decide to become a full-time pirate.• Short journeys increase profits, so if the journey seems to take a while make sure youhave installed the SETA device with Enter, Navigation, Jump Drive or the [ j ] keywhich will speed travel by compressing time, remember time is Credits.• Mobile mining is very profitable because after the ship and equipment are paid for,anything you mine can be sold for pure profit.• Being able to remotely trade with distant sectors will produce opportunities for profit,which can be missed by travel. You can remotely trade with a sector if you have an