Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

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invaderzim
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:48 am

Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by invaderzim »

I've been trying to up a pacifistic pirate empire, but it seems like raiding and controlling empire homeworlds is vastly more profitable than trying to eek out a living mining or smuggle. Anyone have tips on getting a peaceful pirate empire to work?

It seems like you can make money for the first few years by smuggling and mining, but after about 10 years or so, demand seems to disappear.
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DeadlyShoe
Posts: 217
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:15 pm

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by DeadlyShoe »

In part that's because resource demand is partially driven by pirate raids sapping resources and destroying mining facilities.

It's hard to say, though... so much is dependent on your galaxy, and on your galaxy setup.

I just wish I knew how to market Zentabia Fluid as a pirate.

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Plant
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Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:57 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by Plant »

I am not sure, but I think you can only smuggle with empires you have protection treaties with.
Would explan why I never seem to make much smuggling money, though once I made 40k mining money somehow.
invaderzim
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:48 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by invaderzim »

When do you actually get paid for mining? It seems that mining something and bringing it back to your starport doesn't do anything, so I would assume it requires you to deliver those materials to a colony before you get paid.
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Plant
Posts: 418
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:57 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by Plant »

Yes, it's a mystery to me as well. It was in another patch. At that time, the only empire I think had a protection treaty with, was somewhere far away in the galaxy, and was clearly not trading with them, so perhaps independent colonies?
invaderzim
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:48 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by invaderzim »

It might be helpful if there was an entry in the history panel (the one you invoke with H) for mining income. The you could learn that Freighter X smuggled 500 units of caslon to Planet Y on 2104.5.11 and earned 1500 credits, etc.
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Plant
Posts: 418
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:57 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by Plant »

Yeah, the game could do with a transaction sheet, like themepark (1994).

Then you would find out that your Intersteller Empire works on 19 day cycles.
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DeadlyShoe
Posts: 217
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:15 pm

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by DeadlyShoe »

I believe Mining income comes from independent traders docking at your mining facilities.

It goes away as empires get their own mining online....
invaderzim
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:48 am

RE: Is it possible to break even as a pirate by mining and smuggling?

Post by invaderzim »

I suppose you could try and capture all their mining bases, but you'd have be careful to stay ahead of upkeep.
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