Player built stations

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 1:19 am

Hello all, new guy here.

I bought Mercenary some time ago, but only recently had time to get really into it (and loving it so far!).

I have a few questions regarding player built stations (not the deploy stuff).

1) In the guides I found mention to tagged stations (IE, stations with the clan name). I'm playing on a private MP server, so we need clans. As far as I can see though, only the trade stations are nameable, the rest can't be named. Is this correct? And if so, does the clan have to build 20 stations to reduce the control drop?

2) Assuming the only taggable stations are trade stations, where can I build them? I tried building in Olympus and Alpha Centauri, but I keep getting an error saying there are other stations in the nearest 2 sectors. Do I have to find a super remote system to build them?

If the server is successful, I'll see if I can open it up. Till now me and a friend are testing it, even to see how multiplayer feels, with the clans and stuff (station building/clan economy/clan territory is what interests us most).

Thank you!

Post by **Marvin** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:30 am

(1) You are correct in assuming that only trade stations can be named and tagged. Each station you build increases the length of time a clan's percentage remains as is in any territory owned by that clan. Percentage is increased by tagged members of the clan doing contracts in the selected system.

(2) There are three requirements to building trade stations. One, you must build your station at least two sectors away from any current station (leaving a gap of one sector between the two stations). Two, when zoomed in on the Nav map, you'll notice that the sector is divided into an inner four squares surrounded by outer squares. You must build your stations within those inner squares. Three, you cannot build too close to a planet ... if you get a message telling you your attempt to build a station is being blocked, move to another location within the inner four squares.

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:58 am

Ah! Thank you so much for your answers, pretty much what I needed!

So, just need to find an empty sector without getting my ship blown up.

EDIT: Just to be sure, because I downloaded an EM map program (EvoMetrics), and looks like every (or most) systems have a Trade Station. So I'm thinking...I need to find some uncharted sector? (Still unsure if the nav map is a representation of all the sectors, or are there unknown/uncharted sectors where clans can put down a Trade Station.)

[Edited on 22-10-2012 by zephyris13]

Post by **Marvin** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 3:49 pm

There are many uncharted star systems and you can build trade stations in any of them. Personally, I use the latest version of Atollski's Map Log program. You can download it at SeeJay's website (I suggest you get the kit), along with a really comprehensive set instructions on how to use it.

http://evochron.junholt.se/files/V1.2_Package.zip

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by Marvin]

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:16 pm

Oooh, thanks! D/Ling it hehe.

I've settled in Atlas for now, just to get a feel, and because I like the Nebula there.

But I'll certainly check out the other uncharted systems. Wish I found this game (and had the time) much earlier.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:42 pm

From post: 146780, Topic: tid=9890, author=zephyris13 wrote:Ah! Thank you so much for your answers, pretty much what I needed!

So, just need to find an empty sector without getting my ship blown up.

EDIT: Just to be sure, because I downloaded an EM map program (EvoMetrics), and looks like every (or most) systems have a Trade Station. So I'm thinking...I need to find some uncharted sector? (Still unsure if the nav map is a representation of all the sectors, or are there unknown/uncharted sectors where clans can put down a Trade Station.)

[Edited on 22-10-2012 by zephyris13]

I hope you are not getting confused by our use of the term "Sector". If you go into your nav map and zoom out all the way you will be viewing a portion of the "System" you are in and that view is divided into many "Sectors". A Sector for this explanation is just one of the little boxes, for want of a better word, that you see. I am probably wrong but you may see a 20 x 20 sector view (as an example) when you are zoomed all the way out. So if you see a sation in one of the little boxes you only have to leave one little empty box between that station and the box (sector) you want to build in. Of course you have to be near the middle of that sector (within the 50x50 unit limit) but if you are not near enough to the center it will tell you:D. Sorry for being so wordy.

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by thetiebers]

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:43 pm

From post: 146795, Topic: tid=9890, author=thetiebers wrote:
I hope you are not getting confused by our use of the term "Sector". If you go into your nav map and zoom out all the way you will be viewing a portion of the "System" you are in and that view is divided into many "Sectors". A Sector for this explanation is just one of the little boxes, for want of a better word, that you see. I am probably wrong but you may see a 20 x 20 sector view (as an example) when you are zoomed all the way out. So if you see a sation in one of the little boxes you only have to leave one little empty box between that station and the box (sector) you want to build in. Of course you have to be near the middle of that sector (within the 50x50 unit limit) but if you are not near enough to the center it will tell you:D. Sorry for being so wordy.

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by thetiebers]

Actually thank you for explaining! And yes, you were right. I thought a sector meant a whole star system, and not just one of the boxes. Oh well, at least I did some touring hehe.

Post by **Marvin** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:39 pm

The following screen shot shows nine sectors ...

Sector coordinates are designated by the SX, SY and SZ. In-sector coordinates are designated by S, Y and Z. When building a station, remain within the center four boxes of a sector. In the above example, you can't build where the ship is sitting because it's within one sector of a station already built. If there were no stations nearby, the pilot could build where he sits because he's within the center four boxes.

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:11 pm

I see, thanks for that!

I think I need to adjust the gamma or contrast on my monitor, because those "thicker" sector border lines aren't visible much (they look like the normal grid lines).

Guess that is what I get for rushing to buy 3 monitors to use my 3-4 multi-monitor gfx card. XD (NVidia Geforce 670GTX with 4GB g-ram and soft OC to 690)

Post by **Marvin** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:27 pm

If you zoom in all the way, only one sector is displayed.

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:53 pm

Thanks, just tried it.

Also adjusted the gamma of the monitors and now the border is more distinct. Maybe I'll go back to Alpha Centuri now, prices are better for fuel, plus it is close to a few trading areas. Loved the occasional skirmish when a rebel tries to pick me off.

Loving the game so far though. I installed a few graphics mods too, and put in the music from one of my other space games that I used to play (can't post it cause of copyright and stuff.)

But all in all, I think I'll be wasting quite some time in EM. I came from a background of X-Wing vs Tie Fighter, Wing Commander, Elite, Every X game in the X series and EVE Online. But apart from EVE, I like the MP part of EM (and well, EVE is based on clickity click, not real flying...)

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:32 pm

Hi Zephyris13, welcome to the game and forum!......Hope to see you out there some time!.....

zephyris13 · Post by **zephyris13** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:23 pm

From post: 146808, Topic: tid=9890, author=Maarschalk wrote:Hi Zephyris13, welcome to the game and forum!......Hope to see you out there some time!.....

Thanks! Let me get used to the game a little bit especially on the server I set up, then I'll try to head in for the "real" stuff (Starport 6 I assume?)

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:26 pm

From post: 146896, Topic: tid=9890, author=zephyris13 wrote:
From post: 146808, Topic: tid=9890, author=Maarschalk wrote:Hi Zephyris13, welcome to the game and forum!......Hope to see you out there some time!.....
Thanks! Let me get used to the game a little bit especially on the server I set up, then I'll try to head in for the "real" stuff (Starport 6 I assume?)

Yes, most likely!.....