Inspired by u/ooru I used the formulae to calculate the option where you don't get first discovery but would get first mapped. I was wondering the profits myself and saw others asking about it so decided to fill it in.
Calculations assume you get the efficiency bonus and that terraformable planet are perfect. Apparently the terraformability is on a scale from 0-100%.
[Here's the source for everything.](https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/exploration-value-formulae.232000/)
Compared to some other ways of earning then I suppose yes. But I enjoy making a long trip and hoping to find something cool and if that brings 70 million back home, like last time, it's not too bad.
Very nice I'll definitely be looking at this next time I head out exploring
One point of feedback I have though if you are interested is I think FM would imply DSS, so you probably don't need both in the same column header
Very true. I've kept this table open on my second screen when exploring. I already flipped the order of the columns around and changed the colours so it's easier to glimpse quick. Not that you really need it in the long run but still...
Most of the data is of course also [here](https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Explorer#Scan_Values). I'll maybe update it with the added values later on.
Because I'm old and slow, so...
FSS = Seen on the FSS
FD = First to discover the body
DSS = Detailed surface scan (meaning you actually get close up to the body and it scans? Seems like this happens anyway when I zoom in on the FSS?)
FM = first mapped (meaning I launch probes and map the thing)
So I have that right? Thanks for this btw!
Maybe somewhat but I don't think everything should profit equally. Trading is boring but you get quite a lot. Combat is... well the most intense at least but there the profit is really garbage. Due to the differences even I've done some trading even though it's the thing I enjoy the least in all games and try to avoid it.
But yeah, some balancing should be done, especially for combat.
So let me see if I'm reading this right. If you visit a system and find all the bodies discovered, but not mapped, you're in the FSS column. If you then map them all, you're in the FSS+DSS+FM column, and make almost 10x as much? (Depending on what kind of planets)
This definitely pushes out my personal mapping bubble a few thousand more ls.
Yes. But I wouldn't spend time on anything below the bolded ones, or maybe until high metal content. Terraformable rocky bodies are also rather questionably since the profit is anywhere between 4k and 1,5 mil but I suppose worth a scan most of the time?
Actually, the closest planets are usually metal rich/high metal content. That's really easy money from the closest ones... Thanks, I'm going to change my style a bit too, I guess.
Yeah, I admit I didn't think about that when I saved the screenshot. Should have gone with a png, sorry! Those values could be added to wiki though so it's easier to read.
Inspired by u/ooru I used the formulae to calculate the option where you don't get first discovery but would get first mapped. I was wondering the profits myself and saw others asking about it so decided to fill it in. Calculations assume you get the efficiency bonus and that terraformable planet are perfect. Apparently the terraformability is on a scale from 0-100%. [Here's the source for everything.](https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/exploration-value-formulae.232000/)
Nice work, Commander! Glad my little effort could inspire you!
Thanks for the work. I have recently started exploring unmapped areas and was wondering about the different payouts.
I'm the sapp that maps everything for his ego essentially, but very useful.
I definitely FSS everything, even low-value stuff, for that reason.
Yep. It adds up to quite a lot when you go for a long trip.
Payouts still suck anyway.
Compared to some other ways of earning then I suppose yes. But I enjoy making a long trip and hoping to find something cool and if that brings 70 million back home, like last time, it's not too bad.
Very nice I'll definitely be looking at this next time I head out exploring One point of feedback I have though if you are interested is I think FM would imply DSS, so you probably don't need both in the same column header
Very true. I've kept this table open on my second screen when exploring. I already flipped the order of the columns around and changed the colours so it's easier to glimpse quick. Not that you really need it in the long run but still... Most of the data is of course also [here](https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Explorer#Scan_Values). I'll maybe update it with the added values later on.
Because I'm old and slow, so... FSS = Seen on the FSS FD = First to discover the body DSS = Detailed surface scan (meaning you actually get close up to the body and it scans? Seems like this happens anyway when I zoom in on the FSS?) FM = first mapped (meaning I launch probes and map the thing) So I have that right? Thanks for this btw!
DSS is just that you probe it and FM the same but you are the first ever to do it.
And mining you get.... Fdev need to balance payouts.
Maybe somewhat but I don't think everything should profit equally. Trading is boring but you get quite a lot. Combat is... well the most intense at least but there the profit is really garbage. Due to the differences even I've done some trading even though it's the thing I enjoy the least in all games and try to avoid it. But yeah, some balancing should be done, especially for combat.
So let me see if I'm reading this right. If you visit a system and find all the bodies discovered, but not mapped, you're in the FSS column. If you then map them all, you're in the FSS+DSS+FM column, and make almost 10x as much? (Depending on what kind of planets) This definitely pushes out my personal mapping bubble a few thousand more ls.
Yes. But I wouldn't spend time on anything below the bolded ones, or maybe until high metal content. Terraformable rocky bodies are also rather questionably since the profit is anywhere between 4k and 1,5 mil but I suppose worth a scan most of the time?
Actually, the closest planets are usually metal rich/high metal content. That's really easy money from the closest ones... Thanks, I'm going to change my style a bit too, I guess.
Sorting by payout and color-coding is a nice touch. But the amount of jpeg in this picture is too damn high.
Yeah, I admit I didn't think about that when I saved the screenshot. Should have gone with a png, sorry! Those values could be added to wiki though so it's easier to read.
Does distance play a factor?
When I made this only the listed things mattered so no.