X3 is not about glorious endings but about humble beginnings.   Anything can be achieved if the player works towards it but how challenging that can be is often decided within the first 24 hours of gameplay and that is determined by what starting scenario the player chooses.

Starting Scenarios

Argon Peacekeeper

Starting Ship(s): Nova prototype (M3)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 4x 25MJ Shield, 40x Energy Cells, 4x HEPT, 2x PAC, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software, Jumpdrive, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 13x Engine Tuning, 7x Rudder Optimisation and 78x Cargo Bay Extension

Starting Credits: 30,000

Start Locations: Argon Sector M418,

Starting Race Ranks: Argon +9(L), Boron +2, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -4, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot begins immediately

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: It is advisable to follow the Commonwealth Main Plot until the player gets a Centaur M6 while playing defensively in Argon owned warzones can bring in a lot of credits from the police licence by killing wounded Terran ships. 

Terran Commander 

Starting Ship(s): Katana (M6)

Starting Equipment/Wares:  2x 200 MJ Shield, 10x EMPC, Boost Extension, Jumpdrive, SETA, Triplex Scanner, Video Enhancement Goggles, 10x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 300x Cargo Bay Extension

Starting Credits: 200,000

Start Locations: Venus

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -5, Boron -1, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF +3, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Operation Loose Ends when Fight Rank of Professional and Terran Race Rank is +1

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: If there is not a Jump Beacon in Mars, Jupiter 2 and within 1 sector of Saturn consider starting again as those will be problematic in the long run (universal traders will try and shortcut through the blacklisted warzones).   The challenge of this starting scenario is the large distances between stations in Terran sectors and the isolation caused by the warzones and the Xenon sectors while the low Argon Race Rank means Rapid Response ships will make travel through argon sectors difficult at the start.   The warzones in Asteroid Belt and Jupiter can at times cut off the supply of wares to Mars, Venus, Mercury and The Moon making Venus a good place to build early factories (Flavour Pack, MRE and Vita Kai producing ones recommended).   Using a Baldric TS early on in quiet moments also helps supplement early income.   Warzones seem to start with a surplus of ships on the Argon side that wears thin with time making passage easier (Omicron Lyrae can still be a M2/M7/M8/M6 infested death trap).   The player has two options, either try and befriend the Argon which requires sneaking past Omicron Lyrae or through the Xenon sectors to Grand Exchange or to take up the role of the starting scenario and pirate the argon fighting your way out.   Irrelevant of the option the player chooses set all player ship turrets to Missile Defence.  

Getting a Valkyrie (M5) or Springblossom (M6) is recommended for busting out, although, it is possible but unlikely to get to Nyana's Hideout by making a large arc around the edge of the sector in Omicron Lyrae.   Alternatively the player can wait until the warfront moves and the War Reports say "We have a lot of Argon ships in Omicron Lyrae.   Wipe them out!".   Do missions for the other Races so more missions are offered by bases of that race and head to Getsu Fune to repair the Argon Race Rank.   Use the other Race Equipment Docks for Fight type missions (careful with the Split as that can be bad for Yaki reputation) to generate enemies of the Argon to kill.   Also kill any Xenon coming through the North gate.   Once Argon like the player, this starting scenario is not very challenging.

If the player wishes to join the war then getting M/A-MLs will allow for more efficient killing of ships.   Just be careful as killing Argon ships in Argon sectors also lowers the Boron Race Rank of the player.   As the ship starts with insufficient shielding to survive heavier missiles (enemy fighters love to spam 1 million damage Hammerhead Missiles at the player while encountering an M8 can be deadly) stay among friendly fleets salvaging any wares that drop and upgrade shielding as a priority.   Trade salvaged missiles from larger battles (make sure the Terran side is winning) for Wraith Missiles.   Use the Wraith Missiles to kill Argon Rapid Response M7 ships (10 is enough to instantly kill a Rapid Response M7 and saving beforehand to manipulate drops helps) to get several 4+ star marines.   With a corvette or TP full of marines the player can start boarding Argon TLs (Montelaar is good) for an accelerated start.   Capturing a Minotaur early on is also possible if the player can capture a ship with Ion Disrupters but not easy.  

Argon Patriot 

Starting Ship(s): Elite (M4)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 5MJ Shield, 4x PAC, Boost Extension, SETA, Duplex Scanner, Video Enhancement Goggles, 9x Engine Tuning, 5x Rudder Optimisation and 24x Cargo Bay Extension

Starting Credits: 1,800-2,000

Start Locations: Omicron Lyrae

Starting Race Ranks: Argon +3(L), Boron 2, Paranid -1, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: The player starts out in a less durable ship compared to the Argon Peacekeeper starting scenario but does not start out as enemies with the Terrans.   The potential to salvage missiles from the warzones offsets the comparatively smaller starting funds.   Use the salvaged missiles to gain Argon Race Rank by selling them and get onto the Stock Exchange in PTNI Headquarters for the fastest start.

Humble Merchant

Starting Ship(s): Discoverer (M5) and Mercury (TS)

Starting Equipment/Wares: Discoverer: 2x 1MJ Shield, SETA and 2x Engine Tuning

                                            Mercury: 5MJ Shield, SETA, 5x Engine Tuning and 5x Rudder Optimisation

Starting Credits: 9,000-9,900

Start Locations: Herron's Nebula

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: Player starts with a TS for trading and an M5 for scouting but minimal shielding and no weapons making it a priority to avoid hostile ships early on.   As the Mercury is the largest source of income early on upgrade it first and get a Trade System Extension.

Bankrupt Assassin 

Starting Ship(s): Mamba (M3)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 25MJ Shield, 2x HEPT, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software MK1, Fight Command Software MK2, Navigation Command Software MK1, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 15x Engine Tuning and 7x Rudder Optimisation

Starting Credits: 0

Start Locations: Aladna Hill

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron -4, Paranid -4, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments:   Periodic pirate M5s will spawn at the nearest Jump Gate and attack.   The HEPTS allow good damage early on but the lack of accuracy can be problematic when engaging M5 ships.   Avoid taking on more than one enemy at a time until a second 25MJ shield is purchased.   Only kill Boron outside Argon sectors and Paranid outside of Split sectors.   Killing Boron and Paranid weapon dealers can be a good way to improve the firepower of the starting ship.   Head to the warzones and salvage missiles along the way to remedy the credits problem.

Tormented Teladi

Starting Ship(s): Harrier Hauler (M5)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ SHield, 2x IRE, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, 4x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 81x Cargo Bay Extension

Starting Credits: 1,750-2,000

Start Locations: Acquisition Repository, Sanctity of Corruption or Tears of Greed

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron 0, Paranid 0, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF 0, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: Trade Rank of Petty Financier (15)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots:  Retreiving Your Ship! and Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Use stock market manipulation of wares with a low cargo volume and high production rate like Space Fuel to buy and sell shares at a profit to drive up the player Trade Rank

Hints/Comments:   A challenging start due to the limitations of the starting ship.   Salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges for the easiest start.   Completion of the starting mission gives an otherwise unobtainable ship (Enhanced Kea)

Poisoned Paranid

Starting Ship(s): Demeter Hauler (TS)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 25MJ Shield, IRE, 4x Figher Drone, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software MK1, SETA, 7x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 1,501x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 7,750-11,000

Start Locations: Preacher's Refuge or Heaven's Assertion

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -1, Boron 0, Paranid -3, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: Beat the Tormented Teladi Retreiving Your Ship! mission successfully

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Obtaining the Cure! and Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges and stock market manipulation

Hints/Comments:   The player starts in hostile territory with the quickest route to safety being the gate to their right (East).   As the starting TS ship is slow it cannot outrun or outfight enemies so if military patrols, a Hyperion Vanguard, an M7M or just a lot of border patrol fighters spawns in the starting sector all the player can do is kiss their rear goodbye (up to 66% of starts).   The starting scenario puts the player on a knife edge which causes a single hostile action against Paranid ships to send the player to -4 Paranid Race Rank that will send even any escort fighters into a homicidal frenzy in all sectors.   If the player does not make a clean escape from the starting sector/has to use fighter drones then restart until docked safely at a station in the neighbouring sector.   The starting ship has a good volume of cargo capacity enabling the player to trade on the way to the warzones.    It is even possible to get on the Boron Stock exchange within 3 sectors of starting.   Trade in Nyana's Hideout until able to pass through the warzones.   Otherwise salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges and eventually stock market manipulation.   Due to the exponential growth of income and having 6x the time limit, the starting mission for this starting scenario is easier than the Tormented Teladi one.   For completion of the mission the player gets a potentially overtuned Hyperion Vanguard and Advanced Perseus but such ships can be created in any starting scenario using Pandora Tunings on a boarded Hyperion Vanguard.

Aldrin Adventurer

Starting Ship(s): Spitfyre (M3)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 25MJ Shield, 5x E-EMPC,  Boost Extension, Jump Drive, Duplex Scanner, SETA, 16x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 48?x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 4,000-4,150

Start Locations: Aldrin

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron 0, Paranid -3?, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF +3, Goner +1?

Unlock Requirements:  Operation Loose Ends completed, Terran Race Rank of Planetary Senator (+7) and Fight Rank of Crusader (24)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Operation Loose Ends when Fight Rank of Professional and Terran Race Rank is +1

Fastest Unlock Method: Use the Terran Commander start and a fully stocked Skirnir in the Terran owned warzones and level a few Xenon sectors between battles while working on completing the plots as quickly as possible.   The infinite Xenon spawns in Segaris near the end of Shady Business is ideal. 

Hints/Comments: The player starts off in a fast ship that can out speed many M5s able to carry L cargo and equip PM/A-MLs so there are few missions that cannot be done in the starting ship.   With only one initially hostile race and a powerful ship, it is not difficult building up a number of traders to get started.

Goner Witness

Starting Ship(s): Ranger (M3)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 25MJ Shield, 23x Energy Cells, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, Transporter Device, 16x Engine Tuning and 8?x Rudder Optimisation

Starting Credits: 350

Start Locations: Elysium of Light

Starting Race Ranks: Argon +3, Boron 0, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF +3, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: Chose to end the war at the end of the Shady Business Plot

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Do the plots from any starting scenario as quickly as possible and choose to fight the Yaki at the end.

Hints/Comments: The player starts in an unarmed M3 which has a slow speed but moderate cargobay and can equip a 200MJ shield enabling Transport Passengers type missions to be completed however it is recommended to switch to a better ship as soon as possible.

Unholy Traitor

Starting Ship(s): Medusa Prototype (M3+)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 5MJ Shield, 6x PBE, 2x PAC, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 4x Engine Tuning, 4x Rudder Optimisation and 71x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 23,201

Start Locations: Tharaka's Sun, Tkr's Deprivation, Contorted Dominion, Family Pride, Kingdom's End(!) and Family Rhonkar

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron 0, Paranid -5, Split -5, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Specialist (16) and Split Race Rank of Privileged Associate of Rhonkar (+7)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into Zyarth's Dominion and flatten all spawning Xenon

Hints/Comments: Constantly growing waves of Paranid M5 ships will spawn from the nearest Jump Gate and attack for 15 waves of pain.   The lack of shielding and poor WSAD speed of the player ship makes dogfighting hard so when 4 or more Paranid M5s attack hull damage is likely.   Try and dodge any military or police patrols although players might be lucky and not have any spawn in the sectors between them and safety.   The Contorted Dominion start offers the shortest route to a friendly sector but the player will have to constantly intercept Tempest missiles being fired from the Large Orbital Weapons Platform.   The Kingdom's End start is the easiest but the player will still have to head South to Three Worlds to find a station to dock at.   It is advisable to put the PACs onto the turrets.   Dock at a friendly base and save before using the station to keep enemy fighters away (The Military Oupost in Faded Dreams is good) and use the repair laser to patch up the player ship.   The last several waves will consist of 6 ships so try to avoid losing any more equipment and weapons.   After the last wave save again.   Aim to get a better shield.   If the player started in Tkr's Deprivation the Boron region is a dead end so the player will have to backtrack with a better shield and more engine tunings.   The main strength of the Medusa Prototype (which is unique to this starting scenario) is the ability to wield Firestorm Torpedoes and Typhoon Missiles so getting Argon and Teladi Race Rank is a priority.   As both the Split and Paranid already hate the player piracy of TS ships from both can give Boron and Argon reputation and wares to act as starting capital.   Do not overtune the starting ship since it needs to be reverse engineered for use on M1 ships as a bomber.   Most of the excitement of this starting scenario occurs within the first hour of gameplay.  

Teladi Trafficker 

Starting Ship(s): Vulture (TS)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 5MJ Shield, SETA, 20x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 12,693

Start Locations: Seizewell

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +2, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: Teladi Race Rank of Teladi Company Owner (+7)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Kill Xenon in Grand Exchange or do Random Missions for Teladi

Hints/Comments: The player starting ship comes damaged so repairing it with a the Repair Laser of the Space Suit is recommended to increase the speed.   The poor shielding and lack of weapon or Fighter Drones means it is a priority to avoid any pirates early on.   The slow pace of the starting ship makes heavy use of the SETA recommended.   Next to the risk of faster ships tailgating the player ship at Jump Gates this slow paced starting scenario offers little challenge especially if the first stop is the Seizewell Stock Exchange.   For the sake of player sanity purchase Engine Tunings and a Boost Extension as a priority.

Yaki Insurgent

Ability to unlock this starting scenario was removed in a patch.   There are however hacks to force it to become unlocked.   To unlock this starting scenario Use an XML editor to open the 03.cat file of the game (usually under Steam\SteamApps\Common\X3 Terran Conflict\Addon) and extract the gamestarts.pck file.   Open the gamestarts.xml file and go down until "<!-- Yaki Insurgent Weaver's Tempest Removed for X3TC 1.0", add "-->" after Tempest and delete "Removed for X3TC 1.0".    Finally six lines down delete the "-->" from "gamestart>-->" and save.   Create the files L\true under the game directory (file?) and copy the .xml to it.   In theory a similar tactic could be used to unlock the old game starts from X3: Reunion but most of those lack access to the plots and all lack data for ship creation.

Starting Ship(s): Advanced Chocaro, Tenjin, 2x Raijin and 2x Fuijin

Starting Equipment/Wares: Advanced Chocaro: 200MJ Shield, 2x IRE, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 4x Engine Tuning, 4x Rudder Optimisation and 451x Cargo Bay Extension 

   Tenjin: 2x 5MJ Shield, 9x PAC, 2x IRE, SETA, 4x Engine Tuning, 3x Rudder Optimisation and 34x Cargo Bay Extension 

   Raijin: 1MJ Shield, 3x PAC, 2x IRE, SETA,  6x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 24x Cargo Bay Extension 

   Raijin: 5MJ Shield, 3x PAC, 2x IRE, SETA,  6x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 24x Cargo Bay Extension 

   Fuijin: 1MJ Shield, 2x IRE, SETA,  7x Engine Tuning and 7x Rudder Optimisation

   Fuijin: 1MJ Shield, 2x IRE, SETA,  7x Engine Tuning and 7x Rudder Optimisation

Starting Credits: 20,000

Start Locations: Weaver's Tempest

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -2, Boron -3, Paranid 0, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -1

Unlock Requirements: Needs a hack

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Cheat

Hints/Comments: ???

Lost Lar

Starting Ship(s): Angel (TP)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 25MJ shield, 6x PBE, 2x PAC, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 5x Engine Tuning, 5x Rudder Optimisation and 800x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 12,000-14,000

Start Locations: Xenon Sector 695

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -2, Boron -1?, Paranid -3, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -1

Unlock Requirements: Boron Race Rank of Queen's Protectorate (+7) and Fight Rank of Crusader (24)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Kill Xenon in and around Menelaus' Paradise

Hints/Comments: Interestingly this is the only starting scenario other than the Tormented Teladi where pirates start as seminon-hostile.   The player begins with a TP deep in Xenon territory with the shortest escape being to Segaris (travel through 3 Xenon sectors) or Grand Exchange (travel through 4 Xenon sectors).   To make matters worse the ship does not have any Fight Command Software to automate the turrets making the player have to manually aim and fire them.   As most sectors passed through will have at least one capital ship and several Qs, the player will have to prioritize shooting down heavy missiles which will instantly kill the player ship.   If the player can make it to safety is heavily dependent on where the Xenon ships spawn and if they are blockading any gates as the player ship will not be able to outrun or outfight M6 and heavier fighter ships while a lucky shot from a capital ship will shred the playership.   In Xenon Core fly behind the jump gate and circle by the furthest asteroids to avoid detection. Once back to safety start doing taxi missions to build up credits and reputation with the locals.   As the starting ship has an excess of weapons (assuming they were not lost during the escape) transfer the spares onto a newly purchased ship or sell them for starting capital.   If in Terran space it will be hard to find missions to get the Argon to allow access to core sectors so the player will either need a fast ship to get back into commonwealth space or trade in some Terran Race Rank by shooting up some Terran ships in Circle of Labour.

Savage Split

Starting Ship(s): Jaguar (M5)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 1MJ Shield, 2x PAC, 1x Needle, SETA, 25x Engine Tuning, 3x Rudder Optimisation and 20x Cargo Bay Extension 

Starting Credits: 1,400

Start Locations: Family Pride

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -4, Boron -4, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -3

Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Fighter Chief (17)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into a busy Xenon sector and wreck the place

Hints/Comments: the player starts in an agile but not very durable ship meaning any combat should focus on evasion and never against multiple opponents.   Interestingly the ship has a copy of the hard to obtain Needle missile which is probably best sold for starting capital.   The hostility to the Argon prevents the safe salvaging of missiles in the warzone unless on the Terran side.   Due to the Argon Race Rank bordering on -3 recommended that the player starts to try and become neutral with the Argon by killing Pirates and Xenon M5 ships in Getsu Fune (or in Albion Gamma if a Pirate Base spawned).   As the player is hostile to the Boron consider raiding their TS ships for starting capital and TS ships.

Anonymous Argon 

Starting Ship(s): Discoverer (M5)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, SETA and 6x Engine Tuning

Starting Credits: 2,500

Start Locations: Argon Prime

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: Argon Race Rank of Accepted Adviser (+4)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Kill Paranid ships in Argon Space or Xenon in Getsu Fune or do random missions for Argon

Hints/Comments: The starting ship is unarmed and lightly shielded making combat impossible however it has a medium cargo class enabling it to do profitable taxi and personnel transportation missions.   Get a Cargo Lifesupport from the Pirate base in Atreus' Clouds and start upgrading the capacity of the cargo bay.   Salvaging missiles in the warzone is also an alternative for getting starting capital.   Salvaged missiles can also be used to help weaken NPC TS ships for other pieces of equipment and maybe a free ship.

Boring Boron 

Starting Ship(s): Octopus (M5)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, SETA and 2x Engine Tuning

Starting Credits: 2,000

Start Locations: Kingdom End,

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -4, Split -4, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF 0, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: Trade Rank of Petty Financier (15)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Use stock market manipulation of wares with a low cargo volume and high production rate like Space Fuel to buy and sell shares at a profit to drive up the player Trade Rank

Hints/Comments: The challenge of this start is that the starting ship is not good for anything but scouting and lacks the cargo class to do Taxi missions and lacks the cargo space to make profit from anything but salvaging missiles and Scan Asteroid missions.   To complicate things further by having both the Paranid and Split willing to shoot the player on sight the player is forced to travel via sectors owned by the Pirates and Xenon to get to the warzone.   It is recommended to trade Energy Cells singly to boost Argon Race Rank to +1 so access to the warzone is granted.   The high prevalence of Strong Arms fighters also makes travel dangerous.   Fortunately both the Paranid and Split are close to -3 Race Rank so having a Wheat Farm L and Space Fuel Distillery L complex in Hatikvah's Faith selling at 350 credits will soon solve the reputation problems.  

Pious Paranid

Starting Ship(s): Demeter (TS)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 1MJ Shield, SETA and 2x Engine Tuning

Starting Credits: 3.633

Start Locations: Paranid Prime

Starting Race Ranks: Argon -1, Boron -1, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi -1, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -1

Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Specialist (16)

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into a busy Xenon sector and wreck the place

Hints/Comments: Trade for extra credits and focus on getting decent shields and engine tunings.   Otherwise a very easy starting scenario.

Nostalgic Argon

Starting Ship(s): Buster (M4)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, 2x IRE, Boost Extension, SETA, 3x Engine Tuning, 9x Rudder Optimisation and 42x Cargo Bay Extension

Starting Credits: 1,000

Start Locations: Argon Prime,

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: Identical ship, equipment and starting credits to the Hard start in X3: Reunion.   Focus on getting Engine Tunings using credits from Taxi random missions.   After getting better shields head the warzone to salvage missiles.

Suicidal Squid

Starting Ship(s): Octopus (M5)

Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, 2x Space Fuel, SETA and 2x Engine Tuning

Starting Credits: 1,000

Start Locations: Queen's Harbour

Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -4, Split -4, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0

Unlock Requirements: None

Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran  Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418

Fastest Unlock Method: None

Hints/Comments: This starting scenario has a unique save mode which automatically occurs on exiting the game preventing the ability to save scum.   The save for this starting scenario also occupies a unique load slot.   Either trust your luck to get to a Pirate Base in Veil of Delusion or immediately dump the Space Fuel.   Head to the warzone and start salvaging missiles.   Gain Access to the Grand Exchange or PTNI Headquarters Stock Exchanges and start earning lots of credits. Start working on Terran Race Rank to get access to heavily shielded ships (bigger is better).   Do not get a Springblossom as the tail fins are a cause of avoidable deaths and docking clamp mangling.   Always use autopilot to undock from stations to avoid fatal docking clamp ejections.   Never open menus while in flight.   Start making friends with everyone by constructing a Space Fuel/Space Weed complex in Hatikvah's Faith and doing Build missions for the Pirates.   Where possible do all exploration and trading remotely.   Send a scout ship to both sides of a jump gate to look out for capital ships which might tailgate the player ship when jumping.   For the plot missions over prepare and keep the player ship away from anything that might kill it leaving other player owned ships to do most of the fighting.   Leave larger gaps between mines when assembling complexes.   Keep recruiting and training marines since losses will be unavoidable with boarding operations (yes, it is humiliating when an abandoned ship or TL mangles 21 marines with a high fighting rank).   If possible try to stay docked.  Keep a supply of Mosquito Missiles.