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, Engine Tuning 13, Rudder Optimisation 7 and Cargo Bay Extension 78
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:
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, Engine Tuning 10, Rudder Optimisation 6 and Cargo Bay Extension 300
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 Final Fury at Fight Rank of Professional
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. 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 (easier at lower Fight Rank) 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) are 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. 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 (not common at lower Fight Ranks). 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.
Starting Ship(s):
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Starting Credits:
Start Locations: ,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon, Boron , Paranid , Split , Teladi , Terran/ATF, Goner
Unlock Requirements:
Scenario Misson/Available Plots:
Fastest Unlock Method:
Hints/Comments: