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 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 (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 (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) 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 (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.
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: 1,823
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: 9,543
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
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: 1,914
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
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: 7,863
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.
Unholy Traitor
Starting Ship(s): Medusa Prototype
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
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. 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 Typhoon Missiles so getting 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.
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Start Locations: ,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon, Boron , Paranid , Split , Teladi , Terran/ATF, Goner
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