Ameer Randolph
In the video game Elite Dangerous, players often debate whether to add spare fuel tanks or a fuel scoop to their ships. Some players opt for spare fuel tanks to avoid the inconvenience of regularly refuelling, while others prefer fuel scoops to avoid the weight and space constraints of additional fuel tanks. Players who choose fuel scoops must ensure their routes only include scoopable stars, while those with spare fuel tanks can navigate through patches of unscoopable stars without worrying about refuelling. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of each player's ship and travel plans.
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What You'll Learn
Extra fuel tanks are unnecessary if you have a fuel scoop
Extra fuel tanks in Elite Dangerous are unnecessary if you have a fuel scoop. Fuel scooping is an automatic process that allows a ship to refuel without docking at a station, which is essential for travelling to regions of the galaxy where no stations have been built.
A Fuel Scoop is an optional internal module that automatically replenishes a ship's fuel reserves when the ship is flying in supercruise in close proximity to a star that produces hydrogen. Larger and higher-quality fuel scoops allow for faster fuel harvesting.
When fuel scooping, a notification will appear on the HUD, listing the current heat level, the current rate of fuel intake, and a progress bar for the amount of fuel in the tank.
To avoid heat damage, it is advisable to upgrade the ship's power plant, as this will help the ship dissipate heat when fuel scooping. It is also important to note that a ship must be in supercruise while scooping fuel, but it is not required that the ship travels at more than minimum speed.
Therefore, if a player has a fuel scoop, they can manage their fuel levels by turning it on and off in the modules panel, making a few jumps, and letting fuel levels run down to manage weight.
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Spare fuel tanks can be useful for unscoopable star patches
In Elite Dangerous, players can encounter regions of space where scoopable stars are rare or absent, known as "unscoopable star patches." These areas can pose a challenge to exploration as fuel is essential for navigating and jumping between star systems. To address this, players can equip their ships with spare fuel tanks to extend their range and avoid getting stranded.
Spare fuel tanks can be highly useful when navigating through unscoopable star patches. By carrying extra fuel, players can ensure they have sufficient reserves to cover longer distances without relying solely on scoopable stars for refuelling. This added fuel capacity provides a safety net, reducing the risk of running out of fuel and becoming stranded in deep space.
The strategy for utilising spare fuel tanks in unscoopable star patches involves careful planning and management. Players can anticipate their fuel needs by checking their route for scoopable stars and identifying potential refuelling points. If unscoopable stars are present along the route, players can enable their fuel scoop to fill up their tanks before entering these regions.
Additionally, players can employ techniques such as keeping their fuel load at a constant level and only refuelling when necessary. This helps maintain optimal jump range and weight management. It is also recommended to keep the fuel scoop enabled but avoid scooping too much fuel at once, as overloading the ship with fuel can reduce jump range.
By following these strategies, players can effectively use spare fuel tanks to navigate unscoopable star patches in Elite Dangerous. It empowers them to explore distant regions of the galaxy without the constant worry of fuel scarcity. However, it is important to note that adding extra fuel tanks may impact the ship's weight and jump range, so players must carefully consider their exploration setup to strike a balance between fuel capacity and manoeuvrability.
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Tanks can be left empty to avoid adding weight
In the game Elite Dangerous, players can opt to include extra fuel tanks on their ships to mitigate the need for frequent refuelling. However, a common concern is the potential weight penalty imposed by these additional tanks, which can impact the ship's jump range and overall performance.
To address this issue, players can choose to leave their spare fuel tanks empty, thereby avoiding the weight penalty associated with carrying extra fuel. This strategy is particularly useful when navigating through regions with an abundance of scoopable stars, as it allows players to maintain their jump range while managing their fuel levels efficiently.
By disabling the fuel scoop in the modules panel and allowing fuel levels to deplete gradually, players can effectively control the weight of their ship. This technique is especially advantageous when traversing long distances or exploring new areas, as it provides the flexibility to adapt to varying fuel requirements.
It is worth noting that while empty fuel tanks do not contribute to the ship's weight, the mass of the fuel itself is still a factor. As such, players should carefully consider their fuel management strategy, ensuring they have sufficient fuel for their journey without unnecessarily burdening their ship with excess weight.
In summary, leaving spare fuel tanks empty is a viable strategy in Elite Dangerous to mitigate weight concerns. By strategically managing fuel levels and taking advantage of scoopable stars, players can optimise their ship's performance and adapt to the demands of their journey.
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Tanks can be refuelled at any main station
In Elite Dangerous, players can opt for spare fuel tanks to avoid the need for frequent refuelling. The game offers a variety of fuel tanks, including one-time use tanks that can be mounted in the cargo bay or missile bay, as well as the reusable Duplex Fuel Tank. These tanks can be purchased and refuelled at any Main Station.
The refuelling process involves buying a full tank of either 'Reserve Fuel' or 'Auxiliary Fuel' from a TL10+ station. These tanks can then be transferred into the main tank when it's empty, and the reserve or auxiliary tank will show as empty on the F5 screen. After use, players can conveniently refill these tanks at any Main Station. The refuelling costs are 10₢ for the 'Reserve Tank' and 30₢ for the 'Auxiliary Tank'.
Additionally, players can upgrade from a 'Reserve Tank' to an 'Auxiliary Tank' for 40,000₢, provided the reserve tank is empty. This upgrade results in a full auxiliary tank ready for immediate use.
While spare fuel tanks offer the convenience of extended travel without the need for frequent refuelling, some players prefer using a fuel scoop instead. A fuel scoop allows players to skim stars while lining up for their next jump, topping up their fuel without needing to carry extra tanks. However, the decision between spare fuel tanks and a fuel scoop ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of each player's journey.
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Tanks can be upgraded to hold more fuel
Fuel tanks can be upgraded to hold more fuel in Elite Dangerous. While ships do start with maximum fuel tanks, players can buy additional tanks at the cost of cargo space. The fuel tanks can be fitted in the Fuel Store compartment or as an Internal Compartment.
Players can put extra fuel in their tanks if they look ahead and see a string of unscoopable stars. However, they don't have to fill the tanks if they don't want to manage the weight. Instead, they can turn off the fuel scoop in the modules panel, make a few jumps, and let the fuel levels run down.
One player shared their experience of packing their conda full of fuel (around 300 tons) and still being able to jump 34 LY and go about 2500 LY without scooping any fuel. They had turned off their fuel scoop. Another player suggested getting a size 6 scoop, adding an 8t tank for maximum range, and routing travel to only include scoopable stars (KGB FOAM).
While fuel tanks can be downgraded to increase jump range, it is not recommended as tanks have 0 mass, and only the mass of the fuel is considered. Keeping the tank half full will give the same effect as having a full tank of half the current size, with the flexibility to fill up for longer trips.
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Frequently asked questions
Spare fuel tanks can be useful in Elite Dangerous when you encounter a string of unscoopable stars.
You can buy spare fuel tanks from any TL10+ station. A Reserve Fuel Tank costs 10,000₢ and an Auxiliary Fuel Tank costs 50,000₢.
The fuel from spare fuel tanks can be moved into the main tank only when the main tank is empty. The tanks can be refilled at any Main Station.
It depends on your preference and your ship's configuration. Fuel scoops can be faster and more convenient, but spare fuel tanks can be useful for longer trips or when encountering unscoopable stars.
