THE TRADITIONAL START-UP MOTHS

These are the start-up Silver-Ys that have always been available in the game. The hardcore players will still start with these Moths to prove their skills. All of these Moths are Silver-Ys with level 3 of most software and Laser Canons. Other equipment is described below:

	AGGRESSOR	TRADER	SCAVENGER
WEAPONRY	Swarms & Plasma Kannon	10 Sprats	Nothing but your laser
POD/ DRONE	Neither	Pod only	Pod & Drone
SOFT- WARE	Power 2 Target 2 Shield 2	Auto- Pilot & Flight 2	Target 2
STARTING POINT	Resevoir Central, Resevoir	Alpha Trading Post, Alpha	Conurbation 2, Downtown

MY INITIAL SET-UP I almost always start out as a Scavenger and go straight to Psycho Bob's 1 for a Plasma Kannon followed by Software Shack 1 to get an extra level of Power and Target. The second level of power gives me a "Recharge Rate" bar on my HUD which tells me when I'm centered in a Light Well. The extra Target helps when you hit Moths that are all bigger and faster than you (and they all are at this stage). Don't spend much on your initial Moth unless you can remove it later and add it to your next Moth: i.e. cannonry, pod, and drone. My suggestions for immediate upgrades are listed below.

TIPS FOR TRADERS I really don't recommend starting as a Trader. You've got a weak software package that includes Auto-Pilot, and no Drone. Your Small Pod won't carry much at one time and you're too slow to outrun any serious pirate. I suggest buying a Plasma Kannon and bounty hunting until you can afford a Drone. Dump the Auto-Pilot and get Power 2 ASAP. Better yet, start out as a Scavenger.

TIPS FOR AGGRESSORS You've got plenty of weaponry and software here. There's no need for any immediate upgrades, but you need to consider a Pod and Drone as soon as you get a total of around $12-13,000. The Swarm missiles really help to soften your bigger enemies and the Plasma Kannon is priceless. This is a good choice for new bounty hunters. As you gain piloting skills, the Swarms won't be as handy and a Pod and Drone will be more useful. Remember that your Swarm missiles and software can't be removed and transferred to another Moth. This is the biggest strike against starting as an Aggressor. Of course, it always breaks your heart to shoot down someone with 15 units of Narcotics and no Pod and Drone to salvage them with.

TIPS FOR SCAVENGERS This is where I generally start. You've got a Pod and Drone and fair software package. What you're lacking is weaponry. As I said above, I go right to Psycho Bob's 1 and get a Plasma Kannon fitted and then to a Software Shack to get Power 2 and Target 2. Yes, it's expensive and you'll only have a few hundred left, but you've invested wisely. A little bounty hunting and pirating and you'll have enough to get a better Moth in no time.