Wow, trying to get enough money for a better ship feels impossible. I haven't tried mining in the red areas yet, but orange isn't necessarily better. Sure, a couple places in the orange areas have good prices, but it's not like all orange areas do.

So, I purchased a blueprint. Making 40nm PCB didn't really help much. Sure, more per piece, but way longer gathering materials and making that piece. Waste of money, I shoulda saved for a better ship.

I explored around a bit and took lots of notes. I figured out that I can make much better (not good, just better than 32 copper ore pays) profits on 30nm PCB. I quickly recovered my money and promptly bought the 20nm PCB blueprints ... only to discover it's just a money pit. I don't know what 20nm PCB is used for, but it's a great way to waste a whole lot of time for very little in return.

I did a little more research as I re-built my satoshi pile and decided to purchase the Small Casing blueprints. The only way to know what's inside is to buy, so I bought. Boo hoo ... Nickel Plates? are you fckng kidding me? I've never seen any Nickel Ore - I can't imagine having 10 of them to make my first plate ... but wait! There's more! Each casing requires 2 PLATES! lol, so yea, wasted my money again.

If any of you experienced (or more intelligent) players feel like offering up some "leveling tips", I'm sure the entire community would be grateful.

Until then, try your hand grinding out 30nm PCB's. Shop around for a vendor with a better price. I'm thinking it should only take a month to upgrade my ship. sigh I miss not having a life.

It's definitely more profitable to sell your wares to NPCs in the red zones. Mining is typically better out there too, but you're also way more likely to get shot down.

The best way to earn satoshis in the beginning is to do a missions. Fly from green sector to green sector and in each sector search if there are additional missions on the way that you are on. You can easily have 8 missions on you. I suggest buying additional basic engine its dirty cheap something like 10k satoshi and it makes you fly 100% faster. When you get money from missions next buy is a privateer ship. I know its a long way but its only something like 400 missions, and if you are lucky and play smart you can make 5 or more missions near eachother so its like 5 mission in one go.

BTW if you want some help in game join my squad.