After purchasing your ship and choosing the right modules, you might want to take it a step further by upgrading your components!
The Engineers offer you this possibility, in exchange for Materials that you can find throughout the galaxy.

However, modding is a long and tough project that can take several hours to dozens of hours if you really want to refine the statistics & gameplay of your ship.
Let’s dive into this gameplay, accessible to all players levels (DLC Horizons).

Summary:

 

The Engineers, introduction

The Engineers in Elite: Dangerous represent a set of NPCs (non-player characters) offering their services to enhance your ships.
There are currently 25 Engineers, 4 of them in the Colonia bubble about 22,000 light years from the Sol bubble and 1 in the Witch Head nebula about 900 light years from the Sol.

To use the services of an Engineer, you will have to accomplish multiple objectives in order to gain their trust.
You will have access to their Workshop, from where you can choose Blueprints to improve your different modules.

Beware, the Engineers are specialised and won’t offer every Blueprints for each of your modules, nor will they be able to enhance them to their best. You will have to seek these specialists in various places in order to be able to benefit from their different Blueprints, on levels of enhancements from I to V.

Caution: Note that if you are affiliated with a Powerplay Power, you may not have access to an Engineer who is affiliated with an opposing faction. It is advisable to farm as an Independent if you want to unlock all of them, or stay in Rank I Powerplay, the minimum.

In-game, you can chech a list of Engineers via your right-hand panel. Here, known engineers will be displayed.
Many Engineers do not give their contacts to just anyone, so you will need to gain a reputation with one so that they tell you about another Engineer who will have other skills and so on.

Some Engineers are known from the start, such as Felicity Farseer, an Engineer who specialises in FSD Drives & Thrusters.
It is by building your reputation with her that you can unlock blueprints of higher levels and also get knowledge of another Engineer, in this case: Juri Ishmaak, who has his own specialisations.

To use an Engineer’s workshop is to enhance the capabilities of your ship thanks to Blueprints of different Ranks.
To benefit from these enhancements you must pay the Engineers who request something in exchange: Materials.

For example for Felicity Farseer, if you wish to enhance your FSD Drive at Rank I with the « Increased Range » Blueprint, you will have to give in exchange x1 Atypical disrupted wake echoes.

At Rank II she asks for more Materials, more difficult to obtain, and so on until the maximum Rank she’s able to offer; Here, Rank V because FSD Drives are her specialty.
Some Engineers don’t offer all their Blueprints at Rank V.

Return to summary

 

The Materials, farming

As mentioned earlier, Engineers need Materials to enhance your modules.
There are three types of Materials:

  • The « Elements » are mined on the surface with your SRV or in the asteroids fields with a mining ship: Carbon, Polonium, Yttrium, … // Inventory-Materials
  • The « Manufactured » are gathered from the ships’ wrecks: Mechanical Equipments, Focus Crystals, Thermic Alloys, … // Inventory-Materials
  • The « Data » are obtained by scanning the ships/gathering datapoints/scanning wakes: Divergent Scan Data, Open Symmetric Keys, … // Inventory-Data

 

It is therefore a question of harvesting the right materials in the right places depending on the Engineers’ needs.

Materials Guide, List and Farming Locations

   

Return to summary

 

The Engineers, details

There are three groups of Engineers, one far away on the Colonia bubble (~22k AL from the Sol center), one isolated on the Witch Head nebula, and the other on our Sol bubble: the main cluster of Engineers centered around the solar system.
This is where 20 Engineers (+4 on Colonia and +1 on Witch Nebula) are ready to enhance your modules & ships in exchange for materials, if you have the right contacts and if you completed their access missions.

 

You can find a list of all Engineers on Inara.

Known Engineers: These are engineers accessible without any specific prerequisites allowing you to start modding your ships, increase your reputations and then gaining knowledge of more Engineers. They respect a strict unlocking order, and the n+1 Engineer is available as soon as you reach the Rank « three and a half » on the one you are making progress with.

  • Felicity Farseer || Deciat – Farseer Inc
  • Elvira Martuuk || Khun – Long Sight Base
  • The Dweller || Wyrd – Black Hide
  • Tod ‘The Blaster’ McQuinn || Wolf 397 – Trophy Camp
  • Liz Ryder || Eurybia – Demolition Unlimited

⚠️ Even if a Remote Workshop is available once you have unlocked Engineers, note that it is essential to go to their respective HQ during the progression phase because it is only on-site that you can increase your Ranks from I to V and benefit from all their Blueprints. The Remote Workshop only allows you to pin a single Blueprint from the Engineer’s HQs.

Felicity FarseerJuri IshmaakColonel Bris Dekker | The Sarge

Felicity Farseer

Location: Deciat – Farseer Inc
Allegiance: Federation
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data
Biography: Felicity Farseer is a legendary explorer, who engineered her own improvements to her Asp Explorer early in her career. She is willing to share some of that knowledge with fellow explorers and also operates an extensive training programme for technicians and mechanics heading out into the black. She based herself here at her father’s mining and refinery facility, though in fact her operation is separate. Develop your relationship with her to learn about another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Gain an Explorer rank of Scout
  • Provide 1 unit of Meta-Alloys

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • 1 Meta-Alloy unit available on the planetary base of Darnielle’s Progress, in the system Maia.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: FSD Drive
  • Rank 3: Thrusters, Sensors, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 1: Shield Booster, FSD Interceptor, Powerplant
Juri Ishmaak

Location: Giryak – Pater’s Memorial
Allegiance: Federation
Reputation: Workshop + Combat and Bounty Hunting bounties
Biography: Juri Ishmaak is an ambitious combat specialist whose father was a pilot in a mercenary wing. He followed in his father’s footsteps operating with the wing. He believes in careful preparation before any combat. After retiring from combat he set up a base of operations to focus on his passion for engineering. Develop your relationship with him to learn about another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Felicity Farseer
  • Earn 50 Combat Bond
  • Provide 100,000 credits worth of Combat Bonds

Tips

  • Combat Guide
  • « Combat Bonds » are done in Conflict Zones
  • You can find Conflict Zones in the systems in War: Credits rewards depend on the ships’ ranks and types.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Mines, Sensors, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 3: Torpedoes, Missiles, Dumbfire Missiles, Warrant Scanner, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner
Colonel Bris Dekker

Location: Sol – Dekker’s Yard
Allegiance: Federation
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Colonel Bris Dekker retired with full honours a decade ago. He served as a Federal Navy officer as part of an elite recon squadron and has an almost natural affinity for frame shift technology. Even though he is retired, the navy call on him to evaluate any changes or upgrades. His facility has recently been vastly upgraded to support the training courses that he provides as well as his regular workshops. Develop your relationship with him to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Juri Ishmaak
  • Gain Friendly or higher reputation with the Federation
  • Provide 1,000,000 credits worth of Combat Bonds

Tips:

  • Combat Guide
  • You can increase your Federal reputation rank by doing missions between the « Ceos » and « Sothis » systems (back & forth) with the factions affiliated to the Federation, through the missions panel.
  • You can find Conflict Zones in the systems in War: Credits rewards depend on the ships’ ranks and types.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 4: FSD Interceptor
  • Rank 3:  FSD Drive
The Sarge

Location: Beta-3 Tucani – The Beach
Allegiance: Federation
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data + Bounty Hunting bounties
Biography: No one knows The Sarge’s real name and he won’t reveal it, even to close friends. He’s an ex-Federal Navy specialist who worked closely with the now defunct Colonial Drones Corporation, and later with the drone division of Core Dynamics, in tweaking drone controllers and long range patrol support systems. His reputation is such that he’s attracted followers who learn from him and have built up a range of facilities around his initially modest operations.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Juri Ishmaak
  • Gain a Federal Navy rank of Midshipman
  • Provide 50 units of Aberrant Shield Pattern Analysis

Tips:

  • You can increase your Federal reputation rank by doing missions between the « Ceos » and « Sothis » systems (back & forth) with the factions affiliated to the Federation, through the missions panel.
  • The Aberrant Shield Pattern Analysis can be collected via a standard scan, mainly from combat ships.
  • Materials Guide

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Collector Limpets, Refuel Limpets, Hatch-Breaker Limpets, Prospector Limpets, Cannons
  • Rank 3: Railguns

 

Elvira MartuukMarco Qwent | Mel Brandon | Zacariah NemoProfesseur Palin | Lori Jameson | Chloe Sedesi

Elvira Martuuk

Location: Khun – Long Sight Base
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data
Biography: Elvira Martuuk is a well known explorer although she is rumoured to have once been a deadly assassin before heading out into black. Some have claimed she needed to ‘cool off’ after a particularly high profile case, so went exploring, but Elvira denies it. She is fascinated by all things alien, and has become expert at spotting human fakes. Her reputation is such that her base is rarely troubled by freebooters. She believes in being self-sufficient, and her tight-knit group grows all their own food. Develop your relationship with her to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Travel a distance of 300 light years or more from career start system
  • Provide 3 units of Soontill Relics

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • 1 Unit of Soontill Relic available at Cheranovsky City, system « Ngurii ».

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: FSD Drive
  • Rank 3: Shield Generator
  • Rank 2: Thrusters
  • Rank 1: Shield Cells
Marco Qwent

Location: Sirius – Qwent Research Base
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Marco Qwent is an ex Sirius Corp. tech guru. Such is his technical talent he’s allowed some latitude with what he works on and who he works with, as long as Sirius Corp, receive the appropriate recognition. They support his efforts by maintaining a significant base for him to operate from. Develop your relationship with him to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Elvira Martuuk
  • Attain an Allied relationship with the Sirius Corporation minor faction to receive the Sirius permit, and then acquire an invitation mission from Sirius Corporation at Patterson Enterprise, station
  • Provide 25 units of Modular Terminals

Tips:

  • To increase your Reputation with « Sirius Corporation« , you have to complete missions in one of the systems where the faction is. The more « + » you have in the missions’ rewards, the faster your reputation will increase. (ex: ++ < +++++)
  • Modular Terminals are often received as Missions rewards in the sustem economies « High-Tech » in a « Boom » State.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 4: Power Plant
  • Rank 3: Power Distributor
Mel Brandon

Location: Luchtaine – The Brig
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Mel Brandon is a specialist in laser-based weaponry, shields, frame shift drives and engines. He was dishonourably discharged from the Federal Defence Force for disobeying a senior officer who ordered a combat strike on a labour protest, but he was popular in the service, and retains some useful contacts. Many of his comrades-in-arms have since joined him in his business.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Elvira Martuuk
  • Attain a Cordial or higher relationship with the Colonia Council minor faction to receive an invitation mission
  • Provide 100,000 credits worth of bounty vouchers against The Nameless minor faction.

Tips:

  • Don’t leave Colonia before you received the invitations of the 4 Engineers in the sector.
  • Farm your 100,000 credits in the bubble first before you pay a visit to Mel Brandon. As you can sell any bounties and not just only the ones from « The Nameless », it will save you time in Colonia.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: FSD Drive, Thrusters, Shield Generator, Burst Lasers, Pulse Lasers, Beam Lasers, FSD Interceptor, Shield Booster
  • Rank 4: Shield Cells
Zacariah Nemo

Location: Yoru – Nemo Cyber Party Base
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Zacariah has been at the centre of a small cult-like commune for decades now, the Nemo Cyber Party. Rumour has it that he has a cyber-enhanced brain, and can take vast information dumps directly to it. His skill with weapons manufacturing and modification is made available to those favoured by the Party. He has attracted a growing group of « cyber-freaks » who are usually shunned in normal society. He has a vast collection of automata. Develop your relationship with him to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Elvira Martuuk
  • Attain a Friendly or higher relationship with the Party of Yoru minor faction to receive an invitation mission.
  • Provide 25 units of Xihe Biomorphic Companions

Tips:

  • To increase you reputation with « Party of Yoru« , you have to complete missions in one of the systems where the faction is. The more « + » you have in the missions’ rewards, the faster your reputation will increase. (ex: ++ < +++++).
  • The « Xihe Biomorphic Companions » can be bought in the system « Xihe« , station Zhen dock.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Frag Cannons
  • Rank 3: Multi-cannons
  • Rank 2: Plasma Accelerator
Professeur Palin

Location: Arque – Abel Laboratory
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: For most of his career Professor Palin worked for the Federation, but when his research programme was abruptly terminated, he decided to establish an independent team dedicated to studying the Unknown Artefacts, meta-alloys, and all things alien, especially if there is a suggestion it relates to Thargoids. After receiving a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor, he set up a permanent research base in Maia, far outside human space and its regulations, focused on the development of new defence technologies.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Marco Qwent
  • Travel a distance of 5,000 light years or more from career start system
  • Provide 25 units of Sensor Fragments

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • You can do this quickly by overloading your FSD on « Neutron Stars«  to jump farther than your standard jump range. Pay a visit to « Crab Sector DL-Y D9 » and explore the nebula!
  • The « Sensor Fragments » can be collected near a Thargoids crash site, system « HIP 17403 » planet A4A (Coord: -34 -141). Use your SRV and open fire on the aliens items. Once you have collected the fragments, log out and back in to do it again until you get 25 fragments.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Thrusters
  • Rank 3: FSD Drive
Lori Jameson

Location: Shinrarta Dezhra – Jameson Base
Allegiance: Independant
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data
Biography: Lori Jameson is one of the great granddaughters of John Jameson, the most famous Pilots Federation member ever. She is an accomplished explorer in her own right and has developed various techniques for improved automated systems. Her facility is popular with those seeking to prepare their ships for extended operations in deep space, and she makes sure they have pleasant surroundings while they await their upgrades.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Marco Qwent
  • Gain a Combat rank of Dangerous or higher. Jameson Base is located in Shinrarta Dezhra, which requires a Founders World Permit to access. Most pilots will only receive a Founders World Permit after gaining a rank of Elite in Combat, Trade, or Exploration
  • Provide 25 units of Kongga Ale

Tips:

  • Combat Guide
  • AX Combat Guide
  • The Thargoids are all considered to be « Elite » ranks, and it is possible to shoot down the « Scouts » (the smallest ones) only with conventional weapons such as the Multi-cannon (AX) or Lasers type.
  • The « Kongaa Ale » can be bought in the system « Kongga« , station Laplace Ring.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Sensors, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 4: Refineries, Fuel Scoop, AFMU, Life Support
  • Rank 3: Warrant Scanner, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner
Chloé Sedesi

Location: Shenve – Cinder Dock
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data
Biography: Chloe Sedesi served a number of artificer apprenticeships before joining Professor Ishmael Palin’s staff as a mechanic. She swiftly became a vital team member, displaying a remarkable aptitude for a variety of technical disciplines. When the Witch Head enclave was established, Chloe resigned from Palin’s team and, with his blessing, traveled to Cinder Dock to offer the techniques she had learned at the Palin Research Institute.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Marco Qwent
  • Travel a distance of 5,000 light years or more from career start system
  • Provide 25 units of Sensor Fragments

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • You can do this quickly by overloading your FSD on « Neutron Stars«  to jump farther than your standard jump range. Pay a visit to « Rosette Sector CQ-Y d59 » and explore the nebula!
  • The « Sensor Fragments » can be collected near a Thargoids crash site, system « HIP 17403 » planet A4A (Coord: -34 -141). Use your SRV and open fire on the aliens items. Once you have collected the fragments, log out and back in to do it again until you get 25 fragments.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Thrusters
  • Rank 4: FSD Drive

 

The DwellerMarsha Hicks | Lei ChungRam Tah

The Dweller

Location: Wyrd – Black Hide
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: The Dweller is a mysterious contact in the Aganippe underworld. No-one knows his background, and he and his small group of mysterious like-minded individuals closely guard his identity, and that of their best customers. He is renowned for custom modifications for local criminal elements. He is known to help outsides who have the right contacts and operates an extensive workshop facility. They are also said to grow their own variant of Onionhead for private consumption. Rumour has it they did a deal with Georgio Algeria or one of his entourage to help them in their fight against the Federation. Develop your relationship with him to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Trade with at least 5 different Black Markets
  • Provide 500,000 Credits

Tips:

  • Seek black markets and sell illegal items such as slaves, military weapons, narcotics, … Don’t be scanned by the police!

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Power Distributor
  • Rank 4: Pulse Lasers
  • Rank 3: Burst Lasers, Beam Lasers
Marsha Hicks

Location: Tir – The Watchtower
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Il y a bien longtemps que Marsha Hicks a cessé de compter ses séjours en prison. Elle a décidé de rentrer dans le droit chemin après la mort de sa fille survenue au cours de l’attaque des Thargoids sur Bahl. Le relationnel n’est pas vraiment son fort, mais il faut bien gagner sa vie. Et le travail d’ingénieur vaut mieux qu’un énième séjour en prison.
Prerequisites:

  • Via The Dweller
  • Gain an Explorer rank of Surveyor or highe
  • Provide 10 units of mined Osmium

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • Mining Guide
  • Don’t leave Colonia before you received the invitations of the 4 Engineers in the sector.
  • To increase your Exploration Rank, you can run a « Road to Riches«  (a very lucrative exploration road) or this one.
  • Osmium is mined using a simple mining laser, a refinery, prospecting drones and collector drones on metallic rings, it is a fairly easy resource to find in systems. When there are several rings on the same celestial body, the first ring indicated is always the one closest to the planet [from the inside (Ring A) to the outside (Ring B)]

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Collector Limpets, Prospector Limpets, Refineries, Fuel Scoop, Multi-cannons
  • Rank 4: Refuel Limpets, Cannons, Frag Cannons
  • Rank 3: Hatch-Breaker Limpets
Lei Cheung

Location: Laksak – Trader’s Rest
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Lei Cheung grew up in a trade clan of tramp traders. He learned engineering on the job and discovered that he possessed an affinity for shield technology. Even though he receives regular offers, he won’t leave his family. He is willing to help fellow traders though and has built a large operation over the years from this work, with other family members running a scrapping and rebuilding business on the same site. Develop your allegiance with him to learn about another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via The Dweller
  • Trade with a minimum of 50 different markets
  • Provide 200 units of Gold

Tips

  • Trading Guide
  • Mining Guide
  • Get 50 units of inexpensive items (ex: « basic medicine ») and sell only one unit in the market of 50 different stations market from 50 different systems.
  • Gold ores can be bought everywhere in the bubble.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Shield Generator, Sensors, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 3: Shield Boosters
Ram Tah

Location: Meene – Phoenix Base
Allegiance: Independent
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data
Biography: Ram Tah has traveled as far as it is possible to go in the galaxy. Over the years he has collected many strange and unusual items, and he’s always eager to acquire something new and unknown from the black. On his travels he learned the value of limpets and various defense mechanisms, and so spent many years perfecting his craft in improving them.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Lei Cheung
  • Gain an Explorer rank of Surveyor or higher
  • Provide 50 units of Classified Scan Databanks

Tips:

  • Exploration Guide
  • To increase your Exploration Rank, you can run a « Road to Riches«  (a very lucrative exploration road) or this one.
  • Classified Scan Databanks can be obtained through a standard scan of transport ships. If you don’t have enough of a given material, you can always exchange them at Materials Traders for other Materials.
  • Materials Guide

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: ECM, Point Defence, Heasinks, Chaff
  • Rank 4: Collector Limpets, Refuel Limpets, Hatch-Breaker Limpets, Prospector Limpets
  • Rank 3: Hatch-Breaker Limpets

 

Tod « The Blaster » McQuinnPetra Olmanova | Selene JeanDidi Vatermann | Bill Turner

Tod The Blaster McQuinn

Location: Wolf 397 – Trophy Camp
Allegiance: Alliance
Reputation: Workshop + Primes de Chasse au nom de l’Alliance
Biography: Tod Mcquinn earned his nickname from a successful season in the CQC Arena. Since then he’s garnered further fame as a bounty hunter, flying a fer-de-lance with seriously overpowered multi-cannons. He’s always happy to help fellow bounty hunters. For his current venture he’s teamed up with some of his old CQC friends to form a a custom modification enterprise. Develop your relationship with him to learn about another Engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Earn 15 or more Bounty Vouchers
  • Provide 100,000 credits worth of Bounty Vouchers

Tips:

  • Combat Guide
  • You can easily find and kill/collect bounties from Wanted ships in the systems’ Nav Beacons. Find them close to the star via your left-hand panel, Navigation.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Multi-cannons, Railguns
  • Rank 3: Frag Cannons
  • Rank 2: Cannons
Petra Olmanova

Location: Asura – Sanctuary
Allegiance: Alliance
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Petra Olmanova was a specialist combat technician who was believed killed in an explosion at Consolidated Plasma Corp’s primary research facility. However, she survived the disaster relatively unscathed and resurfaced some time later as a freelancer. Her base has since become a sanctuary, and she spurns social interaction unless business is involved.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Felicity Farseer
  • Gain a Combat rank of Expert or higher.
  • Provide 200 units of Progenitor Cells

Tips:

  • Combat Guide
  • Don’t leave Colonia before you received the invitations of the 4 Engineers in the sector.
  • The Thargoids are all considered to be « Elite » ranks, and it is possible to shoot down the « Scouts » (the smallest ones) only with conventional weapons such as the Multi-cannon (AX) or Lasers type.
  • You can find Progenitor Cells everywhere, use Inara.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Hull Reinforcements, Armour, Heatsinks
  • Rank 4: Mines, Missiles, Dumbfire Missiles, Chaff, Point Defence
  • Rank 3: Torpedoes, ECM, AFMU
Selene Jean

Location: Kuk / Prospector’s Rest
Allegiance: Alliance
Reputation: Workshop + Exploration Data + Trading at Market
Biography: A former miner, Selene has a talent for improving a ship’s hull defence, although she only offers her services to fellow prospectors. She’s rumoured to be the daughter of a rock hermit, but she rarely talks about her childhood. As almost a counterpoint to her secluded upbringing she has gathered a robust and trusted team, mostly fellow ex-prospectors, who work alongside her. Her eccentricity extends to her diet, growing a wide range of exotic vegetables to eat, in a wonderfully natural setting. Develop your relationship with her to discover another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Tod McQuinn
  • Mine and refine at least 500 tons of ore
  • Provide 10 units of mined Painite

Tips:

  • Mining Guide
  • Painite is mined using a simple mining laser, a refinery, prospecting drones and collector drones on metallic rings, it is a fairly easy resource to find in systems. When there are several rings on the same celestial body, the first ring indicated is always the one closest to the planet [from the inside (Ring A) to the outside (Ring B)]. Use the Miner’s tool to find the best spots!

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Hull Reinforcements, Armour
Didi Vatermann

Location: Leesti – Vatermann LLC
Allegiance: Alliance
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Didi’s father died several decades ago as a result of a shield-booster malfunction. Since then, Didi has dedicated her life to making shield boosters safer. In recent years her success has been such that she now lives in luxury and has a team of dedicated mechanics helping to implement her designs. Developing a relationship with her will introduce you to another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Selene Jean
  • Gain a Trader rank of Merchant or higher
  • Provide 50 units of Lavian Brandy

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • The « Lavian Brandy » can be bought at Zhen Dock, system « Lave« .

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Shield Booster
  • Rank 3: Shield Generator
Bill Turner

Location: Alioth – Turner Metallics Inc
Allegiance: Alliance
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Bill Turner claims to be the son of the famous but elusive late Mic Turner, and despite his young age he’s reputed to be a wizard with utilities and plasma accelerators
Prerequisites:

  • Via Selene Jean
  • Gain Friendly or higher reputation with the Alliance. Accessing Alioth requires the Alioth permit, which is only issued after gaining an Allied reputation with the Alioth Independents minor faction
  • Deliver 50 Units of Bromellite

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • Mining Guide
  • Settle for a while in the system « Gateway » and perform any type of non-harmful actions in the system such as missions until you get a good reputation! You can check your progress in the right-hand panel => « status » tab => then « Reputation » => Alliance.
  • Bromellite is mined using a simple mining laser, a refinery, prospecting drones and collector drones on metallic rings, it is a fairly easy resource to find in systems. When there are several rings on the same celestial body, the first ring indicated is always the one closest to the planet [from the inside (Ring A) to the outside (Ring B)]. Triple spot of Bromellite known in HIP 20826 planet 6

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Plasma Accelerator, Sensors, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 3: Life Support, Refineries, Fuel Scoop, AFMU, Warrant Scanner, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner

 

Liz RyderEtienne Dorn | Hera TaniBroo Tarquin | Tiana Fortune

Liz Ryder

Location: Eurybia – Demolition Unlimited
Allegiance: Empire
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Liz Ryder is a demolitions expert who used to work for Devastator and Sons, but left to work for a crime syndicate known as the Blue Mafia. Some claim she had a personal relationship with a member of the syndicate and was forced to leave Devastator and Sons when the connection was discovered, starting Demolition Unlimited. The crime organisation quickly saw the merits of her ability and have helped her developed her team into something much bigger. Developing your relationship with her will lead to an invitation from another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Attain a Cordial or higher relationship with the Eurybia Blue Mafia minor faction to receive an invitation mission
  • Provide 200 units of Landmines.

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • To increase your Reputation with « Blue Mafia of Eurybia« , you have to complete missions in one of the systems where the faction is. The more « + » you have in the missions’ rewards, the faster your reputation will increase. (ex: ++ < +++++).
  • You can buy « Landmines«  via Inara.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Missiles, Dumbfire Missiles, Torpedoes
  • Rank 3: Mines
  • Rank 1: Hull Reinforcements, Armour
Etienne Dorn

Location: Los / Kraken’s Retreat
Allegiance: Empire
Reputation: Workshop
Biography: Etienne Dorn used to be the lead shield engineer for Kraken Shield Specialists, but these days he’s mostly self employed. He still shares his developments with his former employers, but he usually offers products to private clients first…for the right price. His burgeoning success has led him to develop state-of-the-art facilities, but he prefers to work with robots to maintain his seclusion.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Liz Ryder
  • Gain a Trader rank of Dealer or higher
  • Provide 25 units of Occupied Escape Pods

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • Don’t leave Colonia before you received the invitations of the 4 Engineers in the sector.
  • You can increase your Trading rank by selling ores and commodities in the stations markets.
  • To find  » Occupied Escape Pods », equip at least one Hatch-Breaker Drone Controller and find a Megaship in distress in the system « Luchtaine » near the jovian planet A1. Once scanned, pirate its hatches and collect the escape pods. Log out and in to get 25 Occupied ones.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Life Support, Power Plant, Power Distributor
  • Rank 4: Plasma Accelerator, Sensors, Warrant Scanner, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner, Railguns
  • Rank 3: Detailed Surface Scanner
Hera Tani

Location: Kuwemaki – The Jet’s Hole
Allegiance: Empire
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Hera Tani’s talent with power-management systems was evident from an early age. She grew up with the Jet Rats gang, keeping in close communication with them at all times, but she will also help those who are friendly with the gang. In turn they have responded to her talents by assigning anyone with sufficient technical ability to work and learn from her. Since their demise she has found favour with a mysterious imperial benefactor. She can put you in contact with another engineer if you develop your relationship with her.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Hera Tani
  • Gain an Imperial Navy rank of Outsider or higher
  • Provide 50 units of Kamitra Cigars

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • You can increase your Imperial rank by running missions between the systems « Ngalinn » and « Mainani » (back & forth) with the factions who pledged allegiance to the Empire. You can accept a maximum of 20 missions and sensible data hauling doesn’t take any space in your cargo.
  • Kamitra Cigars can be bough in the system « Kamitra« , station Hammel Terminal. The quantity of this commodity is quite limited so you might need to run it a few times.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Power Plant, Detailed Surface Scanner
  • Rank 3: Sensors, Power Distributor
Broo Tarquin

Location: Leesti – Vatermann LLC
Allegiance: Empire
Reputation: Workshop + Bounty Hunting bounties
Biography: Broo Tarquin was the founder of Dead-Eye Defence Systems, now part of the Thule Industries. Since he retired from his role as chief designer, he spends his days tinkering in his workshop and drinking exotic tea. Since then, others have joined him in his work and his workshop has expanded into a wider operation, making components from their own smelted alloys. Developing your relationship with him will lead to an invitation to another engineer.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Hera Tani
  • Gain a Combat rank of Competent or higher
  • Provide 50 units of Fujin Tea

Tips:

  • Trading Guide
  • The Thargoids are all considered to be « Elite » ranks, and it is possible to shoot down the « Scouts » (the smallest ones) only with conventional weapons such as the Multi-cannon (AX) or Lasers type.
  • The « Fujin Tea » can be bought in the system « Fujin« , station Futen Spaceport.

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Pulse Lasers, Burst Lasers, Beam Lasers
Tiana Fortune

Location: Achenar – Fortune’s Loss
Allegiance: Empire
Reputation: Workshop + Trading at Market
Biography: Tiana Fortune is an electronic-engineering genius who is rumoured to be the illegitimate child of an Imperial Guard officer. Her own military career was cut short when the circumstances surrounding her birth were revealed, resulting in her expulsion from the guard. Many in her unit demonstrated their loyalty by joining her once they’d complete their service, attracted to the comfortable living Tiana is able to offer them.
Prerequisites:

  • Via Hera Tani
  • Gain Friendly or higher reputation with the Empire. Accessing Achenar requires the Achenar permit, which is only issued after gaining an Imperial Navy rank of Squire.
  • Provide 50 units of Decoded Emission Data.

Tips:

  • You can increase your Imperial rank by running missions between the systems « Ngalinn » and « Mainani » (back & forth) with the factions who pledged allegiance to the Empire. You can accept a maximum of 20 missions and sensible data hauling doesn’t take any space in your cargo.
  • Decoded Emission Data are obtained by scanning combat ships. You just have to target them while they’re in front of you.
  • If you don’t have enough of a given material, you can always exchange them at Materials Traders for other Materials.
  • Materials Guide
  • A well known spot is located in HIP 12099 planet 1B (Jameson Crash Site) where you can collect many Adaptive Encryptors Capture (Rank 5) + Atypical disrupted wake echoes (Rank 4).

Specialisations:

  • Rank 5: Warrant Scanner, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner, Collector Limpets, Refuel Limpets, Hatch-Breaker Limpets, Prospector Limpets, Sensors
  • Rank 3: FSD Interceptor, Detailed Surface Scanner

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How to start modding, the first steps

« Waw, that’s way too much, I don’t get it, I won’t succeed, Obi-wan Kenobi help me, you’re my only hope!! »
Oi, young pilot! You can do it!

To start your adventure with the Engineers, follow these steps:

  1. OK YOU’RE GOING TO SUFFER KIDDO! Let’s take it smoothly: with the right information, it is easy 😉
    1. Engineers are only for Horizons owner, the DLC.
  2. The first Engineer you want to start with is Felicity Farseer. She is a specialist in FSD Drives up to Rank V, allowing you to jump farther by increasing your jump range. It will be easier for you to reach great distances in a short time.
  3. If you want the Rank I FSD Increased Range, you will only need 1 Atypical disrupted wake echoes. You can collect this Material with the Utility Module « Wake Scanner ». Equip it and then wait near the station’s entrance of a highly populated system. The more population there is in a system, the more ships you will encounter at the stations.
    1. Note that Materials don’t get any space in your Cargo. If your ship is destroyed, you won’t loose them, they are stored on your account.
  4. Thanks to the Materials Guide, you knowthat « Atypical disrupted wake echoes » can be found in High Intensity Wake signals. The latter appear when a ship jump from one system to another (Hyperspace jump). If a ship jump in the same system, the amount of energy required is lesser and it forms a Low Intensity Wake signal (Supercruise jump), you don’t want that. When a ship jump, a wake is created. Get closer and scan it with your Utility module to collect your materials. There are several Materials in the same category obtained with High Wakes, so you might have to repeat the operations multiple times. Each scan grants you x3 of the collected Material.
    1. Tip: Collect at least a dozen of it, because using the Blueprint once will not improve the module to 100% of its potential. To perfect a Rank I, you need between 1 and 3 Materials. Rank II will require between 1 and 4 materials. Rank III between 2 and 5. Rank IV between 3 and 6 and Rank V between 6 and 10 of the Materials required.
  5. Equip the best in Class FSD Drive with the highest rank A, the best in-game for your ship.
  6. You already know the existence of Felicity Farseer, but her Workshop isn’t unlocked yet. To unlock it, you will need 1 Meta-Alloy bought in the system « Maia« , planetary station « Darnielle’s Progress« . If you have other friends pilots, they could get a Meta-Alloy for you and bring it back to the bubble, because Maia is quite far: 383 lightyears from Sol… quite a journey! If you are curious enough, you can find Meta-Alloys near Thargoids Structures and Barnacles Sites.
  7. Deliver this Meta-Alloy to Felicity on the system DECIAT, station « Farseer Inc » on the surface of Deciat 6 A. You can find it in your left-hand panel, Navigation, or directly in the System map. Be careful in Open World because the system has a host of pirates and you could easily get interdicted an destroyed. Ask a friend to escort you if needed. Congrats, the Workshop is now unlocked!
  8. Here, choose the Blueprint « Increased Range ». The Rank I asks for the material you farmed earlier. Enhance your FSD Drive until the Rank II is unlocked. Well done, you have enhanced your FSD Drive and increased your jump range!

Usually, that’s how I proceed:

  • Get information on how much of which Materials you will have to farm for the selected module, Blueprint, and Rank.
  • Create a list of Materials you will have to farm.
  • Use the Materials Guide to quickly know where to go and how to collect the Materials. Inara also proposes a list of materials, but here we are giving more hints about how to actually farm your materials in the quickest manner possible while decreasing the amount of game time required.
  • Farm with the best suitable ship, if possible with the highest jump range possible, a SRV, at least one collector drone, a Wake scanner and any module that could help you to collected the wanted materials. You might have to go toes to toes with other ships in combat to collect some materials so: get the right ship for the right situation.
  • Collect as much Materials as you can so you don’t waste time on back & forth journeys.
  • On part farmer avec un vaisseau adapté, so you save time and plan your journey ahead, again to avoid non-needed back & forth.
  • Enhance your modules with the various Engineers, depending on their specialties, and don’t forget to pin the most interesting Blueprint, so you can use it later from any station, thanks to the remote workshop.

If you have any question, let me know in the comments and join the Remlok Discord Community! 🙂

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Sources

Content developed with Xenophys.

Main image taken by Ptitdoux.