How do Stores Work

[Gambit]

So there is obviously some game play function i am missing. But I have only now justy started exploring the star chart. and going ot planets that i didnt have a travel contract telling me to go there and when i get ot systems i have never been and go to the store the stores dont sell any mechs. How do you find stores that carry mech parts , do i need to build a relationship with the local government or the resident faction?

[JanaSzar]

Mechs tend to be rather rare in stores, especially at the start of the game. Best places are usually the higher tech, heavily populated planets, but even then you sometimes end up with no mechs.

[Cutlass Jack]

Honestly whats in a store/hiring hall is randomly determined when you first arrive at a system.

Systems with 'manufacturing' or 'star league' listed on them I think have higher chance of having the good stuff.

[Gambit]

So i ended up traveling to a former star league world cause i had read they have better mechs and the store had nothing?

[TVMAN]

No idea, personally. I only use the stores to sell my surplus 'mechs and I salvage everything I use from the battlefield.

[Cutlass Jack]

Originally posted by Gambit:

So i ended up traveling to a former star league world cause i had read they have better mechs and the store had nothing?

Like I said. Its randomly determined whats in stores. Just a better chance.

You can see it for yourself by making a save at the jumpship just before it hops to another system. If you reload from that save, you can check store inventory once you jump and see what randomly is available. You don't even need to dock to see the store content. You will need to dock to actually buy something.

[Sir Crashalot]

Mech parts occasionally appear in shops, planets with Battlefield, Rich and manufacturing have a higher chance. Whole mechs are very rare and very expensive.

You are better off running missions and building up mechs from salvage.

[Gambit]

thank for the advice

[Homonim]

nope, whats in store is determined by your main story progress which then will add some new random stuff to shop list, but it will always be the same for this playtrough

[Overread]

Also don't forget your respect level. From what I gather the higher this is the better prices you get in the store. I've no idea if it also affects the items that you might possibly get hold of as well.

[Zionblade]

How often does a store refresh/change what it carries?

[Overread]

I've yet to see one actually refresh. It either happens at staged events or when you complete a mission. However in general I find that because of the monthly pay you can't "camp" at a site for very long a often as not you have to fly to a new system for a new contract to keep the money flowing.

[Spazticus]

Originally posted by tzircher:

How often does a store refresh/change what it carries?

If I'm not mistaken, the trigger is the financial report, but (key point) it won't refresh the store for the system that you're currently in. The trick is to go somewhere else, let enough time pass for a new financial report, and then return to the system you wanted.

[Pherdnut]

Originally posted by Spazticus:

Originally posted by tzircher:

How often does a store refresh/change what it carries?

If I'm not mistaken, the trigger is the financial report, but (key point) it won't refresh the store for the system that you're currently in. The trick is to go somewhere else, let enough time pass for a new financial report, and then return to the system you wanted.

That's the way I would code it if I were in a place to code it. Losing a cool item just because Darius got in your face about the financials would be really weak.

[Doombringer]

Stores are rolled when you jump into systems.
You can check a stores inventory as soon as you have jumped into it's system (you don't need to actaully arrive at the planet to do so - you have to get to the planet to buy/sell though.)

Each systems gets a set number of 'special' slots which each get filled with mech part(s) (or full mechs), an upgrade, or a +weapon.
The items available depend on the planets tags.
The weight of all items available are added together, then a number of rolls equal the the planets 'special' slots are made. Each roll fills a slot. Rarer items have a lower weight, so are less likely to be picked.
all planets can get +weapons (blackmarket slightly increases this chance)
[note when I say +weapons, I also count 2ability ++weapons in that group]
planets with manufacturing+rich can get ++weapons (smaller ones: LRM5/10, SRM2/4, AC2/5, SL, ML, Flamer)
planets with manufacturing+rich+research can get ++weapons (larger ones)
planets with research have a high chance to get ++weapons (larger ones)
planets with star league can get ++weapons (larger ones)

planets with manufacturing can get the lowest upgrades
planets with manufacturing+rich can get the low-end upgrades
planets with star league can get the mid-grade upgrades
planets with manufacturing+rich+research can get the better upgrades
planets with manufacturing+rich+research+star league can get the the best upgrades
Note: only 4 such planets: Yuris, Hurik, Victoria, New Vandenburg
Note: the top-end upgrade have a weight of 2 in a pool of 1462 (or 2076 for New Vandenburg)!

planets with mining can get some low-end mechs.
planets with battlefield can get some low-end mechs.
planets with starleague can get some decent mechs. (including weight 1 king crab)
planets with manufacturing can get mech low-end mechs
planets with manufacturing can get mechs based on the owner faction (nothing for independents)
planets with manufacturing+rich can get mid-grade mechs (and decent ones if also Inner Sphere)
planets with manufacturing+rich+research can get good mechs (and banshee, Aurigan Restoration don't get access to this pool though)

Note that Liao worlds have the smallest pool of weapons, which makes them the best place to look for rare items (less low-end garbage filling up the weight pool).

Stores reset on a 30 day timer.