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by teh_klev 2575 days ago
> I assume you were a fuel rat for Elite 3

No, these are actual In-Real-Life-People. Maybe parent got their dates a wee bit wrong.

When I started playing Elite:Dangerous (circa release date 2014?) I ran out of fuel in a system I couldn't refuel in (wrong type of sun or something like that)...and so was stuck. The only way out was to self destruct.

After some googling I discovered the Fuel Rats on Reddit and then their IRC channel. So as per their S.O.P. I put out a call for assistance on their IRC channel and within 10-15 mins or so one of their crew appeared in-system and refuelled me. I don't like to abuse the word "awesome", but these folks were awesome. They were like the AA or RAC of the galaxy :)

2 comments

> So as per their S.O.P. I put out a call for assistance on their IRC channel

Just one of the greatest things I've ever heard of online.

Do you pay for the service or something?
The service is entirely free, in game and out of game. Fuel Rat 'rescuers' (or just 'fuel rats,' there might be a better term they use) do it for the fun of it. It's an amazing example of emergent gameplay.

I've been saved once or twice by fuel rats. The process is fantastic and seeing the dispatchers in action is fascinating. After they refuel you, they give you a little talk and help you avoid running out of fuel again.