Trading
Overview: Trade is one of the safest ways to make money in the world of Misplaced Optimism. While it is the safest (short of sitting in a hangar and making money off of repairs), it is not without it's hazards. Pirates can make your life hell if you carry expensive cargo or if you don't have the right moth to do it . I designed this section to show pilots how to trade and profit from it with as little loss as possible.

What You Need
First of all you need a Moth. I recommend the Swallow or the Neo-Tiger seeing as they're the fastest and can escape trouble as opposed to fighting it. Next you need a Pod. depending on what you're running I suggest a Small Pod and a Drone (for high value products) or a Largest Pod (low value products). Use the Small Pod and Drone if you want to traffic Cigars, Narcotics, Mach Parts, Comp Comp, and other expensive cargos. Most expensive cargos have specific places to go and it's not nice to have that many goodies along for the ride. It's nice to have a Drone for those times when "100% profit" (pirated goods) is available. If you want to transport Ore, Scrap Metal, Pure Water, Food, and what not, you should get the Largest Pod. Since almost any place will buy Food and Water carry them in Large Quantities along with other inexpensive goods. As you make money, Hangars become necessary. It's nice to have a Hangar in every crater so you can dump goods quick and easy when under fire.

What To Avoid
Trading maybe safer than a lot of other jobs but it's not without it's pitfalls. There are a few things that must be avoided. First, stay away from the Midway, Haven, and Downtown. These places are crawling with greedy pirates that want nothing more than your cargo. I know it may be hard but only traverse these routes if you absolutely have to. Also avoid slow Moths. A Death's Head isn't going to help you be a successful trader... at all.

Good Routes
These are guaranteed trade routes. You will almost always make money on these even if they are a bit risky. If you're really adventurous though, take these products to far away places with alot of crime to increase profits.

Goods	From	To
Narcotics	General Industrial	The Slum / The Waterfront
Huskar Cigars	Bill Moritz	Any Bar in the Highrise, Resevoir, or Riverside craters
Alcohol	Waterfront Booze	The Slum / The Waterfront