Did something ill advised and recently got KoS status in Serco. I can't afford and don't really want to use the mission to regain docking privileges, so it seems my only option is botting, but I can't make it through the border defenses, even with the fast charge cell, but I haven't tried any really light ships, cause I would like to level heavy weapons if I'm gonna bot for hours.
Any recommendations for a good fast ship with a large port? Any general hints or tips on regaining enough status to dock again?

You should be able to do it with a Warthog Mk II and a fast charge cell but you'll still need to dodge the flares because a couple of hits will kill you. Missiles and SF shouldn't be a problem if you keep moving. I used to do it all the time in UIT but UIT had distinct advantages in that once you'd got through, you can shelter in Axia / Valent / Biocom because they're separate sub-factions where you might have a better standing.

Head for bot infested sectors or Unmonitored sectors for rest, but you won't be able to repair anywhere in Serco unfortunately. Storms will probably be your friend too.

As an alternative and theoretically, if you can persuade a friend who is also Serco KoS to accompany you, you can kill him/her once you're in Serco monitored space i.e. at the wormhole before you're through it. This should give you some standing recovery.

Thanks, and yeah, lack of repairs is a concern. Even if I make it though, I can't hunt anything but low level bots if I'm already hurting. I've got the licenses to get the HW I need, but I think I just need to put that on hold while I work on becoming a more skilled pilot. I'm not just a n00b in VO, my flight sim, and gaming in general, isn't much. I'm thinking about playing with some different controller layouts and doing training missions to see what works best for better dodging, though that's getting off topic for this thread.

If you make it through the turret field your next objective is to lose the Strike Force. After that find a nice botting sector, go to town, and don't get hit.

A Hog 2 might do it, a Greyhound definitely will, but my preferred choice is an energy Rag (mark 3).

>lose the strike force

Sheesh. Yeah, I'm definitely not a good enough fighter pilot to accomplish this yet. At least there's plenty to do elsewhere. It's a big universe.

You don't need to shoot back. Just jump in with a hog mk2 and a fast charge cell, find an empty area on the radar with no turrets and hit tab/turbo. You'll easily leave the strike force behind.

Select your route beforehand so you dont lose time doing it and can jump quickly. Do check if the sf is behind you, they'll jump to your location if you let them get within 1000m.

In case you can't find an empty space, just turbo towards a relatively emptier space and check if any of the missiles are heading towards you, correct your course to avoid ramming into them.

One hint too, don't stay in Initros, Dynamic hive there makes it a PITA to bot, run to Rhamus and then head right for Dantia. Ignore Pyronis as this is just another set of turrets to get past and most of the "low level" bot places in Serco space are now also monitored.

But it really is not critical to be able to get into Serco space. Even if you find yourself needing some Serco only cargo it can usually be found in Latos N-2, and most fun is in the grey spaces anyway.

Realistically, grey space or UIT is probably your new home :)

Find a friend to come and repair you every so often.

Each bot gives half point of standing it doesn't matter if it a collector, a guardian, or queen. Go after the easier ones because you should he able to kill them faster.
If you have a friend with a cap ship they may let you dock and repair in it inside serco space.

It shouldn't take more than 2.5 hours to recover your standing by botting. Like Rolflor says, get a friend with a capship or hire someone with a capship.

As for ships/load outs, i like dual posi. A hog II works good for hopping borders. Just find a collector sector and go to town.

You have to wait for the sector to go to sleep or the turrets will kill you before the jump animation returns control of your ship. Wait 15 minutes between attempts and for best results try it during non-peak times.

Regarding losing the strikeforce, a hog2 is your best bet and will allow you to level heavy while you repair standing. Plot a multi-jump path through a bunch of asteroid sectors and turbo through the asteroids between jumps. You'll lose them after a few jumps.