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[[File:Nav Beacon Signal Source ED.png|thumb|300px|right|A Nav Beacon, 1 type of System Signal Source]]
'''System Signal Sources''' are encounters in [[star system]]s that can be targeted as a destination and traveled to via [[supercruise]]. They typically indicate the presence of at least 1 ship or artificial object in normal space. The name of the signal source denotes the kind of ship that may be found there and what activities are taking place. [[Unidentified Signal Source]]s are a subset of signal sources that must be targeted and scanned to reveal what they are.


:''Not to be confused with [[Unidentified Signal Source]]s, which are a subcategory of System Signal Sources.''
== Signal Source types ==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Name
!Type
! Notes
|-
|[[Armed Revolt]]
|[[Powerplay]]
|An Armed Revolt is a [[Powerplay]]-related SSS specific to [[Yuri Grom]]. It is similar to a [[Conflict Zone]], but contains [[ships]] aligned to a [[Power]] battling against a system's defense forces.
|-
|[[AX Conflict Zone]]
|[[Event]]
|Appears in systems affected by the Incursion state. Successive waves of hostile Thargoid Interceptors and Thargoid Scouts will attack at these signal sources.
|-
|[[Checkpoint]]
|[[:Category:Events|Event]]
| Spawns during Civil Wars with one party being a controlling minor faction.
|-
|[[Conflict Zone]]
|[[Event]]
|Can spawn as Low, Medium or High Intensity.  


[[File:Peek_of_the_week_11.png|thumb|200px|A beacon floating in space]]Signal sources are visible in space while [[Supercruise|supercruising]] through a [[star system]]. These are overlayed on the [[Ship Canopy|ship canopy]].
*Created during [[Influence#Civil War|Civil War]] or [[Influence#War|War]]. You can temporarily align yourself to one of the factions and will receive combat bonds for the destruction of enemy ships.
*The amount you get from each combat bond depends the ship you destroyed
*(assuming one spawns) Earn 150,000 CR for routing a capital ship
|-
|[[Convoy Beacon]]
|[[:Category:Events|Event]]
|Much like a conflict zone where trade convoys have been interdicted and attacked.
|-
|[[Crime Sweep]]
|[[Powerplay]]
|[[Arissa Lavigny-Duval]]'s Expansion special conflict zone.
|-
|[[Cruise Ship]]
|SSS
|Spawns in shipping lanes.
|-
|[[Debris Field]]
|Persistent
|Lots of debris can be found here.
|-
|[[Experimental Habitat]]
|Persistent
|An artificial variant of [[Notable Stellar Phenomena]]. Entities within cannot be scanned for [[Codex]] data.
|-
|[[Hotspot]]
|Persistent
|A persistent [[Miner|mining]] location found within [[Planetary Ring Systems]] that contain a high concentration of [[Seismic Charge Launcher|crackable]] "motherlode" [[asteroids]] with a specific [[Commodities#Minerals|mineral resource]].
|-
|[[Listening post]]
|Persistent
|Deep-space probe with signaling tech that are manufactured by [[Sirius Corporation]] with cooperation from the [[Mars High]] Astrocartography department.
|-
|[[Megaship]]
|Persistent, [[Capital Ship]]
|These show up as a signal source in a star system. They are not displayed in the System Map. Some Megaships can be looted for cargo, data and materials. Check the [[Salvager]] career.
|-
|[[Powerplay|Military Strike]]
| [[Powerplay]]
|[[Zachary Hudson]] or [[Denton Patreus]] Expansion special conflict zone.
|-
|[[Nav Beacon]]
| Persistent
|These locations are located close to the primary star of every inhabited star system. These locations spawn a variety of NPCs. The most commonly spawned NPC types are traders, freighter convoys, smugglers, bounty hunters, pirates, wanted, and security vessels.
|-
|[[Notable Stellar Phenomena]]
|Persistent
|Signal sources containing unique organic and inorganic entities that can be scanned for [[Codex]] data.
|-
|[[Pirate Activity Detected]]
|[[:Category:Events|Event]]
|High threat (5-7) signal sources populated by several pirate ships from various criminal factions. These ships are heavily-armed and piloted by high-ranking pilots; some ships may also be [[Engineers|Engineered]].
|-
|[[Resistance Pocket]]
|[[Powerplay]]
|[[Archon Delaine]] Expanson special conflict zone.
|-
| [[Resource Extraction Site]]
|Persistent
|The rewards here are higher but equally the NPC's are harder than the Nav Beacons. You DO NOT need to join a faction here. You simply target other ships, scan them and if one of them is wanted you take them out and, if they have cargo, steal their haul which you can sell on the black market. These areas, along with Nav Beacons, are full of pirates and bounty hunters. A Resource Extraction Site outside of a planetary ring is far less likely to contain NPCs.
|-
|[[Rogue Signal Source]]
|[[Event]]
|Visible at a very long distance, up to 3 light-years. These turned into [[Thargoid Maelstrom|Thargoid Maelstroms]].
|-
|[[Salvageable Wreckage]]
|[[Event]]
|Contains [[Cargo Canister|cargo canisters]] to be salvaged.
|-
|Seeking Foods
|SSS
|Minor factions affected by [[Famine]] are looking for [[Food Cartridges]] here.
|-
|Seeking Meds
| SSS
|At this location, [[Basic Medicines]] are sought and can be sold for a good price. "Seeking Meds" appear, if a faction is in state "Outbreak" (see also [[Faction State]]).
|-
| Seeking Weapons
| Persistent
|Sometimes seen near conflict zones and in systems in a state of War or Civil War. Similar to 'Seeking Meds' only in this case weapons are the items being sought. Further investigation is needed to ascertain if armour and all weapon types can be sold at these locations.
|-
|[[Tourist Beacon]]
|Persistent
|Gives information on history or (non-living) nature in systems. Usually found at Tourist Spots above celestial bodies. Cruise ships and "taxi" ships may fly nearby.
|-
|[[Unregistered Comms Beacon]]
|Persistent
|An automated communications [[satellite]] that transmits audio messages at regular intervals.
|-
|[[Violent Protest]]
|[[Powerplay]]
| [[Simguru Pranav Antal]] Expansion special conflict zone.  
|}


== Signal Source Types ==
==Unidentified Signal Source==
These are the types of designated signal sources:
{{Main|Unidentified Signal Source}}


==== Conflict Zone ====
USS are a subcategory of signal sources.
* [[Conflict Zone]] - can spawn as Low or High Intensity
*[[Unidentified Signal Source]]  
** Created during [[Influence#Civil War|Civil War]] or [[Influence#War|War]]. You can temporarily align yourself to one of the factions and will receive combat bonds for the destruction of enemy ships.
**Once scanned, Unidentified Signal Sources will resolve into one of several subtypes. They may contain squadrons of pirates, large 'wanted' cargo vessels (which you can destroy and steal the cargo without becoming wanted yourself) and sometimes just empty space with low value cargo laying around. Typically these areas have more than one bad guy, so you can visit these locations without being attacked (as long as you don't have cargo) and have a look around, but bounty hunting or piracy at these sites may require a combat focused ship due to the random nature of the encounter (there may be Anacondas!).
** The amount you get from each combat bond depends the ship you destroyed
**Assassination missions require you to visit these sites in order to locate the target. Usually you will find a damaged trade convoy that will tell you the last known location of the target, but are usually no more specific than a system.
** (assuming one spawns) Earn 150,000 CR for routing a capital ship
 
* [[Powerplay]] Conflict Zones:
** [[Military Strike]]
*** [[Zachary Hudson]] or [[Denton Patreus]] [[Expansion]] special conflict zone.
** [[Crime Sweep]]
*** [[Arissa Lavigny-Duval]]'s [[Expansion]] special conflict zone.
** [[Resistance Pocket]]
*** [[Archon Delaine]] [[Expanson]] special conflict zone.
** [[Violent Protest]]
*** [[Simguru Pranav Antal]] [[Expansion]] special conflict zone.
 
==== Convoy Beacon ====
* [[Convoy Beacon]]
** Much like conflict zone where trade convoys have been interdicted and attacked.
 
==== Checkpoint ====
* [[Checkpoint]]
** Spawns during Civil Wars with one party being a controlling minor faction.
 
==== Debris Field ====
* [[Debris Field]]
** Lots of debris can be found here.
 
==== Nav Beacon ====
* [[Nav Beacon]]
** These locations are located close to the primary star of every inhabited star system. These locations spawn a variety of NPCs. The most commonly spawned NPC types are traders, freighter convoys, smugglers, bounty hunters, pirates, wanted, and security vessels.
 
==== Notable Stellar Phenomena ====
* [[Notable Stellar Phenomena]]
** Signal sources containing unique organic and inorganic entities.
 
==== Pirate Activity Detected ====
* [[Pirate Activity Detected]]
** High threat (5-7) signal sources populated by several pirate ships from various criminal factions. These ships are heavily-armed and piloted by high-ranking pilots; some ships may also be [[Engineers|Engineered]].
 
==== Resource Extraction Site ====
* [[Resource Extraction Site]]
** The rewards here are higher but equally the NPC's are harder than the Nav Beacons. You DO NOT need to join a faction here. You simply target other ships, scan them and if one of them is wanted you take them out and, if they have cargo, steal their haul which you can sell on the black market. These areas, along with Nav Beacons, are full of pirates and bounty hunters. A Resource Extraction Site outside of a planetary ring is far less likely to contain NPCs.
 
==== Weak Signal Source ====
* [[Weak Signal Source]]
** Weak signal sources *tend* to imply that few vessels are present. These most times contain [[Salvage|salvageable cargo]], almost always illicit and must be sold at black markets. Some missions require you to investigate these sites and locate specific items adrift in space.
 
==== Strong Signal Source ====
* [[Strong Signal Source]]
** Strong signal sources *tend* to imply that many vessels are present. Be aware of elevated risk when investigating strong signal sources. Flying as a wing may help: there’s normally safety in numbers.
 
==== Seeking Luxuries ====
* [[Seeking Luxuries]]
** This signal source was removed in February 2015 for balance reasons<ref>https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=110112&p=1718471&viewfull=1#post1718471</ref>. It was supposed to spawn traders in large freighters who buy luxury goods. They only bought [[Performance Enhancers]], a possible placeholder for future variety.
 
==== Seeking Meds ====
* [[Seeking Meds]]
** At this location, [[Basic Medicines]] are sought and can be sold for a good price. "Seeking Meds" appear, if a faction is in state "Outbreak" (see also [[Faction State]]).
 
==== Seeking Weapons ====
*[[Seeking Weapons]]
**Sometimes seen near conflict zones and in systems in a state of War or Civil War. Similar to 'Seeking Meds' only in this case weapons are the items being sought. Further investigation is needed to ascertain if armour and all weapon types can be sold at these locations.
 
==== Seeking Foods ====
*[[Seeking Foods]]
**Minor factions affected by [[Famine]] are looking for [[Food Cartridges]] here.


==== Salvageable Wreckage ====
====Non-Human Signal Source====  
*[[Salvageable Wreckage]]
*Unidentified Signal Sources can become [[Non-Human Signal Source]]s. These usually contain encounters with [[Thargoids|Thargoid]].
**Contains canisters to be salvaged.


==== Thargoid Conflict Zone ====
==Notes==  
*[[Thargoid Conflict Zone]]
*Over time, some System Signal Sources were removed from ''[[Elite Dangerous]]'', either for balance purposes or because they were being replaced by other signal sources that served similar purposes. Removed signal sources include:
**Appears in systems affected by the [[Thargoid Incursion]] state. Successive waves of hostile [[Thargoid Interceptor]]s and [[Thargoid Scout]]s will attack at these signal sources.
**Weak Signal Source - Implied the presence of a small number of ships. Involved in missions. Often contained NPC smugglers with contraband.
**Strong Signal Source - Implied the presence of a large number of ships. Involved in missions. Often contained NPC pirates and criminals.
**Seeking Luxuries - Spawned traders in large freighters who would purchase [[Performance Enhancers]].


== Unidentified Signal Source ==
==Videos==
USS are a subcategory of signal sources.
<gallery>
* [[Unidentified Signal Source]]
File:ELITE DANGEROUS - Irregular Signal Source Collected-2
** Once scanned, Unidentified Signal Sources will resolve into one of several subtypes. They may contain squadrons of pirates, large 'wanted' cargo vessels (which you can destroy and steal the cargo without becoming wanted yourself) and sometimes just empty space with low value cargo laying around. Typically these areas have more than one bad guy, so you can visit these locations without being attacked (as long as you don't have cargo) and have a look around, but bounty hunting or piracy at these sites may require a combat focused ship due to the random nature of the encounter (there may be Anacondas!).
File:Elite Dangerous - General Commentary - The Ideal Signal Source
** Assassination missions require you to visit these sites in order to locate the target. Usually you will find a damaged trade convoy that will tell you the last known location of the target, but are usually no more specific than a system.
</gallery>


==== Non-Human Signal Source ====
==References==
* Unidentified Signal Sources can become [[Non-Human Signal Source]]s. These usually contain encounters with [[Thargoids|Thargoid]]. Non-Human Signal Sources are most common in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]].
<references />


== References ==
{{SignalSourcesNavbox}}
<references />{{SignalSourcesNavbox}}
[[ru:Типы сигналов]]
[[zh:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Guides]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 17 June 2025

File:Nav Beacon Signal Source ED.png
A Nav Beacon, 1 type of System Signal Source

System Signal Sources are encounters in star systems that can be targeted as a destination and traveled to via supercruise. They typically indicate the presence of at least 1 ship or artificial object in normal space. The name of the signal source denotes the kind of ship that may be found there and what activities are taking place. Unidentified Signal Sources are a subset of signal sources that must be targeted and scanned to reveal what they are.

Signal Source types

Name Type Notes
Armed Revolt Powerplay An Armed Revolt is a Powerplay-related SSS specific to Yuri Grom. It is similar to a Conflict Zone, but contains ships aligned to a Power battling against a system's defense forces.
AX Conflict Zone Event Appears in systems affected by the Incursion state. Successive waves of hostile Thargoid Interceptors and Thargoid Scouts will attack at these signal sources.
Checkpoint Event Spawns during Civil Wars with one party being a controlling minor faction.
Conflict Zone Event Can spawn as Low, Medium or High Intensity.
  • Created during Civil War or War. You can temporarily align yourself to one of the factions and will receive combat bonds for the destruction of enemy ships.
  • The amount you get from each combat bond depends the ship you destroyed
  • (assuming one spawns) Earn 150,000 CR for routing a capital ship
Convoy Beacon Event Much like a conflict zone where trade convoys have been interdicted and attacked.
Crime Sweep Powerplay Arissa Lavigny-Duval's Expansion special conflict zone.
Cruise Ship SSS Spawns in shipping lanes.
Debris Field Persistent Lots of debris can be found here.
Experimental Habitat Persistent An artificial variant of Notable Stellar Phenomena. Entities within cannot be scanned for Codex data.
Hotspot Persistent A persistent mining location found within Planetary Ring Systems that contain a high concentration of crackable "motherlode" asteroids with a specific mineral resource.
Listening post Persistent Deep-space probe with signaling tech that are manufactured by Sirius Corporation with cooperation from the Mars High Astrocartography department.
Megaship Persistent, Capital Ship These show up as a signal source in a star system. They are not displayed in the System Map. Some Megaships can be looted for cargo, data and materials. Check the Salvager career.
Military Strike Powerplay Zachary Hudson or Denton Patreus Expansion special conflict zone.
Nav Beacon Persistent These locations are located close to the primary star of every inhabited star system. These locations spawn a variety of NPCs. The most commonly spawned NPC types are traders, freighter convoys, smugglers, bounty hunters, pirates, wanted, and security vessels.
Notable Stellar Phenomena Persistent Signal sources containing unique organic and inorganic entities that can be scanned for Codex data.
Pirate Activity Detected Event High threat (5-7) signal sources populated by several pirate ships from various criminal factions. These ships are heavily-armed and piloted by high-ranking pilots; some ships may also be Engineered.
Resistance Pocket Powerplay Archon Delaine Expanson special conflict zone.
Resource Extraction Site Persistent The rewards here are higher but equally the NPC's are harder than the Nav Beacons. You DO NOT need to join a faction here. You simply target other ships, scan them and if one of them is wanted you take them out and, if they have cargo, steal their haul which you can sell on the black market. These areas, along with Nav Beacons, are full of pirates and bounty hunters. A Resource Extraction Site outside of a planetary ring is far less likely to contain NPCs.
Rogue Signal Source Event Visible at a very long distance, up to 3 light-years. These turned into Thargoid Maelstroms.
Salvageable Wreckage Event Contains cargo canisters to be salvaged.
Seeking Foods SSS Minor factions affected by Famine are looking for Food Cartridges here.
Seeking Meds SSS At this location, Basic Medicines are sought and can be sold for a good price. "Seeking Meds" appear, if a faction is in state "Outbreak" (see also Faction State).
Seeking Weapons Persistent Sometimes seen near conflict zones and in systems in a state of War or Civil War. Similar to 'Seeking Meds' only in this case weapons are the items being sought. Further investigation is needed to ascertain if armour and all weapon types can be sold at these locations.
Tourist Beacon Persistent Gives information on history or (non-living) nature in systems. Usually found at Tourist Spots above celestial bodies. Cruise ships and "taxi" ships may fly nearby.
Unregistered Comms Beacon Persistent An automated communications satellite that transmits audio messages at regular intervals.
Violent Protest Powerplay Simguru Pranav Antal Expansion special conflict zone.

Unidentified Signal Source

Main article: Unidentified Signal Source

USS are a subcategory of signal sources.

  • Unidentified Signal Source
    • Once scanned, Unidentified Signal Sources will resolve into one of several subtypes. They may contain squadrons of pirates, large 'wanted' cargo vessels (which you can destroy and steal the cargo without becoming wanted yourself) and sometimes just empty space with low value cargo laying around. Typically these areas have more than one bad guy, so you can visit these locations without being attacked (as long as you don't have cargo) and have a look around, but bounty hunting or piracy at these sites may require a combat focused ship due to the random nature of the encounter (there may be Anacondas!).
    • Assassination missions require you to visit these sites in order to locate the target. Usually you will find a damaged trade convoy that will tell you the last known location of the target, but are usually no more specific than a system.

Non-Human Signal Source

Notes

  • Over time, some System Signal Sources were removed from Elite Dangerous, either for balance purposes or because they were being replaced by other signal sources that served similar purposes. Removed signal sources include:
    • Weak Signal Source - Implied the presence of a small number of ships. Involved in missions. Often contained NPC smugglers with contraband.
    • Strong Signal Source - Implied the presence of a large number of ships. Involved in missions. Often contained NPC pirates and criminals.
    • Seeking Luxuries - Spawned traders in large freighters who would purchase Performance Enhancers.

Videos

References


Template:SignalSourcesNavbox ru:Типы сигналов zh:System Signal Sources