Pilots Guide: Difference between revisions
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Elite Dangerous has a steep learning curve with complex controls and minimal in-game guidance. There are basic tutorials, but the game expects you to figure out navigation, trading and survival by yourself. However, there are free [[Third Party Tools]] for e.g. optimal trade routes, track market prices and [[Engineers|engineering]] [[materials]]. | Elite Dangerous has a steep learning curve with complex controls and minimal in-game guidance. There are basic tutorials, but the game expects you to figure out navigation, trading and survival by yourself. However, there are free [[Third Party Tools]] for e.g. optimal trade routes, track market prices and [[Engineers|engineering]] [[materials]]. | ||
You begin as a poor pilot with a loaned [[Sidewinder]] from a secret benefactor. From there you must choose a path and make a living in the galaxy. All independent pilots are licensed members of the [[Pilots Federation]]. Every pilot has the title "[[commander]]". [[Ranks]] are earned by completing activities and to unlock perks in the [[Federation|Federal]] and [[Imperial Navy]]. | |||
The controls require learning dozens of keybindings for thrusters, shields, landing gear and power distribution. You can customize the controls (mouse + keyboard, joystick/HOTAS or gamepad). By playing you will learn the basics like flight routines and gain muscle memory. | The controls require learning dozens of keybindings for thrusters, shields, landing gear and power distribution. You can customize the controls (mouse + keyboard, joystick/HOTAS or gamepad). By playing you will learn the basics like flight routines and gain muscle memory. | ||
The #1 golden rule is ''“Never fly without a rebuy”''. This means you should always have enough [[credits]] to cover your [[Ships|ship]]'s [[Galactic Insurance Company|insurance]] if it gets destroyed. The [[Pilots Federation]] covers most of the cost , but you must pay the rebuy fee (circa 5% of your total ship and module value) | The #1 golden rule is ''“Never fly without a rebuy”''. This means you should always have enough [[credits]] to cover your [[Ships|ship]]'s [[Galactic Insurance Company|insurance]] if it gets destroyed. The [[Pilots Federation]] covers most of the cost , but you must pay the rebuy fee (circa 5% of your total ship and module value). | ||
The activities range from easy to complex. Space trucking, data courier and basic exploration are easy. [[Combat]], [[Miner|mining]], [[Mission Board|missions]] at [[Settlement|settlements]] and [[System Colonisation|system colonisation]] are complex. | The activities range from easy to complex. Space trucking, data courier and basic exploration are easy. [[Combat]], deep-core [[Miner|mining]], [[Mission Board|missions]] at [[Settlement|settlements]], [[powerplay]] and [[System Colonisation|system colonisation]] are complex. | ||
There are 3 game modes: Solo (single player), Private Group (with friends and invites), and Open Play (with everyone). Newbies are recommended to play in Solo or Private Group, because it is safer. Open Play has the risks of random encounters with other players and PVP combat. Certain [[Squadrons]] support newbies and teach them the ropes. | There are 3 game modes: Solo (single player), Private Group (with friends and invites), and Open Play (with everyone). Newbies are recommended to play in Solo or Private Group, because it is safer. Open Play has the risks of random encounters with other players and PVP combat. Certain [[Squadrons]] support newbies and teach them the ropes. | ||
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Landing roughly on a high [[gravity]] world or [[Landing Pad|landing pad]] can destroy your ship. Committing a crime (assault, murder, ramming ships) inside or near a [[station]] is met with lethal force by the surface and orbital [[Defence Turrets]] which destroy criminal ships in seconds. Security is the lowest in [[anarchy]] systems which have a higher chance of PVP. | Landing roughly on a high [[gravity]] world or [[Landing Pad|landing pad]] can destroy your ship. Committing a crime (assault, murder, ramming ships) inside or near a [[station]] is met with lethal force by the surface and orbital [[Defence Turrets]] which destroy criminal ships in seconds. Security is the lowest in [[anarchy]] systems which have a higher chance of PVP. | ||
[[Powerplay]] is a multi-player, strategic territorial control game where players pledge allegiance to one of 12 galactic [[:Category:Power|Powers]]. | [[Powerplay]] is a multi-player, strategic territorial control game where players pledge allegiance to one of 12 galactic [[:Category:Power|Powers]]. You can contribute to expand your faction's borders, fortify friendly systems and undermine enemy strongholds. The benefits of pledging to a power are lucrative perks like up to 100% rebuy reduction, 100% rebuy reduction if you're killed in hostile territory by an enemy faction, and exclusive rank decals. Every power offers passive income multipliers or cost discounts within their controlled territories. These benefits increase with your loyalty rank. There are 12 exclusive modules that can be unlocked with every power. Powerplay is optional and recommended for intermediate [[Commander|commanders]]. | ||
The galaxy has a | The galaxy has a gigantic 1:1 scale with around 400 billion [[Star system|star systems]] in [[galactic regions]].<ref>[https://starwalk.space/en/news/the-milky-way-galaxy Milky Way Galaxy: Facts, Location & How to See It From Earth] - Starwalk - 30 June 2026</ref> Each region has [[species]] who live on [[planets]] or in space such as [[Lagrange Cloud|Lagrange Clouds]]. The most notable aliens are the ancient insectoid [[Thargoid|Thargoids]] and the extinct humanoid [[Guardian|Guardians]]. There are a wide range of [[:Category:Characters|characters]] from all walks of life. | ||
[[GalNet]] is the galactic news network and data aggregator in ED that broadcasts lore, market information, and political developments across the Milky Way. This official news is made by [[Frontier Developments]]. There are 3 superpowers: the [[Alliance]], [[Empire]], and [[Federation]]. There are also many [[independent]] people. The [[lore]] of ED is deep and related to previous titles in the [[Elite series]]. Terminology and acronyms are frequently used in wiki articles and lore. Learn the common terms in the glossary of [[Acronyms & Slang]]. | [[GalNet]] is the galactic news network and data aggregator in ED that broadcasts lore, market information, and political developments across the Milky Way. This official news is made by [[Frontier Developments]]. There are 3 superpowers: the [[Alliance]], [[Empire]], and [[Federation]]. There are also many [[independent]] people. The [[lore]] of ED is deep and related to previous titles in the [[Elite series]]. Terminology and acronyms are frequently used in wiki articles and lore. Learn the common terms in the glossary of [[Acronyms & Slang]]. | ||
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[[Operations]] are a mid-to-endgame group activity. Because you should have upgraded and engineered ships and on-foot equipment. It also requires tactical coordination with teammates to complete the objectives. Managing a [[Drake-Class Carrier]] or [[Javelin-Class Carrier]] are end-game features due to the very expensive price and upkeep costs. Managing a [[Squadrons|Squadron]] is a late-game social activity, because you should know how the Background Simulation works, Powerplay, pooling resources and coordinating squad-mates. | [[Operations]] are a mid-to-endgame group activity. Because you should have upgraded and engineered ships and on-foot equipment. It also requires tactical coordination with teammates to complete the objectives. Managing a [[Drake-Class Carrier]] or [[Javelin-Class Carrier]] are end-game features due to the very expensive price and upkeep costs. Managing a [[Squadrons|Squadron]] is a late-game social activity, because you should know how the Background Simulation works, Powerplay, pooling resources and coordinating squad-mates. | ||
Many activities do not require constant attention so you can watch a movie | Many activities do not require constant attention so you can watch a movie on a second monitor. Elite Dangerous has beautiful [[Elite Dangerous Music|music]], but it's a limited playlist and gets repetitive so you can play custom background music. You can get a burnout by grinding the same activity. Take a break when you're fatigued or wait for the next game update. | ||
ED is a sandbox with no official winning state or final quest. There is no linear campaign or path to finish the game. There is no final boss to defeat. Thus you must set your own goals and | ED is a sandbox with no official winning state or final quest. There is no linear campaign or path to finish the game. There is no final boss to defeat. Thus you must set your own goals and fathom complex mechanics. ED is a virtual galaxy that is open-ended and endless. Chasing achievements and the destination are less important. It's more about the journey, learning about the galaxy, discovering the Milky Way, making memories and maybe friends along the way. | ||
== Codex == | == Codex == | ||
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System management is very important to balance power distribution between engines, systems (shields), and weapons during flight and combat vs NPCs, players or [[Thargoid|Thargoids]]. PVP combat can be the most difficult, because it's often a mismatch of skills, equipment and humans are less predictable. | System management is very important to balance power distribution between engines, systems (shields), and weapons during flight and combat vs NPCs, players or [[Thargoid|Thargoids]]. PVP combat can be the most difficult, because it's often a mismatch of skills, equipment and humans are less predictable. | ||
The galaxy has a | The galaxy has a humongous scale so it's easy to get lost. This makes navigation an existential and vast undertaking. Deep space will be true isolation from inhabited space like the [[Core Systems]]. Long-distance [[Explorer|exploration]] involves coping with loneliness. Some people will suffer from [[Acronyms & Slang|space madness]]. You should know the different types of [[stars]], [[planets]] and how to find valuable [[species]] of flora and fauna that are worth collecting with the [[Genetic Sampler]]. [[Star system|Star systems]] are sparse in the galactic edge and densely packed in the galactic core. There are severe consequences if you mismanage the [[fuel]] of your ship, run out of [[Liquid Oxygen|oxygen]] of your [[Suits|suit]]'s life support system, land too hard on a planet or landing pad, or act criminally near a [[station]] or [[settlement]]. | ||
Activities like deep-core [[Miner|mining]], smuggling routes, and [[Xeno Hunter]] require specialized knowledge to do properly. There are third-party tools to make it easier. The [[trader]], [[System Colonisation|system colonisation]], and [[Engineers|engineering]] paths are so deep that many pilots rely on [[Third Party Tools|third-party tools]] like [https://inara.cz/elite Inara] or [https://www.edsm.net/ EDSM] to track data and | Activities like deep-core [[Miner|mining]], smuggling routes, and [[Xeno Hunter]] require specialized knowledge to do properly. There are third-party tools to make it easier. The [[trader]], [[System Colonisation|system colonisation]], [[powerplay]] and [[Engineers|engineering]] paths are so deep that many pilots rely on [[Third Party Tools|third-party tools]] like [https://inara.cz/elite Inara] or [https://www.edsm.net/ EDSM] to track data and utilize the [[Market Economy|economy]]. | ||
== Guides == | == Guides == | ||