Pilots Guide: Difference between revisions
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You begin as a poor pilot with a loaned [[Sidewinder]] from a secret benefactor. Thence 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 auxiliaries of the [[Federation/Ranks|Federal]] and [[Empire/Ranks|Imperial Navy]]. | You begin as a poor pilot with a loaned [[Sidewinder]] from a secret benefactor. Thence 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 auxiliaries of the [[Federation/Ranks|Federal]] and [[Empire/Ranks|Imperial Navy]]. | ||
The | The controls require learning dozens of key-bindings 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. Communication is primarily via the in-game [[Communications|Communications Panel]], which splits messages into several specific chat channels. You can also use voice chat and [[emotes]]. | ||
The | The [[Frame Shift Drive]] allows faster-than-light travel within [[Star system|star systems]] and via [[hyperspace]]. [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)]] lets you temporarily overcharge your engine for extreme speeds in [[supercruise]]. Landing roughly on a high [[gravity]] world or [[Landing Pad|landing pad]] can destroy your ship. | ||
The | 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). | ||
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. The majority of players are in Solo or Private Groups. You can find other players in hot spots or systems with [[Community Goals|community goals]]. [[Squadrons]] are organized groups of players, similar to a guild. They are useful to socialize and do cooperative content like [[Operations]]. Many supports newbies and teaches 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. The majority of players are in Solo or Private Groups. You can find other players in hot spots or systems with [[Community Goals|community goals]]. [[Squadrons]] are organized groups of players, similar to a guild. They are useful to socialize and do cooperative content like [[Operations]]. Many supports newbies and teaches them the ropes. | ||
There are over 45 flyable [[ships]]. These come in 3 sizes: small, medium, large. They can have specific roles like combat, exploration, trading or multi-purpose. These ships are highly customizable via [[outfitting]]. The [[Capital Ship|capital ships]] cannot be piloted directly, instead the owner gives orders. Capital ships like the [[Drake-Class Carrier]] and [[Javelin-Class Carrier]] are end-game features due to the very expensive price and upkeep costs. | There are over 45 flyable [[ships]]. These come in 3 sizes: small, medium, large. They can have specific roles like combat, exploration, trading or multi-purpose. These ships are highly customizable via [[outfitting]]. The ship's modules and performance can be [[Engineers|engineered]] past the standard limits. The engineers can upgrade the tier of a blueprint in exchange for raw, manufactured and encoded [[materials]]. The [[Capital Ship|capital ships]] cannot be piloted directly, instead the owner gives orders. Capital ships like the [[Drake-Class Carrier]] and [[Javelin-Class Carrier]] are end-game features due to the very expensive price and upkeep costs. | ||
[[On Foot|On foot]] lets you control your character from a first-person perspective. Such as explore a [[Planets|planet]], [[moon]], [[concourse]] in a [[station]] or [[settlement]]. You can also do [[combat]] as a [[mercenary]] and an [[explorer]] can take biological samples of alien [[species]]. You wear the [[Flight Suit]] by default. The [[Artemis Suit]] is designed for exobiology and exploration. The [[Maverick Suit]] is for salvage, stealth, and settlement missions. The [[Dominator Suit]] is meant for ground combat and conflict zones. Essential on-foot tools are the [[Profile Analyser]] | [[On Foot|On foot]] lets you control your character from a first-person perspective. Such as explore a [[Planets|planet]], [[moon]], [[concourse]] in a [[station]] or [[settlement]]. You can also do [[combat]] as a [[mercenary]] and an [[explorer]] can take biological samples of alien [[species]]. You wear the [[Flight Suit]] by default. The [[Artemis Suit]] is designed for exobiology and exploration. The [[Maverick Suit]] is for salvage, stealth, and settlement missions. The [[Dominator Suit]] is meant for ground combat and conflict zones. Essential on-foot tools are the [[Profile Analyser]] to clone security clearances, the [[Arc Cutter]] to cut panels, and the [[Energy Link]] to power down or activate systems at a [[settlement]]. Various [[Handheld Weapon|handheld weapons]] are available for personal safety or offensive missions. | ||
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. Activities like long-distance space trucking and exploration require low attention so you can watch a movie on a second monitor. You can get a burnout by grinding the same activity. Take a break when you're fatigued or wait for the next game update. | |||
[[Powerplay]] is a multiplayer, grand-strategy system for territorial control in the galaxy. 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. Pledging to a power makes you a target for all other rival powers. You gain "hostile" status when flying through systems that are controlled or exploited by a rival power. 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]]. | [[Powerplay]] is a multiplayer, grand-strategy system for territorial control in the galaxy. 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. Pledging to a power makes you a target for all other rival powers. You gain "hostile" status when flying through systems that are controlled or exploited by a rival power. 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 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]]. There are a wide range of [[:Category:Characters|characters]] from all walks of life. The most notable aliens are the ancient insectoid [[Thargoid|Thargoids]] and the extinct humanoid [[Guardian|Guardians]]. [[Human|Humanity]] won two major wars against the Thargoids: the [[First Thargoid War]] (3125–3151) and the [[Second Thargoid War]] (3303–3310). They can still be found at [[Conflict Zone (Signal Source)|conflict zones]] and [[System Signal Sources]] in the [[California Nebula]], [[Pleiades Nebula|Pleiades]], [[Coalsack Nebula]], and around [[Thargoid Titan|Titan graveyards]]. | [[Operations]] are mid-to-endgame scenarios, because you should have an upgraded/engineered ship and on-foot equipment. It requires tactical coordination with teammates to complete the objectives. It's hard to finish an operation solo. 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. | ||
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]]. There are a wide range of [[:Category:Characters|characters]] from all walks of life. The most notable aliens are the ancient insectoid [[Thargoid|Thargoids]] and the extinct humanoid [[Guardian|Guardians]]. [[Human|Humanity]] won two major wars against the Thargoids: the [[First Thargoid War]] (3125–3151) and the [[Second Thargoid War]] (3303–3310). They can still be found at [[Conflict Zone (Signal Source)|conflict zones]] and [[System Signal Sources]] in the [[California Nebula]], [[Pleiades Nebula|Pleiades]], [[Coalsack Nebula]], and around [[Thargoid Titan|Titan graveyards]]. | |||
[[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 many [[independent]] people. The galaxy has trillions of characters. 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 many [[independent]] people. The galaxy has trillions of characters. 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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There are unsolved mysteries like [[Raxxla]], [[Soontill]], and the [[Formidine Rift]]. Certain aspects of the [[Guardian|Guardians]] and [[Thargoid|Thargoids]] remain unknown. There are secretive organizations like [[The Club]] and [[The Dark Wheel]]. | There are unsolved mysteries like [[Raxxla]], [[Soontill]], and the [[Formidine Rift]]. Certain aspects of the [[Guardian|Guardians]] and [[Thargoid|Thargoids]] remain unknown. There are secretive organizations like [[The Club]] and [[The Dark Wheel]]. | ||
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. [[:Category:Security forces|Security forces]] like [[Advanced Tactical Response]] are active in all system types except anarchy. Security is the lowest in [[anarchy]] systems which have a higher chance of PVP. | |||
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The [[Elite Dangerous Music|music]] of ED is beautiful, but the limited playlist gets repetitive so you can play custom background music. | |||
ED has no official winning state or final quest. There is no linear campaign or final boss to finish the game. It continues after earning the highest [[ranks]]. ED is an endless sandbox galaxy so you must set your own goals. Chasing achievements and the destination are less important. It's more about the journey, discovering the Milky Way, and life among the stars. | ED has no official winning state or final quest. There is no linear campaign or final boss to finish the game. It continues after earning the highest [[ranks]]. ED is an endless sandbox galaxy so you must set your own goals. Chasing achievements and the destination are less important. It's more about the journey, discovering the Milky Way, and life among the stars. | ||