System Colonisation: Difference between revisions

'''System Colonisation''' is a system that allows players to claim previously uninhabited [[Star system|star systems]], leading to free-form expansion in the [[galaxy]].<ref name=":1">[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=960279442800789 System Colonisation] - Elite Dangerous, Facebook Page - 30 October 2024</ref> While currently only available in the core systems, adoption of this feature has rapidly increased the number and reach of human inhabited systems across the [[Inner Orion Spur]]; [[Core Systems|The Bubble]] is no longer static.<ref name=":1" /> Once a commander completes the initial stages of a system colonisation effort, the become a [[System Architect]], allowing them to manage colonial development.

 

Colonization is a completely open process; it can be performed by a solo [[commander]], [[:Category:Player groups|group]] or [[Player Minor Faction|faction]].<ref name=":2" /> The beta version is currently playable, launched on 26 Feb 2025.<ref name=":7" />

System colonization is a player-driven way to expand the Bubble and colonise new systems<ref name=":0">[https://www.dpss.space/colonisation New Colonisation Mechanic First Look] - DPSS - Elite Dangerous Squadron - 30 October 2024</ref> Claiming a system works on a first come, first served basis.<ref name=":6" /> The player must find an unpopulated system within 15 light years of a previously inhabited system and claim it from a System Colonisation Contact, available at any Star Port.<ref>https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/system-colonisation-guide</ref> You can scan a [[star system]] in advance to see the number of slots that are available for construction; larger planets can typically accommodate more surface structures, while a larger number of celestial bodies provides more room for orbital structures.<ref name=":5" /> Some systems are more valuable for construction and different stellar and planetary bodies can boost or negatively impact different kinds of economies.<ref name=":5" /> Showing the System Map in Architect Mode will display the available orbital locations and the number of ground locations available on each body. One of the orbital slot icons will have a flag instead of a "+" sign: this indicates the location where the primary port will be constructed. If that primary port location isn't good, it is not recommended to spend commodities building anything other than a Military outpost. (Why Military? It provides population and security: most other structures subtract security, so it's one of the hardest system statistics to keep up.)

The player must purchase a claim with [[credits]] from a [[Colonisation Contact]] (CC).<ref name=":4">[https://www.dpss.space/colonisation New Colonisation Mechanic First Look] - DPPS - 27 November 3310</ref> The CC is a member of a [[:Category:Factions|faction]] in a populated system in [[Core Systems|The Bubble]], and will become the initial dominant faction in any system that is successfully colonised (allowing existing BGS factions, player minor factions and - through faction proxies - the superpowers to expand their influence).<ref name=":4" /> A [[Nav Beacon|Colonisation Beacon]] must be deployed in that system within 24 hours.<ref name=":4" /> If this is not done within the time limit then the claim is revoked.<ref name=":4" /> If this process fails twice, there is a 3 day wait until another claim can be made.<ref name=":8">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAC3rEOuSBU Trailblazers Update Brings NEW Exploration Opportunities] - Ricardos Gaming - 3 Mar 2025</ref> The Beacon costs 25 million [[credits]]. Multiple new systems cannot be colonised at the same time, though once an initial startport is constructed, another system can be claimed.<ref name=":8" />  

After the Colonisation Beacon has been placed, a [[Colonisation Ship]] (CS) will arrive in the system at the initial port location.<ref name=":4" /> These ships are among the largest [[Megaship|megaships]] in the game (easily dwarfing a [[Drake-Class Carrier]]) and offer 32 landing pads for cargo deliveries.<ref name=":2">[https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2289337034 Frontier Unlocked #10] - Twitch - 30 October 2024</ref>  The player must deliver a list of items to the CS which depends on the starport type<ref name=":4" /> and acts as an initial hub to work on in the system.<ref name=":2" /> Logistics is key to building a starport by transporting [[materials]] into the system.<ref name=":3">[https://www.polygon.com/pc/473158/elite-dangerous-colonization-expansion-bubble Elite Dangerous will let players colonize the Milky Way in 2025] - Polygon - 31 Oct 2024</ref> One all materials are delivered, the newly made starport will appear in the final stages of construction and will be finished after the weekly server tick.<ref name=":4" /> The primary port must be deployed (built) within 4 weeks; if it is not completed within this time limit then the claim will revoked and any commodities will be lost <ref name=":4" />. The architect will also be unable to make another claim attempt for 3 days.<ref name=":8" /> The station under construction appears as an uninhabited [[starport]] covered in scaffolding, with inactive vendors and services, and notices advising final deployment is underway.<ref name=":12">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAD2A9ifeYs ELITE DANGEROUS - Colonization In-Depth Look] - Commander Exorcist - YouTube - 27 Nov 2024</ref>

Once the primary starport is built, the colonization beacon becomes a [[Nav Beacon|nav beacon]].<ref name=":4" /> A new Colonization Contact will appear in the completed starport; this gives the option to claim and colonize another system within 15ly by contacting the Colonization Contact.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> There is no limit for how many systems a commander can claim, assuming the the systems are valid and there are no outstanding primary star ports under construction.<ref name=":6" /> <ref name=":5" /> Given the relatively short distance of 15ly, it is not uncommon for commanders to create a daisy chain of sparsely inhabited systems your way towards a more desirable system.<ref name=":2" />