Careers

The basic roles within the universe, as described by Frontier Developments in a dev diary video, are that of trader, explorer, bounty hunter and pirate. A fifth role, smuggler , has also been outlined in the Design Decision Forum. This information is not final; there may be more (miner?) and it may be possible to carry out two roles that have similar requirements. It has been stated that roles are defined by the player's ship and how it is configured, rather than by customising their character (and therefore creating a class system).

Although the following roles have existed in previous games, Frontier Developments have stated that game progression is possible in any of these roles and they will be balanced so that no one role gives an advantage.

Roles

Trader

In its simplest form, trading is simply buying commodities in one location and selling them at another, the difference in price is the profit. Trading will link to a dynamic background simulation based on player activity, which will result in changes in prices and volumes of goods in different systems over time, and even the colonisation of new systems. Traders in less-safe systems will rely on armour, shields and weapons to dissuade pirates from attacking them, or to buy enough time to make an escape.

Smuggler

Elite: Dangerous will, like Frontier and Frontier First Encounters, feature a black market and allow players to dabble in smuggling illegal goods. Smugglers will have to use stealth, cunning and special equipment to outwit the Police, and sometimes military authorities, to sell their goods at a profit while escaping fines and a criminal record. 

Explorer

Although exploration was a component of previous games, there was no way to progress in any meaningful way by exploration alone. In Elite:Dangerous, players will have the opportunity to earn income and gain reputation by making pioneering jumps into unexplored systems, and gathering data on planets, stars and other points of interest within systems.

Bounty Hunter

Space is a rough place and there are plenty of pirates in the anarchy systems who need to be retired. The bounty hunter takes advantage of the in-game bounty system, earning credits and combat rank for destroying pirate ships. Bounties can be set either by the game itself or by other players. Bounty hunters will specialise in lethal, offensively-focused ships which will be capable of reliably destroying their pirate prey.

Pirate

Pirates will naturally earn combat ranking by attacking and destroying other ships. Their primary motivation will be the precious cargo carried by their prey, although new game mechanics (such as the ability to affect politics and supply and demand of commodities) will add an extra dimension to those who are willing to have a price on their head. Pirates will use powerful weaponry and fearsome reputations to encourage traders to hand over their goods.