community background

Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous
F

Initial Setup and Login: Keybinds and Controls

Keybind Setup

After creating your commander and loading into the game for the first time, one of the most crucial steps is to configure your keybinds and controls. Elite Dangerous has a complex control system with many functions, and while the game offers several default presets, customizing your keybinds to suit your preferences and hardware can make a huge difference in your experience.

Choosing Your Control Scheme

Keyboard + Mouse: If you’re using a keyboard and mouse, you’ll need to bind keys for everything from basic flight controls to more advanced functions like targeting, scanning, and managing power distribution.

HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick): If you have a HOTAS setup, you’ll want to carefully map out your controls to make the most of your hardware. This setup can provide a more immersive flight experience and is highly recommended if you plan to invest a lot of time in the game.

Gamepad: For those using a controller, the game offers preset schemes that are fairly intuitive, but you may still want to tweak them to fit your playstyle.

Key Areas to Customize

Basic Flight Controls: Set your pitch, yaw, and roll to comfortable keys or axes (if using a joystick or HOTAS). Ensure that thrust (forward/backward) and lateral/vertical thrust controls are easily accessible.

Combat and Targeting: Map your primary and secondary fire buttons, target cycling (next/previous target), and subsystem targeting to easily reachable buttons or keys.

Power Management: Efficient power distribution is critical in combat. Assign keys for redirecting power to systems (weapons, shields, engines) for quick adjustments in battle.

Landing Gear and Cargo Scoop: Make sure you have easily accessible buttons for toggling landing gear and deploying your cargo scoop. These are frequently used when docking and collecting materials.

Supercruise and Hyperspace: Set keys for entering/exiting supercruise and jumping to hyperspace, as you’ll be using these functions often when traveling between systems and stations.

Saving and Testing Your Keybinds

Save Custom Profiles: Once you’ve customized your keybinds, save your setup as a custom profile. This ensures you can easily reload your settings if they ever reset due to game updates or other issues.

Test in Training: After setting up your keybinds, head into one of the tutorials or the training grounds to test your setup. This is a safe environment to ensure everything works smoothly and feels comfortable before you venture out into the galaxy.

Pro Tip: If you're not sure how to set up your controls, there are many community-created control schemes available online. You can use these as a base and tweak them to your liking. Additionally, backup your keybinds periodically to avoid having to redo them in the future.

https://edrefcard.info/ can be a useful website.

By taking the time to set up your controls and keybinds from the start, you'll have a smoother experience and be more prepared for whatever the galaxy throws at you.

When you first log in, you'll need to create a commander (CMDR) and select a starting area. For most new players, starting in the Pilots' Federation district is a good choice, as it offers a safer environment to learn the game. Once you load in, you’ll be inside your starter ship, the humble Sidewinder, docked at a space station.

Your initial UI might seem cluttered, with various panels and information around your cockpit, but don’t worry—this becomes second nature over time. You'll soon notice the game offers two main control schemes: keyboard + mouse and HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick). Both are viable, but if you have a HOTAS setup, it can provide a more immersive experience.

The Tutorials

Before launching into the game proper, it’s highly recommended to complete the in-game tutorials. These can be found in the "Training" menu and cover the basics of flight, combat, and docking.

Tips for Tutorials:

Format: The tutorials are presented as standalone missions where you learn specific mechanics like basic flight, supercruise (faster-than-light travel within star systems), docking, and combat.

Duration: Each tutorial lasts between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the complexity of the task. You can repeat them as many times as needed to feel comfortable.

Missing Elements: While the tutorials cover the essentials, they don’t go into advanced gameplay, such as fuel management, engineering, or complex mission structures. Learning these elements will come from experience and community resources.

Tips for Tutorials:

Docking: Practice docking repeatedly until you feel comfortable. It's trickier than it looks, but essential.

Combat: The combat tutorial provides a basic dogfighting experience, but real battles can be more complex, so try to master target tracking and energy management.

Supercruise: Learning how to slow down correctly when approaching planets or stations is crucial to avoiding overshooting your target.

Being Unleashed in the Galaxy: Your First Flight in the Sidewinder

Once you finish the tutorials and are ready to leave the space station, you'll be unleashed into the galaxy in your Sidewinder, which is the most basic ship in the game. Don't be fooled by its modest appearance—it's a capable starter ship and can handle many early missions.

Initial Flight Experience

Take-off and Flight: The first time you take off from the station, it can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Follow the HUD instructions, request docking or take-off permissions, and remember to retract your landing gear before moving out of the station.

Navigation: You’ll quickly become familiar with the galaxy map and system map, which are your primary tools for finding destinations. Set a course for a nearby station, lock your destination, and use supercruise to travel there.

Docking: Practice docking at a few stations to solidify your skills. This can be stressful in busy stations, but with practice, it becomes second nature.

Appropriate Next Steps for Budding Pilots of All Inclinations

Once you've gotten comfortable flying and docking, it's time to figure out what kind of pilot you want to be. Elite Dangerous offers a range of careers and activities, and your next steps will depend on your interests.

Here are some early goals based on common career paths:

1. Trading

If you want to build wealth through trading goods between stations:

Start by accepting delivery or trading missions from station mission boards.

Use websites like

https://inara.cz/elite/

to find profitable trade routes.

Save up for a Hauler or Adder, which are better suited for trading than the Sidewinder.

2. Exploration

For those who crave the unknown and want to discover distant stars and planets:

Equip a fuel scoop to gather fuel from stars while traveling.

Use the Discovery Scanner to locate unexplored celestial bodies.

Plan your journeys with tools like Spansh for neutron star boosts and exploration routes.

Aim to upgrade to an Asp Explorer or Diamondback Explorer for deep space travel.

3. Bounty Hunting

Combat-oriented players may want to pursue bounty hunting:

Start by accepting combat missions or visiting Resource Extraction Sites (RES) to fight pirates.

Equip your ship with better weapons, shields, and armor.

Look for systems in a state of lawlessness, where bounties are plentiful.

Save up for a Viper Mk III or Vulture, which are excellent combat ships.

4. Mining

Mining can be a lucrative career, especially after getting used to the mining tools and systems:

Start with basic mining lasers and try your hand at asteroid mining.

Learn about hot spots for valuable minerals (e.g., Painite, Void Opals).

Upgrade to a Cobra Mk III or Type-6 to increase cargo capacity for more efficient mining.

5. Mission Running

If you prefer a mix of activities, running missions can be an excellent way to progress:

Accept missions from the mission board, including delivery, data transport, and combat missions.

Work towards building reputation with factions to unlock higher-paying missions.

Mission running can lead you into various careers, including smuggling, espionage, and more.

Where Players Might Go and What They Might Do in Order to Get Started with Common Elite Careers

Once you’ve decided on a career, here are some places and resources to help you get started:

Resource List for Elite Dangerous

1. Inara (inara.cz)

Overview: Inara is a comprehensive resource that covers everything from trading and engineering to mission planning. It allows players to track their commander’s progress, manage their fleet, and access detailed information on systems, stations, and factions.

Uses: Trading, engineering, mission planning, and community support.

2. EDSM (Elite Dangerous Star Map) (edsm.net)

Overview: EDSM is a community-driven star map that tracks star systems and exploration data. It’s ideal for explorers looking to track their journeys, upload exploration data, and plan routes across the galaxy.

Uses: Exploration, route planning, and system information.

3. ED Tools (edtools.cc)

Overview: ED Tools offers a collection of lightweight tools for finding trade routes, gathering materials, and planning engineering upgrades.

Uses: Trading, material gathering, and outfitting guidance.

4. Spansh (spansh.co.uk)

Overview: Spansh is a powerful route planner, particularly useful for long-distance exploration and neutron star routes. It calculates efficient routes, helping explorers travel vast distances more quickly.

Uses: Exploration route planning, including neutron star highway routes.

5. Elite Dangerous Wiki (elite-dangerous.fandom.com)

Overview: The Elite Dangerous Wiki is an extensive knowledge base, covering game mechanics, ships, modules, factions, and career guides. It's a great starting point for new players looking to dive deeper into the game’s systems.

Uses: General game information, guides, and tips on various careers and activities.

6. ED Odyssey Materials Helper (github.com/jixxed/ed-odyssey-materials-helper/releases)

Overview: ED Odyssey Materials Helper is a third-party tool that helps players track materials for both the Horizons and Odyssey expansions. It simplifies the process of gathering and managing materials needed for engineering, crafting, and upgrades.

Uses: Material tracking and management for engineering and crafting.

7. EDHM (Elite Dangerous HUD Modding) (github.com/psychicEgg/EDHM)

Overview: EDHM is a tool that allows players to customize their in-game HUD colors and interface. It enables the customization of cockpit displays and menu elements, allowing for a more personalized experience.

Uses: HUD customization, color schemes, and interface adjustments to tailor the game’s look and feel to your preferences.

You can also find friendly and helpful players on Twitch (www.twitch.tv/directory/category/elite-dangerous) and you can learn by watching and asking questions :)

Remember: Elite Dangerous is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on small, manageable goals, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from the community. There's a lot to learn, but taking it one step at a time makes it incredibly rewarding. Good luck, Commander!

Alex Sinclair's avatar

What a brilliantly thorough first entry!

R

LOve what get me in elite

i Love some one who was fan of elite and all day she like You should try it and i was in into other games but then i t give it shot before odyessy and i did not like it lol so i waited for new ody and i saw now i can walk around ship and such so i try it agine here then i fall in love with this game flying in space with my GF cuz we both like space and slowly getting into game lore and thargoid so on day after day i become fan for this game made love story with elite

S

The Simbad CMDRs first crossed paths in the imperial slave trade industry during a pivotal moment in history. As ambitious traders and explorers, they were drawn to the lucrative opportunities presented by the expanding empire. Their initial encounters were marked by a mix of competition and collaboration, as they navigated the complex and often perilous world of slave trading.

These early meetings were driven by the need to establish networks and secure profitable routes. The CMDRs quickly realized that working together could enhance their chances of success. They formed alliances, shared intelligence, and coordinated their efforts to maximize their gains while minimizing risks.

Over time, their collaboration evolved into a more structured partnership, with each CMDR bringing unique skills and resources to the table. This synergy allowed them to establish a faction in LYR Space and expand our operations out from 45 Tauri.

Alex Sinclair's avatar

Hey Stormseeker, this looks like a really thorough and well-made guide, but I'm afraid right now Just About is an English-language only platform, so we wouldn't be able to award this entry a bounty prize. We do hope to expand to cover more languages in the future, but not while we're still in our Beta. We do occasionally award non-English language videos in cases where they have very well-translated subtitles, but autogenerated ones don't tend to cut it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. o7

L

Good morning,

The first hours on "Elite dangerous" are probably those where it will be essential to perform the proposed tutorial, formatting a license that will be granted. I recommend you take something to note if you have a little trouble and fear of forgetting the few mandatory commands to be able to enjoy the experience.

Once you start the game and the tutorial done, you will probably be lost by the magnificent universe that is offered to you and its greatness. Don’t panic, you are a new pilot and you do not have the capaciters to face the dangers of this new world but you will learn and evolve. To get your first credit, I recommend you go for delivery missions that do not require any cargo (your ship will not allow it).

As a result, you will feel more secure knowing that you are financially secure. The credits allow you to enjoy new ship, new suit and make do a new danger. When you feel able to face potential dangers, I recommend that you do missions with greater risk, greater gain expodentially.

I’m sure you’ll find your account on Elite Dangerous, no matter which sector you choose. Elite dangerous will allow you to be who you want.

K

My personal opinion on how to get started varies somewhat from most "new player guides."

Once you have created your Commander, my first piece of advice is to follow the tutorials. Not just the default on-foot intro tutorial & flying tutorial, but the plethora of playable scenarios. Don't worry if you can't successfully complete them all (the advanced combat ones can be rough!)

This should give you a feeling for the mechanics and controls. If you ever find yourself a bit confused, the pilots handbook can be invaluable.

Then, I recommend you undertake some simple missions. Data Courier missions are a great start - you're transporting data, so no cargo space needed. Try different types of missions to see what type of gameplay you enjoy the most. Exploration? Combat? Trading? Mining? Passenger Transport? Search & Rescue? Or maybe all of the above!

Then, I would set yourself a goal, such as:

  • I want to fly that big shiny ship!

  • I want to reach 'Elite' in combat!

  • I want to visit the Sagittarius A*.

  • I want to get my name on a planet!

And progress towards it however you see fit.

My most important tips:

  • Don't fly without rebuy (insurance).

  • If it's fun, do it - don't worry about "the most efficient way."

K

Completey agree with the long message in this message, i would recommend the use of a HOTAS, you dont need am expensive one but i would recommend one that had both a throttle control and a flight stick seperate as this just feels more comfortable, furthermore i would recommend for a lot of new players to first start out in solo play, you will still share the samr galaxy as other players buy it will allow you to learn and fly safely without much risk of being interdicted or ganked by other players who want to target what they think are easy prey.

F

You don't need a HOTAS to play ED, some of the best pilots use M/KB. Find what works best for you, some prefer a console controller, some prefer a mix of devices, there isn't a right answer :)

K

I completely agree with you, not all players need a HOTAS, i knew one guy who played ED with a Xbox controller, im just suggesting that some players like me find it much easier or even just comfortable to play with a HOTAS rather than mouse and keyboard or controller.

B

Get through the tutorials first....May seem like an obvious comment...but so many people will try and skip.

When you've completed.....you don't necessarily have to rush out into The Bubble. Hang around in the starter system first (especially in open) build up some credit by doing simple missions and trading. Then you can get look at getting your first ship.

Scanning of planets is always a good way to start earning credit...with certain types of planet being high earners (HMC= Hight Metal Content, ELW=Earth Like worlds, WW=Water Worlds, AW=Ammonia worlds) Be mindful though, that you will earn more if you are the first to scan...and for that you will need to go way out of The Bubble (The Bubble being the densely populated groups of systems that you start off in)

There are some great companion sites out there (Inara is the main one, as has been mentioned elsewhere) But another one for plotting "road to riches" is https://spansh.co.uk

This site you can plot a route, and it will tell you roughly how much you can make in cartographic data.

For personally, I focused on exploration first...then trade/mining....with combat at the end

You should also look at engineering your ship....start with Felicity Farseer..with the correct mats you can add a huge amount of range to your FSD....which will make travelling over great distances a lot less laborious.

Finally....check out the content creators...there are loads out there ...and they don't bite. Firey Toad (who has posted elsewhere) is a good one to follow....very knowledgeable and very chilled.

rootsrat's avatar

Absolute Tutorial for Elite Dangerous #16 - How to plan your first steps?

Video Language: Polish

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_-rvGdMCVo0?feature=oembed

OneNutPunch's avatar

I won't bore people with a wall of text instead I'll show off a pretty decent video on how to play Elite Dangerous. Just note it's not really on Base level Elite but rather the New stuff from Frontier in Odyssey

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2DJGSjBjOHE?feature=oembed

A

Getting Started

When you first launch Elite Dangerous, create your character and get ready to pilot your Sidewinder. The in-game tutorials are crucial, teaching you flight, combat, docking, and navigation. Don't rush them – practice and internalize the information.

Into the Black

Once you've finished the tutorials, you're free to explore! Your Sidewinder is versatile enough to handle a range of activities.

Finding Your Path

  • Combat: Head to a Resource Extraction Site (RES) to practice fighting. Upgrade your Sidewinder or buy a combat ship as you progress.

  • Trading: Explore nearby systems, buy low, sell high. Invest in cargo upgrades to boost your profits.

  • Exploration: Venture into uncharted territory, scan planets and stars, and outfit your Sidewinder with exploration modules.

  • Mining: Head to asteroid belts, equip mining lasers, and sell your resources at stations or outposts.

First Steps

  • Join a player group or squadron to learn and make friends.

  • Explore online resources like forums, wikis, and YouTube channels for further guidance.

CMDR_OptimusKoala's avatar

One of the best way to start Elite Dangerous is probably to learn the basics of Elite by saving this poor Jacob Scarlett…

You don’t know who is Jacob Scarlett ?

A system security officer from Ross 154 has mysteriously disappeared without a trace. His ship was spotted drifting in a neighboring system. What mystery lies behind his disappearance?

You can’t leave this unsolved !

Discover this adventure here:

https://elitedangereuse.fr/en/aventures/scarlett.php

O

The best thing to do is to look for tutorials in your native language online so you can get off on the right foot.

It will seem frustrating and complicated at first, but believe me, it's worth it once you get the hang of it.

There's always something to do. Explore, fight, trade, traffic, find resources, or just find a nice place to enjoy the scenery and take fabulous photos.

The important thing is to have fun and have a good time.

P/S: I've played a lot of games, but the Elite Dangerus community is the best of all.

o7

S

naming your first ship and figuring out what career pathyou want ro dip into

S

Play it your Way after u played The Tutorials.

Explore and have Fun to see Things u never can see in another Game.

S

Just do some basic jobs in the starter area and don’t leave it until you have 1 million credits. Buy a nice ship not to expensive and have some money on reserve like 100k.

Delmarfishy's avatar

Take the game slow! try new gameplay loops! rushing the game leads to boredom! (same applies to all games)

C

Take it slow, learn the mechanics of the game. Don't worry about making tons of money or getting into engineering until you know how to fly and shoot.

Also, big tip, golden rule right here: Don't fly without a rebuy. You don't wanna get to the ship you've pined after only to get sent back to a Sidewinder after getting stuck in the mailslot because you didn't have enough money to cover the insurance.

Alex Sinclair's avatar

Hi Cazime-Navora it looks like you've hit 'reply' rather than 'submit' here. We can only award entries made using the 'submit' button, so please re-enter using that button if you'd like to be considered for a prize ✌️

J

There is 3 great way to get start : trading, exobiology and exploration but first you'll need a fited ship and this require money.

Easiest one is exobiology, by using great tools like Inara or a pre-defined Elite Dangerous Star Map road, you'll make millions in just an hour BUT you'll need the odyssey extension and the artemis suit. (having a fuel scoop on your ship is advised).

If you got the default elite, equip your sidewinder with a fuel scoop and a detailed surface scanner, by scanning earth like words you'll make quit some money again you'll need Inara or a pre-defined Elite Dangerous Star Map road.

Finally if grind don't afraid you, take goods from point a to point b, using inara to know what goods is sell at a lower price and then were it's best sell in a reasonnable near distance 10 to 40Ly. For that you'll need to clear all unecessary equipment on your ship to equip cargo racks and when you got sufficent money change your sidewinder to an adder then a type-6 then type-7 and finally type-9 (type 10 is "made" for xeno-hunting) always keep a shield till you'll get confident enough to fly without one. As you get your type-9 you'll seek agricultural station with expansion state as they'll provide you some 50.000.000Cr contracts making your profits fast and safe. (only use bertandite, indite, lepidolite, gallite, coltan and uraninite "mining" mission then go to the nearest mining station and buy those materials)

Élite Dangereuse's avatar

I agree, after the in-game tutorials, the best starting option currently available, credit-wise, in Elite Dangerous is Exobiology. Plus, it will unlock some engineers for you right away.

Here is our 2024 tutorial for the best possible start in the game.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VxyL83U8yuU?feature=oembed

Feel free to share your feedback 🫡

Luriant's avatar

Elite Dangerous its a game so big, that no player can discover everything, but the community effort is great.

Play Live game, Horizons or Odyssey. Legacy is abandoned and a different save. Epic Games install legacy by default, beware. Change FSR Upscaling to Normal 1x to reduce pixelation.

https://edrefcard2.epaphus.uk/ include keybinds files from other players, and because this file have his own name, dont get rewriten like the defualt custom.4.1.bind file when FDev do some update to the controls.

Do the Tutorials, multiple times. Combat tutorial is harder than combat in the game, is ok to die.

Make account in Inara.cz , and link your game account. Use this web to find ship, modules, commodities, and anything you need. You need to accept the permit to share data each month, normal FDev rules for most third party webs.

Bind a key for 75% speed (or reduce speed in 25% increments), press when you are in the last 00:06 to supercruise. This is the optimal deceleration speed, you can accelerate when you speed is near the blue zone, prepare to exit supercruise.

Learn to dock without docking assist, bigger ship don't come with one preinstalled, and bigger ship/mailslot jams could destroy your ship. One is ok in trade ship, but be prepared to retake control if your docking assist gets stuck against other ship. Courier missions are a great start for flying between systems and stations, and dont need cargo space. More jumprange or fuel scoop is recommended.

Buy a Fuel Scoop, and plot a route to scoopable stars (letters KGB FOAM), the ones that burn hydrogen. You need a Fuel Scoop of the same size or bigger than your fuel tank for acceptable refuel (or a little less if you dont expect longer jumps). And the best quality that you can afford (E crap, A the best and very expensive). Use fastest routes instead economics ones (if you have enough fuel), and upgrade the FSD asap, the FSD with SCO (supercruise Overcharged) its more expensive but better than the basic version, you can boost to reach far places faster, but use lot of fuel, do short burst until you have ocnfidence with this new mechanics, followed by Power plant and Fuel Scoop to A-grades. Your A-grade Powerplant reduce ship heat, so you can stop more time near a star for fuel scooping. If not enough fuel, and not nearby scoopable stars... disconnect and FuelRats.com

Change your route to Fast instead Economical, more jump but use a lot more fuel, not a problem with a fuel scoop.

Make your ship builds in EDSY.org , maybe harder than coriolis.io but give the correct heat mechanics and have the special modules obtainables in some old CG and purchaseable in Tech Brokers across the galaxy.

* Size of a module is the most important things, sometimes you can use a downsize modules (2A powerplant in a ship with max 4A if you don't need lof of energy like ship without weapons and D-rated modules), never downsize the FSD that the no-SCO version accept, or you will become stuck in a system. After size, quality is the other important thing.

1. E-modules come preinstalled in ship, and are garbage.

2. D-modules are cheap and lightest with minimal improvement, every pilot use D-rated sensors and lifesupport, and traders could use D-rated thrusters and power distributors, explorers use everything except FSD/Powerplant/FuelScoop

3. C-Modules have ok quality and price, great in your starter ships, and nothing else

4. B-Modules have extra weight and resistance to damage, with big price, its ok in modules without weight (All Fuel Scoop weight 0), but nobody use this because weight reduce the jump range

5. A-Modules are the best of the best, and very expensive, more than a whole ship. You want A-rated FSD, Powerplant and Fuel Scoop, and Thruster/Power distributors/Shields in combat ships, unless using some special fast recharging shields like Bi-weave that only exist C-rated)

* 5E FSD is better than a 4A FSD, so use the biggest module first, and the best letter later (if you need the funcionality of this module). Powerplant is a exception, always A-grade. FSD with SCO can't be undersized, avoiding this mistake.

* Weapons ignore this rule, but have "better" letters with better sizes. Other modules have rare letters that Planetary Hangar G and H (G have less mass, more energy usage, H the opposite. Always use G, less mass more jumprange).

* Always have at least 5% of your ship cost in money, more is better. If you die, you can save your ship paying 5% of his price. Bounties and Fines for mission cargo lost go before rebuys, so having more and ignore mission to transport cargo with pirates unless you have enough to pay the fine for losing the cargo.

Rule #1: Never fly without a rebuy

Rule #2: Never fly without a rebuy , and fines for mission cargo lost, or bounties

Rule #3: Always read the fine print (distance in Jump Ly and supercruise Ls of station destination, if you have illegal cargo, or pirates against you...)

Rule #?: Never disconnect docked in a Fleet Carrier, these are player owned stations jumpcapable. If the owner want a trip to the center of the galaxy, you become stranded in a Fleet Carrier at 10000Ly from any other station.

If you have problems, but can survive 18 seconds (not combat), exit to the *Main menu > help > stuck*. Can be used if you drop inside a jet cone, the planet have very high G, thargoids are attacking the settlement with you docked...

For your SRV vehicle (the rover), Turn Off driving assist, make it a lot easier. Start with less pips in the engine to avoid drifting.

The 200Ly radius around Sol is know as the Bubble of inhabitated systems. You have hundred of hours without moving from here. Outside it, only nearby nebulas, a path of stations going to Colonia sector at 22000Ly, and the small bubble of colonia sector (only 71 inhabitated systems). We have a 400Billion system galaxy, near empty, with only 0.07% discovered. The Milky way include 30K objects from real world, and a generator for the other 400Billion that have predicted some planets in the past (Trappist-1 , sextuple stars systems... exist in ED before NASA discovery xD).

Read Galnet news, even if you don't know the NPCs and story, the news from today are the Community Goals of the next week/month/year? . Community Goals are events were everybody do some activity (like trading) for some profit and a change in the galaxy. Server reset at Thursday 7UTC end old CG (if player don't reach the top) and put new ones or other type of event. If the CG its too advanced for you, join us when you have better ship, and we will give you tips to reach Top75% in your first CG (that give credits and special rewards). Galnet News Digest youtube channel talk about official and player events.

Very Useful Links: r/EliteTraders | r/EliteMiners | r/EliteExplorers | EDSY.org | Inara.cz | CMDRS-toolbox.com | EDTools.cc | EDGalaxy.net | FuelRats.com | HullSeals.space | Canonn.Science | Wiki.Antixenoinitiative.com

Youtubers, some of them don't play the game anymore but had great content: Down To Earth Astronomy, EDTutorials By Exigeous, TheYamiks (Stroing Language), Galnet News Digest, The Buur Pit, Hawkes Gaming, Ricardos Gaming, The Pilot...

Some systems are very popular, and have gankers that kill players. Never go in OPEN to one of this places: https://inara.cz/reports-security/ Go in SOLO or join PVE Private groups like Mobius PVE. https://elitepve.com/page/join a more advanced from my own, My To-Do List in Reddit for most of the activities in the game.

When you have confidence with the game and want to start the normal progression on your own. From now, keep working in a bigger ship like the CobraMK3->DBX->AspX

D

This is my “cut to the chase” entry:

  1. Learn flight controls, it’s a must and there are plenty of comprehensible community YouTube tutorials.

  2. Fly cheap ships until you feel confident to fly expensive ones (and have spare money to rebuy them if you lose one).

  3. Try new things and explore the community content. There is a lot of great content about exploration, combat, mining. Give a try to them and pick what you enjoy most.

Have fun!

U

Welcome to the vast universe of Elite Dangerous!

Getting started in Elite Dangerous can be overwhelming at first, but with a little guidance, you'll soon find yourself soaring to the far reaches of the galaxy. Here is a detailed guide to help you take your first steps:

The First Steps

The Sidewinder, your first home: When you start the game, you will find yourself in command of a Sidewinder, a small but versatile ship. This ship will be your companion on your first adventures and will help you learn basic controls.

Starting Missions: Missions are a great way to earn credits and get familiar with the galaxy. Look for transport or delivery missions at nearby stations. These missions are usually simple and will allow you to gain experience.

Explore your surroundings: Don't just follow the missions. Explore nearby star systems, discover new planets and seasons. Exploration will allow you to discover the secrets of the galaxy and earn additional credits.

Building your Empire

Customize your ship: As you earn credits, you can upgrade your ship with new modules and weapons. Invest in modules that suit your play style. For example, if you like combat, upgrade your weapons and shields. If you prefer scanning, invest in a larger fuel manifold and a better scanner.

Join a faction: Factions are groups with common interests that operate in different star systems. By joining a faction, you will be able to access exclusive missions and obtain additional benefits.

Manage your finances: Credits are essential to progress in Elite Dangerous. Sell ​​the resources you find on your travels and buy the upgrades you need for your ship.

Build a fleet: As you progress through the game, you will be able to acquire new ships and build a fleet. Each ship has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choose the ships that best suit your needs.

Tips for New Commanders

Practice landing: Landing on a space station can be complicated at first. Practice to improve your technique.

Use the galactic map: The galactic map is an essential tool for navigating the galaxy. Use it to plan your routes and find points of interest.

Explore different styles of play: Elite Dangerous offers a wide variety of options, from trading to hacking. Experiment with different play styles to find the one you like best.

Join a community: The Elite Dangerous community is very active. Join a forum or group on social media to share experiences and get advice.

Useful Resources

Official Forums: Here you will find answers to many of your questions and you can interact with other players.

Guides on YouTube: There are numerous YouTube channels dedicated to Elite Dangerous with tutorials and tips.

Discord: Join a Discord server to chat with other commanders in real time.

Remember: Elite Dangerous is a vast and complex game. Don't be discouraged if you feel overwhelmed at first. The key is exploration and experimentation!

S

The best suggestion i can give to any new comers to elite D. is to grab a type 6 transport and some passenger cabins. or a kellback . after that shoot for a dolphine and then an orca, beluga liner throw some passenger cabs in it and go on to solo play to make some money. so u dont have to worry about being on line and wasting a ship getting blown up thank the developers on that for a good thought process. cause with out that u could be harassed by ther players and gives u chance to get up ships and experience with the game.

H

Look. You want to be a billionaire right? Follow my lead and I'll get you to a few hundred million because I'm too lazy to actually grind for billions. What you want to do is save up for a small or medium ship that can hold a bunch of passengers and with a decent jump range. 20+ Ly would be nice. Why not a large ship? Because you can't land one at the space port or it will explode from how much money you have on your ship. I bought a Dolphin not because it's meant to do passenger missions, but because it's baller and I have to fake it before I make it. Plus I want to trick the passengers into paying top dollar for a ticket when they see the luxurious Dolphin waiting for them only to board it and get crammed into economy class cabins. Anyways, what you're going to do is go to Robigo Mines in the Robigo system. There you will find a bunch of dirty criminals (and a few lovely tourists) that want to see some POI 60ish Ly away. All you have to do is jump to that system, scan the beacon by targeting it and staring at it until it gets uncomfortable, then fly back to Robigo. That's it. 15-20 million credits per trip once you get max rep. You don't need to invest into anything but passenger cabins and in fact you want to make your ship as light as possible to cut down on each trip. But aren't the passengers criminals? Yes! But Robigo Mines is a tiny space port with no mail slot so you don't get scanned when docking. If you're looking for action this ain't it. But that doesn't get you millions of credits in pretty much 10-15 minutes. Put on some music or a movie and just be a space bus driver. I did this in my Dolphin until I could buy an Anaconda. Then I also bought a Python with the money left over. Backwards but... never let them know your next move.

TLDR

  • Get a small or medium ship (Dolphin if you're a BOSS)

  • Fill that ship full of passenger cabins

  • Go to Robigo Mines and bring criminals to a floating piece of metal in space

  • Make millions of credits in 20 minutes or less

R

What to Expect from Your First Hours of Play, from Login Onwards

When you first log into Elite Dangerous, the vastness of the universe can feel overwhelming. The galaxy is enormous, filled with complex systems and intricate mechanics. It’s natural to feel a bit lost, but don’t worry, you’ll gradually uncover the depths of the game at your own pace. Take your time to explore, and don’t rush into "get rich quick" schemes. One of the most satisfying parts of Elite Dangerous is forging your own path through the galaxy. Start small, perhaps by staying within a single system and learning the ropes. Engage in a few skirmishes with pirates and get comfortable navigating your Sidewinder. Get to know the basics and finding your footing in the game.

The Tutorials: Tips, Format, Duration, and Missing Elements

Do the tutorials! They offer a solid introduction to the game’s mechanics, covering the basics of flight and combat. However, they can only take you so far. While the tutorials provide a good foundation, they wont cover every scenario. Experiment on your own, make mistakes, and learn from them. Additionally, customizing your keybindings is not a bad idea, find a layout that feels comfortable to you, as this will greatly enhance your experience (There are plenty examples on the net).

Being Unleashed in the Galaxy for the First Time in Your Sidewinder

When you’re finally let loose in the galaxy with your trusty Sidewinder (I still own mine, 2015 model), it’s both exciting and daunting. This small ship will be your companion as you take your first steps into the universe. Start by exploring the nearby systems, perhaps taking on some basic trading missions or engaging in small-scale combat. The Sidewinder will allow you to dip your toes into various aspects of the game without significant risk. This period is all about learning—get to know the controls, experiment with different playstyles, and start earning your first credits.

Appropriate Next Steps for Budding Pilots of All Inclinations

As you grow more comfortable you will want to consider your next steps. Whether you’re inclined towards trading, combat, mining, or exploration, there’s a ship and a career path that will suit your style. Trading, upgrading to an Adder or a Cobra, allows you to haul more cargo and earn greater profits. For combat you might look at ships like the Viper, which offers better firepower and agility. If mining or exploration is your interest, ships like the Asp Explorer or Type-6 Transporter are excellent options. Each ship has its strengths and weaknesses, so take the time to experiment and find what works best for you, there is pplenty of fun to be had speccing your ships.

Where Players Might Go and What They Might Do to Get Started with Common Elite Careers

Once you’ve chosen your path, the galaxy is your oyster. For traders, accept missions at your local station and slowly venture deeper into the galaxy as your resources grow. Miners, head the rings of planets, where valuable resources can be mined, beware of pirates!. Combat pilots can seek out conflict zones or take massacre missions, where pirates and enemy factions provide ample targets. Explorers might venture out to the edges of the bubble, scanning unexplored systems and discovering new worlds. Dont forget to pick up your free Anaconda/Python at Hutton Orbital!

Consider joining one of the many Squadrons out there, or form your own with friends. There is alot of fun and banter to be had in space and the game is all the richer for its community.

o7 and Goodluck

A

Well, my advice is just go through the tutorial, set your keybinding to a comfortable setting, and then find your own interest in this game, don't let other tell you what to do in the game.

I've seen so many new players come to this game, follow the shortcut of old players and make a lot of money within several days. And then they bought Anaconda, Corvette or Cutter and suddenly lose interest of this game.

I'm not denying the effort of those old players who share their experience of how to make fast money, those instructions are of great significance since money is very important in Elite world. I'm just trying to tell the new players that the period that you discover your own interest and your own style of playing is also very important.

Trust me, watch your character gradually growth, switching from a sidewinder to a cobra, and then maybe Asp, and then Python is the most interesting and statisfying part of your gameplay.

CMDR Henckes's avatar

To star this I think I will have to go back some time, in the year 2008 when the game Spore was released and I fell in love with the space stage and the limited freedom that I had to explore the galaxy, and if limited and simple at that time it amused me so much.

Years have passed by, played a lot of other games, always loved space, felt in love for Mass Effect Series and for the TV Show Star Trek as well, all abou the space, than enormous darkness always called my attention because it doesn't matter where I looked there will be at least a point of light a point of light that I knew that it had it own star and planets orbiting it . Just the sky I was able to see was so vast and hard to measure and knowing that it was just a tiny amount of that things that exist in this universe make all of this even more fantastic.

And finally around the year of 2014 an 2015 start to appear some games that resemble me of the space stage of Spore, specially NMS, like everybody else I get in in the hype, if it was't a disappoint to me like it was for the most of players it wasn't what I was looking for, I was looking for something more realistic or at least something that passed the sensasiton of something more tangible. And than I've bought Elite Dangerous that I was already looking for some time and in the first glance it was fantastic but dreadful as well. It was a really complex game, it had some kind of realism in the controls, in flight system, in combat, in the galaxy simulation and this, the same reason that scared me was the reason that made me keep playing. I tried to engage in combat may times at the beginner, none with success, and that I start to make delivery missions. And with some time I started to get in handle with flight controls make my key bindings suitable to my style of gaming.

And something that is important in this star in the game is that you to need to be frustrated because you wasn't able to do some tasks. The game is meat to be hard, it gives you immersion, it isn't another arcade game, you have to feel that you are making part of another world. And I started with minimum help as possible. I started to see more videos and tipo about the game after I get my Cobra Mk III, and I think you should try this as well. Get familiarised with the game, it has some tutorial, and good ones to get the basics, do them and get practice. And you start confident with the basic I recommend you to start with tutorials, and you will star to understand what give more money, how to get expert in mining or trading, how to start in combat and so on.

With the help of those tutorial you will start to see what interest you the most. I started with exploration, there is some third party tools for make exploration profitable, the say the truth there is third party tools for almost everything in the game, and this is a thing I wish I knew early. And some time after that I start to explore just for the passion for discovery unique planets and systems out there. Just put a marker in some place of the map that I thought was interesting and took my ship into the unknown.

Always get Interact with the community of ED, I think it is one if not the best game community out there. They organize expeditions to explore the galaxy, travelling to the farthest point from our sun. And my first expedition it was unique, The Distant World 2, making collective jumps, betting race with SRVs with new friends, discovering new planets and landscapes, after that I knew I would be spend a lot of time playing Elite Dangerous. And before I forget in this time I have brought my first flight joystick, if you can afford it I guarantee you that it is a well spent money, play the game with a stick or a HOTAS is a unique experience and make everything more fun.

And after some hours I started to do a lot of things, I improved my ships, stared bounty hunting, started mining, started making trade routes, started xenohunting, I'm trying to help in the war, I just see what I like or don't like to do in the game, and that is the most important thing to do, do what you like in the game, it gives you a ton of ways to play this game, and you do not need to start the game with exploration like me. You can search for a ship build to start bounty hunting, or by some ship to start mining and after that you can try other gameplay, you're free to do whatever you want and go to any star in our galaxy, enjoy you new life commander and welcome to the Pilots Federation Farewell and godspeed o7

J

Getting started in Elite Dangerous can be a bit overwhelming due to its complexity, but here’s a basic roadmap to help you begin your journey:

  1. Choose Your Platform: Decide if you'll be playing on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation. The gameplay experience is similar across platforms.

  2. Understand the Basics:

    • Elite Dangerous is a space simulation game with a focus on trading, exploration, and combat. You'll be piloting your own spaceship in a massive, open-world galaxy.

  3. Complete the Tutorial: The game offers a tutorial that covers the basic controls and mechanics. It’s highly recommended to complete this to get familiar with the game's systems.

  4. Start with a Simple Ship: When you start, you’ll have a basic ship. Learn how to fly and handle it. Practice docking, undocking, and using the navigation system.

  5. Pick a Career Path: Decide what you want to focus on:

    • Exploration: Travel to unknown regions of the galaxy and discover new star systems.

    • Trading: Buy and sell goods between stations to make a profit.

    • Combat: Engage in battles with pirates or take on missions that involve fighting.

    • Mining: Extract valuable resources from asteroids.

  6. Join a Faction or Group: Engaging with factions or player groups can enhance your experience and provide support and guidance.

  7. Learn the Economy and Reputation Systems: Understanding how the in-game economy works and how reputation affects your interactions with factions will be crucial for progressing.

  8. Upgrade Your Ship: As you earn credits, invest in better equipment and ships. This will make various tasks, such as combat or trading, more manageable.

  9. Use External Resources: There are many helpful guides and tools available online, such as EDDB (Elite Dangerous Database) for trade routes and Inara for general information and community interaction.

  10. Have Patience: The game has a steep learning curve. Take your time to explore and learn. The more you play, the more you’ll understand the intricacies of the game.

A

The best way to get started in elite, is by doing currier missions after the tutorial, after that with your starting ship buy mining lasers and start to mine any asteroid and do that for a long long long time until you have enough to buy an exploration ship, than explore around for water worlds, earth-likes, and high metal content worlds they pay out the best do all three scans and rinse and repeat until you have about 300 milion credits. after that buy an anti-xeno ship and start killing thargoids, and work on ranks

Reog342's avatar

o7 nuevos pilotos aquí una pequeña guía según mi experiencia, bueno sin mas les explico abajo rápidamente:

  1. tutoriales iniciales: Lo primero que debes hacer es completar los tutoriales del juego, tanto los simples como los avanzados para que puedas entender las mecánicas y las opciones de ganar dinero o hacer otras cosas.

  2. Misiones Iniciales: Comienza con misiones sencillas (como las de mensajero o transporte) que te ayudarán a ganar créditos y familiarizarte con las mecánicas del juego que si ya hiciste los tutoriales te ira bien.

  3. Explora: Usa el mapa de la galaxia para explorar diferentes sistemas estelares, estaciones, planetas y asentamientos para domines el manejo de moverte por el espacio y los planetas

  4. Mejora tu Nave: A medida que ganes créditos, invierte en mejoras para tu nave adecuadamente a tus necesidades, ejemplo si tu nave es exploración vas a querer darle mas importancia a la distancia de salto por lo cual mejorarías los motores distorsión

  5. Únete a una Comunidad: Considera unirte a una comunidad de jugadores asi podras jugar con amigos y avanzar juntos es mejor que hacerlo solo y podrás conocer sus conocimientos.

  6. Videos Tutoriales: Hay muchos videos tutoriales o guías en español que pueden ayudarte a entender mejor el juego, te tomara tiempo pero de que entenderás algo estoy seguro que si.

Sin mas que decir les deseo buena suerte en el juego, y que prosperen económicamente.

Alex Sinclair's avatar

Hey Reog342 - I'm afraid we're an English-language only platform for now, so we won't be able to award this unless you can translate it into English for us. We do hope to add more language options in the future. o7

M

o7 Commander!

Do the tutorial, practice a few hours and do missions to learn how to fly your ship until you're ready to leave the starter zone.

Then join an active squadron to share tips and activities (exploration, combat, trade, mining...)

There are also many resources online to help you (inara.cz , edsm.net , edsy.org for example)

Fly safe !

Related bounties

Communities

There’s more to love

Help shape the future of our platform as we build the best place to express and enjoy your passions, whatever they may be.

Emoji

© Just About Community Ltd. 2024