We know getting started in Elite Dangerous can be an intimidating experience, filled with frustrations and fiery explosions, but we chose the word ‘can’ intentionally, because there’s no need for it to be that way - not when you have a step-by-step Elite Dangerous beginners’ guide, created from tips submitted by knowledgeable players with decades of experience between them. When we launched Just About Elite Dangerous, we made it our first priority to ask our expert community how new players should get started, including what to expect from the first few hours, the tutorials, career paths, and the next steps to follow as the galaxy becomes their playground. Below, you’ll find these veteran players' words of wisdom, and you’ll be equipped with the need-to-know info to soar to the far reaches of the galaxy. 

This is a thorough piece, so here’s a star map table of contents to help you navigate:

• Controls and customisation

  • Choose a control scheme

  • Create custom keybinds

  • Recommended keybinding customisations for new Elite Dangerous players

• The tutorials

• Elite Dangerous’s three game modes, explained

  • So you’ve finished the tutorials, what comes next?

• Missions, careers, and credits:

  • Exploration

  • Exobiology

  • Transportation and Trade

  • Courier

  • Passenger carrying

  • Mining

  • Combat

  • Why not freelance instead?

• Online resources for Elite Dangerous

  • Inara

  • Spansh

  • EDSM (Elite Dangerous Star Map)

  • ED Tools

  • The Elite Dangerous Wiki

  • ED Odyssey Materials Helper

  • The official Elite Dangerous forums

• Get involved with the community

  • Content creators

  • Join a squadron

  • Engage with player-made content

• Forget the ‘get rich quick’ schemes and do it your way

• Take your time, have fun, and enjoy the ride

• Bonus suggestion: fall in love

• Additional Elite Dangerous beginner tips

Now let's get stuck in!

Controls and customisation

Where you start in Elite Dangerous depends on the version of the game you’re playing. If you’re playing Elite Dangerous Odyssey, you’ll first be taken through an on-foot tutorial mission. Otherwise, after you’ve made a commander, you’ll be prompted to select between one of the standard starting areas or Dromi - a system in the Pilots’ Federation district. It’s widely agreed that the Pilots’ Federation district is the wisest choice, as it’s a safer environment to learn the basics. Once you’ve chosen, you’ll no doubt want to go exploring in your first ship, the humble Sidewinder. But you’re not ready to blaze off into the black just yet… 

Choose a control scheme

First things first, select your control scheme: 

HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick): For the most immersive Elite Dangerous flying experience, you’ll want to set yourself up with your very own at-home cockpit. If you plan to invest a lot of time in Elite, this is the way forward. We’ll soon publish a guide on recommended Elite peripherals, so keep an eye on our curated content page. Until then, heed the words of Kraken: 

“You don’t need an expensive HOTAS setup, but I recommend one with at least a separate throttle and flight stick; it just feels more comfortable.”

Keyboard and mouse: If you don’t have access to HOTAS, flying is still deeply enjoyable, but to make the most out of it you’ll want to bind keys ranging from the basic flight controls up to the more advanced functions, like power distribution management and scanning. 

Gamepad or controller: Elite comes with presets that our veteran players deem to be intuitive, though you may still want to adjust them to match your playstyle. Some non-standard issue console controllers will come with additional customisable buttons; use them.

Create custom keybinds

While especially true of HOTAS and keyboard setups, whichever control system you use, you’ll want to carefully map out your controls to make the most of your hardware. Here’s FireyToad who submitted thorough and valuable advice that we’ll be quoting throughout this Elite Dangerous starter guide:

“Elite Dangerous has a complex control system with many functions, and while the game offers several default presets, customising your keybinds to suit your preferences and hardware can make a huge difference to your experience.”

Recommended keybinding customisations for new Elite Dangerous players

There’s no right answer when it comes to keybinding. We recommend alternating between the tutorials, training grounds, and the keybinding menu while testing out different combinations to see what feels right. That said, we’ve shared some of the key keybinds that our veteran player membership recommends experimenting with below. We’ll start with some tips from FireyToad: 

“Basic flight controls: Set your pitch, yaw, and roll to comfortable keys (or axes if using a joystick or HOTAS). Ensure that thrust controls - both forwards/backwards and lateral/vertical - are easily accessible.

“Combat and targeting: Map your primary and secondary fire buttons, target cycling, 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 the heat of 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 and exiting supercruise (faster-than-light travel) and jumping to hyperspace; you’ll be using these functions often when travelling between systems and stations.”

Luriant adds another recommendation: 

“Bind a key to 75% speed (or ‘reduce speed in 25% increments’). It’s useful when you’re in the last six seconds of supercruise. It’s the optimal deceleration speed." 

You’re able to save your custom keybind setups, allowing you to revert to them whenever you need to - or as is sometimes the case, if they’re reset upon a game update. If you’re not confident in setting up your own controls, you can access community-designed control setups that other players have made available. You can then further customise these to your liking. You can find these here and here. Several of our community members recommend backing up your keybindings in case they’re lost. 

While the options and UI may seem intimidating at first, FireyToad reassures new players that “the various panels and information around your cockpit will become second nature over time” and that “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.”

The tutorials

There are some games in which you can safely skip the tutorials and work things out as you go, and there are some in which that’s a very bad idea. No prizes for guessing which category Elite falls into. As BZSm1th notes, completing the tutorials seems like an obvious tip, but all too many players skip them and pay the price.

Elite’s tutorials take the form of repeatable standalone missions targeted at specific mechanics covering flight, supercruise, docking, and combat basics. Each one takes between five and 15 minutes. It can’t be emphasised enough how vital these tutorials are for new Elite Dangerous players, but here are a few of our community members giving it a shot: 

LgElliott says: “They’re essential. Take notes.”

Doc says: “Learn the flight controls! It’s a must!”

Luriant says: “Do the tutorials…  multiple times.”

RicZA says: “Do the tutorials! They’re a solid introduction to the game’s mechanics!”

AlexLeporiday says: “The in-game tutorials are crucial! They’ll teach you flight, combat, docking, and navigation! Don't rush them – practice and internalise the information.”

FireyToad provides three tips to help you maximise the tutorials’ utility: 

“Docking: Practise this repeatedly until you feel comfortable. It’s trickier than it looks, and it’s essential.

“Combat: The combat tutorials provide an overview of the basic dogfighting experience, but real battles can be more complex. Try to master target tracking and energy management.

“Supercruise: Unless you learn to slow down correctly when approaching planets or stations, you’ll overshoot your target.” 

Kenomica adds: Don’t just do the introductory tutorials, take part in all the plethora of playable training and challenge scenarios. And don’t worry if you can’t complete them all at first - the advanced combat ones can be rough!”

As important as the tutorials are, they don’t cover everything you need to know, like fuel management or engineering. Multiple community members suggest making YouTube tutorials your next spaceport of call - we recommend some later in this guide - and after those? “Experiment on your own, make mistakes, and learn from them,” says RicZA.

Elite Dangerous’s three game modes, explained

There are three ‘game modes’ in which you can play Elite, and these will determine your interactions with other players: 

Solo play: While still requiring an internet connection, players in solo play will not meet, interact, or instance with other players. It’s a solely (solo-ley?) PvE experience.

Open play: In open play mode, Elite's most dangerous, players can join instances with other Elite players in the same star system. Given the size of Elite’s galaxy, there’s no guarantee you’ll meet other players, but in certain systems it’s more likely.

Private group session: A middle ground between solo play and open play, players who play in a private group will only encounter players invited by that group's owner.

You select your game mode when you open the game. If you wish to change it, exit to the main menu. Unless you’re playing with friends or you’re a glutton for punishment, you’ll likely want to follow Kraken’s advice and start with solo play: “You’ll still share the same galaxy as other players, but it will allow you to learn and fly safely without being interdicted or ganked by others who’ll see you as easy prey.” 

So you’ve finished the tutorials, what comes next? 

You’re now unleashed; you’re free to explore the cosmos in your first ship - the small yet trusty and versatile Sidewinder. It may be modest, but don’t underestimate it; it’s more than capable of handling early-game missions. Here’s RicZA:

“When you’re finally let loose in the galaxy with your trusty Sidewinder (I still own mine, the 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.”

Before you attempt any missions, why not put the skills you learned in the tutorials into practice? Here are three suggestions from FireyToad: 

“Take-off and flight: The first time you take off from the station 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.

“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: Practise docking at a few stations to solidify your skills. This can be stressful in busy stations, but with practice, it becomes instinctual.”

And here are some encouraging words from LGElliott:

“Once you complete the tutorial, you’ll probably be overwhelmed by the magnificent universe offered to you and its greatness. Don’t panic; you’re a new pilot and you’re not yet ready to face the dangers of this new world, but you will learn and evolve.”

Unless they’re sending you on a wild Anaconda chase, most Elite players recommend new players stick around ‘The Bubble’. The Bubble is a nickname for the Elite galaxy’s densely populated ‘core systems’ or ‘core worlds’ - these systems contain most of Elite’s human civilisation. They’re where the galactic superpowers (the Federation, Empire, and Alliance) compete for influence and control. At approximately 200 light years in radius, centred around Sol, you won't be short of things to see and do in your early Elite Dangerous career. Talking of which…

Missions, careers, and credits

As shown in the poll above, Elite Dangerous has many official and unofficial careers. Some vocations, especially combat-focused ones, are not advised for new players. However, there are still plenty of new-player-friendly options. Try out a few and decide which kind of pilot you want to be. 

As for the order in which you should try them, our members’ advice varied. BZSm1th suggests focusing on exploration first, before moving onto trading, mining, and eventually combat. Alternatively, AbsentOmega suggests starting with courier missions, then using the profits to buy mining lasers for asteroid mining before eventually moving onto exploration and Thargoid hunting.

Given those differing approaches, we’ve laid out some of the best new-player careers below, alongside our community members’ advocacy of and advice for them. Have a read through and then choose one you like the sounds of. 

A note on Elite Dangerous’s careers: We’ll be publishing beginner-friendly how-to guides for each of Elite’s careers over the next few months. We’ll update this article with links as and when they’re published. But the best way to ensure you don’t miss them is to join the community and get involved!

Exploration

Do you crave the unknown? Does your soul yearn for discovery? Then you, my friend, are an explorer. It’s time to leave the core systems in your wake and go discover uncharted star systems and untouched worlds. 

As USCSS notes, there are plenty of simple, beginner-friendly exploration missions that you can pick up, allowing you to earn credits while discovering the secrets of the galaxy. Here are some top exploration tips, courtesy of our community members:

• “Remember to equip your Sidewinder with exploration modules.” - Alex Leopirday

• “Equip a fuel scoop to gather fuel from stars while travelling.” - FireyToad

• “Use the discovery scanner module to locate unexplored celestial bodies.” - FireyToad

• “Plan your journey using tools like Spansh for neutron star boosts and exploration routes.” - FireyToad

• “Aim to upgrade to an Asp Explorer or Diamondback Explorer for deep space travel.”  - FireyToad

• “Certain planet types are higher earners when scanning: HMC (High Metal Content worlds), ELW (Earth-like Worlds), WW (Water Worlds), and AW (Ammonia Worlds).” - BZSm1th 

• “You’ll earn more if you’re the first to scan these worlds, but for that you’ll need to go way out of The Bubble.” - BZSm1th 

Exobiology

Life, uh, finds a way. And you, uh, can find a way to profit from it. Exobiology is a subclass of the exploration career that involves the on-foot scanning of alien life forms. Jules11 says: “It’s the easiest way to get started. By using Elite’s great tools like Inara or by using a star map, you can quickly make millions. However, you will need the Odyssey expansion and an Artemis suit."  

Transportation and trade

The space truckin’ life may not sound glamorous, but it allows players to see the galaxy’s delights with a more defined purpose. In brief, traders buy low in one system and sell high in another, while transporters are paid to take goods, data, or people from A to B. Both transport and trade can be broken down into further categories; some of the most popular of which we explore below. 

Courier

Many courier missions - which are found at starport mission boards - require little-to-no cargo space, making them very accessible to new players. Kenomica recommends data courier missions, for which no cargo space is needed at all. Then all you need to do - usually - is take it where it needs to go. As with any of Elite’s career paths, once you've gained some experience and credits, you can take on missions with greater risk for greater gain. 

Passenger carrying

Taxi! Here’s stonbluntman's recommendation:

“The best suggestion I can give to any Elite D newcomers is to grab a Keelback or Type-6 Transporter and some passenger cabins. Later, you can shoot for a Dolphin or even an Orca or Beluga Liner. Once you have your passenger-ready ship, switch to solo play to make sure you don’t get harassed by other players, and go take those people where they need to go.”  

HakunaYourTatas has similar advice, although we get the distinct feeling they’d charge us a premium for a five-minute journey: 

“Look here: I’m too lazy to be a billionaire, but I can tell you how to make a few million. Save up for a small or medium-size ship with a decent jump range that can hold a bunch of passengers. I bought a Dolphin, 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, there’s a bunch of missions you can do, but I say head to the Robigo Mines, pick up the reprobates you find there, and take them where they need to go. But aren’t the passengers criminals? They sure are. But you won’t get scanned and you might just get rich.” 

Before you get into the convict shipping business, read the subsection at the end of this guide about finding your own path rather than following other players' money-making methods.

Mining

Mining may not be a high-thrills career, but it sure is a relaxing one and there’s an art to doing it efficiently and lucratively. There are multiple ways to mine in Elite Dangerous, but the one most recommended for beginners is asteroid mining. You’ll want to equip some mining lasers, head out to an asteroid belt or planetary ring, get the goods, and then take them back to civilisation to sell them. We’ll soon produce our own mining guide and we’ll update this article with the link, but in the meantime, here are some foundational mining tips:

• “Learn about hotspots for valuable minerals, like painite or void opals” - FireyToad

• “When you can, upgrade to a Cobra Mk III or Type-6; the increased cargo capacity will make you more efficient.” - FireyToad 

• “Beware of pirates!” - RicZA

Combat

As previously noted, combat probably isn’t the ideal starting vocation, but if your heart beats with the rhythm of multi-cannon fire and there’s superheated plasma pulsing through your veins, maybe you want to jump in guns blazing. There are a range of combat-focused specialisations, including bounty hunting, assassination, xeno-hunting, piracy, and mercenary work. You can head to an RES (Resource Extraction Site), seek out a conflict zone, or accept a massacre mission where, as RicZA puts it, “pirates and enemy factions will provide ample targets”.  

Here are a few tips from FireyToad: 

• Continually improve your ship with better weapons, shields, and armour. 

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

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

Why not freelance instead?

As previously stated, there’s no reason why you can’t dip your toes in many waters. Those who prefer a variety of activities should run missions of all kinds. You’ll increase your faction reputation and unlock higher-paying missions, and as FireyToad notes, this approach may well lead you into one of Elite’s more specialised careers like smuggling or espionage. 

Kenomica has a piece of advice “that varies somewhat from most new player guides”. They advise new players to lean into Elite’s sandbox world and set their own missions, “such as: ‘I want to fly that big shiny ship’, ‘I want to visit Sagittarius A*’, or ‘I want to get my name on a planet!’”. And then, with your northstar established, “progress towards it however you see fit.”  

That’s exactly what CMDR Henckes did, and they’ve never looked back: “I just put a map marker on a place that looked interesting and took my ship into the unknown.” It’s too long to include here, but check out their post if you’re looking for a heartfelt tale of how they fell in love with the game.

As RicZA notes, no matter your inclination, there’s a ship and a career path that will suit your style. “Once you’ve chosen your path, the galaxy is your oyster.” And that oyster is stacked to the brim with pearls. 

Online resources for Elite Dangerous

“There’s a third-party tool for almost everything in the game. I wish I knew that earlier.” Those are the learned words of CMDR Henckes. We won’t share an exhaustive list of tools and companion sites here for two reasons: we don’t want to overwhelm you and we have a separate exhaustive list in the works. We will, however, give a brief overview of the Elite Dangerous resources that are recommended time and time again: 

Inara

“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. It’s useful for trading, engineering, mission planning, and community support.” - FireyToad

“Make an account in Inara.cz and link it to your game account. You’ll find ships, modules, commodities, and anything else you need there.” - Luriant

Spansh

“This one is great for plotting ‘roads to riches’. Input your route and it’ll tell you how much you can make in cartographic data.” - BZSm1th

“It’s a powerful route planner that’s particularly useful for long-distance exploration and neutron star routes. It calculates efficient routes and helps explorers travel vast distances faster.” - FireyToad

EDSM (Elite Dangerous Star Map)

“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.” - FireyToad

ED Tools

“ED Tools offers a collection of lightweight tools for finding trade routes, gathering materials, and planning engineering upgrades.” - FireyToad

The Elite Dangerous Wiki

“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.” - FireyToad

ED Odyssey Materials Helper 

“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.” - FireyToad

The official Elite Dangerous forums

“Here, you’ll find answers to many of your questions and you can interact with other players.” - USCSS 

Not enough for you? Here are a few more courtesy of Luriant: 

“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"

Get involved with the community

The ultimate new-player resource is the Elite Dangerous community, which everyone agrees has something special. Here’s CMDR Henckes: 

“Always interact with the ED community; they’re one of the best game communities out there. They organise expeditions to explore the galaxy, travelling to the farthest points from our sun. I still remember my first expedition: The Distant World 2, in which we made collective jumps, bet on SRV races with new friends, and discovered new planets and jaw-dropping landscapes. After that, I knew I’d be spending a lot of time playing Elite.”

ottosiux agrees: “I've played a lot of games, but the Elite Dangerous community is the best of all.” 

You’re already at the new home of Elite Dangerous, so you’re off to a good start. But we have no interest in monopolising the galaxy; there are many Elite communities to get involved in: 

Content creators

“Elite Dangerous is a game so big that no player can discover everything, but the community effort goes a long way.” That’s Luriant, who recommends the following YouTubers, while noting that some aren’t currently active: “Down To Earth Astronomy, EDTutorials By Exigeous, TheYamiks, Galnet News Digest, The Buur Pit, Hawkes Gaming, Ricardos Gaming, and The Pilot”.

BZSm1th adds a familiar name to that list: “Check out the content creators, there are loads out there, and they don’t bite. FireyToad is a good one to follow, they’re very knowledgeable and very chilled.” 

If English isn’t your favoured language, there are plenty of fantastic content creators who make Elite content in other languages too. If you’re a Spanish speaker, be sure to check out Stormseeker's Elite video walkthrough.

Other community members suggested chatting to fellow Commanders in real time in a Discord server and asking questions to the “friendly and helpful” players on Twitch. 

Join a squadron

There are a number of different structures for player associations within Elite, but squadrons are a great place to start. Think of them like player-run guilds in more traditional MMORPGs. MIBE7070 speaks of the advantages of joining one: “o7 Commander! After you’ve completed the tutorial, practised for a few hours, and completed a few missions, be sure to join an active squadron to share both tips and activities, such as exploration, combat, trade, and mining.” And that’s not to forget, they’re a lot of fun. Here’s RicZA:

“Consider joining one of the many squadrons out there, or form your own with your friends. There’s a lot of fun and banter to be had in space, and the game is all the richer for its community.”  

There’s no shortage of squadrons (over 20,000 were formed in 2019 alone), and they align themselves with other larger associations, so do a bit of research first.  

Engage with player-made content

One of the most compelling things about Elite, which has a strong roleplaying community, is the content made by players for players. If that sounds like the sort of thing you’d be interested in, one of the most professional, creative, and impressive groups is the Élite Dangereuse community, who share their latest adventures weekly here at Just About Elite Dangerous. One of their members, CMDR_OptimusKoala, reckons that they have the perfect adventure for the job: 

“One of the best ways to start Elite Dangerous is to learn the game’s basics by saving poor Jacob Scarlett! Discover the adventure here.”

Forget the ‘get rich quick’ schemes and do it your way

We’d like to dedicate this entire subheading to some great advice from AndyRice, who expresses it better than we could: 

“Don’t let others tell you what to do. I've seen so many new players come to this game, follow old players’ shortcuts to getting rich quick, buy an Anaconda, Corvette, or Cutter, and then suddenly lose interest in the game. 

“I've nothing against those long-standing players who share their experience, nor am I detracting from the helpfulness or significance of their efforts. But I’d like to highlight to new players that the period in which you discover your own interests and your own style of play is also very important.

“Watching your character gradually grow, switching from a Sidewinder to a Cobra to an Asp or Python is the most interesting and satisfying part of your gameplay. Trust me.” 

In other words, as you’ll realise when you’re weaving through the satellite rings of alien worlds, that Elite is about the journey, not the destination. Which leads us nicely onto…  

Take your time, have fun, and enjoy the ride

Ending a video game guide with a ‘have fun’ section is a bit of a journalistic cliché, often deployed when a writer is just shy of their word count (which is clearly not the issue in this beast of a beginners’ guide). And yet, with Elite Dangerous, it’s more than just a platitude. What makes players fall in love with a game like Elite is idiosyncratic, and it’s those unique reasons for falling in love that will keep you coming back - they will be the engine powering the perseverance and patience required to overcome some of the trickier elements of the game. Don’t believe us? Hear it from the players: 

“If it’s fun, do it! Don’t worry about the ‘most efficient way’.” - Kenomica

 “It might seem frustrating or 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, mine, or just find a nice place to take in the scenery and grab some snaps. The most important thing is just to have fun and have a good time!” - Ottosiux

“When you first log in, 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 - the most satisfying part of the game is forging your own path through the galaxy. Start small and find your footing.” - RicZA

Bonus suggestion: fall in love

Here’s a tip you won’t find on IGN: Rico learned everything he knows about Elite by following his heart: 

“Love is what got me into Elite. I loved someone who played all day, and she told me to try it. I was into other games, but thought I’d give it a shot. And now here I am, studying game lore and tackling Thargoids, flying around space with my girlfriend, and in love with the game as well as her.” 

Additional Elite Dangerous beginner tips

Just when you thought you were done, we’d like to end this guide with a selection of important new-player advice from our community members that doesn’t fit neatly in any of the subheadings above. 

First up, here’s Doc telling you what’s up: “Fly cheap ships until you feel confident enough to fly expensive ones.” Kenomica adds Elite’s unofficial mantra: “Don’t fly without rebuy” (i.e. buy insurance for your ships)

Next, a few tips from USCSS: 

“Use the galactic map; it’s an essential tool for navigating the galaxy. Use it to plan your routes and find points of interest.

“Join a faction; they’re groups with common interests that operate in different star systems. They’ll grant access to exclusive missions and other benefits.

“Customise your ship; as you progress, you can upgrade your ship with new modules and weaponry. Invest in those that suit your playstyle.” 

And here’s one from BZSm1th: 

“Look towards engineering your ship. Start with the engineer Felicity Farseer; her upgrades will make travelling great distances a lot less laborious.”

Now here’s Luriant: 

“Never disconnect from the game while docked in a Fleet Carrier. These player-owned stations are jump capable, and if the owner wants to take a trip to the centre of the galaxy, you’ll end up stranded 10,000 lightyears from civilization.

“If your ship gets jammed somewhere, head to the ‘help’ section of the main menu and hit ‘stuck’. [You may need to press it more than once.]"

“Turning off driving assist may help you steer your SRV (Surface Recon Vehicle).”

“Read Galnet news. Even if you’re not familiar with the NPCs and narrative, the news and community goals are very valuable.”

“Some systems are very popular, especially with gankers. Avoid playing in open play mode in these places. You can find security reports on this Inara page.”

And finally (congratulations, you’ve made it to the end), one last tip from FireyToad: 

“Always 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!”

Thank you to all of our veteran Elite Dangerous players and community members who shared their expertise for this starter guide. We’d like to give out an extra special thank you to FireyToad, who went above and beyond the call of duty. We’ll be publishing lots more beginner-friendly Elite Dangerous content soon, including further starter guides for each of Elite’s careers, cautionary tales, helpful resources, recommended ships, and how-tos for nearly every aspect of the game. Stay tuned, fly safe, and let us know in the comments if there are any other resources you’d like us to put together, or tips to add to this guide! 

Some text has been edited for brevity, clarity, or spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You can find the original wording here. Image credit: Frontier Games and Just About Elite community members.