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.

Joining a corp or alliance in Eve Online offers a wealth of benefits. Experienced players within the group act as mentors, accelerating your learning curve and teaching you the intricacies of the game far better than any tutorial could. Collaboration allows you to achieve shared goals more efficiently, whether it's conquering challenging PvE content, dominating PvP battles, or building a thriving industrial empire. The sense of community and belonging is invaluable, providing a network of friends to share the journey with. Established groups often have access to valuable resources and infrastructure, and the synergy created by combining diverse skills and specializations makes the group stronger than its individual members.

However, joining a group also has its downsides. You may need to sacrifice some individual freedom to adhere to group rules and participate in specific activities. Social dynamics can sometimes lead to drama or conflict, and there's always a slight risk of encountering dishonest individuals. Active participation requires a significant time commitment, and the intensity of group activities can potentially lead to burnout. It's essential to weigh these pros and cons carefully and choose a corp or alliance that aligns with your playstyle and values.

• Supercapital and Titan Proliferation: While these ships represent significant achievements and investments, their sheer numbers and ease of deployment have arguably diminished their strategic value and led to stalemates in large-scale conflicts. I'd like to see adjustments that make them more challenging to field, encouraging greater tactical consideration and potentially reducing their dominance in certain scenarios.

• Alpha Clone Limitations: Alpha clones offer a great entry point for new players, but the skill point restrictions can sometimes feel limiting and create a significant power gap between them and Omega clones. I believe increasing the alpha skill point cap or allowing access to a wider range of skills could provide a more fulfilling experience for new players and encourage them to transition to Omega status.

• Structure Spam: While structures serve a crucial purpose in Eve's gameplay, the ease with which they can be deployed and replaced has led to "structure spam" in certain areas, cluttering the map and making navigation and combat more cumbersome. Implementing limitations on structure deployment or increasing the costs associated with them could help address this issue and encourage more strategic placement.

Accidently flying into a neighbouring sun after jumping to the next system.