New Commander Roadmap - Revision history

Sythan: Add dynamic article header eyebrow

2026-08-24T21:25:51Z

Add dynamic article header eyebrow

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			{{Article header\|deck=A guided early-game route for commanders who have just entered the wider galaxy.}}

	The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.		The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.

Sythan at 04:07, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T04:07:25Z

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	~~{{Article status\|status=Draft\|mode=Live\|uncertainty=Some activity-specific details still need screenshot-backed verification and expansion.}}~~

	The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.		The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.

Sythan: /* Phase 3 — Find Out What Kind of Commander You Are */

2026-08-13T03:14:10Z

Phase 3 — Find Out What Kind of Commander You Are

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	The purpose of this phase is to experiment until you discover something that makes you want to keep playing.		The purpose of this phase is to experiment until you discover something that makes you want to keep playing.

	{{Important\|There is no single "best" activity in ''Elite Dangerous''. Profitability, difficulty, equipment requirements, and personal enjoyment are all different things. Try what interests you.}}		{{Important\|There is no single "best" activity in Elite Dangerous. Profitability, difficulty, equipment requirements, and personal enjoyment are all different things. Try what interests you.}}

	{{Guide step\|1\|Try trading\|		{{Guide step\|1\|Try trading\|

Sythan: /* Phase 1 — Welcome to the Galaxy */

2026-08-13T03:05:37Z

Phase 1 — Welcome to the Galaxy

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	You've finished the tutorial. Congratulations, Commander!		You've finished the tutorial. Congratulations, Commander!

	The galaxy is now wide open to you. When we say ''wide'', we mean it. ''Elite Dangerous'' represents the Milky Way on a roughly 1:1 scale, with around 400 billion star systems containing stars, planets, moons, asteroid belts, black holes, neutron stars, and much more.		The galaxy is now wide open to you. When we say ''wide'', we mean it. Elite Dangerous represents the Milky Way on a roughly 1:1 scale, with around 400 billion star systems containing stars, planets, moons, asteroid belts, black holes, neutron stars, and much more.

	That amount of freedom can definitely be overwhelming to a new player.		That amount of freedom can definitely be overwhelming to a new player.
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	These are all very reasonable questions.		These are all very reasonable questions.

	The important thing to understand is that there is no single correct path through ''Elite Dangerous''. You can become a trader, miner, bounty hunter, explorer, exobiologist, mercenary, pirate, Powerplay operative, colonist, or spend your time doing a little bit of everything.		The important thing to understand is that there is no single correct path through Elite Dangerous. You can become a trader, miner, bounty hunter, explorer, exobiologist, mercenary, pirate, Powerplay operative, colonist, or spend your time doing a little bit of everything.

	Before worrying about any of that, though, let's get you established.		Before worrying about any of that, though, let's get you established.

Sythan at 03:04, 13 August 2026

2026-08-13T03:04:47Z

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	~~```mediawiki~~
	{{Article status\|status=Draft\|mode=Live\|uncertainty=Some activity-specific details still need screenshot-backed verification and expansion.}}		{{Article status\|status=Draft\|mode=Live\|uncertainty=Some activity-specific details still need screenshot-backed verification and expansion.}}

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	[[Category:Guides]]		[[Category:Guides]]
	[[Category:New Commander Content]]		[[Category:New Commander Content]]
	~~```~~

Sythan at 03:04, 13 August 2026

2026-08-13T03:04:26Z

Show changes

Sythan at 02:49, 13 August 2026

2026-08-13T02:49:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:49, 13 August 2026
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	For example:		For example:

	; It takes me too many jumps to get where I want to go.		*; It takes me too many jumps to get where I want to go.
	: First, check your route settings in the [[Galaxy Map]]. '''Economical Routes''' use shorter jumps to conserve fuel, while '''Fastest Routes''' favour longer jumps and usually require fewer jumps to reach your destination. If you are already using Fastest Routes, look at your [[Frame Shift Drive]], total ship mass, and current cargo load. For longer journeys, external route-planning tools such as [[Spansh]] can also help calculate more efficient routes.		: First, check your route settings in the [[Galaxy Map]]. '''Economical Routes''' use shorter jumps to conserve fuel, while '''Fastest Routes''' favour longer jumps and usually require fewer jumps to reach your destination. If you are already using Fastest Routes, look at your [[Frame Shift Drive]], total ship mass, and current cargo load. For longer journeys, external route-planning tools such as [[Spansh]] can also help calculate more efficient routes.

	; I cannot carry enough cargo.		*; I cannot carry enough cargo.
	: Check how much space your [[Cargo Rack\|Cargo Racks]] provide and which optional internal compartments they occupy. Larger compartments can hold larger cargo racks, but using that space for cargo means it cannot be used for something else, such as shields, a fuel scoop, or other equipment. Also remember that the cargo itself adds mass to your ship. A heavily loaded ship will usually have less jump range than the same ship with an empty hold, so check your route again after loading cargo.		: Check how much space your [[Cargo Rack\|Cargo Racks]] provide and which optional internal compartments they occupy. Larger compartments can hold larger cargo racks, but using that space for cargo means it cannot be used for something else, such as shields, a fuel scoop, or other equipment. Also remember that the cargo itself adds mass to your ship. A heavily loaded ship will usually have less jump range than the same ship with an empty hold, so check your route again after loading cargo.

	; I cannot power everything I want to install.		*; I cannot power everything I want to install.
	: Every module draws power from your [[Power Plant]], and upgrading or adding equipment can eventually push your ship beyond what it can supply. In Outfitting, compare your ship's available power with the amount required by your modules. A more capable Power Plant may provide additional power, but module power requirements and [[Module Priorities\|power priorities]] also matter. You do not necessarily need every module running at the same time, and learning how to prioritize essential systems can keep a ship functional even when power is limited. See [[Power Management]] for a deeper explanation.		: Every module draws power from your [[Power Plant]], and upgrading or adding equipment can eventually push your ship beyond what it can supply. In Outfitting, compare your ship's available power with the amount required by your modules. A more capable Power Plant may provide additional power, but module power requirements and [[Module Priorities\|power priorities]] also matter. You do not necessarily need every module running at the same time, and learning how to prioritize essential systems can keep a ship functional even when power is limited. See [[Power Management]] for a deeper explanation.

	; My ship feels weak in combat.		*; My ship feels weak in combat.
	: Weapons are only one part of a combat-capable ship. Look at your shields or armour, [[Thrusters]], [[Power Distributor]], [[Power Plant]], weapons, and utility modules together. Better weapons will not help much if your distributor cannot keep them firing, your thrusters cannot keep you in a good position, or your defenses collapse before you can finish the fight. You also do not need to turn every ship into a fighter — for traders and explorers, improving survivability and being able to escape may be more useful than carrying heavier weapons. See [[Combat]] and [[Ships and Equipment]] when you are ready to build specifically for fighting.		: Weapons are only one part of a combat-capable ship. Look at your shields or armour, [[Thrusters]], [[Power Distributor]], [[Power Plant]], weapons, and utility modules together. Better weapons will not help much if your distributor cannot keep them firing, your thrusters cannot keep you in a good position, or your defenses collapse before you can finish the fight. You also do not need to turn every ship into a fighter — for traders and explorers, improving survivability and being able to escape may be more useful than carrying heavier weapons. See [[Combat]] and [[Ships and Equipment]] when you are ready to build specifically for fighting.

Sythan at 22:00, 12 August 2026

2026-08-12T22:00:20Z

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	As you move into more expensive ships and install more valuable modules, the value of your ship increases, and so does its rebuy cost.		As you move into more expensive ships and install more valuable modules, the value of your ship increases, and so does its rebuy cost.

	{{Important\|'''Never fly without rebuy.'''		{{Important\|
			'''Never fly without rebuy.'''

	Before leaving the station, make sure your current credit balance can cover your ship's rebuy cost.		Before leaving the station, make sure your current credit balance can cover your ship's rebuy cost.

	If losing the ship would leave you unable to replace it, you are taking a much larger risk than you may realize.}}		If losing the ship would leave you unable to replace it, you are taking a much larger risk than you may realize.

	This may not seem especially important while flying your inexpensive starter ship, but it becomes one of the most important habits you can develop as your fleet grows.		This may not seem especially important while flying your inexpensive starter ship, but it becomes one of the most important habits you can develop as your fleet grows.

			For now, simply get into the habit of checking your rebuy before you launch.
			}}
	{{Field note\|Certain [[Powerplay]] benefits can reduce rebuy costs under specific circumstances. You do not need to understand Powerplay yet; just know that these benefits exist if you decide to explore that system later.}}		{{Field note\|Certain [[Powerplay]] benefits can reduce rebuy costs under specific circumstances. You do not need to understand Powerplay yet; just know that these benefits exist if you decide to explore that system later.}}

	~~For now, simply get into the habit of checking your rebuy before you launch.~~
	}}		}}

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	{{Guide step\|2\|Learn the station services\|		{{Guide step\|2\|Learn the station services\|
	When you arrive, spend a few minutes deliberately looking through the station interface.		When you arrive, spend a few minutes deliberately looking through the station interface.

			[[File:stationinterface.webp{{!}}thumb{{!}}right{{!}}350px{{!}}Station Services provides access to missions, markets, outfitting, ship services, contacts, and other facilities available at the current port.]]

	Find:		Find:
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	Most experienced Commanders eventually own multiple ships and participate in several different activities. Your first choice does not lock you into a career.		Most experienced Commanders eventually own multiple ships and participate in several different activities. Your first choice does not lock you into a career.
	}}		}}

			{{Warning\|'''Do not go looking for Thargoids yet.'''

			Seriously.

			Thargoid combat is not simply a harder version of normal NPC combat. Anti-Xeno operations use specialized equipment, specialized ship builds, different combat tactics, and threats that a normal early-game combat ship is generally not prepared to handle.

			If you encounter Thargoid-related content while you are still getting established, there is nothing wrong with leaving it alone and coming back later.

			'''You are not ready yet. Trust us.'''

			When you are ready to deliberately pursue Anti-Xeno combat, start with [[Anti-Xeno Combat]] and prepare a ship specifically for the job.}}

	== Phase 4 — Build for What You Enjoy ==		== Phase 4 — Build for What You Enjoy ==
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	Different activities place different demands on a ship.		Different activities place different demands on a ship.

	* '''Trading''' — cargo capacity, jump range, and survivability.		* '''[[Trading]]''' — cargo capacity, jump range, and survivability.
	* '''Exploration''' — jump range, fuel, heat management, scanners, and recovery equipment.		* '''[[Exploration]]''' — jump range, fuel, heat management, scanners, and recovery equipment.
	* '''Exobiology''' — range, planetary handling, landing footprint, and surface access.		* '''[[Exobiology]]''' — range, planetary handling, landing footprint, and surface access.
	* '''Mining''' — hardpoints, limpets, refinery capacity, cargo space, and distributor performance.		* '''[[Mining]]''' — hardpoints, limpets, refinery capacity, cargo space, and distributor performance.
	* '''Combat''' — weapons, shields or armour, distributor, power, heat, and maneuverability.		* '''[[Combat]]''' — weapons, shields or armour, distributor, power, heat, and maneuverability.

	Use the activity's EDFM page to determine what equipment actually matters.		Use the activity's EDFM page to determine what equipment actually matters for that role.
	}}		}}

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	* fuel endurance; and		* fuel endurance; and
	* whether the ship actually performs the job you built it for.		* whether the ship actually performs the job you built it for.

			{{Tip\|'''Plan before you buy.''' Third-party ship builders such as [[EDSY]] or [[Coriolis]] allow you to recreate or design a ship outside the game and experiment with different modules before spending any credits. You can compare things such as jump range, mass, power usage, shields, weapons, cargo capacity, heat, and total build cost before deciding what to actually purchase.}}

			Once you have an idea of what you want, make a few changes in-game and actually fly the ship. Numbers on a ship builder can tell you a great deal, but they cannot tell you whether you personally like how the finished ship handles or performs.

	Do not spend your entire balance building a ship you have never tested.		Do not spend your entire balance building a ship you have never tested.
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	There is no final destination.		There is no final destination.

	~~At this point, the Field Manual stops telling you what you should do next and starts helping you accomplish whatever you decide to do.~~

	== Common problems ==		== Common problems ==

Sythan: /* Phase 1 — Welcome to the Galaxy */

2026-08-12T20:34:59Z

Phase 1 — Welcome to the Galaxy

Sythan at 20:28, 12 August 2026

2026-08-12T20:28:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 12 August 2026
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	~~```mediawiki~~
	{{Article status\|status=Draft\|mode=Live\|uncertainty=Some activity-specific details still need screenshot-backed verification and expansion.}}		{{Article status\|status=Draft\|mode=Live\|uncertainty=Some activity-specific details still need screenshot-backed verification and expansion.}}

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	[[Category:Guides]]		[[Category:Guides]]
	[[Category:New Commander Content]]		[[Category:New Commander Content]]
	~~```~~

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:34, 12 August 2026
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	The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.		The '''Commander Roadmap''' is a guided progression for a Commander who has completed the introductory tutorial and has just been released into the wider galaxy.

	It is not a mandatory path, and it is not a checklist that must be completed before the rest of the game becomes available. ''Elite Dangerous'' is deliberately open-ended. The purpose of this roadmap is to answer the question most new Commanders have once the game stops telling them what to do:		It is not a mandatory path, and it is not a checklist that must be completed before the rest of the game becomes available. Elite Dangerous is deliberately open-ended. The purpose of this roadmap is to answer the question most new Commanders have once the game stops telling them what to do:

	'''Now what?'''		'''Now what?'''
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	You've finished the tutorial. Congratulations, Commander!		You've finished the tutorial. Congratulations, Commander!

	The galaxy is now wide open to you. When we say ''wide'', we mean it. ''Elite Dangerous~~'' represents the Milky Way on~~ a ~~roughly~~ 1:1 scale, with around 400 billion star systems containing stars, planets, moons, asteroid belts, and other astronomical bodies.		The galaxy is now wide open to you. When we say ''wide'', we mean it. Elite Dangerous is a 1:1 scale with our own galaxy! It has around 400 billion star systems containing stars, planets, moons, asteroid belts, and other astronomical bodies. Yes, there are black holes, neutron stars, and more as well.

	~~That amount of freedom~~ can be a ~~little overwhelming at first~~.		This can definitely be overwhelming to a new player...

	You may already be asking questions such as:		You may already be asking questions such as:
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	These are all very reasonable questions.		These are all very reasonable questions.

	The important thing to understand is that there is no single correct path through ''Elite Dangerous''. You can become a trader, miner, bounty hunter, explorer, exobiologist, mercenary, pirate, Powerplay operative, colonist, or spend your time doing a little bit of everything.		The important thing to understand is that there is no single correct path through Elite Dangerous. You can become a trader, miner, bounty hunter, explorer, exobiologist, mercenary, pirate, Powerplay operative, colonist, or spend your time doing a little bit of everything.

	Before worrying about any of that, though, let's get you established.		Before worrying about any of that, though, let's get you established.

	{{Guide step\|1\|Finish your first mission\|		{{Guide step\|1\|Finish your first mission\|
	After the ~~introductory~~ tutorial, the game will normally give you an initial mission to complete before fully turning you loose. Finish it.		After the tutorial, the game will normally give you an initial mission to complete before fully turning you loose. Finish it.

	This is your first opportunity to learn how missions work in the live galaxy rather than inside a tutorial.		This is your first opportunity to learn how missions work in the live galaxy rather than inside a tutorial.