Elite Dangerous | Caspian Explorer Update

The Caspian Explorer Update is now live. Embrace the depths of space with a large new exploration ship from Zorgon Peterson built to seek the stars. Available now via ARX early access, alongside a number of changes to on-foot weapons and NPC behaviours as well as bug fixes.

Features of Note:

• Added Zorgon Peterson Caspian Explorer:

  • In world holo-screen adverts now present for Caspian Explorer.

  • Mk II Ablative Armour - Armour that allows for faster and steeper planetary entries. These include lightweight alloy, reinforced alloy, military grade composite, reactive surface composite and mirrored surface composite variants. *

  • CosmeticMk II Gravity Optimised Thrusters/Size 7 thrusters that reduce the most severe effects of gravity on High-G worlds.

  • Mk II Supercharge Optimised Frame Shift Drive (SCO) - Size 8 FSD that enhances the effect of supercharging your FSD when using a fuel scoop at a neutron or white dwarf star.

*We are aware of an issue with the Mk II Ablative mirrored surface composite and as a result it has been removed from the game temporarily. The team are working on a balancing fix has which shall be implemented next week. Once this fix is in place the module will be available for purchase and use.

• Added Pre-Built Ships:

  • Caspian Explorer Galactic (69,000 Arx).

  • Caspian Explorer Stellar (38,000 Arx).

  • Caspian Explorer Standard (19,020 Arx).

• Adjustments Made to On-Foot NPC Combat Behaviours:

  • General Movement Speed:

    • Introduced a haste system which controls NPCs movement speed. Maximum haste values make NPCs run faster than current speeds.

    • NPCs will be more combat efficient, more decisive, and have better threat detection.

  • Dodging Improvements:

    • NPC will now prioritise dodging into cover if possible.

  • Crouching Improvements:

    • NPCs will crouch more often including behind cover, reloading, or to evade.

  • Retreating/Cover Movement:

    • Improved reaction time when an NPC needs to take cover.

    • NPCs will make better use of cover and be less likely to stand in the open.

  • Under Threat Behaviour Improvements:

    • If the NPC is shot at or has low shield or health, they will attempt to take cover.

    • Once their shield has returned, they will resume usual behaviours.

    • This behaviour replaces the old "fleeing" behaviour entirely.

  • Advance Towards Threat Behaviour:

    • Strikers and Scouts may decide to advance under fire until they lose their shields entirely.

    • Other NPCs are more likely to retreat under threat.

  • Crime Scan Adjustments:

    • Security will now crime scan from a longer range. This removes the short walk to the target.

    • Security NPC will turn to face the target before starting.

  • Grenade Behaviour Adjustments:

    • Grenades are more often used against groups.

    • Grenades are used to flush targets out from cover.

    • NPCs will now use memorised and reported positions to better identify large groups of targets.

    • Ensured that NPCs will no longer throw EMP grenades at targets with low shield proportion.

• Rebalanced suits & weapons

  • Rebalanced NPCs suit and shield resistances to reduce the disparity between damage types vs shields and armour for suits/shields (this does not affect the player they are using the old resistances)

  • Weapon changes:

    • Improved stow and draw times for all weapons

    • Adjusted weapon handling modification to account for new stow and draw times

    • Decreased flight time on projectiles for:

      • Manticore Executioner

      • Manticore Tormentor

      • Manticore Oppressor

    • Increased ammo for:

      • Karma AR-50

      • TK Eclipse

    • Decreased ammo for:

      • Karma C-44

    • Decreased reload speed for:

      • Karma L-6

• Powerplay:

  • Markers will now be placed on the galaxy map over rival systems, indicating targets for undermining and reinforcement efforts

• A maximum of 3 markers will be placed per Power