In this Elite Dangerous beginner’s guide, Ricardo advises new commanders to focus on low-risk missions, trading, or exploration to build credits and reputation while gradually learning combat and game mechanics in safer areas. He emphasizes setting achievable goals, specializing early in one or two career paths, and utilizing ship upgrades and in-game tools to navigate and thrive in the vast, open-ended galaxy.
In this beginner’s guide to Elite Dangerous 2025, Ricardo welcomes new commanders who have just completed the tutorial and are ready to explore the vast galaxy of over 400 billion star systems. He highlights the iconic moment of stepping into the open galaxy and emphasizes the game’s design choice of offering immense freedom without much hand-holding. This openness can be both intimidating and inspiring, as players must decide their own path—whether as explorers, traders, pirates, bounty hunters, or forces of justice. The first 20 to 30 hours in the game are crucial for setting the tone for a player’s entire Elite Dangerous career.
Every new commander starts with the Sidewinder, a basic ship that is lightly armored and has a modest jump range but is free to replace if destroyed. Ricardo advises new players to never fly without a rebuy balance and to focus early on missions that are low risk and quick, such as data delivery, courier runs, and basic cargo transport. These missions help build credits and faction reputation, which unlock better rewards and opportunities. He warns against early combat contracts, smuggling, and mining without proper gear due to their risks and low rewards.
Trading is presented as one of the safest and most lucrative early career paths, relying on buying low and selling high based on system economies. Players are encouraged to use in-game tools like the Galactic Map trade route finder to identify profitable routes. For exploration, Ricardo recommends using scanners to discover and map planets and stars, earning credits and increasing exploration rank. Early explorer ships like the Cobra Mark III and Diamondback Explorer offer balanced jump range and survivability, making them ideal for new commanders interested in this path.
Combat, while risky, is an essential skill that benefits all players, including traders. New commanders should start in low-threat areas to learn combat mechanics and consider ships like the Viper Mark III or Vulture for their toughness and firepower. Ricardo also discusses the Odyssey expansion, which adds on-foot gameplay, allowing players to explore settlements, take missions, and engage in ground combat. Balancing ship and suit missions provides variety and helps players discover their preferred style of gameplay.
Finally, Ricardo stresses the importance of setting achievable goals and focusing on one or two career paths early on to avoid overwhelm. Upgrading ship modules often yields better results than buying new ships, and learning the galaxy map’s features is crucial for efficient travel and trade. The guide encourages commanders to embrace the game’s open-ended narrative, build their reputation, and gradually work towards advanced ships and ranks within the Federation or Empire. Ultimately, the key to success is to pick a career, set small goals, and take that first jump into the vast Elite Dangerous galaxy.