The first major update for Elite Dangerous’ Caspian Explorer reintroduces the Mark 2 ablative mirrored surface composite armor with a resistance cap to balance gameplay, alongside station weapons now dealing plasma damage for added combat dynamics. Additionally, the update fixes crashes related to squadron bank storage, enhances visual quality in the GalNet news system, and reflects Frontier Developments’ ongoing commitment to improving the game.
In this video, Ricardo provides an update on the Caspian Explorer, a ship in Elite Dangerous, following its release on December 2nd, 2025. The focus is on the first major update, released on December 11th, which primarily addresses bug fixes and the reintroduction of the Mark 2 ablative mirrored surface composite armor. This armor type had previously been removed due to associated issues, but now it is back with some important adjustments.
The mirrored surface composite armor in Elite Dangerous is a specialist hull armor designed with layered reflective alloys to scatter and diffuse incoming energy. This makes it highly resistant to laser and thermal damage but weaker against kinetic attacks such as bullets and cannon shells. It is lighter than some heavier alloys and does not increase power consumption, making it a popular choice for players facing laser-heavy opponents or environments where heat and energy damage are prevalent. This armor contrasts with reactive surface composite, which favors kinetic resistance over laser resistance.
The update has introduced a cap on the engineering resistance for the Mark 2 ablative mirrored surface composite armor, limiting its effectiveness to a maximum of 75%. This is intended to balance the gameplay and prevent the armor from becoming too powerful. Additionally, station weapons have been modified to deal plasma damage, which interacts differently with the target’s resistance, adding a new dynamic to combat scenarios.
Other fixes in the update include resolving a crash that occurred when more than nine ships were stored in the squadron bank, which is important for players using Vanguard ships. The developers have also improved the visual quality of the Caspian Explorer by replacing its low-resolution images in the game’s GalNet news system with higher-resolution versions, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience for players.
Ricardo concludes by reflecting on the timing of the update just before Christmas and suggests that while the game is generally in a good state, there will always be ongoing issues to address. Frontier Developments, the game’s creators, remain committed to fixing problems and improving the game. Overall, the update reintroduces the much-loved ablative mirrored surface composite armor with balanced mechanics and includes several quality-of-life improvements for players.