The video highlights essential free third-party tools and websites like EDMC, Inara, Spans, and Elite Dangerous Co-Pilot that enhance gameplay in Elite Dangerous by providing market data, navigation aids, ship outfitting, and exploration support. It also covers specialized apps for tasks such as colonization tracking, engineering, and mission navigation, encouraging commanders to explore these resources and support their creators.
Elite Dangerous is a complex and data-rich game that benefits greatly from a variety of third-party tools and applications created by its clever community. These tools leverage the game’s exposed data and collective player knowledge to enhance the gameplay experience. This video provides an overview of essential third-party apps and websites that every commander should know about, emphasizing that while it won’t cover every detail, it offers a starting point with links for further exploration. All the recommended tools are free, though many accept voluntary contributions to support their maintenance.
One of the most vital tools highlighted is the Elite Dangerous Market Connector (EDMC), which collects and shares data such as commodity prices and player activities with the wider community. Complementing EDMC are two powerful websites, Inara and Spans, which offer extensive functionalities like tracking personal progress, ship outfitting, trade route optimization, and specialized route planning for long-distance travel. These sites also assist in locating stations and monitoring in-game events, making them indispensable resources for commanders.
For more advanced assistance, Elite Dangerous Co-Pilot serves as a versatile suite providing voice announcements, navigation plotting, and external data displays, originally designed for VR players but now useful for all. The video also covers specialized tools such as SRV Survey and Raven Colonial for exobiology and colonization tracking, ED Odyssey Material Helper for managing engineering materials, and OMG for navigating on-foot missions and settlements. Additionally, coriolis.io is recommended for ship building and engineering planning, integrating seamlessly with other tools.
Exploration is well-supported by applications like the Elite Dangerous Star Map (EDSM) and ED Astrometrics, which offer system data, expedition tracking, and a catalog of points of interest submitted by commanders. ED Discovery acts as a detailed captain’s log with mapping and voice control features, while Elite Observatory provides alerts for notable discoveries during exploration. The video also mentions useful visual aids like Commander Cohen Leth’s FSS scanner diagram and quick-reference tools available on edtools.cc, enhancing the efficiency and enjoyment of exploration activities.
Finally, the video touches on niche and community-driven resources such as Elite Dangerous Merit Miner for Power Play mining, NY’s Power Play Assistant for task guidance, and the imaginative French website Elite Donjerus, which offers user-created story-driven missions with rewards and social features. These tools enrich the sandbox experience with creativity and depth. The video concludes by inviting viewers to share their favorite tools, subscribe for more content, and support the creators via Patreon, with all mentioned resources linked in the description.