The video explores the upcoming large ships in Elite Dangerous, highlighting the Panther Clipper’s realistic design changes and the potential reintroduction of classic ships like the Puma Clipper and Boa, which are significant in the game’s lore. It also confirms that the Panther Clipper will fit through station docking slots, with ongoing speculation about its cargo capacity and future ship updates.
The video discusses the upcoming addition of large ships to Elite Dangerous, focusing on the Panther Clipper, which was recently announced by Frontier. The presenter highlights that many ships from Elite’s past, such as the Puma Clipper, Boa, and Lion Transport, could potentially be reintroduced in future updates. These ships are part of the game’s lore and history, and their inclusion would expand the variety of large vessels players can encounter and use.
The presenter emphasizes the deceptive perception of ship sizes in Elite Dangerous, noting that ships like the Cobra often appear smaller than they actually are. This illusion is largely due to the design of the cockpit windows, which are oversized compared to real-world aircraft or ships, making the overall vessel seem less massive. Concept art from early in development shows smaller cockpits relative to the ships’ overall size, but in the final game, larger cockpit windows diminish the sense of scale, affecting how players perceive the ships’ true dimensions.
However, Frontier is moving away from this design trend with newer ships like the Panther Clipper. The recent concept art and in-game design reveal a shift toward more realistic scaling, such as a bridge-style window instead of a cockpit, which better conveys the ship’s enormous size. The Panther Clipper features a long window along the front, serving as a bridge, which aligns more with real-world large ships and enhances the impression of its scale. Additional design elements, like the engine size and paneling, further emphasize its impressive size and grandeur.
The video also explores ships from Elite’s past, such as the Puma Clipper and Boa, which are smaller than the Panther but still significant in size. The Puma Clipper, from Frontier Elite 2, sits between medium and large ships, and there’s speculation that future versions might see it scaled up. The Boa, another beloved ship, is smaller and has yet to be confirmed for reintroduction. The presenter notes that these ships’ designs have influenced modern iterations, blending classic elements with current aesthetics.
Finally, the video addresses practical concerns about the size of the Panther Clipper M2, confirming that it will fit through station docking slots, albeit snugly. This was clarified by a developer, who explained that the ship’s boxy design is similar to modern Panamax ships, which are designed to fit through the Panama Canal. While specific details about cargo capacity are not yet available, the presenter speculates that it will likely be smaller than the 2,100 tons of the original Elite Elite 2 version but remains optimistic about the ship’s potential. The video concludes with encouragement to stay tuned for future updates and more detailed information.