The video highlights the lack of meaningful, tailored missions for small ships in Elite Dangerous and proposes innovative concepts like wreck diving, asteroid maze runs, and station vent crawls to create unique, engaging gameplay experiences for these vessels. It argues that introducing such content would not only make small ships more relevant and exciting but also enrich the game’s diversity and offer new monetization opportunities for Frontier Developments.
The video explores the idea that Elite Dangerous currently lacks meaningful content and missions tailored specifically for small ships like the Sidewinder, Eagle, and Diamondback Explorer. While the game offers a variety of medium and large ships with dedicated mission loops, small ships quickly become obsolete once players can afford bigger vessels like the Python. The creator argues that this is a missed opportunity, as small ships could offer unique gameplay experiences that are distinct from those available to larger ships, enriching the game and providing more diverse options for players.
One proposed concept is “wreck diving,” where players pilot small ships through the twisted, narrow interiors of massive, shattered capital ships or mega ships. These missions would involve navigating tight corridors, avoiding hazards such as dangling cables or explosive bulkheads, and recovering valuable items or data before the wreck collapses or a timer runs out. This idea builds on existing assets seen during in-game events like Thargoid attacks on space stations, suggesting that Frontier could repurpose or expand upon current visual elements to create immersive salvage missions.
Another idea centers around asteroid maze runs, where players would fly small ships inside large asteroids, navigating narrow tunnels inaccessible to bigger ships. These missions could involve deploying explosives to break open sections of the asteroid or carefully mining delicate resources embedded deep inside. This concept draws inspiration from the game’s past updates to mining mechanics and would emphasize precision flying and exploration in confined spaces, offering a fresh take on resource gathering and mission variety.
The third concept involves “station vent crawls,” where players stealthily infiltrate space stations through unconventional entrances like vent shafts rather than main docking ports. These missions would require avoiding security forces and using stealth tactics, such as silent running and cooling the ship to reduce heat signatures, to evade detection. The video references early Elite Dangerous gameplay and community videos showcasing impressive stealth mechanics and visual effects that have since been underutilized, suggesting that reviving and expanding these elements could add depth to small ship missions.
Overall, the video argues that Frontier Developments could greatly enhance the small ship experience by introducing new vessels and mission types that leverage existing game assets and mechanics. These missions would provide unique challenges and gameplay styles that are currently missing, making small ships relevant and exciting for players at all stages. Additionally, such content could offer Frontier new monetization opportunities through ship sales while enriching the game’s diversity. The creator invites viewers to share their thoughts on these ideas and hopes that Frontier will consider pursuing this direction in future updates.