In the video, Ricardo provides an in-depth tour of the new Squadron Fleet Carrier in Elite Dangerous Vanguards, highlighting its role as a shared, mobile base with extensive storage and strategic features designed to enhance squad coordination while restricting the sharing of engineered equipment. He also discusses its high cost and practical use for established squads, emphasizing its potential to streamline group gameplay and impact the in-game economy.
In this video, Ricardo introduces the Squadron Fleet Carrier, a significant new feature in the Elite Dangerous Vanguard’s overhaul of Squadrons, also referred to as Squadrons 2.0. This carrier acts as a shared, mobile base of operations for a squad, owned by the squad leadership but manageable by members depending on their ranks and permissions. It is larger than a standard fleet carrier, offering extensive bank capacity for commodities, ships, and items, though engineered ships and modules cannot be stored or loaned out through the squadron bank.
The Squadron Fleet Carrier serves as a strategic command center and staging area for coordinated squad activities, featuring briefing rooms and shared resources. It aims to streamline squad operations by reducing the need to jump between multiple carriers, emphasizing resource management over credit accumulation, which aligns with Frontier’s goal of curbing credit inflation in the game. Despite its shared nature, there are important restrictions, particularly regarding engineered equipment, which remains personal and cannot be shared.
Ricardo then provides a detailed inside tour of the carrier. He starts at the elevators, highlighting a new jump cabin area where squad members can gather during jumps, offering a social space without crowding the main viewing gallery. The hangar retains a familiar layout with squadron emblems displayed prominently. Moving to the concourse, Ricardo notes the presence of armed guards, squadron access panels, and the carrier overview interface, though his access is limited due to his rank.
Exploring further, Ricardo visits the command deck and bridge, where he finds familiar elements from previous carriers alongside new features like service terminals and the shipyard. He points out the captain’s chair, which he cannot access, and the squadron briefing room, designed for mission planning with tiered seating. The crew is depicted as active but grounded, a small but appreciated detail. The main viewing area remains vast and impressive, consistent with previous carrier designs.
Finally, Ricardo reflects on the cost and practical use of the Squadron Fleet Carrier. With a hefty price tag of 25 billion credits, it represents a significant investment, likely suited for established clans or crews. He emphasizes the importance of forming squadrons and pooling resources to make the most of this feature. Ricardo closes by inviting viewers to share their thoughts on the squadron carriers, highlighting the potential impact on group gameplay and the Elite Dangerous economy.