First Look

February 26, 3311

​

Today we learned about the next new feature coming to Elite Dangerous: Vanguards! We don't know much yet, but Vanguards will fundamentally change how player groups work, interact, and communicate in Elite Dangerous.

​

Described as "the spiritual successor to squadrons", Vanguards will provide improved communications within Elite Dangerous. There will be a social area in the UI, with a method for communicating set objectives. As with squadrons, there will be a leader who determines and sets objectives--whether or not that will be limited to the leader (or if permissions can be shared) remains to be seen.

​

Additionally, there will be a method of comparing your Vanguard against other Vanguards, though we don't yet know what sort of comparison will be available. 

​

Part of the goal of Vanguards is to help make player groups more accessible to new players in the game--the hope is that experienced players will create Vanguards, and then the new platform will allow new players to browse and communicate with various groups without necessitating third-party tools.

​

Although still under construction and very much in flux, Vanguards will introduce a "bank" feature--inculding shared credits, ships and modules--so experienced players can jump start newer players by loaning and helping out with shared resources.