Greetings Commanders,

After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to delay the release of Operations, which will now be arriving in June. We know this news is disappointing, and would like to apologise to our amazing community for the further delay of this major game update. We're incredibly grateful for your patience and understanding as the squad takes time to ensure Operations is delivered with the quality and care that our Commanders deserve. 

As a thank you to our Commanders, and to share our appreciation of their continued support, the Standard edition of the latest Ship arriving to Elite Dangerous next week (28 April) will be available for all Commanders immediately for in-game credits. Further options will be available to purchase a Stellar or Galactic upgrade pack through ARX, at a reduced cost.

First lets take a peek at what is arriving in April, before taking a deeper look at the Operations update and what Commanders can expect to see in June.

Entering into the passenger liner market for the first time, Zorgon Peterson introduces the Lynx Highliner. This impressive medium-class vessel sets a new benchmark for high-capacity travel, accommodating up to 225 passengers. Destined to become the centrepiece of everyday space travel, the Lynx Highliner features both Economy and Business class and can be outfitted with advanced Mk II cabins. What’s more, multiple landing ramps ensure boarding and disembarking are swift and seamless, while Commanders are treated to their own exclusive front and rear entrances. 

Built from the ground up for passenger comfort and safety, the Lynx Highliner has a durable defence system with one Large and four Medium Hardpoints, positioning it as the most secure passenger liner currently available. When optimised for pure defence, the Lynx Highliner’s shield and hull strength make it the ideal choice for transport and rescue encounters. 

The Highliner sports a utilitarian visual style, in stark contrast to existing passenger liners which sit at the luxury end of interstellar travel. Zorgon Peterson’s latest vessel is set to shake up the options for Pilots moving a large number of passengers safely around the galaxy.

"The Lynx Highliner is the first passenger-focused ship in this new wave of vehicles, and it’s been exciting to create something for Commanders who want to support the flow of populations around the galaxy. Previous passenger liners have been centred around ultra luxury, almost akin to super yachts, so for the Highliner, we’re excited to offer a true ‘airliner’ built to transport lots of passengers in safety. The Lynx really differentiates itself through that ability to defend itself and is more than capable of repelling attackers until support can arrive. We've accentuated this with the more 'utilitarian' style of design, which is very in keeping with the idea of a passenger transport." - Spokesperson for Zorgon Peterson

Technical Spec:

Hardpoints:

• 1 x Large Hardpoint

• 4 x Medium Hardpoint

Core Internals:

• Size 5 Power Plant

• Size 6 Thrusters

• Size 5 FSD

• Size 6 Life Support

• Size 5 Power Distributor

• Size 3 Sensors

• Size 5 Fuel Tanks

Optional Internals:

• 1 x Size 1

• 1 x Size 2

• 1 x Size 3

• 2 x Size 4

• 2 x Size 5

• 3 x Size 6

This new multi-stage Operation system is designed for squad-based gameplay, allowing up to 4 Commanders to take on a variety of increasingly difficult challenges, completing goals and earning rewards across the galaxy.

Operations will be accessible via the Mission boards when docked at Starports, Fleet Carriers and Squadron Carriers.

There will be two modes for Operations:

• Mercenary Mode: This is the default mode for Operations. It carries no consequences or Powerplay effects, and is fully accessible to any Commanders who meet the scenario requirements.

• Powerplay Mode: Adding a layer of strategic depth, squads are able to undermine a chosen Power as part of an Operation. Eligible systems are determined by the squad Leader's Power alignment and current location, ensuring Commander's can't target their own Power. Unaligned Commanders can join these scenarios but they will not earn any Merits.

Commanders will be able to build their own squad of allies or create a squad via matchmaking with other Commanders across different systems.

Operations Scenarios

There are a variety of Operations to choose from, including defending a megaship or helping in a station rescue, each taking place in their own bespoke isolated environment.

Every Operation has multiple stages with a wide range of challenges at different difficulty levels. The scenarios available to Commanders at launch will be:

• Counter Attack - Infiltrate a recently attacked Megaship, learn who's responsible for the chaos, travel to their base and goad them into a fight to take them down!

• Burning Rescue - Rescue the inhabitants of a Station under siege! Blow the door clamps and free the Station's people, all while fighting off enemies.

• Megaship Massacre Reclaim - Fight your way to an offline Megaship, kill the hostile looters, and battle enemy ships back to safety before time runs out.

• Megaship Massacre Strike - Sneak into a Megaship, taking out hostile crew members as the clock ticks down, and let the people who hired you take over.

• Surface Rescue - Rescue the inhabitants of a planet port before attacking forces return with reinforcements and decimate them.

• Pirate Hunt - You've been hired to take out a Pirate Boss. Travel to the area they have been terrorising and destroy as much of their fleet as possible to taunt them into a fight!

After the launch of Operations, we will continue to add to the number of available scenarios over time, giving you and your fellow Commanders more ways to work together and earn rewards.

Once a squad is formed and an Operation scenario selected, Commanders will be transported to the Operations Runner; the central hub for each Operation. As a specialised deployment vessel, the Runner will serve as a squad's entry point to the Operation as well as respawn and final extraction point.

If any Commanders in a squad are defeated during any stage of an Operation, they will automatically return to the Runner where their ship is fully repaired, re-fueled and re-armed before they are redeployed back into the action. The Runner's position in each scenario makes it easier for Commanders to travel back to an Operation objective quickly and dive straight back into the action.

Inviting Other Commanders to an Operation

After setting up an Operation, squad Leaders will be able to invite other Commanders to join their Operation, although they will need to be docked to select an Operation and send out an invite. squads don't need to all be in the same location to take part in an Operation together, as they can be formed by Commanders from across the galaxy and you'll all be jumped to the Operation Runner ahead of an Operation start.

Finding a Team for Operations

To join a squad via matchmaking, Commanders will need to be docked to access the open squad listings in the Operations menu. They will then be able to post an open Operation or select an Operation. If not docked when selecting an open Operations listing from another Commander, your spot will be reserved on the squad until you dock your ship.

Completing an Operation will grant each Commander a selection of rewards, including Credits, Materials, Merits (Powerplay Mode) and Merc Coin (New to Operations).
Note: The numbers shown on the screenshot above are a work in progress and not final.

Merc Coin is a new form of earnable currency, obtained by successfully completing Operations, that can be used to purchase rewards, such as Ship Modules (including weapons, core internals, optional internals) and Engineering Blueprints.

Merc Coin is issued following the successful completion of an Operations scenario and Commanders will receive a weekly bonus for the first time certain activities are completed. This brand new earned currency is not purchasable for ARX. 

Alongside Merc Coin, Commanders will receive other rewards for completing Operation scenarios, such as:

• Materials

• Credits

• Merits (Powerplay Mode exclusive)

The value of these rewards will vary depending on the scenario and the Operation difficulty with more challenging Operations offering Commanders larger rewards for their hardwork. Commanders will also be able to purchase rewards, such as Ship Modules and continue to upgrade them as they earn more Merc Coin. 

As Operations expands over time, so will the rewards.
Note: The numbers shown on the screenshot above are a work in progress and not final.

Once again, we really appreciate our Commander's continued support and understanding with this delay to Operations. We cannot wait for you all to experience the Lynx Highliner, free for all Commanders, with Stellar and Galactic upgrade packs at a reduced cost on the ARX store.

Keep an eye on Elite social channels for more information about Operations before its release in June.

Until then, fly safe Commanders.

o7