Overview of Update 18.08
Elite Dangerous Update 18.08 brings a wealth of new content and significant improvements to the game experience. This latest update introduces the eagerly anticipated Type-8 ship, focusing on enhancing the gameplay for traders with its unique capabilities and configurations. The new Type-8 ship can be accessed early by purchasing special bundles through Arx, providing players with different options to suit their trading needs. These bundles include the Type-8 Standard and the Type-8 Stellar editions, each offering distinct advantages like enhanced Supercruise Overcharge capabilities and increased cargo capacity.
Additionally, Update 18.08 expands the selection of pre-built ships available in the store, catering to different play styles. Players can now purchase the Beluga Liner, outfitted for luxurious long-range passenger transportation, and the Vulture, designed for high-spec bounty hunting. Each pre-built ship comes with specialized loadouts and exclusive customization options.
Beyond the new ships, the update also encompasses substantial changes to the game's engineering system. Players will find an increase in the availability of engineering materials from various sources, higher rewards from missions, and a more predictable blueprint crafting process. These adjustments aim to streamline the engineering experience, making it more rewarding and less dependent on random outcomes.
For those engaging with the Odyssey expansion, Update 18.08 brings further material cost reductions for engineering recipes and increases the carry capacity of suits, notably the Maverick suit. These changes enhance the overall balance and accessibility of engineering within Odyssey, ensuring players can achieve their goals more efficiently.
Finally, significant adjustments have been made to the ongoing Thargoid War, enhancing the rewards for player contributions. Participants will now receive valuable engineering materials as rewards for helping to recapture Thargoid-controlled systems, providing further incentive for contributing to the war effort.
Overall, Update 18.08 delivers a comprehensive package of new content, enhancements, and rebalancing efforts, aiming to enrich the Elite Dangerous experience for all players.
Type-8 Ship Details and Early Access Bundles
In this latest update, the Type-8 emerges as an exciting addition to the Elite Dangerous fleet, showcasing Lakon's signature dedication to trading excellence. This new ship is designed to revolutionize the trading experience with its superior capabilities and distinct features. Its most prominent attribute is the enhanced Supercruise Overcharge, allowing for faster and more efficient travel between systems, maximizing productivity for traders.
Early access to the Type-8 is offered through exclusive bundles purchasable with Arx, the in-game currency. The basic Type-8 Standard bundle, available for 16,520 Arx, includes the essential elements such as the Type-8 ship and its shipyard unlock. For those seeking a more robust and high-capacity option, the Type-8 Stellar bundle is on offer for 33,000 Arx. This package not only includes the ship and shipyard unlock but also provides a specialized cargo transport loadout, a striking Haulage Stripe Red paint job, and an Aero Ship Kit. The Stellar edition enhances the ship’s carrying capacity across its six cargo racks and fortifies it with a reinforced hull, catering to serious traders looking to dominate the market.
These early access bundles enable players to experience the Type-8's cutting-edge technology and extensive customization options ahead of its wider release, giving them a unique advantage in trade efficiency and aesthetics. Players investing in these bundles can be among the first to explore and exploit the economic opportunities this versatile new ship introduces.
New Pre-Built Ships in the Store
The recent update to Elite Dangerous introduces an exciting array of pre-built ships now available in the store. Designed to cater to various playstyles, these new additions provide ready-to-deploy options for commanders looking to enhance their fleet without the hassle of customizing from scratch. Among the highlights is the Passenger Jumpstart package, featuring the luxurious Beluga Liner. This ship is tailored for long-range passenger transportation, equipped with an increased range Supercruise Overcharge Frame Shift Drive and top-notch luxury cabins. The pack also includes a specialized passenger transport loadout, a Grade 5 engineered FSD, and the United Marine Blue paint job, alongside a 16-piece ship kit, all for 25500 Arx.
For those more combat-oriented, the Bounty Hunter Jumpstart package offers the formidable Vulture. This craft is kitted out for high-spec bounty hunting, boasting Grade 1 and 2 engineered weaponry, as well as Grade 2 engineered core internals. It promises to be a powerful addition for any commander focused on combat operations. Included in this package are a specialized bounty hunting loadout, the striking Crossfire Green paint job, and a comprehensive 16-piece ship kit, also priced at 25500 Arx.
These pre-built ships allow commanders to skip the lengthy outfitting process and get straight to their missions, whether they are ferrying passengers across the galaxy or hunting down the most notorious criminals. The seamless integration of these pre-built packages enables players to diversify their fleet and adapt to various in-game scenarios effortlessly. This update makes accessing and utilizing new ships more convenient, offering tailored setups that align with specific gameplay styles and objectives, making the galaxy more navigable and missions more attainable.
Engineering Rebalancing Changes
With Update 18.08, Elite Dangerous is seeing some significant changes regarding engineering that aim to enhance players' experience. The developers have increased the quantity of materials players can gather, boosting the availability at higher-grade farming locations. This means players will now see a notable rise in the number of sources and the material yield per source. Previously, players might have collected only a handful of microresources at a site, but now this number ranges from 30 to 100, making it considerably easier to gather essential materials.
Mission rewards have also undergone a revamp, offering more engineering materials across various missions. Depending on the mission type and material limits, this can translate into receiving up to 24 pieces of certain materials, providing players with greater incentives and rewards for their efforts.
Furthermore, engineering blueprints have been improved to eliminate the randomness previously associated with them. If you are ranked at grade 5 with an engineer, the process becomes straightforward, requiring only a set number of rolls based on the blueprint grade. This change ensures that players can progress more predictably and efficiently through engineering upgrades. Additionally, some blueprint unlock requirements have been adjusted to speed up access, allowing players to get started on upgrading their equipment quicker.
These comprehensive changes aim to streamline the engineering process, making it less time-consuming and more rewarding, thereby enriching the overall gameplay experience in Elite Dangerous.
Odyssey Engineering Adjustments
In Update 18.08, Elite Dangerous introduces significant changes to Odyssey engineering, making the process more streamlined and accessible for players. One of the primary adjustments involves the reduction in material quantities required for engineering recipes. This change makes it easier for players to gather the necessary resources without excessive grinding. The increased mission rewards for materials further aid in this effort, ensuring that players can quickly accumulate what they need for their engineering projects.
Additionally, the update brings enhancements to suit carry capacity, with notable improvements across all suit types. The Maverick suit, in particular, receives the most substantial upgrade, allowing for more efficient resource management and longer missions before needing to return to base. These carry capacity increases ensure that players have more room for both engineering materials and other essential items, reducing the frequency of inventory management interruptions.
Overall, these adjustments aim to strike a better balance in gameplay, reducing the time and effort players previously spent on gathering materials while simultaneously enhancing the engineering process. For those diving into the depths of Odyssey engineering, this update seeks to create a more rewarding and less tedious experience, making it easier to develop and upgrade equipment in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in the universe of Elite Dangerous. For a complete breakdown of these changes and more details, players can refer to the official Update 18.08 patch notes.
Thargoid War Changes
As the Thargoid War intensifies in Elite Dangerous, Update 18.08 brings notable changes to reward players for their efforts. Players who contribute to the liberation of Thargoid-controlled or invaded systems will now receive engineering materials upon successful system completion. This change aims to enhance the incentive for taking part in these critical conflicts. Eligible rewards include all Grade 4 Raw materials and Grade 5 Encoded and Manufactured materials, which can be traded down to suit specific needs at a materials trader. These updates are designed to bolster player engagement and reward, making every victory against the Thargoids not just a strategic win but a valuable opportunity for engineering upgrades. Further details and specific mechanics for these adjustments can be found in the official Update 18.08 notes.
Useful Links
Elite Dangerous Update 18.08 Release Notes
Elite Dangerous Update Discussion on Reddit
Elite Dangerous Type-8 Ship Details on Fandom
Engineering Changes in Elite Dangerous 18.08
Original Link: https://steamcommunity.com/app/359320/allnews/