The next big update for Elite Dangerous is almost here. Vanguards launches on August 19, 2025, and it’s free for all players. Frontier is pitching this as a complete overhaul of the game’s Squadron system, plus major social and logistical upgrades.
Release & Overview
- Date: August 19, 2025
- Price: Free update
- Focus: Revamped Squadron gameplay, Fleet Carriers, and social tools
Key Features
1. Major Squadron System Revamp
- Fresh UI and menus
- Improved comms and coordination tools
- Clearer goals for squad-based play
2. Squadron Fleet Carrier Upgrade
- Bigger capacity than personal carriers
- More landing pads
- Shared control between squad members
3. Squadron Bank
- Shared credits, ships, and modules (with restrictions)
- Engineered modules excluded
4. Improved In-Game Comms & Roster
- Live squad feed and bulletin board
- Commander status messages (“Going mining…”)
- Visible roster in-game
- Up to 15 customizable ranks with specific permissions
5. Squadron Decals & Branding
- Logo designer with three layers and custom colors
- Logos appear in squad browser and on ships
6. Squadron Perks
- Two perks per squad:
- Primary: Always active
- Secondary: Active only in systems your squad’s minor faction controls
7. Fairer Leaderboards
- Separate rankings for top-10 and top-50 squad members
- Smaller squads can now compete on equal footing
8. More Social Tools & Goals
- Purpose-built objectives for coordinated play
- Better integration of in-game and out-of-game community activity
Community Reactions
Players are excited but cautious—many note the short runway to release and the lack of hard details.
Common discussion points include:
- Costs and ownership rules for Squadron Carriers
- Whether solo “squads” will game the system
- How perks will impact faction control gameplay
TL;DR Table
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Release | August 19, 2025 — free for all |
| Squad UI & Comms | New channels, feeds, roster, statuses, rank-based perms |
| Carrier Upgrade | Bigger, shared Squadron Fleet Carrier |
| Squad Bank | Share credits, ships, modules (with restrictions) |
| Branding | Decals, logos, identity tied to squad and ships |
| Perks | In-game bonuses — some based on faction control |
| Leaderboards | Top-10 / top-50 split for fairer competition |
Are you planning to form or join a squad when Vanguards launches?