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Have a look at this week’s news in Elite: Dangerous : “The Outpost #55”!

► Send me your best pics of your Cobra next to an outpost! ◄

Summary:

• Frontier News
  • Wrap-up, Update 2.2.03
  • Developers and community
  • Xenobiology – Thargoid Contact and Guardians
  • GRE – Great Remlok Expedition
• Powerplay and Lore
• Community Goals
• Pics of the week
• Videos of the week

Frontier News

Wrap-up, Update 2.2.03

The 2.2.03 Update is now available! Many things have been tested during the recent beta but everything didn’t go through, onto the Live server.

Let’s review the main changes:

► Patch Notes 2.2.03 ◄

• Module Reinforcement Pack (MRP) added, in the same sizes/classes as HRPs, designed to protect modules against external attacks piercing the hull
• Shields’ regeneration increased, depending on if they are broken or up.
• Doubled hull health for:
  • Hauler
  • Type 6
  • Keelback
  • Type 7
  • Type 9 Heavy
• Added new military slots to the following ships. These new modules allows Shields Boosters, Module Reinforcements and Hull Reinforcements only:
  • Eagle: 1x size 2
  • Imperial Eagle: 1x size 2
  • Viper Mk III: 1x size 3
  • Viper Mk IV: 1x size 3
  • Vulture: 1x size 5
  • Federal Dropship: 2x size 4
  • Federal Gunship: 3x size 4
  • Federal Assault ship: 2x size 4
  • Imperial Cutter: 2x size 5
  • Federal Corvette: 2x size 5
  • Anaconda: 1×5 size 5
• Powerplay improvements, gameplay, and drastic reduction of PP interdictions.
• Added a new mission type for investigating the ancient ruins.
• Massacre Conflict missions will only accept conflict zone targets.
• Fix for lack of Exquisite Focus Crystals as a mission reward.
• Lot of changes on the different Engineers mods and special effects. Please have a look at the complete Patch Notes 2.2.03

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Developers and community

A dedicated space to Devs’ messages from the forums and social Medias.

~ Recent communications ~

• [Mysteries] “The nav beacons use morse, I’m sure the Unknown Artefacts are aliens who are using our tech to communicate” → The use of morse is deliberate. – Source – Michael Brookes, Executive Producer
  
• [Mysteries] “Yes ok, this is deliberate. However, the Unknown Probes are using Octal” → That too is deliberate 🙂 – Source – Michael Brookes, Executive Producer
  
• [2.2.03] We’ve decided to hold back on a couple of elements that we trialled in this beta: specifically changes to shield booster stacking diminishing returns, hull armour hardness increases for the “big three” ships (Anaconda, Federal Corvette and Imperial Cutter), and linking gimbal tracking angles to ship sensors. Regarding the shield stacking and hull armour changes, we always said that this was very much an experiment that we were just as likely to back off from as go live with. The feedback we received for these changes was, in the round, extremely positive. But In the end, we felt that we didn’t get enough of it, or the time to finesse the changes further at this point to risk pulling the trigger on such a significant change. We believe that it’s on the right track though, and we’re likely to look into it again in a future update, when we can add to the feedback we already have, and plan for more tweak time as part of the beta.The reason we held off degrading gimbal weapons was because, again thanks to feedback, we felt that it was too blunt a tool to try and create better parity between fixed and gimbal weapons. The extra weight from upgrading sensors, and the general sentiment that the change made game play feel less appealing, lead us to hold off letting this change go through; it is certainly not our intention to entice players to consider fixed weapons by making gimbal weapons less fun. – Source – Sandro Sammarco, Lead Designer
• [Comm Live] Kicking off the 2017 Q&A livestreams with a bang… we’re inviting Dav Stott on to the stream to answer your questions about the following topics: Gameplay: The various simulations like trade, factions, outfitting // Tech: instancing, networking, questions about the servers themselves – Source – Edward Lewis, Senior Community Content Manager
• [Colonia] I’m pleased to confirm that the first phase of this initiative is now complete. Here are the groups that will be granted a new home in Colonia. The other groups’ scores will be carried over, for the second wave. – Source – Zac Antonaci, Head of Community Management
  • Eol Prou Group – 34995
  • The Winged Hussars Colonia Initiative – 27900
  • Societas Incognitorum – 21778
  • Pioneers and eXplorers – 21700
  • ICU Colonial Corps – 19100
  • Radiosidewinder – 17123
  • GalCop Colonial Defence Commission – 15504
  • Canonn Colonia Department – 13396
  • Explorers’ Nation – 13196
  • Last Phoenix Vault – 12220

New kits in the store ! Anaconda, Python and Viper MkIII… yes, always 10€

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Xenobiology – Thargoid Contact and Guardians

Thargoids

THEY ARE AMONG US! The Thargoids interdict a large number of pilots in a fairly large bubble around the Pleiades. But why?

DP Sayre, an XBox One pilot, was the first player interdicted by these infamous Thargoids Scouts. Ripped from witchspace, his ship was unable to function as a strange unknown ship approached him. After a half-turn on the spot, and an incredibly immersive music & sound-design, this scout emitted a strange sound to the pilot before using a blinding yellow-green light. A last short sad sound before the Scout Thargoide turns, opens a portal in space and enters it in order to make a technologically unknown jump.

► More information on the Thargoid Scout ◄

Admittedly, the experience is bluffing but no one knows yet the reason for this hyperdiction (name given to the interdiction in hyperspace). The investigation is still ongoing.

 

Guardians

Engineer Ram Tah completed the development of his algorithm to translate the active obelisks on the ancient site of Synuefe.

Different databases have been translated with up to 35 information containing information about the Guardians: a race apparently extinct due to biological wars.

Interested in Culture, Technology, Biology, History and Language? Click on the link below.

► Guardians – Lore ◄

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GRE – Great Remlok Expedition

After the Great Remlok Tournaments, a new event is launched: the Great Remlok Expedition!

Informations :

• Date: January, 14th
• Time: 10:30pm, CEST/GMT+1
• Location: System Tellus, next to Ahern Station
• Game mode: Any (the departure will be live in Private group Nicou)
• Ships: Any
• Rewards: Credits, the Expedition virtual badge, astounding views of the galaxy, fun with other pilots, explorer ranks
• How to Register:
  • Please join our Discord, and tell us about yourself in the #general channel. You will receive the Explorer rank in order to access a special channel.
  • EDSM Great Remlok Expedition is also important in order to reach each milestones, and to tick the key systems you’ve already visited during the event! Xbox One Players will notify me on Discord with a screenshot.

▲ IMPORTANT: In order to update your location on EDSM, you will need EDMarketConnector. It is an app allowing the communication betweet different websites and your account. I’ve tested it, approved without viruses, for the ones worrying about that point.

• Download EDMarketConnector
  • Windows
  • MAC
• Install EDMarketConnector
• Go to your directory (Default is C://Program Files x86)
• Double click on EDMarketConnector (.exe) in order to launch this minimalist app
• If you are using it for the first time, you will be prompted with mail and password used on the Elite: Dangerous Launcher. No panic, it is normal for an application using the E:D API.
• A confirmation mail will be sent to your inbox in order to be sure that you are the owner of the account. Enter this code as requested.
• The app is now launched. Go to “Files” then “Settings”then tab “EDSM”
• Go to the EDSM Website and input your CMDR name and the API key from EDSM in order to link them together
• When the game is up, click on “Update” to update your in-game location and progress on EDSM.

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Powerplay and Lore

Powerplay is an ongoing battle for interstellar conquest and control. Players can choose a Power, help guide their strategy, and take on special objectives to advance their shared cause. Player choices and actions have a direct and visible impact on the balance of galactic power.

 

5 January – The Alliance has announced that its campaign to build a planetary outpost in the California Nebula has received the enthusiastic support of the galactic community. Hundreds of pilots responded to the appeal for construction materials by delivering geological equipment, hazardous environment suits and surface stabilisers to Tshang City in the Furuhjelm III-674 system. Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon released a brief statement: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to those who supported this campaign. Remember – the Alliance means freedom.”

5 January – Last month, the Colonia Council launched the first in a series of initiatives to determine which organisations would join the rapidly expanding Colonia community. The Council has now launched a second initiative, once again giving the galaxy’s minor factions an opportunity to establish a permanent presence in the Colonia Nebula. In a statement, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “We were delighted with the response to the first initiative, which demonstrated a clear commitment to the Colonia community. At the end of the campaign, the ten factions that have made the largest contribution will earn the right to settle in one of the systems we have targeted for colonisation. A new planetary outpost will be constructed in the system for the organisation’s sole use.”

6 January – Media outlets throughout the galaxy are abuzz with news of an event that many are interpreting as an encounter with non-human life. According to reports, an independent pilot by the name of Commander DP Sayre was interdicted en route to the Aries Dark Region XU-O b6-3 by a highly unusual ship bearing no resemblance to any known human craft. As the Commander’s ship was plucked from hyperspace, all their systems were completely disabled. The mysterious craft subjected the pilot’s vessel to some kind of scan before departing, at which point the hapless Commander’s ship returned to life. Commentators reviewing the pilot’s recording of the event have noted strong similarities between the mysterious craft and the shipwrecks found in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 and the HIP 17862 system. Is the ship a Thargoid vessel? This is the question many are asking.

10 January – In recent days, a number of pilots have reported being pulled from hyperspace by alien-looking ships. Reactions have ranged from shock and fear to curiosity and excitement. Influential Imperial groups the Chapterhouse of Inquisition, Lavigny’s Legion and the 9th Legion have issued strict no-fire orders to their pilots in the event that they are confronted by these mysterious vessels. The orders follow reports that the ships are not acting aggressively and are simply scanning ships they encounter. “Under no circumstances should any of our pilots engage these vessels” said Governor Shelby Ortega, speaking from Chapterhouse of Inquisition headquarters in Kamadhenu. “We do not know their motivations, so to act rashly could have dire consequences. Be mindful that these vessels can seemingly disable ship systems on a whim. We should avoid making enemies of beings we know nothing about.”

11 January – The galaxy’s independent engineers have announced a joint accord designed to make enhancements for civilian spacecraft more affordable. A spokesperson confirmed the accord was intended to ensure the safety of independent pilots traversing the space lanes. As a consequence, independent engineers will no longer require commodities in order to upgrade modules and weapons – only materials will be needed. Meanwhile, in a fortunate turn of events, analysts have reported that the market value of a number of commodities has risen. Consequently, pilots seeking to offload commodities can do so profitably.

12 January – Balones Gold Touch Systems recently placed an order for materials in order to construct exploration probes, this is now done. A spokesperson for the organisation elaborated on the nature of the project: “The purpose of this programme is to develop a number of advanced deep-space probes – ones that will reveal more about what lies beyond the borders of our galaxy. We at Balones Gold Touch Systems believe galactic civilisation is on the cusp of a paradigm shift. The alien shipwrecks and the Synuefe ruins leave no room for doubt: we are not alone in the universe. Knowledge is the currency of the future. Not money. Not weapons. Knowledge. And how best to acquire this knowledge? With the instruments that Balones Gold Touch Systems is developing. // We know you have questions, but we make you no promises. It will take time to develop these devices. And even when the probes are despatched, we may find nothing. But anything we do discover, we will readily share with the galactic community.”

13 January – Following reports of mysterious spacecraft in human-inhabited space, the leaders of the galaxy’s three superpowers have released official statements.

Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval, currently undertaking a tour of Imperial systems, exhibited reservation: “To surmise that these encounters constitute proof of the existence of non-human intelligence would be rash in the extreme. We cannot rule out the possibility that these ships could be experimental human spacecraft, or even the product of an intricate hoax. I urge all Imperial citizens to remain calm, and not to leap to conclusions.”

Federal President Zachary Hudson, meanwhile, struck a characteristically strident tone: “I have reviewed the footage submitted by the galactic community. Granted, the evidence is not conclusive. But tell me this: Would you rather prepare for an attack that may not come, or be met by an attack you did not prepare for? We know nothing about the true nature or purpose of these vessels. It would be in our best interest to prepare for any eventuality.”

By contrast, Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon was diplomatic: “Like the Emperor, I believe it would be premature to conclude that these are non-human spacecraft. But it is clear to me that these encounters warrant further investigation. We must gather further evidence, and keep an open mind. Knowledge, not ignorance. Proof, not speculation. That is the way forward.”

Galnet News

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Community Goals

Community Goals allow the community to work together on an ongoing project within a system. Fight, trade, smuggle, explore and help the factions and super powers to achieve their goals. There is no good or bad CG, write your & Elite’s stories while earning credits!

Three Community goals are available this week: Transport and Combat.

◘ Colonia Migration Appeal II

• Location: Jaques Station | Colonia
• Objective: Deliver Galactic Travel Guides
  
• Rewards: Creation of multiple minor factions in the Colonia bubble
  
• Progress: 0/1
• Until: February 2nd
• Description: Gather your Galactic Travel Guides via the LHS 3447 system, Bluford Orbital. For more details, check the Colonia’s immigration website.

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Pics of the week

New community creations for this week, you are fantastic!

Let’s start with the beautiful W4Z et Pertanga‘s Asps!

The new Chrome and Gold rendering is breath-taking. Chrome from Xermalk and Gold from Runis.

Congratulations to the Fuel Rats for their 20.000 successful operation! // Kivris made this marvelous stars bouquet [HD]

Check out Miic‘s Thermopylae pass and Stars Hues from PavTwoDogs !

 

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Videos of the week

After this long Outpost, as I caught up with my week off (Holidays), we’ll rest a little with SpaceBear – Entropy (Exploration)

Rinzler gently reminds the pilots that you need to listen to the pirate 😉

Oh my god! We’ve deciphered the Thargoid ship’s message! – Odysseus

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Feel free to share and discuss this week’s content! Are you pleased with the Outpost?