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New week, new wrap-up: have a look at our overview of this week’s news in Elite: Dangerous : “The Outpost #54”!

► Send me your best pics of your Cobra next to an outpost. I could feature them at the top of the upcoming The Outpost ◄

 

Summary :

• Frontier News
  • Bêta 2.2.03
  • Developers and community
  • Special Effect Livestream and Q/A with David Braben
• Powerplay and Lore
• Community Goals
• Pics of the week
• Videos of the week

Frontier News

Bêta 2.2.03

The beta 2.2.03 #4 is available on the beta server. Some fixes for the game and addition of new slots: “Military slots” for some of our ships. Any feedback, please let the developers know about it by posting on the dedicated forums.

► Beta 2.2.03 patch notes ◄

Sandro Sammarco wanted to update us with their current thoughts on the raft of changes we’re testing during this beta. Whilst nothing is set in stone, this is how things are looking to them at the moment, after chewing through the feedback so far. Here are his notes:

◘ Changes we’re still mulling over

• Shield booster stacking and big three hull increase: the feedback from testing is, so far, very positive. However, we need more of it to convince us that this change is ready to move on to live. We will greatly appreciate any game play feedback that you folk can offer over the Christmas period!

◘ Changes we’re likely to roll back

• Gimbals: for now we’re going to roll back all of the gimbal changes, which mean they will retain their tracking arc from the current live build (not the beta) and will not be affected by sensors. We will be keeping the buffs to fixed weapons. We think there’s merit in the concept behind this test, especially with giving added consequence for sensors. However, the feedback is convincing us that we probably need to come back to it at a future point, when we can spend more time looking at how these modules could work together to bring more parity between fixed and gimbals, and create interesting choice at the same time.

◘ Changes we’re looking to soften or tweak before hitting the live build

• Plasma Accelerators: we’re reducing the amount of absolute damage they will deal to 60% of their total damage. The remaining 40% will be divided equally between kinetic and thermal, just like their old damage used to be. We’re also reducing the base damage by a very small amount: 5% reduced from beta, which is still an increase from the current live build.
• Phasing: we’re reducing the bleed through effect by around 20%.
• Shield regeneration: we’re keeping the increased regeneration rate when broken, but we’re drawing back a little on regeneration when formed for all shields – though they’re still going to be slightly better than active regeneration on current live.
• Long Range and Focused upgrades: we’ve decided to leave focus as it is on live. Instead, we’re removing damage fall off from long range, and have removed its damage penalty.
• Fragmentation Cannons: we’re rolling back the reload times and some armour penetration changes. Now, compared to current live, they will have increased ammo capacity. Medium and large versions will have reduced armour penetration and an increase to base damage. The upshot should be minimal change versus mid-sized ships and larger, but about a 15% damage increased to small ships and all shields.
• Repair/reboot shield regeneration: We’re adding in a change that will prevent shields from reforming at the end of the reboot sequence if your ship was attacked during it. Given more time, we might consider finesses to this, but it’s the safest change for now that gives us what we initially wanted, which was fast out of combat shield regeneration.
• Module reinforcement packages: we’re going to halve the mass across the board for both MRP and HRP. The mass range for these modules will now run from 1t to 32t. We’re also going to increase their health by 15%. Finally, The AFMU will now restore ten times more health to these modules, meaning more efficient, faster repair for them.
• Military slots: we’re going to be reducing the number of slots by 1 on all vessels that currently have more than 1 slot.
• On a related note, we’re reducing the Viper MkIII hull mass, from 60t down to 50t, which should give their Commanders a little more leeway when outfitting, especially with the military slot.
• Railguns: this is more of a token change – we still want to take a deeper look at this weapon in the future, but for now, we’re increasing the ammo count from 30 to 80 slugs (the Imperial Hammer goes from 90 to 240 slugs), and reducing heat generated when firing by 20%.

◘ Changes that will go through to the live build “as is”

• Trader hull increase: We see this as a relatively safe change, so unless something crazy occurs between now and the new year, we’re going to let this through.
• Cytoscrambler: we’re also going to let this one through with the 50% damage increase and reduced damage fall off (was 300m to 600m, will be 600m to 1km).

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Developers and community

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

~ Recent communications ~

• No out of the Ordinary discussion this week

By the way, check out the new paint jobs in the Frontier store!

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Special Effect Livestream and Q/A with David Braben

A fantastic 24h Elite: Dangerous Livestream has recently been made! 470% of the original goal is reached to date, with nearly £47,000 raised to help Special Effect in their cause (see The Outpost #52): helping people with disabilities access technology and communication.

The live went outstandingly well and many guests were welcomed to participate in the various games prepared by Edward Lewis, and also to answer some of the community’s questions. David Braben was the most communicative, have a look at our wrap-up and check the additional information below:

• The story is still unfolding, slowly… the most exciting things are still to come;
• The Multicrew is already intest at Frontier, and David was able to try the 2.3 which looks very fun;
• The Seasons model might change in the future;
• Changes for the Alliance are coming, but not in the near future;
• “Space Legs”, being able to walk with our pilots is still very far, it is not for now. There are plenty of other interesting things to come, some of which we thought would come into play later on;
• Naming his ship? *Smile*
• Are aliens in space? *Big smile with Ed*
• Winter is coming? David always thought that winter was December, January, February, …!
• Stations in Asteroids? Confirmed

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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.

 

22 December – Media outlets in the LP 339-7 system have reported that the Starship Enterprises Corporation wildlife reserve campaign has reached a successful conclusion. Hundreds of independent pilots supported the campaign by delivering essential commodities to Whitson Orbital and neutralising agitators in the LP 339-7 system, allowing those contributing commodities to do so safely. The commodities will be used to establish a wildlife reserve on the planet LP 339-7 4 A, thereby fulfilling the organisation’s ambition to transform LP 339-7 into a popular tourist destination. Dr Lewis Chapman, CEO of Starship Enterprises, released the following statement: “We are delighted with the response to this campaign. As we speak, hundreds of animals are being grown in special in vitro chambers. Soon they will be transported to the reserve.”

22 December – Many cultures choose to mark the end of the galactic year with the giving and receiving of gifts, and this year will be no exception. In anticipation of this busy period, luxury goods supplier Santa Muerte Co-operative has placed an open order for personal gifts. The organisation’s CEO, Nicolas St Clauss, released the following statement to the media: “This year we’re asking pilots to bring goods from Frost Dock in the Njambalba system to Clauss Port in Santa Muerte. In exchange, we’re offering generous financial rewards and special festive prizes for those who make contributions.”

22 December – Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon has announced plans to construct a planetary outpost in the California Nebula. In a statement, Mahon explained that the new outpost would serve as a centre for xenobiological and astronomical research. He went on to say: “We have placed an open order for Geological Equipment, Hazardous Environment Suits and Surface Stabilisers for use in the construction of this new outpost, and authorised 160 SOAR to reward pilots who deliver these materials to Tshang City in the Furuhjelm III-674 system.” To ensure those contributing materials can do so safely, 160 SOAR has also placed a kill order on all wanted ships operating in the Furuhjelm III-674 system, and has promised to reward pilots who deliver bounty vouchers to Tshang City.

23 December – Last month, the Federation launched an appeal for exploration data from a number of remote locations. A competitive appeal was simultaneously launched by a mysterious group known as the Children of Raxxla, which succeeded in completely derailing the Federal initiative. Karl Devene, head of Astrocartography at Mars High, was forced to resign as a result. Federal exploration projects are currently on hold as a result of the failed initiative, and Devene’s successor has not been announced. Meanwhile, the Children of Raxxla has yet to reveal any findings from the data it received, leading some to speculate that the organisation never intended to.

“I believe it was a cynical attempt to sabotage Federal research,” said a spokesperson for Mars High Astrocartography. “It was never about exonerating Salomé – they just used her plight to gain the data at the expense of the Federation. Unfortunately, the galactic community proved itself easily manipulated.”

Other commentators have concurred with the analysis. Jackson Trent, associate editor of The Imperial Citizen, said: “I don’t understand the allure of Raxxla. They attacked Patreus’s flagship and have proved themselves to be criminals of the worst kind. Patreus dealt with Emperor’s Dawn – perhaps it’s time for him to deal with the Children of Raxxla.” Salomé, known in Imperial circles as Kahina Loren, was killed when the convoy transporting her to Koontz Asylum was interdicted and destroyed. She had been convicted of the attempted assassination of Denton Patreus.

Meanwhile, independent pilots returning from the expedition have reported a series of curious beacons in deep space, but few details have surfaced.

 

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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!

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

◘ Colonia Migration Appeal

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Pics of the week

Community Creations, I love it.

Lestin gathered some mushrooms from Colonia. Have an omelette du… champignon!

Ian Baristan unveiled the final SRV artwork. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!

Aymerix played around with some parameters and… oh! overexposed views of Munfayl’s BBS sytem!

• A ship in front of something, I needed it. Thanks Zorlac! [HD]
• Unknown Frag got this cutie eclipse
• Firey Toad is far above the galaxy, it’s cold up here!

Sharad Hett likes Elite: Dangerous, and big pictures of his Anaconda… is it safe for work?! [HD 1] [HD 2]

Eleshenar is travelling in style with his friend. Check that Asp! [HD]

 

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Videos of the week

Gudjon262 is preparing his journey… to Sol! Yup, he is actually on Beagle Point. Good luck Gudjon!

XCNuse had fun with this aero testing of several ships in air-like density at 20k ft. at “glide mode” at 2,500m/s.

Two gif: Keelbat et Look ‘Ma, no weapons!

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Feel free to discuss this week’s content!