Remlok Industries » The Outpost #88

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Your weekly Elite: Dangerous newsletter: “The Outpost #88” 🙂

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Summary:

Frontier News
Powerplay and Lore
Community Goals
Pics of the week
Videos of the week

Frontier News

Thargoids: Improve, Adapt, Overcome

Since Update 2.4.02, the Thargoids have adapted to our new tactics through the analysis of our armaments and our assaults against them. This is of course an unfortunate change after rebalancing the combats between humans and Thargoids. For example, missiles penetration has been increased from 0.05 to 0.001 to avoid killing these aliens too easily. Our chaff and other defenses are also no longer of any help against them. Frontier launched a quick message on GalNet to justify these changes, but the mayonnaise did not take very well with the community that reacted badly to this announcement. While the changes are mostly welcome by the peaceful players, it is quite different by the offensive players who were fighting these aliens.

For my part I find this change and this roleplay catch up rather positive but Frontier‘s approach was badly carried out and the fire was put to the powders of the community. I think the communication team should not have incorporated these changes as patches but rather hiding them, through skillful roleplay messages in-game via the NPCs and the GalNet. The goal is the same, but the approach is very different. Who is wrong? Who is right ? In my opinion there is a middle ground to adopt here between gameplay and history.

Read carefully the patch notes 2.4.02.

The new Anti-Xeno Multicannons are now available thanks to the efforts of the community. It is currently an excellent weapon to attack the Thargoids hull while coupling it with some AX missiles for splash damage on the Interceptors’ hearts.

Next week, we should get the AX cannons through Aegis developments.

High Beyond also brought new media to analyze Thargoids Interceptors. We could see that the latter covered their “cockpit” before entering hyperspace. By doing so, they look strangely like the Barnacles! Ok, they have two more branches, but two of their branches may be folded onto themselves, leaving 6 primary branches and 2 secondary branches to the interceptor. The barnacle has only 6 branches. The representation of an interceptor by a Thargoid, via the Thargoid Device code on their sites, is 6 + 2 branches: which could stick to the following theory: the Barnacles are Interceptors under construction.

This brings us to the very interesting analysis of Calaban about the embriology and genetic manipulation of Thargoids and Guardians! Science is fascinating 😉

According to him, there is no Thargoid in the Interceptor. Actually … the Interceptor is the Thargoid. What we can see in the middle of the cockpit would be just his pupil, his cornea, in short: everything that makes an eye, hence the name variant Cyclops. Ah! Cool right? Thanks to their technologies very close to the Guardians, the Thargoids would mix well mechanics and biological parts. The Thargoid would be prepared and genetically engineered to be a Cyclop variant, just as would be a soldier ant while another would become a worker for example. This cockpit would be filled with liquid, which explains its color more or less dark according to the ships. What do you think ?

Yup, Independence day cameo! 😉

Meanwhile while the community is divided between “The Thargoids are nice!” and “Thargoids are wicked!”, many megaships have been destroyed even in the human bubble near Sol. Hyperdictions were also reported.

It should also be noted that by searching up the debris of destroyed ships, the Thargoids recover, in addition to the items from their civilization, a lot of human escape pods. What do they do with it? Are they really the ones who destroy our ships? Are they persecuted by the warmongers Klaxians? Would the Oresrians be the Thargoids we actually meet with? Do they use us as a shield? What about the many markings on Interceptors’ ships? Many questions remain unanswered, but one thing is certain: a great danger is waiting for us and watching our slightest movements in the shadows. The great barnacle sites also continue to be discovered: 6 Barnacles forests with 36 to 86 Barnacless!

: Porokpl

: Barome

: Barome

: Sv2ken

Return to Summary

Developers and Community

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

~ Recent communications ~

[GalNet] Just a quick note to let you know that we’re postponing community GalNet submissions for the timebeing. We’ll be looking at reviewing the process in future, but for now we will no longer be accepting submissions. I’ll let you know when we have more opportunities for sharing your narrative and experiences via GalNet. We will eventually be bringing this back. – Source – Edward Lewis, Senior Community Manager
[Gameplay] Qwent is an edge case regarding his access mission, and will be conclusively dealt with in a server side patch soon. – Source – Dominic Corner, Programmer Missions

~ Community ~

A gigantic expedition, buckle up!

The Dead End’s Circumnavigation Expedition
As someone told me during a previous livestream, a very long expedition will take place from 14 October 3303, departure planned at 4 pm. Players will travel during 10 to 12 months so be ready with top notch materials and a sturdy morale in order to accomplish this big galaxy tour. Are you going to take part in the trip? – Details

Return to Summary

Frontier Expo 2017

The Frontier Expo is scheduled for this October 7 in London!

A lot of presentations will be made about Jurassik World Evolution, Planet Coaster and obviously Elite: Dangerous! It should be noted that Frontier Developments also has two other licenses secretly prepared according to their latest public report, maybe they will tease it a little?

There will be livestreams throughout the day, so be sure to check the Special Guests list and the official Frontier channels.

I will be covering most of the event for the French community, but of course you will receive a lot of content as well from Remlok Industries. Thanks for sticking with us! 🙂

I’ll meet with numerous developers, players, also Drew Wagar, Special Effect and event EDRPG! I shall receive the game I backed in Kickstarter a while ago. If you love Elite and RPGs, you should definitely check it out! <3

: Adam Woods

: Pleijpje

: The main panel

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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.

Arissa Lavigny-Duval =
Edmund Mahon +1
Felicia Winters +4
Aisling Duval -1
Zachary Hudson -1
Zemina Torval -1
Li Yong-Rui -2
Archon Delaine +1
Pranav Antal –1
Denton Patreus =
Yuri Grom =

Cycle 122. Currently cycle 123.

◘ 3 october – Admiral Aden Tanner, Aegis’ chief military liaison, has released a statement confirming that the Thargoids have begun adapting to the weapons and tactics developed to combat them.Admiral Tanner’s statement is reprinted in full below.

“Preliminary reports indicate that although the AX missiles were inflicting significant damage on the Thargoid ships’ ‘heart’ modules, they are now proving less effective. We believe this is due to the Thargoids developing a resistance to the compound carried by the missiles. I am optimistic, however, that the current Aegis initiative will produce weapons capable of overcoming this resistance. Second, we have been informed that the Thargoids are now able to lock onto ships that have deployed countermeasures, although exactly how they are doing this is not yet understood. Previously, Thargoid ships responded to strategic withdrawal by advancing towards the target, even when attacked with missiles. But recent reports indicate that they have started dodging such attacks, particularly when engaged at long range. Finally, the drones deployed by the Thargoid ships have become more accurate, which substantially increases the risk they present to smaller craft. These developments illustrate that we are dealing with a highly intelligent enemy capable of rapidly adapting to our weapons and tactics, and underscore the importance of Aegis’ ongoing anti-Thargoid initiative.”

◘ 5 october – A spokesperson for Aegis has announced that its appeal for Thargoid-related materials has reached a successful conclusion. Hundreds of pilots took to their ships to deliver material to Chelbin Service Station, which will be used to develop new anti-Thargoid technologies.

As the campaign drew to a close, Admiral Aden Tanner released the following statement:

“Those who supported this initiative have my gratitude. With each new discovery, humanity becomes stronger. But we still have a long way to go.”

◘ 6 october – Authorities in systems throughout the Pleiades Nebula have reported that the Federation has withdrawn its ships from the region. The development follows ongoing speculation regarding the Federal-Imperial cold war. The Federation first deployed ships to the Pleiades over two years ago, in a move that was widely interpreted as an attempt to control the region’s meta-alloys. The Empire responded by positioning several Majestic-class Interdictors in the Pleiades. A period of hostility ensued, with both superpowers engaging in a number of proxy conflicts.

The Imperial Herald’s political correspondent, Daxton Sung, who has repeatedly written about the conflict, said:

“There’s little doubt in my mind that the formation of Aegis served as a catalyst for this development, but the current wave of Thargoid hostility was probably the main cause. President Hudson is keenly aware that to continue to oppose the Empire, when humanity is faced with an alien threat, would do him no favours politically. So I’m not surprised by this development, although I will admit that I didn’t expect the Federation to make the first move.”

Neither the Federation nor the Empire has commented on the issue, but it is expected that the Empire will also withdraw its ships from the Pleiades soon.

◘ 6 october – Numerous sources have reported that Thargoid activity has escalated dramatically in recent days, with attacks from Thargoid Interceptor-class ships becoming increasingly common in the Pleiades Nebula. Reports confirm that Imperial, Federal and civilian ships have all been targeted. Images captured by survivors of these attacks show Thargoid ships scanning wreckage and gathering debris, including occupied escape pods. As Aegis continues to analyse the results of these encounters, the organisation’s military liaison, Aden Tanner, released the following statement:

“We are aware that the Interceptors have started capturing escape pods, although we currently have no way of knowing if this is a deliberate strategy or simply a symptom of curiosity. That is not to suggest, of course, that the Thargoids’ motives are benign, as it is clear they are not. Furthermore, the ships we have designated ‘Interceptors’ have started deploying clusters of attack drones, which swarm enemy ships while the Interceptor attacks from range. This significantly enhances the risk presented by the Thargoids, and I urge all pilots operating in the Pleiades to exercise caution. The question is: What is the Thargoids’ objective? All available resources will be directed to answering this question.”

Galnet News

The Powers on Reddit

Check out the Powers on Reddit, take part in the strategies and help your Power reach #1!

Alliance

→ Edmund Mahon

Federation

→ Felicia Winters // Zachary Hudson

Empire

→ Arissa Lavigny-Duval // Aisling Duval // Zemina Torval // Denton Patreus

Independents

→ Archon Delaine // Li Yong-Rui // Pranav Antal

Return to Summary

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!

Location: Vonarburg Co-Operative | Wyrd
Objective: Deliver Thargoid Cyclops tissue samples, micro controllers and explosives
Rewards: Credits
Progress: 1/5
Until: 12 october
Description: Aegis has announced the third phase of its programme to counter the Thargoid threat, and is once again turning to the galactic community for the necessary Thargoid-related materials.
As the campaign began, Aegis’ Head of Research, Professor Alba Tesreau, released the following statement:
“We are facing a technologically superior enemy, and it is essential that we redress the balance. But for each new device we develop, we need huge quantities of Thargoid material so we can calibrate the technology and ensure its efficacy.”
The initiative has received financial support from the Wyrd Jet Power Industries, which has pledged to reimburse pilots who deliver Thargoid Cyclops tissue samples, micro controllers and explosives to Vonarburg Co-operative in the Wyrd system.

Location: Somerset Station | I Carinae
Objective: Deliver Bounty Vouchers
Rewards: Credits
Progress: 4/8
Until: 12 october
Description: The Secret Billionaires, an organisation based in I Carinae, have reported a sharp increase in the number of criminals operating in their system. The organisation has responded with a system-wide operation designed to remove the agitators and restore order. They have placed a kill order on all ships on their wanted list, and have promised to reward pilots who deliver bounty vouchers to Somerset Station.
Secret Billionaires spokesperson Commander Afterglow said:
“After one of our CFOs was pirated, the board decided that a cleanup was long overdue, and they immediately provided credit for an anti-piracy operation. We’re therefore in a position to offer generous rewards to pilots who help us clean up the system. With the support of the galactic community, we should be able to guarantee the safety of our fellow miners and traders.”

Location: Lomonosov City | HIP 104292
Objective: Deliver atmospheric processors, crop harvesters, land enrichment systems, building fabricators, animal monitors and aquaponic systems
Rewards: Credits + Additional Megaship in-game
Progress: Tier 0
Until: 12 october
Description: When the S’jett family was driven out of its home system by Federal-Imperial conflict, it established a new an independent faction in HIP 104292 – the Kuun-Lan.
Since then, the Kuun-Lan has gone from strength to strength. But while its new home has become a haven for miners and traders, one thing is missing: a reliable source of food. The Kuun-Lan has therefore announced plans to establish an agricultural network in HIP 104292, and is calling on the galactic community for support.
The organisation has reserved generous reimbursements for pilots who contribute atmospheric processors, crop harvesters, land enrichment systems, building fabricators, animal monitors and aquaponic systems to the initiative.
A spokesperson for the group released the following statement:
“We hope the galactic community will heed our call and help us secure our independence. If we can successfully complete this campaign, we can improve living standards for millions of people.”