Elite: Dangerous Exploration Builds

By Winter Ihernglass - May 2024

Introduction

These builds are focused on being a good explorer, not a one-jump wonder. They have good jump range, and have the tools necessary for exploring, and do not make unnecessary sacrifices for a tiny amount of additional jump range. They also try to be safe against unexpected encounters with the ground, while not being safe for returning in Open play.

Builds

Unengineered

Engineered

FSD Note:  These builds use the pre-engineered, double-engineered, V1 FSD where it fits.  Size 5s are buyable at tech brokers. Size 3/4/6s were available from some community goals, but are not currently purchasable.  If you don’t have the V1s, then replace with G5 Increased Range with Mass Manager.

DSS Note: Use the pre-engineered V1 DSS for an even easier time mapping bodies.

Power Priorities Note: Modules may be turned off and power priorities set in the builds below, to make sure your ship doesn’t completely shut down when repairing your FSD.

A note on SCO FSDs

In May 2024 the supercruise overcharge FSDs were released. These drives jump a few Ly farther than normal and have the overcharge function that lets you significantly speed up supercruise travel.

The downsides are that overcharging eats a significant amount of fuel and heats you up a lot, which, if you are not careful, can lead to taking hull damage or running out of fuel and getting stranded. They also use more fuel per jump, increasing scoop time if you fill up at every star, and are only very slightly better than the V1 FSDs, except for size 6 where SCO is slightly worse.

For now, I recommend them if you will be doing long supercruise trips, as long as you are careful. I don’t recommend them for dedicated travel (neutron highway) ships - for those, use V1 instead.

Build Rationale

These include:

• Detailed Surface Scanner
• Planetary Vehicle Hangar
• Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster
• Strong thrusters for landing
• At least one boost in normal space
• Heatsink(s)
• A-rated shield

These do NOT include:

• Stripped Down engineering, because the benefit is so small
• Repair limpets
• Being completely Open-safe
• A-rated life support
• Mining laser
• Plasma slug rail

FAQ

Why only one AFMU?

More than one isn’t necessary unless you are traveling VERY long distances with neutrons and without stopping:

• You don’t NEED to repair your FSD until it gets close to 0 integrity; it will be annoying and slow you down, but it won’t be dangerous until then.
• An AFMU works until it hits 0 integrity, at which point you can reboot/repair to make it work again.
• You can synth more ammo using engineering materials.
• There are DSSA and STAR carriers all around the galaxy that you can dock and repair/restock at.

That said, it’s fine to bring more than one (turn them off when not in use).

Why no repair limpet controller?

See above for DSSA carriers; and a careful explorer won’t take hull damage (check the gravity before every time you land!). It also takes two slots (controller and cargo bay) and making limpets uses engineering materials; but feel free to add them if you want.

Empty slots?

Feel free to fill them with more AFMUs, or with a repair limpet controller and a cargo rack (see above), or with Guardian Shield Reinforcement Packages. Filling up the slots is useful for when you take heat damage, but it’s also more expensive, and why are you taking so much heat damage?  If you add to the builds, watch your power and upsize the power plant if you need more (keep the plant A-rated).

Which ship is the best?

The one you like flying the most. Exploring isn’t just about jump range, it’s about smelling the roses and enjoying yourself.  Any ship can be an explorer, but the tables above include the most common choices. As long as you have a minimum range above about 30 Ly, then you can go almost anywhere in the galaxy. Low jump ranges will present problems with arm crossings and the edges of the galaxy (like Ishum's Reach).