Newcomer / Intro Elite Dangerous - Horizons - Odyssey - In Game Documentation and Help

nemolomen

nemolomen
Hi New Players,

The aim of this post is to give you an idea of where you can find game documentation and help in the PC game client and get you started on your journey to becoming Elite.

The information presented here is current as of Elite Dangerous Odyssey v4.0.0.1700, which was released on 2023-10-16.

There used to be a PDF game manual, but it is woefully outdated. And, while there are other sources of documentation (patch notes, external and 3rd party websites, other forum posts) this post sticks to just the information that is available within the game client.

The information below is broken down by the, so far, 3 "versions" of the game:
  1. "Elite Dangerous" - the base game
  2. "Elite Dangerous Horizons" - includes all features of the base game
  3. "Elite Dangerous Odyssey" - includes all features of Horizons*
* certain graphical features are markedly different between the Horizons v3.8 PC game client and the Odyssey v4.0 PC game client​
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Also note that there are 2 versions of the Milky Way galaxy: Live and Legacy.

The Legacy galaxy is accessed by using the Elite Dangerous base game, the Elite Dangerous Horizons v3.8 PC game client and the XBox/Playstation game versions.​
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The Live galaxy is accessed by using the Elite Dangerous Odyssey v4.0 PC game client, which includes a "Horizons" mode for players who have not yet purchased the Odyssey DLC.​

Once you've used the launcher to load the game, you'll be at the main menu. The "Continue" menu item will open another menu where, alongside the game modes Open, Private Group, Solo and Arena (aka CQC), there is a "Training" entry all the way on the right end of the menu.

"Training" is broken down into 3 sections: (in Odyssey, both Pilot Assessment and Surface Operation also exist as menu entries here)
  1. Training Simulations- interactive game play tutorials
    1. Pilot Assessment (Tutorial) - how to fly your ship/pilot's license exam
    2. Surface Operation (Tutorial) - how to use suits, weapons and tools
    3. Basic Flight
    4. Docking and Travel
    5. Combat
    6. Mining
    7. Advanced - Combat
    8. Advanced - Surface Recon Vehicles
    9. Advanced - Ship Launched Fighters
  2. Challenge Scenarios- Interactive game play tutorials
    1. Skirmish
    2. Wolfpack Tactics
    3. Pirate Defence
    4. Docking Practice
    5. Incursion: Mostly Harmless
    6. Incursion: Competent
    7. Incursion: Dangerous
    8. Incursion: Elite
    9. Introduction to VR
  3. Training Videos - information presented in video format, non-interactive
    1. Basic Flight
    2. Basic Combat
    3. Docking
    4. Starport Services
    5. Trade
    6. Travel
    7. Galaxy and System Maps
    8. Wings
    9. PowerPlay: Overview
    10. PowerPlay: Preparation
    11. PowerPlay: Expansion
    12. PowerPlay: Control
    13. CQC Championship
    14. Planetary Landing
    15. Settlements
    16. SRV Control
    17. Wave Scanner
    18. Materials and Crafting
    19. Engineers
    20. Ship Launched Fighters
    21. Fighter Pilots
    22. Passengers
    23. Multi-Crew
    24. Crime and Punishment
    25. Exploration
    26. Mining
Once you choose a play mode (Open, Private Group or Solo) you are actually "in the game", and you can access the available help and information:
  • "Training", as above, is also available within in the ship and SRV right hand panel "home tab". Note that "Training" is NOT available while on foot. You must either board your ship or SRV or "ESC" > "Exit" to the main menu before you can access the training when you are on foot.

  • "Codex" is available in the ship and SRV right hand panel home tab and in the right side of the on-foot "Insight Hub" menu (default key "hold Q"). Note that the Codex is NOT available from the Main Menu. You must be logged into a game mode to access the Codex.
Codex consists of 4 sections:
  1. Commander - Various statistics about the current commander's "in game experience".

  2. Discoveries - Exploration game-play items/objects either known to or found by the current commander.
    1. Astronomical Bodies - Stars, planets and moons
    2. Biological and Geological - Plants, geysers, lava spouts, etc...
    3. Xenological - Seemingly intellignet alien lifeforms
  3. Knowledge Base- Information about in-game persons and organizations.
    1. The Empire - Major human political entity based in Achenar
    2. The Federation - Major human political entity based in Sol
    3. The Alliance - Major human poilitical entity based in Alioth
    4. The Thargoids - Living sentient alien life forms
    5. The Guardians - Long dead sentient alien life forms
    6. Individuals - The movers and shakers of human society
    7. Corporations - Large business comglomerates
    8. Colonia - A small area of human populated systems far away from the rest of humanity
    9. The Dark Wheel - A mysterious mythical organization
    10. Raxxla - A fairytale
    11. Generation Ships - Slower than light spaceships from hundreds of years ago
    12. AEGIS - A coalition of human political forces used to combat/explore alien protragonists
    13. The Consortium - A high level criminal organization
    14. The Pilots Federation - In charge of training and promoting spaceship pilots
  4. Pilot's Handbook- Information about various in-game activities and user interfaces.
    1. Mining - Getting raw materials from objects
    2. Exploration - Finding unknown things
    3. Piracy - Armed, usually, robbery
    4. Trade and Smuggling - Buying and selling legal/illegal commodities
    5. Mercenary Work - Gun for hire
    6. Bounty Hunting - Taking out the bad guys
    7. Xeno Hunting - Fighting aliens
    8. Salvage and Rescue - self explanatory
    9. Maps - Galaxy and Star System user interfaces
    10. Crime and Punishment - When you perform illegal actions
    11. Fleet Carriers - Mobile bases
    12. Settlements - Small, ground based, human communities/installations
    13. Engineers - How to make your ships, weapons, suits, etc better
    14. The Concourse - Where the on foot vendors/mission givers live
    15. Suits and Equipment - On foot accessories
 
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