Searching for unused Squadron IDs

[Old Duck]

Is there a way to search for unused Squadron IDs outside of the game? I'd like to create a Squadron, but I'm sure it'll be a PITA to come up with a 4 letter / number acronym that hasn't already been taken. If I can do that legwork BEFORE creating a squadron (especially outside of VR), that would be very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[Ian Doncaster]

You're probably going to be fine - there are around 1.67 million possible squadron IDs, and on PC probably around 15,000 have been taken. So 99% of them are still free - though obviously four-letter words and similar will be taken.

I can't find a practical way to search out-of-game, though the in-game search will accept a tag.

 

[Old Duck]

I can't find a practical way to search out-of-game, though the in-game search will accept a tag.

So if I do the search in-game and nothing comes up to match a squadron ID that I provide, I am safe to assume that ID is available, yes? I'd like to use something catchy / memorable, though it doesn't have to be an english four letter word from the dictionary.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

Yes. The text search will find any squadron with either the name or squadron ID starting with the letters you provide.

 

[Old Duck]

I just noticed there's a nice green checkbox showing that an ID is available. Cool!

Next question - can I create and destroy more than one Squadron? If I create a Squadron for just me and a couple of people that focuses on supporting a faction (I really like the tools Squadrons give for BGS), can I later disband it and create a new one should I decide to move to a different part of the galaxy and focus on a different faction? Heck, even a one-person Squadron has some benefits thanks to the ability to track faction progress over multiple systems. It'll also give me a reason to earn more credits, as creating squadrons isn't terribly cheap.

Worded another way - if the last person in a Squadron leaves the Squadron, does the Squadron disappear? I'm hoping the answer is yes, as I wouldn't want to clutter things up with a bunch of empty Squadrons.

 

[Erinir]

Hi there, commander.

Yes, you can only create or even be a member of one squadron at a time.The last remaining member of a squadron cannot leave the squadron until they disband it. In addition, the squadron commander cannot leave the squadron until they either kick everyone else out and disband it or pass ownership of the squadron onto someone else. Either way, once you are no longer a member of a squadron, you will be able to create another.

For tracking factions in multiple systems, you may want to try third party applications such as

Inara - https://inara.cz/
EDDB - https://eddb.io/
EDSM - https://www.edsm.net/
Elite BGS - https://elitebgs.app/ - though this requires a discord login I believe


I would also consider using the EDMC or Elite Dangerous Market Connector so that you yourself will be able to update the information on factions/systems/prices, etc... upon landing in a system. The data available on the websites above rely on the EDDN or ED Data Network that receives data from players running EDMC which acts as a kind of data transponder.

Hope this helps and good luck in your travels.

O7

 

[Old Duck]

For tracking factions in multiple systems, you may want to try third party applications such as

I do like some of the 3rd party tools, but it's still my preference to use in-game tools when available. I created a Squadron specifically with this in mind, along with the ability to "pledge" to a minor faction, something I've always wanted to do since I first bought the game. It's too bad players can't do this outside of a Squadron, but then again, if more than one player wants to support a specific minor faction, I see how uniting under a common flag makes sense.

I don't mind being a Squadron of one, though I will invite some of my more trusted friends to join in case they too want to try some casual BGS for a small, neglected faction. "Casual" is the key word, as I really don't have the time to manage Discord and Inara and all these other 3rd party tools out there just to play a game during my recreation time. Otherwise ED becomes a second job, LOL. And unlike everyone else, I'm very happy with the tools that Squadrons give me in the game.

Anyway, thanks for your reply!