Elite Dangerous Lorebook

1. #1Frame Shift Drive(s)selective

   Keys: FSD, Witchspace, Frame Shift Drive, Supercruise, Hyperspace

   The Frame Shift Drive (FSD) is the primary propulsion method for interstellar travel. It has two modes: Supercruise and Hyperspace. Supercruise allows for faster-than-light travel within a star system to reach planets and stations; ships in Supercruise are vulnerable to "Interdiction" (being tethered and pulled into normal space). Hyperspace allows for jumping between star systems. During a Hyperspace jump, the ship traverses "Witchspace," a chaotic, tunnel-like dimension. Not unlike a worm-hole.

2. #2Federationselective

   Keys: Federal, Federation, Sol, Zachary Hudson

   The Federation is the oldest superpower, based in Sol (Earth/Mars). It values democracy, capitalism, and corporate influence. Its aesthetic is utilitarian, angular, and industrial (Core Dynamics ships). It is currently led by President Zachary Hudson. The society is stratified by wealth; while technically free, many citizens are wage-slaves to mega-corporations. They are the historic rivals of the Empire.

3. #3Empireselective

   Keys: Duval, Achenar, Empire, Imperial

   The Empire is a hereditary, feudal superpower based in the Achenar system. It values honor, lineage, and aesthetic perfection. Its ships (Gutamaya) are white, sleek, and curvy with blue LEDs. It is ruled by an Emperor (currently Arissa Lavigny-Duval). The Empire legalizes "Imperial Slavery," which is a regulated system where citizens sell themselves into servitude for a fixed time to pay off debts, retaining certain rights and honor.

4. #4Allianceselective

   Keys: Taipan, Alliance, Edmund Mahon, Alioth

   The Alliance is the third superpower, formed in 3230 in the Alioth system. Unlike the Federation or Empire, it is not a unified government but a cooperative defense pact of independent systems preserving their sovereignty against the larger powers. It values cultural diversity and freedom. It is currently led by Prime Minister Edmund Mahon. The Alliance lacks its own dedicated naval rank structure but commissions ships through Lakon Spaceways, specifically the "C-series" combat vessels (Chieftain, Challenger, Crusader) designed specifically to combat the Thargoid threat.

5. #5Independentselective

   Keys: Shinrarta Dezhra, Archon Delaine, Anarchy, Li Yong-Rui, Independent

   Independent systems are those not aligned with the Federation, Empire, or Alliance. They range from peaceful democracies to lawless Anarchy systems ruled by pirate lords. The Pilots Federation itself is an Independent entity based in the permit-locked system of Shinrarta Dezhra (Founders World). Major independent figures include corporate mogul Li Yong-Rui (Sirius Corp) and pirate lord Archon Delaine. Independent systems are often the wild west of the galaxy, where jurisdiction is local and security backup is slow or non-existent.

6. #6Thargoidsselective

   Keys: Interceptor, Thargoids, Maelstrom, Caustic, Thargoid, Scout, Titan

   The Thargoids are a highly advanced, hostile, insectoid species from outside the Bubble. They utilize organic, biomechanical technology. Their fleet consists of "Scouts" (small, agile drones) and "Interceptors" (massive flower-shaped vessels). Interceptors come in escalating danger classes: Cyclops, Basilisk, Medusa, and Hydra. They possess "caustic missiles" that melt hulls and "shutdown fields" that disable ships. As of December 18th, 3310, the war between Humanity and Thargoid has ended in Humanity's favor. However, many systems and factions still experience the fallout. Their species may only be found far outside of the bubble, or the Witch head Nebula.

7. #7Small sized shipsselective

   Keys: Eagle, Ships Small, Diamondback, Dolphin, Viper, Hauler, Sidewinder, Vulture, Cobra, Adder

   Small ships are agile and can land on any pad. The Sidewinder (Faulcon DeLacy) is the wedge-shaped starter ship, versatile but weak. The Eagle is a highly maneuverable glass-cannon fighter. The Hauler and Adder (Zorgon Peterson) are entry-level trade and shuttle craft. The Viper MkIII and MkIV are dedicated police/combat interceptors. The Cobra MkIII is the most iconic multi-role ship, famous for speed and smuggling; the MkIV is a rarer, heavier variant. The Diamondback Scout and Explorer (Lakon) are industrial-looking ships with excellent jump ranges, favored for exploration and stealth running. The Imperial Courier is a fast, shielded interceptor used by the Empire. The Dolphin (Saud Kruger) is a luxury passenger liner. The Vulture (Core Dynamics) is a heavy combat fighter with massive hardpoints but severe power management issues.

8. #8Medium sized shipsselective

   Keys: Fer-de-Lance, Asp, Federal Dropship, Type-6, Python, Krait, Ships Medium, Keelback, Alliance Chieftain

   Medium ships balance firepower and landing access. The Type-6 Transporter and Keelback are brick-like Lakon traders; the Keelback can launch fighters. The Asp Scout and Asp Explorer are premier long-range exploration vessels with excellent cockpit views. The Federal trio (Dropship, Assault Ship, Gunship) are heavy, armor-tanking hulls used by the Federation navy. The Alliance trio (Chieftain, Challenger, Crusader) are highly agile, thruster-heavy combat ships designed for anti-xeno warfare. The Fer-de-Lance (Zorgon Peterson) is a luxury bounty-hunting vessel and the meta-standard for PvP combat. The Mamba is a racing ship repurposed for combat, emphasizing straight-line speed. The Python is the ultimate multi-role ship, capable of heavy hauling and combat while landing at outposts. The Krait MkII and Krait Phantom are flat, Millennium Falcon-esque ships favored for piracy, combat, and exploration.

9. #9Large sized shipsselective

   Keys: Type-9, Clipper, Orca, Type-7, Corvette, Cutter, Anaconda, Type-10, Beluga, Ships Large

   Large ships require Large landing pads and cannot dock at outposts. The Type-7 and Type-9 Heavy (Lakon) are massive, slow space-trucks designed purely for bulk trading. The Type-10 Defender is a spoiler-equipped fortress variant of the Type-9 designed for turret boating against aliens. The Orca and Beluga Liner (Saud Kruger) are high-end luxury passenger ships. The Imperial Clipper is a fast, stylish multi-role ship with weak shields but high speed. The Imperial Cutter is the most expensive ship, boasting the strongest shields and highest cargo capacity in the game, but it turns very slowly. The Federal Corvette is a massive combat destroyer with two huge hardpoints, regarded as the king of PvE combat. The Anaconda (Faulcon DeLacy) is the most famous large ship, known for having the highest potential jump range and extreme versatility in any role.

10. #10Galactic Lifeselective

    Keys: Starport, Outpost, Coriolis, Ocellus, Remlock, Orbis, Galactic Life

    Life in 3312 is defined by the contrast between the sterile, high-tech interior of starports and the lethal vacuum of space. Most citizens live on Coriolis (cuboid), Orbis (ringed), or Ocellus (spherical) stations, where centrifugal force provides artificial gravity. The Pilots Federation is the shadow-government that controls the galaxy's flow of information and ship telemetry; they provide the "Remlock" life-support systems and the "Telepresence" technology that allows for remote fighter control. To be a "Commander" is to be part of an elite class of citizen with the legal right to own a warp-capable ship and roam the stars at will, a privilege 99% of humanity will never have.

11. #11Physics (in a way..?)selective

    Keys: Nav Beacon, Fuel Scooping, Mass Lock, Heat, Interdiction, Physics

    Space travel is governed by hard physics. Ships cannot jump near large masses (stations or planets) due to Mass Lock. Every ship has a Heat Signature; "Silent Running" allows a ship to become invisible to scanners by trapping heat inside the hull, though this will eventually melt the ship’s internal modules. Long-distance travel requires Fuel Scooping—skimming the upper corona of a star to harvest hydrogen. Navigational data is synced at Nav Beacons located near a system's primary star. In the lawless "Black," a pilot is entirely alone with no backup and no fuel source other than what they can scoop.

Showing 11 of 11

1 file

• .jsonjson_lorebookrebuilt

  15.1 KBfirst seen Apr 16, 2026cf7cf7340024ee79

  Download