Elite Dangerous: Vanguards - Available Now
Achieve more, together, in the Elite Dangerous: Vanguards update. Our latest free update includes a rework of the Squadrons system, giving you the freedom to shape a Squadron in many different ways, and the tools to succeed as a united group within a cutthroat galaxy.
Form Your Identity
The process begins with creation of your new Squadron. Choose a name, ID and Motto that aligns with your goals, before detailing your mission for potential applicants. Select your Squadron Preferences to find like-minded Commanders and give focus to your activities.
Stand Out From The Crowd
Create a unique look for your Squadron with a new logo designer, and choose from a selection of banners to display in various places throughout your Squadron experience.
A Badge of Honour
Represent your Squadron by displaying a new dynamic decal on your ship! This decal will update with any changes made to your Squadron's logo.
Pledge Allegiance
Declare allegiance to a Superpower, Power and Supporting Faction to determine how your Squadron fits within the wider galaxy.
Strategic Advantages
Select perks that apply powerful benefits to Commanders within your Squadron. Align your selection to your preferred activity to create a foundation for success.
Your Squadron, At A Glance
The new Squadron Home screen acts as your activity hub, with everything you need to access in one space.
Part of The Crew
View every member of your Squadron in one place! Check out their status, location, rank and more.
Defining Roles
Assign custom roles to members of your Squadron to define your structure and responsibilites. Perhaps some members are trade specialists, whilst others can be given a mining role.
Stay Connected
The Squadron Feed shows noteworthy changes to the Squadron, including promotions, name changes and feats worthy of recognition!
Send A Message
Need to organise an objective, or simply leave a message for other members? Make use of the Bulletin Board found in the Squadron Home screen to do so.
Where Do You Belong?
Looking for a crew to call your own? The refreshed Squadron Browser details everything you need to know when deciding which Squadron to apply to.
The Right Fit
Upon application, Squadron leadership will be able to view your application and approve or reject it.
Base of Operations
Command a new Squadron Carrier, dedicated to your Squadron. This gigantic vessel can act as your base of operations, serving as a place to meet up, as well as use the brand-new Squadron Bank functionality.
Earn Together
Manage a communal pool of Credits between the Squadron with the Squadron Treasury. This pool of Credits can be donated to, withdrawn from and used for Carrier upkeep amongst other things!
Share The Spoils
The Squadron Bank is a communal storage space that allows members to deposit and withdraw non-Engineered ships, commodities and personal assets. Both the Squadron Bank and Wallet can have permissions set based on an assigned rank.
Climb The Ranks
Pit your Squadron against the rest of the galaxy with Seasonal Leaderboards, letting you prove you're the best around.
Existing Squadrons
Your current Squadron will carry over into the Vanguards update, however you will need to set up the new elements manually, such as your logo and perk choices.
New Squadron Carrier Cosmetics
Also arriving alongside Vanguards is a new set of paintjobs for your Squadron Carrier.
Screens and numbers displayed on this page may not be final.
Update Notes
- 4.2.2.1 (13 November 2025)
- 4.2.2.0 (11 November 2025)
- 4.2.1.2 (16 October 2025)
- 4.2.1.1 (2 October 2025)
- 4.2.1.0 (29 September 2025)
- 4.2.0.3 (11 September 2025)
Update Notes - 4.2.0.0
Release Schedule
- Downtime Start: 8AM BST/7AM UTC
- Downtime Approximate Finish: 3PM BST/2PM UTC
These times are approximations and are subject to change.
Update Notes
Features of Note:
- Squadrons feature has had a complete overhaul
- Squadrons system introduces many new features, including:
- Create a unique identity with your own custom logo and banner and the logo to your ships!
- Create your Squadron motto to declare your purpose!!
- Use the reworked Squadron Browser to find out more about available Squadrons and their members!
- Climb to the top of our extended Squadron Leaderboards and earn new rewards
- Use the new Squadron Bank to share resources with your fellow members
- Manage your fleet with a dedicated Squadron Carrier with an extended Squadron Bank to host commodities, items and ships!
- Apply new Squadron perks to benefit your members
- Review Squadron influence reports to see how your grip on the galaxy has changed,
- …And Much More!
- Improvements to shadows across various locations in game (Issue ID: 63484)
Issue Tracker Fixes
- Fixed target info distance being obscured by cockpit lights (Issue ID: 77196)
- Fixed some gaps in the cockpit model for the Panther Clipper Mk II (Issue ID: 77212)
- Fixed instances of harsh shadow flickering in the Panther Clipper Mk II cockpit when facing a planetary location (Issue ID: 77218)
- Fixed thrust vectoring for the Panther Clipper Mk II engines whilst rolling (Issue ID: 77215)
- Fixed Gutamaya Corsair thrust vectoring when pitching (Issue ID: 77231)
Bug Fixes
- Fixed instances of a crash that could occur when swapping ships whilst docked on a fleet carrier as it was starting the hyperspace lockdown process
- Fixed instances of a crash that could occur when using Advanced Maintenance to repair modules
- Fixed mirrored decal in the Panther Clipper Mk II cockpit
- Fixed missing HUD audio for telepresence & physical multicrew members in the Panther Clipper Mk II
- Fixed community decals not displaying correctly on the Panther Clipper Mk II
- Fixed the ramp shutter clipping into the ship mesh upon deploying the landing gear on the Panther Clipper Mk II
- Fixed a gap in the mesh of the fighter bay on the Panther Clipper Mk II resulting in light bleeding into the cockpit
- Adjusted Colonisation Facility Rename to clarify it includes unlimited random renames of the facility as well
- Fixed descriptions of Hologram & Alphabet bobbleheads
Localisation Fixes
- Fixed unlocalised text strings for Panther Clipper Mk II shipkit items
If you encounter any further issues please be sure to report them on our Issue Tracker and reach out to our Support Team if you need assistance.
