Team up to make your mark on the galaxy in Elite Dangerous’ new update – Vanguards, launching today for all players

An evolved Squadrons system brings identity and greater control to player groups, offering more collaborative opportunities on the path to Elite.

Cambridge, UK (19 August 2025) – Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, ‘Frontier’) today invite players to gather their allies and work together to build a reputation spanning the galaxy in the new Vanguards update, available now for all Elite Dangerous players. Whilst Squadrons have been in Elite Dangerous since 2018, the Vanguards update transforms Squadrons into thriving social groups, with player-set goals and specialisations.

Using the in-game Squadron creation tool, Commanders can now clearly define their organisation’s visual identity with logos, mottos and a leadership hierarchy. Whether they unite under the banner of slick Imperial miners or a rag-tag pirate faction ready to make a fortune, group actions can now be boosted by selecting a Squadron perk, and their contributions will be celebrated in an updated leaderboard system. Squadrons can also identify whether the group is suitable for new players, providing opportunities for those taking their first steps out into the galaxy to access support from experienced Commanders.

Squadron leaders can solidify their group’s operations by purchasing the brand-new Squadron Carrier, an advanced Fleet Carrier which alongside offering groups a base of operations complete with a Briefing Room, also includes two key new features. The Squadron Treasury allows members to share credits. The Squadron Bank offers even further versatility, allowing groups to share materials and even entire ships*, presenting a lucrative recruitment option for players looking to discover a new role on the path to Elite. It’s up to Squadron leadership to decide the level of access each member will get to these shared resources.

Vanguards follows in the wake of February’s Trailblazers update, which has seen Commanders claiming star systems across the galaxy as they establish humanity’s foothold amongst the stars, and the recent addition of two new ships, the stylish Gutamaya Corsairand the colossal Zorgon Peterson Panther Clipper Mk II.

All players who own a copy of Elite Dangerous on PC and are playing in Live Mode will have access to Vanguards, regardless of whether they own a copy of Elite Dangerous: Odyssey. All on-foot content requires players to own a copy of Elite Dangerous: Odyssey.

Elite Dangerous, Odyssey and the combined Deluxe Edition Bundle is available to purchase now on Steam, or via the Epic Games Store.

*Jump Start ships, engineered modules, and ships which contain engineered modules, cannot be added to the Squadron Bank.

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