How to Play Elite: Dangerous (a Gameplay Tutorial Guide)

[@truespeedsonic78]

I've been looking for tutorials on elite that wouldn't bore me out of my mind and I was hopeful I'd find someone who is actually pay attention to. Thank you for doing this.

[@michaelc5584]

Hey I have never bothered to leave a comment on youtube in my life but I really wanted to let you know that I wouldn't have started playing if it wasn't for this video & your channel. Your guides are dense with information and the effort you put into organizing everything really shows. You opened up a whole galaxy for me & for that I thank you!

[@ObsidianAnt]

+Michael Corcoran Thank you! I'm glad my videos have helped you. :) It's also great to hear you are enjoying the game... :)

[@dtdionne]

Likewise, I was just on the cusp of quiting (before I even got started) and it was an oAnt video that brought me back from the brink. Now I have all the ships, elite rank in trading, and a thargoid kill. I’m sooo very thankful.

[@russangel]

Nothing wrong with the audio levels,I'm actually sat in my home studio with professional monitors and it sounds fine to me.I am a musician and sound engineer so I think that I know what I am talking about.Good video and thanks.

[@dtdionne]

Hey obsidian, thanks for all u do for this game. Ur videos are simply the best...and again, it was so cool to hear ur voice overs at obsidian orbital

[@ancienttimes3773]

I really love you Elite dangerous tutorials, some like this one are over 3 years old and still the best ones around!

[@jmrwacko]

This game is insane. So much to do... I went in expecting to do bounty hunting, but I ended up becoming a slave trader/pirate just out of mere opportunity. You can mine, you can fight for a military faction, you can be a courier, you can explore astrological phenomena. It's really incredible.

[@manuelpatrice9438]

astroNomical phenomena please ;)

[@MrSCOTTtheSCOT]

Manuel Patrice the tarot card nebula

[@stalkerlohh]

yet starting the game at first is a major pain in the ass...stilll. after all these hours i played, i am still confused and only have 500 credtis on profits...i just get lost all the time, no fuel left.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Keep at it guys, the game is well worth it! :)

[@t3hpwninat0r]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this wonderful tutorial video :) I just bought the game, did the tutorials, and then proceeded to travel from star system to star system having absolutely no clue what I was supposed to be doing. I happened upon a large ship being attacked by smaller ships and decided to try and help defend the big guy. The smaller ship I fired at immediately turned around and I had a 5 minute dogfight that ended in my ship being destroyed. Still having no clue what to do, I turned to KZbin and now, thanks to you, I think I know enough to get me started. You're awesome :)

[@Nnnn88888]

+Vahan Shamlian What happened??

[@t3hpwninat0r]

+Nathan Mørkeberg Reece ummm... then I became a wandering smuggler with enough firepower to defend everyone I came across who was being attacked. Well, nearly everyone. Carrying illegal merchandise which would be lost if I was destroyed made it all the more exciting. Sometimes I had to sit by and watch until other help arrived so I could join in because my ship just wasn't strong enough.

[@tonyskocic6987]

Calming voice, good solid information. This video helped me a lot when I got the game last wednesday. And now I finally bought an Asp, I'm so happy right now :) Thanks!

[@Stainton88]

Thanks for the helpful video. I've been playing for a few hours but didn't really know what to do/could do. It's insane how big the map is for exploration!

[@brandonbuck1543]

You should be a commentator for golf.

[@joshuazamarripa4862]

TY, as a new player I was just feeling what you said. Lost and confused after watching the training videos. Much appreciated.

[@tangojamo6929]

Great tutorial. I'll send this link to my friend who just started playing. I think pilots underestimate the Sidewinder, thinking it to be a weak ship. They would be right if not for the Wings option. I could imagine a hornet's nest of Sidewinders overwhelming a large ship. There are very many tactical options within the game. Even a starter pilot could be effective if teamwork is a priority. When you fight alone, well...be prepared to run, which is always an option when outgunned. There's nothing more frustrating to your opponent than losing an easy kill. Again, even a player in a Sidewinder can be quite formidable given that you use your strategical wit. It's a grandiose experience.

[@GameSpin]

Thank you for the video. Perfect for folks like me who are familiar with the controls, but don't know where to begin. The game is so vast, it's intimidating, but you covered a lot of ground here for just 18 minutes. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[@ObsidianAnt]

I'm glad it helped. :)

[@bluegpu]

Great guide! Very concise with quality information clearly explained. It's confirmed some things that I have been discovering and explained new things that I didn't know. Thank you!

[@ObsidianAnt]

@russ angel: Thanks :) I think it's more that most KZbinr's tend to shout. :D Where as I'm just talking. Seems many people aren't used to it. ;)

[@thinkdabub]

+ObsidianAnt I find your voice very reassuring!

[@MrBluntpuffer]

Thanks to this video i've been able to get into the game. Big thanks to you Obsidian Ant. Also love your your other gameplay and tutorial vids. Always informative and interesting.

[@titusgray4598]

Was initially turned off to ED because of the persistent online and vast time requirements to get comfortable with the mechanics and the general gameplay task order. In 18 minutes you made me feel much more at ease with the game and I think I'll dive back in and really see what the game has to offer. Only logged probably 20 hours so far, a drop in the bucket of the galactic ocean. Thanks!

[@ObsidianAnt]

Matt Van Vrancken :) The main problem with the game is that it doesn't give you any guidance when you first get in to it. Right from the start there really are a whole load of things you can do...it's just that the game doesn't make that clear.

[@titusgray4598]

ObsidianAnt It might make you happy to know that I logged back in yesterday with a moderately outfitted Sidewinder and about 25k credits and two hours later I logged off with a well-equipped Viper, 60k in bounty vouchers from the Alliance and Empire, and about 300k in the bank. I think I found my calling :)

[@vegassims7]

You really should make an UPDATED 2024 beginner guide to Elite. So much is different now and this is so outdated.

[@bobsonsitecomputerrepair4305]

Awesome video, mate! I was so lost as a new player, especially as the missions you get are crap... either too hard or too far away to deliver. Thanks so much for giving me an idea on getting started as a brand new player! Cheers!

[@qi-ball1755]

look i appreciate the tone of voice here it's not too loud or to quiet, i hear no clipping and im a music artist and publisher, maybee the person complaining just doesnt understand your accent, I understand just fine as many of my friends are from europe in many areas so i hear a lot of different accents, and expressions that are a little more uncommon here in the states, and this may not be in depth for this game but it shows how detailed the game really is and how complex as this is only a primer, a really good one to get started but yet a primer, GREAT VIDEO will be subbing

[@broncosfanman69]

Awesome video with great commentary:) Been looking at this game for a bit now and after watching your video I'm definitely getting it. Thanks alot!

[@BaneEchoSix]

Great video, thanks! I'll be sharing it with some friends that are interested in seeing what Elite has to offer.

[@GoldenCoastGTA]

You might want to check the levels of the audio output when rendering, you have a very calm and low voice, it's hard to understand you even at max. Just a heads up, take it as you want. (There are levels indicator both on Sony Vegas and Premiere Pro, you want to hit the borderline. On Premiere Pro it's the red color, green doesn't mean okay, it means low.)

[@GoldenCoastGTA]

***** I'll assume you're on Adobe then. One good thing to know when you're with the audio, right click on a clip and click on Audio Gain, you will then see what's your peek amplitude for that clip. If It's on 0 db, it's absolutely perfect. You don't want your overall decibel to go below -2.

[@GameSpin]

***** Considering your calm voice I found your mix perfect. I had no trouble understanding you. Red IS too loud. In any software, the meters should be just before you peak at red. Hope this helps.

[@ObsidianAnt]

GameSpin Thanks. That's good to hear. :)

[@GoldenCoastGTA]

ObsidianAnt Consider my input though. I've been working with Premiere Pro since ages, check my channels, on every video the audio level are in the red, and yet you hear a perfectly normal sound, clear to hear, not loud, the way it's meant for KZbin. What I mean by in the red, is that the very highest peak hits the border, the average audio peak should be at 0 decibels, not more no less, that's how things work if you want a clear audio. I'm not here to impose what I think I know, I'm here to share what I found was best for my viewers.

[@GameSpin]

The XXI My apologies if I caused any confusion. You were correct in that the optimal level would be at "0" (which is right between Red and Yellow meters in most audio software). I was only trying to clarify for Nathan as it appeared he was under the assumption that red was too loud, and I wanted to make sure he knew that was correct, and it's far worse than being under, as it will cause clipping and distortion. Of course, my channel doesn't reflect that I work in pro-audio as I work quickly here and don't use the same gear. But yeah, just trying to help.

[@snarf98]

Your voice is so relaxing that I would listen to you read the dictionary. Thanks for a helpful tutorial!

[@Flight231]

Excellent video for new starters and 1985'ers like myself! Thanks very much for this and hopefully it will propel many towards the "Elite" status! I honestly cant remember how I got there 20 odd years ago, now the fun can begin all over again. Just don't have to load the game from a tape!!

[@rbrjoel]

This was a fantastic guide, thank you!

[@benjaminjumangit7922]

Thanks for this guide. This actually helped me out a lot. (trading/exploring)

[@TheSurvivemer]

Oh my God! Boromir is alive and playing Elite: Dangerous! That's enough for my to sub! Will be checking all your vids Boromir!!!

[@dragon5521]

Sir you have the most soft and calming voice i've ever heard. Great video, very helpful, but I feel really sleepy no-zzzzzzzz

[@HDMan44]

Great job explaining what this incredible game offers :)

[@xeels2708]

500th sub ;) You did a really nice guide here mate ^.^

[@thrandisher]

Few things i didnt know, thanks for the vid

[@NicTheGreek1979]

Cant wait to get on this when it hits PS4!! I'm binge watching your videos so i know what to do!!!!! ;D

[@UnknownXV]

Lots of useful information here, thanks.

[@SockPuppetDinosaur]

Wonderful presentation and explanations. If you could do another more focused tutorial, it would be nice if you could explain the "eliminate pirates" missions. I still don't understand them.

[@Alucard4Tec]

Good video! Keep it up!

[@masterxeon1001]

thanks! I was so lost the first time.

[@jekanyika]

I've found with the advanced discovery scanner sometimes in a binary system with a distant star you cannot detect the planets orbiting it without travelling to it.

[@Rocomador]

Simply awesome, thank you.

[@gimpyjosh]

Thank you so much. This is very helpful. I ran around for like 4 hours and only made 10k credits. I had no idea what I was doing.

[@mudpuppyUK]

Just got the game. Thanks for the video

[@TheBitpon]

Excellent vids, I'm looking forward to more of these. See you in space,

[@DarkBykeTwitch]

7:46 is there a way to turn on this discovery scanner? Or is it just always on?

[@rockspider2263]

I have set mine up on a separate fire group, then just press fire till it completes its scan. Think you can set it up on key config also if you like.

[@DarkBykeTwitch]

Rock Spider I don't know what a fire group is. New to the game. Fire just launches my guns.

[@rockspider2263]

In cockpit view or at station press "4"press then "e" or "q" until fire groups comes up then use "w" "s" up and down to select scanner then "d" (right) or "a" {left)to to add fire group and "space" button to change 1 or 2 on fire command. I believe fire group cycle selection while flying is "n" or "m" I have mine set to f8 on my joystick. Hope this helps.

[@DarkBykeTwitch]

Rock Spider Great, I'll check it out! Thanks for the tips I appreciate it.

[@ssgfranklin4255]

Can you please do a video on ranking up with the federation? How you recommend to get it done and rank up eficently as possible.

[@somerandomguy7313]

Do you need to do anything to scan within your scan radius or just flying around will scan everything automatically?

[@ObsidianAnt]

You need to trigger your basic scanner. By default this should be on your secondary fire button. If it isn't look at your right UI panel, and move to the Firegroups tab...then assign the Basic Scanner to a fire button.

[@seancpcp]

Excellent video! I like the peaceful tone, but it was hard to heat you at times. Maybe you could help make it more clear on how to successfully smuggle stolen and illegal goods.

[@MikeBowdenOdense]

Thanks. Well explained. :)

[@Kenseix]

Great video, keep up the good work. Like many at times i found your voice to be quite low. Also sorry to be picky but I find when people use "mmo" they automatically think of world of warcraft and the like(mmorpgs). However I do feel mmo is used correctly with this game, MMO after all starts for massive multi player online, in no way is this reference to any sort of rpg element.

[@Pistakunt]

relaxing and informative

[@NjoyMoney]

You are sick at scooping stuff up :D :D it takes me ages even tho im an old backer :D

[@ratchetqwark89]

hi how do u access the mmo part of this game? im stuck in solo mode

[@titianobsidian6549]

ty, about to launch HMS Wandering Ineptitude...

[@v3nom11065]

I think I could easily have fun with game, but I don't want to go hardcore into it without a JoyStick. I'm currently looking into the 200 dollar Saitek Pro X-55 Rhino. Anything you would recommend, ObsidianAnt?

[@illHuntUnow]

LoL I bought the thrustmaster t16000m just for this game an I'm super happy with it. It was 36€

[@ObsidianAnt]

I use an X55 myself - very nice joystick indeed. :) I also use an XBox pad from time to time, and these are pretty good too. But yes, the X55 is a good purchase for sure.

[@v3nom11065]

ObsidianAnt Thanks for the response! It's nice to hear that you enjoy the X55. I guess I'll go for the gamble with their infamous QA issues.

[@Dark__Thoughts]

CH Products Fighterstick, ProThrottle & Pedals or Thrustmaster Warthog.

[@PickledGopher]

CH Products! I needed to upgrade my saitek x45 and did a ton of research. x55 has too many QA issues, my buddy returned 3 of them before giving up and ordering CH after trying out mine. Warthog too much. CH products will last forever.

[@voxxel]

What resolution is that? Or 3 monitor setup?

[@ObsidianAnt]

Is an ultra-wide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Resolution is 2560x1080.

[@passiondpete1624]

Do you need horizons to crew in my buddies ship

[@johnquasarano3355]

Just close your eyes and imagine the Geico Gecko teaching you how to play.This tutorial will certainly save me 15% or more on my ship insurance.

[@ConorMasterson]

How would you compare this to Eve Online?

[@Tails_the_Gamer]

nice starter tutorial.

[@ziros22]

Your voice is enchanting.

[@THEmobius77]

Day one in elite dangerous-- flew into the sun (rebound keys) -- died to a wing of wanted ships -- got lost Day two-- cleared save, no problem, I've no money-- learned to drive on surface -- got blown up by a turret Day three-- killed 2 pirates!! earned some cash :)-- Died 2 mins later to pirate number 3 and lost all cash-- decided I needed to watch some tutorial videos.

[@ThatGuitarPlayingGuy]

lmao why is this me

[@MattyC64c]

Thanks for the video. Right, time to make some money! 😀

[@7F0X7]

I was undecided on what I wanted to do until I saw the slave trade. Trading slaves, in space, legally, for profit, while having slaves of your own. These people know me. This game was made for me :)

[@beerye932]

how did you get such a wide FOV??

[@ObsidianAnt]

It is a super-widescreen monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Resolution is 2560x1080.

[@Divinexo703]

So lucky man! I wish I had this game :(

[@antwan1357]

Side winder smuggler ship all or nothing mentality not much risk as you just respawn when you die in a sidewinder I wonder how many cargo racks can be squeezed into it

[@wentbackward]

Thankyou!

[@ProcyonAlpha]

I just bought the game and having trouble. I spent ages travelling to cleve hub and finally managed to get into the hub/port. I accidentally clicked cancel dock then got blown up

[@stevec6965]

All you need is the millennium falcon and this would be a Star Wars Han Solo game. Stealing cargo, collecting bounties, getting into trouble.

[@spookytook]

Your voice is amazing rofl

[@Lawlophile]

this a documentary? i feel like i'm watching a documentary.

[@Vanpotheosis]

I just wish this game had more of a community and the ability to engage them. An antagonist (think of the mass effect series) to optionally engage on a galactic level with specific systems of missions and high activity (instanced player raids against bosses, coordinated effort to defeat) could enhance lore and provide the game depth. As it stands now it's a really fun Demo with no content in a lonely galaxy. Every mission is the same, every system is the same, every NPC (and their soulless, greasy looking, bugeyed avatar puppets) is the same, nothing about the ships are worth upgrading, buying cosmetic vanity items is useless because only you are going to see them and only when you're stationed in a hangar... The whole game just feels sadly pointless. The game needs a relaunch in the vein of FF XIV. This game needs a story-line or the number of players (currently 3,000) is going to fall off into oblivion.

[@stalkerlohh]

NO, the mission on the board are not straight foward....wasted couple of gameplays looking for traders to kill or some black boxes.... the game tells you only the sytem it is in..like wtf am i supposed to do ? fly around aimlessly for hours hoping to find it ???? BS. got the game yesterday... feeling really angry and frustrated...

[@ItsBocephus]

Raise the volume a bit, and you sound like the clone troopers in Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005)

[@conpa18dany]

Salad fingers is that you?

[@DarkVadekGaming]

Interesting video, but... why are you whispering?

[@Trancecend]

Mate, you should crop your video (remove black bars).

[@ObsidianAnt]

Aspect ratio is 21:9 not 16:9. It's the same as a cinema screen, not a TV. Hence you will get black bars on a 16:9 monitor (just like you do when you watch a movie on a TV screen)...those watching on a 21:9 monitor will get no black bars.

[@Trancecend]

ObsidianAnt The bars are present in non-full screen too. Which seems to indicate that the video wasn't cropped.

[@Trancecend]

Tbh, I'd prefer a more viewer friendly format, like 16:10/9, but not my channel, not my call. :)

[@GabrielVescovi]

i should stop seeing videos about this game, as my laptop can't run it, and i am dangerously considering the purchase of a new pc :/

[@jadenigguks623]

Gabriel Nagib dangerously

[@MastaSquidge]

Love your videos, but you are wayyyy too quiet. Have to turn everything else down, crank the volume here, and then whenever it autoplays to another 'caster's video my ears fall off.

[@ezvkm77]

Yeah but we need to here what your saying!

[@udieunit]

Great vid but this game is so confusing

[@GutiFrags]

Amen

[@udieunit]

TristonGats lol

[@Vanpotheosis]

No it's not, just go in circles. Look at rock, turn around, get ver batim missions on the bulletin board as one's you've just completed. (exact same wording again, and again, and again) Rinse, repeat. Never see another player, ever, etc.

[@CMW648]

Why so quiet

[@knownuser09]

Why do none of these tutorials contain, you know the actually buttons to maybe perform these actions.. In game tutorial is just as useless. The good old days where they told you the buttons is gone with this game.

[@ObsidianAnt]

+AFTER DARK Because doing that would be almost impossible. People play on keyboard, control pad, various types of Joysticks and HOTAS. Also quite a lot of the actions don't have any keys/buttons bound to them by default, so each player will have a different button. Sorry there's no real easy way to fix this. It's just one of those games that has far too many controller input options.

[@knownuser09]

maybe that is the problem, keys unbound.. ill look into it. cheers. I see what you mean.. point taken..

[@ObsidianAnt]

AFTER DARK No worries. Thanks for the comment, and for watching! :)

[@stillettoRebel]

Good vid. Please could you re-dub it in a Micheal Caine accent. Your normal accent isn't too far off...

[@creativemids]

decent video but doesnt tell what buttons to press to activate the stuff hes talking about witch is the hardest part.

[@AhmadEdinHodzic]

Controls are so fucking anoying i would love to use my mouse for ship menu!

[@Vanpotheosis]

.. but... you can.

[@AhmadEdinHodzic]

Med Otaku np i use controller

[@AhmadEdinHodzic]

Carter Sloan look i was just a noob ;) :D

[@ElSherazi]

_zzZ_...

[@ObiWeebKenobi]

Why are speaking so softly?

[@dankind64]

SPEAK UP!

[@LeandrosAmarantidis]

Dude ... The your calm, low voice translates to me as lack of enthusiasm... I almost committed suicide while watching the video. How ever the Video was good, i suggest some blow before you do your next video.

[@jaybarriger8365]

This guy sounds like he is going to cry

[@ProcyonAlpha]

Yeh, the game is shit.