Frontier's space sim models the Milky Way at 1:1 scale, roughly 400 billion star systems, and starts every commander in a Sidewinder with 1,000 credits. There is no story path, only careers: hauling cargo, hunting bounties, mining, exploring, sampling alien plant life on foot, or fighting Thargoids. The learning curve is the game itself, and most of it is systems knowledge rather than stick skill.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trader | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Bounty hunter | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Explorer | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Miner | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Exobiologist | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Elite Dangerous tier list.
A-Tier: Trader
Trader is a top-performing option in Elite Dangerous.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Beam Laser | Continuous damage that shreds shields but runs hot and drains the weapon capacitor fast. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Frame Shift Drive travel | One drive handles both hyperspace jumps between systems and supercruise inside them. |
How to Play Trader
Trader focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Beam Laser does the damage and Frame Shift Drive travel keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Bounty hunter
Bounty hunter is a strong option in Elite Dangerous.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Multi-cannon | Kinetic rounds with a large ammunition pool, low heat and low distributor draw. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Ship outfitting and rebuy | Modules come in classes 1 to 8 and grades A to E, with A the most capable and usually the heaviest on power draw. |
How to Play Bounty hunter
Bounty hunter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Multi-cannon with Ship outfitting and rebuy and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Explorer
Explorer is a strong option in Elite Dangerous.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Fragment Cannon | A short range shotgun that unloads enormous damage inside 500 metres and almost nothing beyond it. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Engineering modifications | Engineers upgrade modules in exchange for materials and reputation, and each one has an unlock condition. |
How to Play Explorer
Explorer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Engineering modifications covers the gap Fragment Cannon leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Miner
Miner is a specialized option in Elite Dangerous.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Railgun | A charged fixed weapon that fires a single high penetration slug, well suited to sniping specific modules like power plants and drives. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Exploration scanning | The Full Spectrum System Scanner maps a system's bodies from supercruise, while the Detailed Surface Scanner fires probes to map individual planets for a far larger payout. |
How to Play Miner
Miner focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Exploration scanning rather than raw numbers, and Railgun is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Exobiologist
Exobiologist is a specialized option in Elite Dangerous.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Plasma Accelerator | Slow moving projectiles carrying huge absolute damage against both shields and hull. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Background Simulation and Powerplay | Populated systems host minor factions whose influence shifts based on player missions, trade and combat. |
How to Play Exobiologist
Exobiologist focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Plasma Accelerator and Background Simulation and Powerplay pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Bounty hunter: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Trader once you understand core mechanics and have access to Beam Laser
- Keep a Explorer setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Exobiologist for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Unlock Felicity Farseer in Deciat before any other engineer. She needs exploration rank Scout and a donation of one Meta Alloy, and a grade 5 Increased Range Frame Shift Drive changes every other activity you will ever do.
- Fuel is free once you know which stars to visit. Filter the galaxy map to scoopable classes, remembered as KGBFOAM for K, G, B, F, O, A and M, and plot routes through them so you never pay for refuelling again.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Elite Dangerous Guides
- Elite Dangerous Elite Dangerous Overview
- Elite Dangerous Tier List
- Elite Dangerous Walkthrough
- Elite Dangerous Beginner's Guide
- Elite Dangerous Tips & Tricks
- Elite Dangerous Weapons Guide
- Elite Dangerous Combat Guide
- Elite Dangerous Boss Guide
- Elite Dangerous Maps & Locations
- Elite Dangerous Crafting Guide
- Elite Dangerous Classes & Characters
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