Elite Dangerous is a game all about exploring the perilous universe we find ourselves in, in the far-flung future. So when you want to explore around and land on planets galore, it helps to have the longest range. Here are some basic tips to increase the range at which you can hop around the universe. Having a long jump range, and understanding how to navigate with that range, is key to not getting stranded out in the space boonies.
Basics of Jump Range
There are four main jump ranges to consider for every ship and FSD combination:
- Jump Range – This is the current jump range of your ship as configured, find it in the ship UI.
- Upgraded Jump Range – This is what happens when you use the best possible FSD on a ship with the Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster
- Engineered Jump Range – An Engineered FSD offers much higher base ranges
- Supercharged Jump Range – This is what results from the maximum possible FSD Supercharge
Jump range is primarily determined by the total mass of the ship and the installed Frame Shift Drive (FSD), which can be increased by a variety of means.
Upgrading Fump Range in Elite Dangerous
There are a few ways to increase jump range in Elite Dangerous. Having a lower mass, or no cargo, is a big one. The lighter your ship is, the further it can travel. This also counts for fuel by the way. If you’re spending a lot of time in the “bubble” where stations are common, carrying the max load of fuel can reduce your jump range.
So what does all this mean? Basically, it comes down to making your ship lighter being an easy and cheaper way to upgrade your jump range. Having a better FSD is a very expensive prospect for new players. But once you start getting deep into trading and exploration, that becomes much less of an issue. Engineering an FSD is the next way to get more range. This involves grinding through the Horizons content with the Engineers to unlock the top-tier gear they offer. There are other options though.
You could try to perform the advanced maneuver of FSD supercharging. This involves flying directly into the mass ejection of a neutron star or a white dwarf in supercruise with a Fuel Scoop equipped. The temporary boost from doing this to FSD range can be as high as 300%, pushing ranges well into the 300 ly area. FSD Supercharging can be a great way to get around in a hurry. Charting out the locations of these star types is somehting any explorer will do at some point.
FSD Supercharging
Upgrading your ship has the biggest impact on your overall jump range, then comes upgrades. The Asp Explorer and Diamondback Explorer have the longest default range of any ship in the game, aside from the massive Capital ships like the Drake. The Krait Phantom and Anaconda also have solid ~9 ly jump ranges too. By taking these hulls and Engineering them, you can reach jump ranges in the 70-80 ly range in some cases. The Anaconda has the longest non-capital jump range in the game in this instance.