Elite Dangerous Previews Conflict Zones As Odyssey Alpha Phase Two Begins

Frontier Developments has moved on to Phase 2 of the ongoing Elite Dangerous Odyssey alpha test. Phase 2 focuses on combat and will revolve around testing the expansion’s weapons and balancing as well as faction conflicts which take place in ground-based versions of Conflict Zones, the game’s version of battlegrounds.

Ground-based Conflict Zones are a new way of influencing the outcome of system wars which allows players to join the actual fight on the ground. To participate in a Conflict Zone, players must first visit a Frontline Solutions desk to pick a side. They can then travel to the battle zone using a ship, a Surface Recon Vehichle (SRV), or via the Frontline Solutions dropship.

The battle itself will pit two teams of 12 players and AI against each other in a race to deplete the opposing team’s reinforcements points. These can be done by killing enemy troops or capturing control points on the map. It’s important to note that Conflict Zones are not closed-off instanced matches. Other players can intervene by bringing their own ships or vehicles, or drop in on foot to help out one side or the other or to simply disrupt the ongoing battle.

The winning team will be able to claim their rewards at the Frontline Solutions desk along with any Combat Bonds they’ve earned during the battle. Combat Bonds are monetary rewards awarded for each enemy killed during a Conflict Zone battle. These can be redeemed regardless of whether they won the battle or not.

Aside from Conflict Zones, Phase 2 also expands the explorable area to 20 light years and drops players into a new system with a free Cobra multi-crew ship and 300K credits. Players will also be able to purchase their own ships, take on mission from neighboring systems, and trade with settlements and POIs.

You can learn more about how Conflict Zones work in the video below.