The Anaconda Mk II
Is Live

Elite Dangerous
Update 4.4.2.0

• Author:

  Watty

• Category:

  Elite Dangerous

• Date:

  Oct 20, 2026

Six days after Frontier's October Dev Log, update 4.4.2.0 went live on 20 October. The Anaconda Mk II is out in ARX Early Access, Found Adrift has joined the Operations, and the patch notes finally put numbers on the ship rebalance.

How to get the Anaconda Mk II

The Mk II is in the game now, but as an ARX Early Access ship, so it is not yet available for credits to all commanders. You get it from the store with ARX, which you can buy, or earn in game by playing daily and contributing to events. Frontier has not said when it opens up for credits; when the Python Mk II went through the same early access, that took three months.

There are three packs. The Standard is 19,020 Arx for the ship. The Stellar is 38,000 Arx and comes pre-fitted with a high-spec multi-role loadout, including a huge 4A multi-cannon, Mk II ablative armour and a Mk II cargo rack, plus the Eunectes ship kit and Resurgent Ochre paint. The Galactic is 69,000 Arx: the same loadout with an SCO frame shift drive, two ship kits, six paint jobs and the Ember Green holo-kit. Every pack includes an Anaconda Mk II shipyard unlock. The patch notes list three Mk II modules alongside the ship: Mk II ablative armour, the Mk II Mining Volley Repeater and Mk II cargo racks.

The rebalance, in numbers

The dev log said which ships were getting buffs. The patch notes say by how much, and the big winner is the Asp Scout. It gets an extra utility slot, drops from 150 to 140 tonnes, and its top speed doubles from 110 to 220, with boost up from 300 to 360 and better forward and reverse acceleration. Its yaw rate goes up from 15 to 18, though pitch and yaw acceleration both come down.

The Federal Dropship gains a size 6 slot, sheds 80 tonnes and goes from 100 to 160 top speed. The Imperial Clipper gains a size 7 slot and a bigger fuel tank, sheds 50 tonnes and goes from 180 to 200 shields. The Type-6 gains a size 6 slot and goes from 90 to 125 shields, and the Type-7 gains a size 7 slot, sheds 50 tonnes and handles heat better. Among the small ships, the Sidewinder goes from 40 to 55 shields with sharper pitch and yaw, the Eagle from 60 to 80, and the Viper Mk IV from 150 to 160 with a little more speed and boost. The Mandalay now jumps about 95 light years as standard, and the Caspian Explorer about 90.

One more change will be felt everywhere: NPCs can now spawn in the newer ships, including the Python Mk II, Type-8, Mandalay, Cobra Mk V, Corsair, Panther Clipper Mk II, Type-11 Prospector and Caspian Explorer. Expect more variety in the ships you run into.

Found Adrift is open

The new Operation is live for teams of up to four. Frontier's summary: "An abandoned megaship carrying a high value asset has reappeared. Navigate the wreck and secure the item before other scavengers do." The update also fixes the final wave of on-foot enemies not spawning properly in Reclamation Point, adds the missing Operations category to squadron leaderboards, and fixes conflict zones that could fail to end.

Three prisoners are still out there

GalNet has moved the EVE-597 story on again. On 13 October the Independent Detention Foundation confirmed that three maximum security prisoners were never recaptured, and Wallglass Investigations has named them: Gunther Bernhardt, Yaz Murano and Trey Coombes, all described as high-ranking pirate leaders. EVE-597 was the only ship capable of holding them, and the Foundation now says "the prisoner uprising was a smokescreen for their planned extraction." Pilots are told not to approach: "All three should be considered armed and exceptionally dangerous."

Jump satellites are on the way

Brewer Corporation's community goal from last week worked. CEO Madelyn Teague says the factories are now building the satellites, and the first deployment is heading to HD 105341, adding fleet carrier capacity near Rackham's Peak. Zachary Rackham himself said it was "about time" Brewer solved the problem. If you contributed, your rewards are waiting at the megaship Zero Squared in HIP 74116.

Flying with the squadron

Whether you are breaking in a new Anaconda, dusting off an Asp Scout or putting together a team of four for Found Adrift, it is a good week to fly with other people. Come and say hello in our Discord, and our Elite Dangerous hub has more on flying with the squadron. New commanders welcome, no gatekeeping.

Further reading: Frontier: Anaconda Mk II available now | Update 4.4.2.0 notes | GalNet: Three Prisoners Missing | GalNet: Jump Satellite Initiative Hailed a Success | The Exiles Elite Dangerous hub