Loose Screws - The Dangerousest

#321nd for 26rd February, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh twelvenish)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:  

Inara has had a refresh. With so many PMFs present in hundreds of systems, the Minor Factions pages have had a refresh. 

1. When you go to Systems or States, the systems are no longer all on one page which is unfortunate, as you have to turn pages to sift through 

2. There is a filter to edit out Trailblazer systems from OG worlds. 

BGS highlights - 2-26

1. In 397 Systems - Controlling 118

2. States - 7A, Qama - Boom

3. Successful Expansion out of Ross 310

4. Conflicts of Interest - BD+44 4389 - vs. ADI - Leave it be, it’s an inadvertent Control War, NLTT 52560 - We want to win

5. Systems needing a push (controlled systems below 40% Inf.)

1. Alexandrinus - 26.9% - But 4 factions locked

2. Miola - 34.8%

3. Medzisti - 39.4%

4. Cephei Sector MC-V b2-2 - 39.4%

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Introduce and interview KrugerFive!

Update 2-26 from KrugerFive

Cycle 69:

• Kaine had a massive week at the top spot. 18 new systems with a new fort and stronghold

• This has been a strong week for a few names you don't see often

• Winters showed up this week at #2, not a lot of systems gained, but added 2 new strongholds

• Antal as well with 2 new strongholds

• On the FDev board, Princess Aisling has a good week with 10 new systems

• Archer after back to back weeks of big gains drops to last with Patreus, both with no systems gained.

• There is a new chart this week showing the rankings for just this cycle. Check it out!

https://www.k5elite.com/

Dev News: 

• Kestrel Update - Lots of game updates

• Audio updates

• https://www.elitedangerous.com/update-notes

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• Core Dynamics Unveils Kestrel Fighter

• October Consortium Agreement Signals End to HIP 87621 Enclave Conflict

• The talks are also understood to have focused on shared scientific access to Radicoida unica and cooperation on research initiatives following the recent publication of promising genetic findings by Dr Casimir of the Holloway Bioscience Institute.

• Analysts suggest the arrangement had created space for diplomatic settlement rather than decisive military resolution, with no single power claiming majority control over the enclave.

• The rise of Lexi October and the growing influence of October Consortium since the discovery of Radicoida unica has not gone unnoticed, however, and Vox Galactica has confirmed that an interview with the Consortium’s reclusive chief executive has been secured for an upcoming feature series.

Discussion :

• The Kestrel might be the first hint of a new design playbook from Frontier - let’s unpack what that means. (I’ll give a short intro to tee this up - Roy)

Community Corner :

• Family Feud charity event pitting Loose Screws against Lave Radio this Saturday the 28th at 20:00 UTC / 12:00 PST

• Shout-out to Scotty’s Kestrel - Hydra “0” hits win

#320th for 19th February, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh twelvenish)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:  

Inara has had a refresh. With so many PMFs present in hundreds of systems, the Minor Factions pages have had a refresh. 

1. When you go to Systems or States, the systems are no longer all on one page which is unfortunate, as you have to turn pages to sift through 

2. There is a filter to edit out Trailblazer systems from OG worlds. 

BGS highlights

1. In 396 Systems - Controlling 118

2. States - 7A, Qama, Alexandrinus - Boom

3. Conflicts of Interest - G 172-15 - Election vs. BD+52 3410 Partners - we’re up 2-1 and Porsche’s Progress is in jeopardy

4. Systems needing a push (controlled systems below 40% Inf.)

1. Alexandrinus - 33.4% - But 4 factions locked

2. Miola - 34.8%

3. Balmus - 35.9%

4. Cephei Sector NX-U b2-3 - 37.9%

5. Medzisti - 39.2%

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Update 2-19 from KrugerFive on the LS Discord - Powerplay Cycle 68:

Cycle 68:

• Archer continues his expansion with back to back best weeks. Adding 11 new systems this cycle.

• A bad week for the imperials, with Torval going negative, 0 new additions for Emperor Arissa, and Patreus only 1 new system.

• Pretty subdued cycle overall, maybe still a hangover from the relics and enclave activity?

• Kaine is making a good run at taking P7 from Antal in the KrugerFive rankings. At the current pace Kaine may overtake in 2 cycles

• In the FDev leaderboard the real race right now is between Kaine and Archer for 6th place. Kaine took it 5 weeks back, but Archer is steadily coming back

• 
  

https://www.k5elite.com/

Dev News: 

• Devlog posted! Elite Dangerous | Developer Log - 16 February 2026

• High level roadmap

• Kestrel

• Colonization back patting

• Operations pushed to April +info

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• Distant Worlds 3 Marks Major Milestone - Waypoint 2 - Seldowitch Nebula

Discussion :

• Kestrel 

• Specs via Buur Pit: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx5Rsi-Bdb6ReiCaQQuJO0LyTU7s_wbEPU?si=xLjbBMdkDZoHUIFx

• Radacoida

• Bug report: https://issues.frontierstore.net/issue-detail/82481

• 
  

• Roadmap -> Refreshed Feature

Community Corner :

We're looking for 100 CMDRs to be surveyed for the Lave does Family Fortunes/Feud gameshow that we are running on February 28th as part of Gameblast for Special Effect. If you'd like to be one of the CMDRs surveyed, sign up below!

https://forms.gle/ChB1xbGyDdcRqAZ76

#319th for 12th February, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh twelvenish)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:  

ALEXENDRINUS

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Update 2-12 from KrugerFive on the LS Discord - Powerplay Cycle 67:

 Relics supply are back down to normal and the hangover sets in! Can't always hang on to all those systems you acquire. Interesting cycle with the usual suspects missing in action.

• Archer with the best week post-relics. Adding the most systems with 10 including a fortified and stronghold

• Kaine and Winters followed with 7 new systems.

• Aisling suffering the most. Only 1 new system but losing a stronghold and a fortified.

• Antal and Patreus also hit this week with Antal losing 4 systems and Patreus 3.

• Is the FDev supported campaign against Antal taking shape?

https://www.k5elite.com/

Dev News (12/11): 

• Select armor and outfits for on foot action are on sale!

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• PIRATE ACTIVITY SURGES AS SECURITY FORCES ARE REDEPLOYED (2/10/26)

Discussion :

• Is there suddenly too much to do in the game?

• Let’s do the Radacoida TIme-Warp Again! (reminder to updoot the bug report if you havent)

• Video: https://youtu.be/ekwgBLI1KNg?si=I52Fry7ZvtrlQwf2

• Bug report: https://issues.frontierstore.net/issue-detail/82481

Community Corner :

• Lave Radio does Family Fortunes/Feud gameshow that we are running on February 28th as part of Gameblast for Special Effect. BE ONE OF THE SURVEYED COMMANDERS!!!

https://forms.gle/ChB1xbGyDdcRqAZ76

#318 for 5rd February, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh twelvenish)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:  (bloom update 2/5 )

We are in 391 star systems, controlling 118

Overheating systems  seem to be slowly cooling off via expansion and not reheating. 

Conflicts we’re interested in - retaining system control or a starportWar in 23 Andromedae - Vonnegut Hub in jeopardy up 3-0

War in Piscium Sector VF-N a7-2 ; a Coriolis in jeopardy - Pending

Six systems that need a boost - Systems we control that are below 40%

Medzisti, Balmus, Miola, Cephei(sef-hy) Sector NX-U b2-3, Kaupatak (car-pat-kal), Alex-andrinus

States - States we care about

Kaupatak (car-pat-kah) is in infrastructure failure/civil unrest

7Andromedae is in civil liberty and boom - Platinum can be sold for 213K, LTDs 311K, core mined minerals as well!

Alex-andrinus and Lambda Andromedae are in boom

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Update 2-5 from KrugerFive on the LS Discord - Powerplay Cycle 66:

• The relics rush peaked with 600t and a solid supply through the week.

• Aisling, of course, took full advantage adding +82 new systems, with 9 new forts and 3 new strongholds. Far outpacing everyone.,

• Second closest was Li Yong-Rui with 51 new systems.,

• Grom, while mid-pack in overall systems took advantage and led the number of new strongholds with +4.,

• Someone forgot to tell Torval, Patreus, and Delaine about the relics. All gaining less than 8 systems.

https://www.k5elite.com/

Dev News (12/11): 

• Noble paint jobs still on sale (old ships, Ren-Faire paint)

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• Genetic Study of Radicoida Unica Released

• Coalition Announces Non-Aggression Pact Amid HIP 87621 Hostilities
  

Discussion :

• PvE, PvP, ganking/griefing/open/PG/Solo/CG’s Go!

• Let’s do the Radacoida TIme-Warp Again!

• Video: https://youtu.be/ekwgBLI1KNg?si=I52Fry7ZvtrlQwf2

• Bug report: https://issues.frontierstore.net/issue-detail/82481

Community Corner :

• Lave Radio does Family Fortunes/Feud gameshow that we are running on February 28th as part of Gameblast for Special Effect. If you'd like to be one of the CMDRs surveyed, sign up below!

https://forms.gle/ChB1xbGyDdcRqAZ76

#317 for 30shd January, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh-fucking twelve Lark)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

War in Alexandrinus won. Thank you to everyone who pitched in!

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Update from KrugerFive on the LS Discord - Powerplay Cycle 65:

• Relics are back and the powers have taken advantage! Currently at 400t but expected to hit 600t this week

• It has been 14 weeks since the last relics boom, and 12 weeks to the one before that

• Yong-Rui with the best week. Not as many systems as Aisling (+33 vs +38), but picked up an additional stronghold for the edge

• Aisling picked up the most systems this week (+38), but suffered a stronghold loss. In fact 2 strongholds were undermined, but Aisling added another elsewhere to make up for one

• Kaine continues to pull away and hold the FDev rankings 6th place from Archer

https://www.k5elite.com/

Dev News (12/11): 

• “Noble” paint jobs on sale for many of the older ships - looks like royalty designs from card decks or jousting banners

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• “Ventura Transformation” Video Goes Viral

• “My energy levels have been through the roof, and after putting in so much effort I feel like I can achieve anything! I want to hike across the rainforests of Planet Lave in support of ongoing conservation efforts there.”

• Genetic Study of Radicoida Unica Released

• “October Consortium researchers highlight observations that the plant may form symbiotic relationships with biological creatures with prolonged exposure. It seems aware of activity around it…”

• “it contains a compound which improves physical performance and reduces thinking time in laboratory mice…”

Discussion :

• What do we think “reduces thinking time in laboratory mice” really means?

• Could “rainforests” and other Earthlike features be featured in an Operations scenario (bypassing the need to unlock earthlike worlds en masse to provide a taste of this experience)?

Community Corner :

Ask people to throw out ideas in the Chig-Chat Discord channel for Loose Screws LIVE SRV races

#316 for 22nd January, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh-fucking twelve Lark)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

386 starsystems, controlling 117 systemsWar in Alexandrinus to retain control, against the Order of Enblackenment - and we’re losing 2-0

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Cycle 64: https://k5elite.com/ 

• Right then, we’ll call it a draw.

Dev News (12/11): 

• Caspian holo kits are now in all the colors for 16800ARX each

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• Type-11 Prospector Enters Full Production

Discussion :

• Nobody flies in open because there is too much PvP

• Open is boring - where have all the gankers gone?

Community Corner :

• The second of my Distant Worlds 3 launch site SRV time trials races is available now in EDCoPilot (or just watch the video to learn the track and then go racing with friends).

• https://youtu.be/XjYDksa18-k

#315 for 15th January, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh-fucking twelve Lark)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

382 starsystems, controlling 115 systemsA lot of shenanigans in Alexandrinus - we’re still in charge but 4 factions are locked up. 

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Cycle 63: https://k5elite.com/ 

Dev News (12/11): 

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

Discussion :

Community Corner :

• The second of my Distant Worlds 3 launch site SRV time trials races is available now in EDCoPilot (or just watch the video to learn the track and then go racing with friends).

• https://youtu.be/XjYDksa18-k

#314th for 8th January, 2026 or 3312! (33-Oh-fucking twelve Lark)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

363 starsystems, controlling 104 systemsSeveral wars and elections in the present time, none of strategic interest

New Screwspace continues develop, come to the New Screwspace Megathread channel in our discord if you want to participate. We will share in the identification of target systems, building bridges, system design, and hauling. 

PP Stuff: lifted with unspoken consent from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Cycle 62: https://k5elite.com/ 

• 
  

• Li Yong-Rui now not needing to defend against massive enclave undermining takes both the most progress and the most systems (+15)

• LYR takes the 4th spot for total number of exploited systems from Grom this week, with now over a 1000 exploited systems

• Emperor Arissa in 2nd for both with +9 new systems

• 
  

• Looking at progress across the holiday period since cycle 59 (since Dec 18):

• LYR gained the most points with Kaine close in 2nd

• Lot of good progress from all the powers, except Torval and Patreus at the bottom

• Torval has gained 0 systems over the holidays

• Patreus has gone -12 systems

Dev News (12/11): 

• Festive Drops - Snowfall Icicle - Snowflakes on a me-teal-ic background

• Festive Giveaways - 5 next week and 1 on the 22nd - Looks like each new ship will get a free skin in addition to weapons and the SRVs.

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site 

• Third Distant Worlds Expedition Requests Materials for Deep-Space Infrastructure Project

Discussion :

• as_sandrasworkshop_thankyou3311_final_body

• https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/2025-was-huge-for-elite-dangerous-here-s-what-2026-has-to-offer

Community Corner :

• The second of my Distant Worlds 3 launch site SRV time trials races is available now in EDCoPilot (or just watch the video to learn the track and then go racing with friends).

• https://youtu.be/XjYDksa18-k

#313th for 18nd December, 2025 or 3311! (33-Oh-Leven, not Oh-Eleven, OH-Leven)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

363 starsystems, controlling 104 systemsSeveral wars and elections in the present time, none of strategic interest

New Screwspace continues develop, come to the New Screwspace Megathread channel in our discord if you want to participate. We will share in the identification of target systems, building bridges, system design, and hauling. 

PP Stuff:  updated 12/11, unashamedly copied from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Cycle 59: https://k5elite.com/ 

• Kaine on top with the strongest week, gaining 3 new strongholds and 8 systems overall

• Yong-Rui and Archer both with the most new systems this week with +9

• Impressive for LYR given the massive fight to hang on in the enclave. Hanging on to their 1 enclave system with well over 3 million points of undermining

• 
  

• Arissa and Aisling may be overly distracted in the enclave. Both losing systems this cycle.

• This is back to back losses for Princess Aisling!

Dev News (12/11): 

• Festive Drops - Snowfall Icicle - Snowflakes on a me-teal-ic background

• Festive Giveaways - 5 next week and 1 on the 22nd - Looks like each new ship will get a free skin in addition to weapons and the SRVs.

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site (12/18)

• One Year Since Humanity’s Victory in Xeno War

• Sandra’s Workshop Asks for Festive Gift Couriers

#312st for11th December, 2025 or 3311! (33-Oh-Leven, not Oh-Eleven, OH-Leven)

http://loosescrewsed.com

Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! PROMO CODES

https://discord.gg/3Vfap47Rea

Support us on Patreon: 

https://www.patreon.com/LooseScrewsED

Squad Stuff:

356 starsystems, controlling 101 systemsSeveral wars and elections in the present time

New Screwspace is growing with Lark’s system online and Ranglon joining the fray. 

PP Stuff:  updated 12/11, unashamedly copied from KrugerFive on the LS discord

Cycle 58: https://k5elite.com/ With the HIP 87621 enclave battle and CG in full swing, those benefiting and gaining the most throughout the galaxy this cycle are:

1. Grom

2. ALD

3. Kaine

Mahon, Torval, Aisling, and Patreus all went negative for the week. Delaine takes back P10 from Zemina Torval on the Nicey/KrugerFive boards! On the FDev leaderboard, Grom and Kaine both added +11 new systems for the top spot, with Grom taking the edge with +1 stronghold Emperor Arissa adds the most strongholds this cycle with +2 Lots of data being track in the battle for HIP 87621 by others. A couple places keeping some cool data around the enclave to look for if you haven't seen it yet:

• Ian Doncaster has probably the best data keeping track of the undermining and reinforcement details at:

https://heatmap.sotl.org.uk/powers/hip Really interesting to see who is getting hit the hardest and where. Really shows how hard LYR and Aisling have been getting hit. It will be interesting to watch it all as LYR is on the ropes, Archer getting knocked out, and the other powers starting to grow a foothold.

• Also keep a lookout for CMDR Gen. Zoff's daily posts of HIP 87621 status over at the Buur Pit powerplay discord channel. They have been posting a regular table of each systems state and status that is also interesting to watch.

Dev News (12/11): 

• Caspian Update 1

• Added a cap for engineering resistances to avoid values above 75% being achieved.

• Station weapons now deal plasma damage, improving effectiveness against target resistances.

• Enabled "Mk II Ablative Mirrored Surface Composite" armour at markets for the Caspian Explorer.

• Metallic paints are in the store for the Caspian, T11, Panther Clipper II

• Golden, Gold, Chromed, Chrome

• (The Panther Clipper II ones also paint over the black cargo section)

• Festive Drops - Snowfall Icicle - Snowflakes on a me-teal-ic background

• Festive Giveaways - skins for all sorts of things, 3 last week, 3 this week, 5 next week and 1 on the 22nd 

Galnet News: Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site (12/11)

• Battle Rages On Across HIP 87621 Enclave

11 DEC 3311

Conflict continues across the 49-system enclave surrounding HIP 87621, with military forces from all major powers showing no signs of a ceasefire after two weeks of heavy fighting.

Ernesto Rios, a freelance war correspondent for Vox Galactica, reported:

“Although the Empire appears to be the dominant force across the enclave after this initial campaign, it's becoming clear that this conflict concerns far more than territorial influence. Radicoida unica has been confirmed by Vista Genomics as a wholly unique species, with early genetic indicators suggesting potential advancements once fully understood.”

“Given the scale of the mobilisation across the enclave, it is possible that certain details of its properties are known only to a select few within senior leadership circles.”

Discussion (12/11):

• The Caspian is a ‘tool’ ship

• On foot gameplay improvements and what’s still missing.

• “Compulsion Loops”