Anaconda Mk II
Faulcon DeLacy’s Anaconda is getting a successor. The Anaconda Mk II arrives in ARX Early Access in October 2026, and can be bought for in-game credits some months later. This page collects what is confirmed so far, what it is likely to cost, and whether it is worth it for a newer commander. We will update it on launch day.
What we know so far
From Frontier’s September 2026 Dev Log:
- A new ship, not a reskin. Frontier describes it as a separate vessel with its own features, in the same way the Cobra Mk V followed the Cobra Mk III.
- Supercruise Overcharge (SCO) is built into its design.
- Better cockpit view. The cockpit sits in a raised “conning tower” above the hull instead of behind the long nose.
- A new forward-deploying Large hardpoint, set into a cut-out in the nose on the centre line.
- Big, but not the biggest. Frontier says it is “not the biggest ship in the game”.
- Hardpoints: 4 Large and 1 Huge, according to a clarification on Frontier’s official Discord.
Not announced yet: the exact release day, the ARX price, the credit price, landing pad size, internals, jump range and cargo capacity.
Price and how to get it
New ships launch in ARX Early Access first. ARX is the in-game store currency you buy with real money (you also earn a small amount just by playing). The ship comes to shipyards for credits later.
- ARX price: not announced. Since July 2025, new large ships have launched at 19,020 ARX (Standard) or 38,000 ARX (Stellar pack with paint and ship kit). The Caspian Explorer also had a 69,000 ARX Galactic pack. Expect something similar.
- Owners Club decal. Recent ships gave a limited “Owners Club” decal to everyone who bought during early access.
- For credits: later. The Panther Clipper Mk II arrived for credits about 3 months after early access, and the Caspian Explorer about 3.5 months after.
Should a new commander buy one?
Probably not yet. The original Anaconda costs about 147 million credits for the hull alone, before outfitting, and the Mk II is likely to sit in the same late-game bracket. Keep in mind:
- Rebuy. Insurance is 5% of the full build price. A well-fitted large ship can cost tens of millions to lose, so check you can afford the rebuy before you undock.
- Large ships need large pads. The original Anaconda can’t use outposts, which limits where you can trade, take missions and repair. Mk II pad size isn’t confirmed yet.
- A big ship doesn’t make you better. Ranks, engineering and experience matter more than hull size. A cheaper ship you know well will earn more for you.
- Buying with ARX is a shortcut, not a requirement. Everything it does can be done in ships you earn in game. Early access ships also don’t come engineered.
If you already have a fleet and fancy one, early access is the way to fly it first. Everyone else can wait for credits and our builds.
What to fly instead
| Stage | Good ships | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | Cobra Mk III (350k), Hauler | Getting Started, Missions |
| First few million | Asp Explorer (6.7M), Diamondback Explorer | Exploration, Trade |
| Tens of millions | Krait Mk II (46M), Python (57M), Type-9 Heavy (77M) | Mining, PvE Combat |
| Late game | Anaconda (147M), Federal Corvette, Imperial Cutter | Engineering, Ship Builds |
Prices are hull prices before outfitting. Newer ships such as the Python Mk II, Mandalay and Type-8 fit in the middle stages once they are sold for credits. See the Shipyard guide for how to choose and outfit them.
Builds
Coming after launch. There are no stats yet, so we won’t guess at loadouts. Once mentors have flown it, tested builds go on the Ship Builds page. Fly one first? Share your build with a mentor in Discord.
Sources
- September 2026 Dev Log: Law & Disorder and Anaconda Mk II, Frontier, 24 Sep 2026
- ARX Ship Early Access Update (pricing structure), Frontier, 1 Jul 2025
- Caspian Explorer Update, Frontier, 2 Dec 2025
- Anaconda Mk II, Elite Dangerous Field Manual (hardpoint clarification)