Dangerous Horizons Expansion Guide
The Dangerous Horizons expansion, released March 5, 2026 (Week 222, v3.0.0.150025), is Icarus's most ambitious update yet. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the new Elysium planet to the free Kepler update improvements, server configuration, and strategies for getting the most out of the expansion.
Expansion at a Glance
- Release Date: March 5, 2026
- New Planet: Elysium (64 km²)
- New Creatures: 35+ species including Raptors and Draven
- New Boss: Sandwyrm Queen
- Free Update: Kepler (building overhaul, Hoverframe, quality of life)
- New Resources: Uranium, Lithium, Ruby (Tier 5)
What's Included in Dangerous Horizons
The expansion is split into paid DLC content and a free update available to all players:
DLC Content (Requires Purchase)
- Elysium Planet: 64 km² alien world with 6 atmospheres and 26 biomes
- Elysium Story Missions: Main storyline plus side quests with unique rewards
- New Creatures: 4 new mounts (Raptors, Draven, Slinkers) and 3 companion species
- Sandwyrm Queen Boss: Desert world boss with rare drops
- NPC Settlement: Eden: Permanent outpost with 7 named NPCs from the Eris Inquisition
- Tier 5 Equipment: Lithium and Ruby crafting materials
- 5 New Crop Types: New farming possibilities
Free Kepler Update (Available to All)
- Firearms System: SMG and Assault Rifle with full ammunition chain
- Curved Building Pieces: 45° and 90° curved walls, domed roofs, round pillars
- Hoverframe Vehicle: Terrain-crossing transportation structure
- New Building Materials: Reinforced Stone, Composite Planks, Radiant Glass
- Radioactive Resources: Uranium-based crafting materials
- Quality of Life: Inventory improvements, better mechanics clarity, bug fixes
- Animal Fur Optimization: Performance improvements
The New Elysium Planet
Elysium is Icarus's most challenging planet yet, orbiting Wolf 1061c (the gas giant Minos). Unlike other planets, Elysium features:
- No Safe Landing: Players drop directly into harsh desert or tundra conditions
- Limited OEI Access: Basic Orbital Exchange Interface doesn't work; requires Advanced OEI
- Radiation Zones: Dangerous areas requiring hazmat gear
- TPS Military Presence: People's Syndicate outposts and hostile patrols
- New Tamable Wildlife: More creatures can be mounted or tamed than any previous planet
Elysium Atmospheres and Biomes
| Atmosphere | Biomes | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic | Frozen Wastes, Sorrow's Pass, The Granite Front, Snowslide Ravine, Hailcrest Pass, Fractured Glacier | Extreme cold, ice resources |
| Desert | Eden, Drybrush Step, Potted Scar, The Dunes, Rockspring | Water scarcity, Sandwyrm Queen territory |
| Geothermal | Refuge Rise, Sulfur Gulch | Raptor spawns, volcanic vents |
| Swamp | Drowned Brine, Silt River, Mosswood, Mudflat Passage | Rich resources, disease risk |
| Tundra | Frostplain, Chillwind Gorge, Crashsite, Miners Folly | Moderate resources, moderate danger |
| Volcanic | Ashen Wastes, Shattered Barrens, Ember Basin, Molten Rift, Viper's Run | Rare minerals, extreme hazards |
New Resources and Crafting
Dangerous Horizons introduces Tier 5 resources for endgame crafting:
New Material Resources
| Resource | Tier | Location | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium | 5 | Radiation Zones | Advanced power generation, weapons |
| Lithium | 5 | Volcanic/Geothermal biomes | Endgame equipment crafting |
| Ruby | 5 | Desert deep ore nodes | Premium weapon mods, jewelry |
| Drake Scale | 4 | Skywhisper Drake (Elysium) | Mount armor, flight gear |
| Raptor Feather | 3 | Raptor creatures | Tools, weapons, accessories |
Server Requirements for Dangerous Horizons
Elysium's complex terrain and increased creature density demand more server resources. Upgrade your hosting accordingly:
| Players | RAM | CPU Cores | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 12 GB | 6 cores | 40 GB NVMe | Minimum for Elysium |
| 4-8 | 20 GB | 8 cores | 60 GB NVMe | Recommended for most groups |
| 8-16 | 32 GB | 10 cores | 80 GB NVMe | Optimal for active servers |
| 16+ | 64 GB | 12+ cores | 100 GB NVMe | Community servers |
Important: NVMe storage is strongly recommended for Elysium due to the larger map size and increased asset streaming.
Setting Up Elysium on Your Server
Configure your dedicated server to host Elysium sessions:
Open World (Persistent)
Prospect Missions (Timed)
Recommended Startup Parameters
The Sandwyrm Queen Boss
The expansion's world boss is the Sandwyrm Queen, found in desert regions. She is initially encountered during the Rift operation and drops valuable loot when defeated on Hard difficulty, earning the achievement Wyrm Reaper.
Boss Tips
- Assemble a team of at least 4 players for Hard mode
- Bring radiation protection for desert traversal
- Firearms are highly effective against the boss
- Create a forward base before engaging
The Eden Settlement
Eden is Elysium's permanent NPC settlement featuring 7 named characters from the Eris Inquisition. Players can:
- Trade resources for unique items
- Accept side quests with exclusive rewards
- Access the Advanced OEI workshop equipment
- Rest and resupply in a safe zone
Week 223 and 224 Updates
RocketWerkz released follow-up patches addressing player feedback:
Week 223 (March 13, 2026)
- Mechanic clarity improvements throughout the game
- Bug fixes and stability improvements
- Performance optimizations for large bases
Week 224 (March 19, 2026)
- New juvenile creature: Forest Wolf Pup (from breeding Forest Wolves)
- Oil nodes added to all outposts
- Animal fur rendering optimizations
Quick Start Checklist
- □ Purchase Dangerous Horizons DLC (or host free Kepler update only)
- □ Upgrade server to recommended specs for Elysium
- □ Configure server with Elysium map parameters
- □ Stockpile radiation medicine before landing
- □ Craft or bring Hoverframe materials
- □ Set up Advanced OEI access early
- □ Consider establishing Eden settlement as home base