
Starsector Early Game: Making Money Strategies
Embarking on your journey in Starsector, you’ll quickly realize that making money is crucial for survival and growth. As you navigate the stars, accumulating wealth will allow you to upgrade your ships, hire crew, and invest in new technologies. In this article, we’ll delve into various strategies to help you make money in the early stages of the game.
1. Trading Goods
One of the most straightforward ways to make money is through trading goods. As you explore the galaxy, you’ll come across various planets with different resources. By purchasing low-cost goods on one planet and selling them at a higher price on another, you can generate a profit. Here’s how to get started:
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Identify planets with surplus resources: Look for planets with high demand for certain goods. For example, planets rich in minerals like iron or rare metals like platinum are often good trading opportunities.
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Research market prices: Before making a purchase, research the market prices of the goods you’re interested in. This will help you determine the best planets to buy from and sell to.
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Plan your route: Once you’ve identified your target planets, plan your route to minimize travel time and fuel costs.
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Buy low, sell high: Purchase goods at a low price and sell them at a higher price on another planet. Keep an eye on market trends to maximize your profits.
2. Mining Asteroids
Asteroid mining is another lucrative way to make money in Starsector. By mining asteroids, you can gather valuable resources that can be sold for a profit. Here’s how to get started:
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Acquire a mining ship: Purchase a mining ship, such as the Scrapper or the Prospector, to start mining asteroids.
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Identify rich asteroid fields: Use the galaxy map to locate rich asteroid fields. These fields are marked with a blue star and are often located near gas giants or in high-security systems.
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Deploy mining drones: Deploy your mining drones to gather resources from the asteroids. The number of drones you can deploy depends on your ship’s cargo capacity.
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Process and sell resources: Once you’ve gathered resources, process them into valuable materials using your ship’s facilities. Then, sell the processed materials on the market for a profit.
3. Engage in Smuggling
Smuggling is a high-risk, high-reward activity in Starsector. By transporting illegal goods, you can make significant profits. However, be prepared for the consequences if you get caught. Here’s how to get started:
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Acquire a smuggling ship: Purchase a ship with a high cargo capacity, such as the Freighter or the Transporter, to transport illegal goods.
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Identify high-demand illegal goods: Research which illegal goods are in high demand and have a high profit margin. Common illegal goods include weapons, drugs, and stolen technology.
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Plan your route: Choose a route that minimizes the chances of encountering law enforcement. Avoid high-security systems and travel at night to stay hidden.
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Be prepared for interception: If you get caught, be prepared to fight. Equip your ship with weapons and hire a skilled crew to ensure your survival.
4. Complete Missions
Completing missions is a great way to make money in Starsector. Missions can range from simple delivery jobs to more complex tasks, such as escorting a VIP or destroying a pirate base. Here’s how to get started:
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Accept missions: Visit the mission board in your spaceport to accept available missions. Missions are categorized by difficulty and reward, so choose missions that match your ship’s capabilities and crew skills.
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Prepare your ship and crew: Ensure your ship is equipped with the necessary weapons and equipment for the mission. Hire crew members with the appropriate skills to increase your chances of success.
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Complete the mission: Follow the mission’s instructions and complete the task. Be prepared for challenges and unexpected encounters.
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Collect your reward: Once the mission is complete, collect your reward from the mission board. Missions can provide a substantial amount of money, as well as experience points for your crew.