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About Starminer
Starminer puts you in command of a massive 150,000‑ton warship navigating asteroid fields in real‑time space with fully simulated physics. You balance material needs, power, tonnage and size while constructing a fleet ship‑by‑ship, module‑by‑module. Harvest asteroids for profit or use resources to expand a mercenary fleet, research new modules, and open link gates to richer sectors. Mining, building, and heat‑signature management intertwine, as a rising signature draws alien attention that you must repel with your own defenses.
01 / THE GUIDE
Ship Building
Construction is modular; you add pieces piece by piece to shape each vessel. Choices range from many small, nimble ships to a single massive, fire‑power‑laden station. Each addition affects power, tonnage and overall efficiency. Your fleet’s layout directly influences how much material you can process and how quickly you can respond to threats, making design a strategic layer of the game.
- Compare the power cost of larger modules against the added firepower they provide.
- Consider how ship size impacts maneuverability when navigating tight asteroid clusters.
02 / THE GUIDE
Mining Operations
Asteroids serve as the primary source of valuable materials. You can harvest and process these resources for profit or to fund fleet maintenance and expansion. The real‑time physics affect how your ship interacts with the asteroid field, adding a skill element to extraction. Mining output feeds directly into your ability to research new modules and build additional ships, creating a loop of growth and resource management.
- Observe how ship mass influences drift when approaching an asteroid.
- Track the ratio of harvested material to processing capacity for optimal profit.
03 / THE GUIDE
Research & Modules
Research unlocks new tools and ship components, expanding what you can build and how efficiently you can mine. Each new module can be installed on existing vessels or used in fresh designs, influencing power consumption and combat capability. The research system encourages continual investment, as newer modules often improve performance or add defensive options against alien threats.
- Prioritize modules that reduce power draw if heat signature is a concern.
- Test new modules on a small ship before committing them to a larger fleet.
04 / THE GUIDE
Heat Signature & Alien Detection
Mining activity raises your heat signature; the more you extract, the hotter you become. Once the signature reaches a critical level, alien forces become aware of your presence. This creates a risk‑reward balance between aggressive mining and staying undetected. When detection occurs, you must rely on your own defense systems and custom‑designed ships to protect the fleet, adding a defensive strategy layer.
- Monitor heat buildup during large mining runs to avoid sudden alien detection.
- Balance mining intensity with defensive ship construction for preparedness.
05 / THE GUIDE
Link Gates & Sector Expansion
Link gates act as gateways to new sectors rich with resources. Building a gate expands your operational range, granting access to fresh asteroid fields and potential profit. Each new sector introduces fresh material pools, encouraging continued fleet growth. Expanding through gates extends your operations into new sectors, which can shape your defensive planning.
- Plan gate placement near abundant asteroid clusters for efficient expansion.
- Consider the cumulative heat signature when opening multiple gates in quick succession.
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