So, you've finally gotten to the point where either you are going to pledge to support Star Citizen for the first time, or you are looking to add a second or third ship to your collection.
Congratulations. I hope that the game is everything you want it to be.
BUT, let's talk about the big question...what ship are you going to get?
New to SC
Congrats, you are taking a leap into a larger world of gaming. The first thing you need is a starter package. Now, before you take the leap, you need to figure out what game you want to play.
Do you want to play Squadron 42, which is a single player game where you start out as a rookie UEE Navy pilot and progress through a storyline?
Do you want to play Star Citizen, which is a MMO type of game with a persistent universe and you are playing with others in an open world sandbox environment? (and yes, this also means open world PvP, and while some places will be safer than others, no place is truely safe.)
Do you want to play both?
I only want to play Squadon 42
If you want to play Squadron 42, just pre-purchase the Squadron 42 package. You will have access to Arena Commander (and maybe Star Marine). Once the game goes live, you will be able to download the game and play it. You will not have access to the persistant universe.
I only want to play Star Citizen
If you want to play Star Citizen, you will need to choose your game package. There are lots to choose from, but let's start with the two most basic packages.
Aurora MR and Mustang Alpha. Both cost $45 US, but the Mustang Alpha will have a slightly higher "melt price", meaning if you want to upgrade your ship later on, you will pay about $5 USD less than you would if you were upgrading to the same ship from an Aurora MR. However, if you don't plan on upgrading your ship with a CCU (Cross Chasis Upgrade), the Aurora MR will haul a bit more cargo, while the Mustang will be slightly better for combat. That said, neither of these ships is a dedicated combat ship or cargo ship. Either one should be able to make you money though, allowing you to buy better ships in game (all ships will be available in game for in-game currency)
I would resist getting a bigger ship as your game package unless you want something beyond the ship though. For instance, the Avenger Stalker package also contains the digital soundtrack and slightly longer insurance (6 months vs 3 months with the Aurora or Mustang). However, the hull insurance this provides is also available in game, and we have been told it will be relatively inexpensive.
I want to play both
If you want to play both, then get the combo package. The only combination packages available for a reasonable amount of money are the Mustang Alpha or Aurora MR combo packages for $60 USD. Even the Constellation Andromeda at $275 only contains Star Citizen and not Squadron 42. The only packs that have both right now are the two cheap ($60) combo packs, and the $1,100 and above multi-ship packages.
Ok, I've got my package, but what's this LTI (lifetime insurance) I've been hearing about? Do I need that?
No. The only reason you might want LTI is because you have such a huge fleet that it would be cost prohibitive for you to have hull insurance on everything, and that all your insurance would be used up on one ship while you are flying another.
Now, Hull insurance only covers the hull and the stock components. Upgrades and cargo are separate insurance contracts. You will always have to buy these in game and are not part of your purchase package, no matter if it is 3, 6, 12, 36, or 48 month insurance. For more information on LTI, here is a great video made by Astro Sam
Any other advice?
Yes. By using a referral code, you can help yourself by getting more credits at launch, and help someone else get a referral award. This is a great way to reward that friend of yours that recommended Star Citizen to you, or to help out a friendly community member.
I want to get a second (or third) ship, but I don't know what I want to get. Can you help me?
Don't let someone else tell you what to get. Getting additional ships can get expensive quickly. First, make a budget. Don't spend more money then you can afford. If the game changes (and it might), you don't want to wish you had spent that money on something/someone else. All ships will be available in game.
Second, don't upgrade your initial game package. If you decide later on that you don't like the ship, it becomes more difficult to melt that ship down and buy something else with those credits. Get a second ship and upgrade that. Astro Sam has a great video on upgrading your ship and why here:
Now, when you are looking at those ships...ask yourself what you want to do, what you want to be, and who are you going to be doing it with?
Some questions that might help you figure it out.
If you could fly one ship in the Star Wars Universe, what would it be? A Star Destroyer (Javelin), a Mon Calamari cruiser or Frigate (Idris or Polaris), the Millennium Falcon (Constellation Andromeda - New Hope version or the Retaliator - Return of the Jedi version) , a Tie Fighter (Gladius), an X-wing (Hornet), a Y-Wing (Gladiator) , Jedi Starfighter (Buccaneer) , Slave I (Freelancer), others?
What do you want to do? Explore (Carrack, Constellation Aquila, 315) , mine (Orion, prospector, Star G, Star F), trade (Freelancer Max, Constellation Taurus, Caterpillar, Hull series, Merchantman), protect (Vanguard, defender), steal (too many to name depending on what role), Repair/refuel (Crucible or Star F/G), Salvage (Reclaimer) etc.
Am I going to be playing mostly on my own, or with a some friends? How many friends and how often? If on your own, I would say the Constellation series is the biggest ship you could do without crew, and the Freelancer is the biggest you can do fairly easily. Vanguards are also long range fighters with endurance and room for friends. Also look at the Avenger, Cutlass, Tarapin, Prospector, or most of the fighters. A small group can handle most non-capital ships easily, including all of the industry ships except the Prospector (1 person ship), and similar sized vehicles. The Polaris, Idris, and Javelin will easily need 10, 20, or even 30 people, plus NPC crew depending on the size to run effectively. Even then, you will probably want escorts, so figure running a Polaris might also need a couple of Constellations or Retaliators, plus a few Vanguards, or some Hornets/Sabres/Gladiuses and a Starfarer for fuel. So, a big ship requires more then just the people to crew your ship, it also requires crews for the ships that are accompanying you.
Anything else? Yes, look for a ship that you think can make you money, especially if it is a second ship. Buying a ship that will cost you money most times you take it out means you won't be taking it out very often unless you have a huge moneymaker elsewhere. Besides, if you have something that can make you lots of money in game, that means you will be able to buy stuff in game quicker. Finally, if it comes down between buying a ship that makes a little money, but will let you have a lot of fun, or a ship that can make tons of money but bores you to tears...get the one that will be fun. Can't make money if you don't play, and if you don't enjoy it, you won't play.
Congratulations. I hope that the game is everything you want it to be.
BUT, let's talk about the big question...what ship are you going to get?
New to SC
Congrats, you are taking a leap into a larger world of gaming. The first thing you need is a starter package. Now, before you take the leap, you need to figure out what game you want to play.
Do you want to play Squadron 42, which is a single player game where you start out as a rookie UEE Navy pilot and progress through a storyline?
Do you want to play Star Citizen, which is a MMO type of game with a persistent universe and you are playing with others in an open world sandbox environment? (and yes, this also means open world PvP, and while some places will be safer than others, no place is truely safe.)
Do you want to play both?
I only want to play Squadon 42
If you want to play Squadron 42, just pre-purchase the Squadron 42 package. You will have access to Arena Commander (and maybe Star Marine). Once the game goes live, you will be able to download the game and play it. You will not have access to the persistant universe.
I only want to play Star Citizen
If you want to play Star Citizen, you will need to choose your game package. There are lots to choose from, but let's start with the two most basic packages.
Aurora MR and Mustang Alpha. Both cost $45 US, but the Mustang Alpha will have a slightly higher "melt price", meaning if you want to upgrade your ship later on, you will pay about $5 USD less than you would if you were upgrading to the same ship from an Aurora MR. However, if you don't plan on upgrading your ship with a CCU (Cross Chasis Upgrade), the Aurora MR will haul a bit more cargo, while the Mustang will be slightly better for combat. That said, neither of these ships is a dedicated combat ship or cargo ship. Either one should be able to make you money though, allowing you to buy better ships in game (all ships will be available in game for in-game currency)
I would resist getting a bigger ship as your game package unless you want something beyond the ship though. For instance, the Avenger Stalker package also contains the digital soundtrack and slightly longer insurance (6 months vs 3 months with the Aurora or Mustang). However, the hull insurance this provides is also available in game, and we have been told it will be relatively inexpensive.
I want to play both
If you want to play both, then get the combo package. The only combination packages available for a reasonable amount of money are the Mustang Alpha or Aurora MR combo packages for $60 USD. Even the Constellation Andromeda at $275 only contains Star Citizen and not Squadron 42. The only packs that have both right now are the two cheap ($60) combo packs, and the $1,100 and above multi-ship packages.
Ok, I've got my package, but what's this LTI (lifetime insurance) I've been hearing about? Do I need that?
No. The only reason you might want LTI is because you have such a huge fleet that it would be cost prohibitive for you to have hull insurance on everything, and that all your insurance would be used up on one ship while you are flying another.
Now, Hull insurance only covers the hull and the stock components. Upgrades and cargo are separate insurance contracts. You will always have to buy these in game and are not part of your purchase package, no matter if it is 3, 6, 12, 36, or 48 month insurance. For more information on LTI, here is a great video made by Astro Sam
Any other advice?
Yes. By using a referral code, you can help yourself by getting more credits at launch, and help someone else get a referral award. This is a great way to reward that friend of yours that recommended Star Citizen to you, or to help out a friendly community member.
I want to get a second (or third) ship, but I don't know what I want to get. Can you help me?
Don't let someone else tell you what to get. Getting additional ships can get expensive quickly. First, make a budget. Don't spend more money then you can afford. If the game changes (and it might), you don't want to wish you had spent that money on something/someone else. All ships will be available in game.
Second, don't upgrade your initial game package. If you decide later on that you don't like the ship, it becomes more difficult to melt that ship down and buy something else with those credits. Get a second ship and upgrade that. Astro Sam has a great video on upgrading your ship and why here:
Now, when you are looking at those ships...ask yourself what you want to do, what you want to be, and who are you going to be doing it with?
Some questions that might help you figure it out.
If you could fly one ship in the Star Wars Universe, what would it be? A Star Destroyer (Javelin), a Mon Calamari cruiser or Frigate (Idris or Polaris), the Millennium Falcon (Constellation Andromeda - New Hope version or the Retaliator - Return of the Jedi version) , a Tie Fighter (Gladius), an X-wing (Hornet), a Y-Wing (Gladiator) , Jedi Starfighter (Buccaneer) , Slave I (Freelancer), others?
What do you want to do? Explore (Carrack, Constellation Aquila, 315) , mine (Orion, prospector, Star G, Star F), trade (Freelancer Max, Constellation Taurus, Caterpillar, Hull series, Merchantman), protect (Vanguard, defender), steal (too many to name depending on what role), Repair/refuel (Crucible or Star F/G), Salvage (Reclaimer) etc.
Am I going to be playing mostly on my own, or with a some friends? How many friends and how often? If on your own, I would say the Constellation series is the biggest ship you could do without crew, and the Freelancer is the biggest you can do fairly easily. Vanguards are also long range fighters with endurance and room for friends. Also look at the Avenger, Cutlass, Tarapin, Prospector, or most of the fighters. A small group can handle most non-capital ships easily, including all of the industry ships except the Prospector (1 person ship), and similar sized vehicles. The Polaris, Idris, and Javelin will easily need 10, 20, or even 30 people, plus NPC crew depending on the size to run effectively. Even then, you will probably want escorts, so figure running a Polaris might also need a couple of Constellations or Retaliators, plus a few Vanguards, or some Hornets/Sabres/Gladiuses and a Starfarer for fuel. So, a big ship requires more then just the people to crew your ship, it also requires crews for the ships that are accompanying you.
Anything else? Yes, look for a ship that you think can make you money, especially if it is a second ship. Buying a ship that will cost you money most times you take it out means you won't be taking it out very often unless you have a huge moneymaker elsewhere. Besides, if you have something that can make you lots of money in game, that means you will be able to buy stuff in game quicker. Finally, if it comes down between buying a ship that makes a little money, but will let you have a lot of fun, or a ship that can make tons of money but bores you to tears...get the one that will be fun. Can't make money if you don't play, and if you don't enjoy it, you won't play.
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