Starbound
Starbound

Progression Systems — Starbound Guide

Understand Starbound's multifaceted progression systems, blending quests, crafting, and character development to thrive in its procedurally generated universe.

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Progression Systems

Starbound's progression is multifaceted, blending story-driven quests with exploration, crafting, and character development. Understanding these interconnected systems is key to thriving in the vast, procedurally generated universe.

I. Main Storyline Progression

The core of your journey involves repairing your ship and defeating the Ruin. This is primarily achieved through completing quests given by Esther Bright at the Ark.

A. Ship Repair & Tier Advancement

Your initial objective is to get your ship flight-ready. This involves:

  • Collecting Core Fragments: These are found deep underground on your starting planet. Mine downwards until you encounter a mini-dungeon or a significant cave system. You'll need about 20 Core Fragments to activate the Ancient Gate.
  • Activating the Ancient Gate: Once you have enough Core Fragments, interact with the Ancient Gate on your starting planet. This transports you to the Ark.
  • Meeting Esther Bright: At the Ark, Esther Bright will guide you through the main questline, which involves visiting various Gateways and completing missions.
  • Earning Ship Upgrades: Each major story mission completed (e.g., defeating the Erchius Mining Facility boss, the Grand Pagoda Library boss) rewards you with a Ship Upgrade Module. These modules, combined with a significant amount of Pixels and a specific number of Crew Members, allow you to upgrade your ship's size and unlock higher-tier planets.

B. Main Missions & Boss Fights

Each main mission unlocks access to higher-tier star systems and more challenging content. Prepare thoroughly before attempting these:

  1. Erchius Mining Facility: Your first major mission. Requires Tier 1 (Copper/Iron) armor and weapons. The boss, the Erchius Horror, is a stationary target, but its attacks are devastating. Focus on dodging its laser and destroying the crystals it spawns.
  2. Grand Pagoda Library: Unlocked after upgrading your ship to Tier 2. Requires Tier 2 (Silver/Gold) gear. The boss, Shockhopper Mk I, is a robotic mech. Utilize its predictable attack patterns to your advantage.
  3. Miniknog Stronghold: Tier 3 (Platinum/Diamond) gear recommended. The boss, Big Ape, is a large, powerful foe. Learn its attack tells and use ranged weapons effectively.
  4. Barren Planet (Glitch Mission): Tier 4 (Durasteel) gear. The boss, Bone Dragon, is a flying enemy. A strong bow or assault rifle is highly recommended.
  5. Floran Hunting Grounds: Tier 5 (Titanium) gear. The boss, Ixodoom, is a massive insectoid creature. Its arena is challenging, so bring plenty of healing items.
  6. The Ruin: The final mission. Requires Tier 6 (Solarium) gear. This is a multi-stage boss fight against the ultimate antagonist. Stock up on the best healing items, powerful stims, and your strongest weapons.

II. Gear & Crafting Progression

Your ability to survive and explore is directly tied to the quality of your equipment. This is primarily driven by mining and crafting.

A. Mining & Ore Tiers

Ores are found underground on various planet types. Higher-tier ores are found on more dangerous planets.

  • Tier 1 (Dangerous): Copper Ore, Iron Ore. Found on Forest, Desert, Savannah, and Arid planets.
  • Tier 2 (Risky): Silver Ore, Gold Ore. Found on Jungle, Snow, Ocean, and Magma planets.
  • Tier 3 (Hazardous): Platinum Ore, Diamond. Found on Toxic, Tundra, Volcanic, and Arctic planets.
  • Tier 4 (Extreme): Durasteel Ore. Found on Alien, Asteroid Field, and Barren planets.
  • Tier 5 (Fiery): Titanium Ore. Found on Fiery Star planets (e.g., Volcanic, Magma).
  • Tier 6 (Frozen): Solarium Ore. Found on Frozen Star planets (e.g., Arctic, Tundra).

B. Crafting Stations & Upgrades

To process raw materials into useful items, you'll need various crafting stations, many of which can be upgraded.

  • Stone Furnace / Industrial Furnace: Used to smelt raw ores into bars. Upgrade the Stone Furnace to Industrial Furnace as soon as possible for efficiency.
  • Anvil / Forge / Replicator: Your primary stations for crafting armor, weapons, and tools. The Replicator is the final upgrade, unlocked after completing the Erchius Mining Facility mission.
  • Spinning Wheel / Sewing Machine: For crafting fabrics and clothing.
  • Agricultural Station: For advanced farming and food processing.
  • Medical Station: For crafting powerful healing items and stims.

III. Exploration & Colony Progression

Beyond the main quest, Starbound encourages extensive exploration and the establishment of colonies.

A. Planet Tiers & Threat Levels

Planets are categorized by their threat level, which dictates the difficulty of enemies, the quality of loot, and the type of ores available. Your ship's FTL drive will initially be restricted to "Dangerous" planets. Upgrading your ship unlocks access to higher threat levels:

  • Dangerous: Forest, Desert, Savannah, Arid. (Tier 1 Ores)
  • Risky: Jungle, Snow, Ocean, Magma. (Tier 2 Ores)
  • Hazardous: Toxic, Tundra, Volcanic, Arctic. (Tier 3 Ores)
  • Extreme: Alien, Asteroid Field, Barren. (Tier 4 Ores)
  • Fiery: Planets orbiting Fiery Stars. (Tier 5 Ores)
  • Frozen: Planets orbiting Frozen Stars. (Tier 6 Ores)

Always check a planet's threat level before beaming down. Equip appropriate armor and weapons for the challenge.

B. Colony Building & Crew Recruitment

Establishing colonies is a fantastic way to generate passive income (Pixels) and recruit valuable crew members for your ship.

  • Building Requirements: To attract tenants, you need to build enclosed rooms with a light source, a door, and at least one "comfort" item (e.g., a bed, chair, table).
  • Tenant Types: Different furniture sets attract different types of tenants (e.g., Apex furniture attracts Apex tenants, Glitch furniture attracts Glitch tenants).
  • Rent Collection: Tenants will pay you rent in Pixels, which accumulates in a Rent Collector placed within your colony.
  • Recruiting Crew: Some tenants, after interacting with them multiple times and completing small quests, will offer to join your ship's crew. Crew members provide various bonuses, such as increased damage, healing, or unique abilities. You need a certain number of crew members to perform ship upgrades.

IV. Character Progression (Skills & Augments)

While Starbound doesn't have a traditional skill tree, your character's capabilities progress through gear, EPP augments, and unique items.

A. Environmental Protection Packs (EPPs) & Augments

EPPs are crucial for surviving hostile planetary environments. They can be upgraded and augmented.

  • Basic EPP: Crafted early on, protects against cold.
  • Radiation EPP: Protects against radiation (Toxic planets).
  • Heat EPP: Protects against heat (Magma, Volcanic planets).
  • Bio-Hazard EPP: Protects against bio-hazards (Alien planets).
  • Augments: These are items that can be slotted into your EPP to grant additional benefits, such as increased energy, health regeneration, light emission, or movement speed. Common augments include the Energy Augment and Health Augment. Find them in chests, buy them from merchants, or craft them at the Medical Station.

B. Techs & Abilities

Techs are special abilities that can be unlocked and equipped to your character. They are found as Tech Cards in Tech Chests within dungeons and mini-biomes, or purchased from the Tech Lab at the Outpost.

  • Dash: A quick burst of speed, essential for dodging.
  • Double Jump: Allows for higher vertical movement.
  • Pulse Jump: An upgraded double jump with more height.
  • Rocket Jump: A powerful jump that can reach extreme heights.
  • Morphball: Transforms you into a small ball, allowing access to tight spaces.
  • Spikeball: An upgraded Morphball that damages enemies.

Visit the Tech Lab at the Outpost to equip and change your active techs. You can have one Head, Body, and Legs tech equipped at a time.