Shops & Vendors

Learn where to find goods and services in X4: Foundations. Interact with station services and trade terminals to acquire what you need for your empire.

Shops & Vendors

Navigating the vast economy of X4: Foundations requires a keen understanding of where to acquire the goods and services you need. Unlike traditional RPGs, "shops" in X4 are integrated directly into the stations and their various modules. You won't find a dedicated storefront with a shopkeeper; instead, you'll interact with specific station services or trade terminals.

Acquiring Ship Components & Upgrades

The most common "vendors" you'll encounter are the Ship Dealers and Equipment Docks. These are crucial for expanding your fleet and outfitting your vessels.

• Ship Dealers: Found at Shipyards and Wharves. These are your primary source for purchasing new ships, from small fighters and scouts to massive capital ships and freighters. To access a Ship Dealer, dock at a Shipyard or Wharf, then disembark your ship and locate the Ship Dealer terminal. You can also remotely purchase ships if you have a sufficient reputation with the faction owning the station.
• Equipment Docks: These stations specialize in selling ship components, weapons, shields, engines, and various modules. Every Equipment Dock will have a "Ship Upgrade" terminal. Dock your ship, disembark, and interact with this terminal to browse and purchase upgrades. You can also remotely manage and upgrade your ships from the map (M key) by selecting your ship, right-clicking, and choosing "Upgrade Ship." This is incredibly convenient for outfitting multiple vessels without physically flying each one to a dock.
• Faction Representatives: While not direct "shops," improving your reputation with various factions (e.g., Argon Federation, Paranid Empire, Teladi Company) unlocks access to higher-tier ships and equipment at their respective Shipyards and Equipment Docks. For example, to buy a powerful Argon Destroyer like the Odysseus, you'll need a high standing with the Argon Federation.

Trading for Resources & Wares

The backbone of the X4 economy is the trade of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods. Every station acts as both a buyer and seller of various wares.

• Trade Terminals: Located on virtually every station, these terminals allow you to buy and sell goods directly. Dock your ship, disembark, and look for the "Trade" terminal. This is useful for manual trading, especially in the early game.
• Station Managers: For more complex trading operations involving your own fleet of freighters, you'll primarily interact with the "Station Trade Offers" via the map (M key). Select any station, and you can view its buy and sell orders for various wares. This is how you set up automatic trade routes for your AI-controlled ships.
• Specific Production Modules: Some stations will have specific production modules that effectively act as vendors for their output. For instance, a Refined Metals production module will sell Refined Metals, and a Microchip Factory will sell Microchips. Understanding the production chains is key to identifying profitable trade routes.

Black Market & Illegal Goods

For those daring enough to dabble in illicit trade, the black market offers unique opportunities and risks.

• Smuggler's Den / Pirate Stations: These stations, often found in less-policed or lawless sectors, will buy and sell illegal wares such as Spacefuel, Nividium, or illicit combat drones. Be warned: carrying illegal goods in regulated space can lead to scans, fines, and even attacks from faction police.
• Special Traders: Occasionally, you might encounter unique traders in specific sectors or during certain missions who offer rare or unique items not found at standard Equipment Docks. Keep an eye out for these opportunities, as they can provide powerful advantages.

Tips for Efficient Shopping & Trading

• Use the Map (M key): The map is your most powerful tool for identifying where to buy and sell. Filter by "Trade Offers" to see what stations are buying and selling, and at what prices.
• Reputation Matters: Higher faction reputation not only unlocks better ships and equipment but can also lead to better trade prices.
• Price Fluctuations: Prices for wares are dynamic and influenced by supply and demand. Always compare prices across multiple stations before making large purchases or sales.
• Remote Management: Leverage remote ship upgrades and trade commands from the map to save significant time and streamline your logistics.
• Personal Inventory: Remember that you also have a personal inventory for items like Space Suit upgrades, grenades, and certain mission-critical items. These are typically purchased from "Trader" NPCs found walking around station docks and social areas.