Upgrading Your Ship in Star Citizen: A Comprehensive Guide

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The universe of Star Citizen is vast and ever-expanding, and at its core, is your ship. Whether you’re hauling cargo, engaging in dogfights, or exploring distant planets, your ship is your lifeline. Upgrading your ship is essential to keep pace with the challenges and opportunities that the ‘verse throws at you. So, how do you upgrade your ship in Star Citizen? There are two main ways: upgrading the entire ship, or upgrading components on your existing ship. This guide will explore both.

Understanding Ship Upgrades in Star Citizen

Option 1: Upgrading to a New Ship (CCU)

This involves purchasing a Cross-Chassis Upgrade (CCU). A CCU effectively “transforms” your existing ship into a different one. Think of it like trading in your car for a better model, only in space!

1. Visit the RSI Website: Navigate to the RSI (Roberts Space Industries) website and log in to your account.
2. Go to the Pledge Store: Find the “Pledge Store” section, often located under the “Store” tab.
3. Find Ship Upgrades: Within the Pledge Store, look for the “Ship Upgrades” or “CCU” section.
4. Browse Available Upgrades: Here, you’ll see a list of ships you can upgrade to. The price reflects the difference in value between your current ship and the target ship.
5. Select Your Upgrade: Choose the ship you want to upgrade to. Keep in mind that you can only upgrade to a ship that is more expensive than your current ship.
6. Add to Cart and Purchase: Add the CCU to your cart and complete the purchase.
7. Apply the Upgrade: This is crucial! The CCU doesn’t automatically upgrade your ship. Go to your “My Hangar” section on the RSI website. You should see the CCU listed.
8. Click “Apply Upgrade”: Click the “Apply Upgrade” button next to the CCU.
9. Select Ship to Upgrade: You’ll be prompted to select the ship you want to upgrade from. Choose your current ship from the dropdown menu.
10. Confirm and Apply: Review the details and confirm the upgrade. The process is now irreversible, turning your old pledge into the new pledge. Your upgraded ship should now be reflected in your hangar.

Option 2: Upgrading Individual Ship Components

This involves replacing specific parts of your ship, such as the power plant, shields, weapons, or coolers, with better ones. This is done in-game.

1. Locate a Ship Services Terminal: These terminals are found at various landing zones and space stations throughout the ‘verse. Common locations include Area 18 (ArcCorp), Lorville (Hurston), Orison (Crusader), and New Babbage (MicroTech).
2. Access the Terminal: Interact with the Ship Services Terminal.
3. Select “Customize”: Choose the “Customize” option for your ship.
4. View Components: You’ll see a list of your ship’s installed components.
5. Browse Available Replacements: Click on a component to see a list of available replacements. These replacements can be purchased with in-game aUEC.
6. Purchase and Equip: Buy the desired component and equip it to your ship.
7. Considerations: Be mindful of component compatibility. Some components might require specific power or cooling capacity. Also, pay attention to the stats of the new component compared to the old one (e.g., shield strength, weapon damage).
8. Test it Out: Fly your ship and put the new components to the test. See how it performs in combat, during quantum travel, or while performing other activities.

Additional Tips for Ship Upgrades

• Research: Before making any upgrades, research the available ships and components. Look at stats, reviews, and community feedback.
• Consider Your Playstyle: Choose upgrades that complement your preferred gameplay. A cargo hauler will benefit from better shields and quantum drive, while a fighter will prioritize weapons and maneuverability.
• Budget Wisely: aUEC can be hard to come by. Don’t blow your entire budget on a single upgrade. Spread your upgrades to cover multiple aspects of your ship’s performance.
• Check the Patch Notes: Game updates can sometimes affect ship balance and component performance. Stay informed about the latest changes.
• Rent Before You Buy: Some locations allow you to rent ships for a short period of time. This can be a great way to test out a new ship before committing to a CCU.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ship Upgrades

1. Why is my upgraded ship not showing up in Star Citizen after applying the CCU?

   • First, ensure you’ve completely logged out of the game and the launcher, then log back in. This forces a refresh of your account data. If it’s still not showing, contact RSI Support. Server hiccups can sometimes delay the update of your hangar.

2. Can I reverse a ship upgrade after applying a CCU?

   • No, once a CCU is applied, it’s permanent. You cannot revert to your previous ship. This is why research is critical before applying the upgrade.

3. Do ship upgrades persist through game wipes?

   • Ships purchased with real money (pledged) will persist through wipes. Ships bought with aUEC are typically lost during major updates or wipes. The official word is that these wipes are for pre-alpha testing of the Persistent Universe and will eventually go away. Component purchases that are made with aUEC are lost during major updates.

4. Where can I find the best deals on ship components?

   • The price of components can vary slightly between locations. Check different landing zones and space stations to compare prices. Often, components that are useful for planetary traversal are found on planets and vice versa. Also, keep an eye on the in-game marketplaces and player forums for deals and recommendations.

5. How do I know which components are compatible with my ship?

   • The Ship Services Terminal will only display components that are compatible with your ship’s hardpoints and power capacity. Pay attention to the size and class of the component when selecting a replacement.

6. What does “hardpoint” mean in the context of ship components?

   • A hardpoint is a designated attachment point on your ship for installing components like weapons, shields, and coolers. Each ship has a specific number and type of hardpoints.

7. How do I earn aUEC to buy ship components?

   • aUEC is earned by completing missions, trading goods, mining resources, and participating in various activities within the ‘verse. Bounty hunting and delivery missions are popular starting points.

8. Can I upgrade a ship I rented with aUEC?

   • No, you can only customize ships that you own (either pledged for or purchased with aUEC).

9. What are the different classes of ship components (e.g., Grade A, Grade B, etc.)?

   • Component grades indicate their quality and performance. Grade A components are the highest quality, offering the best performance but at a higher cost. Grade B, C, and D offer progressively lower performance and cost.

10. How does ship insurance work in Star Citizen?

    • Ships that you pledge for using real money are not leased, but if you want them to “last forever” you will (after game launch) need to pay for insurance using in-game money once the standard hull insurance period expires. Otherwise, your ship would be lost if destroyed in the game.

11. Can I sell my ship after upgrading it with components?

    • If you purchased the ship with aUEC, you can sell it at a Ship Services terminal. However, keep in mind that you will not recoup the full value of the components you installed.

12. Where can I learn more about ship builds and component recommendations?

    • The Star Citizen community is a great resource. Check out the official RSI forums, Reddit communities (like r/starcitizen), and YouTube channels dedicated to Star Citizen for build guides and recommendations.

13. Are there any tools to help me plan my ship upgrades?

    • Yes, websites such as erkul.games provide a comprehensive ship component database and build planner, allowing you to experiment with different configurations and see the impact on your ship’s performance.

14. Does upgrading my ship’s components affect its insurance cost?

    • Currently, insurance costs are primarily based on the base ship hull, and do not take into account the value of ship components that you may have purchased and installed.

15. Is there any real-world science behind how ships upgrade in the game?

    • While Star Citizen is a science fiction game, it does attempt to ground its technology in realistic principles where possible. You can think about these ships being like the real-world projects described by Games Learning Society. In the same way that researchers and scientists use models and experiments to explore complex systems, Star Citizen uses simulated ship mechanics and upgrades to let players discover the trade-offs, optimizations, and customizations that impact the performance of their spacefaring vessels. It encourages learning through play and exploration, echoing some of the core tenets that GamesLearningSociety.org advocates.

By understanding these different options and keeping these tips in mind, you can navigate the ship upgrade process effectively and create a ship that perfectly suits your needs and playstyle in the vast and exciting universe of Star Citizen.