Next Steps & Careers
An overview of the main careers and what you need to get started in each.
1. Bounty hunting
Take bounty contracts to hunt wanted NPCs or players, from very low risk (VLRT) upward. To start: a ship with weapons and shields (most starter ships work), some ammo or missiles, and a willingness to die a few times.
2. Cargo hauling and trading
Move goods for contractors or buy low, sell high. To start: a ship with cargo space (even a small one), some aUEC to invest, and a trade tool site for prices. Learn how freight elevators and tractor beams work.
3. Mining
From hand mining gems to mining ships cracking asteroids. To start: a multi-tool with a mining attachment for hand mining, or rent a ROC or a mining ship. Ore must be refined or sold; quality matters for crafting.
4. Salvage
Scrape hull material and recover components from wrecks. To start: a salvage ship such as the Drake Vulture (buy or rent), or salvage contracts. Sell the material at commodity terminals.
5. Exploration
Visit caves, derelicts, abandoned outposts and remote moons, and look for loot and rare locations. To start: any ship with good range, a scanner ( V for scan mode), good armor, food, water and a flashlight ( T ).
6. Medical and rescue
Respond to rescue beacons and keep other players alive. To start: MedPens and a medical tool. Later, a ship with a med bed (stocked with MedGel) lets players respawn at your ship.
7. Refuelling
Sell fuel to stranded ships via beacons and refuelling contracts. To start: this needs a dedicated refuelling ship such as the MISC Starfarer. Fuel economics changed in 4.10, so check current prices.
8. Piracy
Interdict and rob other players or NPCs, often in Pyro. To start: a fighting ship, friends, and acceptance of CrimeStat and lots of risk. Play fair and don't grief new players.
9. Racing
Race in Arena Commander or on community tracks in the persistent universe. To start: a fast, agile ship and lots of practice. Arena Commander lets you try ships without risk.
10. Crafting
Since 4.7, craft gear and parts using blueprints and materials at an Item Fabricator. To start: a fabricator, blueprints (some default, more from mission rewards) and good-quality materials. Teaming up with miners helps.