Overview
Station and planets things players can experience
Stations
Two types of stations exist in the gemini, role-wise. You have your controlling Major stations that are the capitals for the zones they are located in, and then you have your Minor stations that yield benefits for the faction that controls them. There are several station types around the gemini, some of which are specialized in certain areas. There are Shipyard stations that focus on designing and constructing ship models, so you are likely to find a unique set of ship designs on each of them while visiting. Mining and processing stations are resource gathering meccas that specialize in mining technology. Industrial stations are subjected more towards development and manufacture of equipment and commodities. Research stations, like the name suggests, focus on development of new technologies. Military stations are majorly warfare oriented, and can often be good locations if you’re fishing for some extra firepower for your ships. Freeport stations are your run-of-the-mill stations that don’t necessarily have a prime focus, but are rather well rounded in all categories. The final stations are the Trade stations that are filled with various exotic goods, perfect if you’re looking for some trading work.
Planets
Just like the case was with the stations, not all planets will have all commodities, ships or technology available. You’ll have to do a bit of exploration to find out what planet sells which resources. There are a total of 21 planets counting both starchart versions, all of which are have unique exterior and interior design.
Station and planet UI
Both planets and stations can be used to dock/land your ship and rest for a while. While you do that, you can browse what the object you’ve choose to relax on has to offer. Both station and planet interfaces are the same, so what goes for the one, applies to the other.
Shipyard
To see what kind of ships, if any, the location has to offer, you select the Shipyard button. This will then open another panel which will allow you to see available ship models, as well as compare them with the one you currently have. You can either trade the ship you currently have, which will transport all your weapons and enhancements automatically, or you can choose to purchase the new vessel and store it in your garage.
Garage
Garage is a place you can store your ships in, and no matter which planet or station you decide to store your ships on, they will be available anywhere where the garage option is available. Just like with the shipyard, garage too offers the ability to compare your currently selected ship and your stored ones. You can also sell the ships you don’t want to have in your possession anymore, as garage capacity is limited, depending on what level of hangar module your HQ has constructed.
Drydock
To repair and rearm your ship, as well as buying new systems, enhancements, or just different paint job, you’ll be using the drydock. You open the drydock panel by selecting the drydock option in the station UI. Once in the drydock panel, you’ll notice four different tabs. The first one, plainly called “ship” will give you some basic information about your ship, its hull and ammo status, damage resistances, etc. This is where you’ll go to repair your ship after a rough day at the office. This is also the place to reload your heavy weapons. The next tab labeled “loadout” is where you’ll buy your “toys”, and by “toys” we mean weaponry. You can also modify the existing weapons by increasing/decreasing the number of turrets, buying new fighters, or just changing the loadout you have on with the one you have stored in your cargo. Enhancements tab is where you can buy enhancements to improve your ship systems. It applies to both military and nonmilitary systems. The final tab, labeled “Customize”, will open a brand new panel, allowing you to bring out your creative side and decorate your ship to the best of your abilities. Note: you can only apply paint to the side of the ship that is labeled in the Projection side: textbox.
Trader
Trader is the place where you go to buy and sell commodities, systems, or equipment. To get to this panel, you’ll have to select the Trader option from the station UI. If you’re interested in specific commodity demand, buy/sell price on other locations, you can select it from the list and then select the “Known prices” option on the bottom of the screen. Alternatively you can press Start/Menu button on your controller. This option is only available for the commodity items, and not for systems and equipment. If you’re looking for a specific equipment item and you can’t seem to find it at the station you’re in, try visiting others, especially if they’re specialized in that item area, e.g. look for combat related items on military specialized stations.
Jobs board
Jobs board is a good place if you’re looking to make some credits. The panel offers various job offers that differ from place to place, and from time to time. Something to keep in mind is that not all jobs are available on all levels. Some of them you can’t get until you level up your captain and develop your skills a bit. When you open the Job boards panel, on your left hand side you’ll see a list of jobs available for taking. Selecting one will show you some extra info about the task on the right hand side. Over there you can see the recommended level for the job you’ve selected. This is just a recommendation. You can finish jobs that recommend greater levels than you currently have, you’ll just have a bit more work to do in order to get them done. Next you have the potential reward. Notice how it says “potential” reward and not “guaranteed” reward. That’s because some jobs have stages, and depending on the number of completed stages, you’ll get a scaled amount of credits. Following this you’ll see the distance information. This just informs you how much you’ll have to travel in order to get to the location of the job. It’s a nice info to have if you’re looking for nearby job opportunities, however you need to be aware that this distance can go in any direction, meaning you can end up in a neighbourhood that will not appreciate your presence. Lastly, you’ll have your contractor information. This will note the faction that is giving the job. Every job that you complete for a faction other than your own will grant you some reputation points, so you can use the freelance jobs to farm reps, as well as credits.
There are several different freelance missions available on the jobs board, however, like it was mentioned earlier, some of them will not be available to you, until you move up to a certain level. Some missions such as installation defense, destruction or hunt missions might have a little yellow triangle-like icon. This means that there is much more fighting expected, and that you should not take on this mission without backup.
Delivery is the most basic mission there is. You get goods, you get a location, and you need to join the two. On bigger levels, however, this mission can get complicated by thiefs that will steal your cargo, and you’ll have to catch them and take it back to be able to finish the mission.
Timed Delivery is exactly the same as the regular delivery mission, but now has a timer that will fail the mission if you let it run out.
Destruction is a mission where you’ll be sent to a location filled with hostile structures, objects, and ships, and your goal is to annihilate as much as you can, without dying of course. Extra reward if you manage to destroy everything.
Installation Assault. You will be given a location for a hostile structure in space. Your goal is to destroy this structure, however structure will be guarded by hostile ships and turrets. Whether you’ll destroy them as well is entirely up to you, but it isn’t mandatory to do so.
Installation Defense. The tables have turned, and now you have to defend an allied structure from waves of hostiles. The structure is surrounded by malfunctioning defense turrets, which you can fix by transporting your troops on it. Pro tip: Scanning the turret before transporting the crew will result in a better fixing chance.
Maintenance is a mission where you’ll be asked to go and repair a damaged structure in space. You should proceed with caution because whoever damaged the structure in the first place might still be around.
Hunt is separated into categories of difficulty, depending on your current level. They are represented through the warmaster ranks that are noted on the name extension. You are given a location where the hunted target is last seen, and you’ll have to find your way to it from there.
Search and Destroy. There is a certain individual that needs to be found, and destroyed. You’ll get coordinates to its last known location, and take it from there.
Convoy Raid is a mission in which you’ll get a location of a convoy route. Your job is to intercept the convoy and destroy it.
Survey is possibly the most complicated mission you can get on your freelance job board. It requires some knowledge about the existing factions and ship chassis to be able to progress.
Salvage mission will give you a location and a scavenger swarm. You’ll then need to go to the said location and use the scavenger swarm on the nearby derelicts. You’re looking for an item. If the swarm doesn’t find the mentioned item in the derelicts it will automatically re-add to your equipment.
Prospector will ask of you to mine some resources form an asteroid field and transport them on the ship that wil cruise in the field.