Star Citizen New Player Guide — Getting Started in the Verse (4.5)
New to Star Citizen? Learn the basics: controls, your first location, taking contracts, buying a ship, and the core gameplay loop in Alpha 4.5.
Visual Walkthrough
Initial Account Setup & Requirements
Before beginning your career in the Persistent Universe, ensure your account and hardware meet these standards: • Starter Ship Packages: - Aurora MR / Mustang Alpha: Entry-level. - Avenger Titan: Versatile combat and cargo. - Drake Cutter: High durability and living space. • Referral Code: Apply during creation for a 5,000 aUEC starting bonus (you can use code STAR-SHB3-39DC). • Hardware: Installation on an SSD is strictly required for asset streaming.
Primary Residency Selection
You must select a starting location in the Stanton System. This choice dictates your initial spawn and local storage: • Area18 (ArcCorp): Cityscape with high density of equipment shops. • Lorville (Hurston): Industrial hub located centrally in the system. • New Babbage (microTech): High-tech snowy zone; ideal for ground vehicles. • Orison (Crusader): Atmospheric floating city; home to major ship showrooms.
On-Foot Interaction Mechanics
Mastering the Interaction Mode is essential for all movement and survival: • F (Tap): Contextual interaction (Open doors, pick up items). • F (Hold) + Right Click: Opens the 'Inner Thought' radial menu. • I: Open Personal Inventory. • Left Alt + H: Quick-stow/equip helmet (Required for eating/drinking). • Mouse Wheel: Adjust walking speed.
Core Flight Operations
Basic flight commands for navigating the Verse: • Right Alt +R: Flight Ready (Power on systems). • WASD + Q/E: Strafe and Roll. • Space / L-Ctrl: Vertical strafe (Up/Down). • N: Toggle Landing Gear / Docking. • B: Spool Quantum Drive (Hold B to jump). • Left Alt + K: Reconfigure ship mode (VTOL/Wings).
Survival & Medical Status
The Actor Status System tracks your physical condition: • Metabolism: Monitor hydration and nutrition via F1 (mobiGlas). • Sustenance: Remove helmet (Left Alt + H) before consuming items. • Medical Beds: Use terminals at hospitals to 'Set Primary Residence' to establish your respawn point. • Healing: Use MedPens (Hotkey 4) for immediate health stabilization.
Hangar & Inventory Management
Items and ships are physicalized within the Persistent Universe: • ASOP Terminals: Used to request and spawn your ships. • Personal Hangars: Private instances for ship storage and loading. • Freight Elevators: Used to move physical items between local storage and the hangar floor. • Persistence: Items left in hangars remain across sessions.
Mission Types & Progression
Use the Contract Manager (F1) to begin earning aUEC: • Delivery: Low-risk transport of small boxes. • Bounty Hunting: Ship-to-ship combat (Start with VLRT). • Mercenary: FPS combat in underground facilities; requires armor and ammo. • Salvage/Mining: Resource gathering requiring specialized industrial tools or ships. • Tutorial: The 'New Player Mission' provides basic orientation and credits.
Technical Troubleshooting
Solutions for common technical hurdles in the Live PU: • Stuck in Geometry: Use chat (F12) or hold Backspace to suicide and respawn. • Quantum Calibration: If failing, clear the route in the Starmap (F2) and toggle B again. • Ship Recovery: Use ASOP terminals to file an 'Insurance Claim' if a ship is lost or destroyed. • Oxygen: Always check UI indicators before removing your helmet in airlocks.
Quick Reference
Account Setup and Initial Deployment
• Referral Bonus: Use a referral code during account creation to start with 5,000 extra aUEC. • Recommended Starters: CIG Aurora MR (Entry), Avenger Titan (All-rounder), or Drake Cutter (Endurance). • Hardware Requirement: The game must be installed on an SSD to ensure asset streaming and performance stability. • Spawn Selection: Choose from Area18 (Industrial City), Lorville (Central Hub), New Babbage (High-Tech), or Orison (Cloud City).
On-Foot Controls and Interaction
• Interaction Mode (F): Tap to interact with objects; Hold F + Right Click for the advanced 'Inner Thought' menu. • Inventory (I): Access gear and storage. Requires armor or an undersuit. • Survival Actions: Use Left Alt + H to remove/equip your helmet for eating or drinking. • Movement: Use the Mouse Wheel to adjust walking speed and Shift to sprint.
Flight Operations and Navigation
• Startup: Press R to make the ship 'Flight Ready.' Toggle Power (U) and Engines (I) individually if needed. • Basic Maneuvers: WASD for strafing, Space for Up, Left-Ctrl for Down. Press N for landing gear. • Quantum Travel: Press B to spool the drive. Once calibrated, Hold B to jump. • Emergency Stop: Press X to engage the Space Brake.
Survival and Medical Systems
• Metabolism: Monitor food and water levels via the mobiGlas (F1). Remove helmet before consuming. • Medical Beds: Located at hospitals and clinics. Use these to 'Set Primary Residence' to establish your respawn point. • Injuries: Use MedPens (Hotkey 4) for immediate stabilization. Major limb injuries require a hospital facility. • Oxygen: Check local atmosphere levels before removing life support gear.
Logistics and Hangar Management
• ASOP Terminals: Use these screens to spawn ships or file Insurance Claims if a ship is destroyed. • Freight Elevators: Physicalized items must be moved via elevators to transfer from Local Storage to your ship. • Personal Hangars: Items left in your instanced hangar persist across game sessions. • Ship Insurance: Claims require a small fee and a waiting period based on the ship's size.
Missions and Troubleshooting
• Contract Manager (F1): Start with 'Delivery' missions for low-risk training or 'VLRT' Bounties for combat. • Getting Stuck: If trapped in geometry, use Chat (F12) for help or Hold Backspace to suicide and respawn. • Navigation Fixes: If Quantum Travel fails, clear your route in the Starmap (F2) and re-toggle the drive (B). • Gear Safety: Always carry extra ammunition and MedPens before starting Mercenary/Bunker missions.