Star Citizen offers a vast universe full of opportunities to make aUEC (Alpha United Earth Credits). Whether you prefer combat, trading, mining, or bounty hunting, there are plenty of ways to fill your wallet. In this guide, we’ll explore the most efficient money-making methods so you can maximize your earnings.
1. Bounty Hunting
Best For: Players who enjoy combat and ship dogfights.
Bounty hunting is a lucrative way to earn aUEC, especially as you progress to higher-tier missions. Start by accepting Tracker’s License Certification missions in your Contracts Manager under Mercenary.
- Beginner: Low-risk targets, payouts around 10,000 aUEC.
- Intermediate: Moderate enemies, payouts around 20,000-30,000 aUEC.
- Advanced: High-risk targets (VHRT and ERT), payouts exceeding 50,000 aUEC per mission.
📌 Recommended Ships: Gladius, Vanguard, Eclipse (for stealth kills)
2. Mining
Best For: Solo and group play; players who enjoy resource gathering.
Mining is one of the most stable income sources in Star Citizen. You can mine using a hand tool, a ROC ground vehicle, or a mining ship like the Prospector or Mole.
- Best Locations:
- Hand Mining: Caves on Aberdeen, Daymar.
- ROC Mining: Arial, Lyria (good for Hadanite).
- Ship Mining: Aaron Halo, Lyria, or Yela (for Quantanium).
- Best Minerals: Quantanium (highest value, but volatile), Bexalite, Taranite.
💡 Tip: Always refine your ore at a refinery station for higher profits.
3. Cargo Trading
Best For: Players who enjoy trade logistics and are willing to take financial risks.
Trading involves buying goods at a low price and selling at a higher one. Profits depend on market demand, trade routes, and cargo capacity.
- Profitable Goods:
- Laranite (ArcCorp Mining Area 157 → Area18)
- Titanium (Hurston → Lorville)
- Medical Supplies (SMO-22 → GrimHex)
📌 Best Trading Ships: C2 Hercules, Caterpillar, Freelancer MAX
💡 Tip: Check trade websites or Discord channels for real-time market trends.
4. Mercenary & FPS Missions
Best For: Players who enjoy first-person combat.
If you prefer on-foot combat, mercenary missions are a great option. These range from clearing out bunkers to rescuing hostages.
- Easy Missions: Bunker clearance (~8,000-15,000 aUEC)
- High-Paying Missions: Arlington Gang missions, 890 Jump missions (~40,000-80,000 aUEC)
📌 Recommended Weapons: FS-9 LMG, P4-AR Rifle, Railgun
💡 Tip: Bring extra medpens and ammo, as FPS combat can be intense.
5. Salvaging
Best For: Players who enjoy collecting and processing wreckage.
Salvaging is a newer feature in Star Citizen and involves breaking down ship wrecks for materials. The Drake Vulture and Aegis Reclaimer are the best ships for this profession.
- Where to Salvage:
- Abandoned Wrecks: Yela, Daymar, MicroTech’s orbit.
- Combat Sites: After large battles, there are fresh wrecks to salvage.
📌 Recommended Ship: Drake Vulture (solo), Reclaimer (group play)
6. Box Delivery Missions
Best For: New players and low-risk, steady income.
Box delivery missions are a great way to explore the system while making money.
- Beginner Missions: 2,500-4,000 aUEC per box.
- Higher Payouts: Multi-box missions (~10,000-20,000 aUEC total).
📌 Best Starter Ship: Drake Cutlass Black, Avenger Titan
Conclusion
The best way to make money in Star Citizen depends on your playstyle. If you love combat, bounty hunting is the way to go. If you prefer industry, mining and trading are your best bets. With the right ship and strategy, you can build a fortune in the ‘verse.
What’s your favorite way to make money in Star Citizen? Let us know in the comments!
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