The video details the revamped salvaging system in Star Citizen Alpha 4.3.2, explaining the new categories of salvage materials, ship-specific yields, and the added complexity of refining structural salvage before selling. It also previews the upcoming crafting system, which will use the quality of refined materials to create superior FPS weapons and armor, enhancing resource management and item customization in the game.
The video provides an in-depth look at the new salvaging system introduced in Star Citizen Alpha 4.3.2, highlighting the significant changes and mechanics players need to know. Salvaging is now categorized into two main types: recycled material composite (RMC) and structural salvage, also known as construction materials. Three salvage ships are currently available—the Misque Fortune, Drake Vulture, and Aegis Reclaimer—each capable of yielding different types of salvage materials. Players can engage in salvaging missions, scavenge abandoned ships, or even salvage their own ships, though the latter is considered less rewarding.
The RMC salvaging mechanics remain largely unchanged, but the selling prices have been nerfed, with prices varying across different locations in the Stanton system. The video demonstrates checking prices using the in-game trading tool UEEX and highlights some discrepancies and bugs in reported prices, such as inflated values on community websites compared to actual in-game prices. Players are advised to verify prices themselves, as the market can be volatile and subject to change.
Structural salvage has undergone more substantial changes, as it now produces raw materials that require refining before they can be sold for profit. These materials are split into three subtypes based on density: powder (highest density), scraps (medium density), and chunks (lowest density). The type of salvage material obtained depends on the ship used; for example, the Misque Fortune and Drake Vulture yield powder-type materials, while the Aegis Reclaimer produces chunks. Refining yields vary by ship, with the Fortune and Vulture offering a 30% yield and the Reclaimer only 15%, making the process time-consuming and potentially low in return.
The refining process itself involves selecting different methods, each with trade-offs in speed, cost, and yield. The video demonstrates how to refine materials at a refinery and discusses the current limitations, such as the inability to set up refinery orders directly from salvage ships and bugs in selling refined materials. Despite the increased complexity and risks involved in salvaging and refining, these changes are designed to prepare the game for the upcoming crafting system, which will integrate salvage quality into item creation.
Crafting is set to revolutionize resource gathering and item progression in Star Citizen, initially focusing on FPS weapons and armor. The quality of salvaged and refined materials will influence the attributes of crafted items, making them superior to shop-bought gear. Players will use blueprints earned through missions to craft items at fabricators, which can be placed in personal hangars or ships. The crafting system is expected to enter a tech preview phase by the end of the year, marking a significant evolution in gameplay by adding depth to resource management and customization.