In this video, Loudguns explains how players can earn 7 to 9 million aUEC per hour in Star Citizen 4.8 by mastering the refueling gameplay loop, using the Starfarer ship, building reputation with the United Wayfarers Club, and completing high-paying contracts in the Pyro system. He also highlights essential ship upgrades, combat strategies, and cautions that these lucrative payouts may be reduced in future patches.
In this video, Loudguns introduces viewers to the lucrative refueling gameplay loop in Star Citizen patch 4.8, highlighting how controlling fuel supplies can generate impressive earnings of 7 to 9 million aUEC per hour. The video covers the basics of refueling mechanics, reputation building with the United Wayfarers Club, ship recommendations, and strategies to unlock and complete the highest-paying contracts. Loudguns emphasizes that while this loop currently offers high payouts, such earnings may be nerfed in future patches, so players should be cautious about investing real money into ships solely for this purpose.
The refueling process involves filling your ship’s fuel tanks—both quantum and hydrogen—using the MobiGlas interface while docked. The Starfarer is the preferred vessel due to its six fuel tanks, allowing better control over the hydrogen to quantum fuel ratio, which is important since refueling missions consume more hydrogen. Once fueled, players accept refueling contracts from the contract manager, locate stranded NPC ships, carefully align and dock with them, and then transfer fuel using onboard refueling terminals. The Starfarer offers convenience with terminals behind the pilot’s seat, whereas the Starlight has fewer tanks and less flexibility.
For optimal performance, Loudguns recommends upgrading the Starfarer’s quantum drive to reduce travel time, especially when operating in the Pyro system where many missions spawn. Upgrading weapons to Deadbolt 4 ballistic cannons is advised to handle light combat situations during missions, as refueling contracts often involve hostile encounters. Regarding fuel tanks, the stock CR60 tanks provide a good balance of capacity and flow rate, and while premium Nemec tanks offer better flow rates, they are expensive and not essential until players have earned sufficient credits.
Building reputation with the United Wayfarers Club is crucial to unlocking the most profitable contracts, which requires accumulating 6,800 rep points to reach senior contractor rank. Grinding reputation involves completing various refueling missions around Pyro, particularly from Checkmate station. Missions vary from straightforward refueling to combat-heavy tasks involving attacking satellites or defending against hostile ships. Players can choose to engage enemies or focus on quick refueling to complete missions efficiently, with the Starfarer’s durability making it well-suited to withstand attacks.
Once senior contractor status is achieved, players gain access to urgent fleet refuel missions that pay over 1.8 million aUEC each and involve refueling multiple ships while fending off waves of Gladius fighters. Loudguns demonstrates completing such a mission in just over eight minutes, estimating that including travel and refueling time, players can chain four missions per hour for over 7 million aUEC, with potential to reach 9 million per hour with practice. The video concludes with encouragement to try the refueling loop, subscribe for more content, and a light-hearted mention of saving up for a high-end RSI Perseus gunboat.