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Ship and Weapon Upgrades: What You Can Unlock with aUEC
Star Citizen, the ambitious and ever-evolving space simulation game by Cloud Imperium Games, offers players an unprecedented level of immersion in a living, breathing universe. Among the many elements that contribute to this rich gameplay experience, aUEC (Alpha United Earth Credits) plays a central role. It’s the in-game currency that allows players to truly dive into the adventure—whether that means purchasing a state-of-the-art spaceship, acquiring top-tier weapons, or upgrading gear to handle the perils of deep space Buy Star Citizen aUEC.
Understanding how aUEC functions, how to earn it efficiently, and what it can be spent on is crucial to thriving in the Star Citizen universe. This guide will walk you through the essentials of aUEC, empowering you to make the most of every credit earned.
What is aUEC in Star Citizen?
Alpha United Earth Credits (aUEC) is the primary in-game currency in Star Citizen’s alpha stage. As the game continues to develop, aUEC functions as the economic backbone of the player experience. While there is a separate currency known as UEC (used for purchasing items via the website and persistent accounts), aUEC is strictly earned and spent within the live game environment.
aUEC is used for nearly all economic activities in Star Citizen, including:
- Purchasing ships
- Acquiring weapons and armor
- Upgrading ship components
- Buying fuel, food, and other consumables
- Trading commodities
- Hiring services such as ship repairs and refueling
In essence, aUEC is your gateway to progression, freedom, and personalization within the game.
Earning aUEC: How to Get Rich Among the Stars
While exploring the verse, there are numerous ways to earn aUEC. Your playstyle—be it combat, exploration, trading, or mission running—will largely dictate your income. Here are the most common and profitable ways to accumulate aUEC in Star Citizen.
1. Running Missions
Missions are the most accessible method for new and experienced players alike. These are offered through your mobiGlas and range from simple delivery jobs to high-risk combat contracts.
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Delivery Missions: Often low-risk but time-consuming.
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Bounty Hunting: Great for combat enthusiasts; rewards scale with difficulty.
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Mercenary Work: Involves protecting locations or assets.
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Mining Contracts: Combine the thrill of space work with resource profits.
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Investigation and Search: Involves uncovering crashed ships or lost cargo.
Missions dynamically change depending on your reputation, region, and ship capability, so always keep your gear and ship up to the challenge.
2. Trading and Cargo Hauling
For players who enjoy the logistics and business side of space life, trading commodities can be extremely profitable. It requires upfront investment and risk management, especially with dynamic pricing and pirate attacks.
Some popular trading routes include:
- Medical Supplies to Outposts
- Laranite from mining stations
- Agricultural supplies and waste management
Cargo capacity and ship speed matter a lot here. Owning a ship like the Freelancer MAX or Caterpillar can drastically improve your hauling income.
3. Mining and Salvaging
Resource extraction is a relaxing but technical way to earn aUEC. With the right ship, like the MISC Prospector or the Argo Mole, players can mine valuable ores such as Quantanium and sell them for solid profits.
As of newer patches, salvaging has also become a viable income stream. Stripping hulls of derelict ships and salvaging valuable components can be both fun and lucrative.
4. Combat and Piracy
If you have a flair for danger, dogfighting and pirating NPC or player ships can bring in aUEC. Bounty contracts and high-risk targets offer some of the highest payouts, but with greater risk of ship damage or death.
On the other hand, criminal gameplay (like smuggling and piracy) can net large rewards but also puts a crime stat on your name—leading to potential PvP encounters and prison time.
Spending Your aUEC: Where the Credits Go
Now that you've built up your hard-earned stash of aUEC, what can you do with it? The answer: quite a lot. Here are the main ways you can use aUEC to expand your Star Citizen experience.
1. Buying Ships
While many players purchase ships with real-world money, a growing number are now available for purchase in-game using aUEC. This provides a way for committed players to access new ships without spending real money.
Some popular in-game ship vendors include:
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New Deal Shipyard on Lorville
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Astro Armada at Area18
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Crusader Showroom at Orison
Ship prices range widely—from hundreds of thousands of aUEC for small ships, to millions for larger, multi-crew vessels.
2. Purchasing Weapons and Armor
Outfitting yourself with the right tools is essential for survival. Whether you’re planning a ground assault or need a sniper rifle for long-range engagements, the aUEC market has you covered.
Shops like CenterMass, Cubby Blast, and Tammany & Sons offer an extensive selection of personal weapons, armor sets, and accessories like medpens, grenades, and undersuits.
3. Ship Components and Upgrades
Optimizing your ship's performance can dramatically change your gameplay. Better coolers, stronger shields, faster quantum drives, and deadlier weapons can give you an edge in combat or efficiency during exploration.
Components are categorized into size, grade, and manufacturer—each influencing how they perform. Whether you're upgrading a stealth build or a tanky hauler, your aUEC can transform your ship.
4. Consumables and Services
From refueling to eating, maintaining your character and ship costs aUEC too. Services like CryAstro offer repairs and maintenance, while kiosks and stores sell food, drinks, and medical supplies.
Although these are minor expenses, they’re vital for immersion and survival—especially during long-distance or multi-leg expeditions.
Managing Your aUEC Wisely
While earning and spending aUEC can be exciting, players should also adopt good financial habits in-game to avoid unnecessary losses. Here are a few tips:
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Avoid buying everything at once. Test equipment before investing heavily.
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Watch the market. Prices for commodities can shift rapidly.
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Keep aUEC in reserve. Emergencies like ship destruction or prison time can be costly.
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Insurance doesn’t cover gear. Only ships and their stock loadouts are replaced.
Losing gear after death is still a real part of the alpha. Keep your best equipment in a safe location and only carry what you need.
Future of aUEC: What to Expect in the Persistent Universe
As Star Citizen moves closer to its Persistent Universe (PU) goals, the economic system will continue to evolve. Features on the roadmap include:
- Dynamic economy mechanics
- Player-driven marketplaces
- Guilds and organizations pooling resources
- Long-term asset ownership and degradation
Eventually, aUEC might be integrated with the final UEC structure or replaced altogether, but for now, it's the most tangible representation of your progress in the game world.
Conclusion
In the ever-expanding universe of Star Citizen, aUEC is more than just a currency—it’s the key to freedom, exploration, and adventure. Whether you're flying solo or part of a thriving org, understanding how to earn and spend your aUEC wisely makes the difference between scraping by and commanding your own fleet.
From the smallest gear purchase to massive multi-million-credit ships, every decision shapes your journey. The cosmos is vast, opportunities are endless, and your credits are your fuel for the stars.
So suit up, check your mobiGlas, and start earning. Your next great adventure awaits—funded by your hard-earned aUEC.
FAQs
What is the difference between aUEC and UEC?
aUEC is the in-game currency earned and spent in the alpha version of Star Citizen, while UEC is tied to your account and used for purchasing items via the RSI website.
Can I buy ships with aUEC in-game?
Yes, many ships are available for purchase with aUEC in-game at locations like New Deal (Lorville) and Astro Armada (Area18).
Does aUEC carry over between patches?
Generally, aUEC is wiped between major updates, although CIG occasionally allows it to persist. Always check patch notes before major updates.
Is aUEC affected by death or ship destruction?
aUEC itself is not lost, but any gear or items not insured can be lost upon death. Always store valuables safely.
What is the fastest way to earn aUEC?
Combat missions, trading, and mining offer some of the highest income opportunities, especially once you're familiar with game mechanics and routes.