Star Citizen Ship Equipment Guide (2026)

Every ship in Star Citizen is made up of interchangeable parts. The stock components that come with a ship are fine to start with, but swapping them out lets you tune the ship for combat, stealth, cargo hauling, or long-range exploration. This guide covers what each component type does and which choices matter most for new players.

Power plants

The power plant generates electricity for everything else on your ship — weapons, shields, engines, and all other systems. If your power plant cannot supply enough electricity, some systems will throttle down or shut off.

Components come in three grades. Grade determines the trade-off between raw power output and how easily enemy scanners can detect you:

• Grade A: Highest power output. Runs all weapons, shields, and engines simultaneously at peak. Emits a strong EM (electromagnetic) signal — easier to detect on radar. Best for combat.
• Grade B: Balanced power and EM signal. This is the default on most ships as they come from the manufacturer.
• Grade C: Lowest power output and the lowest EM signal. Used in stealth builds where staying off radar matters more than peak performance.

Coolers

Running your ship at full power generates heat. The cooler dissipates that heat. If heat builds up faster than the cooler can handle it, components start throttling or shutting down.

• Industrial cooler: High cooling capacity at the cost of higher power draw. For ships that run hot under sustained fire.
• Stealth cooler: Lower cooling capacity but minimal IR (infrared) signal. Pairs with Grade C power plants for stealth builds.
• Performance cooler: A balance of cooling and power draw. Good default for most non-stealth ships.

Quantum drives

The quantum drive powers quantum travelQuantum TravelFaster-than-light travel between points in a star system. Your ship's quantum drive eats fuel and takes time, but it's how you cross planets and moons. — the faster-than-light mode you use to cross large distances between planets and stations. Two stats matter most: spool time (how long before you can jump) and fuel efficiency (how far per tank).

• Military drive: Fastest spool time. Best for quick escapes or routes where combat is likely.
• Civilian drive: Balanced spool time and fuel efficiency. Good all-purpose choice.
• Industrial drive: Slowest spool but highest fuel efficiency. Best for long-haul cargoCargoBuying goods cheap at one station and selling them high at another. The classic trader loop. Hangar size and SCU capacity are your limits. runs or deep exploration.

Shields

Shields protect your hull from damage. Most ships have a multi-face shield — you can reinforce specific sides (front, rear, left, right) by redirecting shield power through the shield management display in the cockpit. Smaller ships often have a single-face shield that distributes protection evenly.

• Military shields: Highest total hit points, slower recharge rate. Good for absorbing sustained fire in a prolonged fight.
• Civilian shields: Balanced hit points and recharge. Solid default for most roles.
• Stealth shields: Lower hit points but faster recharge and minimal EM output. Pairs with stealth builds.

Ship weapons

Ship weapons fall into two categories. The choice between them depends on whether you are trying to destroy shields quickly or punch through to the hull underneath.

Ballistic weapons

• Use physical ammunition. You will run out eventually during a long fight.
• Partially bypass shields — they deal some direct hull damage even through an active shield.
• Higher damage per hit than equivalent energy weapons.

Energy weapons

• Use power from the ship's power plant. No ammunition to run out of.
• Must fully deplete shields before dealing hull damage.
• High shield damage per second — excellent for stripping shields quickly.
• Generate heat during sustained fire, which stresses your cooler.

The power triangle

In the cockpit, you have access to a power distribution display — often called the power triangle. It lets you redirect power between three systems during flight:

• Weapons: More power increases fire rate and charge speed for energy weapons.
• Shields: More power speeds up how fast your shields recharge.
• Engines: More power increases your top speed.

Shifting power dynamically during a fight gives experienced pilots an edge. When chasing an enemy, push power to engines. When being fired on, push it to shields. When you have a clear shot, push it to weapons.

How to swap ship components

1. Buy replacement components at an equipment shop. Dumper's Depot (most orbital stations) is the easiest to reach. Omega Pro in New Babbage and Apocalypse Arms in Area18 have better selection.
2. Go to an ASOP terminalASOPAutomated Ship Operations and Placement — the in-game terminal where you retrieve, store, or insurance-claim your ships. Pronounced "A-sop." in a spaceport or access the ship's loadout panel while on board.
3. Open the loadout screen and drag the new component into the correct slot.
4. Confirm the change. Components must match the size rating of the slot they go in — you cannot put a size three component in a size one slot.

Common questions