Section 05
Which starter package should you buy?
There are eight game packages under $125 in the RSI store. Each comes with a different ship built for a different career. Here is the full comparison, plus a clear recommendation for most new players.
Not sure what you want to do yet? Get the Citizen Starter Pack at $45. It is the cheapest way in, with the Aurora Mk II and Lifetime Insurance. The full comparison below covers all eight packages if you already know your career.
What every package includes
Every game package in this list gives you the same base access:
- The Star Citizen digital download
- Full access to the live Persistent Universe alpha
- A starter ship with at least six months of hull insurance
- A self-land hangar to store your ship
- 10,000 starting UEC — the in-game currency you spend at shops and terminals
Some packages carry a Warbond price — a steeper discount available only when paying with real money. Store credit cannot be used for Warbond purchases. If you are buying fresh with no existing store credit, always check for a Warbond price first.
The recommendation for most new players
If you are not sure what you want to do yet: get the Citizen Starter Pack at $45.
It is the cheapest way into the game. It comes with the Aurora Mk II — a forgiving starter ship with Lifetime Insurance — plus a full armor set, an undersuit, and a weapon. That kit lets you play ground missions from your very first session. Learn the game first, then upgrade via a CCU later for the price difference.
Looking for a deal? The Generalist ‘DefenseCon’ Starter Pack is $51 at Warbond pricing (was $60).
Warbond means new money only — no store credit — but if you are buying fresh, that is a $60 pack for $51. The “Generalist” ship handles multiple roles rather than locking you into one career from day one. Worth grabbing while the Warbond price is active.
Already know your career? Get the role pack that matches it.
If you tried the Free Fly and found a gameplay loop you loved, the six role packs at $75–$125 give you a purpose-built ship from day one. They cost more, but you will not need to upgrade as quickly.
All eight packages at a glance
| Package | Ship | Price | Insurance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Starter | Aurora Mk II | $45 WB / $60 | Lifetime | Most new players ★ |
| Generalist ‘DefenseCon’ | Generalist ship | $51 WB / $60 | 6 months | Sale pick ★ |
| Salvager | RSI Salvation | $75 | 6 months | Salvagers |
| Miner | Drake Golem | $75 | 24 months | Miners |
| Duelist | Avenger Titan | $75 | 6 months | Combat + light cargo |
| Hauler | Crusader Intrepid | $80 | 6 months | Delivery + hauling |
| Outsider | Gatac Syulen | $85 | 6 months | Alien-tech fans |
| Privateer | Cutlass Black | $125 | 6 months | Combat + piracy |
WB = Warbond price (real money only — store credit not accepted). All prices in USD. ★ = recommended picks.
The role packs in detail
If you tried the Free Fly and found a loop you enjoyed, these six packs give you a purpose-built ship from day one. They cost more than the Citizen Starter, but you will not need to upgrade as quickly.
Miner Starter Pack — $75
Ship: Drake Golem · Insurance: 24 months · Starting money: 20,000 UEC
The Drake Golem is Drake’s dedicated solo mining ship — built to break ore in deep space and haul it back alone. This pack comes with twenty-four months of insurance, double the starting money of most other packs, a full mining-themed armor set, and a tractor beam tool. If mining is your career plan, nothing here needs to be bought separately.
Salvager Starter Pack — $75
Ship: RSI Salvation · Insurance: 6 months · Starting money: 10,000 UEC
The RSI Salvation — RSI’s purpose-built solo salvage ship — is designed to let a single pilot strip wrecked hulls for parts and materials. Salvage is a patient, methodical career. It requires no combat. It earns steady money from wreckage that other players fly past.
Duelist Starter Pack — $75
Ship: Aegis Avenger Titan · Insurance: 6 months · Starting money: 10,000 UEC
The Avenger Titan is a retired military ship re-fitted for civilian use, with its combat hold expanded for maximum cargo space. It handles delivery missions well and fights back when attacked. At the same price as the Salvager and Miner packs, the Titan is widely considered the best value ship at the $75 mark — versatile enough to try multiple careers before committing.
Hauler Starter Pack — $80
Ship: Crusader Intrepid · Insurance: 6 months · Starting money: 10,000 UEC
The Crusader Intrepid — a single-seat freighter by Crusader Industries — focuses on short-range hauling and courier work. Its two cargo holds can each be loaded from inside or outside the ship. It has a small visible footprint, which helps when navigating crowded landing zones. It also includes living quarters for longer trips.
Outsider Starter Pack — $85
Ship: Gatac Syulen · Insurance: 6 months · Starting money: 10,000 UEC
The Gatac Syulen is a Human-Xi’an hybrid ship — built using Xi’an design principles by Gatac Manufacture for Human pilots. It handles differently from every other ship in the store and introduces alien technology to a broader Human audience. If you want to fly something that looks and flies unlike anything else from day one, this is the only starter that delivers that.
Privateer Starter Pack — $125
Ship: Drake Cutlass Black · Insurance: 6 months · Starting money: 10,000 UEC
The Cutlass Black is Drake’s most well-known ship: fast, heavily armed for its size, and roomy enough to carry whatever you take from others. At $125 it is the most expensive starter pack by a wide margin. Only buy this if you are certain that combat and piracy is your path — the Avenger Titan does much of the same work for $50 less.
Which pack fits your plan?
| I have no idea yet | Citizen Starter Pack ($45) — cheapest entry, most bonus gear, best insurance |
| I want a deal right now | Generalist ‘DefenseCon’ ($51 Warbond) — $60 pack at a discount while Warbond pricing is active |
| I want to fight and fly | Duelist (Avenger Titan, $75) for value, or Privateer (Cutlass Black, $125) if budget is not a concern |
| I want to haul cargo | Hauler (Intrepid, $80) |
| I want to mine | Miner (Golem, $75) — the only dedicated mining starter in the store |
| I want to salvage wrecks | Salvager (RSI Salvation, $75) — the only dedicated salvage starter in the store |
| I want something alien and unique | Outsider (Syulen, $85) — Human-Xi’an hybrid tech, unlike anything else here |
What NOT to buy on day one
The RSI pledge store sells hundreds of ships at prices ranging from $50 to well over $1,000. Resist the temptation to spend more than you need to. Here is why:
- You do not yet know which career you will enjoy. Mining, hauling, combat, and salvage each need entirely different ships. Buy for the role you actually end up playing — not the one that looks good in a video.
- Many mid- and high-end ships need a crew to operate well. A solo player in an under-crewed large ship is often less effective than a solo player in a smaller, agile one.
- Ships can be bought in-game with earned aUEC. The in-game ship market gives access to most working ships without spending more real money.
- Standalone ship purchases do not include game access. Do not accidentally buy only a ship. Make sure your purchase is a full game package — or that you already own one.
Common questions
What is the best starter package?
For most new players, the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 — the cheapest way in, with the Aurora Mk II, Lifetime Insurance, and a full armor kit. Upgrade later via a CCU for the price difference.
How much does a starter package cost?
Packages start at $45, and all eight options in this guide are under $125. Check for a Warbond price if you are paying with new money — it is usually the better deal.
What does every package include?
The game download, full access to the live alpha, a starter ship with at least six months of hull insurance, a self-land hangar, and 10,000 starting UEC.
What does Warbond mean?
A discount that applies only when paying with real money — store credit cannot be used. Buying fresh? Always check for a Warbond version first.
Already enlisted? Join the DayOneCitizen Discord for starter help and ship advice.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every factual claim on this page is checked against official Cloud Imperium Games sources. Dates and figures are verified against the primary RSI blog post or support article linked below — not third-party trackers.
Star Citizen starter Game Packages begin at $45, with no subscription required to play.