Gameplay Basics
Master the fundamentals of Big Bang Smugglers.
Navigation
The Galaxy Map
- Sectors: Each sector is a distinct location in the galaxy
- Links: Lines between sectors show traversable routes
- Territories: Federation (blue), Pirate (red), Unincorporated (gray)
- Current location: Highlighted sector on the Nav screen
Moving Around
- Open the Nav screen
- Tap a connected sector to move there (costs 1 turn)
- Use your warp drive to jump directly to any previously visited sector
Each sector move costs 1 turn. Warp jumps cost turns based on distance. The Warp Optimizer tech upgrade reduces warp turn cost by 1.
Your Ship
Ship Stats
- Shields: Your primary defense in combat
- Fighters: Escort craft that contribute to combat power
- Torpedoes: Offensive weapons with high individual impact
- Cargo Holds: Maximum units you can carry
Ship Roles
Ships come in six roles across two faction lines:
- Trading / Smuggling: Maximum cargo capacity, 55% escape rating, light combat stats
- War / Raider: High fighters and torpedoes, 25% escape rating, minimal cargo
- Balanced / Corsair: Middle ground — Balanced ships have the highest shields, Corsairs have the highest escape rating
See Ships for the full catalog.
Maintenance
- Repair at any starport for full restoration at a credit cost (auto-repairs to 50% at daily reset)
- Restock torpedoes and fighters at any starport
- Refuel at any port
Credits & Economy
Credits are the universal currency. Earn them through:
- Trading: Buy commodities cheap, sell where prices are high
- Missions: Complete objectives at starports for credits and XP
- Combat: Loot credits and cargo from defeated ships
- Planets: Develop planets to produce commodities and earn passive income from Trading Posts
- Bounties: Collect player and faction bounty contracts
Spend credits on:
- Cargo: Trade goods to fill your holds
- Ships: Buy better vessels at starport ship sales terminals
- Upgrades: Permanent tech improvements at the Tech Hub
- Services: Repairs, restock, recruitment
Banking
Store credits at starport banks to protect them from combat loot. Credits in the bank cannot be taken by attackers.
- Deposit: Move credits from wallet to bank
- Withdraw: Move credits back into your wallet for spending
Factions
Federation
Safer space with regulated trade. Federation Starports offer the full range of services. Patrols enforce contraband laws. Alignment toward Federation unlocks Federation ship lines and better standing at Federation ports.
Pirate
Dangerous but high-margin. Black Markets and Pirate Bases operate outside Federation law. Pirate Starports have their own contract offices and services. Alignment toward Pirate unlocks Pirate ship lines and access to contraband systems.
Neutral / Unincorporated
Independent territory. Standard ports without faction alignment requirements. PvP can be active here if galaxy settings enable it. No patrol presence, moderate risk.
Alignment shifts gradually through play — trade in Federation space and run Federation missions to trend Federation; smuggle and fight in pirate territory to trend Pirate. Alignment affects pricing, NPC behavior, port access, and which ship lines you can buy from.
Corporations
Players can form corporations. Corps group players for social coordination, shared reputation, and co-management of planets. Corp membership and role appear on your profile and leaderboard card. Corp sizes scale dynamically with the galaxy’s player cap. See your corp from the Settings screen.
Tips
- Keep credits in the bank when you are done trading — they are safe from combat loot there
- Federation space is safer for new pilots; move outward as you grow
- Use the Warp drive to cover long routes efficiently once you have explored the sectors
- Upgrade cargo holds early — more holds means more profit per run at the same turn cost
- Check the Mission Board at every Starport visit; daily missions stack with whatever you are already doing