Star Citizen gives players access to a massive roster of ships and ground vehicles to traverse the system of Stanton. There are numerous ways to gain access to these ships, but the game doesn't always make it clear how to purchase each brand of ship and where to do so. This guide will give players a better idea of how this system works and when they may want to invest in a new vehicle.
Where To Buy Ships
There are a few locations to purchase new ships and vehicles in Star Citizen. Each planet, excluding microTech, features its own dedicated shop to buy the essential ships found within the game.
Area 18 (ArcCorp) - Astro Armada
Astro Armada is found within the city of Area 18 in ArcCorp. This location sells "new ships" in the Star Citizen universe. This doesn't necessarily mean the newest ships released by the developers but rather new ships found within Star Citizen's timeline. These include ships from Origin, such as the 300i and 600i.
Unfortunately, the selection here is slightly lacking as some fan favorites cannot be found. Players will have to travel to one of the other locations for more variety. However, if players are looking to obtain the Greycat PTV ground vehicle, this can be found in Astro Armada's inventory.
Lorville (Hurston) - New Deal
New Deal is located inside the spaceport, making the purchase of new ships very easy and efficient. Whether this is the player's home or they're simply visiting this planet, it's a great idea to swing by New Deal; players may find something within their budget and make a quick purchase for a new experience.
Lore-wise, New Deal sells already used ships and second-hand stock, which explains the wide range and variety of ships available. Although this doesn't make a difference to the player's purchase, it's a cool addition that adds depth to Star Citizen's universe and the Stanton System. By visiting each ship in the open showroom, players can inspect and even enter some ships to view the interior before making a purchase. Alternatively, head to the interactive terminal found within the store itself for a full list of vehicles available.
Whether it's an RSI, Drake, or Aegis ship, players will have no trouble finding their next home away from home at New Deal.
Orison (Crusader) - Crusader Industries Showroom
The final place for players to purchase a new ship is in the Crusader Industries Showroom. As expected, this can be found within Orison - the main city on the planet Crusader - and will sell Crusader-branded ships such as the Mercury Star Runner and C2 Starlifter cargo ship.
For those that call Orison their home, the showroom is relatively easy to access; however, for players who live outside of Crusader, they will have to make the trip into the gas giant's atmosphere to make a purchase. This may seem like a long journey to some, but with the addition of new activities within Orison in patch 3.18, players will have more than one reason to visit this location.
Star Citizen Pledge Store
Alternatively, players can purchase ships in the game with real money/currency. Head over to the RSI pledge store found on the Star Citizen website and browse the almost endless list of ships available. It's likely players are already familiar with this site as this is where they will have purchased a starter bundle to begin playing Star Citizen.
The advantage to purchasing ships here comes at the start of each update. If players have purchased ships with real money, they will keep them at the start of every new patch. However, if ships are purchased with in-game money, they will be removed along with any upgrades.
When To Buy a New Ship
Players may be wondering when it is best to buy a new ship. Players who are still with a singular ship may want to diversify their arsenal and invest in a spacecraft capable of more than just the basic missions and tasks available in the Stanton System.
If players already have access to a range of ships, they may want to look to a new purchase to fill a very niche need, like the luxurious Origin 890 Jump or a specialized modular cargo ship such as the Drake Caterpillar. Really it comes down to each individual and the experience they wish to have within this amazing simulated universe.
Star Citizen is available on PC.