If you are fascinated by space adventures, trading, and role-playing games, Star Traders: Frontiers is one of the most engaging choices you can make. This indie gem by Trese Brothers has won the hearts of players who enjoy open-world exploration, tactical combat, and strategic decision-making. But with such a huge galaxy full of options, newcomers often feel overwhelmed. That’s why this Star Traders Frontiers Guide is designed to help you understand everything—from starting out as a rookie captain to becoming a legend across the stars.
Introduction to Star Traders Frontiers
Star Traders: Frontiers is a turn-based, open-world RPG set in a dynamic universe filled with trading, piracy, exploration, political factions, and epic storytelling. You take the role of a starship captain, where every decision affects your crew, your ship, and your legacy.
What makes this game unique is its sandbox nature. There is no single way to win; instead, you can choose your own destiny:
- Become a merchant and build wealth.
- Turn into a pirate, raiding ships and spreading fear.
- Serve as a bounty hunter, tracking criminals for money.
- Act as an explorer, charting unknown planets.
- Or mix different playstyles to create your own story.
Choosing Your Captain and Background
At the start, you create your captain, which defines your initial skills, crew, and resources. This is one of the most important decisions in the game.
- Captain’s Profession – You can pick from various starting roles such as Smuggler, Explorer, Merchant, Pirate, Spy, Diplomat, or Bounty Hunter. Each has unique bonuses.
- Background Story – Determines your personal traits, such as combat strength, negotiation skills, or exploration knowledge.
- Difficulty Settings – Higher difficulties bring permanent death for crew, stronger enemies, and more complex challenges. Beginners should start with Basic or Normal mode before moving up.
💡 Tip: If you’re new, start with a Merchant or Explorer. These roles allow safer playstyles and help you learn trading and navigation before diving into dangerous combat.
Understanding the Galaxy Map
The galaxy is divided into multiple quadrants, each with planets, starports, and factions. The map is procedurally generated, meaning every playthrough feels different.
Key map elements:
- Factions – Powerful political groups like the Thulun, De Valtos, Steel Song, Javat, and others. Your reputation with them affects missions, trade, and combat.
- Starports – Essential for trading, repairing, and recruiting crew.
- Wild Zones – Dangerous unexplored regions filled with hostile ships and aliens.
- Trade Routes – Profitable paths between factions where goods can be bought low and sold high.
💡 Tip: Always study the map before traveling. Long journeys without fuel (Hyperwarp fuel) can strand you in deep space.
Managing Your Ship
Your starship is your lifeline. In Star Traders: Frontiers, you can customize, upgrade, and expand your ship according to your playstyle.
- Ship Types – Start with a small ship, but later you can acquire large ones designed for trading, combat, or exploration.
- Ship Upgrades – Install better weapons, engines, armor, and crew quarters.
- Crew Management – Every crew member has a profession such as pilot, gunner, doctor, mechanic, or officer. Keeping them happy and healthy is essential.
- Fuel & Supplies – Running out means disaster. Always monitor your ship’s fuel (hyperwarp) and food supplies.
💡 Tip: Don’t rush into buying the biggest ship. Larger ships cost more in upkeep. Focus on balanced upgrades that match your chosen profession.
Crew and Officers
Your crew isn’t just for show—they make or break your journey. Each crew member has skills, morale, and loyalty levels.
- Professions – Examples include Pilot (ship handling), Navigator (map efficiency), Doctor (crew health), Gunner (combat), and Spy (intel gathering).
- Officers – Special crew who provide leadership. They can be promoted from crew or recruited at starports. Officers have unique talents that influence missions.
- Morale & Mutiny – Crew morale drops if you don’t pay them, lose battles, or fail to provide food. Low morale can lead to mutiny.
💡 Tip: Always pay wages on time and give shore leave when possible. A happy crew is a loyal crew.
Trading and Economy
Trading is one of the most profitable and beginner-friendly activities. Each faction produces unique goods, and prices fluctuate across the galaxy.
- Buy Low, Sell High – Core rule of trading. For example, buy Ore from mining worlds and sell it to industrial factions.
- Black Market – Offers illegal goods like weapons and narcotics. Profitable, but risky if you’re caught.
- Trade Permits – Gained from factions, allowing you to legally trade restricted items.
- Rumors & Events – Random events like famine or war can drastically increase the value of certain goods.
💡 Tip: Keep an eye on rumors. Selling food during famine or medicine during a plague can make you rich.
Combat System
Star Traders: Frontiers features ship-to-ship combat as well as crew combat.
- Ship Combat – Involves managing range, weapons, and ship positioning. Close range favors boarding actions, while long range benefits missile ships.
- Boarding Combat – If you choose to board, your crew fights enemy crew in turn-based battles. Professions like swordsman and combat medic shine here.
- Victory Rewards – Winning battles allows you to loot ships, capture prisoners, or destroy enemies.
💡 Tip: Don’t pick unnecessary fights early in the game. Build up your ship and crew first.
Factions and Politics
The galaxy is ruled by competing factions, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and political agendas.
- Reputation – Affects missions, trading opportunities, and how NPCs treat you.
- Alliances & Wars – Factions can go to war or form alliances. This changes the galaxy economy and travel safety.
- Missions – Offered by factions. Completing them improves reputation and rewards you with credits or gear.
💡 Tip: Avoid angering too many factions at once. Building alliances early makes travel and trading much easier.
Exploration and Rumors
Exploration is risky but rewarding. Venturing into uncharted planets can give rare resources, artifacts, or alien encounters.
- Exploration Gear – Better equipment improves chances of survival.
- Alien Encounters – Extremely dangerous but high-reward if you succeed.
- Rumors – Guide you toward profitable exploration sites or warn you about dangers.
💡 Tip: Don’t explore deep space without a skilled crew. At least one explorer, doctor, and mechanic should be part of your team.
Tips for Beginners
- Start small – Focus on one role (trader, explorer, etc.) before mixing playstyles.
- Save often – The game can be brutal. Regular saves protect progress.
- Upgrade smartly – Balance ship upgrades; don’t overspend on weapons too early.
- Watch morale – Crew loyalty is as important as firepower.
- Adapt – The universe is dynamic. Rumors, wars, and events constantly change opportunities.
Advanced Strategies
- Dual Careers – Combine trading with bounty hunting for balanced income.
- Smuggling Routes – Use stealth and spies to move illegal cargo profitably.
- Officer Development – Invest in officers’ talents for long-term advantages.
- Faction Manipulation – Play politics by supporting one faction while sabotaging another.
Conclusion
Star Traders: Frontiers is not just a game—it’s a galactic role-playing experience where every decision shapes your story. Whether you dream of becoming a legendary trader, feared pirate, or respected diplomat, the galaxy is yours to explore.
With this comprehensive Star Traders Frontiers guide, you now have the knowledge to start strong, avoid common mistakes, and gradually master the deep systems the game offers. Remember, no two journeys are the same—your story will always be unique.
