Space is not a separate mode. It is your second economy. Every expedition should have a purpose: materials, recruits, mission progress, or a safer route into the next sector.
Before launch
- Stock healing and ammo.
- Bring a balanced squad.
- Check which resources are worth carrying back.
- Return early if the run stops scaling.
Expedition purpose
Pick one purpose before launching. A run built for materials should not suddenly become a boss push, and a run built for mission progress should not waste time clearing every low-value node.
In orbit
Stay greedy only when the route is already winning. If the sector starts punishing you, leave with gains instead of losing the whole run.
Return signals
- Supplies are low.
- Your squad is no longer clearing safely.
- The next node does not help the current objective.
- You already have enough materials for the next colony upgrade.
After landing
Spend the returns immediately. Queue research, repair bottlenecks, and improve the one system that slowed the expedition down the most.