Overview
Your first fleet should not specialise — it should survive and teach you the game. This balanced starter mines a little, fights a little, and hauls a little, so you learn every system without betting your whole economy on one role.
Everything here is cheap, forgiving, and easy to replace. Once you know which part of the game you enjoy, graduate to a focused build like Attack, Mining, or Trade.
Ships
Balanced workhorse — your first real combat hull.
Funds your fleet while you learn.
Moves resources and early trade goods.
Modules by Slot
| Slot | Module | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Kinetic Laser I | Reliable, cheap starter weapon. |
| Defense | Shield Generator I | Basic protection while you learn to fight. |
| Utility | Mining Laser II | Early income from asteroid belts. |
| Utility | Cargo Expander I | Fewer trips hauling resources home. |
Commander
Voss is the Federation's well-rounded starting admiral — solid bonuses across combat and command without demanding you commit to a single playstyle before you know the game.
Required Technologies
- Improved Extraction
- Kinetic Weapons I
- Basic Shielding
How to Play This Build
- 1
Mine to fund
Run the miners in safe space first. Resources unlock everything else.
- 2
Learn combat on weak targets
Use the frigates against pirates and NPCs to learn mechanics with low stakes.
- 3
Haul and trade
Move surplus to nearby markets to learn the economy without large risk.
- 4
Specialise next
Once you know what you enjoy, reinvest into a focused build instead of spreading thin.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Forgiving and cheap
- +Teaches every core system
- +Hard to lose everything at once
Weaknesses
- −Master of none
- −Outclassed by any focused fleet
- −Not competitive past the early game
Hard Counters
- ⚠Any specialised PvP fleet
- ⚠Dedicated gankers targeting new players (use Newbie Protection)
Budget Alternative
This is already the budget build. If even this is a stretch, start with a single Frigate Mk.I and one Miner Mk.I, then expand as resources allow.
FAQ
What should my first fleet be?
A balanced starter that mines, fights, and hauls a little. It teaches every core system cheaply so you can discover what you enjoy before committing to a focused build.
When should I specialise?
Once you know which playstyle you prefer — combat, economy, or exploration — reinvest into a focused build like Attack, Mining, or Trade rather than spreading across every role.