What Are Terrestrial Planets?
Terrestrial — or "rocky" — planets are the balanced all-rounders of Starforge MMO. With a standard breathable atmosphere, moderate gravity, and a temperate climate, they are the easiest worlds to settle and the backbone of nearly every successful empire's early game.
Known terrestrial worlds include Nova Terra, Redstone Prime, and Verdania. If you are a new commander deciding where to plant your first colony, a terrestrial world is almost always the correct answer.
Characteristics
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Standard (breathable) |
| Gravity | Moderate / Earth-like |
| Temperature | Temperate |
| Colonizable | Yes |
| Colonization difficulty | 1 (lowest in the game) |
| Rarity | Common |
Resource Bonuses
Terrestrial planets are generalists — they don't spike one resource through the roof, but they're the only common world that yields a strong, broad mix:
| Resource | Yield Multiplier | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | ×1.8 | Near-top metal yield — fuels all construction |
| Crystal | ×1.6 | Excellent crystal — shields, sensors, warp tech |
| Bio-Material | ×1.2 | Useful organic-research bonus |
That metal + crystal pairing is the holy grail for early expansion. Metal builds your ships, stations, and modules; crystal powers everything electronic. A terrestrial colony keeps both flowing without forcing you to split your empire across hostile worlds.
Colonization Strategy
Because terrestrial worlds carry colonization difficulty 1, they cost the least time, fuel, and defensive investment to settle. Prioritise them for your first two or three colonies.
Build order on a fresh terrestrial colony:
1. Metal Mine (×2) — concentrate upgrades on a pair of mines; the Base Yield × Tier^1.5 formula rewards depth over spread.
2. Crystal Synthesizer — your second economy pillar. Don't let crystal lag behind metal.
3. Storage Depot — a terrestrial world's high yields will cap your storage faster than you expect; upgrade it early or you bleed overflow.
4. Shipyard — terrestrial worlds make ideal forward production hubs because they can feed their own metal into hulls.
5. Defence Platform — common and valuable means contested. Don't leave a high-yield rocky world undefended.
Risks & Considerations
The terrestrial world's strength is also its weakness: everyone wants one. Their low colonization difficulty and broad yields make them the most fought-over real estate in any sector. Expect:
- ▸PvP pressure — rival alliances target undefended rocky colonies first.
- ▸Siege exposure — a productive terrestrial hub is a juicy raid target; pair it with a defence fleet.
- ▸No exotic resources — terrestrial worlds yield zero antimatter or dark matter. For late-game exotics you'll need gas giants, ice worlds, and anomaly sites.
FAQ
Are terrestrial planets good for mining?
Yes — they offer the best balanced yield in the game, with strong metal (×1.8) and crystal (×1.6) bonuses on a single, easily settled world. They're the top choice for early-game economy.
How many terrestrial planets are there?
Terrestrial worlds are a common type, so most sectors contain at least one. Catalogued named examples include Nova Terra, Redstone Prime, and Verdania.
What is the best planet type for beginners?
Terrestrial, without question — colonization difficulty 1 and a broad metal-plus-crystal yield make them the safest, most productive first colony.
See also: [Resource Mining Mastery](/guides/resource-mining-mastery) · [Gas Giant Planets Guide](/guides/gas-giant-planets-guide) · [Wiki: Planets](/wiki/planets) · [Wiki: Resources](/wiki/resources)