The Salvage Guide (What we know so far)
(This guide is still very much a work in progress best to be ignored for now, due to the turbulent nature of game development Salvage mechanics are likely to change quite a bit as we near the PU, however I'll do my best to keep things current! )
This thread is dedicated to collecting and organizing solid information regarding Salvage, with an emphasis on quotes and facts over speculation. It is intended as a resource in educating new Citizens and prospecting salvagers alike. Any input is welcome - discussion, correction, new or overlooked information. As usual please include a direct link for any new information.
Congratulations!
So you've completed your tour with the legendary 42nd squadron, climbed the ranks and hopefully earned your UEE citizenship. You find yourself plopped down on [REDACTED] with some extra credits and the desire to pursue a career in the verse. For whatever reason you've settled on the world of salvaging, a trade regarded by some as a simple janitorial service to space. Fear not though, collecting trash will be the least of your worries.
Salvage - What can I expect?
Sadly, the devs haven’t given us much information describing the actual nuts and bolts of how salvaging will work. Most of the information is fairly dated, but it’s all we’ve got to go on right now. The initial Salvage Mechanic description is most of what we know so far:
"Salvage isn’t an aside: it’s a career, with its own mechanic, story tie-ins and universe-shaping endgames. Search the galaxy for a host of valuable and interesting secrets using both the flight and FPS components. Discover the secrets of the ancient Hadesians, locate valuable components and cargo… or go down in history as the first to make contact with an entirely new alien race!"
(Source)
What can I find?
As a salvager, you can go from picking over humble hulks of scrap to uncovering wrecked alien crafts and ancient treasures! There are plenty of things for you to discover in the verse. Of course there will be plenty of ships to salvage after a large battle between factions. One or two may even still be intact enough to repair!
Derelict ships
These will most likely be the bread and butter of your operations, it is salvage after all. In your journey across the verse you are bound to eventually come across the remnants of another craft. These will exist in a myriad of states, sizes and origins such as...
Alien Wrecks
(Source)
Carriers
(Source)
Human Wrecks (Of course)
Be warned though, the odds of finding a vessel intact enough to reuse will be against you.
(Source)
Those that are may still be home to hidden dangers.
(Source)
Even once these dangers are overcome, it will be difficult to bring them back online.
(Source)
With that said, perseverance will pay off, so keep your eyes peeled and your rifle close.
Treasure
Ranging from system wide hunts for "Grails" to ancient relics and common oddities, space offers countless opportunities to turn a profit during your travels.
(Source) (Source) (Source)
Ships of Salvage
Any ship with surplus storage and the ability to mount a tractor beam can engage in salvage, some will be more suitable than others however. Here are the most notable salvage-oriented ships that we know of so far:
Reclaimer
The Reclaimer (formerly Surveyor), from noted military contractor Aegis, is an industrial-quality salvage ship. Equipped with a reinforced cargo bay, a long-range jump drive and launch pods for Surveyor-class drones designed to seek out valuable items in the distant depths; The Reclaimer is an ideal ship for taking advantage of deep space wrecks. Tractor beams, floodlights, scanner options and docking ports round out the tool chest on this capable, utilitarian spacecraft. Additionally, it includes a manned cutter which may be deployed for EVA/recovery operations.
(Source) (Source)
Caterpillar
Designed for supporting pirate operations, the Caterpillar features a large cargo hold for carrying loot, heavier armor than other freighters in its class and room for five crew able to serve in boarding operations. Despite its heavier armor, the Caterpillar isn’t a bulldog… a successful operation will require a fighter escort.
(Source)
A salvage oriented variant is in the works, but no further details have been released yet.
(Source)
Constellation
"The Constellation should be a great platform for EVA salvage: plenty of internally accessible cargo space and a working airlock. Plus, the P-52 can be swapped out for a salvage support vehicle. (Think the platforms deep sea divers use to carry their tools and loot.) What it will not do so well is mass salvage, like the Reclaimer. (You can fill the hold with scrap metal, for sure, but you'll need to install a tractor beam to do it. Or EVA out to collect)"
(Source)
Cutlass
Drake Interplanetary claims that the Cutlass Black is a low-cost, easy-to-maintain solution for local in-system militia units. The larger-than-average cargo hold, RIO seat and dedicated tractor mount are, the company literature insists, for facilitating search and rescue operations.
(Source)
Locating Your Prize
Before you can bring any loot home, you’re going to have to find out where it is first. To do this, you’ll need a location to search and a scanner to narrow it down.
Resource locations can purchased.
(Source)
Presumably, even if you buy the resource location you will still need the correct sensor suite equipped when you get there to identify the exact spot and exploit it. While a derelict ship should be obvious on radar, identifying a titanium deposit in an asteroid likely requires a resource focused array.
CIG has separated positional data and informational data out into two distinct parts. Positional data comes from radar, and informational data comes from the sensor suite
Informational sensor suites cover areas like combat status (shield/weapons/subsystems), cargo scanning, and jump point scanning. (Source)
No single ship can equip every sensor suite at once, however sensor data can be shared between ships. (Source)
See Adrian's Exploration guide for an in-depth look at sensor mechanics.
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