Engineering Gameplay Guide

Engineering in Star Citizen is a core gameplay system focused on actively managing ship resources and internal systems through what RSI calls the Resource Network. This network allows every component and system in a ship to communicate and depend on each other. Engineering gameplay is the loop that controls this network—directing power, handling failures, and keeping the ship operational in real time.

As ships grow larger and crews increase, engineering becomes more complex, more important, and more immersive.

What Engineering Involves

Real-Time System Management

Engineering is not a passive background system. Players must monitor and react in real time, whether during combat, emergencies, or normal operation. Incorrect power distribution or stressed components can lead to system failures, relay blowouts, or cascading damage.

Power & Resource Balancing

A major part of engineering is constant power and resource management, including:

• Balancing power needs across ship systems
• Managing component wear and tear
• Controlling heat buildup
• Responding to shutdowns and system overloads

Engineers must route power where it’s needed and repair or replace components as they fail.

Real Damage & Failure Mechanics

Ships are affected by more than simple hit points. Engineering includes:

• Component damage and degradation
• Routine maintenance
• Fires
• Cascading system failures

These problems must be diagnosed and handled using tools and in-ship systems.

Tools, Interfaces & Preparation

Different ships will manage engineering in different ways:

• Large ships: Dedicated engineering stations, system presets, and internal monitoring tools
• Small ships: MFDs and hotkeys for system control

Engineers are expected to carry and manage supplies such as:

• Spare components
• Fuses
• Repair tools (e.g., multitool, Cambio SRT)
• RMC (Repair Material Composites)

Good preparation allows crews to fix more issues in the field instead of returning to a station.

Component Sizes & Repair Limits

Ship components come in Size 0 to Size 4:

• Size 0–2: Can be replaced while in flight
• Size 3–4: Require docking to replace
• All sizes: Can be repaired with the proper tools

This creates meaningful decisions between emergency fixes and full repairs.

Life Support & Tactical Engineering

Life support becomes an engineering tool, not just a passive system. Engineers will be able to:

• Maintain breathable environments
• Vent rooms to extinguish fires
• Potentially neutralize boarders without helmets by venting that area of the ship
• Replace filters as part of routine maintenance

This expands engineering into both survival and tactical gameplay.

Armor & Damage Layers

Armor will protect internal systems but can eventually fail. Engineers will be able to:

• Reinforce critical systems
• Allow nonessential areas to absorb more damage

This introduces defensive system prioritization as part of ship survival.

Notes / Tips

Engineering turns ships into living systems where power, heat, damage, and resources all matter in real time. Instead of only flying and shooting, players will need to:

• Distribute power across ship systems
• Repair and replace components during missions
• Manage emergencies like fires and cascading failures
• Balance short-term performance vs long-term survival
• Fill dedicated engineering roles on larger ships

This system is designed to make Star Citizen’s ship gameplay deeper, more cooperative, and more immersive.