Space Haven Beginner Guide

The First Hours

Walkthrough

1Build Your First Ship

Start small with a basic 8x6 hull. Prioritize these modules in order: 1) Oxygen Generator, 2) Power Node, 3) Basic Hull Stabilizer, 4) Algae Dispenser (food). Do not expand your ship until you have stable oxygen and power. A cramped but functional ship beats a spacious coffin.

2Crew Management Basics

Each crew member has unique skills and needs. Assign your best Builder to construction tasks and your highest Bravery crew to security. Schedule 2 hours of free time daily to maintain morale. A crew with low morale works 30% slower and may refuse orders.

3Resource Priorities

Energium Crystals are the most critical mid-game resource — they fuel hyperdrive and advanced systems. Steel Plates and Circuit Boards are your construction foundation. Never let CO2 scrubbers or water run out — both are instant game-overs if neglected.

4Ship Layout Fundamentals

Place power generators in the center with ring-based wiring for redundancy. Life support and med bays go near crew quarters. Keep industrial facilities at the rear near cargo bays. Leave 2-tile expansion corridors between every functional zone for future upgrades.

5First Trade Run

Once you have a stable ship with surplus food and water, dock at the nearest station. Sell raw materials for credits, then buy advanced components (Circuit Boards, Energium). Always compare prices across 2-3 stations — margins can be 40% or more.

6Combat Readiness

Do not fight pirates before you have shields and at least 2 weapon turrets. A single hull breach can cascade into total ship destruction in under 30 seconds. Keep your security crew armed and assigned to combat stations at all times.

FAQ

Common questions

What should I build first on a new ship?

Oxygen Generator, then Power Node, then Basic Hull Stabilizer, then an Algae Dispenser for food. Stabilize the core life-support loop before adding any luxury or production module — an unstable hull makes every later upgrade riskier.

Why is my crew working so slowly?

Low morale is the usual culprit. Crew with low morale work roughly 30% slower and can refuse orders. Schedule about 2 hours of free time daily, assign roles to match skills (Builders to construction, high-Bravery to security), and keep med bays near quarters.

When is it safe to fight pirates?

Not before you have shields and at least 2 weapon turrets. A single hull breach can cascade into total ship destruction in under 30 seconds, so keep your security crew armed and assigned to combat stations at all times.

Crew Skill Priorities

Assign by skill

Your first 4-6 crew must be generalists, but knowing which skill drives which job stops the usual bottleneck: a ship where everyone is "sort of" useful but nobody is trained. Match the job to the skill below and let practice raise the level naturally.

Skill	Best Jobs	Priority
Industry	Assembler operator, ore processor, hull repair, construction	High — all crafting and building
Science	Research lab, medical bay, navigator console	High — gates tech unlocks
Construction	Building rooms, installing devices, hull expansion	High — keep 2 builders
Mining	Asteroids, resource extraction, salvage	High — early resources
Medical	Medical bay, treating wounded, surgery	Medium-High — critical after combat
Botany	Grow beds, food production, algae farms	Medium — food sustainability
Combat	Boarding, ship defense, security patrols	Medium — useless in peace
Piloting	Helm, navigation, docking	Low-Medium — one pilot per shift

Morale Factor Cheat Sheet

Fix the real cause

When the crew slumps, do not guess — check which specific factor is draining them. Hunger and exhaustion are the two fastest killers of work speed; comfort and social time are the slow rebuilders. Treat the exact row that is red.

Factor	Effect	How to Improve
Hunger	30% slower when hungry, refuses when starving	Stock food dispenser with cooked meals (2 meals/day)
Sleep Deprivation	Work speed drops 50% when tired	Enough sleep time; comfortable beds
Comfort	Recover morale 25% faster when comfortable	Arcade, window, bookshelf, chess table
Social Interaction	Isolated crew depressed, 20% slower	Common rooms; 2h free time with others
Injury	Cannot work, drains medical supplies	Assign to med bay immediately
Workload Stress	Burnout, may refuse duties	Shifts of 8-10h maximum
Environment	Cold −10%, hot −15% morale	Thermal regulators at 20-25°C
Death of Crewmate	Massive morale penalty	Memorial service; extra free time (3-5 days)