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1. The Logistics Chain
Your automated economy runs on a simple chain: Drill Node (extracts ore) → Hauler (transports) → Refinery (processes) → Cargo Depot (stores) → Trade Ship (sells). Each link must work for the chain to function. If any link breaks, ore piles up and income stops.
2. Hauler Ship Design Principles
- Cargo > everything: A hauler's job is volume. Every non-cargo module reduces profit per trip
- PD turret only: Haulers don't fight. One PD turret for drone defense is all you need
- Retro thrusters mandatory: A loaded hauler is heavy. Without retros, stopping distance is absurd
- Fuel efficiency matters: Haulers run constantly. Choose fuel-efficient engines over speed
- Hauler AI module required: Without it, you must manually control every trip
Standard Hauler Builds
| Tier | Cargo Capacity | Mass | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light (Mule) | ~100 units | 30t | ~13k | Servicing 2-3 Drill Nodes |
| Medium | ~250 units | 55t | ~30k | Servicing 5-8 Nodes |
| Heavy | ~600 units | 100t | ~65k | Multi-system bulk transport |
3. Setting Up Routes
With the Hauler AI module installed:
- Open the ship's AI console (right-click the ship in the fleet menu)
- Select "Create Route"
- Set Pickup Point: Your Drill Node cluster (select all Nodes in range)
- Set Drop-off Point: Your Refinery Station
- Set Departure Trigger: "When cargo ≥ 70%" (not 100% — avoids idle time)
- Set Emergency Behavior: "Flee to nearest station if attacked"
- Activate route — the hauler now runs autonomously
4. Fleet Coordination
As you scale, multiple haulers need coordination to avoid congestion:
- Stagger departure times: If you have 3 haulers on the same route, offset their triggers so they don't all arrive simultaneously
- Dedicated vs shared routes: Dedicated (1 hauler per Node cluster) is simpler. Shared (haulers service any full Node) is more efficient but requires AI Optimization research
- Priority cargo: Set rare earth Nodes to high priority. Haulers will service them first
- Spare hauler: Keep one hauler in reserve. If a hauler gets destroyed, deploy the spare immediately to prevent ore pileup
5. Route Optimization
- Shortest path isn't always best: A route through an asteroid field slows haulers by 40%. Plot routes through open space
- Avoid hostile zones: Even with "flee" behavior, a hauler passing through a red zone takes damage. Plot around danger
- Intermediate depots: For very long routes (>20km), place a cargo depot midway. Hauler A runs Nodes → Depot. Hauler B runs Depot → Refinery. Two short trips beat one long one
- Fuel stations: Place a fuel depot near your mining cluster. Haulers refuel while loading — zero downtime
6. Common Problems & Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hauler idle at full Node | Cargo trigger set too high (100%) | Set trigger to 70% |
| Hauler destroyed en route | Route passes through hostile zone | Re-plot route around danger; add combat escort |
| Multiple haulers bunching up | No stagger on triggers | Offset departure triggers by 30 seconds each |
| Hauler stuck "calculating route" | Obstacle blocking path | Clear debris or re-plot manually |
| Node cargo overflowing | Not enough haulers | Add hauler or upgrade to Medium |
Related: Drill Nodes · Trading Routes · Link Gates