1. What Are Link Gates?
Link Gates are instant-transit portals between two locations. Place a pair of gates, power them, and anything that flies through Gate A emerges instantly at Gate B — regardless of distance. They're the backbone of multi-system mining empires.
Key stats: Range: Unlimited (any distance, any system) | Transit time: Instant | Power draw: 100 MW per gate pair | Build cost: 20,000 credits per gate (40,000 per pair) | Mass: 15t per gate
2. How to Unlock & Build
- Research Link Gate Technology — 4,000 RP (mid tech tree, after Drill Nodes and Hauler AI)
- Build two Link Gates at a Shipyard (20,000 each)
- Transport each gate to its destination in a cargo ship (each gate takes 15 cargo space)
- Deploy Gate A at location 1, Gate B at location 2
- Power both gates (each draws 50 MW — a Small Reactor's worth)
- Link the gates via the Gate Console (right-click either gate → "Link to Gate B")
- Fly through — instant transit
💡 Gate Pairing
Each gate can link to exactly ONE other gate. For a hub-and-spoke network (1 central station → 3 mining outposts), you need 6 gates (3 pairs). Plan your network before building.
3. Gate Network Design
Hub-and-Spoke (Recommended): Your main refinery station is the hub. Each mining outpost has a gate linked directly to the hub. Pros: Simple, direct routes. Cons: Each outpost needs its own gate pair.
Daisy Chain: Station → Outpost A → Outpost B → Outpost C. Pros: Fewer gates. Cons: If one gate goes down, everything downstream is cut off. Not recommended for critical infrastructure.
Full Mesh: Every station linked to every other station. Pros: Maximum redundancy. Cons: Extremely expensive (6 stations = 30 gate pairs = 600,000 credits). End-game only.
4. Multi-System Logistics
With Link Gates, your logistics change fundamentally:
- Haulers don't need long-range engines — they just fly through the gate. Strip heavy engines, add more cargo
- Mining outposts can be in the most dangerous systems — the gate provides instant escape. Place outposts in high-value anomaly zones and gate the ore back to safe space
- Defense fleet can respond instantly — keep your combat fleet at the hub. When any outpost is attacked, your fleet gates in within seconds
- Trade becomes instant — place a gate near Reclamation 9. Your trade ships make the station-to-market run in 30 seconds instead of 15 minutes
5. Expansion Strategy
- Scout first: Send a fast ship to explore the second system. Mark rich asteroid belts and anomaly zones
- Deploy defense first: Before placing a gate in a new system, clear the immediate area of hostiles and deploy a defense platform near the planned gate location
- Gate in infrastructure: Once the gate is active, haul pre-built Drill Nodes, a small refinery, and cargo depot through in one trip
- Automate immediately: Set up the Drill Node → Hauler → Gate → Hub Refinery chain before you leave the system
- Repeat: Each new system adds 30-50,000 credits/hour in passive income when fully set up
Related: Hauler Logistics · Progression Roadmap · Research & Tech Tree