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An Idiot's Guide to SE
By Astr0Mutt
This Steam guide provides a concise introduction to Space Engineers for new players. It covers essential survival aspects like managing oxygen and power, gathering resources, and basic construction of both bases and ships.

The guide emphasizes key starting steps, using your survival pod and understanding your terminal. It explains the importance of airtight spaces, different power sources, and the role of refiners and assemblers in crafting.

Common pitfalls like running out of oxygen or power, forgetting to weld blocks, and falling hazards are highlighted. The guide encourages exploration, experimentation, and utilizing online resources like the Space Engineers wiki for further learning. It's a great starting point for anyone looking to survive and thrive in the game's challenging environment.
   
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Created by
Astr0Mutt
Online
Category: Gameplay Basics
Languages: English
Posted
8 Jan @ 12:31pm
337 Unique Visitors
6 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Space Engineers: A Beginner's Guide to Survival (and Not Exploding) 
1. Starting with the Basics: Your First Steps 
2. Life Support 101: Don't Suffocate! 
3. Power Up: Energy is Key 
4. Resource Gathering: From Stone to Spaceships 
5. Building Your First Base 
6. Basic Ship Building 
7. Avoiding Common Mistakes 
8. Next Steps 
Comments
Space Engineers: A Beginner's Guide to Survival (and Not Exploding)
Welcome, Engineer!
So you've just bought Space Engineers and you're ready to conquer the galaxy, build amazing spaceships, and mine asteroids until your inventory is overflowing with precious resources. But where do you even begin? This guide will give you the basics to survive your first hours in space, avoid common pitfalls, and set you on the path to becoming a master engineer.
1. Starting with the Basics: Your First Steps
When you start a new game, you'll find yourself in a survival pod with limited resources. This is your initial lifeline. Here's what you need to do:
  • Check your surroundings: Are you on a planet, in space, or near an asteroid? This will influence your immediate priorities.
  • Access your Terminal (K): This is your control panel for everything from inventory management to ship building.
  • Grab your Welder and Grinder: These are your primary tools for building and salvaging.
2. Life Support 101: Don't Suffocate!
Oxygen is kind of important in space. Here's how to make sure you keep breathing:

  • Oxygen Bottles: Your suit has a limited supply. Keep an eye on the oxygen level.
  • Oxygen Generators: These need ice to function. Find ice deposits on planets or asteroids.
  • Build an airtight space: Use blocks to create an enclosed area where you can safely remove your helmet (to open/close helmet press J).
3. Power Up: Energy is Key
Almost everything in Space Engineers requires power.

  • Batteries: Your suit and starting equipment have batteries, but they'll run out. Sitting in a chair connected to a base/ship will restore your suits power.
  • Reactors: These provide a more permanent power solution. You'll need uranium to fuel them.
  • Solar Panels: A renewable energy source, but less effective in the shade or at night.
  • Wind Turbines: Another renewable energy source, but will need a consistent source of wind to generate power.
4. Resource Gathering: From Stone to Spaceships
  • Hand Drill: Your basic tool for mining ore.
  • Refineries: Process raw ore into usable ingots like iron, nickel, and cobalt.
  • Assemblers: Use ingots and components to build new blocks, tools, and devices.
5. Building Your First Base
  • Start small: A simple enclosed room with oxygen, power, and a refinery is a good starting point.
  • Plan ahead: Think about where you want to place things like reactors and refineries to optimize space and efficiency.
  • Use landing gear: If you're on a planet, make sure your base is secured to the ground!
6. Basic Ship Building
  • Cockpit or Control Seat: This is essential for controlling your ship.
  • Thrusters: You'll need these to move in all directions (forward, backward, up, down, left, right).
  • Gyroscope: Helps you rotate and stabilize your ship.
7. Avoiding Common Mistakes
  • Running out of power: Always keep an eye on your power levels.
  • Forgetting to weld: Unwelded blocks can detach and cause havoc.
  • Suffocating: Monitor your oxygen levels and make sure you have a reliable source.
  • Falling to your death: Gravity is a thing! Be careful when building high up.
  • Getting lost in space: Leave a trail of beacons or GPS coordinates if you're venturing far from your base.
8. Next Steps
  • Explore the world: Discover new resources, encounter different environments, and find interesting locations.
  • Experiment with building: Let your creativity run wild and create unique ships and stations.
  • Join a server: Play with friends or other engineers online for a cooperative or competitive experience.
  • Check out the Space Engineers wiki: It's a treasure trove of information on game mechanics, blocks, and more.

    This is just the beginning of your journey, Engineer. Now go out there and build something amazing!
2 Comments
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willowheart 19 Dec @ 8:16am 
Appreciated. Just got the game and was looking for a basic tips guide while it downloads, so this is very helpful.
LJS 17 Dec @ 6:48pm 
Someone make this into a book and expand it lol