Welcome to this beginner’s guide for Hardspace: Shipbreaker! Whether you’re new to dismantling derelict ships or just looking to improve your efficiency and safety, this guide covers essential tips and tricks that apply universally across all ships.

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1. Movement & Traversal Efficiency

• Grapple Pulling: Holding the right mouse button allows you to pull objects, but if the object is heavier, it will pull you instead. Use this trick to move around without expending fuel.
• Avoiding Damage: Watch your thruster speed; if it turns red, slow down before impact to avoid injury.

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2. Using JAX Rails

• JAX Mounts: Attach large ship parts to JAX points before moving them. These stabilize the path and help direct them cleanly into the processor or furnace.
• Precision and Control: Use JAX points for tight spaces or when trying to avoid collisions with sensitive salvage bays.

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3. Using Hands (X Key)

• Manual Bracing: Hold X near surfaces to use your hands for bracing. This helps stop movement and stabilize without fuel usage.
• Anti-Ejection: During decompression events, holding X can keep you from being flung away.

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4. Ship Anatomy Awareness

Every ship has four main parts:

• Outer Hull
• Engine Section
• Cockpit
• Interior Cabin

Organize your workflow by tackling one section at a time, often starting with the exterior or engine.

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5. Tethering Like a Pro

• Tether Basics: Right-click to attach tethers. Use them liberally to move objects faster and more safely.
• Cancel a Tether: Press Y while placing to cancel a tether-in-progress.
• Remove All Tethers: Press Y without holding the mouse button to cancel all active tethers.
• Tether Chains: Attach multiple parts to one tether line to move them all together.

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6. Laser Cutter Efficiency

• Point Mode: Best for precise, safe cuts. Watch your line of fire to avoid hitting volatile components.
• Line Cutter Mode: Efficient for cutting multiple points at once. Hold CTRL while firing to prevent knockback.
• Use the Right Tool: Use the point laser for safety and the line cutter for speed.

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7. Cutting Precautions

• Always Check Line of Sight: Ensure nothing explosive or valuable lies in your cut path.
• Strategic Disassembly: Remove panels and access hatches first to reduce internal pressure and risk.

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8. Upgrades Priorities

Laser Cutter:

• Prioritize Heat Capacity and Range.

Grapple:

• Strength and Range are most important.
• Tether Capacity and Lifetime are invaluable.

Helmet & Oxygen:

• Upgrade to reduce downtime from resupply trips.

Work Suit:

• Basic durability upgrades can be helpful but are lower priority.

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9. General Work Efficiency

• Practice Makes Perfect: Learning safe cut angles and structural weak points improves speed and yield.
• Work Orders: Focus on completing contracts, then maximize salvage.
• Threshold for Success: Netting over 500k credits per shift is a good benchmark.

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Thank you for reading! These tips should help streamline your workflow, boost your confidence, and most importantly, reduce your risk of zero-G dismemberment. Happy salvaging!