Overview: This guide covers the depressurization system in Hardspace: Shipbreaker, helping you avoid explosive decompressions, damage to salvaged materials, and potential hazards to your Cutter. Mastering air pressure management is critical to maintaining safety and maximizing profits.

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Core Mechanic – Atmosphere Regulator:

• The Atmosphere Regulator is the safest and most efficient tool for depressurizing a room.
• It only affects the room it’s located in and will seal all connected doors during operation.
• If any wall is cut in that room (even a small one), the regulator becomes non-functional.

Demonstration of Regulator Failure:

• Cutting a wall disables the regulator. Once breached, attempting to interact with it will fail.

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Depressurization Methods (Ranked by Safety):

1. Use Atmosphere Regulator
   • Safest and least destructive. Use it whenever possible before cutting or opening any structure.
2. Open Doors Manually
   • Allows for gradual air dissipation between compartments. Minimal risk if external areas are already depressurized.
3. Burn Door with Stinger
   • A more forceful but still controlled method.
4. Split Saw Through Door
   • Riskier. Creates explosive decompression depending on pressurization states.
5. Cut Through Wall (Stinger or Split Saw)
   • Most dangerous. Use as a last resort.
   • Cutting larger wall sections with the stinger is less violent.
   • For split saw: multiple cuts across a surface can mitigate force and reduce destruction.

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Additional Tips:

• Airlock Panels are nearly indestructible.
  • You can use airlock doors as safe entry points.
  • Cutting through these can be a practical choice when creating your initial depressurized space.

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Ship-Specific Techniques:

1. Mackerel Class Ships

• Often contain pressurized crawlspaces you can’t access directly.
• Recommended method: Cut off the front or rear sections to safely vent the pressure.

2. Heavy Cargo Javelins

• Double Airlock Chambers with no door access:
  • Look for an aluminum panel on the bottom.
  • Make a cross-shaped cut to safely vent air without causing destruction.
• Broken Regulator in Rear Cockpit:
  • Depressurize the adjacent compartment first.
  • Then, use the stinger to burn through the door – air will flow safely without damage.

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Conclusion: Understanding and mastering the depressurization system is essential for safe and efficient salvaging. Use regulators wherever possible, avoid careless cuts, and utilize airlocks and pressure checks to your advantage.

Stay safe out there, Cutter!