GEAR / VISUAL FIELD GUIDE

Choose the activity, then the ship

A simple way to compare a specialist with an everyday ship without treating bigger as automatically better.

All experience levelsMatch your regular crew4 min read

STEP 1 OF 3

Name the work you want to do

Begin with an activity you can describe as a sequence: collect, process, move and finish. Then list the equipment and storage each part needs. That is more useful than choosing a hull only by its size or appearance.

1
Write one complete session before comparing ships
Choose the guide for the intended activity. List its required tool, usable cargo or storage, travel range, recovery plan and people. Compare those needs with the ship's currently available equipment.
What you should see
You can explain why each shortlisted ship supports the intended job.
That did not happen
If the ship lacks the specialist system, a large empty cargo bay does not add it. Arrange a crew role on a suitable ship first.
RSI Ships and Vehicles

Choose the activity
List the equipment it needs
Check your typical crew availability

Read the complete guide as text

The same published instructions in one readable view. Use the steps above for controls and practice panels.

Name the work you want to do

Write one complete session before comparing ships

Choose the guide for the intended activity. List its required tool, usable cargo or storage, travel range, recovery plan and people. Compare those needs with the ship's currently available equipment.

Expected result: You can explain why each shortlisted ship supports the intended job.

If it did not work: If the ship lacks the specialist system, a large empty cargo bay does not add it. Arrange a crew role on a suitable ship first.

Choose the activity
List the equipment it needs
Check your typical crew availability

Compare the seats, not just the size

Count occupied control stations rather than advertised maximum crew alone. A MOLE separates pilot and mining stations. On other multicrew ships, guns, engineering or cargo handling can likewise require the player to stop one activity to do another.

Make a seat-and-task plan

Write who flies, operates the specialist system and handles its output. For solo use, mark each point where you must leave the current station and what stops while you do it.

Expected result: The chosen ship has a workable sequence for the people actually available.

If it did not work: If the plan requires simultaneous controls in different occupied stations, add a crew member or choose a simpler ship.

Try the complete workflow with an owner

Find a willing owner and ask to perform one full cycle, including loading or output handling and return. Ask permission before changing their equipment.

Expected result: You have experienced the operational work as well as the cockpit view.

If it did not work: A short flight alone may hide the cargo or station limitations that matter to the chosen loop.

Field note: Crew minimums in a specification table and comfortable solo operation are different questions. Read the ship page's operational caveats and source dates.

Availability is a separate question

Check current flyability, in-game purchase or rental access, and pledge-store availability separately. They use different conditions and currencies. A concept entry in the reference catalog is not a playable test drive.

Confirm the exact variant and acquisition path

Before committing funds, verify the exact ship variant, current access, quoted currency, seller and whether the offer is a rental or purchase. Inspect compatible equipment for that variant.

Expected result: You know what is available now and what the transaction would provide.

If it did not work: Do not infer permanent in-game ownership transfer from another player offering temporary access. If the mechanic is not documented, treat it as a separate unverified claim.

Check current game availability
Check the in-game option separately from the pledge store
Verify any quoted price and currency

Version history

Sources & guide information

Sources checked 13 October 2026. Latest-known keyboard defaults; not gameplay verified on Alpha 4.10.2.. Reference information, not a claim of current-patch playtesting.

RSI Ships and Vehicles RSI Galactapedia: Vulture RSI Galactapedia: Prospector CIG MOLE Q&A: separate pilot and mining stations RSI Ship Matrix: manufacturer role descriptions RSI Playing with Friends, updated 24 Jul 2026