Quick answer
For most new players, Area18 is the best starting location. Essential gear, personal weapons and armour are all relatively close together, and a direct shuttle connects the city centre with the spaceport. New Babbage is the best alternative if ground vehicles, ship components or mining equipment matter most to you.
My recommendation: Area18
Area18 gives beginners the best balance of simple navigation, personal equipment and quick access to the spaceport. It is not the strongest option in every category, but it involves relatively little unnecessary travel during your first few hours.
Cubby Blast is located in Zone 1, where you can find personal weapons, armour, undersuits and other equipment for your first missions. Adira Falls Apartments, one of Area18’s residential starting areas, are also nearby.
ArcCorp Plaza provides access to more shops and the hospital. In Zone 2, you will find Dumper’s Depot for ship parts and the Astro Armada ship dealership. You retrieve your own ship at Riker Memorial Spaceport, which is linked to the city centre by regular shuttles.
Area18 also offers ship rentals, although the exact selection can change with updates. When choosing a starting location, easy access to equipment, the spaceport and central services matters more than a particular rental catalogue.
What makes a good starting location?
The most beautiful city is not automatically the easiest place to begin. Practical considerations matter most for new players.
Equipment
How quickly can you find an undersuit, helmet, armour, personal weapons, medical supplies and food?
Route to the spaceport
How many trains or shuttles must you take before you can retrieve your ship at an ASOP terminal?
Ship rentals
Can you try other ships without buying them permanently? The exact rental selection can change between updates.
Navigation
Can you easily distinguish the habs, shops, hospital, transit links and spaceport?
Personal preferences
Mining, ground vehicles, ship components or a particular atmosphere may make another starting location more attractive to you.
The four starting locations compared
Best all-round choice
Area18: the best all-round choice
Area18 is particularly convenient if you want to assemble your first set of gear without a long search. Cubby Blast sells personal weapons and armour in one place, while CenterMass, Dumper’s Depot, Astro Armada, the hospital and other services round out the selection.
Cityflight shuttles connect the city centre with the spaceport. A typical first route therefore takes you from your hab through the central district, onto a shuttle and then to Riker Memorial Spaceport.
Suitable for
- Most beginners
- Early FPS and delivery missions
- Players who prefer short, easy-to-follow routes
- Quick access to armour and personal weapons
Less suitable for
- Players who want to take ground vehicles onto an open planetary surface immediately
Best alternative
New Babbage: strong for technology and ground vehicles
New Babbage is an excellent alternative. CenterMass sells personal and ship weapons, Omega Pro sells ship components, and Shubin offers mining equipment. Ground-vehicle access is available at both the spaceport and the Commons.
The Metroloop connects the spaceport, the Commons, the Expo Center and Aspire Grand. The city is well organised, but its important locations are spread across a larger area than those in Area18.
Suitable for
- Ground vehicles
- Mining equipment
- Ship components
- Players who want to explore microTech and its surroundings
Less suitable for
- Players looking for personal weapons and a full set of armour in one compact shop
Good, with trade-offs
Lorville: central, but not the easiest choice
Tammany and Sons in Lorville sells armour, flight suits and mining equipment. Teasa Spaceport has a ship showroom, rental services and ASOP terminals.
The city’s public transport system has five main lines. This makes Lorville versatile, but it can require more navigation during your first few hours. Personal weapons and armour are also less conveniently grouped than at Cubby Blast in Area18.
Suitable for
- Players who prefer Hurston as their base
- Armour and mining equipment
- Access to a ship showroom and rentals
Less suitable for
- The shortest, simplest initial route
- A full set of personal combat equipment in one central location
Beautiful, but more demanding
Orison: impressive, but more complex
Orison is one of Stanton’s most visually impressive locations. It offers shops, a hospital, a ship showroom and ship rentals.
The city consists of several platforms connected by different Skyway shuttle lines. New players must therefore navigate between Cloudview Center, Providence, the spaceport and other districts.
Suitable for
- Players who value atmosphere and scenery
- Players interested in Crusader Industries
- Players who want to explore a larger platform city
Less suitable for
- The shortest and clearest introduction
- Players who want to avoid public transport as much as possible
Compare starting locations directly
| Starting location | Equipment | Ship rentals | Navigation | Distinctive strength | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area18 | Personal weapons and armour together at Cubby Blast; more ship and component shops nearby | Available | Relatively compact | Simple all-round introduction | Very good |
| New Babbage | Weapons, ship components and mining equipment; a full set of armour is less concentrated | Available | Well organised, but spread out | Technology, mining and ground vehicles | Very good |
| Lorville | Armour, flight suits and mining equipment | Available | Several transit lines | Ship showroom and access to Hurston | Good, with trade-offs |
| Orison | Several shops spread across different platforms | Available | Several platforms and shuttle lines | Atmosphere and Crusader Industries | Better after learning the basics |
Which starting location suits you?
Want the simplest all-round introduction?
Choose Area18.
Want to try ground vehicles, mining and ship components?
Choose New Babbage.
Want to use Hurston as your main base?
Lorville may suit you, but it takes more effort to navigate.
Most interested in an impressive setting?
Orison is worth seeing, but it is not the easiest first choice.
Your first steps in Area18
Choosing Area18 does not mean you need to buy every piece of equipment immediately. A simple sequence is enough to help you find your bearings.
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Leave your hab and follow the signs
Leave your hab and follow the signs for ArcCorp Plaza, Cityflight Transit and Riker Memorial Spaceport.
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Buy only the equipment you need
Cubby Blast sells personal weapons and armour. At first, buy only what you genuinely need for the activity you have planned.
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Remember the hospital and central plaza
Note the locations of the hospital and central transit area. Knowing these landmarks will make later return journeys easier.
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Take the shuttle to Riker Memorial Spaceport
Follow the signs to Cityflight Transit and take the shuttle to the spaceport.
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Retrieve your ship at an ASOP terminal
At the spaceport, retrieve your ship from an ASOP terminal and find the hangar shown on the screen. The beginner guide to your first steps explains what to do next.
Frequently asked questions about starting locations
Is Area18 always the best starting location?
No. Area18 is the best general recommendation because essential equipment and the route to the spaceport are relatively easy to find. New Babbage may suit you better if you are especially interested in ground vehicles, mining equipment or the surroundings of microTech.
Can I rent ships at every starting location?
Ship rentals are available in Area18, New Babbage, Lorville and Orison. The available ships and rental prices can change with updates.
Which starting location is best for ground vehicles?
New Babbage is particularly convenient. Garages are located directly at the spaceport, and the Commons also provide access to the planetary surface and ground vehicles.
Why is Lorville not the top recommendation?
Lorville provides essential services, armour and ship rentals. However, its public transport system has several lines, and personal weapons and armour are not grouped as conveniently as they are in Area18.
Why is Orison more difficult for beginners?
Orison’s districts are spread across several platforms connected by different shuttle lines. The city is impressive, but requires more navigation than the more compact Area18.
Do I have to choose the most beautiful location?
No. During your first few hours, short routes, easy access to equipment and a clear connection to the spaceport usually matter more. You can visit the other locations later.
Sources and last review
This recommendation is based on the currently documented shops, services and transport systems in Stanton’s four major landing zones. Shop inventories, rental options and individual routes can change with Alpha updates.