How to Mine Star Ore in Xterium and What to Spend It On

Stellar Ore (known as “ZO” in player slang) is the rarest and most valuable resource in Xterium. It isn’t mined in mines: it’s needed for the most expensive and important things—hiring senators, strengthening moons, and developing your alliance. Below, you’ll find where to get it and how to spend it wisely. The methods for obtaining and using it are taken from the game code (verified); the tips come from the community.

Where does this guide come from? The information on where Star Ore is mined and what it’s used for is taken directly from the game’s code (the War of Alliances universe). The priority tips are recommendations from players on the player wiki and the forum thread. These are player tips, not official instructions; for exact numbers, check the encyclopedia and the game itself.

What Is Star Ore?

Stellar Ore is a distinct, extremely rare resource in the game (it has its own code number, separate from metal, crystal, and deuterium). According to the in-game description, it is difficult and dangerous to find, and it is used “in the creation of the most innovative engineering and scientific projects.” Simply put, it’s the currency for the highest-level investments, and it accumulates slowly. Therefore, you need to spend it wisely.

Method 1. Obtain during an expedition (main source)

The main source of starlore is the expedition (Endless Distances, “ED”). That’s where the fleet finds starlore among other discoveries. This is confirmed by the game code: the amount of Star Ore found is tallied per mission, and there’s even a separate achievement for it: “Found N Star Ore on an expedition.”

What You Need to Know:

• ZR doesn't drop every time—it's a rare find among the usual items (resources, dark matter, parts, fleet points).
• The larger the fleet and the farther it travels on an expedition, the greater the chances of making discoveries and the more significant the finds will be.
• The achievement for finding a ZR is one of the most lucrative among expedition achievements, so farming the ore pays off twice over.

How to Get the Most Out of an Expedition — In the Guide How to Farm the "" Expedition].

Method 2. Exchange it with a merchant

If you're running low on ore, you can trade for it at the merchant (exchange). The game's code allows for two-way exchanges of star ore for other rare resources:

• Dark matter → into stellar ore (you need a lot of dark matter—the ore is expensive).
• Antimatter → into stellar ore (and back again).
• Stellar ore → into dark matter or antimatter, unless you happen to need something else instead.

All exchanges charge a fee, so trading is a way to “buy more” ore as a last resort, not your main source of income. To learn how exchange rates work and when trading is profitable, see the mechanics section How a Trader Works.

Method 3. What to Spend Star Ore On

Stellar Ore is needed for the most valuable upgrades. Here are the main areas, based on the game code:

• Hiring Senators. Each senator is hired using Star Ore (usually 1, and for some, 2 Star Ore per level per day). Senators provide powerful permanent bonuses—this is one of the main uses for ore. Find out who to level up in the guide Senate: Who to Level Up.
• Strengthening the moons. The diameter of a moon (its level of protection) is increased in the planetarium—and this requires star ore specifically.
• Alliance Development. At higher levels, the alliance requires members to contribute Star Ore to the shared bank—for example, alliance planets cost Star Ore, among other resources.
• Resetting Research Progres. Some research improvements are reset in exchange for Star Ore in order to redistribute the bonuses.

Step by Step: How to Build Up Your ZR Reserve

1. Make the expedition a regular occurrence. Send your fleet to the Endless Wastes whenever possible—this is your main source of ore.
2. Earn achievements for each expedition. They provide an extra reward and motivate you to keep farming.
3. Don't waste your ore on trivial things. Save it for a big goal—a senator, the moon, or a contribution to the alliance.
4. Exchanges should be a last resort. If you're just a little short of the amount needed for an important purchase, ask the merchant to make up the difference, keeping in mind the commission.

Common Mistakes

• Wait for ore from the mines. The mines don't produce it—you can only get it from expeditions (or by trading with a merchant). If you don't fly to the database, you'll have almost no ore.
• Don't waste ZR on trivial things. It's your most valuable resource—it's not worth squandering it. Save it for senators, moons, and the alliance.
• Exchanging ore back and forth with a merchant. A commission is lost with every exchange. Frequent exchanges “eat into” your stockpile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is starlore mined in Xterium? The main source is the expedition (“Endless Distances”): the fleet finds ore among other discoveries. This is a rare find—it doesn’t happen on every mission. Additionally, ore can be traded with a merchant for dark matter or antimatter (for a commission).

Do the mines produce star ore? No. Mines produce metal, crystals, and deuterium. Stellar ore can only be obtained on expeditions (or traded for from a merchant).

What should I spend stardust on? For the most valuable investments: hiring senators (the main use), strengthening the moons in the planetarium, developing the alliance, and resetting research focus. This is an expensive resource—save it for major goals.

How much ore is a senator worth? Hiring a senator costs one Star Ore per level per day—usually 1 SO, though some senators cost 2 SO (according to the game code). For more details on choosing a senator, see the guide “Senate: Who to Level Up.”

What to Read Next

Check out Senate: Who to Level Up (mainly what the ore is used for), the mechanics section How the Merchant Works (trades), and the Resources section of the encyclopedia. If you come across any unfamiliar terms, look them up in the Glossary.