On this page
Every fleet deployment involves three interrelated factors: distance, flight time, and deuterium consumption. Understanding these mechanics saves fuel and helps you save your fleet in time. Let’s break it down using the game’s code.
Where do these numbers come from? The rules for speed, time, and fuel consumption are taken directly from the fleet flight engine. Tactical advice comes from the community (wiki, forum). The ships themselves are listed in the encyclopedia.
Fleet speed = the speed of the slowest ship
This is rule number one. When you send multiple types of ships together, the entire fleet travels at the speed of the slowest one.
Practical conclusion: if you attach a single slow transport to a fleet of fast cruisers, the entire fleet will move at the speed of the transport. If you want a fast raid, use only fast ships. If you want to transport resources, send a separate transport fleet.
The distance is calculated as the difference between the coordinates
In the game, coordinates consist of a galaxy, a spiral arm, a star system, and a planet. The farther away the destination, the greater the distance, and the longer and more expensive the flight. Roughly in descending order of cost:
- another galaxy—the greatest jump in terms of distance;
- a different channel and a different system—a moderate contribution;
- another planet in the same system—a small one;
- The "in-orbit" flight (back to the same location) is minimal.
That's why nearby colonies and destinations are always more efficient in terms of fuel and time than long-distance jumps across the galaxy.
Flight time: farther and slower—longer
Flight time depends on the distance, the fleet’s maximum speed, and the selected speed percentage. The greater the distance and the slower the fleet, the longer the flight takes. There is a lower limit: flights are never instantaneous (they take at least a few seconds, even in orbit).
Engines (research) directly increase a ship’s speed: each level of the corresponding engine adds +5% to the speed of the ships that use it. Therefore, upgrading engines isn’t just about “getting there faster,” but also about “having time to save the fleet.”
Speed Percentage: Braking Saves Fuel
When sending, you can select the speed in 5% increments—the engine offers exactly these options:
| Available speed | Effect |
|---|---|
| 100% | as quickly as possible, maximum flow rate |
| 95% / 90% / 85% / 80% | a little longer, a little cheaper |
| 75% / 70% / 65% / 60% | significantly longer and more economical |
| 55% / 50% | the longest and cheapest flight |
A pattern observed in the engine: the lower the percentage, the longer the fleet flies and the less deuterium it consumes. At 50%, the flight takes about twice as long as at 100% (the exact figure depends on the distance and composition).
Here's a helpful tip: if your fleet needs to return by morning (save for the night), send it out at 50% capacity—it'll use less fuel and arrive just as you get back online.
Deuterium consumption
Every flight consumes deuterium. The more deuterium is consumed, the more:
- a greater distance;
- a speed higher than the selected one;
- larger and "more fuel-hungry" ships in the fleet.
The following factors help reduce fuel consumption: a lower speed percentage, research into engine efficiency, and closer targets. That is why deuterium is the fuel of war: without it, the fleet simply won’t take off.
How to Apply This
- Don't mix fast and slow ships unless you have to—you'll lose speed across your entire fleet.
- For saving and long-distance flights, set a lower speed to conserve fuel.
- Rev up your engines—it's all about raid speed and safety (so you can get your fleet out of there faster).
- Keep a supply of deuterium on hand—an empty tank means the fleet is stranded on the planet. For information on where to obtain it, see the article “Temperature and Deuterium”].
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines the speed of a fleet consisting of several types of ships? The entire fleet travels at the speed of the slowest ship in the formation. A slow transport will slow down even fast cruisers.
Why reduce the transmission rate? The lower the percentage, the longer the fleet flies and the less deuterium it consumes. At 50%, the flight takes about twice as long as it does at 100%.
What do the engines produce? Each level of the corresponding engine adds +5% to the speed of the ships that use it.
What factors affect deuterium consumption? Fuel consumption increases as the distance increases, the selected speed rises, and the ships in the fleet become more "fuel-hungry."
