The multi-tool is one of the essential pieces of equipment for any starship captain in Star Citizen. It allows you to salvage components from destroyed ships, repair damage to your own ship on the go, and modify components to boost their performance. Star Citizen 3.18 patch introduces major changes to the multi-tool and how it interacts with components, so this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to maximize its potential.
Salvaging Components with the Multi-Tool
Destroyed ships in Star Citizen often contain valuable components that can be salvaged and either used or sold. In order to salvage a component, you must first disable the ship’s power plant to shut it down.
Then use your multi-tools cutting attachment to remove panels and access internal components. Once exposed, use the multi-tool extraction beam to remove the component from the ship. Be very careful when removing components, as they can still be live even with the power plant disabled.
Components will be marked as either operational, damaged, or destroyed. Operational and damaged components can often be repaired, while destroyed components are only good for scrap material. Place any salvaged components in your ship’s cargo bay to transport them. When selling components, operational and repaired components will fetch a much higher price than destroyed ones.
Repairing Components with the Multi-Tool
Components that you salvage from ships may often be in a damaged state but still repairable. Or components on your ship can become damaged over time and require repair. The multi-tool has a repair beam attachment that can be used to repair damage to components and restore them to an operational state.
To begin repairs on a component, access it in the same way as you would for salvaging. Then equip the multi-tool repair beam attachment and power it on. Next, slowly wave the repair beam over the entirety of the component, keeping the beam focused on one section at a time. For larger components, you may need to access it from multiple sides or angles to repair all damage fully.
Be very careful not to keep the repair beam focused on any one area of the component for too long, as this can potentially cause further damage. As you repair the component, its overall damage percentage displayed on your screen will continue to drop. Once it reaches 0%, the component is fully repaired. However, some components may contain damage that is beyond the ability of a multi-tool to repair and will remain permanently damaged or non-operational.
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Modifying Components with the Multi-Tool
The multi-tool also allows you to modify certain components to upgrade their capabilities. Not all components can be modified. Components that can typically only have one or two modifications applied before reaching maximum potential. To modify a component, access and remove it in the same way as for salvaging and repairing.
Equip the multi-tool modification attachment and select a modification you wish to apply from the list, such as increased power, improved cooling, or overclocking. The multi-tool will then reconfigure the internal parts of the component. Finally, apply the modification by firing the modification beam at the component for several seconds until the modification process completes.
Reinstall the modified component in your ship to utilize its improved capabilities. Modified components will perform at a higher level, providing bonuses like increased output, lower temperatures, faster speeds, etc. However, modified components also tend to be less reliable and durable overall. An overclocked or overpowered component could become damaged or even destroyed during usage. So, modify components carefully and be aware of the risks.
Can multi-tools be used to modify components on other ships?
Well if you don’t know the answer to that question, then you are at the right place. According to Star Citizen’s game mechanics, the multi-tool can only be used to modify components that you have physically removed from a ship. So you cannot directly modify components still installed on another player’s ship.
However, there are a couple of potential workarounds for this:
- Offer your repair and modification services to other players. You can have them eject components from their ship that you then take into your ship for repair and modification. You then re-install the components on their ship. This requires high trust in your abilities, so you would need an established reputation as a skilled mechanic.
- Steal components from other ships through piracy and then modify them for use or sale. This is extremely risky and illegal in the game, but it may be an option for nefarious players. You must disable the target ship, board it, and extract the components before the ship is destroyed. The modified components could then be installed on your ship or sold for a profit.
- Work with an organization that salvages components from destroyed ships and then modifies those components to sell or use them to upgrade the ships of organization members. This is a good option to modify components on a larger scale without engaging in direct piracy. You would still need skilled salvage crews to extract as many valuable components as possible from wrecks.
- Use Star Citizen aUEC, the in-game currency to make purchases.
So, while you cannot directly modify components installed on other players’ ships, you have a few options for modifying components that you can obtain through legal and illegal means within the Star Citizen universe. The key is finding ways to source components through the available gameplay systems and mechanics.
Recommended Multi-Tool Loadout in Star Citizen 3.18 patch
To maximize the capabilities of your multi-tool, it’s a good idea to keep a variety of attachments equipped:
- Extraction Beam: Essential for salvaging components from destroyed ships.
- Repair Beam: Allows you to repair damage to both your ship’s components and any salvaged components.
- Modification Beam: Can be used to overclock and improve the performance of certain components.
- Cutting Attachment: Necessary to cut through ship hulls and access internal components. Keep multiple cutting strengths for different types of hulls.
- Tractor Beam: Not directly related to components but useful for moving larger salvage pieces and debris.
- Mining Laser: Also not directly related but useful when encountering mineable resources during your travels or explorations of destroyed ships and wreckage.
Multi-tools: There are three multi-tools for sale:
- Light – Small, lightweight, good for basic dismantling and repair. Fewer parts slots but more affordable.
- Medium – Versatile mid-sized tool for most salvage and repair work. More slots than a Light tool and harvester capacity.
- Heavy – Large, heavy-duty tool ideal for dismantling larger capital class ships. Robust harvester and the greatest number of slots for components.
Salvage Locations:
- Use a Distress Signal Scanner to detect derelict ship signals within space and approach for salvage.
- Check system and stellar maps for space battles, mining locations, and ports that often have to scatter wreckage.
- Planetside, a Geological Survey Tool, can locate cave systems and asteroid belts harbouring hidden derelicts and their parts.
Analyzing Wreckage:
- Use the multi-tool imager, scanner, or a standalone Survey tool to determine what valuable components remain intact on a derelict before dismantling.
- More rare and powerful components like Quantum Drives will yield a greater payout.
- Larger ship classes, like Cruisers, contain heavier equipment and components, though security is often higher as well.
Harvesting Resources:
- Metal plates, composites, hull sections, and other resources are harvested from the wreckage using the multi-tool harvester for manufacturing new parts.
- More resources mean higher production of components at player base facilities.
Repairing and Refitting:
- Install basic power systems, engines, and computers to get a derelict ship space-worthy again.
- Complete any remaining upgrades and outfitting at Port Olisar or other spaceports.
- Freshly repaired ships can now be flown, sold for a profit or used by the player going forward.
Conclusion
Using the information in this guide, you should be well equipped to get the most out of your multi-tool for salvaging valuable ship components, conducting repairs, and upgrading components to maximize your starship’s performance.
The multi-tool is a versatile instrument, so keep practicing and discovering new ways to utilize its functions. Good luck and safe flights!
