Complete Your Planet's Objective Before Launch Prep
Before Launch Prep, complete the job assigned to your planet: deliver the requested resources, fill the Fuel Pump's tank while protecting it, or escort Coffee Cat safely to the Collector. Then start Launch Prep, defend the Collector until boarding is announced, and get aboard before departure.
Check What the Selected Planet Requires
After the tutorial and your initial Turret research unlock, use Master Control to inspect your next destination. Check its mission objective, available resource, and remaining Blueprints before deploying. That information tells you whether your attention needs to stay on material deliveries, a stationary structure, or a target moving back toward the Collector.
Keep the objective in mind when deciding where to build. A secure Collector does not protect a distant Pump or an escort moving through hostile territory. Before committing resources, identify what must survive and where your team will need to fight.
Finish a Resource Collection Job
- Check the material named in the objective so you head for the correct deposit. The opening Resource Run uses Titanium, while an early later assignment asks for Nitrate.
- Use the Mining Laser on the required deposit to break material free. Mining creates the pieces you still need to deliver.
- Pick up the mined material with the Grav Beam. This lets you move the pieces into the collection system.
- Feed the material into the Collector's processor port or onto a connected Pipeline. The Pipeline can transport it back without you carrying it the whole way.
- Continue delivering the requested material until the objective is satisfied. Meeting the delivery requirement makes extraction available; breaking deposits alone does not complete the job.
Protect the Fuel Pump Through the Transfer
A Fuel Pump job requires a connection, a completed tank fill, and protection throughout the transfer. Enemies can attack the Pump itself while the Collector also needs defending. Losing a mission-critical structure can end the attempt even while your character is alive.
- Extend your Pipeline toward the Fuel Pump to prepare its connection. You can get the Pump connected before activating the transfer.
- Place Turrets where they cover the Pump and its approaches. This gives the objective its own protection when enemies converge on it.
- Check the Collector's defensive coverage before committing to the transfer. In co-op, arrange for someone to respond there while the rest of the crew protects the Pump.
- Activate the Fuel Pump once its essential defenses are ready. The tank begins filling while incoming enemies threaten the operation.
- Defend the Pump until the transfer-complete announcement. Partial progress still leaves work to finish, so stay responsive to attacks throughout the fill.
- Return to the Collector when the tank is completely full. You can now begin Launch Prep, with the final defense and boarding still ahead.
Escort Coffee Cat All the Way Home
Bring Her Home requires Coffee Cat to reach the Collector safely. Because she moves through hostile territory, the fighting can happen away from your established defenses. Keep your attention on her position and the enemies threatening her route.
- Complete the required interaction at the marked point of interest when your crew is ready to support the escort. This avoids starting her journey while teammates are occupied elsewhere.
- Accompany Coffee Cat toward the Collector, concentrating your attacks on enemies threatening her directly. Staying with the moving objective keeps your protection where it is needed.
- Confirm that Coffee Cat reaches the Collector safely. Her arrival advances the escort objective and leaves Launch Prep as the remaining challenge.
Survive Launch Prep and Board the Collector
Your cue to leave the final defensive position is the announcement that Launch Prep has finished and the Collector is ready for boarding. Clearing an enemy wave does not automatically extract you. Keep the Collector protected through preparation, then follow the return instruction instead of continuing to chase enemies across the map.
- Repair damaged nearby Turrets before starting Launch Prep. Operational defenses give you support during the final attack.
- Activate Launch Prep at a Collector terminal after the mission objective is complete. This starts the preparation period for departure.
- Defend the Collector while its engines warm up and the final wave attacks. Hold the area until the game instructs you to return for liftoff.
- Return immediately when boarding is announced. The departure countdown continues while players remain outside fighting, building, or collecting materials.
- Board the Collector before liftoff. Completing the defense still requires this final boarding action.
- Remain aboard until departure. A successful extraction returns you to the ship for your next progression choices.
Find the Action That Is Still Missing
If a resource objective has stopped advancing, inspect where the mined pieces landed. Material that missed the processor or Pipeline still needs delivery. Use the Grav Beam to reposition it and watch it enter the collection system before heading for another deposit.
If a defense or escort attempt fails, identify which target was lost before spending research on another weapon. A destroyed Pump calls for better coverage around the Pump, while an escort failure calls for closer protection during the journey. Once boarding is available, make reaching the Collector your immediate priority.