The combat update is finally here! As in, it’s out! Right now! Go play it! Or, if you’re still waiting for Starbound to update, why not check out the trailer?

A few notes:

Your existing characters and worlds should be more or less intact, but as usual, you will need to start a fresh universe or explore far-off systems in order to experience some of the new content.

If you are running any Starbound mods, they may be incompatible with the latest version of Starbound. I’d recommend backing up your existing characters before launching the game!

In fact, backing up your existing characters in an Early Access game is never a bad idea.

ATTN Modders! We’ve put a comprehensive tutorial up on the wiki describing how to create new missions in Tiled!

As always, click ‘read more’ for the changelog. :)







Generated and tiered two-handed weapons now have special abilities that can be activated using right click. Many (45+) possible abilities are available for various classes of ranged and melee weapons! Yes, some guns now have flashlights

Change to hammer mechanics: hold left click to wind up, release to fire

Change to spear mechanics: continue holding left click after a swing to keep the spear out to fend off enemies

Several new classes of hard-to-find unique weapons: boomerangs, chakrams and fist weapons Find blueprints to upgrade these weapons into even more powerful and specialized versions at higher tiers Dual wield fist weapons to enable powerful combo finishers

A few miscellaneous unique weapons and items such as flamethrowers and remote-detonated grenade launchers





Lots of new unique monsters found throughout the galaxy, each with their own special abilities and behaviors

Knockback is more powerful and reliable

Monsters have clearer ‘telegraphing’ to indicate when they are about to attack

Remade shields and improved blocking mechanics

Replaced electric stun status effect with Electrified, which periodically damages other nearby enemies

Hostile monsters now damage the player on touch





New system for player-controlled vehicles which can be spawned and despawned using Vehicle Controllers (acquired at the Outpost)

Hoverbikes! Great for travelling across planet surfaces quickly! They include a passenger seat so you can transport your friends! Come in several attractive colors! Drive carefully to avoid blowing yourself up!

Boats! Similar to the previous boat tech, useful for crossing large bodies of water Your friends can ride on deck or pose dramatically in the bow

Visit Rob Repairo in the Outpost shipyard area to repair your vehicles using auto chips, which can be found in the world or purchased at the Outpost





Quest givers’ portraits are shown on quest dialogs and in the log

Colonists now occasionally give players new procedural quests to help improve their house or social standing

The abandon button can be used on procedural quests and the same quests can now be declined





New ‘Midnight’ planets

New ‘Frozen’ planets (replaces Tundra)

Prism, Steam Spring, and Hive sub biomes

Over 300 new microdungeons and other improvements to all underground biomes, including background caves and parallaxes





Craftable elevator objects, because stairs are so last millennium



Consumable dyes to change the color of armor and clothing



Capture pods are (for now) used to capture and relocate critters, with a more complete pet system returning in a future patch



Loads of item descriptions have been fixed/replaced/added, including lots of Novakid ones!



Too many new objects, items, costumes, colony tenants, etc. to list



Too many bug fixes, item tweaks, and balance changes to list



Improved support for Tiled map and tileset format for modders