The Premise
You are a bounty hunter operating on the edge of the galaxy. Reputation is earned through combat, and pirate kills become the progression system that determines which ship classes you are allowed to obtain.
The goal is to build your career from a humble Shuttle into a complete collection of unlocked ship types, then prove yourself by destroying a Sentinel Dreadnought.
Honor System Rules
This challenge relies on self-enforced progression. Pirate kills determine what you have earned the right to fly, so do not skip ahead of the level system.
Forbidden
- No duplication, glitching, save-scumming or other cheating.
- No story progression, except finding Artemis’ crashed ship when required to unlock access to the Space Anomaly.
- Do not destroy freighter cargo or cargo pods. Be careful when accepting bounty missions that might encourage collateral damage.
- Do not use the Quicksilver Companion.
- Do not acquire a ship class before reaching its pirate-kill threshold.
Allowed
- The starter ship is permitted at the beginning of the run.
- You may continue flying an older ship after unlocking a newer class.
- Milestones that explicitly grant an Anomaly visit allow one visit at that point.
- Normal progression, economy and upgrades are allowed unless another rule on this page restricts them.
Clarifications
- The starter ship must be exchanged for a Shuttle before leaving the starting planet.
- Until you own the Shuttle, do not leave the system, visit another planet or enter a Space Station.
- You may own only one ship of each ship type at a time.
- Living Ships are excluded because their acquisition depends on Quicksilver and the Void Egg mission.
Objectives
- Progress through the Bounty Hunter level system by destroying pirate ships.
- Unlock and own every required ship class except Living Ships.
- Own a Corvette.
- Destroy a Sentinel Dreadnought as your final bounty.
Rule Breaking
The Bounty Hunter does not define an additional punishment system. If you accidentally acquire or use something before it is unlocked, correct the progression state as soon as practical before continuing.
Bounty Hunter Level System
Destroying pirate ships increases your progression. A ship class may only be acquired after reaching its kill threshold.
| Pirate kills | Ship type unlocked |
|---|---|
| 0 | Shuttle |
| 10 | Hauler |
| 20 | Explorer, plus one Anomaly visit |
| 40 | Solar |
| 80 | Exotic |
| 130 | Fighter, plus one Anomaly visit |
| 200 | Interceptor |
| 300 | Corvette, plus one Anomaly visit |
Ship Ownership
- You may own only one ship of each ship type at a time.
- Upgrading to the newest unlocked ship is optional.
- Even if you stay with an older vessel, you still need to unlock and own every required ship class before completing the challenge.
FAQ
- Do I have to switch ships as soon as I unlock a new class?
- No. You may keep flying an older vessel, but you still need to own each required class before completion.
- Are Living Ships required?
- No. They are excluded from the challenge.
- Can I play below Permadeath?
- Yes. If Permadeath is more punishing than enjoyable, Survival is acceptable as long as the progression and ship restrictions remain intact.
- Can I visit the Space Anomaly whenever I want?
- No. Only milestone visits granted by the level system are permitted.
