Which Star Citizen starter pack should you buy?
Compare the current offer with its list price and the amount due at checkout. A referral adds an account benefit under RSI’s rules; it is not a percentage coupon. First Flight’s extra ships are loans, so compare the permanent package contents before judging the deal.
First Flight is the package in RSI’s current listing
RSI’s catalogue checked on 25 October 2026 showed one game-access package: Star Citizen First Flight Pack. The source listed a $45 offer against a $60 list price, USD before tax. A previous Citizen offer and the new First Flight product are different listings; do not assume either price lasts all year.
First Flight includes Aurora Mk II, Star Citizen Digital Download, 10,000 UEC and six-month insurance. Confirm contents, currency, final tax and availability at checkout. A player referral adds the standard account-currency benefit under RSI’s rules; it does not reduce this checkout price. Subscriber coupons are separate and do not stack with a promotional discount.
The three extra ships are 30-day loans
Drake Golem for mining, MISC Fortune for salvage and Crusader Intrepid for cargo are temporary loaners for 30 days. They let you try different roles; they are not three additional permanent hulls. Check the purchase checklist before spending and add your referral during account setup.
Buying for someone else: the new gift checkout
Buying a starter for a friend? Select Buying as a gift? at checkout on an eligible item. Store credit cannot pay for the gift order. Do not buy into your own Hangar assuming you can transfer the new purchase later. RSI’s 27 October FAQ says the new process takes effect on 30 October 2026. The recipient needs an RSI account with a confirmed email address to redeem the emailed gift code.
The gift is sent automatically after the transaction completes. If unclaimed after 30 days, the buyer is refunded automatically. Existing Hangar gifts and gift codes keep their earlier rules. RSI says purchase referral credit stays with the buyer; receiving a gift does not satisfy the recipient’s own qualifying cash-spending requirement. Official gifting FAQ.
Check a protected access pledge before changing packages
A pledge marked as protected Game Access cannot be reclaimed for store credit or gifted, but can still be upgraded with a CCU. RSI named 1 November 2026 as the end of the selection window; do not assume you can freely move that protection later. Check the access marker and contents before planning a package exchange. RSI’s protected-access instructions · Official access FAQ. Sources checked 1 November 2026.
Questions about the current package
Are the three extra ships permanent?
No. The First Flight product description grants 30-day loaner access to Golem, Fortune and Intrepid. Confirm the current terms at RSI.
Is the checked $45 price guaranteed?
No. $45 was the offer and $60 the list price in USD before tax at the 25 October 2026 check. Availability, tax and final checkout terms can change.
Earlier package guidance, kept as historical context
Maintained by Domux. Editorial approach and referral disclosure
Look for Star Citizen Digital Download in the product contents. The ship name alone does not prove you are buying game access. Start with a modest package if you are still deciding how you want to play.
Recorded lineup and source-dated prices
| Package and recorded ship | Source-dated price, USD before tax |
|---|---|
| Citizen Starter Pack RSI Aurora Mk II | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Generalist Starter Pack Drake Cutter | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Salvager Starter Pack RSI Salvation | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Miner Starter Pack Drake Golem | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Duelist Starter Pack Aegis Avenger Titan | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Hauler Starter Pack Crusader Intrepid | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
| Privateer Starter Pack Drake Cutlass Black | Not listed in the current RSI catalogue. See current packages below. |
These are source-dated quotes, not a promise of today's checkout price. A recent successfully checked offer can appear in the table; otherwise it shows a dated list price. Confirm currency, tax, contents and availability at RSI before paying.
Citizen Starter Pack
RSI Aurora Mk II. Start with a modest general-purpose package when you have not chosen a role.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Generalist Starter Pack
Drake Cutter. Consider a compact all-rounder when delivery and a small interior appeal to you.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Salvager Starter Pack
RSI Salvation. A specialised option for someone who already wants salvage gameplay.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Miner Starter Pack
Drake Golem. A role package for someone who wants to begin with mining.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Duelist Starter Pack
Aegis Avenger Titan. Compare its cargo space and combat role if you already want more than the entry package.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Hauler Starter Pack
Crusader Intrepid. An option for a new pilot interested in small cargo and courier work.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Privateer Starter Pack
Drake Cutlass Black. Consider it for cargo, combat and playing with a small crew; a larger pledge is optional.
Check current insurance and extras on the official package listing.
Choose by role, then compare the final price
Compare the available Citizen and Generalist totals if you want a general start. A role-specific pack is useful when its activity is your reason to buy. A larger ship is optional, and these recommendations are not our own gameplay benchmarks.
7 things to check before buying a Star Citizen starter pack.
Add a referral when setting up your account
Use the code at signup or within 24 hours on an unlinked new account. It does not lower the package price. Follow the signup guide before buying. Account UEC, package UEC and the temporary alpha wallet have different rules; do not promise an exact starting balance. RSI referral conditions
Official referral conditions. Current RSI package contents and checkout.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Star Citizen starter pack?
Compare the dated list and any freshly checked offers in the table, then confirm the final RSI checkout total. A previous Citizen promotion is not a permanent entry price. Choose a package that actually includes game access.
Is an expensive starter required for the referral bonus?
No. The standard account referral benefit does not become larger when you buy a bigger ship. Choose the package for access, its contents and your budget.
Are these current checkout prices?
They are source-dated list quotes or sufficiently recent verified offers. Availability, local currency, tax and product contents must be confirmed at RSI before purchase.