AI Systems

StarMade has two distinct AI systems: ship/turret AI controlled by the AI Module block, and AI Crew — NPC companions you can hire and command.

Ship & Turret AI

The AI Module block allows a ship or turret to operate autonomously.

Requirements

  • One AI Module per ship (only one is allowed — protect it well).
  • Faction membership is strongly recommended so the AI knows who its enemies are. The AI can operate without a faction, but enemy identification is less reliable.

Setup

  1. Place an AI Module on the ship in build mode.
  2. Press R on the AI module to open its configuration panel.
  3. Set the mode: Ship (uses thrusters to manoeuvre) or Turret (does not use thrusters, rotates in place).
  4. Set the targeting behaviour (see below).
  5. Tick Activate to enable the AI.

Warning: Entering the ship core disables the AI instantly. You must re-enable it each time you exit the core.

Targeting Behaviour

Setting Effect
Aim at Any Attacks any enemy entity within range
Aim at Selected Target Targets only the entity selected by the host ship's pilot (turrets only)

Remote Activation via Structure Panel

You don't need to walk to the AI module each time. From inside the host ship:

  1. Press Delete to open the Structure Panel.
  2. Find the docked entity you want to control.
  3. Enable or disable its AI from there.

You can also toggle all docked entities at once from the Structure Panel.

AI Crew

AI Crew are NPC characters you can hire and give direct commands to.

Hiring Crew

Crew is hired from Advanced Shops — these are special NPC stations found: - In the starting sector of new worlds - Rarely throughout the universe (check the navigation panel for Trading Guild NPCs)

Talk to the NPC at an advanced shop (R) to hire up to 5 active crew members. You can have more total crew by assigning some to a ship as their home base.

Commanding Crew

Press the AI Control key (default: check your key bindings — listed in the HUD as AI Control) to open the crew command panel. Select a crew member from the list on the left and issue commands.

Command Effect
Follow me Crew member follows your character
Wait here Crew member stays at current location
Go to point Crew member moves to a position you designate

Assigning Crew to a Ship (Setting Home)

Crew members have a home — a ship or station they belong to. By default they spawn near where you hired them. To reassign a crew member to your ship:

  1. Tell the crew member to Follow You.
  2. Go to your ship.
  3. Tell the crew member to Go to a Point on your ship.

The ship is now their home and they will move with it when it travels.

Crew Management Panel

Press the AI Config Panel key (check key bindings) to open the full crew panel. In the Crew tab you can: - Rename crew members - Remove crew members - Adjust individual behaviour settings

Limits

  • You can only have 5 crew members under direct active command at a time.
  • Crew assigned to a ship as their home do not count against this limit while they are stationed there.
  • Discharge crew to their ship to free up active command slots.