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UltimateXnova Beginner's Guide

Welcome to ultimateXnova, a free, open-source browser-based space strategy game inspired by classics like OGame. In this game, you start as a fledgling empire on a distant planet, mining resources, building infrastructure, researching technologies, constructing fleets and defenses, colonizing new worlds, and engaging in epic player-vs-player (PvP) battles. The goal? Dominate the universe!

ultimateXnova is a modern fork with a focus on improved UI/UX, including the brand-new NextGen UI that emphasizes mobile optimization, responsive design, reduced visual clutter, and a beautiful modern look. It's completely free-to-play with no mandatory microtransactions—Dark Matter (premium currency) is optional and can accelerate progress.

This extensive guide covers everything from registration to advanced strategies. Follow it step-by-step for optimal early-game growth. Pro Tip: Check out the demo/play server at game.ultimatexnova.de to get started risk-free.

1. Registration and First Steps

  1. Register: Go to your server's registration page (e.g., yourserver.com/index.php?page=register). Enter a username, password, and email. Confirm via email if required.
  2. Universe Selection: Choose a new universe (low player count, recent start) for faster growth. Avoid old, active ones as a beginner.
  3. Starting Location: You'll begin on Planet 1 (coordinates like [1:1:1]). Check the Overview page for your empire summary.
  4. In-Game Tutorial: Complete any pop-up quests—they guide basic building and teach mechanics.
  5. Settings: In the user menu (top-right), select a theme (NextGen recommended for modern/mobile-friendly look), enable mobile mode if on phone, and set language.

Key Pages (Modern UI Navigation):

  • Overview (Home/Dashboard): Resources, build queues, news.
  • Resources (Sidebar/Resource Panel): Production overview (compact in NextGen UI).
  • Buildings (Hammer Icon): Build mines, factories.
  • Research (Beaker Icon): Tech tree.
  • Shipyard (Spaceship Icon): Build fleet.
  • Defense (Shield Icon): Build defenses.
  • Galaxy (Galaxy Icon): Scout/explore.
  • Fleet (Fleet Icon): Send missions.

2. Core Resources

Your economy revolves around three resources:

  • Metal (gray): For hulls, buildings, defenses.
  • Crystal (blue): For electronics, research, advanced ships.
  • Deuterium (light blue): Fuel for ships, energy-intensive builds.

Production Formula: Mines produce based on level, planet position (colder = better deut), plasma tech, and officers/Dark Matter boosts.

Starting Levels and Key Boosts:

  • Metal Mine: Starting Lv. 4. Key Boosts: Plasma Tech, Geologist.
  • Crystal Mine: Starting Lv. 3. Key Boosts: Plasma Tech, Geologist.
  • Deuterium Synthesizer: Starting Lv. 2. Key Boosts: Plasma Tech, Geologist.
  • Solar Plant: Starting Lv. 3. Alternative: Fusion Reactor for energy.
  • Metal Storage: Starting Lv. 2. Expand ASAP!
  • Crystal Storage: Starting Lv. 1.
  • Deuterium Tank: Starting Lv. 1.

Early Build Order (First Hour):

  1. Metal Mine Lv. 5 → Solar Plant Lv. 4
  2. Metal Storage Lv. 4
  3. Crystal Mine Lv. 4 → Crystal Storage Lv. 2
  4. Deuterium Synthesizer Lv. 3 → Deuterium Tank Lv. 2
  5. Robotics Factory Lv. 2 (speeds all builds)

Goal: Keep storages full to avoid production halts. Use the Merchant later for trading if available.

3. Buildings Overview

Buildings enable everything. Queue them in the Buildings page. Build times scale exponentially—use Robotics Factory + Nanite Factory + Dark Matter to speed up.

Economy Buildings:

  • Metal/Crystal/Deuterium Mines (Max Lv. ~30+): Resource production.
  • Solar Plant/Fusion Reactor (Max Lv. ~30+): Energy.
  • Storages (x3, high max levels): Hold resources.

Production Buildings:

  • Robotics Factory (high max): Build speed.
  • Nanite Factory (low max): Massive build/ship speed boost.

Science Buildings:

  • Research Lab (high max): Enables and speeds research.

Military Buildings:

  • Shipyard (high max): Fleet construction.
  • Missile Silo (low max): Missile production.

Other Buildings:

  • Alliance Depot: Extra fleet slots.
  • Lunar Base (on moons): Moon management.

Planet Temperature: View in the planet panel. Ideal positions: Mid slots for balance, colder for deuterium.

4. Research Tree

Unlock via the Research page (requires sufficient Research Lab). Prioritize economy first.

Priority Order:

  1. Energy Tech → Plasma Tech (mine boosts)
  2. Computer Tech → Astrophysics (colonization and expeditions)
  3. Graviton Tech (for advanced structures)
  4. Military techs: Engine types, Weapons/Shielding/Armour

Key Technologies:

  • Energy Tech: Improves solar/fusion output.
  • Plasma Tech: Significant mine production boosts.
  • Astrophysics: More planets, expedition slots.
  • Drive techs (Combustion, Impulse, Hyperspace): Faster fleets.

Tip: Conduct research on your highest-lab planet or in parallel.

5. Fleet and Shipyard

Build ships in the Shipyard. Deuterium is consumed based on distance and speed.

Starter Fleet (Aim for early on):

  • Small Cargo ships (transport)
  • Light Fighters (cheap combat/raiding)

Key Ships:

  • Small Cargo: Basic transport.
  • Large Cargo: High capacity hauling.
  • Light Fighter: Fast, cheap attacker.
  • Cruiser: Strong vs fighters.
  • Battleship: Heavy damage dealer.
  • Recycler: Harvest debris fields.
  • Colony Ship: For new planets.

Missions:

  • Transport/Deploy: Move resources/fleets safely.
  • Attack: Raid or destroy.
  • Espionage: Gather intel.
  • Fleetsaving: Essential—send fleets on long missions with resources to protect them while offline.

6. Defenses and Combat Basics

Build in the Defense page. Early defenses are useful, but heavy defense is often crashed for profit—fleetsave instead.

Common Defenses:

  • Rocket Launcher: Cheap anti-fighter.
  • Light/Heavy Laser: Balanced.
  • Gauss Cannon: High damage.
  • Plasma Turret: Top-tier.

Combat involves rapid fire, shield penetration, and debris fields (30-50% recoverable with recyclers).

7. Expansion: Planets and Moons

  • Colonize: Requires Astrophysics and Colony Ships—target empty slots (max ~9-15 planets depending on tech).
  • Moons: Chance from large fleet battles—valuable for sensors/Jump Gates.

8. Player-vs-Player (PvP) and Safety

  • Fleetsave always: Never leave resources/fleets sitting.
  • Spy inactive players for raids.
  • Avoid heavy static defenses early.

9. Alliances and Social

Join an alliance for protection, shared intel, and fun.

10. Dark Matter (DM) and Premium Features

Dark Matter is optional premium currency (officers, instant builds, etc.). On most servers, it's free-to-play focused—no pay-to-win required.

  • Commander/Geologist/etc.: Production boosts.
  • Instant completion, extra slots, etc.

11. Advanced Tips & Milestones

  • Mine ratios ~3:2:1 (Metal:Crystal:Deut).
  • Use external tools/simulators if allowed on your server.
  • Focus on economy early, fleet later.

Common Mistakes: Not fleetsaving, unbalanced planets, rushing fleet without economy.

Have fun conquering the universe! Check server forums or Discord for specific rules/updates. 🚀