Early accessCitadel is still in development. Numbers and rules on this page can change between patches. Last checked October 2026.
Affinity is a hull's own progression. A ship earns affinity XP as it is flown, levels up, and spends the points on one specialization. It belongs to that one ship, not to the pilot, and it does not depend on what is fitted.
How it works
- A hull starts with no affinity. Binding picks one of eight, and the choice is permanent: the game labels it a permanent decision before you confirm.
- XP is earned by the ship, and it accrues even before the hull is bound.
- Each level gives one point. Points go into any of the affinity's four options, and each point adds that option's bonus. There is no way to take a point back.
- Perks unlock by how many points you have spent: at 5, 10, 15 and 20. Where two perks share a threshold you pick one, and the pick cannot be changed.
- Prime Amplifier, at 15 points, makes the option you have put the most points into half again as strong.
- Affinity bonuses are exempt from the stacking penalty.
- Points spent add to the ship's build rating.
Earning XP
| For |
XP
|
| Killing an NPC |
The NPC's loot value
|
| Killing a player |
1.5 times the victim's build rating
|
| Mining |
2 times the value of the ore delivered
|
| Opening a loot container with the harpoon |
20% of the container's value
|
| Landing the final hack of an encounter |
10% of the encounter's value
|
| Repairing other pilots or NPCs |
1 XP per 20 HP restored, up to 60 XP a minute. Repairing yourself gives nothing.
|
Levels
The first level takes 700 XP and each one after takes 20% more than the last. The maximum is level 20.
| Level |
Total XP, about
|
| 2 |
700
|
| 5 |
3,750
|
| 10 |
14,550
|
| 15 |
41,400
|
| 20 |
108,300
|
The affinities
The text in the tables is the game's own.
Turret
| Option |
Per point
|
| Turret damage |
+1% turret damage per point
|
| Optimal range |
+1% turret optimal range per point
|
| Rate of fire |
+0.5% rate of fire per point
|
| Tracking speed |
+2% turret tracking per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5 |
Extended Magazines |
+25% max ammo capacity
|
| 10 |
Servo Lock |
Tracking speed ramps up to +35% after 10s on the same target
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Marksman |
Turret damage scales with range: -50% up close, +100% at long range
|
| 20, pick one |
Brawler |
Turret damage: +100% up close, -50% at long range
|
Missile
| Option |
Per point
|
| Missile damage |
+1% missile damage per point
|
| Missile range |
+2% missile range per point
|
| Missile homing |
+1% missile homing strength per point
|
| Missile speed |
+2.5% missile speed per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5 |
Extra Tubes |
+1 missile salvo size
|
| 10 |
Salvo Cascade |
Missile hits briefly speed up magazine recharge (5s)
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Penetration Load |
Missile damage stacks up to +100% on the same target (5 stacks)
|
| 20, pick one |
Splinter Volley |
Missile impacts chain to a nearby enemy at 50% damage
|
Drone
| Option |
Per point
|
| Drone output |
+1% attack damage, repair amount, and mining work per point
|
| Drone endurance |
+2% deployment time for every live drone per point
|
| Signature radius |
-1% signature radius per point
|
| Drone speed |
+3% drone speed, thrust, and torque per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5 |
Drone Bay Expansion |
+1 controller bandwidth
|
| 10 |
Swarm Discipline |
Below 60% heat, drone output scales up to +50%
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Tithe Protocol |
Passive armor regen: 5/sec. Rises to 20/sec with drone deployed. All drones get 2x mobility.
|
| 20, pick one |
Brood Lord |
+2 controller bandwidth; signature radius +125% while drones are deployed
|
ECM
| Option |
Per point
|
| ECM range |
+2% ECM max range per point
|
| Heat dissipation |
+2% heat dissipation per point
|
| Mine damage |
+1% mine damage per point
|
| Mine trigger radius |
+1% mine trigger radius per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5, pick one |
Minefield Expansion |
+1 mine magazine capacity
|
| 5, pick one |
Thermal Reach |
ECM range +50% while in the optimal heat zone
|
| 10 |
Reactor Bleed |
Heat dissipation +50% while overheating
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Signal Burn |
Each ECM on enemy target halves their heat dissipation (stacks)
|
| 20, pick one |
Cluster Munitions |
Detonated mines spawn 3 secondary mines at 15% damage
|
Shield
| Option |
Per point
|
| Barrier HP |
+1% barrier max HP per point
|
| Barrier regeneration |
+1% barrier regen rate per point
|
| Max heat |
+2.5% max heat per point
|
| Heat dissipation |
+2% heat dissipation per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5 |
Forge Field |
Barrier regen rate scales up to +100% with ship heat
|
| 10 |
Thermal Flow |
Barriers vent ship heat when they absorb damage
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Hellfire Barrier |
Destroyed barriers detonate for damage equal to half their max HP
|
| 20, pick one |
Hollow Aegis |
Max armor is zeroed; barrier capacity scales from your former max armor
|
Armor
| Option |
Per point
|
| Max armor |
+1% max armor per point
|
| Kinetic resistance |
+0.75% kinetic damage reduction per point
|
| Repair amount |
+2% max repair amount per point
|
| Max heat |
+2.5% max heat per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5 |
Reinforced Plating |
+15% max armor
|
| 10 |
Damage Control |
Repair amount scales up to +50% as your armor drops
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Impact Threshold |
Per-hit damage capped at 10% of max armor
|
| 20, pick one |
Battle Hardened |
Kills add 10% of the victim's max armor to yours (for the session)
|
Agility
The game lists this one as Agility; it is the affinity for Propulsion modules.
| Option |
Per point
|
| Max speed |
+1% max speed per point
|
| Thrust |
+2.5% thrust per point
|
| Torque |
+2.5% torque per point
|
| Mass reduction |
-1% hull mass per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5, pick one |
Overburn |
Max speed +20% while boosting
|
| 5, pick one |
Slip Vector |
Max speed +35% while drifting
|
| 10 |
Coolflow Vents |
Heat dissipation scales up to +50% at max velocity
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Slipstream Frame |
Kinetic resistance +35% while boosting
|
| 20, pick one |
Dead Angle |
Signature radius halved while drifting
|
Utility
| Option |
Per point
|
| Cargo slots |
+1 cargo slot per point
|
| Salvage luck |
+1% salvage luck per point
|
| Mining speed |
+2% mining speed per point
|
| Winch speed |
+3% winch speed per point
|
| Points spent |
Perk |
Effect
|
| 5, pick one |
Power Winch |
+50% winch speed
|
| 5, pick one |
Core Cutter |
+35% mining speed
|
| 10 |
Smuggler's Pact |
5 free breach merchant refreshes; applies your salvage luck
|
| 15 |
Prime Amplifier |
+50% effectiveness of this hull's prime stat
|
| 20, pick one |
Mother Lode |
Doubles mined ore
|
| 20, pick one |
Gambler's Will |
50% chance a harpooned container survives for another loot pull
|
