Homeworld: Vast Reaches Complete Guide
1. Basic Controls & Interface
Camera Movement
Use grab/rotate gestures or pinch-to-zoom to adjust your view. Teleportation is available for quick navigation.
The Sensors Manager displays real-time maps, mission objectives, and detailed fleet status information.

Fleet Command System
- Strike Groups Management: Select units and issue movement/attack commands through radial menus
- Multi-unit Control: Hold and drag selection boxes to command groups of ships
- Focus View: Double-tap units to center camera on selected group

Tactical Pause Feature
Press B button to freeze gameplay for strategic planning. During pause:
- Reorganize fleet formations
- Queue unit production
- Adjust resource allocation

2. Resources & Building System
Resource Collection
- Deploy Resource Collectors to mineral-rich asteroids
- Prioritize dust cloud areas for maximum yield
- Monitor RU (Resource Units) counter in top HUD

Unit Production
During tactical pause:
- Drag unit blueprints from construction menu to strike groups
- Essential early units:
- Scouts: Fast reconnaissance with sensor sweep ability
- Interceptors: Light attack craft for hit-and-run tactics

Ship Recycling
Drag obsolete ships out of formation to:
- Recover 50% construction resources
- Free up fleet capacity for new units

3. Advanced Combat Tactics
Offensive Strategies
- Flank enemies using waypoint navigation
- Focus fire on capital ship engines first
- Use asteroid fields for ambush positions

Defensive Measures
- Maintain mobile defense patterns
- Repair Mothership subsystems immediately when damaged:
- Sensors (priority)
- Construction bays
- Hyperdrive

Hyperspace Mechanics
Execute emergency jumps to:
- Escape overwhelming forces
- Reposition for tactical advantage
- Requires stable navigation calculations

4. Essential Gameplay Notes
Critical Reminders:
- Sensor damage disables tactical overview - repair immediately
- Rada alliance is temporary - prepare contingency plans
- Manual saves recommended before major engagements

Pro Tips Summary
- Maintain balanced resource income
- Upgrade sensor arrays for detection range
- Adapt fleet composition to mission requirements
- Practice hyperspace calculations in safe zones
