Star Citizen guide #17: becoming a bounty hunter

Hunting criminals for a reward: bounty hunting is the combat career par excellence. It grows both your bank account and your flying skills.

Bounty levels

• Bounty contracts are ranked by danger level: VLRT (very low risk), LRT, MRT, HRT, VHRT and ERT (extreme risk).
• The higher the level, the better armed and escorted the target… and the better the pay.
• Levels unlock through reputation: complete several contracts at one level to access the next.

Preparing your hunt

• A multi-role fighter is enough for the first levels. For heavy targets, you’ll need a sturdier ship, or a wingman.
• Refill your ammo and missiles at landing services before leaving.
• Read the contract carefully: some bounties target someone on foot, inside a facility. Bring your FPS gear in that case.

During the hunt

• Make sure you’re shooting the right target: hitting an innocent ship earns you a CrimeStat.
• Take out the most dangerous escorts first, then the target.
• Once the target is down, the contract completes. Sometimes you also have to recover proof or an item.

Wanted players

Players with a high CrimeStat can also have bounties on them. These hunts are less predictable: a player fights back, runs or calls for backup. Prepare accordingly.

💡 Beacon tip: to progress fast, chain bounties at your level without skipping steps. A failed VHRT costs you a ship; three successful MRTs pay with no risk.

Read next: Space combat for dummies · Reputation and progression · Piracy and CrimeStat

Written for Star Citizen Alpha 4.10.2 (October 2026). The game changes with every patch: if something has moved, tell us in a reply and we’ll update the guide.