Starbound has many fun ways for players to utilize their resources and start their colonies. Players have many options, from placing colonies on their ships to putting them on planets. These colonies provide the player periodic credits or other gifts and can even be coveted NPCs like merchants. Players can also help determine the species of their colonists by placing themed decorations or furniture. Players can aim for a particular colony theme and tailor their colonists to match.
1. To start a Colony, players will need a Colony Deed from Frögg Furnishing, located at the outpost.
2. Recruit a colonist by placing the deed in an enclosed area. This includes rooms on player ships.
3. The colonist species will change depending on the environment the deed is in.
4. Colony Deeds can also be placed in rooms on Planets.
5. The deed will display the Unhappy icon if the room becomes Destroyed or Damaged.
6. Besides ordinary colonists, Merchants can be spawned by placing Two Storage Crates in the room.
7. Make sure to mark any planetary colonies with a Flag bookmark to teleport there later.
8. Rent can be collected from colonists periodically, indicated by a Gift Icon on the deed.