Deuterium
Deuterium is a heavy hydrogen isotope extracted from water. It serves as fuel for ships and powers advanced research.
Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Deuterium Synthesizer |
| Storage | Deuterium Tank |
| Color | Cyan |
| Abundance | Low |
Production
Deuterium is produced by the Deuterium Synthesizer. Production depends heavily on planet temperature.
Base Production
Planets have minimal base deuterium production:
- Base: 100 deuterium per hour (at universe speed 1x, before position bonus)
Production Formula
Production = 100 * Level * 1.1^Level * (2.0 - 0.00321 * (MaxTemp + 130)) * Universe Speed * Production Factor * Position Bonus
The temperature factor makes colder planets produce more deuterium. Production Factor drops when your energy is negative.
Temperature Effect
Deuterium production varies significantly by planet temperature. See Deuterium Synthesizer for the exact modifiers.
Energy Consumption
Deuterium Synthesizers consume energy:
Energy = 20 * Level * 1.1^Level
Double the consumption of Metal/Crystal mines at the same level.
Uses
Deuterium is consumed as fuel and research material:
Ship Fuel
- Every fleet mission consumes deuterium
- Longer distances = more fuel
- Larger fleets = more fuel
- Faster speeds = more fuel
Research
- Advanced technologies require deuterium
- Weapon/Shield/Defense upgrades
- Drive technologies
Fusion Reactor
- Powers the Fusion Reactor
- Consumed continuously for energy production
Special Structures
- Sensor Phalanx scans (5,000 per scan)
- Certain facilities
Fuel Consumption
Fuel usage depends on distance, ship mix, and speed settings. The game calculates fuel per ship with speed scaling and combines galaxy/system/position costs.
Planet Position Bonus
Combined with temperature effects, positions 13-15 are ideal for deuterium. See Deuterium Synthesizer for exact bonuses.
Strategy
Early Game
- Lower priority than Metal/Crystal
- Build once you need fuel for fleets
- Level 5-7 is sufficient early
Mid Game
- Critical for research progress
- Fleet operations consume heavily
- Consider a "deuterium planet" on position 14-15
Late Game
- Massive consumption from large fleets
- Long-range expeditions need fuel reserves
- Fusion Reactors consume deuterium for energy
Deuterium Economy
Managing deuterium is crucial:
- Don't overfuel - Send exact amounts for missions
- Cold planets - Specialize outer planets for deuterium
- Efficient routes - Shorter distances save fuel
- Fleet composition - Some ships are more fuel-efficient
- Speed settings - Lower speed = less fuel (but more time)