The Star Raiders Manual

V. Energy Usage

You start each mission with 9999 units of energy. Every operation of your starship requires energy. There are, however, different levels of energy required for different starship functions. You may obtain a new supply of energy (provided you don't allow it to totally run out), by docking at a starbase, the procedure for which is described in the next section (VI. STARBASE DOCKING). If you allow your energy to run out (reach zero) the mission will be aborted.

NOTE: As a warning, the Control Panel Display flashes red when your energy supply drops below 1000 units.

ENERGY DRAIN

Reason for Drain 

  Unit Drain

For each enemy photon hit 100 units
For photon fired 10 units
Per second when shields (S) are up 2 units
Per second when computer (C) is activated 1/2 unit
Per second for life support system (always on) 1/4 unit

ENERGY USED FOR ENGINES

Twin-Ion Speed 

  Unit Drain Per Second
0 0
1 1
2 1.5
3 2
4 2.5
5 3
6* 3.5
7 7.5
8 11.25
9 15

* The most efficient speed is 6 (v=12), in terms of energy usage and distance traveled.

ENERGY USED FOR HYPERWARPING

Hyperwarp Distance
(in sectors) 		  Energy Drain per Jump
(in units)
0 100
1 130
2 160
3 200
4 230
5 500
6 700
7 800
8 900
9 1200
10 1250
11 1300
12 1350
13 1400
14 1550
15 1700
16 1840
17 2000
18 2080
19 2160
20 2230
21 2320
22 2410
23 2500

NOTE: Jumps over a distance of five sectors are very costly. If it is necessary to go a long distance it is more efficient to make several smaller jumps rather than one long jump. Also note that these numbers are approximate only. It is possible to find null points within a sector which vary these values slightly.

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By Bill Kendrick, 1996-2021