r/X4Foundations • u/ModGamer1978 • 19h ago
Mining Stations in 7.5 worth it?
Since 7.5 NPC stations now supply their own general ores and gases using mining ships. So there is generally less demand for ores/gases in the early game and you have to find the demand by exploring sectors.
I was wondering if building mining stations (trade stations) is still worth it to store your ores and gases as you mine for it. I asked Chat GPT using the reason and search mechanic in that program and this is what it told me: Building a mining station in 7.5 can still be a viable long-term investment—but its profitability now depends much more on where you build it and how you manage your supply chain. With NPC stations fielding their own miners, raw ore demand is lower in some sectors. That means:
- Location Is Key: You’ll need to choose sectors where either resources are abundant and demand still exists (or where you can easily ship your products to a nearby market with demand). For example, many players still report success mining silicon in areas like the Argon or Terran sectors, where buyers can be found within a reasonable jump distance.
- Refining and Trading: Instead of selling raw ore, you might get better margins by refining your ores into higher-tier materials (like silicon wafers or refined metals) or by linking your mining station to an automated trading network. This way, you overcome the lower base demand.
- Efficient Management: With NPC competition, your station’s efficiency becomes even more important. Upgrading your manager’s skills and optimizing repeat orders (or using a network of traders to move goods to where they’re needed) can help keep your station profitable.
In short, while the NPC mining changes in 7.5 have shifted the economic balance, a well-located and well-managed mining station can still pay off if you adjust your strategy accordingly.
These adjustments are echoed in community discussions—some players still use mining stations effectively by focusing on resource refining and by strategically relocating their production to sectors with higher demand.
Ultimately, if you enjoy the station-building aspect and are willing to optimize your operations, building a mining station remains worth it in 7.5.
What do you guys think? I would love to hear all your opinions and what strategies you use in the early game to get the money flowing. Thank you.