Getting Started

Welcome to Nexus Legacy — a deep space 4X strategy game where you build, research, conquer, and explore.

What is Nexus Legacy?

Nexus Legacy is a persistent browser-based space strategy game. You start with a single colony on a planet, gather resources, research technology, build fleets, and expand across a procedurally generated galaxy with thousands of star systems.

The game combines classic 4X elements — eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate — with real-time mechanics: buildings upgrade over time, fleets travel between stars, and research unlocks new capabilities as you progress through five technological eras.

Whether you prefer peaceful economic expansion, aggressive military conquest, or cooperative alliance play, Nexus Legacy has systems to support your playstyle.

Choosing Your Commander

When you create your empire, you pick one of five commander archetypes. Each grants a different set of empire-wide passive bonuses that shape your playstyle from the start. Your pick is permanent, so choose the style you actually enjoy.

Your First Colony

You begin with a single planet in the Sentinel zone — a safe zone protected by automated wardens where you can learn the game without fear of attack.

First Steps

1. Build an Ore Mine — Ore is the foundation of everything. Get this producing first.
2. Build a Silicate Mine — Silicates are needed for technology and advanced buildings.
3. Build a Solar Plant — Every building consumes energy. Keep your energy balance positive.
4. Build a Hydrogen Processor — Hydrogen fuels ships and is required for alloys.
5. Upgrade your Research Lab — Higher lab levels unlock more advanced research.

Early Priorities

Economy First

A strong economy funds everything else. Focus on upgrading your mines and energy buildings to level 5-8 before branching out. Build a Storage Complex once your resources start hitting the cap.

Research Path

Your Research Lab unlocks the technology tree. Early research priorities include:

• Improved Mining & Silicate Refining — boost your income
• Energy Systems — more efficient power generation
• Probe Technology — lets you explore the galaxy around you
• Orbital Mechanics — unlocks your shipyard and first ships

See the full Research Tree for details on all five eras.

Your First Ships

Once you research Orbital Mechanics and build a Planetary Shipyard, you can construct your first ships:

• Probes — send these to explore nearby systems automatically
• Scouts — your first combat vessel, useful for clearing weak pirate camps
• Freighters — transport resources between your colonies

See Ships & Weapons for the full fleet roster.

Expand Carefully

Once you research Colonization Technology, you can build Colony Ships and settle new worlds. Choose your colony locations wisely:

• Rocky planets for ore
• Gas Giants for massive hydrogen production
• Crystalline planets if you need more silicates
• Terra planets for population and bio-extract
• Ice planets for cryo-ice
• Volcanic planets for energy and plasma cores

More about planet types in Galaxy & Colonization.

Guide Overview

This guide covers all major game systems. Use the sidebar or the links below to navigate.