Expand the ship without waiting for a shipyard
Every hull block is both future production space and part of an enemy battlefield. In the updated Hull Rupture demo, enter Hull Construction during a run to pause flight and place a randomly offered block with empty module slots. There are 15 block types in the rotation, and a type does not repeat until the full set has been offered.
The system arrived in September and received a deeper explanation in the October 22 developer post. Older footage that relies on preset shipyard expansions shows a different version of ship growth.
Check the placement before committing
The offered block cannot be rotated. You can attach it to a side of the hull or place it a short distance away, where supports create a corridor that aliens can travel through.
Two limits make advance planning important: do not obstruct the Airlock or engine, and placed hull blocks cannot be demolished. Before confirming a position, ask what it does for both construction space and the route toward the Airlock.
A useful placement routine is:
- Look at the module kits you own and the shapes of the spaces they need.
- Examine where the offered block fits without obstructing critical systems.
- Check how its position changes exterior approaches and internal corridors.
- Compare the value of placing it now with the resource cost of skipping it.
- Commit only when the new space or route serves a purpose in the run.
You cannot demand a particular block next. The nonrepeating 15-piece cycle helps explain the selection, but it still arrives in randomized order.
Turn empty slots into usable module space
New hull space does not automatically make every empty slot immediately buildable. An empty module slot becomes available when a completed module is next to it. Plan how you will extend the existing built area toward the new room you want to use.
This is why checking your kits first matters. An awkwardly shaped expansion can leave you with space that does not suit the module you were saving for. Conversely, building toward a useful slot can support the production upgrade your next defense depends on.
The early construction cost is Energy; later hull blocks require Plasteel. Skipping an unsuitable offer also costs resources. Treat those costs as part of your economy rather than adding hull solely because another block is available.
Shape the battlefield as well as the factory
Hull geometry changes enemy travel, while module placement changes production. An open or exposed corner can suit a long-range turret; a small enclosed section can give a short-range weapon a more useful position.
The October devlog contrasts compact layouts, which help crew travel and adjacency effects, with layouts that stretch enemy routes and create additional firing opportunities. Neither shape is automatically best for every kit selection. Choose the trade-off your current ship can use.
The developers also note that bosses land at the far upper-left part of the ship, away from the Airlock. A longer approach can give defenses more time to work. Some players have even made a spiral outside the Airlock, an unintended maze strategy acknowledged in the devlog.
Cosmetic outer-hull elements are a separate matter: the developers state that their visual adjustments do not influence alien routes. Build the actual route with hull placement rather than relying on decoration.
See the official Hull Construction and demo update announcements for the version-specific rules behind these choices.
FAQ
Can I rotate or remove a hull block?
The September construction description says blocks cannot be rotated, and the October deep dive says placed blocks cannot be destroyed. Inspect the fit before placing one.
Why can I not build in a new empty slot?
A completed module needs to be next to that slot. Adding hull creates space, but existing construction must also connect to the place you want to use.
Does skipping a block cost anything?
Yes. The developers explicitly say skipping an unsuitable block costs resources, just as placing blocks does. Early construction uses Energy and later construction uses Plasteel.