KEY POINTS

  • Turrets can be manned by players or controlled by AI
  • Small-grid turrets on large-grid hinges can be made with some tricky maneuvering
  • The Custom Turret Controller removes the need to use cockpits for manually-controlled turrets

Automated turrets make up the first line of defense for any base or ship in “Space Engineers. They’ll help keep enemy players or hostile AI units from freely damaging structures, and they’re excellent when going on the offensive too.

The default automated turrets are great and all, but players can make their custom turrets fitted with more effective guns at a very little cost. Here’s what players will need to make custom turrets and a few design tips to help keep them effective and efficient.

How To Build Base Turrets

To make the base of a turret, players will need an Advanced Rotor and a Hinge connected to a conveyor system to feed ammunition into the turret’s guns. Next, place either a Conveyor Junction or Small Cargo Container to act as the turret’s base, then add the weapons of choice to the sides. After that, slap on some armor blocks to protect the turret’s important components during combat and a Camera to aim the turret with.

A basic hinge turret for base defense
A basic hinge turret for base defense Space Engineers

Lastly, place a Custom Turret Controller, which will allow the newly-built turret to be controlled by players or AI.

This is the very basic turret setup that’s very easy to make. However, this can be improved using a few clever tricks.

Turret Building Tips

Players can remove the large centerpiece of the Hinge and replace it with a small-grid version. Grind down the large hinge part, then place a small one in the middle; this is best done in Zero-G environments because the small hinge part will not snap onto the main assembly.

Head to the nearest control panel and select the Hinge. Click on the “Attach” button to connect the small hinge part to the large hinge, essentially turning it into a small-large grid hybrid. This will allow players to connect small-grid weapons onto a large-grid ship or building.

Having a smaller grid lets players place either more guns or more armor onto the turret without sacrificing much firepower.

To manually control the turret, interact with the Custom Turret Controller, then assign the Hinge, Rotor and Camera to the turret via the control panel menu. Once done, click on the “Control” button.

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