Star Citizen Cutter: the budget starter favourite
Cheap, rugged, and surprisingly capable. A great budget first ship.
By Domux. Updated 2026-10-03.
The Drake Cutter is one of the cheapest, most approachable ships in Star Citizen: a no-nonsense little starter that punches above its modest cost. If you want the lowest-cost way to own a ship beyond the entry Aurora, the Cutter is a favourite.
What it is
The Cutter is a compact, rugged starter ship with a surprisingly usable cargo space, a bed for logging out, and a friendly, forgiving feel. Drake ships are built cheap and tough, and the Cutter is the entry point to the brand.
Who it is for
Brand new players who want an affordable, characterful first ship that can dabble in cargo, light hauling and exploration while they learn. It is a genuine starter, not an aspiration ship.
How a new player gets one
The Cutter is an affordable ship that appears in Starter Packs and is cheap to buy or rent in-game, so it is well within reach for a new player. The smartest path is still to start with the cheapest qualifying pack, the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 (RSI Aurora Mk II), take the 50,000 UEC from a referral code, and pick up or upgrade to a Cutter as you like. Not sure? Use the finder.
Want a cheap, fun first ship? The Cutter is a great budget pick. Sign up with the referral code for 50,000 UEC of in-game currency at the same price, and start flying. All ships.
Sources and updates
By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.
Edited 3 October 2026. Prices are USD before tax. Check RSI for current offers and event dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Drake Cutter a good starter ship?
Yes, it is one of the cheapest and most approachable ships in Star Citizen: rugged, characterful, with usable cargo space. A great budget first ship. Any qualifying Game Package bought with a referral code also grants the 50,000 UEC bonus.
How do you get the Cutter in Star Citizen?
It appears in Starter Packs and is cheap to buy or rent in-game. Start with the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 and a referral code for 50,000 UEC, and add or upgrade to a Cutter as you like.
Cutter or Aurora for a beginner?
Both are excellent cheap starters with slightly different feels. The RSI Aurora Mk II comes in the cheapest Citizen Starter Pack ($45); the Cutter is another budget favourite. The referral bonus is the same 50,000 UEC either way.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
The signup link pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR. RSI advertises the bonus after buying a Game Package. The $40 fresh-money threshold determines the referrer's Recruitment Point. RSI referral conditions
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR ✓ Verified referral code · Today: 3 October 2026