In Hardspace: Shipbreaker, you will use multiple pieces of specialized equipment for tearing apart, moving, and dismantling each part of a ship. One of the most important tools in a Shipbreaker's arsenal is tethers. These items may seem simple, but they have some very handy uses.
While tethers may at first seem simple to use, an experienced Shipbreaker can use tethers in expert ways while breaking ships. Let's take a look at how exactly to use tethers, and some tips for best utilizing them.
How To Control The Grappler And Tethers
First, let's review the basic controls for using the grappler and tethers.
Left-clicking while aiming at an object will grapple you to that object, allowing you to manipulate it. High-density objects will move slowly, while low-density objects can move quickly, and may cause damage to you or other parts. While grappling an object, right-click to reel in the grapple. For heavier objects, you will be pulled towards the object. For lighter objects, the object will be pulled towards you, instead.
While aiming at an object, press and hold right-click to place a tether point on the object. While continuing to hold right-click, aim towards a different object and release to place the second tether point, creating a tether between the two objects. Then, these two objects will be pulled towards each other. Placing the second tether point on a stationary object like the walls of the shipyard will instead cause the object to travel towards it.
Additionally, you can press the F key to force push an object that you are tethered to. This will blast the object forward, allowing you to move it a distance without remaining grappled to it.
Tips For Using Tethers
The best way to use tethers is for moving large objects into the processor, furnace, and barge. Ship panels and heavy fuel tanks will take time to manually move into their respective salvage locations, so instead use tethers to do the work for you. Simply attach a tether between the panel and the inner wall of the processor, and the panel will automatically move there.
Additionally, you can create tether chains by placing tethers between multiple floating objects. This will allow you to move multiple pieces of salvage into the processor at the same time.
Similarly, you can attach multiple tethers to an object to increase its pull strength and speed. Tethers already have an increased gravitational pull compared to the regular grappler, but you can use multiple tethers to pull even the heaviest objects into place. When you've stripped a ship of all its goodies, and only the inner frame remains, you can attach multiple tethers to quickly move it into the furnace and finish your shift.
Alternatively, you can use multiple tethers to rotate or move heavy objects into a different orientation. For example, some ships may have large parts on the top, making moving them into the barge difficult. To get around this, attach one tether to the wall of the barge, then attach another to the stationary structures near the top of the salvage yard. Doing this will cause the part to rotate off the ship, allowing you to maneuver it around to the barge.
Tethers are relatively inexpensive, so be sure to replenish your stock at the terminal as much as necessary. After a bit of practice, you'll be a tether-slinging pro.