Energy
Energy is the fundamental pacing resource in Space Idol. Every task and mission costs energy to start, and you have a limited supply that refills over time.
How Energy Works
- You have a maximum energy cap that increases as you level up.
- Energy refills passively over time, even while you’re offline.
- The refill rate is calibrated so you regain a full session’s worth of energy between play sessions (roughly every 4–6 hours).
- When you log in, any energy that accumulated while you were away is waiting for you.
- Level-ups fully refill your energy — early game feels nearly unlimited because you level fast.
Energy Is the Only Wait
In the prologue, energy is the single time-gate. Tasks complete instantly — you tap, choose your effort, and get results immediately. There are no idle timers or mission durations. When you’re out of energy, that’s your cue to take a break and come back later.
In the tycoon phase, energy still matters (it represents agency operational capacity), but crew dispatch timers add a second pacing layer. Timers only appear once you’re invested enough to enjoy managing them.
Energy Costs by Task Type
| Activity | Energy Cost | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Side tasks: Quick | Low | Prologue |
| Core tasks | Varies | Prologue |
| Side tasks: Special | High | Prologue |
| Tycoon missions | Higher | Tycoon |
Managing Energy Wisely
- Prioritize core tasks when they’re available — they advance your story and offer the best rewards.
- Don’t let energy cap out. If your bar is full, you’re wasting passive regeneration. Spend some before logging off.
- Replay strategically. Replaying tasks costs 70–80% energy. Only replay when the potential blueprint or commendation is worth it.
- Use quick tasks as filler. Low energy cost, low commitment — perfect for spending those last few points before a break.
- Special tasks are a gamble. High energy cost means you’re investing a chunk of your session. Make sure the potential reward justifies it.
Energy Refills
If you run out of energy and want to keep playing, you can purchase an Energy Refill from the shop using Ions (premium currency). This instantly restores your energy to maximum.
This is a time-saver, not a power advantage. Paying players get more sessions per day, but free players hit the same progression milestones across more days. Nobody is locked out of content.