If you have the capital and an Ironclad, Laranite trading is one of the cleanest big-haul money plays in Star Citizen. The trick is simple: buy near 2,200 aUEC/SCU, sell near 9,700 aUEC/SCU, and never dump cargo when demand is bad.

This run is not about speed. It is about patience, cargo volume, and refusing bad sell prices.

Star Citizen Ironclad Laranite Run Overview

This route works because the profit spread is huge.

Why it works: Laranite can refresh in small batches, but the margin is strong enough that even a partial Ironclad load pays well.

Best Buy Locations for Laranite

Focus on places that support practical loading. For this run, the best sources were:

Stock will not always appear in one big pile. Expect refresh waves.

In testing, Laranite stock refreshed roughly every 10–15 minutes. Sometimes it was 175 SCU. Sometimes 500+ SCU. Buy the big containers first and keep checking.

Buying Priority

If you see 32 SCU Laranite boxes, take them first. Do not waste the cargo grid on awkward tiny boxes unless you are topping off.

Step-by-Step Ironclad Laranite Strategy

1. Check the Sell Price Before Buying

Do this first. Always.

Your target is Rod's Fuel Depot buying Laranite around 9,700 aUEC/SCU.

If the sell price is closer to 8,100–8,900 aUEC/SCU, the run still may profit, but you lose a lot of upside. Do not commit millions unless the spread is worth it.

2. Prepare the Ironclad

Before buying cargo:

1. Go to ASOP.

2. Claim or retrieve the Drake Ironclad.

3. Make sure it appears in the commodity terminal.

4. Confirm you can load cargo to it.

Do not buy first and troubleshoot later. That is how money gets trapped.

3. Fill in Waves

You probably will not fill the Ironclad in one purchase.

A realistic fill looks like this:

If the station only has a few SCU left, skip it unless you are already waiting. Time is part of the profit equation.

4. Sell in Batches, Not Panic

At Rod's Fuel Depot, the price hit around 9,720 aUEC/SCU. Good.

The problem: demand can cap out fast.

You may sell part of the Ironclad, then see:

• Very high inventory
• No demand
• Reduced sell quantity
• Price drop to around 8,100 aUEC/SCU

When that happens, stop selling.

Store the ship. Come back later. In this run, the price recovered back near 9,700 aUEC/SCU the next day, and the remaining cargo sold at the proper rate.

That decision is what protects the 5M+ profit.

Profit Breakdown

The headline number is realistic, but only if you respect the sell price.

The Ironclad makes this work because it turns a good margin into a huge payout. Smaller ships can run the same trade, but the total profit per trip drops hard.

Risk Management for Star Citizen Cargo Trading

Big cargo runs make big money. They also punish sloppy decisions.

Loose Cargo Warning

Extra boxes can fit inside the Ironclad, but loose cargo is risky.

If it is not snapped to the grid, it can bounce, clip, or disappear. Only do this if the extra profit is worth the chance of losing it.

Ship Bug Warning

Avoid using ships that are behaving badly in the current patch. In testing, the Railen was too unreliable for expensive cargo. When cargo value is in the millions, stability matters more than style.

When This Run Is Worth Doing

Run this route if:

• You have enough capital to buy Laranite.
• You own or can access an Ironclad.
• Rod's Fuel Depot is buying near 9,700 aUEC/SCU.
• You can wait through stock refreshes.
• You are willing to hold cargo instead of selling low.

Skip it if:

• You need instant cash.
• Sell prices are weak.
• You cannot afford to have millions locked in cargo.
• Your ship or server feels unstable.

For faster but smaller money, use a medium hauler. For max payout, the Ironclad is the play.

FAQ

What is the best commodity for this Ironclad trade run?

Laranite. The margin is the reason. Buying around 2,200 aUEC/SCU and selling near 9,700 aUEC/SCU creates enough spread for a 5M+ aUEC run.

Where should I buy Laranite in Star Citizen?

Use CRU-L4 and ARC-L1. Stock may refresh in batches, so check every 10–15 minutes and prioritize 32 SCU containers.

Where should I sell Laranite for max profit?

Sell at Rod's Fuel Depot when the price is near 9,700 aUEC/SCU. If the price drops, hold the cargo and wait for the market to recover.

Can I sell the full Ironclad load at once?

Not always. Demand can cap out. Sell what the terminal accepts at the premium price, then wait. Do not force sales at a lower price.

How much can this Ironclad Laranite run make?

A strong run can make around 5M–5.5M aUEC profit. The final number depends on stock availability, buy cost, demand limits, and whether you wait for the best sell price.

Summary

The Ironclad Laranite run is a high-capital, high-patience cargo strategy.

The winning formula:

1. Buy Laranite at CRU-L4 or ARC-L1.

2. Target around 2,200 aUEC/SCU.

3. Fill the Ironclad with large boxes first.

4. Sell at Rod's Fuel Depot near 9,700 aUEC/SCU.

5. If demand caps or price drops, wait.

The biggest mistake is selling too early. The best profit comes from holding the line on price. Done properly, this route can clear 5 million+ aUEC from one Ironclad run.