Merits

**Merits** are the in-game currency of Void Bastards. It is likely the standard currency of the CNT.

## Appearance

A single Merit looks like a yellow ticket with a thin border and a stylized "M" in the center. Merits found lying around in ships resemble a stack of these tickets, held together with a metal clip.

## Uses For Merits

### Krell Mart

Krell Mart stations Used to purchase supplies, including Food, Fuel, ammunition, Materials, Warp Keys, and Torpedoes.

### Terminal Authorizations

Most terminals have a Merit Box that can authorize additional benefits for a price. Upon authorizing the purchase successfully, the Merit Box will print the Client a receipt. The same terminal cannot be authorized a second time on the same run.

* The **Helm computer** can be Authorized to show all enemy Citizens and security elements on the map.
* The **washing stations** in the Hab Room can be Authorized to make the Client immune to all hazards for the rest of the ship run.
* The **tea machine** in the Break Room can be Authorized to grant the Caffeinated status for twice as long.
* The **Emergency O2 dispenser** in the Atmo Room can be Authorized to double the amount of oxygen available to the Client for the rest of the run.
* The **Security control panel** in the Sec Room can be Authorized to disable all security elements (turrets, robots, and cameras) for the rest of the run.
* WCG Therapy Brigs have a Gene Room in them, containing a Gene Therapy Machine. The Client can Authorize the machine to reset the Traits being offered. The Client can use this to either change Trait offers that they don't want, or gain two Trait offers instead of just one.
* Psych Crafts have a Warp Room in them, containing a single Warp Key. The Client can Authorize the Warp Key Holder to dispense a second Warp Key.
* Torpedo Boats have a Torp Room in them, containing a single Torpedo. The Client can Authorize the Torpedo Holder to dispense a second Torpedo.
* Additional uses of Krell Mart dispensers and the Garb Room Recycler machine can also be Authorized for Merits.

### Locked Container Authorizations

Clients will often run across a container that is locked by a Merit Box. These containers always contain a Part. Which Part it contains depends on which room the container is in and how much the Authorization costs. For example, a locked 25-Merit container in the FTL Room will always contain an FTL Nozzle.

### Subverting Security

If the Client has built the appropriate manager devices (right column of the tech tree), they can use the Merit Box on turrets and security robots to subvert security. Merit Boxes are located on the front of turrets and on the back of robots. Subverted security elements become allies in the same way as a Citizen that's been shot with a Scrambler. It is still possible to be attacked by the security element while the Authorization is running, so it is advisable to only approach turrets and robots that have been stunned with a Zapper first.

It is sometimes possible, though rare, to authorize a security robot that hasn't been activated yet. If a ship at Depth 2 or greater has a large Sec Room, the security robot's back will be to one of the windows separating the inner Secure chamber from the outer area. If this window is broken, the Client can reach through and activate the merit box without having to trigger an alarm first.

### Locking/Unlocking Secured Doors

The "SECURED" door in the Sec Room requires Merits to lock and unlock. Locking this door prevents any security robot stowed behind it from leaving that room if a security alarm is tripped. This is also a great room to lead and trap tough mobs such as Screws into, since the Client can crawl out of this secure room through a floor-level broken window.

There's a similarly locked "SECURED" door in the Drier Room. This door must be unlocked to safely reach the lootable areas behind the driers.

## Earning Merits

* Citizens occasionally drop Merits when killed.
	+ If a ship has the **Merited Citizens** Trait, every Citizen killed will drop 1 Merit.
* Merits can be found as loot in containers or laying on the ground.
	+ CNT ships often have large stacks of Merits to loot, particularly in the Serv Room office
* Clients may run across free Merits while flying the S.T.E.V through the Sargasso Nebula (these spaces will look like a scrap of paper with a sideways M on it).
* Clients can sell their scrap at Recycler Machines located in Garb Rooms.
* Clients can sell their recycled materials at Krell Mart.
	+ Clients will get the same amount of Merits for less material in easier-level Krell Marts; consider flying to Depth 1 or 2 and/or using a Warp Key if you plan to sell materials.