Ships

In order to be a successful pilot in the universe, you'll need to own and understand the various **ships** in the universe. These space-faring vessels can fit a variety of capabilities and can be a powerful force if used properly. Here are the various types of ships that you, the pilot, may encounter in the universe.

This article classifies ships into two different categories: **Economy** and **Combat\*.** While most ships can fit into either of these categories if used correctly, they serve very different purposes. However, in the universe, no two ships are the same and it is important to use your judgement as a pilot while interacting with other vessels.

When the player owns multiple ships, they can give each ship orders, which will make the ships perform various tasks according to you. This will be useful to streamline and automate your growing faction.

\*= Please note these categories are not canon.

## Economy Types

**Miners**: These ships are useful for asteroid mining operations. With cavernous cargo holds and industrial mining lasers, these ships can chew away at asteroids and haul their ores back to base without a hitch.

**Traders**: These ships have large cargo space, and with the guns to protect them. Ideal for a merchant looking for a profit, although these ships tend to get expensive.

**Transports**: Small, fast, and cheap, these ships are great for hauling passengers across space while avoiding pirates at every turn.

**Scavengers**: These ships are fast and light, allowing them to reach the spoils of a battle faster and get out just as quickly.

## Combat Types

**Ambushers:** These ships are fast and small, using advanced cloaking devices and powerful weaponry for their size, allowing them to decimate the enemy and make sure they stay that way.

**Carriers**: These ships are behemoths. Not only do they have the strength and protection to parallel that of a small navy, but can fit just as much in their docking bay.

**Decoys**: These ships rush into battle and draw away enemy fire. Light and cheap, they're able to get in and get out. They boost the morale of everyone in their army, except the crew of course.

**Escorts:** Simple, nimble little ships with moderate armour and firepower, with enough speed to follow and protect their V.I.P .

**Fighters:** These ships are small, relatively inexpensive, and can bring the fight. While not exactly the most sophisticated, they are the backbone of a successful navy and will proudly fill the ranks of your fighting forces.

**Supporters**: These ships are usually upgraded from stock. Despite being somewhat weak, their long ranged weaponry can keep enemies at bay while others rush in to fight.

**Scouts**: These ships have thin armour, and light weaponry, but move faster than any other vessel in space. They are usually the spearhead of the attack on sectors and stations. They can track a target, scan it, and call in a strike and get out of there quickly.

**Tanks**: These ships put emphasis on enormous shields and armour, and can sweep out and overwhelm a battlefield.

## In game Variant Names

Ship classes also have their own variants.

**Barebones:** Your “fresh” variant. No weapons, and the cheapest variant available. Ripe for customisation for several roles.

**A-variant:** The standard variant for all ships, with stock weaponry and equipment. Most ships in the universe come in this variant.

**X-variant:** The second most common variant among all the ships. It comes preinstalled with a cloaking device. (In the Flyer X variant, it also comes with a reinforced hull.) These ships can sneak through enemy areas and do all forms of mischief in the process. It is worth noting that Capital ships, unlike smaller ships will need to be purchased as an X variant to equip cloaks.

**X-B variant:**  This is a special variant of Magnus Battleship used only by Black Sail. It has a reinforced hull, cloak capabilities, unique weapons and components Loadout. The Magnus X-B has a skull and crossbones on the front and a unique paint job.

**H-variant:** This variant is designed to hold more cargo. As a result, they have reduced weaponry. Good for merchants who set their eyes on industrial-scale trading.

**M-variant:** The mining variant. Any vessel of this variant comes with a mining laser. Only these vessels can equip a mining laser. The only ships built with this design are the Ranger and the Hauler.

**P-variant:** The passenger transportation variant. They come with a passenger module. The size of this module is determined by the craft size.

**EQ-variant:** This is a special variant exclusive to the Magnus battleship. It works similar to a moving Military Outpost. It has the ability to rearm and refit vessels as large as Frigates. With this variant, you can create essentially a moving base to support an invasion force.

**ML-variant:** This is a special variant exclusive to the Creon freighter. It comes with 3 small missile turret bays. Ships in this variant can protect themselves from pirates while on the move or support an attack while serving as a long-range weapons platform.

Ships receive the "+" marks after the class of the ship to indicate that the equipment is modified.

## Battleships

### Magnus

Combat: Carrier

Economy: Trader/Transport

One of the most powerful ships in the universe, rivalled only by the brute force of the Overlord. Its weapons can destroy multiple ships at a time while keeping a fleet of ships stored comfortably inside of it. Its major weakness is its speed, meaning it can easily be overrun with sheer numbers. Therefore, it is a good idea to have escorts or at least have combat-ready ships in your hangar.

## Cruiser

### Overlord

Combat: Tank/Carrier

Economy: Transport

The Overlord is the most powerful ship in the universe in the department of firepower, although it cannot keep as many ships in its hangar. It makes up for this through better speed, making it the best choice for brute force on the move. If used in fleets, entire sectors can be obliterated in the blink of an eye if used properly.

## Destroyer

### Ares

Combat: Tank/Escort

Economy: Trader/Transport/Scavenger

The Ares is a strong ship that can fit a variety of combat roles while still packing an all-around punch. It can also serve as a strong escort, but is used best when grouped together.

## Freighter

### Hauler

Economy: Trader/Transport/Miner/Scavenger(with upgraded engine)

The Hauler is one of the most versatile and important ships in the universe, being the backbone of trading and mining operations. They not only have decent amounts of cargo space but can protect themselves with a variety of weapons. Several variants exists, including the P-Variant, which can transport passengers efficiently, and the M-Variant, equipped with a mining laser. This is one of the most versatile ships in the universe and is extremely valuable mid-game after you create stations.

### Creon

Combat: Escort/Support

Economy: Trader/Transport

These ships can be compared to an improved hauler. For a higher price you can have a larger cargo space and a bigger armament, although combat should still be avoided. The ML variant can serve as a weapons platform with 3 powerful missile bays.

## Frigate

### Drake

Combat: Standard Fighter/Support/Decoy/Escort

Economy: Scavenger/Trader/Transport

This ship is a frigate, but is much more like a fighter. It boasts a high turn rate and the ability to deliver fire from four weapon bays. It can be a useful heavy/multipurpose fighter that can disarm most capitol ships when needed.

### Venture

Combat: Standard Fighter/Support/Decoy

Economy: Trader/Scavenger/Transport

This is an inexpensive trading vessel that is caught between the robust frigates and nimble fighters. The cargo space and maneuverability makes it a good choice for quick commerce. Additionally, with upgrades, one can find that this fighter can be adapted to combat if used correctly.

### Orion

Combat: Standard Fighter/Escort/Support

Economy: Scavenger/Trader/Transport

The poor man's capitol ship. It is useful as a heavy support vessel for high-power engagements. The Orion is fast, armoured and able to pack a serious punch with 6 turret bays. When building your empire, these will be a vital part of your navy and can fill a variety of roles.

### Thunder

Combat: Standard Fighter/Escort/Support

Economy: Trader/Scavenger/Transport

This ship is among the best fighters and combat vessels in the game. Backed up with high firepower and speed, this can put the boot down on your enemies and keeping them on their heels. As your empire becomes more advanced, these ships will serve critical roles in your navy, especially as escorts or throwaway scouts. It's definitely worth the $1.50 .

## Fighter

### Shuttle

Combat: Decoy/Standard Fighter

Economy: Trader/Scavenger/Transport

This small, trusty ship is mainly used for quick, cheap trading and transport, or as a scout and intel platform in combat. While it has some combat capabilities, combat is generally inadvisable. Incredibly useful in early/early mid game.

### Hornet

Combat: Scout/Ambush/Standard Fighter/Decoy

Economy: Scavenger/Trader

A cheap and simple fighter, although what it lacks in firepower compared to other vessels it makes up in speed, being the fastest ship in the game. It is used as the spearhead of an offensive and can intercept, recon, and tear down your opposition with great speed. It can fit a variety of combat roles and therefore suggested for use due to its low price and great characteristics.

### Pioneer

Combat: Scout/Decoy/Support/Standard Fighter

Economy: Trader/Transport/Scavenger

A cheap and versatile ship. It has a large cargo hold for its size, coupled with the highest turn rate in the game and ability to carry passengers. It can also be used as a fairly capable fighter with some modifications. Overall, an excellent early and mid game ship and is great as a personal vessel.

### Flyer

Combat: Scout/Ambush/Standard Fighter/Escort

Economy: Scavenger/Trader

A fighter slower but with more firepower than the hornet. It is a worthwhile investment as these ships can be used in fleets to protect strategic points, intercept bandits, or used in massive numbers to absolutely maul on capitol ships. Despite the questionable hull assembly and armour it serves as a standard benchmark fighter.

## Scout

### Ranger

Combat: Decoy/Standard Fighter

Economy: Miner/Scavenger/trader

This is one of the first mass produced ships in the universe, however its luster has long since faded away. Nowadays, it is primarily used for scavenging or scouting. However, equipping a mining laser allows one to collect ore and sell them, eventually allowing them to upgrade to a more worthy vessel.

### Raptor

Combat: Decoy/Standard Fighter/Scout

Economy: Scavenger/trader

Another relic of a bygone time, the raptor is still an upgrade from the ranger, however is still lacking in the hallmarks of more capable vessels. In combat, it can be used as a cheap scout but can also serve as a scavenger and salvage vessel.