Ships have a hull type which defines the shape, cargo capacity and fuel tank capacity of the ship. Every player can build up to 20 different hulls, some of them are exclusive to his race. Most players can also clone captured ships. The hull mass also is the most important component of a ship's battle mass (weapon resistance).
► Note: The ship types are defined by the person designing the ship list. You cannot design your own ships. The restrictions and possibilities of the ship types you can build make up an important part of the strategy and skill you need to win the game with your race.
Ships have engines. The number of engines are defined by the hull, you cannot build this hull with more or fewer engines. There are 9 engine types with varying efficiency. All engines can move the ships at all speeds from Warp 1 to Warp 9, but cheap engines burn much fuel doing that. Usually, you want the best possible engines. Engines can have an effect on the ship's battle mass. See AllowEngineShieldBonus and relatives.
Depending on their hull, ships can be outfitted with weapons. Except for fighter bays, you can outfit the ship with fewer weapons than the ship could carry; you can even leave them out completely.
- Beam weapons are the most basic weapon. Beam weapons fire charged particles or highly focused energy bursts. They can be fired at enemy fighters or ships, and can be used to sweep mines. Some missions require the ship to have beams. Beam weapons have a certain mass. There are 10 beam types differing in their energy output, all beam weapons on a ship must have the same type. Although beams need time to recharge, they can otherwise fire as often as needed.
- Torpedo launchers can fire torpedoes at enemy ships. Torpedoes are warheads with a small targeting engine aboard, that set free energy and radiation when they hit their target. Torpedoes can also be turned into minefields. Torpedo launchers have a certain mass, torpedoes weigh 1 kt each. There are 10 torpedo types, all torpedo launchers on a ship must have the same type. Torpedoes take up space in the cargo bay, launchers do not. You must buy torpedoes before you can fire them; a fired torpedo is then gone.
- Fighter bays can launch fighters. Fighters are small manned spacecrafts with an own engine and a small beam weapon. They fire at enemy ships and enemy fighters, and can sometimes also sweep mines. Fighter bays are part of a ship's hull, therefore, you cannot add or remove fighter bays. They don't have a mass, and there is just one type. Fighters weigh 1 kt each and take up space in the cargo bay. You must buy fighters before you can use them. If a fighter is shot down in combat, it is gone; otherwise, fighters try to return to their base after performing their mission. Ships with fighter bays are called carriers.
No ship can have torpedo launchers and fighter bays at the same time. Beams are also called main weapons, and torpedoes and fighters are also called secondary weapons.
The components built into the hull (engines, weapons) are fixed when the ship is built, and cannot be changed afterwards. The Super Refit mission is the only exception. When a ship gets damaged, some of its components may cease to function, but after repair they will be again fully usable.
Some ships have special devices which are part of their hull. See Hull functions. Most of these devices are available to whoever owns the ship, but some only work for certain races, or require a certain amount of experience to operate. These devices are also assigned by the person designing the ship list, you cannot buy your own devices.
Ships have a crew. They can operate correctly as long as there is at least one crewman. However, when all crew is killed in combat, the ship gets captured.
Ships have a cargo bay. They can carry the three minerals (Tritanium, Duranium, Molybdenum), supplies and colonists, as well as ammunition for their secondary weapons. Ships can only carry ammo which matches their weapon: torpedo ships can carry just their torpedo types, and carriers can only transport fighters.
Ships also have a fuel tank to store Neutronium fuel as well as a locker in which they can carry up to 10000 mc.
Players can choose the names for their ships. Those will be cited in messages referring to the ship, including distress calls which everyone in the game universe receives.
Ships can be under remote control. Remote-control ships will behave as if they belong to their real owner, but receive commands from the controlling player. This is implemented by giving them to their real owner during hosting, but handing them to the controlling player for the result and turn files. See under remote control for more details.
Starship crews have experience. Experienced crews are better at certain tasks than others, including combat.
