Ships

'I'm senior! Pull for the Calypso!'

Pause a second. Before you lambast this craft for being useless, think of the use you're trying to employ it for. It's a shuttle. It's used to take you somewhere, whether it's the local massage parlour, a moon of Jupiter or your own ship. Anyone who tries to use this for anything else is a fool. They're also living in denial because it can't even enter hyperspace. Since it sees service all across the Empire, the Federation and the Independent Systems, the makers of this vessel are really the ones laughing.

'My other ship is an Interplanetary Shuttle'

As its name would suggest, the Lifter's primary function is to aid in manoeuvreing Lynx Bulk Carriers or Long Range Cruisers around starports and planets, much in the same way tugboats would nudge the great ocean liners of the 20th century in and out of their docks. You may as also occasionally catch the Federal military transporting Sky Marshals to the front in a luxuriously appointed Vanden Plas version.

'See that? No, back there...'

The lightest military vessel the Federation fields. It's often seen patrolling around all Federal military bases, and is also used as a training vessel. Extremely limited capacity. However, it's the fastest vessel available, and the Federation is justifiably proud.

'An employer of millions'

The Federation, mostly at the behest of the United States, pours a high percentage of its budget into maintaining a large fleet of small airfighters. They field two such craft: the Hawk and the Kestrel. The Empire doesn't have a match for these vessels, and instead prefers to defend its home skies with a combination of Ospreys and the Vipers of the secret service. The Hawk is the mainstay of the Federal Airfleet, and exists in huge numbers. It's an extremely fast ship. As well as being the Osprey's match for speed it also has a relatively large capacity. Out of all light fighters, it's the most useful and can almost be turned into a medium range vessel. This is ironic considering its original design intent as an airfighter.

'A Kestrel for a Knave?'

The Kestrel was superseded by the Hawk, but still remains in service thanks to its rugged reliability and popularity at air shows. Indeed, it's an attractive ship. Its age is beginnging to show, however. It's more expensive than a Hawk, as well as being slower with an inferior jump range.

'Curves to die for'

The Empire's answer to the Falcon may have the looks, but it can't match it for speed. The slight inferior to the Falcon in speed as well as a tonne lighter and a grand cheaper. It does, however, have a slightly superior jump range.

'Old faithful'

Has been around longer than anyone cares to remember. As such, customised paint jobs are the norm amongst younger flyers seeking originality. A Mk. II version literally never took off the ground due to hull integrity problems. The Mk. I has since been superseded by the Mk. III, but the Mk. III is usually 30,000 Credits more expensive. The Mk. I is now only an average ship. It manages a reasonable 10.7 light years with its standard Class 2 hyperdrive, yet its drive mechanisms are horribly dated, and acceleration and top speed are abysmal in relation to other ships in this class.

'The Original and Best'

Available to both Federal and Imperial navies, the Eagle Mk. I isn't the inferior vessel a ship with two later revisions might be. So impressed were the Federation and Empire with this cheap, reliable vessel that they each funded their own variants. The results were ships that simply weren't a significant improvement over the original. The Eagle is extremely fast, cheap and has enough cargo space to spare that it can even pay for itself. You'll be tearful when you finally trade it in.

'Federation Class'

The Federation's Eagle Mk. II was built in Eta Cassiopeia by Raqoon Industries under licence to Faulcon De Lacy. For some unknown reason, the ship's reverse thrust capabilities are severely flawed. The jump range is slightly inferior to the Mk. I and it's more costly. As a result of these deficiencies, the Eagle Mk. II is quite a rarity these days.

'Empire Class'

The Federation and Empire Class Eagles both have identical forward acceleration and cargo capacities. The Empire Class is without the reverse thrust flaw, but is an extra three tonnes in overall weight-- probably due to the iron bars the Empire fits to their Eagles in order to identify them from vessels of the Federation Class. Therefore, the jump range is even further reduced. Again, not recommended over the Mk. I and only superior to the Mk. II in terms of reverse thrust.

'Independent and Proud'

A solid figher, but it needs a hyperdrive upgrade immediately to be of any use. This compromises its cargo space somewhat, so a military drive is the way to go. Once kitted out as a military vessel (it can carry four missiles), the Krait is a decent medium fighter, capable of taking on all ships in the Eagle class with ease. For this reason, all Independent corporations saw fit to buy up huge fleets of Kraits to counter any expansionist probes into their domains on the part of the Federation and Empire.

'A poor man's Krait?'

The Sidewinder is cheaper than the Krait, but in no ways is it the inferior ship. Its only major downside is the lack of a missile pylon. On the plus side, it's faster than the Krait and two tonnes lighter, and can also carry a fuel scoop. This is thought to be a mistake in the original blueprints, since it should be able to carry a missile. As a result, the Sidewinder isn't a popular ship amongst pirates, but sees extensive service with exploring officers of all services. It's fast enough to outrun any ship heavier, and with the fuel scoop mounting it can prove to be an extremely durable despatch vessel.

'The King of Defence Craft'

That the Viper is flown by all major police forces is proof that it's the ultimate defence craft. Capable of giving any Eagle a run for its money in the speed department, the Viper also holds the record for 'highest jump range without the use of wormholes'. When fitted with a Class 3 Military Drive, it can manage an astounding 27 light years, and still have room to be properly equipped as a fighting vessel. In every respect, a superb craft, and the best in its class.

The Viper is the only ship to have its own published Haynes manual.

'The Federation's finest'

The fastest in its class, and the favourite of many thousands of Frontier commanders. The Asp needs no introduction. Thankfully, the rights to it were sold off long ago and it is still produced with great care and attention all across the Federation and Independent systems. Fast for its size, large enough to trade with and one of the most attractive ships. When equipped to military specifications, the Asp is without equals: faster than the Cobra Mk. III, capable of carrying more and easily able to fly rings around an Imperial Courier. For this reason, an Asp is likely to raise suspicion at any Imperial space port. Quite possibly the best ship on offer.

»»» Short video of an Asp exiting hyperspace.

'The only 'Elite' ship'

Like its predescessor, the Cobra Mk. III has been around for a long time and is without mechanical flaws as a result. Much smaller, yet slightly slower, than an Asp, it nevertheless has the capability to be an extreme fighting machine. The weakest ship of its class, it is however the cheapest by far. The Imperial Courier isn't as flexible as the Asp or Cobra Mk. III, so if an Asp is too expensive, this makes a fine purchase.

'The pride and joy of an Empire'

The Imperial Courier is extremely expensive, and not capable of matching the Cobra Mk. III or Asp for speed. Like its bigger sister, the 'Trader, it's also limited to the drive it comes fitted with, meaning 10.4 light years is all you'll manage. The beauty and grace of the Imperial Courier belies its destructive capabilities. It can be fitted with an array of aggressive and defensive mechanisms, meaning that only a well-trained pilot can bring it down.

Check out 'EYWTKATICAWATA' for lots more information on the Imperial Courier.

'An excellent starter vessel'

Apart from the lack of a missile pylon, the Adder is an excellent ship. It's extremely popular (like the Cobra Mk. I) amongst younger traders fresh out of college for the many variations in colour schemes and liveries - look out for the camouflage version. The Adder is the King of the light traders, capable of a decent jump range and performing admirably in the speed stakes. For its price, you certainly can't go wrong.

'Keep it simple'

An awful jump range with the fitted hyperdrive. Once upgraded it can make a worthwile trading vessel, or even an excellent fighting ship if militarily equipped. The Constrictor is a decent enough ship, and has many fans who praise its simplicity.

'Decent jump range'

A cheap ship, built in poor outer systems. Capable of performing light trading duties, but vulnerable to attack from the pirates encountered in its home systems. For that reason, few insurance companies will touch you. Its one saving grace is an excellent jump range with the standard Class 2 hyperdrive.

'We all live in a Moray Starboat'

Not very fast, and nor does it excel in any other areas. The Moray Starboat isn't a great ship by any stretch of the imagination, yet it has a loyal following. Perhaps the 33rd century equivalent of the Volkswagen Beetle or Mini in that its cute looks and charm make up for any other deficiences there may be.

»»» Short video of a Moray Starboat.

'Inferior to the Tiger in every way'

The Lion is a terrible ship. Painfully slow, not particularly cheap (I have to ask why anyone would pay 348,000 Credits when 187,000 will buy you an Asp!) and flawed throughout. The turrents the Lion comes fitted with will fire their laser beams directly into the hull of the ship. Its poor design is also reflected in the garish colour schemes you'll sometimes see it in. Avoid.

Update: Jens Konrad argues that the Lion is in fact the ideal freighter to use in dangerous territories since it can carry an impressive eight missles, compared to the Tiger's paltry one. A good point, well made.

'Backbone of the Federal medium trading fleet'

The Federation immediately replaced the Lion with the Tiger. It's by far the superior ship in every way and performs its duty as a medium trader admirably.

'Simple'

A reasonable vessel, once again designed and manufactured chiefly by the Federation but mostly seen in Independent sytems. The Transporter is excellent for, well, transporting people or cargo around the galaxy. Its simple design means that it can defend itself well enough, unlike the Lion. Don't expect it to win any awards in the design originality stakes though.

'Nothing special'

An Independent heavy trader. Slow, and not capable of carrying as much as most of the others in its class, but nevertheless it's decent enough.

'Adequate large trader'

The third fastest and second largest in its class, the Boa is perhaps a better choice than the Panther Clipper for numerous reason. It needs two fewer crew members, is slightly faster and can manage a slightly better jump range. If you need an extra 700 tonnes of space though, buy a Panther.

'The Courier's big sister'

Apart from the Python, this is the cheapest heavy trader. It's also the second smallest and fastest, but by far the best looking. Again, you can't upgrade its drive and it lacks any turrents. The Imperial Trader is the only large trader the Empire builds, and it is only available inside the Empire. If you like the Courier yet want to become a trader, this is without doubt the ship for you. The rest of the traders may be much bigger, but none look as good.

'A behemoth'

The largest vessel you can own, and the Federation's final evolution of trading vessel. If you wish to make money, there's no better ship to own. However, you'll need a large crew of 12, which can be hard to find in one place. It's also not much fun to fly.

'Dull and boring'

Just as slow as a Panther Clipper, and just as dull. Large trading can be a tedious affair, yet there is demand for it. This is why so many large trading vessels exist. The Puma has nothing to recommend itself above any other ships in this class. It's also ridiculously named.

'The best of the large traders'

A step up from the Tiger, and one below the Panther. The Python is perhaps the finest trading vessel, and one that puts the Federation's Puma to shame. For its size it has impressive speed and isn't even that expensive. It's also not shaped like a brick, so makes a fairly exciting large trader.

'The wealth carriers'

Also used as generation ships due to their extreme size. LRCs are numerous in affluent systems, and are mostly used to carry prodigious amounts of simple goods.

'An advanced trading vessel'

The very big brother to the Lifter. Lynx Bulk Carriers can in fact play host to thousands of Lifters and act as mobile command centres, large conference venues for the universe's Elite and as traders of the most luxurious cargo.

'Back to square one'

Make sure you eject in a system that has somewhere to dock, otherwise you're in limbo. Lacking a hyperdrive, or any defences, these tiny craft come with the bare essentials.

'Illusory'

I suggest you read the Thargoids page before harbouring any illusions about owning one of these legitimately.