In the X: Rebirth Universe, ships comprise a large part of the game. They can trade, they can mine and they can also fight.

What are Ships

Ships are spacecraft that players see or use while travelling around the X Universe in their personal ship (currently the Pride of Albion AKA Albion Skunk). Most are specialized in different ways.

Briefly, each ship can fall under one of these categories: Civilian ships, Drones, Small/Medium ships, and Capital ships. Simoon wrote a guide for capital ships for Rebirth v3.00 and although it is a little outdated now, it may be interesting background with that caveat in mind (link).

How to Obtain a Ship

Depending on your desired ship, there are several different ways to obtain a ship and use it on your own:

Legitimate and Legal Way: Buy it

• You can not obtain Civilian ships through any in-game methods. They are automatically generated by their home Station (including player station(s))
• Small Ships are built-to-order and are bought at Small Ship Dealers
  • These dealers are located at various Small (Civilian) Shipyards in the universe. There are 2 in Albion, 1 in DeVries, 2 in Omicron Lyrae, and (DLC: TO) 1 in Fields of Opportunity. (see below)
• Capital Ships are built on request and are built by talking to Capital Ship Dealers
  • These dealers are located at various Capital Shipyards in the Universe. There are 2 in Albion, 1 in DeVries, 1 in Omicron Lyrae. and (DLC: TO) 1 in Fields of Opportunity. If you have advanced to a certain place in the Plot (AKA Capaign) another shipyard may be built in DeVries; it may build S/M & XL ships only depending upon how advanced it becomes
• Drones are obtained in a rather complicated way.
  • If you want to equip a drone on the Skunk, talk to NPC Drone Dealers; they will list their available drones. Other drone dealers, even on the same platform, may have different stock so shop around! (Note that the Construction URV was removed from this list, so do not complain about not being able to find any this way).
  • If you want to equip drone(s) on your ship(s), talk to the ship dealers at the appropriately-sized dock. Go to 'Modify Ships', then 'Equip Drones', then follow the steps to complete the job. (NOTE: it is usually quicker & cheaper to buy capship drones directly from a drone manufacturer, then use the 'Transfer Wares' command to Equip Drones to the target ship, provided at least 1 of the two ships has at least 1 cargo drone /equipped/ & both have functioning Drone Bays). 'Transfer From' & 'Transfer To' can be used in conjunction (requiring 2 trade commands) to equip drones to the original (drone-buying) ship

"Illegal" and "Pirate" Way: Board it

Refer to the articles about Boarding Ships for more info (link).

Simply put, you order your boarding team to try to overrun and take control of the ship. Note that it will reduce your reputation with <target> faction (as well as any faction nearby that is allied to <target>) to do so.

Random Way: Claim it

NOTE: This (mostly) applies to S/M ships!

When in dogfights with S/M ships, sometimes the Pilot in that ship bails out in an Escape Pod. The Small ship then becomes "Neutral" and does not function at all.

You will need to recruited a Pilot in order to claim the S/M ship. Once done, return to where your <target>ship is & double-click on it. Click "Claim" and wait for your Pilot to complete all procedures.

It is rumored that there are random ownerless ships scattering in the various locations in the entire X: Rebirth Universe.. If you happen upon a capship rather than a S/M sip you'll need at least a Captain to perform a similar feat (Pilots cannot work on capships; Captains cannot work on S/M ships)

Classifications of Ships

By Class

Ships are often classified by its "class". Here are the classes currently used:

1. XS
2. S
3. M
4. L
5. XL

Small Ships are always XS/S/M-sized ships while Capital Ships are always L/XL-sized ships. If you're unsure, look at the ship's details to see whether the ship has a jumpdrive (or fuel in its cargo). If Yes, the ship is L/XL; if No the ship is S/M (or lesser)

By Purpose

Ships are specially designed and can complete the following purposes: (see the ship's Encyclopaedia entry for its specialisation, if any)

1. TRADE with stations
2. MINE materials
3. FIGHT hostiles

4. BUILD stations

Some capships are multi-role. Whilst their efficiency is reduced in the role assigned, other needs (eg defensibility, cargo requirements etc) may suit <player> better for their particular situation

By Availability

Different ships are available to different Star Systems' shipyards. While any suitably-sized dock can /modify/ a ship (eg equip drones or repair), only certain docks can build /specific/ ships. Ship designs are faction-specific.

1. Albion
2. DeVries
3. Omicron Lyrae
4. (DLC: TO) Fields of Opportunity
5. (Upcoming) (DLC: HoL) Home of Light

By Appeareance

All ships (other than <playership>) may exist as NPC ships and carry out commands designed by the game.

1. Albion
2. DeVries
3. Omicron Lyrae
4. Maelstrom
5. (DLC: TO) Fields of Opportunity
6. (Upcoming) (DLC: HoL) Home of Light
7. (Upcoming) (DLC: HoL) Toride
8. (Upcoming) (DLC: HoL) Cold Star

List of Ships Available

(Sorted by Ship Class)

XS Ships

• Construction URV
• Cargolifter URV
• Interceptor URV Mk1
• Interceptor URV Mk2
• Intrepid URV Mk1
• Intrepid URV Mk2
• Overrun URV Mk1
• Overrun URV Mk2
• Assault URV
• Beholder URV
• Traitor URV
• Shield Matrix URV
• And also various Civilian ships (AKA Mass Traffic)

S Ships

• ...

M Ships

• Gigurum (all 4 variants)

L Ships

• Rahanas (all 5 variants)
• Sanahar
• Fedhelm
• Sequana
• Midir
• Onil
• Boann
• Light Sul
• Heavy Sul
• Balor
• Styrvok (all 6 variants)
• Stromvok
• Hermod
• Lepton
• K

XL Ships

• Construction Vessel
• Scaldis
• Taranis
• Arawn
• Succelleus
• Olmekron
• Fulmekron
• Gangrene Chaser
• I