X3: Albion prelude combines elements of dogfighting, economics and fleet organisation. To thrive in the hostile and outnumbering universe, the player requires ships suited to each role.
M1 - Carriers: Able to economically bring large swarms of fighters (or corvettes in the case of the Aran, Kyoto and Valhalla) into battle while delivering some capital ship grade damage to enemies at a distance
M2+ - Heavy Destroyers: Very slow, heavily shielded and bearing lethal firepower these flagships are as much of a bane to their enemies as the construction cost is to their owners
M2 - Destroyers: These ships have high sustained damage and shielding that makes mincemeat of most fighters, corvettes and stations but at the cost of low speed and manoeuvrability combined with a large hit box
M3+ - Heavy Fighters: Bearing more guns and shields that conventional M3 fighters at the cost of maneuverability
M3 - Fighters: Less manoeuvrable compared to The M4 and M5 ships but have substantially higher durability and firepower and a greater range of missile options
M4+ - Heavy interceptors: An intermediate between M3 and M4 ships
M4 - Interceptors: General use combat ships
M5 - Scouts: Used for exploration, ferrying equipment, scanning asteroids and drawing heavy enemy fire in an economical manner
M6+ - Heavy Corvettes: Slower but better shielded and higher damage corvettes
M6: Corvettes: Less agile than a fighter but with at least twice the shielding and the ability to mount weapons that deal heavier damage, there is also a paradigm shift in missile options
M7 - Frigates: Less agile than a corvette but with over three times the shielding and the ability to mount weapons that deal heavier damage however they lack the laser generators for sustained firing
M7M - Missile Frigates: Bringing total doom to anything in their path and great for boarding enemy ships however, these ships require a large economy to keep them supplied with missiles
M7C - Carrier (Drone) Frigates: Frigates exchanging firepower for a hanger able to carry fighter squadrons into battle
M8 - Bombers: Designed to eliminate any ship too slow to dodge (M6, M6+, M7, M7M, M7C, M2, M2+ and M1 ships and stations) the only problem these ships have is a limited ability to fend off attacking fighters and the ability to keep them supplied with torpedo missiles
TL - Large Transports: Unable to dock at stations and relying on Freight Drones for trade, these ships have huge cargo holds able to carry whole stations and even the ability to dock fighters
TM - Military Transports: Lightly armed ships able to dock multiple fighters for more economical redeployment
TP - Personnel Transports: Transports designed for the luxury transport of large numbers of passengers making them a must have for some missions and a storage for spare marines/mercenaries
TS+ - Heavy Small Transports: Trade ships with increased firepower, shielding and cavernous cargo holds in exchange for reduced speed and a larger price tag
TS - Small Transports: Able to carry XL goods and with large cargo holds these ships make ideal traders and commercial agents for stations