There are two main types of hulls. Standard, mechanical hulls are the most basic option, while it is possible later in the game to create biological ships if the proper technologies have been researched. Biological ships, while leaving slightly less internal space available, are more robust and possess natural regenerative properties; they also include a basic power generation unit.

In addition, it is possible to categorise ship hulls according to their size. Indeed ship hulls come in all sizes and shapes. The size of a ship hull determines how the ship will be used.

Ships using tiny hulls are appropriate as scouts, or later in the game, when miniaturisation has been perfected, as small fighters. Tiny hulls imply a high maneuverability but a low firepower and protection.

Small hulls make very good fighters. While still being highly maneuverable, they can support many more components than tiny hulls and are usually somewhat more robust. The default fighter design is based on a small hull.

Medium hulls are useful to make ground troops carriers, or high-power fighters. They are much less maneuverable by default than their smaller counterparts, but are clearly more robust.

Big hulls are appropriate for high-powered local defenses, or basic hyperspace-capable carrier crafts. They are about as maneuverable as a fridge, tho. However, they can take a beating before blowing up.

Huge hulls make excellent capital ships. Their size allows them to be outfitted with lots of weapons as well as hangar bays for smaller ships. While having a very low maneuverability, they are very robust.

Enormous hulls are, well, enormous. Whatever one might want to put inside a ship, it’s likely that this type of hull can handle it. However, their maneuverability is low, and while this is amply compensated by their great robustness, they will require a crew to fly.

Gigantic hulls are almost as big as possible. They are capable of carrying loads of equipment and are highly robust. They require a crew and are not quite maneuverable.

Colossal hulls are the biggest hulls available. Even gigantic hulls are small compared to these mastodons. Their maneuverability is as low as it gets, and they require a crew. But on the other hand, these can really be made into flying fortresses that can take as much of a pounding as an entire fleet of smaller ships.

The list of hulls players can use has been divided between mechanical and biological hulls. Both lists are ordered by size.

The first one deals with mechanical hulls.

The second list regroups biological hulls. None of these ships have direct equivalents in Beta 5, and none are available by default.