Cargo Ships
Contents
General information
If "Cargo Ships" is enabled in the advanced options of a world, the game will from time to time spawn random hostile or Allied Ships from a predefined list (that can be extended with mods). These ships will fly near random players after they spawn in, and will despawn after a time if left alone. They will travel at their predefined speed, but in a random direction. Those ships are usually equipped with a Beacon or Antenna that shows where they are if they spawn. These ships are worth capturing because they hold loot like ores, ingots, and components including the blocks the ship is made of, which can be grinded for more parts. But, they are well-defended with turrets of all kinds.
Ships
The following cargo ships may be randomly spawned (as of Update_01.023.000)
Cargo Ship | Category | Mass (Kg) | Speed (M/s) | Booby Trapped | Exterior Defences | Interior Defences | Game Version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Private Sail | Private | 72 447 | |
|
2x | - | 01.045.000 |
Business Shipment | 184 972 | |
|
2x | - | 01.045.000 | |
Commercial Freighter | 463 395 | |
|
3x | 1x | 01.045.000 | |
Mining Carriage | Mining | 266 084 | |
|
1x | - | 01.030.000 |
Mining Transport | 401 953 | |
|
2x | 1x | 01.031.000 | |
Mining Hauler | 1 540 908 | |
|
4x 2x | 2x | 01.030.000 | |
Military Escort | Military | 350 048 | |
|
2x 2x | - | 01.030.000 |
Military Minelayer | 1 637 990 | |
|
5x 2x | - | 01.030.000 | |
Military Transporter | 5 578 454 | |
|
5x 3x | 5x | 01.030.000 |
While its behavior differs slightly from that of cargo ships, the recently-added Argentavis pirate carrier is another possible encounter. It is rather heavily armed and spawns drones but carries a substantial reward for any players who successfully defeat it.
Traps
The Military Minelayer and Military Transporter have explosives on them, and will explode if not careful slowing them down (don't use inertia dampeners) and attacking them.
Capturing
Capturing ships is useful if you need goods or a new ship, they can contain components, ores, ingots, ammo, and tools, but the real value is in grinding them.
How to Capture a Ship
What you will need
- a working small ship fighter with a Landing Gear, Gatling Gun (optional), and Rocket Launcher and good thrust in all directions
- a Grinder (tool) and Welder (tool)
What to do
First, destroy all turrets on the ship. After that is done, attach your fighter to the ship and turn on inertia dampeners, this will stop the ship. Go inside the ship, find the control center and take control (By grinding it down below the red/blue line, then repairing it with your Welder) so you can fly it back to your base. Be wary that your own base defences will target it so make sure you alter their behaviour or switch them off before you bring it back. Now you have a captured ship!