Hero Classes and Roles

New to Endless Space? Learn about the different ship classes, from Corvettes to Dreadnoughts, and how their tonnage, HP, and module bonuses affect their roles in combat and fleet composition. Your guide to building the best fleets!

Hey there! So you're diving into Endless Space and wondering about ships? Let's break down the different classes and what they're good for. Think of these as your main tools for exploring, expanding, and, well, conquering.

Every Faction in the game has 6 ship classes. As you go up the classes, they generally get bigger (more Tonnage), cost more Command Points (CP), and require more Industry to build. Each class also has specific bonuses or penalties to certain module types, which really helps define their role. You'll start with Transports and Corvettes, but the bigger ships like Destroyers, Cruisers, Battleships, and Dreadnoughts need to be unlocked via the Technology Tree, specifically the Exploration & Expansion branch.

Here’s a quick rundown of the classes, generally from smallest to largest:

• Transport: Your workhorses for moving things around, but not much else. They get a -40% bonus to Support Module Tonnage, which is pretty significant.
• Corvette: Small and nimble. They get a -25% bonus to Support Module Tonnage (like engines and scouts) and a +1 speed bonus. Good for early skirmishes or scouting.
• Destroyer: A step up. They have a -20% bonus to Weapon Module Tonnage.
• Cruiser: A solid mid-game ship. They have a -25% bonus to Support Module Tonnage (like armor and invasion modules) and require Titanium-70.
• Battleship: Getting into the heavy hitters now. They get a -20% bonus to Defense Module Tonnage and a +1 speed bonus.
• Dreadnought: The absolute titans of your fleet. They don't have specific module tonnage bonuses listed in the same way, but their massive Tonnage (400) and Hit Points (3000) make them incredibly powerful. Just be aware they cost a hefty 400 Industry and 4 Command Points (CP)!

It's worth noting that in the *Disharmony* expansion, some module costs are based on a percentage of Tonnage, which can make certain choices more impactful. For example, an Engine module taking up 20% of a Dreadnought's Tonnage is a huge chunk of space!

Each Faction also gives its ships unique looks, so your fleet will always feel distinct. Keep an eye on those module bonuses – they're key to designing ships that fit specific roles, whether it's a fast scout, a heavily armed attacker, or a durable defender.